Similarity

“Hey, Ruki. If I change and stop acting behind the mask of my smile in front of everyone, will you continue staying by my side?”

A long time ago, Hana asked me that question. I never answered that. Because for the Ruki of that past, it didn't matter whether the girl enacted a change in her character. I was a simple-minded guy who only wanted one thing from her. The fulfillment of my desire.

After three years, I remembered that question after watching the girl look so lost on what to do.

For sure, that's a temporary state. Like Chii said, she's an obstinate girl who would hold onto her belief until the end. Or until she deemed it impossible.

I mean, she gave up convincing me to keep her by my side back then. Although that could be attributed to my firm decision to cut them off, Hana never showed up in front of me to try and change it. That meant she accepted the reality that she would just fail.