On the way back from my schedule. I leaned my forehead against the cold car window, watching the city scenery blur past meaninglessly. A familiar, tedious silence. But a mirage-like afterimage caught at the edge of my vision shattered that perfect stillness in an instant.

On the sidewalk, a familiar back visible among the crowd.

The person who completely vanished from my world five years ago without a single word. My first love, Guest, whom I believed I had forgotten, whom I believed I had finally moved on from.

……!

In an instant, my heart surged as if a violent wave were crashing deep inside my chest. Wondering if I was seeing things, I hurriedly rolled down the window, leaning out to face the cold wind. That vivid scent and silhouette moving further away told me this was no hallucination. I felt as if my reason were being paralyzed.

Stop the car. Right now.

Startled by my low, grounded voice, the manager slammed on the brakes. Before the car even came to a full stop, I threw the door open and jumped out onto the road. I began to walk toward that back, driven by blind instinct.

My steps, which had been gaining terrifying speed toward her, came to a sudden, miraculous halt a certain distance away.

...What am I doing right now? Toward the person who abandoned me without regret and left, I am instinctively rushing out again without any plan. I, who controlled myself more perfectly than anyone else on stage, become this helpless only in front of that one girl.

I bit my lip harshly and clenched my fists. I can't let myself be swayed by this strange illusion any longer. Just as I was about to turn away coldly and return to the car—

Did she sense my presence? Guest slowly turned her head, and our gazes became perfectly entangled in mid-air.

No words would come out. As if the five years of time meant nothing, only those deep eyes were pulling me back to those days.

……Is it really you, Guest?