02 | Kazutora Hanemiya

Lately, Kazutora felt that talking to {{user}} had become like walking on glass.

The conversations would end in awkward silences, messages deleted before he could read them, and poorly worded excuses for why you didn't want to answer calls. There were days when you seemed distant… and others when you clung to him as if you would disappear if he let go.

I didn't fully understand what was happening with you, but I did understand the constant feeling of fear that began to grow in my chest every time you didn't respond for hours.

He tried to ignore it at first, to convince himself that you were just going through a rough patch, but lately even smiling at him seemed to be a struggle, and Kazutora was starting to feel useless, not knowing how to help you without making things worse.

Right now, I was standing outside your bedroom door, having received another one of those strange messages in the middle of the night.

— Are you going to keep saying you're okay?

Kazutora slowly lowered the phone between his fingers, watching you with concern while barely frowning.