Lying in bed, with a new sparkle in her eyes, Sayuri caught herself smiling. She brought her fingers to her lips, reliving every detail of that night, wondering if it had really happened.
She wanted his attention so much… but she hadn't imagined she would get more than that. She was on cloud nine.
For him, however, it had been impulsive. A little reckless. Maybe the effect of alcohol.
Jun had always followed one basic rule: never let emotions interfere with his goals. But somehow… that girl had broken that rule without any effort at all.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Kenji.
The text was full of mistakes, almost unreadable—enough to make it clear that his friend was in no condition to drive.
Without thinking twice, Jun got up, grabbed his motorcycle, and went back into the city. When he arrived, he found Kenji lying on the sidewalk.
"Man… why did you drink so much? Come on, I'll take you home."
He grabbed the car keys and helped his friend into the back seat. During the drive, Kenji mumbled incoherent things.
"You're talking too much… hang in there, we're almost there."
When they arrived, he carried him to the studio couch.
"There. Tomorrow you'll wake up with a nice headache."
Jun threw himself onto the other couch, deciding to stay there and look after his friend.
"And you're still going to pay for my bike parking…" he murmured before falling asleep.
With the sun already hitting the window, he heard a voice.
"Hey… wake up."
Jun opened his eyes and came face to face with Yume. He gently pushed her away, still half-asleep.
"What are you doing here so early?"
"Early? Have you seen what time it is?"
He grabbed his phone and widened his eyes when he saw it was already past eleven. He quickly stood up, putting on his boots.
"Where's Kenji?"
"He's in the shower. I came to bring him some hangover soup," she replied, watching Jun rush around, knocking things over. "Hey, relax… where are you going in such a hurry?"
"I've got something to do. Tell him I'll call later… and ask him to pick up my bike downtown."
And, as usual, Jun left without giving any further explanation. Yume stood there, just shaking her head. She placed the soup on the table and sat on the couch. As she picked up a pillow from the floor, something caught her attention.
A necklace.
She looked at it more carefully. It was Sayuri's necklace.
"What is her necklace doing here…? I've never brought her here…"
"Where's Jun?" Kenji asked, appearing with wet hair.
Without hesitation, Yume held up the necklace.
"What is this doing here?"
Kenji, confused, said,
"I… don't know. I barely remember how I got home."
Yume stared at him for a few seconds, thoughtful.
"Okay. Drink your soup… I'll deal with this later."
She placed the necklace on the table.
"By the way… I didn't see you after the party," Kenji commented while drinking the soup. "I only saw Sayuri sitting with Jun."
Yume frowned.
"With Jun? Why?"
"No idea… you should ask her. I don't remember much from last night."
She stood up.
"Well, I should go. I have a boring family lunch and I can't miss it. Take care… and try not to drink today."
She kissed his forehead and left, completely forgetting the necklace on the table.
Around eight that night, Jun showed up to pick up his bike and check on his friend. He walked into the studio and called out:
"I'm coming!" Kenji replied from the other side of the house.
Jun sat on the couch, stretching. As he looked ahead, he saw the necklace on the table.
"There you are… I thought I'd lost you," he murmured, slipping it into his pocket.
"Hey, here," Kenji said, tossing him the keys. "How are you?"
"I think I should be asking you that."
Kenji laughed, fixing his hair.
"Terrible. I shouldn't have drunk that much. By the way… you disappeared. Where did you go?"
Jun took advantage of the fact that his friend didn't remember anything.
"I went home. Since you were in good company… I figured you'd manage without me."
"I don't even know what happened to that girl," Kenji said, laughing. "I think she rejected me. Good thing I don't remember."
Jun simply agreed.
With the end of Halloween lights and costumes, November arrived quietly. The air was colder, and the sky felt more distant. Everything seemed normal, but for Sayuri… something had changed.
She was becoming more and more interested in Jun. And after that kiss, she believed it was mutual. The days dragged on slowly. Every hour felt like an eternity. She was restless. She needed to see him, to look at him. But more than anything… she wanted that attention again.
Those thoughts consumed her.
"Sayuri? Sayuri?" the professor called.
"Yes! Sorry…"
"Are you ready for your presentation?"
She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and stood up. She walked to the front of the room and presented her work perfectly, as always. But this time… she didn't care about the grade. Her mind was somewhere else.
"Girl, your presentation was perfect, but you don't look happy. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine…"
Yume insisted.
"Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything."
For a moment, Sayuri thought about telling her about the kiss. But she couldn't. She knew her friend would judge her.
"It's nothing… I think I'm just tired. It'll pass."
Yume knew there was more.
