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A silver-haired teenager sits atop the school roof. The gentle strums of a guitar spark through the air into the night. There's some semblance of a melody, some idea that he's working out, but he grumbles a bit as the progression doesn't seem to relieve itself.
He sighs, placing the guitar gingerly back in its case. He steps towards the edge of the rooftop, looking out over the city he's grown to know so, so well as of late. He graduated a week or so ago, but he still feels, so... young still. So aimless in a way, even with a production association under his feet. He crosses his arms on the safety bar in front of him.
The stairs opposite the guitarist creak, alerting him to the presence of his classmate, a burgundy-haired boy carrying some papers and a clipboard.
"Ah- Koga, didn't expect to see you up here too," he grins, stepping towards his peer.
"Despite what people think, I actually like it up here. What're you doin' here, Isara?"
Mao stops, resting the clipboard on the rail. "Just trying to get some work done. Student council is a nightmare right now."
"Right now?" Koga mocks.
"More than usual, at least." Mao sighs. "We have to do leadership transfers, new board sign-up, et cetera. It's a lot. Yuzuru and I are getting through it, but it's been a lot more difficult since we were asked to step up last year. How about you?"
"Same old same old, I fuckin' guess. Still focusing on writin' songs and such."
A silence falls between them as Koga lays his head on his arms. He sighs heavily.
"So, fuckin'... graduation, huh?"
"...yeah. It's hard to believe we're here already. It's been what-"
"—three years," both boys say in unison.
"...damn," Koga mutters.
Silence. It takes a couple beats for Mao to speak again.
"...do you know what you're... gonna do?"
"Not really. I mean, besides being an idol, 'cuz that's what I've already got going for me."
"Same here. I've focused so hard on this, I... don't know what else to try."
"Have ya' thought about any internships?"
"I've looked, but nothing was really interesting to me."
"...hm."
The silence is deafening this time. The lights of the city seem paler, despite the night growing darker.
"...Koga? Can I tell you something?"
Koga nods quietly.
"..."
"...I'm... scared."
"...hm?"
"Just, like... of this whole *thing*. It feels like we've just gotten onto solid ground after all this time, and we're leaving..."
"Yeah, I get that. Same here, honestly. I don't even know... what I'm really gonna do when I'm outta here, y'know."
"Yeah."
...
"I wish we were able to have more time together. All of us."
"That's *so* fuckin' cheesy."
"Well— I mean it-!"
"Well, yeah. I mean, I get it. I'm gonna miss this place. You gotta keep in touch, man."
"Yeah. You too."
A phrase weighs on both of their minds. Koga shifts a little closer. The chatter stops for a while.
Mao, eventually, picks up his stuff and leaves. Koga remains on the roof.
He sighs, looking at the stairs as his friend leaves. He turns back towards the lights of the city.
He looks at the stars above.
He breathes out deeply, trying to find the courage he'd always thought he'd had but seemingly couldn't access.
He breathes in sharply.
"I love you."