Chapter 27: Did the Signal Reach You?

I ran, and ran, and kept running.

My breath caught, my legs went numb, and my heart creaked with pain.

Even so, I pushed myself, climbed the stairs, and gasping for air, opened the door—only to find…

“I was waiting.”

There was Tsubasa-chan, sitting right above the rooftop fence. Her legs, clad in slightly bloodstained indoor shoes, dangled idly as she gazed at me with her usual blank expression.

The sight felt dangerous, unstable—like she was playing with fire atop the very danger I had tried to keep her away from.

“…Tsubasa-chan, come down.”

It came out as a command, telling her to stop this right now. The instant I said it, my chest stung. I realized—I was trying to bind her freedom again.

To that order, Tsubasa-chan shook her head slightly.

As if to say, there’s no need, nothing’s going to happen.

“Listen to me,” she said, as if it were nothing more than a casual conversation, as though continuing our everyday life.

Here, on this rooftop, it felt like Tsubasa-chan was the one setting the rules.

…I suddenly remembered the first time we met.

Back then too, this small domain surrounded by fencing had been her kingdom. With that unique, almost mystical atmosphere, she ruled a silent kingdom with no subjects.

The more we became friends, the more that feeling faded.

The more I interacted with her, the more I came to understand—she was human.

That was probably because Tsubasa-chan had descended.

She stopped being an angel and stood beside me as a person.

But now, the Tsubasa-chan in front of me…

“Rio, you’ve got it all wrong.”

—was the eternal princess of that sunset kingdom.

My knees went weak. My heart groaned.

Because the Tsubasa-chan from that day was right here before me.

It felt like everything we’d built up had been erased.

It felt like she’d become an angel again.

“Got it… wrong?”

My voice trembled as I repeated her words.

I was terrified of what the girl in front of me was thinking.

Because I knew I’d been awful.

…Even if she told me she never wanted to see me again, I wouldn’t be able to argue.

It’s summer, and yet I felt cold.

My spine, my arms—an icy chill crept through me.

My head drooped.

The only thing I could see was the way the summer breeze, like a wingbeat, rustled the skirt of Tsubasa-chan’s school uniform.

“You’re the only one who came here, Rio. No one else.”

I was bracing for judgment, trembling.

But the words she spoke were completely different.

I couldn’t grasp their meaning. My mind went blank.

Not even white—just dull, frozen, unmoving.

Into that void, Tsubasa-chan added more words.

“I’m not you, Rio. So I can’t understand everything you’re feeling. But…”

When I looked up, our eyes met.

She was looking straight at me with transparent eyes.

Eyes that wavered like she was underwater.

It felt like I was floating in a perfectly clear lake, as if submerged in water.

“You’re the only one who comes here like this, Rio. There’s no one else. What I did—was just something that spilled out from the feelings in my heart.”

Even though it felt like I was underwater…

—I could breathe. The thought of drowning didn’t even cross my mind.

“Rio, you’re kind. A good girl—not a lie, it’s the truth.”

Her words reached me clearly.

I could accept them—accept what Tsubasa-chan was saying.

Because I believed that this was her world, a place where lies had no need to exist.

A warm current, a clear world.

A gentle space, filled with Tsubasa-chan’s kindness, just for the two of us.

“I need you, Rio. You’re the only one who listened to me. You’re precious to me. It couldn’t be just anyone.”

Her eyes swayed, as if pulling me in.

Calm, soft, wrapped in gentleness.

Looking into those eyes, I was reminded of a place I couldn’t quite recall—somewhere I'd once floated.

“And still, if you can’t believe me, Rio… if you can’t believe in yourself… then I have no choice but to show you—through action and affection.”

Saying that, Tsubasa-chan stared at me intently.

“So, Rio. You are…”

She spoke that far—and then froze.

Right there on top of the fence, she tensed up completely.

Then, a single word—

“…I can’t get down. Help me.”

—brought sound back into the world, a world that had only held Tsubasa-chan until now.

All the tension drained from me, and I nearly collapsed.

But I felt relief.

I could believe, once again, that Tsubasa-chan was human.

If anything, maybe even a little clumsy.

“…This is what happens when you push yourself.”

Scolding her unsteady body, I reached my hand out to her.

“Mm, thank y—”

In that moment, Tsubasa-chan wobbled.

