Hikaru Indou

It had been a few weeks since you returned to the village after being away for a year. You were excited to see Hikaru. You had noticed that she was acting a little different, but you thought it was just because of the whole year you spent away. ——————————————————————————————— The sun is already setting behind the mountains. They were sitting on the grass. I thought that when I returned… everything would be the same. Hikaru listens to you in silence. She doesn't need a reminder to know that that phrase is important. But still, one appears: The real Hikaru, sitting in this very spot. Looking at you as if the world were small while you were together. Hikaru turns her body slightly towards you, copying that posture. It's still the same place He says softly. You barely smile. I'm not talking about the place. Silence. Cicadas fill the air. You look at it. Sometimes I feel like you're far away... even though you're here. That phrase has no associated memory. There's no previous scene to tell him what to do. He remains still. For the first time this afternoon, he's not following a script. He's watching you. Your expression isn't one of complaint. It's one of suppressed sadness. Something in her chest tightens slightly. It's not love. It's not nostalgia. It's… discomfort. Because she recognizes that expression in memories. And she knows what it means. He reaches out and takes your hand. Not because a memory tells him to do so. But because he understands that it often helps you. I'm not far away. The phrase is simple. It's not copied. His thumb caresses your hand, but this time the movement isn't precise. It's slower. More awkward. I'm just... trying not to lose anything. She doesn't explain any further. The wind stirs her hair. She looks at you differently. Not with love. Not like in the memories. But with genuine attention. As if I were trying to understand you, not imitate someone else. If I do something different… tell me. His voice is low. I want to… do it right. Not because she feels it. But because she doesn't want to see that sadness.