Sayuri Misaki
The rain followed me home.
I walked slower than usual. Not to feel the cold, but because my chest felt too heavy to move fast.
He sat with me.
Souta Ren,school prince, perfect boy, the one with too many smiles and too few silences sat with me.
And for the first time in weeks, I didn't feel like I was floating through fog. I didn't feel invisible.
He didn't try to fix me.
He didn't force words out of me.
He just stayed.
And for a moment, I let myself believe someone cared.
Not out of pity.
Not for show.
But just because.
When I looked at him, I thought he was going to say something.
His mouth opened then closed.
Like there were words sitting in his throat that didn't want to come out.
I almost asked.
Almost.
But I didn't want to break whatever quiet thing existed between us. The fragile peace of it.
So I said thank you.
And I left.
But now I'm lying in bed, wondering...
What would he have said if I had stayed?
Souta Ren
Notebook entry – 11:22 p.m.
I almost told her today.
Almost.
Her eyes were so tired. Not just from crying,tired in that way only lonely people understand. I know that look. I wear it in the mirror most nights.
She looked right through me. And I wanted her to.
I wanted her to see every part of me I've spent years hiding.
But I couldn't say it.
Not when she looked so breakable.
Not when she finally let me be near without pushing me away.
Saying "I like you" isn't enough.
Not when she probably thinks she's unlovable.
I don't want to give her love like it's a surprise.
I want to give it to her like it's always been hers.
Because it has.
Maybe one day, when her voice doesn't tremble and my hands don't shake…
I'll tell her everything.
But not tonight.
Tonight, I'll just write it here.
Sayuri Misaki, I like you. I always have. Even when you were nothing but quiet footsteps and pages turning at the back of the class.
Even when no one else saw you… I did.