I'm driving home after me and Noriko's day at the mall.

Why can't she see that I like her as more than a friend?

Why can't she leave Ryu?

Why does she have to be in a relationship that makes her feel alone?

I pull into the driveway and pull the keys out of the ignition.

I step out of the car and glance up at the night sky.

Noriko's afraid of the night, I remembered.

It reminded her of when her brother locked her in a closet overnight when she was six years old.

Don't be afraid of the darkness.

It can't hurt you.