Tiring thoughts filled the room, making the air feel heavy."Is this really the right thing?" Sayuri murmured, hugging the pillow. "I feel like I'm giving false hope to someone so good…"
She closed her eyes for a moment, sighing."This isn't what my heart wants…"
The clock seemed to mock her.3pm…4pm…5pm…
And she was still there, sitting, trapped inside her own mind."Should I call and cancel…?" she thought. "But if I do that, I'll hurt him… Better get up and get ready…"
At Kenji's house, the atmosphere was completely different."Wow, my son smells so nice…" his mother commented, watching him with an amused smile. "Are you going to rehearsal today?"
Kenji adjusted the collar of his shirt, confident."No, Mom… I have a special date today."
He smirked slightly, spraying more perfume."Maybe… with your future daughter-in-law."
She let out a light laugh, crossing her arms."Future daughter-in-law? I think I've heard that before…"
Kenji laughed."This time it's different."
And he truly believed that. Humming, he grabbed his car keys."I have to go. I still need to buy flowers."
"Be careful… and enjoy."
In front of Sayuri's house, his heart beat faster. He stepped onto the first stair and rang the doorbell."Good afternoon, Kenji. Come in, Sayuri will be right down," her mother said as she opened the door.
He walked in and sat on the couch, holding the flowers carefully.Her father approached."So… what are your intentions?"
Kenji swallowed hard."They are the best, sir. I care deeply about Sayuri… and I respect her as well."
The man simply took off his glasses and began cleaning them in silence.The tension was unavoidable, but before Kenji could say anything else, Sayuri appeared.
"Kenji…"
And he lost his breath."Wow…" he murmured. "You look beautiful."
She smiled shyly.A delicate green dress, sneakers, a black coat… simple, but perfect.
She took the flowers and handed them to her mother."Can you put these in a vase, please?"
"Don't be late," her father said seriously. "I don't want you out at night with this boy."
"Dear…" her mother interrupted. "She knows how to take care of herself."
"I trust my daughter…" he said, standing up and walking away.
"I'll bring her back early and I promise I'll take good care of her," Kenji assured.
On the way to the restaurant, Sayuri was nervous, and in the middle of so many thoughts… Jun still took up too much space.She felt guilty, like she was doing something wrong, like she was betraying something that didn't even exist.
"We're here."
Kenji got out and opened the door for her."Wow… this place is beautiful…"
It was a seafood restaurant, softly lit, full of flowers—almost like a garden."I knew you'd like it."
He gently held her arm."Table for two?" the waiter asked.
"Yes, I have a reservation. Name: Kenji."
They were led to the table. He pulled out her chair.He was so attentive… everything was perfect. Almost… too perfect.
He ordered wine, and Sayuri ended up drinking one glass more than she should have, and for a few minutes, she managed to relax.
After dinner, Kenji took her to an amusement park.Everything looked magical, but Sayuri felt uncomfortable with the way he was getting closer. His advances were becoming more intense.
"Look… the Ferris wheel," he said, excited. "Let's go?"
"Let's…"
Up there, the world felt distant. The snow-covered mountains in the background created a romantic atmosphere.
Kenji moved closer and hugged her."What are you doing…?" she asked, surprised.
"I wanted to hold you and never let go."
Her heart raced. He raised his hand to her face."Sayuri…"
He leaned in slowly, confident.
But before their lips could meet… she lowered her face."I'm sorry… I'm not ready."
"Just one kiss…" he insisted.
"I can't… if I do this… I won't forgive myself."
He frowned."Forgive yourself…? For what? Jun?"
"Kenji…"
"Don't you see? I want you more than he does," he said, his voice more intense. "I try for you… and even so… you only think about him."
"I'm sorry… I can't control my heart…"
His expression changed. It seemed more possessive."I didn't want to tell you this…" he said, hesitating for a moment, "but he likes someone else."
He moved closer to her."And I think about you. I want you for myself."
Sayuri felt a chill. That… didn't sound romantic. But the only thing she heard was:"He likes someone else…"
The next second, he laughed."Sorry… it's just that I really like you… and I want something serious."
He sighed."And it hurts to see you suffering over someone who's probably with someone else right now, having fun."
That hit her hard."I don't want to know…"
"But it's the truth. You need to see it… Jun likes someone else. He just doesn't have the courage to tell you because maybe he likes the attention you give him…"
A lie. But a well-placed lie.
"I don't want to talk about Jun… please."
"Okay… sorry."
He smiled, pointing down."Let's try the ring toss? I want to win you a plushie."
But after that conversation, nothing felt the same. Sayuri couldn't enjoy anything anymore.
In front of her house, Kenji moved closer again. But this time… different.
"Can I…?" he said, raising his hand to her face again.
She didn't hesitate. That lie still echoed."He likes someone else…"
She closed her eyes, hurt by that revelation, and let Kenji kiss her, in a desperate attempt to forget Jun.