The lights in the building were on, and through the windows, he could faintly make out people moving around.
He didn't know which floor Hideko was on or which room she was in, so he could only stand there and wait like an idiot.
Maybe she'd already finished work.
Maybe she wasn't on night duty.
Maybe...
"Naoki?"
A voice came from behind him, uncertain and tentative.
Naoki turned around.
Sakurai Hideko stood not far away, wearing the familiar medical ninja vest. Her long hair was simply tied back, with a few loose strands falling over her forehead.
She stood there as moonlight and streetlamp light mingled over her, shattering into specks of starlight in her eyes.
Her clear eyes were wide, something trembling violently in their depths.
Naoki parted his lips, wanting to say something, but found his throat blocked.
After hesitating for a long while, he finally spoke...
"Hi... long time no see."
Tears welled in Hideko's eyes. She took a few quick steps toward him and threw herself into his arms.
The instant Sakurai Hideko crashed into his embrace, Naoki froze.
Warmth seeped through their clothes. Her arms clung tightly around his waist, her face buried against his chest, her shoulders trembling slightly. He could feel her crying. She made no sound, only trembled, like a frightened little animal that had finally found shelter.
He raised a hand, hesitated for a moment, then gently rested it on her back.
"Hideko..."
She didn't answer, only held him tighter.
Moonlight spilled through the branches and leaves of the cherry trees, casting dappled shadows over them.
The night breeze swept by, and a few early yellow leaves drifted down, swirling at their feet.
One by one, the lights in the distant Medical Department building went out. Someone came through the entrance,