The more Kenji got closer to Sayuri, the more he realized she was special. Whenever Yume wanted to go out, he found a way to include her as well, and that way, he managed to stay close to Sayuri.
He seemed obsessed and, at times, even forgot he was doing all of this just to provoke Jun.
On an ordinary Friday in December, knowing Yume wouldn't be at school, he felt it was the perfect moment to take another step with Sayuri.
Kenji went to meet her in the late afternoon, in front of the university.
"Where's Yume?" he asked, pretending not to know anything.
"She didn't come today. She took advantage of the weekend and traveled with her parents."
Kenji let out a soft laugh.
"Sounds exactly like her—skipping class to travel."
"True…" Sayuri replied.
He looked at the sky, already heavy with clouds.
"Then let's go? I think it's going to rain."
Sayuri didn't want to be alone with him. It didn't feel like a good idea, because ever since he started getting closer, it always felt like there was something more behind his intentions.
"Actually… I need to stop by the library today. I have to pick up a book. You can go—"
"Perfect," he answered immediately. "I'll go with you."
"You don't have to, seriously… libraries are boring. You won't like it," Sayuri said, trying to make him back off.
"I like libraries…" he smiled. "And I like your company even more."
During the walk, Kenji's phone rang. On the screen: 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. He probably wants to rehearse, and honestly, I'm not in the mood today."
"Why?"
"Look… we're here," he said, avoiding the question.
Kenji got out first and opened the door for her, as usual.
At the library, Sayuri got lost among the books. He, however, only watched her—every gesture, every detail. It no longer felt like simple provocation; it was becoming something dangerous.
"Kenji?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
He snapped back to reality.
"About taking you to eat something. What do you think?"
Sayuri hesitated, but her stomach answered for her.
"I'm hungry… but I can't stay long."
"I promise it'll be quick."
But "quick" turned into an elegant, well-lit restaurant filled with endless delicious options.
Kenji used his money as a form of charm, taking her to places she had never been before.
"Oh my God…" Sayuri widened her eyes. "I've never seen so much shrimp in my life."
Kenji laughed, enchanted by her reaction.
"Let's sit down."
They ate, talked, and laughed.
"Thank you, Kenji. I loved it."
"I can bring you here anytime you want," he said with a seductive smile.
Sayuri smiled… but looked away.
On the way back, he bought a red rose and handed it to her.
"For me? Why?" she asked, looking at the flower.
"Because it suits you. Delicate and beautiful."
The walk home was silent, but not a comfortable silence.
When they arrived, Kenji insisted on walking her to the door. Impulsively, he tried to kiss her.
Sayuri immediately stepped back.
"What are you doing?"
Embarrassed, he replied:
"Sorry… I couldn't resist."
She looked at him, confused.
"What's going on, Kenji? You couldn't resist?"
He stepped closer.
"I still don't know…" he said honestly. "But… if I were falling for you, would I 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 that very well.
"Jun?" he asked.
She didn't answer, but she didn't need to.
"Forget him. His passion is music," Kenji said more firmly. "And you… you're everything anyone could want—beautiful, intelligent, gentle… you're perfect."
He took her hands.
"Let me show you how good it feels to like someone."
Kenji leaned in again, determined… certain that if he kissed her, she would give in. But then she looked toward Jun's house and stepped back.
"Kenji… I don't know…" Sayuri's voice came out low. "I can't decide anything right now…"
He softened.
"Alright. Take all the time you need. And until then, I'll do everything I can to make you like me."
He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead.
"Good night, Sayuri."
"Good night…"
At that moment, confusion settled inside her, and her eyes instinctively drifted toward Jun's house, hoping he would appear and say something that would make everything make sense…
"Sayuri!" her father called from inside. "Come in, you'll get sick in this cold!"
"I'm coming!"
She took a deep breath, and the door closed behind her. For a moment, she leaned against it.
"Kenji likes me?" she murmured, confused. "Since when?"
Her heart felt tight. It felt wrong, but at the same time, it felt like the only way to try to distance herself from Jun.
Meanwhile, for him, it was becoming torture.
And to silence that persistent, burning pain, he opened the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.
One sip.
Then another.
And another.
As if alcohol could silence what was screaming in his chest. And, for the first time, the tears came.
"What… is happening to me…?"
His voice cracked.
"I looked for her for so long… and when I finally found her, I told her to stay away… I gave her to someone else…"
Another sip. His hand trembled.
"What's wrong with me… why does it hurt so much…?"
He pressed a hand to his chest, gripping his shirt.
"Why… does it burn like this…?"
His breathing broke.
"I'm an idiot…"
His voice shattered.
"What did I do…?"
He tilted the bottle back without caring anymore.
"I… I…" his words dissolved into sobs.
His eyes turned red and glassy.
"Did I lose her?" his head fell forward. "And I didn't even have the courage to say what I really feel."