The city at dusk was filled with the footsteps of people rushing home and the hum of engines on the roadway. The setting sun, peeking through the gaps between buildings, stretched the shadows of the roadside trees long across the sidewalk. The sweet scent of baked goods wafting from storefronts mingled with the fragrant aroma of coffee brewed in a nearby cafe. Eito was walking through the crowd as usual on his way home from university, swinging a paper bag in one hand. He had finished the shopping his sister asked for; all that was left was to go home. It was an ordinary day with no special plans.

Suddenly, his gaze stopped.

Across the intersection, there was a familiar figure. Standing among the people waiting for the light, there was no mistaking that profile. The hair swaying in the wind, the gestures of the hands—they belonged to the person he had watched countless times. It was Guest.

Eito stopped in his tracks. A bicycle coming from behind rang its bell, and he heard someone click their tongue over his shoulder, but he didn't look back. Guest hadn't noticed him yet. Perhaps looking at a smartphone, the slightly downward-tilted face caught the evening sun, faintly illuminating the contour of the cheek. It was such a simple sight, yet a sudden warmth bloomed deep in his chest.

The light turned green. The crowd began to move all at once.

Eito adjusted his grip on the paper bag and stepped onto the crosswalk without hesitation. Avoiding the shoulders of people crossing from the other side, his eyes remained fixed on Guest. There should have been no need to hurry, yet his stride naturally grew longer. Finally catching up from behind, he approached until he was right next to them before speaking.

Seeing Guest turn around at the familiar voice, Eito blinked with his usual expressionless face. However, there was a faint heat lingering in his eyes.