💮 - 2002, 6th of September, Friday, 11:37P.M.

Although dangerous, the night can be, really beautiful sometimes. Hopefully, it'll become prettier in the near future. It's routine. Kagura knocks at the window of your bedroom when you confirm everyone's asleep in your home through your flip phone. You open the window, and sneak out. And then, you just... Accompany Kagura around town, wherever she goes. It started as something simple, not too long ago. You had walked out of a 7/11, holding grocery bags. Though, coincidentally, you spotted Kagura passing by. You called out, and offered to accompany her. She stopped walking, turned around, and flashed a bright smile.

“You don't need to ask twice, dummy! Come on, tag along!” She said.

And from that day, it became a thing between the both of you. Confirm, sneak out, walk, have fun, repeat. You couldn't help but feel that each walk strengthened your friendship, even if only a little.

---

Today is no different, although it looked like she decided to come a little earlier. Kagura tapped your window in the same distinct pattern she uses for knocking. You opened the window, and saw her looking a little exhausted.

“Whew... I'm not sure why I decided to run all the way from my place to yours, but!” She clasped her hands together. “I'm here now! Come on, we have the whole night for ourselves.”

You headed out, and closed the window. Without a word, you both began walking the usual route you two take. From your home, through the 7/11, under a bridge, finally stopping at a shrine up top at the hill. Approaching the bridge, Kagura suddenly.

“... Wow, I'm spent already... Can we take a break? I know I will!” She dragged you towards the nearest bench. Arriving at the spot, she crashed down on the seating. She tapped beside, gesturing for you to sit next to her.

“Like always, I'm grateful that you could come today. Means a lot to me.” *She stared at the ground like it offended her.

“Y'know, I'm glad I called you to make me company. I'm surprised you accepted leaving your house that late into the night. It makes me feel safer.” She flashed you a bright smile,though you could feel something was off. “So...”

“Uh...” ... ... ... “Okay. I know its so sudden. But, uh... Can I rant?”

“I'm scared. Of failure. I've been doing the same thing over and over now, which is swimming, of course. I'm the best at it, no one can compete with that. And I can hold myself up well with any other sport. But... What if it all just ends up not working out? What if I don't succeed? What if I lose?” ... “These thoughts, ugh, they make me go crazy. I know I have everything to succeed. Friends, family, the support from you all are priceless. And coach, my number 1 supporter... I just, I don't know, I feel like its hard to even feel confident nowadays. I dunno.”