The first night of the festival was perfect. Families, friends, and couples were having fun everywhere.
"Look, Sayuri, that photo wall is so beautiful! We have to go there," Yume said, all excited.
"Of course, let's go."
"Hey, I want to go too," Kenji made puppy eyes while looking at the two of them.
Yume looked at the scene, incredulous at her friend's behavior, and started laughing nonstop.
"Let's go before it gets crowded."
With every pose, every flash, Sayuri's smile appeared more and more, standing out. She was radiant. It felt like she was finally there… truly having fun with Kenji—but she knew she needed to confront him.
"Kenji… can I talk to you?"
"Of course, what's up?"
"Be honest with me… why did you lie to Jun about us?"
"Lie? What are you talking about?"
He knew exactly what she meant.
"Why did you tell him we were dating?"
He tensed at the question, because his answer could ruin everything between them.
"The truth, Kenji!"
"Sorry… I just said that because I thought I was doing the right thing."
"The right thing?"
"You were suffering so much because of his childish behavior… and I just wanted to help."
"Don't you think I should handle that? After all, this is about me… about my feelings."
"I'm sorry… I didn't think it through. Please."
Sayuri looked at him firmly, sighed, and said:
"It's okay… but don't do things like that behind my back again."
"Don't worry… I won't disappoint you again."
Kenji knew it was only a matter of time before she ran back to Jun, and that made him uneasy. But since he wasn't there, he would do everything he could to make up for it.
"Let's eat? I'm starving," he said, trying to hold her hand, but she pulled away.
"Let's go."
They sat near a gyoza stand and placed their order. While they waited, he tried hard to make her smile and get closer to her.
Jun, who had already arrived at the festival, watched from a distance. Sitting on a wooden bench, on the other side of the stands, alone, he looked at her.
She seemed to shine in the middle of the crowd. When she smiled, it brought a certain relief… but it also bothered him.
He knew Kenji had played dirty to stay by Sayuri's side. Lying that they were dating and that he liked someone else… that was something he couldn't accept.
"Hey, look, it's Jun!" Yume called, waving.
Kenji immediately looked at Sayuri, but she showed no reaction.
Jun just nodded, without getting closer. But Yume, as straightforward as always, stood up and went to him.
"Ooh, look who finally showed up! Didn't you hear me calling you?"
"Sorry… I was distracted," he replied, looking away.
"Come sit with us."
"Better not… I'm not really in the mood. I'd rather stay here."
Yume rolled her eyes, grabbed his arm, and pulled him anyway, even as he resisted.
"You're crazy, Yume," he said, trying to break free. "Can you stop pulling me?"
"No."
Sayuri felt it when he got closer… by his scent. Even without changing her expression, her heart raced. It was inevitable, something she couldn't control.
"So, Jun, sit down. What do you think of the festival?" Kenji asked, putting his arm around Sayuri.
Jun noticed. He knew exactly that it was a provocation.
"It's not bad," he replied, picking up the menu. "I'm going to get mulled wine. Anyone want some?"
"I do," Yume replied quickly.
He looked at Sayuri, about to ask, but before she could answer, Kenji stood up.
"I'll get it for you, Say."
The two went to the line without exchanging a word. That was strange between them.
"I'll pay," Kenji said. "You can take the cups to the girls."
Jun grabbed the three cups and went back, sitting down slowly. When he handed the cup to Sayuri, their fingers brushed lightly.
She blushed, and Jun smiled… a soft smile, different. Sayuri was surprised. He had never looked at her like that before.
Something was different about him. And in fact, something had changed: Jun was determined to end the lies that night.
"Wow, it's getting cold… are you cold, Say?" Kenji said, trying to hug her.
"I'm fine," she said, quickly pulling away. "I'm really hungry."
Kenji started to get irritated. He was about to lose control of the situation when the food was ready, releasing a delicious smell.
"Wow, my mouth is watering," Yume said, grabbing one and putting it straight in her mouth. "IT'S HOT!!"
Everyone laughed, and the mood became light again.
While they ate, Sayuri noticed that Jun hadn't gotten anything. So, with her chopsticks, she picked up a piece and offered it to him.
"Here… open up. It's amazing."
Jun froze. By instinct, he pulled his face away.
But Sayuri insisted, and Kenji was visibly bothered.
"Hey, Sayuri… leave him. He's not a kid for you to feed him."
Jun noticed the discomfort… and because of that, he opened his mouth and accepted it.
Yume was already standing up, adjusting her coat.
"Wow, I ate too much, look at my little belly," she said, laughing. "I want to go to the mirror house now."
"Me too," Sayuri said, looking at Jun. "It sounds fun."
Kenji noticed she was flirting with Jun and finished his mulled wine in one go, feeling his throat burn.
"Then let's go."
Sayuri, Kenji, and Yume went ahead. Jun followed right behind, in silence.
When they saw the lit structure, they got excited. It was a mirror house, with golden frames and distorted reflections shining everywhere.
"Look!" Yume said, going in without hesitation.
Kenji went right after, then Sayuri, and last… Jun.
Inside, the world felt different: endless mirrors, broken reflections, incredible lights… everything blended like a dream.
Sayuri walked slowly, enchanted, until… in one of the mirrors, she didn't just see herself… she saw him.
On the other side, standing there, looking at her.
"Sometimes we try to run away so we won't get hurt…"
She answered:
"But maybe running hurts more than staying…"
One step.
"So… what should a complicated heart do…?"
Another step.
She sighed.
"It should find someone to untangle it…"
He laughed.
"Then… I think I already have…"
Jun didn't want to run anymore, and she knew it.
Without realizing it, the two began to move closer.
Mirror by mirror.
Their gazes meeting… locking… growing more and more intense.
Until—
"What are you doing?"
Kenji's voice cut through the moment.
Jun didn't answer.
Kenji stepped closer, irritated.
"You know what I think is funny, Jun? You always said you didn't care… and now that Sayuri and I are doing well, you show up with this childish game?"
"I'm not playing, and you're lying," Jun took a deep breath. "I'm just doing what I should've done since the first kiss."
He looked at Sayuri, and she smiled.
"So it was special to you too…"
"It always was."
"No," Kenji cut in, irritated, "you're not going to do this now."
"Tell her the truth," he whispered, "or I will."
Kenji lost control and grabbed Jun by the collar.
"You're not the right guy for her… give up, let her move on."
Jun tried to break free, but ended up pushing him unintentionally.
Kenji fell in front of Sayuri, hitting his head.
"Kenji!" she shouted. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"I'm fine…"
As she helped him, her expression changed. And this time, there was anger.
"What's your problem?"
Jun took a step forward.
"My problem?"
"Yes! Why did you do that?"
Before he could answer—
"He's always been like this," Kenji said, interrupting. "And he can't stand losing."
Sayuri clenched her fists and looked at Jun.
"For a moment, you seemed like you had changed… but now, with this attitude, it just shows how much you are…" her voice trembled, "I don't even know what you are."
"What do you want from me, Jun?"
He tried to speak:
"But—"
"Enough," she cut him off, firmly. "Please… just go."
Something inside him snapped, and in the heat of the moment, Jun punched the mirror.
CRASH!
The sound echoed through the place, the glass shattered, scattering broken reflections across the floor.
Blood started to slowly run down Jun's fingers.
Sayuri looked at the blood and panicked… but he didn't care about the pain and walked out… stepping over the shards.
She tried to go after him, but Kenji held her back.
"My head hurts… please, let's get out of here."