The dial tone persists for a few more moments before there's a clicking sound. I shut my eyes and inhale deeply, expecting the sound of his voicemail to occur.

"... Hello?" Asahi's voice resonates on the other line.

My eyes widen as I hear the sound, and I begin to stammer without anything in mind to say.

"H-hi! Um, er... hi." I say, and the line remains silent for a moment. The more that the silence persists, the more that I feel my face warm.

"Is everything okay, (Y/N)?" Asahi finally responds.

"Y-yeah! Well, I mean... no. I wanted to talk to you." I gently say.

"... I wanted to talk to you too," he responds.

I let out a silent laugh but eventually realize that I need to say something. How do I even start this conversation? I open my mouth, even without having anything in mind, hoping that inspiration strikes soon enough.

"... I'm sorr—" I begin to say.

"I'm sorry—" Asahi responds at the same time.

"I can go fir—"

"I can say—"

After two failed attempts at communication, we leave the line quiet for a moment. At some point, I am the first to disturb the peace, letting out a laugh.

At the sound, Asahi's laugh rings through, and it helps to liven the call.

"Asahi, I should probably talk first," I say as our laughter dwindles.

"... Okay, (Y/N)," he responds, and in his quietness, I take a deep breath.

"I'm really sorry about our conversation last night. I haven't really handled the stress that well, and I regret taking it out on you, you didn't deserve that. A-and I hope you know that I'm fully supportive of everything you want to do after high school." I say in one long stretch.

"... It's okay, (Y/N). I'm sorry too. I should've told you right away about how I was feeling. I didn't mean to make it seem as if I don't trust you being with him, either. Of course, I trust you." Asahi responds.

"Well, of course," I say hesitantly, "... you know I'm yours."

For a moment, he doesn't respond, and the only thing I can hear is light breathing on the other line.

"Asahi?"

"Y-yes, hi, (Y/N). Sorry, I just..." he trails off, letting out a shy laugh.

"No, it's okay. I know you know." I smile.

"Ah... I really miss you, (Y/N)," Asahi sighs.

"I miss you too. I'm waiting to cook that special meal for you, you know." I laugh.

"I'm excited to go home just for that. I'll be back soon. Oh, how is studying?" Asahi says.

"It's actually... good! I'm on my own today, but I'm starting to feel a little bit better about my chances. Shiro—" I begin to say, only to stop myself. I probably shouldn't bring him up right now.

"(Y/N), it's okay. We can talk about him." Asahi says.

"Are you really sure?" I say tentatively. He makes a sound of approval on the other end.

"Yes, I'm really sure this time, it's okay. I feel like I should give him a chance, too."  He responds.

"Well... if you say so. I was just going to say that I don't think I'll need his help as much anymore. If at all." I shrug.

"Really? Why's that?" Asahi questions.

"I don't know, I think I'm getting there, in terms of studying. I kind of want to try going it on my own for the rest of the time I have left. I just don't want to be, sort of, spoon-fed until the end." I drone on with my reasonings.

"Oh, I see! Well, I'm happy you feel better about things." Asahi lets out a relaxed laugh.

"Yeah, me too. The only thing is, I don't really know what to tell him. I mean, he did help a lot. I could just say that I don't need his help anymore, but it would kind of feel like I just used him."

"Hmm," Asahi sighs, "well, you could maybe give him something. It'll show that you were appreciative of his help, I think."

"Hm, that's true. And it kind of ends things nicely, doesn't it?" I add, and Asahi makes a sound of confirmation.

"He lives on his own, doesn't he? He might appreciate something to eat." Asahi suggests, inducing my laughter.

"I guess that might work," I mull it over with furrowed eyebrows. "I could go to a bakery and just pick up something."

"That sounds good."

"Maybe I can do that tonight. It's probably better to let him know sooner than later, anyway." I say.

"Ah, okay. Well, should I let you go for now? I don't want you to have to go out too late." Asahi suggests.

