The next morning, she woke up with absolutely no desire to get out of bed. She stretched, and as she brought her hand to her neck, she realized her necklace was missing.
She looked under the covers, under the pillow, through her clothes—nothing. As she checked under the bed, she heard suitcases being dragged down the hallway. She quickly stood up, almost tripping, adjusted her pajamas, and opened the door.
She walked to the balcony, where she found her father loading the suitcases into the car.
"Good morning, Sayuri. We're leaving now," said her father, placing the last suitcase in the trunk.
They were going to a fabric fair in another city, as always. Her mother, already sitting in the car, leaned out and called.
"I left money on the table, but I don't think you'll need anything. And don't forget to study and eat properly."
"I know, Mom... I know. Have a good trip. See you Monday!" she replied, trying to contain her excitement.
"See you on Monday!" her mother called as the car began to drive away.
As soon as the car disappeared around the corner, she ran back inside. She was so excited, tonight is the Halloween party, and with her parents gone, she could finally enjoy it.
She ran to her room, threw herself onto the bed, and grabbed her phone, completely forgetting about the necklace. She quickly typed a message to Yume:
"Good morning, all set for tonight? I'll meet you at six. xoxo, Say"
She put on an upbeat song and began dancing around her room, laughter slipping out as a vibrant energy took over her body. She couldn't stop smiling.
For some reason… she had a strong feeling that something special would happen that night.
To pass the time, she cleaned the house and took care of a few pending tasks. Hours flew by, and before she knew it, it was almost time to leave.
She grabbed her bag and carefully packed her dress so it wouldn't wrinkle, and lastly, her witch hat. She zipped it up, took a deep breath, turned off the lights, and left.
Yume's house wasn't far, so she decided to walk. A soft breeze followed her, and the sound of her steps blended with the quiet neighborhood.
When she arrived, she rang the doorbell.
"Hi, Sayuri! Come in, Yume is upstairs getting ready," her mother said with a warm smile.
"Thank you," Sayuri said as she made her way up the stairs.
When she opened the bedroom door, she met the chaos but a charming kind of chaos, completely Yume's style.
Clothes scattered everywhere, a hair dryer running, tights thrown on the floor, makeup all over the place and in the middle of that, Yume, completely focused, wearing a thermal cap.
Sayuri couldn't hold back a laugh.
"You're here!" Yume exclaimed, dropping everything to hug her. "I'm so excited for tonight! Oh, and the boys are already on their way."
"You're here!" Yume shouted, hugging her. "I'm so excited! Oh, and the boys will be here in an hour."
"Boys?"
Yume replied while removing the cap.
"Kenji and Jun. They're meeting us here. But come on, let's get ready."
They spent the entire time laughing and having fun. When they were done, both looked stunning, Sayuri in her sweet witch look, and Yume as the Queen of Hearts.
Since the boys hadn't arrived yet, Sayuri went downstairs to get some water. As she took a sip, the doorbell rang.
"What are you supposed to be?" Sayuri asked curiously as she opened the door.
Kenji looked incredibly handsome, wearing an elegant suit with silver details, a top hat, dark eyeliner, and striking red lipstick.
"I'm a sexy vampire. Do you like it?" he replied, making her smile.
Yume came down the stairs laughing.
"Oh my God, a sexy vampire? Seriously? Haha... but..." she looked outside, "where's Jun?"
"He came as an invisible man," Kenji said. "Just kidding. He said he might not come. I think he had a date or something."
"Typical," Yume replied.
They got into the car and headed downtown. When they arrived, everything was dazzling—lights, glitter, balloons, amazing costumes, a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere.
As they stepped out of the car, they saw him—leaning near the entrance, Jun. Too handsome to ignore. Wearing a suit with red details, a black coat, heavy boots, and an intense gaze.
"You came!" Kenji shouted, waving.
"My date bailed," Jun replied, glancing quickly at Sayuri.
Once inside, he went straight to the bar, while the others sat at a table. Within minutes, he was surrounded by girls.
"He's popular," Sayuri whispered.
Yume heard her.
"Who? Jun? People think he gets every girl, but he actually just plays with them."
Sayuri kept watching. Maybe with a hint of jealousy at the attention those girls were getting. But the moment he noticed her looking, she quickly lowered her head.
"I hope he didn't notice," she thought.
He walked toward the table with a glass of whiskey and sat right beside her, making her nervous. He liked that.
Sayuri couldn't stop watching him—his hands, his skin, his face. She bit her lip every time he brought the glass to his mouth.
She wanted to say something, to get closer. She wanted his attention. But before she could think of anything, Yume grabbed her hand.
"Let's dance!"
On the dance floor, they felt free. Lights wrapped around their bodies. From a distance, Jun watched Sayuri dance. The way she moved, delicate and fragile.
He took another sip of his drink.
"She shouldn't be here..."
After a few songs and drinks, Yume needed to go to the bathroom, leaving Sayuri alone. At that moment, a charming older man approached.
"I've been watching you. You're very beautiful..." he said, trying to get closer.
Before she could respond, an arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her firmly.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his tone sharp.
The man hesitated… then walked away.
Sayuri turned, surprised, but before she could speak, Yume returned then Jun let go and disappeared into the crowd.
