"I tried to forget Jun and tried to like Kenji… I swear I tried."
Yume kept looking at Sayuri in silence.
"But I can't…" she took a deep breath. "No matter how hard I try… it's always Jun."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"And when he finally confessed… everything just made sense, you know?"
Yume tilted her head.
"Actually… yeah. At least a little. I'm surprised he confessed, but what about Kenji? Have you told him yet?"
Sayuri closed her eyes.
"I just need a little time… I'll tell him after New Year's."
Yume leaned in and hugged her gently.
"Girl, I knew you were the one he fell for… and that he was the guy keeping you up at night all those sleepless evenings…"
Sayuri looked surprised and interrupted her.
"What? Since when?"
"Well, you two are really good at hiding things, so it was pretty easy to figure out. Just by looking at your faces."
Sayuri smiled in relief, and Yume continued.
"You look happy, so that's what matters." She hugged her tighter. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."
Sayuri hugged her back.
"Thank you, Yume… it feels so good to finally tell someone."
Footsteps came from outside, and the door opened.
"We're back!" Kenji said excitedly. "So, girls… Friday morning, we're meeting here early. You hear me, Yume? Early!"
She made a face.
"Does it really have to be that early? It's vacation!"
Kenji shot back.
"Of course. We'll leave early so we can enjoy the whole day at the cabin."
Sayuri couldn't help but look at Jun, who was standing right in front of her.
"I can't wait for this trip… it's going to be amazing."
Jun gave a small smile and nodded.
The rest of the night passed with them planning everything.
"I think it's perfect like this."
"So… how about a movie now?" Yume suggested.
Everyone agreed and sat on the couch. The atmosphere was calm.
Until—
"Rrrrnnnch…"
The sound came out loud.
They all turned at the same time. Kenji was completely knocked out, snoring like a machine.
Yume burst out laughing.
"I knew it! Every time he drinks, he's the first one out."
Still laughing, she stood up.
"I'll get him a blanket, I'll be right back."
As soon as Yume left, Jun took the chance and grabbed Sayuri's hand.
"Come with me."
Before she could react, he led her to the balcony.
"I've been dying to hold you."
Sayuri looked around nervously.
"Jun… someone might see us…"
"Relax…" he stepped closer. "Kenji's not waking up anytime soon… and Yume won't notice."
He pulled her in gently and kissed her.
"I wish I could stay like this forever…" he whispered.
When they came back, the studio was completely dark.
"Wait… they turned off the lights…" Sayuri said. "We should probably go."
Jun put a finger to his lips.
"Shhh… come with me."
They walked into an empty room. She stopped near the bed, clearly nervous.
"Jun… we can't…"
He slowly approached, holding her face.
"Calm down…" he said softly. "I'm not going to do anything… I just want to be with you."
That completely disarmed her, and they lay down. Jun held her gently, respecting every boundary.
And there… they talked. About everything. About nothing. About them.
"Jun… can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"That song… 'Cherry Blossom'… you wrote it…"
He smiled, interrupting her.
"I wrote it for you."
She smiled.
"Then sing it for me…"
Jun laughed nervously.
"I can't…"
"Please."
She insisted until he gave in and started singing softly, almost a whisper. Slowly, Sayuri snuggled closer… until she fell asleep in his arms.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Sayuri opened her eyes, still sleepy.
"What time is it…?"
"Stay…" Jun murmured. "Don't go…"
But the knocking continued.
"Sayuri? Are you there?"
Her eyes widened.
"Yume?!"
Jun stood up and opened the door.
"What is it?"
Yume blushed instantly.
"OH MY GOD!!"
She turned her face away.
"Where's Sayuri?!"
"What's going on?" Sayuri asked, appearing.
Yume looked at them both, completely stunned.
"Are you crazy?! What are you doing here with Jun?!"
"We were just talking…"
"Yeah right… if Kenji sees this, it's going to be a disaster."
Sayuri put a hand on her forehead.
"Ugh… I forgot about that…"
She looked at Jun.
"I need to go."
"Why? We didn't do anything."
"Oh please, Jun. Save your hormones for another time. Come on, girl."
Yume pulled Sayuri out, and Jun, laughing, lay back down.
"So—" Yume teased. "You guys, huh…"
"What?" Sayuri asked, confused.
"Oh come on, don't hide it. How was it?"
Sayuri panicked.
"Ew, Yume!! We didn't do anything! We just talked and fell asleep!"
"Hmm, sure…" Yume smirked. "Then why was he shirtless?"
Sayuri had no answer.
"Yume, stop imagining things. Nothing happened."
She yawned.
"It's still early… let's sleep a bit more."
When Kenji woke up, the studio was empty.
"Damn… those guys ditched me and went to sleep."
He chuckled and went to the kitchen. Soon, the smell of coffee filled the air.
He made pancakes… and even shaped one into a heart.
"Now that's better."
Satisfied, he went upstairs.
"Wake up, you guys! Breakfast's getting cold!"
Soon, all four gathered in the kitchen.
The warm smell of coffee filled the room.
"So… our trip is going to be amazing," Kenji said.
"It really will," Yume replied. "I already want to eat everything at the cabin."
"Of course you do," Jun teased.
She made a face.
"Smartass."
They all laughed.
And everything felt normal.
No tension.
No secrets.
No lies.
Just four friends sharing breakfast.