Autumn arrived without asking permission. The leaves began to fall, golden and silent, but for Sayuri, there was nothing poetic about it.
Midterm exams were getting closer and closer, and with them came pressure — especially from her parents. She had to be perfect.
Perfect grades.
Perfect behavior.
Perfect future.
And somewhere in the middle of all that… she was losing herself.
Mornings were no longer gentle. The alarm rang, but her body refused to respond. Her coffee grew cold, forgotten on the table while she raced against time.
That morning was no different — or rather… it was worse.
As she turned the corner near the university, her foot sank hard into a hole in the sidewalk.
The impact was strong enough to send her books slipping from her arms, scattering across the ground while sharp pain shot through her knee.
"Crap…"
But she didn't stop. Ignoring the pain, she hurriedly gathered everything and kept running, leaving a few papers behind.
When she entered the classroom, she let out a relieved breath — only to realize:
"Where's Yume?"
She looked around. Nothing. She asked a few classmates, but nobody knew.
Without thinking twice, she stood up and left the room.
The hallways were crowded, but she could only focus on what was ahead. Hurried, restless, limping slightly, she made her way toward the gates.
A white car stopped in front of her, and the door opened.
Yume stepped out calmly, as if she weren't late at all. Right behind her came someone tall, elegant, and far too handsome to go unnoticed.
Blond hair. A leather jacket layered over a moss-green sweater. His face was flawless, matching a smile that was attractive… but dangerous.
"Yume!" Sayuri approached her. "You're late!"
"Hey, Say!" Yume answered cheerfully. "This is Kenji, my childhood friend."
He stepped forward and kissed Sayuri's hand.
"So you're Sayuri…" he said lightly. "I've heard a lot about you."
"I hope good things…" she replied shyly.
He smiled.
"Only the best."
A short, strange silence settled between them.
"Speaking of good things…" He tilted his head, looking her up and down. "Would you like to come to our show tonight?"
Sayuri blinked in surprise.
"Show?"
"His band, Say," Yume explained. "They're playing downtown."
"They?"
"Oh, right, I forgot. Our other friend is the lead singer. You'll see — he sings really well."
"He's cool, but lately he's been kind of lost in his thoughts because of some girl whose name he doesn't even know."
"He's still stuck on that, Kenji?"
"What can I say? You know how he is. But anyway… you'll come, right, Sayuri?"
She hesitated. She had never gone to an event like that before, and convincing her father would definitely be difficult. It sounded crazy… but also interesting — especially for someone as proper as her.
"I'll think about it," she answered.
Kenji grinned teasingly.
"I'll be there. I promise you won't regret it."
He winked at her before climbing back into the car and speeding away.
Near the end of class, Sayuri was still thinking about the event.
"I don't know if I should go…" she murmured.
"Stop overthinking," Yume said. "It'll be fun. And you seriously need a break from your routine."
Sayuri sighed. It wasn't an easy decision for her.
When she got home, she sat on the porch for a few minutes, watching the sun disappear over the horizon while taking pictures, as usual.
Suddenly, she heard water splashing against leaves. Her neighbor, Mrs. Midori, was watering her plants. Sayuri adored her. She reminded her of her grandmother — and she made incredible cookies.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Midori. Your garden looks beautiful."
The elderly woman smiled warmly.
"My dear… you're always so sweet."
While helping her move a few flowerpots, a delicious smell drifted through the air.
"Mmm… that smells amazing. Is that cake?"
"Walnut cake," Mrs. Midori answered with a laugh. "Come have some."
Sayuri followed her inside without hesitation. The house felt like an old museum: antique furniture, photographs, and books everywhere.
She slowly wandered toward the bookshelf, fascinated by the collection.
"Don't you ever feel lonely?"
Mrs. Midori smiled while pouring tea.
"Never. My grandson is living with me now."
Sayuri turned curiously.
"Grandson? I've never seen him around."
"He moved here recently. He went through a difficult time with his father, but he's a good boy."
She paused.
"I'm sure you'll like him."
Sayuri smiled.
"I'm sure I will too. Wow… this cake is delicious." She took another bite. "I love your desserts."
"Haha, thank you. I'll send some cookies over for your family someday. Your mother loves them."
"I know. She says they're the best."
Sayuri took another huge bite. She felt completely at peace — until she glanced through the window and saw the lights on at her house.
"Mrs. Midori, I should go. My parents must be home."
"Wait, dear. Take some cake with you."
Sayuri grabbed the small package and said goodbye. But when she got home, reality was waiting for her.
"Where were you?" her mother asked coldly.
"At Mrs. Midori's house…"
"Sit down and eat dinner."
"I'm not hungry. I had cake with her."
"Cake is not dinner."
Silence.
"I'll eat later…"
Her mother sighed.
"It's like this girl has no common sense…"
Sayuri stood in front of the mirror for several seconds. She still didn't know whether going to the show with Yume was the right thing to do. Her parents would absolutely disapprove.
"I should just forget about it… it's probably not for me anyway," she whispered.
She opened her bedroom door to get some water — and that was when she overheard a conversation about her grades.
"Sayuri, come here."
"Yes, sir?"
"Sayuri, you got a 9.5?"
Her father slowly closed the folder in front of him.