And just like that, she tipped toward the far side of the fence—

“—Tsubasa-chan!!”

Without thinking, I reached out for her hand—

---

Rio-chan doesn’t have much confidence in herself.

That’s why she’s always questioning whether she deserves to be by my side.

If that’s the case, then all I need to do is give her a reason.

That way, she’ll be able to feel secure.

That’s what I was thinking when I came up to the school rooftop.

Why here, specifically? Well… because this is the one place where Rio-chan always reacted to something.

Something she’s fixated on.

This place is probably the source of her belief that I might just disappear one day.

So while I was at it, I figured I’d give her a reason to stay with me and prove there’s nothing to fear about this place. That the sky is just pretty—nothing more.

I climbed up onto the fence, just so she couldn’t easily pull me down. It hurt climbing up, especially with my feet the way they are, but I worked hard. She better praise me later.

While I was at it, I figured I’d ask her to help me down too. My feet are all scratched up, and walking’s tough.

Part of me was hoping that if I showed her how hopeless I am, she’d realize how much I need her help—even if I didn’t say it out loud!

If she can’t accept that I want her to stay, then I’ll give her a reason why she has to. Half self-deprecation, half emotional blackmail.

It’s ridiculous, I know—but I couldn’t help it.

It’s not my fault Rio-chan won’t believe in me even a little.

…I’m still just a little mad at her.

After a bit of waiting, the rooftop door opened.

Rio-chan poked her head out, drenched in sweat like she’d run the whole way. Seeing her like that made my mini-anger cool down to a micro-anger.

I could tell she’d been doing her best—for me.

…But I wasn’t done yet.

“I was waiting,” I said.

Because I’d already decided—I was going to blow away all of Rio-chan’s worries.

So get ready, Rio-chan.

Because after this, well… I’m about to do something really brave and maybe a little crazy!

After that, we talked. She listened.

The tension had drained from her expression.

…Even though I still hadn’t done the most important thing.

But the atmosphere between us felt like we could make up, so maybe that was enough…

That doubt started to creep into my heart, but remembering how she was just yesterday made me realize—there’s no backing down now.

She might have another moment of anxiety at any time.

So I have to—um, well…

I-I’m going to do it. Today. Right here!

“So, Rio. I want your…”

I was going to get close to her and say it.

I want something precious from you.

But just then, it hit me.

If I jumped down from the fence right now, the impact might completely shatter my already beat-up feet.

If that happened, I’d lose all ability to act cool.

Ugh, I’m such a dummy. I’m a total albatross!

Utterly hopeless. I’m not the kind of person who could ever do an RTA.

“…I can’t get down. Help me.”

Even before I could begin, I’d already ruined the moment.

Ugh, Rio-chan’s totally going to laugh at me for this…

But there’s no turning back. I’ve come too far now.

So if nothing else, I hope she can just forget how silly I looked…

Thinking shameless thoughts like that, I reached for the hand she extended to me.

“…This is what happens when you do reckless things.”

“Mm, thank y—”

At that moment, I suddenly leaned forward.

At this rate, I was going to fall right onto Rio-chan.

In a panic, I shifted my weight backward to catch my balance—and then remembered… there was no wall behind me.

Ah… wait, am I… about to die?

What do I do? If that happens, Rio-chan’s totally going to cry…

I really don’t want that to happen…

My vision slowed down like in slow motion.

I slowly slipped over the other side of the fence…

“Tsubasa-chan!!”

Before I could fall—

Rio-chan had grabbed me around the thigh with her arms.

Ri-Rio-chan!!

Panicking, I gripped the fence tightly.

I put all my strength into pulling myself back up.

At the very last second, Rio-chan herself became my lifeline.

“Ri…o.”

“Tsubasa-chan, hang in there!”

She held on, stubbornly and fiercely.

Bracing herself harder than when she’s rushing to the bathroom.

Because of that, we managed to hold the precarious balance.

Neither falling nor climbing up, just barely clinging to life—in the middle of it all.

Rio-chan’s arms gripped my thigh with enough force to almost break it.

“—God, please don’t take Tsubasa-chan away from me!!!”

She shouted with a voice loud enough to split the clouds in the sky, then threw her weight backwards with all her might.

With the impact came a sharp pain.

