Haruto heads home with Sasaki

But as he turned to leave, Sasaki caught his eye who walked up to him.

She offers to walk him home, a gentle smile on her face as she falls into step beside him. Patrick's mask never wavers, but for a moment, Sasaki thinks she sees a flicker of something else in his eyes. It's gone before she can be sure, and she wonders if she imagined it.

"Thanks, Sasaki," Patrick says, his voice friendly and polite. "I appreciate the company." While Natsumi looks on in envy.

They walk in silence for a while, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the village. Sasaki glances at Patrick, trying to read his expression, but his mask is firmly in place.

"Patrick?" she says finally, her voice soft.