As she opened her teary eyes and looked at Kenji, the only feeling that took over her was guilt.
There was no happiness—unlike him, who seemed completely satisfied.
"You really are very special…" Kenji said, gently caressing her face.
Sayuri forced a small smile but didn't respond.
Her hand went straight to the doorknob, turning it quickly, as if she needed to escape.
"I should go inside, thank you for tonight," she said, avoiding looking directly at him.
"No, thank you," Kenji replied, smiling. "I can't wait for us to go out again."
She just nodded, not having the courage to say anything else.
She went inside, and as she walked up the stairs, the tears came uncontrollably.
"What did I do…?" her voice came out weak. "Why did I let this happen…?"
She brought her hands to her face, trying to hold back the crying, but it was useless; the weight in her chest only grew heavier, filled with guilt, confusion, and fear.
But nothing hurt more than those words…
"He likes someone else."
She squeezed her eyes shut. It hurt—cutting her over and over again, like a blade that never stopped slicing.
Because deep down, she knew that no matter how much she tried to run, deny, or replace it…
Her heart still belonged to him—and that was exactly what was destroying her.
Several days passed. Kenji was always with her, taking her to amazing places. He was trying very hard to win her over.
Little by little, the streets began to transform. Golden lights decorated shop windows, trees appeared in the squares, and the air carried that magical end-of-year feeling.
"Next weekend there's going to be a winter festival…" Kenji said, resting his arm on the table. "You'll go with me, right, Say?"
"Seriously, could you stop clinging to my friend for a second?" Yume complained, crossing her arms.
Kenji laughed.
"Relax, Yume… I just want to stay close to my future girlfriend."
Sayuri's face instantly warmed.
"Hummm… already at that level?" Yume teased, smiling. "When's the wedding? I'm going to be the maid of honor."
"Don't exaggerate," Sayuri murmured, embarrassed.
"You know what… I like that idea," Kenji joked, gently holding her face.
At that moment, the café door opened and Jun walked in.
"What idea?" he asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Sayuri.
Kenji didn't hesitate.
"The idea of Yume being our maid of honor."
Sayuri looked away, but she couldn't help watching Jun's reaction.
He let out a small, humorless laugh.
"Oh…" he murmured. "It's impressive how quickly things change around here…"
His eyes met hers.
"Nowadays, people fall in love so easily… they're already thinking about marriage."
The sentence was loaded with intention—a direct jab.
"What can I say?" Kenji shrugged, smiling. "There's no way not to fall for me."
"You know, Jun…" Yume said, crossing her arms, "some people actually admit what they feel, and you should try doing the same before you regret it."
Jun kept his gaze fixed on Sayuri and replied firmly:
"And who said I haven't? I like someone…"
His tone shifted.
"There's only one person who has my heart," he continued, "and I think she always will."
Sayuri lifted her head, and Yume practically jumped out of her seat.
"No way! Do I know her?!" she teased.
Jun didn't answer right away. He kept looking at Sayuri—only at her.
"The only thing you need to know…" he said, without breaking eye contact, "is that she's as beautiful as an angel…"
Sayuri held her breath. To her, he was talking about another girl—but Kenji knew it was about her, and he didn't like that at all. Afraid his lie would be exposed, he cut in:
"Well, this is great and all, but I need to take Sayuri home. I promised her parents."
Yume rolled her eyes.
"Alright, alright… take her home safely, okay? Bye, friend!"
"Bye…" Sayuri replied, still a little lost.
She stood up. Her eyes returned to Jun—
and his were still on her.
"See you at the winter festival," Kenji said, already taking control of the situation.
As soon as Sayuri and Kenji left, Yume crossed her arms and stared at Jun.
"What? Never seen someone before?" he said, impatient.
"Jun… beautiful Jun…" she leaned over the table, smiling. "Tell me who the girl is. It's that girl, right?"
"I'm not telling you, and stop looking at me like that—you look like a little animal," he replied, already getting up.
"Pleeease, Jun…"
"Bye, Yume."
"Ugh… this boy," she muttered, huffing.
Despite everything, Jun was destroyed inside. That had been the closest thing to a confession he had ever made. But of course… she didn't understand.
And how could she?
He walked alone, with no one, not knowing what to do with what he felt.
When he got home, he didn't go inside. He sat on the front steps, staring into nothing. From his pocket, he pulled out the small notebook he always carried. He took a deep breath and began to write.
Looking at you… I lied
Wanting you… waiting for you
In your kiss, I lost myself…
Pushing you away… hurting you…
Loving you…
"Jun…?"
The voice pulled him back. He slowly lifted his head.
"Sayuri…"
Immediately, he closed the notebook and put it away as he stood up.
"Looking for my grandma?" he asked dryly, already turning his body to go inside.
"Yes… I… wanted to order a cake," she said. "Are you okay? You seem… upset."
He let out a short, bitter laugh.
"Funny…" he said, glancing sideways. "You worrying about me? What will your boyfriend think?"
The word came out laced with venom.
"Boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend, Jun…"
Jun was confused. Who was lying?
"What do you mean you don't? Kenji told me you two are together…"
"Why would he say that?"
He tried to understand why she would deny it, but, being tired, he didn't feel like questioning it.
"I'll pass your message to my grandma."
She grabbed his arm. Jun stopped. Her touch made his heart race.
"What did I do to you?" Sayuri asked, her voice breaking.
He turned, surprised.
"Please, Sayuri…" he murmured, almost begging her to stop.
"Is it the other girl?" she insisted. "Is that why you're like this?"
"Other girl?" he frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Kenji said… that you've liked someone for a long time."
Then he laughed—but there was no humor in it.
Only anger.
"Seriously?" he ran a hand through his hair, in disbelief. "That's what you call playing fair, huh…"
"I need to know, Jun… please…"
He closed his eyes. He was angry—at his friend and at the situation.
"Go home, Sayuri," he said coldly. "I have nothing to tell you."
He continued:
"Believe whatever you want. Believe him, if you want."
And then he went inside, slamming the door—leaving her there, without answers for now… but she wasn't going to let that go without an explanation.