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Haru set the books he had just picked out onto the desk. He'd come to Kashinoki Books once again today as he'd done every day for the past few months to continue his research on artificial intelligence. He sat down, opening one of the books as well as his notebook, and began reading up on the information and taking notes as he did.
He started this shortly after Yuujin made the choice to sacrifice himself to save humanity from Leviathan. When Haru had originally made the choice himself, he promised Yuujin to study artificial intelligence in order to bring him back someday. It was a promise he didn't intend to break. Whether it be a year from now or fifty, Haru would see Yuujin again.
A few hours later, Haru had begun to feel tired. He yawned, causing him to misspell a word he was writing in his notebook. He went to pick up the eraser, but ended up knocking it off the desk. Slightly frustrated, Haru reached down to pick it up.
As he did, he heard the faint sound of footsteps coming down the staircase. Haru figured it was probably just Ai coming to check up on him or someone else browsing the bookstore, until a familiar voice called out to him.
"Haru."
Haru froze. Eraser now forgotten, he turned to the person on the steps. He couldn't believe who he saw.
"Yuujin…" Haru couldn't help the wide smile on his face, even with his disbelief. There was no mistake that the person on the stairs was no one other than his best friend, Yuujin Oozora.
As Yuujin approached Haru, Haru stood up. They met halfway and just stared at each other for a bit before Haru could find his voice.
"Yuujin, how?" he asked. How could it be possible that Yuujin was now standing in front of him after dying in his arms not too long ago. Who—or what—brought him back?
"I don't know the full details myself," Yuujin replied, "and I don't really think I care. I'm just glad to see you again."
"Me too," Haru quietly replied. He took a few steps forward and gently placed his hands on Yuujin's face. He thought maybe by doing this, he would be able to gauge what Yuujin was. Was he brought back as another android, or was he human this time? Haru slowly rubbed his thumbs against Yuujin's cheeks. It seemed the results of this test were inconclusive. Yuujin's cheeks felt pretty human, but it was possible his skin was still synthetic. Haru hadn't been able to tell the difference before everything happened, so he figured he still wouldn't be able to tell now.
After a minute of this, Yuujin seemed to lean into Haru's touch. "I don't remember you being this touchy," he said with a laugh.
"I'm just trying to figure out what you are." Haru slowly removed his hands from his friend's face. "What are you?"
"Does it matter? I'm here now," Yuujin smiled.
"I'm just so confused," Haru looked to the floor. "I thought I would be the one to bring you back, but now you're here. How do I know it's really you?"
Even though he said this, Haru knew it had to be the real Yuujin— his Yuujin. But his mind kept reminding him that his Yuujin had died after offering himself as a sacrificial lamb in order to save humanity, as well as saving Haru from the guilt of making a sadistic choice. So how could this Yuujin be his Yuujin?
Yuujin didn't reply. Instead, he simply raised his fist in the air. Haru hesitantly did the same. The two then bumped their wrists followed by slapping their hands together, their signature handshake.
There was no doubt in Haru's mind now. He teared up as he threw his arms around Yuujin, calling the other's names as he began to cry. Yuujin simply reciprocated the hug, tears silently falling down his face as well. They did nothing but hug and cry for the next few minutes. It no longer mattered how Yuujin was back nor what he was. This was Haru's Yuujin. That's all that mattered.
"I really missed you," Haru said after the tears had slowed down. "It was so hard knowing I'd possibly never see you again. I've been working so hard researching AI so I could bring you back. Sometimes, that's the only thing that would get me through the day."
Yuujin softly chuckled, "That's just like you, Haru, refusing to give up on your goals. You're still an absolute protagonist."
"Yeah… I really am," Haru agreed. He let go of the hug and took Yuujin's hand. "I have you to thank for that. I don't know if I'd be as confident as I am without you."
"I'm sure you would've, but I'm glad to have helped you." Yuujin squeezed Haru's hand and looked into his eyes. "You've done a lot for me, too. I wouldn't have been able to escape Leviathan's control if I hadn't fallen for you."
"Fallen…?" Haru asked. He suddenly remembered something his grandfather had told him months ago.
"Now that I think about it, perhaps Minerva realized that Yuujin grew a heart by interacting with Haru," he'd said.
"Yeah…" Yuujin replied, "I don't know how or when my feelings for you went past friendship, but I've known for a while that you're the most important person to me." Yuujin was silent for a few seconds before quietly saying, "I love you, Haru."
Haru couldn't stop the tears from falling a second time. This was something so unexpected, but so welcome. Haru had also realized some time ago that he was in love with Yuujin. It made Yuujin's betrayal hurt so much more. But that no longer mattered. Yuujin was no longer controlled by Leviathan. The Yuujin Haru had known before that— his Yuujin—loved him. There was only one way to respond.
"I love you, too, Yuujin."
"Haru," Yuujin called.
"Yuujin…"
"Haru. Haru…"
"Haru!" a new voice called. "Hey, Haru!"
Haru opened his eyes. His head was on the table and a hand was on his back, slightly shaking him. Haru lifted his head and turned to the voice calling his name.
"Ai?" Haru said, confused. "What are you doing here? Where's Yuu—"
"I came down to check on you and noticed you fell asleep while researching," Ai explained. "Have you been sleeping well lately? This isn't like you."
Haru took a second to process what was happening. He looked to the floor and then back to the desk, noticing his eraser was sitting next to his notebook as usual. Realization hitting him, Haru quickly replied, "Yeah, I'm good. Guess I was just tired."
Ai wasn't entirely convinced, but she smiled. "Okay, I'll let you get back to your research." She then went back up the stairs, leaving Haru on his own.
Once he was sure Ai had left, Haru burst into tears.
Yuujin hadn't confessed his love for Haru. He hadn't come to the bookstore. Yuujin was still gone as he had been for the last few months.
It had just been a dream.