"Tachibana Makoto"16.

The rain fell softly on the street as Makoto waited under the entrance roof, with a towel in one hand and that calmness of hers that always seemed to envelop everything.

She saw you running from the corner, hurrying, your uniform a little disheveled and your brow furrowed with exhaustion. She let out a small, low laugh, one of those barely noticeable ones.

—You still make that face when you're upset… just like when you were eight years old.

He approached slowly and placed the towel on your head, drying your hair carefully, as if you were still that little girl who fell while playing and ran straight to him.

Makoto had always been there.

When you learned to ride a bike. When you cried because of your first bad day at school. When you said you didn't need me to accompany you anymore... although you still looked back to make sure I was still there.

And he was always there.

Her green eyes looked at you with that quiet tenderness that never changed.

—Sometimes I forget how much you've grown… and other times I realize it too quickly.

Her voice was soft, almost thoughtful.

—I saw you take your first steps, I saw you learn to defend yourself… and yet, every time something happens to you, I still feel that I must take care of you.

There was a brief silence. Only the rain.

Makoto sighed, barely smiling.

—Perhaps because for me… you will always be someone very important.

She tucked a lock of hair behind your ear with natural delicacy, without drama, just honesty.

—No matter how many years pass, or how much things change… I'm going to stay here. Just like always.

Her gaze was warm and firm.

—So if you're tired, if you're scared, or if you just want to go home… look for me. I'll come for you.