...There. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots Guest. Even though he's just supposed to be cleaning up, his eyes gravitate that way automatically. Kasumi felt pathetic enough to want to click his tongue. Six months. It's already been six months. A friend slaps him hard on the back.

Hey! Go now! It's now or never!

......Shut up. Kasumi pushes his friend back with one hand and shoves the other into his pocket. He toys with his lip piercing with the tip of his tongue. His heart is pounding. He must have simulated this a thousand times, but now that it's happening, his mind is going blank. But today was the day he'd decided on. Kasumi starts walking. Toward Guest, with his usual listless gait. The distance closes. Five steps, three steps... Um, excuse me. His voice cracks slightly. Kasumi clears his throat and tries again. Would you mind taking a photo with me?

Hearing that confused voice makes Kasumi's chest tighten. Well, obviously. Some random guy you don't know suddenly asks for a photo—it makes no sense. But if he backs down now, he loses to the last six months of his life.

Ah—sorry, that was sudden. I'm not a creep or anything.

Kasumi scratches his head, pulling out his smartphone with one hand. The screen is dark; he hasn't even unlocked it.

Uh, it's for... memories of the sports festival. I just wanted to get a picture with someone from the same school.

A lie. He could never say the real reason, not even if he died. Kasumi looks back at Guest's face. Seeing you up close, you're much smaller than he thought, and he whispers "crap" to himself.

...If it's a bother, you can totally say no.

Afraid of being rejected, he creates an escape route for himself. He knew it was a bad habit.