I have to think it over for a moment before I realize that I should agree. It would be better to try and visit Shiro while the sun is still above the horizon.

"I guess so. Maybe we can talk again when I come back? If you're not busy." I propose.

"I'll always have time for you," Asahi responds, and my cheeks begin to feel hot.

After all of this time, I still haven't gotten used to these kinds of things, yet I hope I never do.

"Well, I'll give you a call then," I say with a grin on my face, and I hear his quiet laugh on the other end.

"I'll be here. Be safe, (Y/N)." Asahi says.

"You too, I..." I trail off, as the same feeling that I realized on New Year's returns to me at this moment. What would I have been prepared to say just then?

"(Y/N)?" Asahi prompts.

"Oh! Um, I'll be back soon." I nod at my wall.

"Oh, okay. Bye, (Y/N)."

"Bye," I finally say, retracting the phone from my ear and looking at the screen for the time. I should have enough time to make it to the bakery before it closes.

⋆⋆⋆

I start to walk faster as the bakery I had visited with Daichi and Sugawara comes into view. The warm light emitting from the inside begins to reflect a feeling of home, especially once I open the door, setting off a chime.

One of the employees greets me sweetly as I enter, and I return the greeting as I glance around. The same specialty items lie on display, and the aroma permeating around the interior causes my stomach to grumble.

My face turns hot at the sound, and I hope none of them heard anything. Nonchalantly, I continue to browse the goods, swiftly reaching for a pineapple bun to enjoy for myself after I complete my search for something to give to Shiro.

Finally, my eyes land on the glass display at the front, where various delicacies sit in the spotlight. I run my gaze back and forth between the sides of the display case until I think that I've found the right gift.

I see cases lined up in stock, all of which house the same delicacy, with distinct variation within each box.

"Can I buy one of those boxes, please?" I say toward the employee heading the display case, gesturing to the box at the forefront.

"The kikufuku mochi?" They reiterate, and I respond with a nod.

"Just one," I confirm, and I pull out my coin purse as the employee tends to my request.

After being told the cost, I promptly pay the amount. The box is placed into a bag embossed with the bakery's logo, and the employee thanks me as they hand it to me.

After exiting the bakery, I check the time on my phone. It's around the same time that Mom would be home, so I assume it's the same for Shiro.

The only thing is, I don't know where he lives. I furrow my eyebrows, trying to think about whether or not he's ever relayed his address to me, to no avail. I begin to think that maybe this plan is a bust until I remember that I have his phone number.

Seeing as time is of the essence with the delicacies, I look for his number in my cellphone and dial it hastily before bringing the device up to my ear.

Only a few rings pass before I hear the familiar sound of a line picking up.

"Hi, (Y/N), everything okay?" Shiro says.

"Hi! Yes, everything's fine." I respond.

"I figured you would miss my tutoring," he responds coolly, and I let out a scornful laugh.

"Well, don't think that's the reason, but I did want to talk to you about it. I'm kind of close to your area, would it be okay if I dropped by?" I ask.

Shiro is quiet for a moment on the other line but eventually sounds off in agreement.

"Do you need my address? I can just text it to you." He suggests.

"Sure! I'll see you soon, then." I smile.

"See you soon, (Y/N)," he says, and the call ends.

I expect to endure a short wait before Shiro gets around to sending me his address. Eventually, I hear my phone chime, and a waypoint appears on the screen. I set it as a destination just before beginning my traversal.

As I predicted, being close to his location meant a short walk. I end up in another residential area close to Anika's, making me feel more comfortable than wary about the walk.

It's easy enough to walk up to Shiro's front door as I reach the gate, and I knock on the door thrice before straightening up.

It doesn't take long to hear some footsteps from inside, and consequently, the front door opens to Shiro in casual wear.

"That was quick," he says, and I let out a quick laugh in response.

"Yeah, I said I was in the area, didn't I?" I respond, and he shrugs knowingly.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Shiro crosses his arms, leaning onto the side of the doorframe.

