"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 …