Yume took advantage of her birthday coming up and traveled to Paris to buy a dress for her party. She would be gone for at least a week. Meanwhile, Sayuri tried to balance her studies and her emotions.
On a rainy afternoon, as she returned from class, she smelled something delicious coming from her neighbor's house. It was coconut cookies, fresh out of the oven.
Sayuri loved those cookies, so she decided to stop by for a visit. As she crossed the garden, she noticed the door was slightly open.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Midori… may I come in?" she said, already stepping inside, guided by the delicious scent surrounding her.
"I'm in the kitchen, dear!" the soft voice replied.
Sayuri walked toward it, but suddenly stopped.
"Wow…" slipped out before she could stop herself.
Wearing a simple t-shirt and a loosely tied floral apron, Jun stood there holding a tray of freshly baked cookies.
For a second, she thought she was seeing things.
He froze, unsure where to look, his cheeks slightly flushed… he looked too human.
It didn't match the cold, distant, provocative boy she knew.
"What are you…" he started, but stopped mid-sentence.
"I…" Sayuri couldn't finish either.
"Ah!" Mrs. Midori's voice broke the silence. "You already know my grandson?"
Sayuri blinked, still processing.
"Y-your… grandson?"
The older woman smiled proudly.
"Yes! This is my little chef."
Jun looked away, running a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable.
"We've… met before," he said, taking off the floral apron and trying to regain his usual composure.
But it was too late. Sayuri had already seen it. The version of him no one else saw. The one that didn't belong to bars, red lights, and indifferent stares.
"He helps me here sometimes… and makes wonderful cookies," Mrs. Midori added cheerfully.
"Grandma…" Jun muttered, embarrassed.
Sayuri smiled, amused.
"So… you bake cookies?"
Jun shot her a quick, defensive look.
"That's none of your business."
Mrs. Midori chuckled softly.
"He's always been like this. Tough on the outside… but with a good heart."
Jun's expression changed instantly.
"Grandma, that's enough."
"Come, Sayuri, help me with the teacups."
Sayuri picked up the cups and brought them to the small table in the center of the room. Soon after, Mrs. Midori sat down, and Jun appeared with a porcelain plate full of cookies, avoiding looking directly at Sayuri before sitting as well.
Sayuri couldn't stop thinking about that coincidence.
"You should go," Jun said quietly, only for her to hear.
"I came to visit Mrs. Midori…"
"You've already visited," he replied, cutting her off.
Sayuri raised an eyebrow, picking up a cookie.
"Don't worry… I won't tell anyone about your apron," she teased, taking a bite. "Wow… this is amazing. The little chef has talent."
"They really are, dear. Have some more," Mrs. Midori said, smiling.
"Grandma…"
"Boy, what's your problem? Stop grumbling and drink your tea!"
"You know, Sayuri… if his tea gets cold, he complains all day…"
"Grandma!" Jun interrupted, completely embarrassed.
Sayuri couldn't hold back her laughter. She had never imagined seeing Jun like that.
So… normal.So… cute.
After tea, Mrs. Midori called Sayuri to look at some old photos, while Jun stored the remaining cookies in a glass jar.
"Look at this picture," Mrs. Midori said, smiling. "It was taken at the beach where my son-in-law has a beautiful house. We used to spend many vacations there."
"You don't go anymore?" Sayuri asked.
"The family drifted apart… my daughter, Jun's mother, got divorced and left when he was still very young. His father remarried."
"I see…" Sayuri replied softly.
"And this one?" she asked, picking up another photo. "Where was this taken?"
"At a camp."
Sayuri brought the photo closer, curious.
"And this little boy crying… who is that?"
"Jun," she answered, laughing. "He was afraid of a sheep."
Sayuri burst into laughter.
"Of a little sheep?"
"Keep laughing…" Jun interrupted, walking closer. "Back then, it was a terrifying sheep."
"Poor thing…" she said, still smiling, looking at the picture.
Jun watched her in silence.
There, so light… so genuine…
She felt like a place where he could rest. Maybe even open up. Without thinking, he stepped closer.
"These pictures aren't even that good…" he muttered.
"They're amazing," Sayuri replied softly. "They're full of memories… good ones."
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable.
It was… calm.
"Grandma… it's time for your medicine," Jun said, looking away.
"Oh, of course. I'll be right back, dear," she replied, getting up.
Now… they were alone. The atmosphere between them had changed. It was no longer awkward. It was… dangerous.
"So… you've been living with your grandmother for a long time?" Sayuri asked, trying to stay casual.
"For a while."
"Can I ask why you don't live with your father?"
Jun kept organizing the photos, not looking at her.
"It's complicated. We… never really got along."
He paused.
"Living here was better for everyone."
"He must miss you…"
Jun let out a humorless laugh.
"I doubt it. It's probably a relief for him not having me around… not being another disappointment."
Sayuri gently held his arm, as if trying to comfort him.
"You're not a disappointment…" she said softly. "As long as there are people who care about you… things can get better."
Those words completely disarmed him.
Without realizing it, he moved closer, slowly. He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, gently. A warm feeling wrapped around her.
He was too close. Close enough to…
He pulled back, closing his eyes for a second.
"I can't…" he whispered.
"You can't… why?"
He took a step back.
"I can't do this to you. It's not right."
"I don't care…" she said, almost whispering.
"You don't understand," he replied, firmer now. "My life is complicated. I… ruin everything I touch. I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't…" she said, looking straight at him. "I like you."
That was enough to make him step back even more.
"You shouldn't. This was my mistake…" he continued. "I shouldn't have kissed you. I should have controlled myself…"
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
"But you're like… my kryptonite."
He laughed, without humor.
"You make me too weak to resist."
"Then don't resist…" Sayuri said, taking a small step toward him. "Let me help you."
"No. You can't. Everyone in my life ends up getting hurt… and leaving me."
The answer came quickly.
Cold. Final.
"I won't let that happen, so it's better if you go… and forget that kiss. Forget me."
He looked away.
"Don't create any expectations about me…"
It hurt.
But Sayuri wasn't angry.
She understood.
His fear was bigger than any feeling.
"Good night, Jun."
"Good night…"