Later, they spotted Kenji at the bar kissing a red-haired girl. Yume and Sayuri exchanged awkward glances.
"Let's sit," Yume said.
Moments later, Yume began to feel unwell. Her laughter faded. Her movements slowed.
"I think I drank too much…" she murmured.
Sayuri immediately grew worried. After helping her drink water, she made a decision.
"We're leaving."
She called a taxi and helped Yume inside.
"Text me when you get home," Sayuri said, closing the door.
Now alone, the cold night wrapped around her.
"My hat..." she whispered, touching her head.
She had left it inside, with a sigh, she went back in and there he was. Talking to a stunning girl in a provocative cat costume.
Something twisted inside her chest. She tried to walk past unnoticed
"Hey You. Where's Yume?"
She froze.
"Yume already left… she wasn't feeling well," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "So… have a good night."
She was already ready to leave, but Jun sighed, running a hand over his forehead, visibly annoyed.
"Wait. I'll walk you."
He stepped closer.
"There's no need, really…" Sayuri said quickly. "Don't leave your company alone…"
Her gaze shifted, almost involuntarily, toward the catwoman. Jun followed her gaze for a second, then looked back at her.
"She'll be fine," he replied simply.
Without giving her room to protest, he walked beside Sayuri to the table. They both sat down.
"I'll wait for you to finish your drink," she said.
Jun swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching the liquid as if organizing his thoughts.
"So…" he said, without looking directly at her, "we didn't really talk much, did we?"
Sayuri nodded, a little tense.
"Yeah…"
He lifted his eyes, finally meeting hers.
"I watched you dancing. You're different from the girls here."
For some reason, that made her heart race.
"Different… how?" she asked, almost in a whisper.
Jun leaned slowly closer to her. Too close, close enough for Sayuri to feel that scent again… The same one, the same one that took her breath away.
"In a good way."
Before she could react, he took her hand and gently pulled her.
"Come on. I want to dance with you."
Without thinking, Sayuri let herself be led to the dance floor. Lights flickered around them, the music pulsing through the air. Jun placed his hand on her waist, pulling her closer. Sayuri's heart beat out of rhythm.
She could feel the warmth of his body, the rhythm of his breathing… everything felt too intense. Jun watched her differently now. More attentive...More… interested.
His gaze drifted for a moment, as if taking in every detail, her delicate skin, the way she avoided holding his gaze for too long.
It intrigued him and attracted him. Slowly, he leaned his face even closer. Sayuri held her breath.
Her first kiss, she knew it, she could feel it. Her heart raced even faster but just as the distance between them was about to disappear.
"HEY!"
Kenji appeared out of nowhere, throwing an arm around both of them.
"Are you hiding things from me now?" he laughed.
Sayuri stepped back immediately.
"You always show up at the worst time," Jun muttered.
"What time?" Kenji laughed, clearly drunk.
"I think… I should go. It's getting late."
Without waiting for an answer, she stepped away, walking to the table to grab her hat. She needed to get out of there, she needed to sort out her feelings, but before she could reach the exit, Jun grabbed her arm.
The touch was firm, but not rough.
"I'll take you."
Sayuri turned her face, surprised.
"There's no need… stay with Kenji. I'll be fine," she said, trying to gently pull away.
But Jun didn't let go. There was something different in his eyes now. Less teasing… more intention.
"I said I'll take you."
She hesitated for a moment, thought about refusing again. But, without fully understanding why… she gave in.
"Okay…"
Jun nodded, and as they stepped outside, he said:
"Wait here."
Then he walked off quickly, disappearing down the street. Sayuri stood there, her heart beating too fast for something she still couldn't name.
A few minutes later, the sound of an engine cut through the silence. Jun returned on a motorcycle. He stopped right in front of her and, without saying much, took a helmet and held it out to her.
"Get on."
Sayuri looked at the motorcycle for a few seconds. A mix of curiosity, fear… and a strange excitement.
She took a deep breath, put on the helmet, and climbed on behind him.
"Hold on," Jun said, starting the engine.
"Hold on to what?" she asked nervously.
Jun let out a low laugh. He took her hands and guided them to his waist.
"Here… trust me."
As the motorcycle sped off, Sayuri held her breath. The cold wind hit her face, her hair moving under the helmet, the city lights turning into colorful blurs dancing around them.
Every turn made her body lean along with his and without realizing it, she held onto him a little tighter. For a moment, everything disappeared, the pressure, the worries, the loneliness.
All that remained was the sound of the engine, the wind and that new, intense, alive feeling.
Jun stopped the motorcycle in front of her house.
He got off first and helped her down carefully, holding her hand for a second longer than necessary. Sayuri removed the helmet and handed it back to him.
"Thank you… for the ride."
Jun simply watched her, saying nothing. She turned and walked toward the door.
Something made her want to look back but she didn't.
Until
"Sayuri…"
His voice made her stop, her heart skipped. She turned and before she could say anything, Jun stepped closer.
Without hesitation.
Without asking.
He kissed her.
A quick kiss… but intense.
As if it had been impulsive, as if even he hadn't planned it.
Sayuri froze for a second, too surprised to react.
The world seemed to stop and when he pulled away, the silence between them felt different.
Heavy.
Alive.
Unexplainable.