Little by little, Kenji had been getting closer to Sayuri.Whenever Yume wanted to go out, he always found a way to include her too. That way, he could stay close.
On a random Friday in December, knowing Yume wouldn't be attending class, he felt like it was the perfect moment to take one step further.
As Sayuri left campus, she spotted Kenji waiting, just like usual.
"Where's Yume?" she asked, pretending she didn't already know.
"Didn't come today. Took the weekend off to travel with her parents."
Kenji let out a small laugh.
"That's so like her… skipping class to travel."
"Yeah…" Sayuri replied softly.
He glanced up at the sky, already heavy with clouds.
"So… shall we go? Looks like it's going to rain."
Being alone with him didn't feel like a good idea. Ever since he started getting closer, something felt… different. Like there was something more behind his intentions.
"Actually… I need to stop by the library today. I have to pick up a book."
"Perfect," he replied immediately. "I'll go with you."
"You don't have to, really… libraries are boring. You won't enjoy it," she tried to discourage him.
"I like libraries…" he smiled. "And I like your company even more."
With no way out, Sayuri gave in.
During the ride, Kenji's phone rang.
Jun.
"Aren't you going to answer?" she asked.
"Not now. It's probably nothing important."
"How do you know?"
He shrugged.
"I know him. Probably wants to rehearse… and honestly, I'm not in the mood for that today."
"Why?"
"Look… we're here," he said, avoiding the question.
Kenji stepped out first and opened the door for her.
Inside the library, Sayuri got lost among the books. Her fingers brushed over the spines, her eyes focused… completely in her own world.
Kenji, however, was only watching her.
Silently.
Every movement.Every detail.
This didn't feel like a game anymore. It was becoming… something dangerous.
"Kenji?"
"Hm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
He blinked, coming back to reality.
"About taking you somewhere to eat. What do you think?"
Sayuri hesitated… but her stomach answered first.
"I am hungry… but I can't stay long."
"I promise it'll be quick."
But "quick" turned into an elegant restaurant, softly lit and filled with endless options.
"Oh my God…" Sayuri widened her eyes. "I've never seen so much shrimp in my life."
Kenji laughed, charmed by her reaction.
"Let's sit."
They ate, talked… and laughed.
"Thank you, Kenji… I loved it."
"I can bring you here whenever you want," he said, with a simple smile… but full of intention.
Sayuri smiled, looking away.
As they left, Kenji bought a rose and handed it to her.
"For me? Why?"
"Because it reminds me of you."
The way back home was quiet.
Not comfortable… just heavy.
When they arrived, Kenji walked her to the door. Then, impulsively, he tried to kiss her.
Sayuri immediately stepped back.
"What are you doing?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, awkward.
"Sorry… I couldn't help it."
She looked at him, confused.
"Couldn't help it? What's going on, Kenji?"
He stepped closer.
"I don't even know yet…" he admitted, honestly. "But… if I'm starting to like you… would I even have a chance?"
Sayuri's heart raced.
"Kenji… you're amazing, really… but I… I like someone else."
He closed his eyes for a second. He already knew.
"Jun…?"
She didn't answer. She didn't need to.
"He doesn't care about that, Sayuri," Kenji said, more firmly now. "His passion is music. Just music."
He gently took her hands.
"And you… you're everything someone could want. Beautiful, smart… kind."
He leaned a little closer.
"Let me show you what it feels like to be loved properly."
Sayuri froze. She was confused.
Kenji leaned in again. This time more certain. Convinced that if he kissed her… she would give in.
And then—
Jun appeared across the street.
He stopped. Watched them.
Their hands intertwined. So close. So intimate. Something inside him shattered.
Kenji was doing what he never had the courage to do. So without a word, Jun turned… and walked away.
"Kenji… I don't know what to say…" Sayuri's voice was soft. "I can't…"
"It's okay," he interrupted, taking a breath. "Take all the time you need."
A small smile.
"And until then… I'll do my best to make you fall for me."
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently.
"Good night, Sayuri."
"Good night…"
She stood there on the porch for a moment. The cold night air brushed against her skin… but it was nothing compared to the confusion inside her.
Her eyes instinctively drifted toward Jun's house.
Waiting.
Hoping he would appear… say something… But nothing happened.
"Sayuri!" her father called from inside. "Come in, you'll catch a cold!"
"I'm coming!"
She took a deep breath… and went inside.
The door closed behind her. And for a moment, she leaned against it, her heart tight.
It all felt wrong… but at the same time, it felt like the only way to stop getting hurt.
Across the street, a storm had already begun inside Jun.
He couldn't hold it back anymore. It felt like a blade tearing through his chest. He opened the cabinet and, without thinking, grabbed a bottle of whiskey.
One sip.
Then another.
And another.
As if alcohol could silence what was screaming inside him.
But it didn't.
For the first time… the tears came.
"What… is happening to me…?"
His voice broke.
"I was the one who told her to stay away…"
Another sip.
His hand trembled.
"I said I didn't care… I treated her like she meant nothing…"
His breathing faltered.
"So why… does it hurt so much?"
His hand pressed against his chest.
"Why does it burn like this…?"
His eyes stung.
"I'm an idiot…"
His voice cracked.
"What have I done…?"
He lifted the bottle again. No hesitation. No control.
"I… I…"
The words disappeared.
"I lost her…"
His red eyes stared into nothing.
"I lost her…"
His head dropped forward.
A whisper.
"And I never even had the courage to tell her how I really feel…"