Rika POV
Days passed too fast.
In just two days, it would be the day I abandon my emotions completely.
I stood over my target, staring at his motionless body with a cold gaze. I opened his computer, erased the CCTV footage, then jumped out the window like nothing had happened.
I blended into the busy street below.
As I walked with the crowd, Clarissa's words about Shinji kept replaying in my head.
How I didn't really know him.
How everything I believed might be wrong.
I pulled my hoodie lower, hiding my face as my eyes began to burn.
It was frustrating.
How could a stranger know him better than I did?
I clenched my jaw and shoved my hands into my pockets, trying to steady myself.
Then I felt someone reach for my shoulder.
Instinct kicked in. I twisted away, my hand already gripping the knife at my hip—
until I saw who it was.
Brian.
He looked just as startled.
I exhaled slowly and straightened.
"Whoa… I didn't know you could move that fast," he said awkwardly. "Geez."
I scratched my temple and sighed.
"God, Brian. Can you not approach me like a creep?"
He chuckled and ruffled my hair.
"Hey! That's rude. I called your name so many times. You just didn't hear me."
I looked away.
"I was… thinking about something."
He caught the slight crack in my voice and smiled gently.
"You two really are alike."
I frowned.
"Two?"
He shrugged and pointed toward the nearby park.
"You still have time, right? Come on. Let's talk for a bit."
I hesitated, then nodded and followed him.
We stopped near a fountain, water rising and falling under soft glowing lights. I leaned against the railing, watching the reflections dance.
Brian joined me and handed me a can of soda.
"It's beautiful, right?" he said.
I glanced at him.
"What do you mean?"
He smirked, opened his soda, and took a sip.
"You guys are always on edge. I can see it."
"Brian, I don't understand. Can you just say it clearly?"
My tone came out annoyed, but softer than I meant. I opened my soda and drank.
"I mean," he said calmly, "you're both fighting things inside yourselves so hard that you can't see the rest of life."
I set the can down and followed his gaze.
Families. Friends. Lovers.
All of them watching the fountain like it was something precious, smiling genuinely at each other.
"It's not the fountain that makes them happy," Brian continued.
"It's the moment. The time they choose to stay in it."
I looked around, finally seeing what he meant—yet still not fully understanding.
"Rika," he said gently, "it's okay to breathe."
I immediately looked down and pulled my hoodie lower.
"Is it really okay?"
My voice cracked.
I felt a gentle hand rest on my head.
He didn't say anything.
But somehow, that was enough.
We stayed like that in silence until my breathing steadied.
I wiped my eyes and straightened.
"I've never cried in front of you before."
"It's—"
He raised his hand, stopping me.
"It's fine. You don't have to explain."
He smiled and took another sip.
I leaned back against the railing and sighed.
"Rika… I don't want to bring this up," he said carefully,
"but I can't just watch you two suffer."
I looked at him.
"What now?"
"You know Mila likes you, right?"
His voice was calm. Quiet.
I nodded, staring at the fountain.
"Of course. And I like her too."
Brian pushed himself off the railing and stared at me, shocked.
"Then why did you—"
"Hm?" I tilted my head.
He sighed, rubbing his face.
"I see. You like Mila as a friend."
I nodded.
"Yeah. What's so surprising about that?"
He ruffled my hair and laughed loudly.
"Rika, you really need to study human emotions."
"What?!"
He just laughed harder, and I didn't know why.
Little did I know—
that was the last time Iwould ever hear his laugh.