There's a difference between being uncertain and being afraid.
Leo had always thought he was just uncertain—torn between three feelings he couldn't name. But standing there, watching the three girls walk past him, he realized something deeper.
He wasn't uncertain.
He was afraid.
Afraid to hurt someone.
Afraid to lose what he didn't fully understand.
But now… it was time to stop being afraid.
He couldn't make a full decision yet. That wouldn't be fair—not to them, and not to himself.
But he could start.
And starting meant doing one thing he hadn't done yet.
Choosing to move.
---
The next morning, Leo waited.
He stood in front of the school gates twenty minutes earlier than usual, backpack slung over one shoulder, tapping his fingers on the strap.
Students passed by. Friends waved. He nodded back, but didn't move.
He was waiting.
At 7:42 a.m., she arrived.
Yuki.
She was walking with her headphones in, bouncing slightly to music only she could hear. Her uniform tie was crooked, and her bag had a dangling keychain shaped like a squid.
He stepped into her path.
She blinked. Pulled out one earbud.
"…Leo?"
"Walk with me?" he said.
She tilted her head. "Now?"
"Just… a minute."
She looked at him. Really looked.
Then nodded.
---
They sat on the stone bench by the koi pond behind the science building—one of the quietest spots on campus.
Leo took a breath.
"I wanted to thank you," he said. "For last year. For the drinks. For trying, even when I didn't notice."
Yuki blinked. "This sounds like a breakup speech, and we're not even dating."
He laughed, softly. "No. Not that."
He looked at her. Directly.
"I've been silent for too long. And I think it hurt you. I'm sorry."
Yuki stared at him.
Then smiled.
Not her usual smirk, not playful.
Just… warm.
"Apology accepted," she said. "But you're still on thin emotional ice, mister."
"I'll work on that."
She leaned back. "You better. I like you, Leo. But I like myself too. And I won't wait forever."
He nodded.
And that was enough.
For now.
---
That afternoon, Leo found Hana behind the gym.
She was balancing a soccer ball on her foot while humming to herself.
"You always show up when I look cool," she said without looking up.
"Coincidence," Leo said.
"Or fate."
She stopped the ball and caught it in her hands. "So. What's up?"
Leo walked over.
"I want to run with you."
Hana blinked. "Huh?"
"You said once you'd train me. For next time."
She squinted. "Are you asking me to be your coach or your therapist?"
"Bit of both?"
She laughed. "You're weird. I like it."
She tossed him the ball. "Start with this. Two laps. Then we'll talk."
Leo nodded. And ran.
And when he came back, panting, Hana handed him a water bottle.
"I don't need a confession," she said. "Not yet. But I do need to know you're not running away."
"I'm not," he said. "Not anymore."
She smiled. "Good."
---
It was almost sunset when Leo finally went to the rooftop.
Sora was already there.
She stood at the railing, arms folded, staring at the fading light.
"I was hoping you'd come," she said, without turning.
"I always do."
She turned to him.
And he stepped beside her.
"I didn't say anything last time," Leo said. "You waited. I let the moment pass. I regret that."
She didn't speak.
"But I saw you. That day. And I still see you now."
Sora looked down.
"I'm not asking you to wait," Leo said. "But I'm asking for time. Not to decide between you three. But to understand myself."
Sora nodded, slow.
"I can accept that," she said. "As long as you don't disappear."
"I won't."
They stood in silence as the sky turned lavender and gold.
And for the first time, Leo felt like he wasn't being pulled in three directions.
He was choosing, piece by piece, not who to love—
But how to love honestly.