"Oh, well, I wanted to give you this," I reply, extending the bag toward him, "just to say thanks for all of your help."

Shiro looks at the bag, and his eyebrows furrow slightly and momentarily. Eventually, he takes it from my hands, peering inside tentatively.

"Oh, wow, thank you," he says with a smile, and yet again, his bronze-coloured eyes, currently narrowed more than usual, remain on me even after his utterance.

"... No worries," I laugh bashfully, "I talked about it with A— um, my boyfriend. He said it would be a good idea to get you something to say thanks for everything."

Shiro pauses for a moment, swivelling towards the interior of his house. He places the bag carefully onto a side table before turning back around.

"... So, you ended up talking to him tonight, then?" He says as his gaze returns to me.

"Yeah. I know you said that I should wait, but I couldn't help it. Things are good now, luckily." I smile thoughtfully at him, and he responds with a quicker version.

"That's good. Did he apologize?" Shiro continues.

"Well, yes. I didn't expect him to, but he said that he felt bad about things."

"Ah, I see. Did you ever tell me what you two had argued about?"

"Hmm, no, I don't think so. It's all said and done though, so no worries."

"Right. Right, so, you two are doing well?" Shiro presses and my eyebrows start to furrow at the tone of his voice.

"Are you okay?" I ask, and his face freezes in its focused stare before softening again. He gives me a gentle smile before taking a deep breath.

"Yes, I'm okay. I'm just making sure about you and him. Ah, I'm sorry, what was his name again?"

"Oh. Um, it's Azumane Asahi."

"Alright. Well, I don't want to pry when it comes to what you two had argued about, but I can imagine it had to do with college stuff, right?"

"Well, yeah... why?" I respond tentatively. What is he trying to get at?

"No reason, I was just thinking... I don't know." Shiro shrugs casually before scratching lightly at his head. His short hair flows just over the top of his eyelids, and he has to brush the tips away before letting his gaze fall on me again.

"Well, no, what were you thinking?" I ask, and he turns his gaze away to the side, in view of the horizon as the sun begins to set.

"It'll sound stupid, maybe, but... I just want to make sure that he can catch up with you. Azumane."

The confused expression on my face only deepens once he finishes his statement. "What are you talking about?"

"No, yeah, that's why I thought it would sound stupid... I just mean that you two probably have to have that conversation, about what you two are going to do with the distance."

"Well, we did."

Shiro looks taken aback momentarily before returning to being composed. "Oh, I see. And you two decided?"

"Well, it wasn't an official talk, but I'm pretty sure we're going to continue dating."

"Ah, that's going to be difficult, though, won't it?" Shiro sighs, and I open a palm in front of him in my confusion.

"... Why are you so curious about my relationship? I'm sorry, I just don't feel as if I know you that well to be having this kind of conversation," I respond, and unexpectedly, Shiro's eyes remain soft.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to overstep. I know that I just met you from having to tutor you, but I feel a bit concerned about your well-being... especially with my past experience." He says thoughtfully.

"Well, why? I understand your circumstance and I do feel bad about what happened, but it doesn't mean that it'll happen to me and him, right?"

"Of course not, but that kind of thing puts a lot of pressure on a relationship. You'll try and you'll try, but you can't blame anything except the distance when you two naturally drift." Shiro explains carefully, continuing his elaboration.

"Even so, you begin to blame the other person, and then they start to blame you for blaming them, or vice versa. Eventually... you don't even remember why you ever chose to be with this person. It's just not the same anymore. You forget who they are."

I can't help but listen to his entire spiel. The detail in his words makes me think that there's no doubting the circumstance that he was in, and I begin to look at the ground in deep thought.

As it had happened to Shiro, it could happen to any couple in the same situation. Why is my circumstance any different from theirs? Just because Anika led me to believe that Asahi might have more time to see me, it doesn't change the fact that there will be distance.

"(Y/N)?" Shiro says.

I exit my trance, looking back up at him.

