"... You're back!" she exclaimed.

"Of course," I reassured her. "I was never far. After all, I could never forget you, such a kind and loving little cutie."

"Oh, stop," she reacted much quieter, her cheeks turning bright red. "I'm just some girl. I couldn't have meant *that* much to you."

I stepped forward a bit hesitantly, ecstatic to see her again, but not wanting to startle her. She always was very self-conscious.

"I missed you," I told her, inching closer. "A lot, actually…" I chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm sorry it's been so long since my last visit, I -"

"Oh, no, it's no problem, really! I'm, ah… just used to being alone, I guess. After all that time without you…" Her voice faded as she remembered.

I still regret leaving her.

"But anyway," she cheered, back to her normal self, "it's so good to see you! How have you been? Tell me, tell me!"

"Aha, well, life has been pretty plain recently. None of my new college friends are as exciting as you are."

She rolled her eyes, but smiled anyway. "I am 100% positive that is an exaggeration. Have you really met *everyone*? I don't think so."

"I guess not," I admitted, adding sheepishly, "I think I'm just too stuck on you to find someone else." Now we were both blushing.

"Well," she responded cautiously, "it hasn't been the same here either without you. I've been pretty reckless with no one to watch over me, and the rainclouds have gotten worse…" She stopped for a second and looked down at her feet. It seemed like she was trying really hard not to cry. "It's just so hard. I wish I could keep you here to make me feel all warm and fuzzy all the time, but I can't because you have a life to go back to, you know? And I couldn't live with myself knowing you're not out there enjoying yourself because I was too selfish to let you go…"

"Sayori…" I realized now just how much I missed her. "I'm sorry I left."

"No, don't be sorry, you had to go." She seemed rejected, but at the same time strangely adamant about this.

"Sayori, I don't want to go anymore. I barely ever did, and it hasn't been much fun out here alone. So, if it's okay with you…" I put my arms around her and hugged her tightly. "... I'd like to just stay here for a while."

I felt her wrap her arms around me as well. "Well," she hesitated. "As long as it's your choice. I would hate to be the one dragging you down."

"Of course," I answered. No words could express how happy I was.

"You know I love you."