No matter where I went, I found only pain. There were too many memories in this city of shattered dreams.

Where did I go wrong? Was it that night with Shinji? Or that night I confessed to you? Or when I made you buy me that damned birthday present? Or was the mistake meeting you in the first place?

I couldn't tell. Most of the good memories and the bad had fused into one years ago. The only ones I had left that were untainted by the years of guilt were those from before the accident.

And so I wandered, in a slow and meandering way, to the one place where those memories could become fresh; the one place that could bring me the comfort nowhere else could.

And there you were.

The ring sparkled in the air as it fell from your hand. You had kept it?

No. You didn't love me. You had never loved me.

I tried to escape, but I could not. Once again, the past caught up with me to begin the torment anew.

Why, Takayuki? You had Haruka. You didn't have to pretend any more. It was all right. Really, it was. After all, she loved you first.

I just…I couldn't stay and watch. I could survive on my own, but I couldn't bear to see the two of you together. And I couldn't keep deceiving myself into thinking that I wasn't just her replacement. You deserved the real thing, Takayuki.

"I…Love you."

Don't say that. Please, don't. I know it's not true.

I looked down to avoid your eyes, but even as I did I could feel your gaze hypnotizing me again, bringing my eyes back up to meet yours.

Those eyes…They were of honesty.

But…Haruka…

"I won't see Haruka any more."

Pain and pleasure mingled again within my heart, as they always did. I wanted to be with you. But I couldn't come back. Not after all that I had done.

"We don't have to go back."

What?

"You helped me get back on my feet. You were always at my side."

The memories of that first year came flooding to the surface. I remembered meals we had shared, and times that I tried to coax you out of that apartment. And I remembered that night we spent together, after I had asked you if I wasn't good enough to be Haruka's replacement. You had never answered me.

"I want…I want to be with you!"

And now I knew why.

I…Wasn't Haruka's replacement?

I couldn't hold back the tears any more as you held me. In my mind, I could only continue echoing that same sentence.

I wasn't Haruka's replacement.

You…Really did love me.

"Let's start over…From here."