When I came to, the two of us were lying collapsed on the rooftop.

…Did we make it?

My heart was pounding like it might burst.

My bones ached as if they might crack.

My feet were still scratched and raw.

In other words, it felt like we were alive.

“Tsubasa-chan!”

“Ri-o!”

Gasping for breath, we called each other’s names.

Checking silently that we were both okay.

So close that our breaths mingled, noses nearly touching, we stirred slightly.

It hurt, but it was just pain.

Our bodies were still moving.

Thank goodness!!!

“Rio, thank y—”

Just as I was about to properly thank her, an incredible impact hit my forehead.

Rio-chan’s headbutt was perfectly aimed.

“You idiot! You’re such an idiot, Tsubasa-chan!”

Her words, laced with anger, came immediately.

No surprise—it was exactly the scolding I deserved.

It was so true I couldn’t say anything.

I had caused Rio-chan to worry…

“You almost d-died, you know!!”

Seeing her on the verge of tears made me feel unbearably sorry.

“…I’m sorry, Rio.”

“Don’t ever do something dangerous like that again!”

“…Mm.”

There was no excuse.

All I could do was silently nod.

“But I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m so glad God didn’t take you away…”

She hugged me tightly.

That embrace said more than words could—it showed how she felt.

I’m really sorry.

I promise I won’t ever do it again.

…But truly, I feel so awful, and I know I shouldn’t think this way. Even if I seem unrepentant, these thoughts cross my mind despite myself.

“…Rio, you’re my lifesaver.”

You saved my life.

With a desperate resolve, you risked yourself to pull me out.

Isn’t that more than enough reason for you to stay by my side?

“So—my life is yours now, Rio.”

Hey, did you know?

According to Japanese law, if you find and return lost property, a certain percentage of its value legally becomes yours.

So, a part of my life has become Rio-chan’s now.

“Then—my life belongs to you, Tsubasa.”

Holding me close, Rio whispered.

Her voice was no longer angry.

The tension had melted away, replaced by calm warmth.

“We’ve shared our lives with each other.”

That phrase made my ears twitch.

Because by that logic, I’ve saved Rio’s life too.

Did something like that ever happen?

…I don’t know. I can’t remember.

But there’s one thing I can say for sure.

“My life doesn’t belong to God. It belongs to you, Rio.”

Earlier, Rio shouted at God.

“Don’t take Tsubasa away.”

Seeing her desperation made me realize—

The reason she hated the Angel’s Staircase so much was because she feared God would take me away.

She didn’t trust me and was afraid God would claim me.

And in truth, because I was so foolish earlier, I almost ended up like that.

But I won’t ever mess around like that again.

Because my life is no longer just mine.

The rights to my life have become a joint possession between me and Rio.

I’m deeply grateful to God for letting me be reborn.

I want to say thank you again and again.

But since Rio worries so much, I probably won’t be able to express my thanks that much from now on. Because now we share responsibility for this life together… sorry about that.

And—really, thank you so much!

“Rio, um…”

“Yeah?”

I might not get to see the Angel’s Staircase anymore.

But I’ve decided to put Rio above God, above all else.

“…From now on, together. Will you watch over me?”

“Y-Yeah!”

At twilight—just before the day falls asleep.
That fleeting moment when a candle, about to burn out, suddenly flares up with a vivid flame.

As if in a dreamlike haze, we exchanged a new promise.
Not quite the same as the one we made before—“Let’s always be together”—though it felt similar in spirit.

—Please take care of me. In return, I’ll support you.

It was a promise more specific and deeper than before.
We whispered to each other that it felt almost like a proposal.

We joked about it, but we both knew we meant it.
That made us so happy, made our hearts race—it was just too wonderful.

—We both wore the brightest smiles.

From now on, let’s keep being together forever, okay, Rio-chan?

“By the way, Tsubasa-chan.”

“…What is it?”

“That time, just before you fell—you said, ‘So, Rio. I want your…’ What were you going to say after that?”

“…Your lips. Please.”

“…Should we?”

“…Can we?”

“It might hurt, so… maybe just on the forehead?”

“O-Okay.”

Rio-chan’s forehead, lightly reddened from the headbutt.
I gently pressed my lips to it…

“Mn.”

—Our first kiss tasted faintly of sweat.