The city was becoming more and more poetic. Trees burned in shades of gold and crimson, leaves danced across the sidewalks with the cold wind, and tiny lights began appearing in store windows, announcing the arrival of Halloween.
For Sayuri, it had always been her favorite time of year. She loved the magic of the season.
The costumes.
The candy.
The cold nights and decorated streets.
When she was younger, she spent weeks planning costumes and filling the house with sketches and ridiculous ideas.
But now, everything felt different. The magic was still there… she just couldn't fully reach it anymore.
Because there was always a shadow hanging over her: her parents.
Even after earning the highest grades in her class that semester, the pressure at home never eased. Nothing ever seemed good enough.
Never.
"Your grades still aren't good enough. You need to focus more on your studies and stop wasting time on meaningless friendships," her father said coldly from the couch, reading the newspaper without even looking at her.
"But, Dad…"
He raised his hand immediately, cutting her off.
"No 'buts.'"
The sound of the newspaper page turning echoed through the room.
"I heard that this Yume girl has no sense of responsibility because she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She thinks she doesn't need to work hard in life, and now she's hanging around with boys who have no future outside of college."
He continued reading as if he were commenting on the weather.
"She's constantly struggling just to pass her classes. So tell me… how do you expect to succeed while surrounding yourself with people like that?"
Sayuri wanted to defend Yume. She wanted to say that she was kind, funny, and always there when she needed her most.
But she knew it would be pointless. Her father never truly listened to her.
So she simply lowered her gaze.
"Yes, sir."
Later, locked inside her room, she tried distracting herself by flipping through a few books, but his words kept echoing in her mind.
"Meaningless friendships."
"People like that."
She shut the book forcefully.
"It's not fair…" she whispered. "Yume has always been there for me… unlike him, who's never here."
Her eyes drifted toward the window. The rain was beginning to calm.
That was when her phone vibrated on the bed.
A new message appeared on the screen:
Sayuriii!!Meet me at the mall tomorrow!We need to go shopping!!
xoxo, Yume
The next day, she waited for her parents to leave for work before sneaking out. That way, she could avoid more questions, more lectures, and more suffocating rules.
When she arrived at the mall, Yume practically ran toward her.
"Sayuri!" she said, hugging her tightly. "I was worried! Thank God you got here before the rain!"
"You always exaggerate…"
"Of course I do. Now come on! We need to find something amazing for the Halloween party."
The two of them walked through the crowded hallways until they entered a huge costume shop.
The place felt like a tiny magical world, filled with sparkling dresses, masks, accessories, capes, and extravagant hats.
Sayuri's eyes lit up immediately.
"Wow…"
She gently ran her fingers over the fabrics, completely enchanted like a child.
Then something caught her attention in the back of the store.
A lilac dress decorated with tiny silver stars that shimmered beneath the store lights.
"That one!"
It would match perfectly with the old witch hat she had made herself years ago.
Without hesitation, she pulled the dress off the rack.
"Yume, look at this!"
"Oh my God…" Yume widened her eyes. "You're going to look SO pretty in that!"
Sayuri smiled.
"I'm actually excited for this party…"
"Me too! Halloween is literally the best season of the year."
"That, I can agree with."
Later, after shopping, they walked toward the food court.
"Mmm… I'm starving," Yume complained dramatically.
But before they could sit down, Sayuri glanced out the massive glass window.
The sky had completely darkened.
"Crap… I should go."
"What? Already?"
"I need to get home before my parents."
Yume made a face.
"They're still being hard on you?"
Sayuri only sighed.
"A lot."
As soon as she stepped off the escalator, heavy rain started pouring outside.
Even so, she ran through the streets, dodging puddles while protecting the shopping bag against her chest, trying desperately to catch the train before it got too late.
When she finally got home, she was completely soaked.
She went straight upstairs and dropped the bag on her desk before rushing into a hot shower.
A few minutes later, while drying her hair, she heard the bedroom door open.
Her mother walked in.
"Sayuri, we're home…" Her gaze immediately landed on the shopping bag. "What's this? You went out?"
She froze for a second.
"I… needed fabric for a sewing class assignment."
The lie came out quickly and easily. Her mother narrowed her eyes suspiciously but eventually accepted it.
"You could've asked me. You know I have excellent fabrics at the store."
"I didn't want to bother you…"
"Hm."
She observed Sayuri for a few more seconds before changing the subject.
"Have you eaten yet? We brought shrimp dumplings and soup. They're still warm."
Sayuri forced a small smile.
"I'll be down in a minute… I just need to finish drying my hair."
The moment her mother left the room, Sayuri rushed to her closet and carefully hid the dress.
The next morning, Sayuri found her mother pacing around the kitchen, clearly late and irritated.