"Where were the other 0.5 points?"
She lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry…"
"Apologies won't improve your future," he answered coldly.
Her mother sighed.
"You need to stop wasting time on useless things. Cafés and romance books won't get you anywhere."
"She needs to focus on university," her father added.
No matter what she did — even being top of her class wasn't enough.
She returned to her room frustrated and made a decision.
"I'm going. I'm tired of following these stupid rules."
She opened her closet and chose a black pleated dress she had made herself but never worn, along with tights and sneakers.
She tied a purple ribbon in her hair. The look was simple, but for once… she felt pretty.
She waited until her parents were distracted before sneaking out to meet Yume.
The bar was packed. Dim lights, loud music, alternative-looking people everywhere. Sayuri had never seen anything like it before. She couldn't stop staring around; she felt completely overwhelmed in the best way possible.
"Come on, closer to the stage," Yume said, pulling her friend along.
That was when the stage lights slowly flickered on and the crowd erupted into screams. When Kenji appeared, Yume got even more excited.
And then he appeared.
The dark-haired boy stepped onto the stage slowly, holding the microphone with one hand. A red bandana held back part of his messy hair while blue light cut across his face in an almost unreal way.
And then… he started singing.
Sayuri's world disappeared.
That voice…
"Who is that?" she asked curiously.
"That's Jun, the friend I told you about."
The moment he started singing, Sayuri was mesmerized. His voice was different. It wasn't just beautiful — it was hypnotic… and somehow familiar.
After the show, the girls sat at a table waiting for the guys.
"Wow, Yume… you were right. I loved it. And the singer… his voice is ama—"
Before she could finish, Sayuri caught the scent.
Vanilla and old books.
Her body reacted before her mind could. She stood up too quickly, twisting her ankle in the process, and for a second she was certain she would fall.
Then someone caught her firmly by the waist.
When she looked up, the air vanished from her lungs.
It was him.
The same voice and the same scent that had haunted her thoughts night after night.
Jun froze too. His expression shifted almost imperceptibly, as if he had also just recognized something impossible.
Because he had.
The girl he hadn't been able to forget. The girl he'd searched for on every street since that day was finally there… in his arms.
But unlike her, Jun recovered quickly. He looked away and smirked slightly, pretending none of it affected him.
"That was a close one," he murmured.
Sayuri couldn't even answer. Her heart was beating too fast.
While he helped her sit down, she tried to connect the pieces, still dizzy from the shock.
The mysterious boy occupying her thoughts… was one of Yume's best friends.
It felt insane.
Conversations flowed around them, but Sayuri couldn't stop looking at him.
And Jun noticed.
He noticed every time she quickly looked away, every time she unconsciously held her breath, every time she stared at him like she was trying to make sure he was real.
And it unsettled him.
At that moment, Jun started realizing that this girl was far too different.
She seemed kind, sweet, and way too perfect. Like someone who absolutely did not belong in his chaotic world.
Maybe it was better to keep his distance. Now that he had finally found her, maybe he could finally get her out of his head before it turned into something worse.
"You like staring at people?"
His voice came out calm… almost teasing.
"I'm just observing. I don't know anything about music," she said softly.
"But you're in a music bar," he teased, resting his face in one hand while watching her.
Kenji, knowing his friend well, jumped into the conversation.
"She likes books."
Jun let out a quiet laugh.
"Books, huh?"
His eyes slowly returned to her. Then, almost like he was testing himself, he pushed a little further.
"I've got a lot at home… wanna come over tonight?"
"Jun!" Kenji cut in immediately.
"What? It was just a suggestion…" he said, taking another sip of his drink.
The atmosphere changed instantly, leaving everyone uncomfortable.
"Well… I think we should go, Say. It's getting late," Yume said as she stood up.
"I'll drive you guys," Kenji offered, standing as well.
"No need. I already called a car. See you later."
Kenji politely said goodbye to both girls.
"Take care… and come around more often, Sayuri."
"I will…" she answered, glancing discreetly at Jun.
But he only shrugged as if none of it mattered.
As if she hadn't completely ruined his thoughts that night.
Later that same night, after packing away the instruments, Kenji and Jun ended up going back to Kenji's house.
The show had been exhausting, and Jun was so tired that he practically collapsed onto the couch and passed out.
The next morning, still sleepy, he grabbed his phone and started scrolling through photos from the event.
He swiped through them without interest.
People.
Lights.
Drinks.
Stage.
The usual.
Until he stopped at a photo of Sayuri beside Yume.
She was smiling. A soft, beautiful smile.
Jun stared at the screen, feeling something strange grow inside his chest — an uncomfortable feeling… but good at the same time.
And, naturally, it annoyed him.
Because she looked exactly like the kind of girl who should never exist in his world.
Someone who clearly deserved better.
"JUUUN!" Kenji shouted from the kitchen. "I made pancakes!"
He quickly locked his phone and headed downstairs.
"Who's Sayuri?" he asked casually, grabbing a piece of pancake.
Kenji raised an eyebrow.
"You serious? She's Yume's friend… the cute one."
"Hm… the book girl."
"Why? Interested?"
Jun scoffed and stuffed another pancake into his mouth.
"Not a chance…"