"You have to decide whether or not this is something you can handle," he continues. "If things turn out bad, then there's that to deal with, in your first year of university. If things go well, it doesn't change the fact that the relationship will be difficult to maintain. You could just be prolonging the hurt, and it'll be much worse that way."

"Well, what am I supposed to say to that? This is a lot to think about." I say quietly.

"It's the hard part about dating at this stage. The fact that Azumane hasn't considered trying to apply anywhere in Tokyo with you, at the very least, is strange enough." Shiro sighs, folding his arms again.

The sun starts to set a little bit faster, and the sky quickly changes from its deep orange to a warm purple.

"He thought about it. He ended up deciding that he didn't want to take any exams." I explain as I glance down at my hands, and Shiro hangs his head back slightly before letting out an exhale of amusement.

"Do you think it might be possible that he actually isn't strong enough to support your decision?" Shiro looks away as he asks, and my gaze reverts to him quickly.

His eyes narrow marginally as my stare meets his, but they instantly shift as a gentle smile appears on his face.

"(Y/N), he supposedly told you he would take those exams and didn't. Can he really be reliable enough to stay with you?" Shiro questions.

"Well, I don't think—"

"Do you trust him enough to really be there for you, especially the longer that you two are apart?"

"Of course—"

"Another issue that comes up with couples is that someone will realize that they need more than just simple talks at night."

"Well, wait—"

"Have you been with Azumane long enough to know that he isn't the kind of person that would need someone else?"

"H-hey—"

"I think you need to be with someone who's on the same path as you. Someone that you can actually rely on." Shiro says coolly.

I stand my ground, though I feel ready to retreat at any moment. The sun continuing to set in the background only does more to increase my guard, as the sky bleeds with darker colours.

"You... you have been implying so many things about me and him. What are you trying to say? Just spit it out." I respond seethingly.

A small smile curls at the end of Shiro's lip as a minuscule amount of air exerts from his nostrils in amusement. His face quickly changes to one of solemnness as he steps forward towards me.

Instinctively, my hand balls into a fist.

"I think it's clear what I'm trying to say," he says gently, and before I can react, he places a hand on the small of my back, and immediately we're pressed against each other.

I gasp in shock, and with the adrenaline coursing through me, I push away from him as forcefully as I can.

"What the hell?! Oh my god, oh my god..." I trail off, and Shiro's eyes widen as he watches repugnance form onto my face.

"(Y/N)—" he begins to say.

"Save it," I respond sharply, turning around the way that I came.

Luckily, he doesn't follow me, although I'm too afraid to check. I shut my eyes as I walk down the driveway, hoping that I don't feel another hand on me as I leave.

I make it safely past the gate and instantly search for my phone in my pocket while walking. Pulling it out, I dial a recent number and press the phone to my face before trying to slow my breathing.

"Hello, (Y/N)? You're back already?" Asahi says on the other line.

I let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling tears begin to form on my waterline. I gulp before responding, hoping that the tremble on my voice doesn't bleed through on the other line.

"N-no, not yet. I just wanted to, um, hear your voice while I walk home. Am I bothering you?" I say carefully.

"No, of course not, I... (Y/N), is everything okay? What's wrong?" Asahi begins to have a worried tone in his voice as his utterance progresses.

I can't tell him yet. I can't break this kind of news to him while he's there and I'm here. I need him to be home first.

"N-nothing! It's cold outside, so I must be shivering a bit." I lie, and he sighs.

"Oh, I see. You're wearing a jacket?" He responds, and I make a sound of affirmation.

"Just cold outside... so, what are you up to, then? Hopefully, I didn't bother you while you were in the middle of something." I continue.

"No, you couldn't be bothersome to me. But the first and second-years were being a bit entertaining when you called. I'll tell you about it if you like." Asahi responds.

I nod quickly to myself before I remember that he's not around to notice it.

"Yes, please," I correct my response; only then does Asahi speak.

As he delves into his story, I can't help but feel distracted by what just happened, and not only that but how the hell am I supposed to explain this to him when he comes back?