"Take this." She handed her a grocery list without properly looking at her. "And don't forget anything, understood?"
Sayuri quickly grabbed the paper.
"Of course… anything else, Mom?"
"For now, no. Behave yourself. And try not to get distracted by useless things."
The sentence came automatically, as always.
"Have a good day."
"You too."
Sayuri shoved the crumpled list into the back pocket of her jeans, grabbed her backpack, and left.
The morning was freezing. Cold wind slipped through her sleeves, making her tighten her coat around herself as she hurried toward the university.
That was when a car slowed down beside her.
The window rolled down slowly.
"Hey, pretty girl. Need a ride?"
Sayuri turned, surprised.
Kenji rested his arm against the car window, smiling with that effortlessly carefree expression of his.
"Oh… you don't have to. I'm fine."
Even as she said it, her fingers were practically frozen.
Kenji laughed softly.
"You're shivering."
She immediately crossed her arms, embarrassed.
"I'm not."
"You totally are. Get in before you turn into a human popsicle."
Sayuri ended up laughing.
And, unable to refuse him again, she climbed into the car.
The warm heater instantly relaxed her body.
"Better, right?"
"Much…"
During the drive, the conversation flowed easily.
Kenji talked about random things, complained about traffic, joked around just to make her laugh.
And without noticing, Sayuri began feeling comfortable around him.
Like she had known him for a long time.
"You're actually pretty nice… for Yume's friend."
Kenji placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"Actually?"
She laughed.
"Sorry."
"I know I'm amazing. Everyone loves me, Yume's friend."
They both laughed together, and what once felt strange and unfamiliar slowly began turning into something comfortable.
When they arrived at the university, Kenji parked near the entrance, and before Sayuri stepped out of the car, he asked:
"I'll see you at the Halloween party tomorrow?"
She adjusted her bag in her lap.
"Yeah… I'm going with Yume."
"Good. I'm looking forward to seeing you there."
Sayuri immediately felt her face heat up.
"Bye, Kenji."
She practically escaped the car before he noticed how red she had become.
During break, Sayuri and Yume sat together in the courtyard sharing a sandwich and hot coffee.
Dry leaves drifted across the ground around them while students rushed through campus. Sayuri absentmindedly stirred her cup.
"Yume…"
"Hm?"
"Is Kenji always like that?"
Yume chewed slowly.
"Like what?"
"Kind… polite… attentive…"
She quickly looked away.
"I mean… is he like that with everyone?"
Yume immediately raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Kenji's always been like that," she said while sipping her coffee. "I've known him since we were kids. Our families are really close. Me, him, and Jun basically grew up together."
The moment she heard his name, Sayuri felt her stomach tighten.
"I see…"
Yume slowly narrowed her eyes.
"Why?"
"What?"
"Why are you asking so much about him?"
A teasing smile spread across her face.
"Are you interested in Kenji?"
Sayuri widened her eyes.
"What?! N-no! Of course not!"
The answer came way too quickly.
Yume burst out laughing.
"Relax, I was just asking."
"I was just curious…"
"Sure…"
She took another bite of her sandwich before continuing:
"But fair warning… Kenji's kind of a flirt."
"Yume!" Sayuri laughed nervously.
"What? It's true. He knows he's handsome and loves female attention."
The bell echoed through the hallways, making students hurriedly get up.
"Ahh, already?" Yume complained dramatically while putting away her phone.
The two returned to class still talking quietly. After the last lecture, Sayuri began packing her things into her backpack.
"Hey, I can't go to Biblioteca Café today… my mom asked me to help with some stuff."
Yume immediately made a face.
"Seriously? Today of all days I wanted to relax in paradise…"
Sayuri laughed softly.
"We'll go tomorrow."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
They said goodbye outside the university, and Sayuri headed alone toward the market.
The evening wind messed up her hair while she walked absentmindedly, lost in a thousand thoughts.
When she reached the market entrance, she slipped her hand into her back pocket to grab the grocery list.
But… nothing.
She stopped immediately, frowned, and checked again.
Her backpack. Her other pockets. Between her notebooks.
Nothing.
Panic hit instantly.
"No… no, no, no…"
That list was important. Very important.
If she forgot something, her mother would be furious.
"Sayuri, you idiot…" she muttered to herself. "How did you manage to lose it?"
With no other choice, she slowly started walking back home, practically dragging herself down the sidewalk.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Kenji got into his car after English class.
The moment he sat down, he noticed a folded piece of paper on the passenger seat.
"Hm?"
Curiously, he picked it up.
"A grocery list? Ah… Sayuri."
Without thinking much about it, he started the car and drove to the nearest market.
"Potatoes… carrots… cabbage… onions… rice…"
He read the list while casually pushing the shopping cart.
