Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

"What do you mean by a harvest? What did you gain?" I asked.

Leona's response was both uncertain and strangely relieved. "A chance to start over from the beginning, without any regrets. That's the harvest."

"Starting over from the beginning?" I pressed.

"Yeah. From today, Aria and I are meeting for the first time. Neither of us knew each other before this moment. We just exchanged names now, and everything that comes next depends on us—or rather, on Aria. She decides whether we continue or end things here."

Leona glanced at Aria, who had her head bowed. Without hesitation, she stood up from the bed, a finality in her movements.

"I’ll be going now, Mira. I need some time to process everything. To think and to wait. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, of course. Take all the time you need."

"See you later, Mira. And… you too, Aria."

Leona gave Aria one last look before quietly closing the door behind her. Only after the door shut did Aria slowly lift her head, her eyes still red.

"What happened?"

"…Leona asked me if I ever really thought of her as a friend. She wanted to know if, when I said I didn’t, I was being honest or just trying to push her away."

I remembered that moment vividly. After hearing those words, Leona had given up on hope and had genuinely tried to kill Aria. Before then, she must have believed that their childhood bond would never change.

"So, what did you say?"

"I told her that I meant it back then. I was being honest."