Author's Note: If a person prefers to be alone and doesn't mingle with others, it doesn't mean they are just born that way. Often, they've walked through a fire that burnt their faith in humanity, leaving them to find peace only in their own shadows.
"Sasaki-kun? What are you doing here?"
The voice hit me like a physical shock. As I turned around, a sharp gust of wind swept through the apartment corridor, blowing my dark hair across my eyes. I brushed the strands away impatiently, only to find myself staring at the last person on earth I expected to see outside school—Ai Yoshida.
The "Model of Perfection." The girl who existed in a world of sunlight, now standing in my dim, quiet hallway.
"What are you doing here, Sasaki-kun?" she asked again, her head tilted in genuine curiosity.
"Forget that..." I managed to mutter, my brain struggling to catch up. "What are you doing here?"
Ai let out a small, melodic laugh. "Well, I'll be seen wherever I happen to live, right?"
My heart sank. "You... you live here?" I couldn't help the sour expression that crawled onto my face.
"Yeah, I live here! Room 402," she said, her smile faltering into a slight pout. "But hey, why the long face? Is it that bad to see me?"
Was school not enough? I thought bitterly. Now fate has made her my neighbor. Won't God ever let me live in peace? My sanctuary has been invaded.
"Hey, why aren't you answering?" Ai stepped a bit closer, her eyes searching mine. "And why did you get so sad all of a sudden?"
I quickly pulled on a mask, forcing a thin, fake smile. "Oh, no, no... I'm just a bit stressed. My parents are coming from Tokyo to visit me tomorrow, and my house is a total mess. Seeing you... actually made me feel a bit better. Just a surprise, that's all."
Ai's expression brightened instantly. "Oh! So you live all by yourself? You know, I live alone too. It's quite the adventure, isn't it?"
"I see..." I replied, keeping it brief.
"Yeah... just me in my own little world. Anyway, where are you headed?"
What a headache, I thought, looking at her radiant face. Why is she acting so nice? Is this just her 'Idol' persona at work, or is she genuinely this cheerful?
"Hey! You're lost again!" Ai started waving her hand in front of my face. "Helloooo... Earth to Sasaki-kun! Come back to us!"
I blinked, snapping out of my trance. "Yeah... I'm back. I was just heading to the supermarket nearby to buy some groceries."
"Oh!" Her eyes sparkled. "I was actually on my way to the cake shop right next to the supermarket! Cake... oh, it's so tasty... the cream, the sponge... wow!"
She actually started humming a little 'cake song' under her breath. I stared at her. So, the "Goddess" of our school was a sugar addict. Seriously, who gets this excited over dessert?
"Cake... cake... cake..." she continued, swaying slightly.
"If your song is over, can I leave now, 'The Perfection'?" I asked, my voice dry.
She stopped instantly, her cheeks puffing out. "The Perfection...?"
"Yeah. Everyone calls you that. You're perfect at everything, after all."
Ai looked away, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "Well... I mean, I am talented and beautiful, but don't call me that. It sounds so formal." She smiled to herself, clearly enjoying the praise even as she pretended to dismiss it.
She's so strange, I noted. First she tells me not to call her that, then she praises herself. She's totally self-obsessed.
"Seriously, Sasaki-kun... are you sure you aren't Zoro 2.0?" she laughed, referring to the swordsman who always gets lost. "You keep drifting away in your own head!"
"I'm not lost," I lied, stepping toward the elevator. "I was just thinking about my shopping list."
"Oh, okay. You may go now, you have my royal permission!" she giggled, waving me off.
"Right. Bye."
"Byeeee!"
I walked away as fast as I could. Outside, darkness had settled over Osaka. The city was a sea of glowing neon, with huge buildings shining bright against the black sky. It was a beautiful, busy world that I felt no part of.
By the time I finished shopping, I was drained. Got the eggs... I'll just make Omurice tonight, I thought as I reached my door. Thank God tomorrow is Sunday, otherwise, I'd fall asleep in class.
"I'm home..." I whispered to the empty air as I unlocked the door. "Man, I wish I had a machine to do all this work for me."
Suddenly, a loud, familiar voice echoed from the hallway.
"Shin! Heyyyy, Shin!"
My eyes went wide. Wait... Mom? They were supposed to visit tomorrow. Why were they here now?
I pulled the door open to find my mother, Fujiko, standing there with a beaming smile.
"Shin! How are you? My boy... you've become so thin!" Before I could react, she wrapped me in a crushing hug.
"Mom... stop!" I wheezed.
"Fujiko... let him go," a calm voice came from behind her. My father, Ichiro, stood there holding a small travel bag. "Let the boy at least get inside before you shower him with love. We're only here for the weekend, don't kill him on the first night."
"Oh Ichiro, hush! I haven't seen my son in months!" Fujiko finally let go but kept her hands on my shoulders. "We decided to take the evening train to surprise you."
"Mom... Dad... I can't breathe," I gasped, rubbing my ribs.
"Huh," my father chuckled. "Your mom missed you too much, son. I haven't been able to stop her for years; I wasn't going to start today."
"Mom..."
Fujiko's expression turned soft and maternal. "Okay, okay... I'll stop. But Shin, you should come to visit us in Tokyo more often. I know that after 'that day', things haven't been the same for you. I know how hard you've been trying to move on by living here alone... but you don't have to carry the weight of the past by yourself."
I looked at the floor, the mention of 'that day' sending a familiar chill through my chest. "I'm doing okay, Mom. Really. I'm just... starting over."
"We know, son," my father said, patting my shoulder. "We just wanted to see your face."
Later that night, after my parents had settled into the guest bedding for their short stay, I stepped out onto the balcony. The night air was crisp, and the sky was unusually clear. I watched the stars blinking above the city lights.
"The sky is so beautiful today," I whispered, a rare, genuine smile appearing on my face. "So peaceful."
"Yeah, you're right. It is very beautiful."
I nearly jumped out of my skin. I looked to my right. There she was, leaning on the railing of the very next balcony.
"Oh... Yoshida? You're back already?"
She pouted, the moonlight reflecting in her eyes. "What do you mean 'back'? I told you, I live here!"
I know that... but why does she keep appearing every time I try to have a moment of peace?
"Hey... Zoro 2.0, are you lost again?" she teased, noticing my silence.
"Don't give me these weird nicknames!" I snapped, though I felt more tired than angry.
"Hey, that's what friends do," she said softly, her gaze lingering on me.
My smile vanished. I looked back at the cold city. "I am not anyone's friend, Yoshida. Don't try to understand me. Just... leave me alone."
I turned and walked back into my room without looking back, sliding the glass door shut.
Ai stood on her balcony, her playful expression fading into one of deep thought. She watched the empty space where I had stood.
Being alone starts to distance a person from the entire world, she thought sadly. Why is Sasaki-kun like this? He's like a locked book. He won't even talk to anyone in class... I just want him to open up. I want to help him find his way back.
She sighed, the cold wind catching her hair as she looked back at the stars.
To be continued...🌸