"Coffee, tea, spices… pepper…"
Then he reached the last item.
"Chicken fillet."
He tossed the package into the cart and smiled proudly.
"There. But where does she live?"
Then he got an idea. Pulling out his phone, he texted Yume:
Hey, little PadawanWhere does your friend live?
Not even ten seconds later, his phone started ringing.
"Why do you want to know that?" Yume immediately asked suspiciously.
"I need to deliver something."
"Hummm… I don't like secrets."
"Come on, Padawan."
"Fine, fine… she lives on Mrs. Midori's street, in the house across from hers. Why?"
Kenji thanked her and hung up, raising an eyebrow.
"What a coincidence…"
When he arrived on the street, he parked in front of Sayuri's house.
He decided to wait inside the car for a few minutes.
Until someone lightly knocked on the window.
Kenji rolled it down. An elegant woman stared at him.
"Can I help you?"
"Good afternoon, ma'am," he said, stepping out of the car. "My name is Kenji."
He smiled politely.
"I'm looking for Sayuri."
The woman looked surprised.
"A friend from college?"
She slightly narrowed her eyes.
"She's never mentioned someone like you."
Before Kenji could answer, another voice appeared.
"Mom?"
Sayuri looked toward the car.
"Kenji?!"
He lifted the grocery bags cheerfully.
"I brought these for you."
Sayuri widened her eyes.
Her mother immediately turned her serious gaze toward her daughter.
"I can't believe you made someone else take care of your responsibilities."
Sayuri opened her mouth.
"No! I—"
But Kenji interrupted gently.
"She didn't ask me to, ma'am. The list fell in my car this morning… so I thought I'd help."
"In your car? What were you doing in his car, Sayuri?"
"It was just a ride, ma'am."
Her mother's expression softened slightly.
"I see…"
She observed Kenji for a few seconds.
Polite.
Well-dressed.
Handsome.
Exactly the kind of person she approved of.
"Come inside for a moment."
Sayuri subtly shook her head no, and Kenji immediately understood the signal.
"Thank you very much, but I should get going."
Kenji gave a small bow.
"It was a pleasure meeting you."
Then he glanced quickly at Sayuri.
"See you tomorrow."
And then he drove away.
As soon as the car disappeared down the street, her mother sighed.
"What a polite young man…"
Sayuri tried hiding her nervousness while picking up the bags.
"Mom…"
"And handsome too," she continued naturally. "He seems intelligent."
She lightly tapped her daughter's back.
"See? Those are the kinds of people you should spend time with."
"Mom… you exaggerate so much…" Sayuri complained while quickly heading inside.
Later that night, Sayuri sat beside her bedroom window, watching the moon hidden behind the clouds.
The wind gently moved the curtains while she, as usual, hugged her knees, far too restless to sleep.
She grabbed her coat and quietly left the house.
The streets were empty, and the park looked even more beautiful at night, golden streetlights reflecting across the duck pond.
Sayuri slowly walked toward her usual bench.
The place where she went whenever the world became too loud.
She sat in silence, watching dry leaves dance across the water.
But suddenly, the silence was broken by a laugh far too loud.
Sayuri frowned immediately.
She turned her head and saw Jun leaning against a nearby tree, talking to a girl who was way too pretty to ignore.
The girl laughed dramatically, tossing her hair back while shamelessly moving closer to him.
Something about the scene irritated Sayuri immediately.
And when Jun lifted his hand to brush a strand of hair away from the girl's face, Sayuri quickly looked away.
"Ugh…" she muttered quietly. "That laugh is awful… she sounds like a hyena."
Unable to stand it any longer, she quickly stood from the bench.
In her hurry to leave, something slipped from her pocket without her noticing.
A tiny silver glimmer remained forgotten beside the bench.
On the other side of the park, Jun watched Sayuri walk away. His expression changed slightly, while the girl beside him continued talking endlessly, though he wasn't listening anymore.
"So like I was saying, we could go out tomorrow too—"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
She blinked in surprise.
"Hm?"
Jun sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don't really want to be with anyone right now."
The girl looked disappointed.
"Wow… then why were you talking to me?"
"Because you wouldn't stop talking."
She looked offended.
"Wow, rude!"
Jun let out a quiet laugh.
"But we can still go to that bar you mentioned."
She dramatically huffed but eventually agreed.
The two started walking toward the park exit.
That was when something shining on the ground caught his attention.
Jun slowly approached and crouched down to pick it up.
A delicate necklace, with a tiny heart-shaped pendant and a cherry blossom engraved in the center.
Without realizing it, Jun closed his fingers around the necklace before carefully slipping it into his jacket pocket.
"So? Are we going?" the girl called from farther ahead.
Jun lifted his gaze toward the direction where Sayuri had disappeared moments earlier.
"Yeah."