The city never stopped.
But for Souta Amagiri…
Time felt stuck.
"…Rejected."
He stared at the message on his phone.
Again.
Another audition.
Another failure.
"…Tch."
He clenched his fist slightly.
Not angry.
Just—
Frustrated.
"…How many times now…"
The wind brushed past him as he sat on the bench outside his apartment.
The same place.
The same routine.
"…You look like you lost a battle."
A familiar voice.
Souta didn't look up.
"…You again."
Itsuki Kuonji stepped closer.
"…You say that every time."
"…Because you appear every time."
"…That's not my fault."
She sat beside him.
"…Another rejection?"
Silence.
"…Yeah."
"…I see…"
Itsuki looked down at her hands.
Thinking.
"…Then don't stop."
"…That's easy for you to say."
"…It's not."
He glanced at her.
"…I also left everything behind."
A pause.
"…So I get it."
The words were simple.
But real.
Souta looked away again.
"…There's another audition."
"…Then go."
"…It's different this time."
"…How?"
"…They want something unique."
He held up a paper.
"…An original outfit."
Itsuki's eyes lit up.
"…Wait."
"…What?"
"…You need a design?"
"…Yeah."
She leaned forward slightly.
"…Then let me do it."
Silence.
Souta blinked.
"…What?"
"…I'll design it for you."
"…You're serious?"
"…Of course I am."
He stared at her.
Trying to understand.
"…Why?"
Itsuki smiled.
"…Because I want to."
"…That's not an answer."
"…Then think of it as repayment."
"…For what?"
"…For the coffee."
A pause.
Then—
Very slightly—
Souta smiled.
"…That's cheap."
"…HEY—"
"…Fine."
Itsuki blinked.
"…Wait—you're agreeing?"
"…You're annoying enough to keep asking anyway."
"…That's rude."
"…But true."
She sighed.
"…You won't regret this."
"…We'll see."
The next day—
They met again.
"First, we need materials," Itsuki said.
"…You sound serious."
"…I am serious."
Souta followed her through the busy streets.
Shops.
Fabric stores.
Design sections.
Itsuki's eyes sparkled.
"…This is amazing…"
She touched different fabrics.
Soft.
Rough.
Shiny.
"…This one…"
She held up a dark fabric.
"…It suits you."
"…You decided that already?"
"…I have a vision."
"…You're confident."
"…I have to be."
Souta watched her.
Focused.
Passionate.
Alive.
"…You really love this, don't you?"
Itsuki paused.
Then smiled.
"…More than anything."
For a moment—
Souta didn't look away.
"…I see."
Hours passed.
By the time they returned—
It was evening.
"…That took longer than expected…"
"…Perfection takes time."
"…You sound like a pro."
"…I will be."
At Itsuki's apartment—
The real work began.
"Stand still."
"…Why?"
"…I need your measurements."
"…This is awkward."
"…You're the one who agreed."
"…I regret it already."
"…Too late."
She measured carefully.
Focused.
Professional.
"…Done."
"…Finally."
"…Now we create."
Days passed.
Cutting.
Stitching.
Adjusting.
Fixing.
Late nights.
Messy room.
Scattered fabric.
"…This is harder than it looks…"
"…You're doing fine."
"…That's not reassuring."
"…It's honest."
Slowly—
The dress took shape.
Elegant.
Sharp.
Unique.
"…This is…"
Souta looked at it.
"…Different."
"…That's the point."
"…It suits you."
He looked at her.
"…You said that before."
"…And I meant it."
Silence.
Then—
"…Thank you."
Itsuki blinked.
"…You're welcome."
The day of the audition came.
Souta stood outside.
The dress perfectly fitted.
"…Nervous?"
Itsuki stood beside him.
"…A little."
"…You'll do great."
"…You always say that."
"…Because I believe it."
A pause.
Then—
"…Wait for me."
"…I will."
Time passed slowly.
Too slowly.
Itsuki waited.
Heart beating faster.
"…Why am I this nervous…?"
Then—
The doors opened.
Souta walked out.
"…How was it?"
Silence.
Then—
"…I passed."
Itsuki froze.
"…YOU WHAT?!"
"…I passed."
"…YOU DID IT—!"
She grabbed his arm excitedly.
"…I told you!"
"…Yeah…"
He looked at her.
"…You were right."
Itsuki smiled.
Bright.
Happy.
And in that moment—
Something changed.
Not just success.
But—
Connection.
✨ Sometimes… working together brings hearts closer.
💭 Even if they don't realize it yet.