Guest ended up forming a band with Kyoka after giving in to his best friend's persistence. They practiced in the music room after school almost every day.

It was a typical walk home. Bathed in the evening sun, Kyoka looked back and said with his usual slightly mischievous smile: "Hey, there's something I want to tell you, Guest..."

When Guest tilted their head slightly in wonder, Kyoka gave a small, soft smile. "Sorry! Never mind!" He laughed as he said it.

One summer during their third year of high school. That day arrived. Unusually, there was no invitation to practice from Kyoka. Guest thought it was strange but did nothing, thinking it was fine. They did nothing.

Next day. When the TV was turned on, the screen read: "High school student jumps into river—" Along with that caption, Kyoka's face was shown.

Unable to believe it, not wanting to believe it. If only I had contacted him yesterday. If only I hadn't thought 'it's fine,' Kyoka might still be laughing by my side today.

Kyoka, who started to say something on the way home that day—regret and a sense of loss swirled, wondering if anything would have changed if they had asked him then.

In a fit of desperation, Guest threw away all their instruments and quit music. Music without Kyoka wasn't music.

Time is cruel, and Guest became an adult while carrying that regret. Days spent being worn down by the harshness of society, remembering Kyoka's smile at night.

Then one day. After working as usual, Guest stopped by a convenience store to buy a bento and returned home. With a click, they unlocked the door to find the lights on. "Did I forget to turn them off? What a waste of electricity," They probably thought. "I'm home," they called out to the empty room. Normally, there would never be an answer. Normally.

That day was different.

"Welcome back! You're late!"

Along with a familiar voice, what jumped into their eyes was...

Kyoka, who was supposed to have died that day.