The sky turned dark as the rain began to fall harder.
Taki ran after Yuki, his heart beating fast.
"Wait, Yuki!" he shouted, but she didn't stop. She walked ahead, her hair getting wet, her steps quick.
He finally caught up to her near an old bus stop. She was standing under the roof, looking out at the falling rain.
"Yuki…" he said, out of breath. "Please… can we talk?"
She looked at him, her face calm, quiet.
"About what?" she asked.
Taki opened his hand and showed her the little locket. It was wet from the rain, just like his hands.
"This locket… and your voice… I remember something," he said. "I think I knew you a long time ago. When we were kids."
Yuki stared at the locket. Then she looked back at Taki.
"You think I'm someone from your past?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Taki said. "I don't know why… but my heart tells me it's you. I remember a girl who called me 'Tak-kun.' I think… I think that girl was you."
The sound of the rain filled the space between them.
Yuki sat down on the bench under the bus stop. Taki sat beside her. The air was cool, but his heart was warm.
He waited. He didn't speak. He just looked at her and hoped she would say something.
Finally, Yuki turned her head and looked at him with soft eyes.
"…You really want to know?" she asked with a small smile.
Taki nodded.
"…Fine," she said, leaning in closer. He could feel her breath near his ear.
Then she whispered, "Hehehe… I'll tell you someday."
She pulled back, smiling sweetly.
"But not now," she added. "Because I'm interested in you."
Taki blinked. His cheeks turned red. He didn't know what to say.
"W-What…?" he said quietly.
Yuki giggled and stood up. She walked back into the rain, letting it fall on her face. She looked up at the sky and spun around once like a child.
Taki stood under the roof, frozen for a second.
"…She said she's interested in me," he whispered.
Yuki turned back and smiled. "Come on, Tak-kun! You'll get sick if you just stand there!"
His heart skipped a beat when she said that name again.
She remembered.
Even if she didn't say it out loud, Taki now knew.
She was the girl from his past.
He walked out into the rain, the locket safe in his hand. The rain was cold, but something inside him felt warm.