Saki sat silently in front of Director Takashi, her eyes fixed on the papers scattered across the desk. But none of the words entered her mind. His voice felt distant—like a muffled TV left on in another room. Blurred, unclear, impossible to focus on.
All she managed to hear was one single sentence buried within the noise:
"Your project is due tomorrow."
Saki blinked fast. "Tomorrow…?" she whispered, but her voice was so weak even she barely heard it.
And then—riiing!
The end-of-day bell echoed through the halls.
"Well then, students," Director Takashi spread his arms with an exaggerated flourish. "I wish you all a wonderful evening. I truly hope you can pull off an amazing project!"
Normally, a few students would snicker at his awkward joke.
But today, not even Saki managed to fake a laugh.
She stood, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked toward the door. The hallway outside was already thinning out. Students were leaving, chatting, stretching. But Saki's mind remained tangled, weighed down by thoughts she couldn't untangle.
Just as she reached the stairwell, she saw someone below.
Hiroki.
And of course…
standing beside him was Miyuki.
They were talking.
Laughing.
Saki's eyebrows twitched.
Seriously… aren't you even going to look for me?
Her chest tightened with a pinch of sadness she refused to admit.
She entered the classroom again, heading for her locker. Maybe… maybe Hiroki would look for her. Maybe he'd rush up any moment saying he'd been waiting.
But as she packed her things slowly, deliberately stalling, no footsteps approached.
Books. Folders. Pens.
Everything neatly placed.
Something was missing though.
"…Where's my umbrella?"
Saki checked under desks, near the windows, beside the board.
Then the truth slapped her across the face.
She'd left her umbrella at home.
"Ughhh, Saki, seriously… how do you forget something like that?" she groaned at herself.
With a resigned sigh, she threw her bag over her shoulder and stepped out.
Light rain was falling—soft, cold droplets tapping rhythmically against the concrete.
But all she could think about was:
Did Miyuki… also know about that special song?
Her eyes drifted automatically toward the school gate.
And the sight stung more than she expected.
Hiroki was still there with Miyuki.
Still smiling.
Still oblivious to her presence.
Saki folded her arms tightly, gave a sharp exhale through her nose, and walked past them.
Unbelievable… after everything that happened today? Really, Hiroki?
She had barely stepped onto the sidewalk when a voice called out behind her.
"H-Hey, Saki!"
Her heart jumped.
She turned—Hiroki was walking toward her.
Alone.
They fell into step beside each other, walking together under the drizzling sky. Saki wasn't ready. Her heart thundered in her chest, but her face stayed locked in a stubborn frown.
A heavy silence hung between them.
Hiroki was the first to break it.
"Are you doing okay, Saki?"
"I'm fine. I was just heading home."
"Oh. Do you have anything planned tonight?"
"Yeah—my project. I need to finish it."
"I can help if you want."
"No. It's fine."
Her tone was sharper than she meant.
Hiroki hesitated. His voice softened.
"Did I… do something wrong? Saki, I don't want you to be upset because of me."
She turned her head away.
"How can I not be upset?"
"What do you mean? Why are you acting like this?"
And then it burst.
Every bottled-up feeling erupted in a single breath.
"You really want to know?!"
"I do," Hiroki said firmly. "At least tell me the reason."
Saki stopped walking and faced him.
"That song," she said, voice trembling.
"The song you said you wrote for me. Do you remember it?"
"Of course. I still have it."
Saki's voice rose.
"How can you say that without shame?! You said it was special… but someone else knows it too!"
Hiroki blinked. And then—
understanding dawned on his face.
So that's it…
That's why she's been acting like this.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Wow… Saki… you were jealous, weren't you?"
Her cheeks instantly burned bright red.
She lowered her head and gave a tiny nod.
Hiroki chuckled softly.
"Let me guess—you thought the person who knew the song was Miyuki, right?"
"There! You admitted it yourself!" Saki shouted.
Even she didn't expect the jealousy in her voice.
It was the first time Hiroki had ever seen her so emotional.
"Relax, Saki. Don't worry. That person… isn't Miyuki."
Saki's eyes widened.
"Then who is it, Hiroki?!"
Hiroki looked away, suddenly quiet.
As if the answer was too heavy… too personal.
Saki's anger faltered for a moment.
"…I just don't understand you," she whispered.
"You acted so… close with her today. And you wrote a special song that was supposed to be for me… but she knew something about it too."
Her voice cracked with the weight of the day.
"How many special songs have you written for other girls, Hiroki?"
Hiroki stopped walking. Hands tucked into his pockets. Head slightly lowered.
Saki instantly regretted it.
She hadn't meant to sound so cruel.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Hiroki lifted his gaze, a gentle smile forming.
"You're right, Saki. I'm sorry… I didn't realize how you felt. But I've already made up my mind."
Her breath caught.
Made up his mind…? About what?
Without noticing, they had walked all the way to the small park beside the school. Hiroki sat on the wooden bench. Saki hesitated, then sat beside him.
Hiroki inhaled deeply. Raindrops pattered on the leaves above. The quiet atmosphere wrapped around them.
Then—
Hiroki reached out…
and took her hand.
Saki froze.
Her heart pounded.
But Hiroki's warm hand enveloping hers felt incredibly comforting.
"Remember when I told you about my mom…?"
Saki nodded carefully.
"This song… the one I told you about… I wrote it with her."
His voice softened, carrying something fragile.
"It's not a romantic song I wrote for someone else. It's the first melody I ever created. And the only person I ever wanted to share it with… was you."
Saki's eyes shimmered.
Guilt and relief washed over her.
Hiroki lifted her hand to his chest—
straight to the rhythm of his beating heart.
"I'm sorry I made you doubt me, Saki."
Their eyes met.
Electric.
Warm.
Magnetic.
They leaned closer—slowly, unconsciously.
Their breaths intertwined.
Saki's heart raced.
Hiroki's hand gently tightened around hers.
Their lips were—
—mere centimeters away.
Would they finally
close the distance between them?
Or would fate interrupt once more?