Autumn arrived without asking permission. The leaves began to fall, golden and silent—but for Sayuri, there was nothing poetic about it. Midterms were getting closer, and with them, the pressure, especially from her parents. She needed to be perfect.
Perfect grades. Perfect behavior. Perfect future.
And in the middle of it all… she was losing herself.
Mornings were no longer gentle. The alarm would ring, but her body wouldn't respond. Her coffee would grow cold, forgotten on the table as she rushed against time.
That morning was no different or rather… it was worse. As she turned the corner near the university, her foot plunged into a hole in the sidewalk. The impact was sharp. Her books slipped from her arms, scattering across the ground, while a sudden pain shot up her knee.
"Damn…"
But she didn't stop. Ignoring the pain, she quickly gathered everything—leaving a few papers behind—and kept running.
When she entered the classroom, she let out a relieved breath but then she noticed.
"Where's Yume?"
She looked around. Nothing. She asked a few classmates, but no one knew and without thinking twice, she stood up and left the room.
The hallways were crowded, but she kept moving forward—hurried, uneasy, limping slightly—as she made her way to the gates.
A white car stopped in front of her, and the door opened. Yume stepped out, completely calm—as if she wasn't late at all. Right behind her… someone else.
Tall. Elegant. Too handsome to go unnoticed.
Leather jacket. Moss-green sweater. Dark jeans. Subtle earrings. And a dangerously charming smile.
"Yume!" Sayuri approached. "You're late!"
"Hey, Say!" Yume replied cheerfully. "This is Kenji, my childhood friend."
He stepped forward, gently taking Sayuri's hand and kissing it.
"So you're Sayuri…" he said lightly. "I've heard a lot about you."
"I hope good things…" she replied, shyly.
He smiled.
"Only the best."
A brief, strange silence lingered in the air.
"Speaking of good things…" he tilted his head, looking her up and down, "would you like to come to our show on Saturday?"
Sayuri blinked, surprised.
"Show?"
"His band, Say," Yume explained. "They're playing downtown."
Sayuri hesitated, she had never been to a place like that. It felt reckless but at the same time… intriguing.
"I'll think about it," she said.
Kenji smiled, far too confident.
"I'll be there. I promise you won't regret it."
Near the end of class, Sayuri was still thinking about it.
"I don't know if I should go…" she murmured.
"Stop overthinking," Yume said. "It'll be fun. And you need a break from this routine."
Sayuri sighed.
Later, when she got home, the sun was already setting. Golden light touched the front garden, and there she was, Mrs. Midori, tending to her plants with the same care as always.
Sayuri approached.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Midori. Your garden looks beautiful."
The older woman smiled.
"My dear… you're always so kind."
Then the scent came, sweet and Warm. Sayuri closed her eyes for a moment.
"Is that cake?"
"Walnut cake," Mrs. Midori replied with a soft laugh "Would you like some?"
"I'd love to."
The house felt like an old museum, antique furniture, photographs, books everywhere. Sayuri walked slowly to the bookshelf, her eyes scanning the titles. She couldn't help herself.
"Don't you feel lonely?"
Mrs. Midori smiled as she poured tea.
"Never. My grandson is living with me now."
Sayuri turned, curious.
"Grandson?"
"Yes… he went through a difficult time with his father. But he's a good boy. His father is very strict."
She paused.
"I'm sure you'll like him."
Sayuri smiled but when she glanced outside, she noticed the lights on in her house.
Time to go.
"I should head back. My parents must be home."
"Wait, dear—take some cake with you."
Sayuri accepted the small package and said goodbye.
When she got home, reality was waiting.
"Where were you?" her mother asked, coldly.
"At Mrs. Midori's house…"
"Sit down and eat."
"I'm not hungry, I had some cake."
"Cake isn't dinner."
Silence.
"I'll eat later…"
Her mother sighed.
"That girl has no sense…"
That night, Sayuri drew for hours to distract herself. Dresses and ideas, that was where she truly existed, between lines and sketches.
Saturday arrived too quickly and with it… the show. Sayuri stood in front of the mirror for a few seconds, still unsure if she should go, her parents would definitely disapprove.
She opened her bedroom door and heard a quiet argument about her performance. No matter what she did, even if she was the best, it would never be enough.
She took a deep breath and decided to go. For the first time… she would break the rules. She opened her wardrobe and chose a black pleated dress—one she had made herself.
Tights. Delicate shoes.
In her hair, a simple purple ribbon, she felt beautiful.
The bar was crowded, lights, loud music and alternative people everywhere. Sayuri had never seen anything like it. She was mesmerized.
"Let's get closer to the stage," Yume said, pulling her along.
Then the lights came on.
Kenji appeared first, then… him, Jun.
The moment he started singing, Sayuri was captivated, his voice was different but familiar. Not just beautiful, there was something almost numbing about it.
After the show, they sat together, talking and laughing. Then she felt it, the perfume, like pages from old books and vanilla, that same scent from that morning.
Her body reacted before her mind could catch up. She stood up too quickly, twisting her ankle, for a second, she was sure she would fall, but a hand caught her.
Firm and warm holding her by the waist.
When she looked up, It was Jun, for a moment, confusion. Then realization, the one who helped her that morning and the band's vocalist, were the same person.
Her heart raced uncontrollably. What was fate trying to do?
He helped her sit, as if nothing had happened. She didn't know how to act but she couldn't stop looking at him.
"Are you always like this… or do you just enjoy staring at me?"
His voice was calm. Teasing.
Sayuri blushed.
"I… I just observe…"
Kenji stepped in, trying to ease the tension.
"She likes books and fashion."
Jun let out a low chuckle.
"Books, huh?"
Then he looked straight at her, without looking away.
"I have plenty at home," he said, then added, "Want to come over tonight?"
"Jun" Kenji cut in.
Too late the mood shifted instantly.
Yume stood up.
"Let's go, Say. It's late."
They said their goodbyes and left. As they walked through the quiet streets, Yume spoke:
"You were staring at Jun… he's handsome, right?"
Sayuri looked away.
"Yeah… a little," she admitted, sighing.
"Just… be careful. He's my friend, but with girls, he's trouble."
"I just met him, Yume. I'm not thinking about that."
"Alright then."
The next morning, Jun scrolled through photos on his phone. Disinterested, as always after a show, then something caught his attention, a photo of Sayuri. He stared at it, a mix of emotions hit him.
Anger, fear and something he wouldn't admit.
"Jun!" Kenji called out. "I made pancakes!"
He snapped out of it, quickly putting his phone away.
"Who's Sayuri?"
Kenji looked at him, incredulous.
"You've got to be kidding. Yume's friend... the cute one."
"Hm… that one."
"Why? Interested?"
"Not at all…" Jun replied, taking a bite of the pancakes, lying to himself.