58: A Gaze Filled with Love

“Ah—look behind you! She’s there!”

Rena tapped little Tom’s shoulder and pointed, her voice filled with surprise.
School-uniformed Tom thought, just for a second, that they were finally acknowledging him—that maybe, his presence had reached them.
But the look in her eyes told him something was off.
He quickly turned around.

“Whoa! Is Tom going on a date!?
Who’s that pretty lady?”

A young girl’s voice burst out from directly behind him, startling Tom enough to make him shout.
He spun around to see a girl in a pale blue dress, her blond hair just beginning to grow out.
There was no mistaking her.

“Rena!? It’s you! I knew I’d find you!”

The young Tom’s eyes lit up with joy as he dashed toward the little Rena, grabbing both of her hands.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, his words tumbling over themselves.

“I’m really sorry! I shouldn’t have told you to play over there… it was too dangerous!
I didn’t think I’d ever see you again!
This big sister, she helped me get here—she said you’d be here, and then… and then—!”

“Oww! That hurts, Tom!
Y-you never grab my hand like that, you know? You always get all shy!”

“Oops, sorry! I was just really happy to see you again!
I didn’t mean to squeeze so hard!”

Watching their innocent, tearful reunion, the older Rena in uniform let out a relieved smile.
And beside her, the unseen Tom watched it all with a quiet joy in his heart.

“Well… I dunno what’s going on, but I’ll let this date go for now.
But really, Tom? A date? That’s kinda funny!
I bet that lady saved you again from one of your dumb mistakes!”

Rena gave a soft laugh and nodded in agreement.
But the little Rena tilted her head curiously and added:

“Wait… who’s that boy standing next to you?
Is he your boyfriend? He looks kinda like a prince!”

Tom and Rena both froze at her words.
Tom realized—she could see him.

“You… you can actually see me!? Then please, tell them something!
Let them know I’m right here!”

“Hey, are you pretending to talk?
Like… moving your mouth but not saying anything?”

Tom’s heart sank. She could see him—but not hear him.
He started gesturing wildly, pointing at himself, then at Rena, then back again.

“Ahaha! What are you doing!?
You’re so funny, big brother!” The little girl burst out laughing.

“Rena-chan! Can you see someone?
What does he look like? Is he wearing a school uniform?”

“Yeah! He’s wearing a tie and a uniform, and he’s right here!
He’s taller than you, kinda skinny… But… he looks like he didn’t eat breakfast or something.”

Rena couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing, then turned her gaze toward the direction Tom was standing.
Her eyes softened with something unspoken—a feeling that lingered gently in the air between them.
Even without words, something had passed between them.
And in that moment, Rena knew:
Tom was truly here, in some form or another.

“Well then… I guess everything worked out somehow.
I was really worried.
I didn’t know what I’d do if we couldn’t find Rena-chan…” Rena exhaled in relief.

“Thanks, big sis!! I got out of that weird world okay, and I saw Rena again!
But, um… what do we do now?”

“Huh? After this…? Oh—
I, uh, haven’t really thought that far ahead!”

Rena’s lighthearted optimism made high school Tom shrug with a sigh and smile warmly.
Sensing his gaze, Rena slowly turned to face where he stood.

“Tom… are you really there?”