The closer Kenji got to Sayuri, the more he realized she was special. Whenever Yume wanted to go out, he always found a way to include her too, and that way, he could be close to Sayuri.
He seemed obsessed and, sometimes, even forgot that he was doing all of this just to provoke Jun.
On a random Friday in December, knowing that Yume wouldn't be going to class, he felt like that would be the perfect moment to take things one step further with Sayuri.
Kenji went to meet her in the late afternoon, in front of the college.
"Where's Yume?" he asked, pretending not to know anything.
"She didn't come today. Took the weekend off and traveled with her parents."
Kenji let out a soft laugh.
"Sounds just like her, skipping class to travel."
"True…" Sayuri replied.
He looked up at the sky, already heavy with clouds.
"So, shall we 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 felt like there was always something more behind his intentions.
"Actually… I need to stop by the library today, I have to pick up a book. You can go…"
"Great," he replied immediately. "I'll go with you."
"You don't have to, really… libraries are boring. You won't enjoy it," Sayuri said, trying to make him give up.
"I like libraries…" he smiled, "and I like your company even more."
On the way there, 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 for that today."
"Why?"
"Look… we're here," he said, changing the subject.
Kenji got out first and opened the door for her, as usual.
Inside the library, Sayuri got lost among the books. Kenji, however, only watched her—every gesture, every detail.
This no longer felt like simple provocation; it was becoming something dangerous.
"Kenji?"
"Hm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
He snapped back to reality.
"About taking you out to eat something. What do you think?"
Sayuri hesitated, but her stomach answered first.
"I am hungry… but I can't take long."
"I promise it'll be quick."
But "quick" turned into an elegant restaurant, well-lit and full of options.
Kenji used his money as a way to win her over, taking her to places she had never been before.
"Oh my God…" Sayuri's eyes widened. "I've never seen so much shrimp."
Kenji laughed, charmed by her reaction.
"Let's sit."
They ate, talked, and laughed.
"Thank you, Kenji, I loved it."
"I can bring you here whenever you want," he said with a seductive smile.
Sayuri smiled… but looked away.
As they left, Kenji bought a rose and handed it to her.
"For me? Why?" she asked, looking at the flower.
"Because it matches you—delicate and beautiful."
The walk home was quiet, but it wasn't a comfortable silence.
When they arrived, Kenji made sure to walk her to the door. On impulse, he tried to kiss her.
Sayuri immediately stepped back.
"What are you doing?"
He, a bit embarrassed, replied:
"Sorry… I couldn't resist."
She looked at him, confused.
"What's going on, Kenji? Couldn't resist?"
He took a step closer.
"I still don't know…" he said honestly, "but… if I am starting to like 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 knew that very well.
"Jun?"
She didn't answer, but she didn't need to.
"Forget him. His passion is music," Kenji said more firmly. "And you… God, you're everything anyone could want: beautiful, smart, and sweet… you're perfect."
He held her hands.
"Let me show you how good it is to like someone. Let me make you smile."
Then Kenji leaned in again, determined… certain that if he kissed her, she would give in.
That was when he glanced toward Jun's house and then pulled back.
"Kenji… I don't know…" Sayuri's voice came out soft. "I can't decide anything right now…"
He, understanding:
"It's okay. You can take all the time you want, and until then, I'll do everything I can to make you like me."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently.
"Good night, Sayuri."
"Good night…"
At that moment, the confusion inside her only grew stronger.
Her eyes, almost instinctively, turned toward Jun's house, hoping he would appear and say something…
"Sayuri!" her father called from inside the house. "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 all felt wrong, but at the same time, it felt like the only way to try to move away from Jun.
As for him, it felt like a spear piercing through his chest. And to end that irritating, recurring pain, he opened the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.
One sip.
Then another.
And another.
As if the alcohol could silence what was screaming inside his chest. And, for the first time, the tears came.
"What… is happening to me…?"
His voice came out broken.
"I looked for her for so long… and when I found her, I told her to stay away…"
Another sip.
His hand trembled.
"What's wrong with me… why does it hurt so much…?"
He pressed his hand against his chest, gripping his shirt.
"Why… does it burn like this…?"
His breathing faltered.
"I'm an idiot…"
His voice cracked.
"What did I do…?"
He emptied the bottle in one go, not caring.
"I… I…" the words got lost between sobs.
His eyes red, filled with tears.
"I lost her…" his head dropped forward, "and I didn't even have the courage to say what I really feel…"