The rain hadn't stopped, and Rin trudged to school feeling miserable. The world around him felt heavy, mirroring the stormy skies above. He carried an umbrella, but it did little to shield him from the weight pressing on his chest.

Yukio was relentless that morning, his voice sharp and unforgiving.

"What did you do to Lia?" Yukio demanded as they walked through the courtyard.

"I told her she'd be better off being friends with someone else," Rin muttered, gripping the umbrella handle tightly.

"Why would you say something so cruel to Lia?" Shiemi added, her voice laced with disappointment. "After everything she's done for you?"

"It wasn't cruel," Rin replied, defensive but guilty. "She deserves better than me."

"You're an idiot," Yukio snapped. "Do you even realize how many times we've told her that? And for some crazy reason, she still chose you. But now you've let her walk away."

Rin clenched his jaw, unable to respond. He knew Yukio was right, but admitting it would only make the ache in his chest worse. He turned away from them, walking toward the school building as their words echoed in his mind.

Xxx

The school day dragged on endlessly. Every moment felt hollow without Lia there. Rin found his eyes drifting to her empty desk again and again, unable to focus on anything the teacher was saying.

Her absence left a gaping void. The little things she used to do—the way she'd comment on the smallest things or laugh at his sarcastic remarks—were painfully missing.

I didn't realize how much I'd miss her. How lonely it would feel without her.

At lunch, he sat by himself, ignoring Yukio and Shiemi's occasional glances. The rain continued to beat against the windows, a constant reminder of the storm raging inside him.

When the final bell rang, Rin grabbed his things and left quickly, avoiding Yukio and Shiemi entirely. He wasn't in the mood for another lecture.

The walk home was quiet, save for the sound of the rain hitting his umbrella. Each step felt heavier than the last.

Xxx

Meanwhile, Lia stayed at Izumo's house, curled up on the floor of her room. Her body was still weak from the transformation, and her emotions were raw from everything that had happened.

Izumo came home around three, setting her bag down before sitting beside Lia. She studied her friend, her expression softening when she saw how small Lia looked, curled up and defeated.

"He didn't come, did he?" Izumo asked quietly.

"No," Lia replied, her voice barely audible. "I was stupid, Izumo. I love him… but he'll never love me. I know that now."

"You… love Rin?" Izumo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Lia admitted, her voice trembling. "Why?"

Izumo hesitated, frowning slightly. "Well… maybe that's why he doesn't understand you. You're probably the first person to ever say that to him. Maybe you should tell him."

Lia let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and dry. "Never. He doesn't love me. I just wanted to be his friend. That makes me happy. It's… it's all I wanted."

Izumo crossed her arms, leaning back against the wall. "You're probably the only person who'd settle for just being friends with someone you're in love with."

Lia shrugged, staring at the floor. After a moment, she changed the subject. "Mephisto found out I was staying here. He wants to see me."

Izumo's face darkened. "That's bad news. Do you think he'll let you stay here?"

"I don't know," Lia said with a sigh, her voice heavy with resignation. "Whatever he does to me, it can't be much worse than how I feel right now."

Xxx

That evening, Rin arrived home, his clothes damp from the rain. The house felt colder without Lia there. Shura glanced up from her spot in the living room but didn't say anything, sensing his foul mood.

He walked past her and into his room, tossing his bag onto the floor. The room felt suffocating. Every corner reminded him of her—the blanket she'd used the night before she left, the way she used to sit on his bed while talking about her day.

Why does it feel so empty without her? he wondered, sitting down on the edge of his bed. Why did I let her go?

The guilt was overwhelming. She had always been there for him, and he'd pushed her away because he thought it was the right thing to do. But now, he wasn't so sure.

Rin leaned back, staring at the ceiling as the sound of the rain filled the silence. Yukio's words echoed in his mind: You let her walk away.

And he hated how true it was.