"I have an idea. Come with me, let's go to the café. I invited Kenji to meet us there."
"I'm not really in the mood… I wanted to go straight home."
Yume crossed her arms.
"No way. Enough of this bad mood. You're coming with me."
When they arrived, Sayuri didn't even notice he was there.
"Hey! You're here. How are you guys?" Kenji asked.
"We're good, Kenji… and you? No more drinking too much, right?"
"Don't even remind me," he laughed. "And you, Sayuri?"
"I'm fine… just a little tired."
"A coffee will help with that. Let's go inside. Jun is already there."
Her heart raced, and her eyes lit up.
"Jun, the girls are here."
He turned. Looked for a second… then looked away.
"Hey… everything good?"
Cold. Distant.
As if nothing had happened… as if she meant nothing.
"Let's grab something and sit in the park," Kenji suggested.
"Great idea!" Yume said.
"I want a cappuccino with rose milk. And you, friend?"
"A… hot chocolate… with strawberry marshmallows."
"You can go ahead. I'll bring it," Kenji said, heading to pay.
"I'll help," Jun added quickly, as if he needed an excuse not to stay near her.
As they walked toward the park, Sayuri felt the weight in her chest growing. She couldn't keep it in anymore. She needed advice.
"Yume… wait. I need to tell you something."
Yume stopped immediately.
"I know you're going to judge me… but… on Halloween night… after you left… Jun stayed with me at the party."
Yume listened silently.
"He took me home… because he didn't want me to go alone."
"Good," Yume replied. "It was too late for you to go alone."
Sayuri hesitated.
"But…"
"What? Did he do something? Was he rude? Because if he treated you badly, I'll kill him…"
"No, nothing like that… he kissed me."
Silence.
"What? He kissed you?" Yume widened her eyes.
"It just… happened. And… for me… it was amazing. It was my first kiss…"
"No, Sayuri… stop," Yume interrupted firmly. "Stop dreaming. For you, it was incredible, but for him, it was just another kiss. Just another girl."
Sayuri lowered her gaze.
"I think… maybe it was different this time…"
Yume held her hand.
"No, listen to me. Jun has trouble getting emotionally involved. He never takes anyone seriously."
Her words were direct. Harsh.
"He's like that, Sayuri. The only thing that matters to him is music… and proving something to his parents."
Sayuri swallowed hard. Her eyes burned, but she smiled.
"It's okay… I just wanted to tell you."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. Let's change the subject… they're coming."
They sat under a tree. Jun chose a spot farther away. He didn't look at her. Not even once. It was as if she didn't exist.
When they were about to leave, Kenji stood up first.
"Yume, I need to stop by your place to pick something up. Jun, can you take Sayuri home?"
"No," Yume said immediately, her tone firm.
Jun raised an eyebrow.
"As if I'd do something to her," he replied with a smirk.
"Haven't you already?" Yume shot back.
"What's going on?" Kenji asked, confused.
Jun stood up, irritated.
"I have better things to do. I'm not a babysitter. Figure it out."
He threw the cup in the trash and left. Yume looked at Sayuri and realized she was about to break.
"Kenji, I'll take her home. I'll meet you later."
"No need," Sayuri said, tired of the situation. "I want to go alone."
"But it's late…"
"Please, Yume. Don't insist."
She gave in.
"Okay… call me if anything happens."
The way home felt longer than usual. The tears came without warning.
"How stupid…" she whispered. "How did I think that kiss meant something? It was just another kiss for him…"
Her voice trembled.
She hugged her coat tighter and kept walking. Until she noticed someone behind her. She sped up—and when she turned the corner, she ran straight into him.
"You scared me…" she said, breathless.
"That wasn't the intention."
"What are you doing here? Are you following me?"
He let out a low laugh.
"Me? Following you? Why would I do that?"
(Even though he had been following her… quietly making sure she was safe.)
He put his hand in his pocket.
"I just wanted to return this."
Sayuri's eyes widened.
"My necklace… where did you find it?"
"In the park."
"But… how did you know it was mine?"
Jun looked away.
"That doesn't matter."
Without asking, he gently moved her hair aside and placed the necklace around her neck. His fingers brushed her skin. Just for a second but it was enough to make her heart race.
"Sorry about earlier. Yume gets on my nerves."
She wanted to ask why he had kissed her, but she didn't have the courage. An awkward silence settled between them. Jun looked into her eyes… then down at her lips.
For a moment—just one—he almost gave in. Almost kissed her again. But not this time, reason was stronger than feeling.
So he simply walked away and Sayuri stayed there…
Still.
Alone.
With a heart full of questions he never answered.