The sun of Friday morning shone brightly overhead as it rose over the horizon. Hitohito Tadano was on his way to school. It had been almost a week since they broke up, and he still wished wilfully that it was a nightmare.

He walked through the open doors into the school building and approached his shoe locker.

"Huh?" He noticed something at the back of his locker and went to grab it. It was a folded note.

"What's this for…?" He pondered silently as he unfolded the note and read its contents.

"Can we meet after school, at the alleyway by the courtyard? I really need to tell you something"

"Who's this from…? His eyes darted all over the note to find the name of the person who wrote this to him. Then he found it, and it made his eyes widen in shock.

"Komi Shouko"

"Sh… Shouko?" He felt conflicted. What did this mean?

"Guess I'll find out when I'm there then."

He stepped into the classroom, and his eyes immediately lay upon Komi sitting at her desk. She was nervous, he could tell.

"Uh… good morning, Komi-san…" Tadano bowed awkwardly as he walked past Komi's desk. She turned, and then bowed as well.

Should I ask her about the note?

He turned to look at her. She was fidgeting a lot.

Probably not. Maybe she'd rather say it in private.

He decided to wait for the end of the day to arrive beforehand.

What's the final period anyway?

It was Science Practical.

Great, we can't walk over together…

Wait, what? I don't think she's comfortable walking with me given that we broke up…

The entire day he kept thinking about the note, and what Komi would say to him once they met.

"Alright, return your lab equipment and you may leave."

Final period had ended. Tadano went to swiftly return all the equipment before he left and started brisk walking over to the courtyard.

Wait, do I need my bag…?

He stopped and glanced back at 3-1 classroom.

Nah, I don't think I will. I'll come back and get it…

He started walking again, but his pace got slower and slower the further he went. His heart was pounding furiously.

What would she say? Does she want to reconcile, or does she want to still be friends and get over this awkwardness…?

He was so lost in thought he didn't watch where he was going, and he collided with someone who was running.

"Ow… I'm sorry, I wasn't looking at where I was… Komi-san?" He was caught by surprise.

Didn't she say to meet her at…?

His thoughts were interrupted when Komi threw a hug around his waist and grabbed him tightly.

"Uh… Komi-san?"

"I'm… so… so sorry… Hito…"

She's saying my first name again…

"I should… n-never have… b-broken up with you… I was so s-selfish, thinking that if we broke up you'd be safer…"

"Shouko…" He could hear her sobs as tears fell from her eyes.

"I'm so s-sorry for all your suffering…"

"I… That's… Well… Uh… It's… alright?" He was lost for words. He couldn't believe it.

"C-Can we… go back… to the way it was…?"

"Gladly… I forgive you, Shouko…" He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and returned the hug.

"I… l-love you… so, so much… Hito…"

"I love you a lot too, Shouko. Will you promise me we'll never, ever break up again?"

"I… p-promise…"

She buried her face in his chest. He could feel her fast and shallow breathing against him.

This felt like light at the end of the tunnel. He was reunited with her, and that was all he ever wanted.

They remained intertwined for what felt like forever. Neither wanted to let go, they wanted to forever be in each other's warm embrace…

"So… What about the attacker…?" He asked.

"He won't hurt you… as long as you're with me… He only wants you…"

"So, I just need to be with you always?"

"Yeah…"

"That's the best trade-off I could have ever asked for."

"I… will do my b-best… to protect you…"

"And I will do the same for you."

"Don't… ever… leave my sight… please…"

"I will never. I promise. Even if he does go for me, I'll make sure I run to a crowded area, where there's more people that could help."

"I'm… glad, then…"

They held each other close. They still didn't want to let go.

Slowly, she looked up at him, her eyes less watery now.

"Shouko…"

Their faces moved in towards the other and then planted a kiss on each other's lips. This, by far, was their most passionate kiss ever. They missed the taste of each other, and feeling it once again it was the true definition of bliss…

"Aw… Sorry to break up your happy little 'reunion'..."

The reunited couple pulled apart from their kiss and looked around.

They were surrounded.

By the Church of Komi.

Yamai stood in front of them all, a devious and evil smile forming on her lips.

"There's no running now."