A Chronicle of How a Friend Tried to Confess His Love
A Chronicle of How a Friend Tried to Confess His Love
The courtyard of Shibuichi Academy was bathed in a pink haze. The cherry blossoms near the old school buildings had only bloomed a few days ago, and their petals were already drifting lazily through the warm April air, settling on the shoulders of passersby, on benches, and across the asphalt.
Two people stood beneath a cherry tree. Ren Sato—disheveled, with his sleeves rolled up past his elbows—shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking anywhere but at the girl standing opposite him. Sana Aoki, with her snow-white hair and a deep crimson bow, stood perfectly poised, hands folded before her, waiting.
For the first few seconds, they remained silent. Only the wind stirred the petals above their heads.
— I… um… listen, Sana-san, I asked you here because… well, basically…
He ran a hand through his hair, lost his breath, and started over.
— I… I wanted to say… I mean… I…
A pause. He turned bright red up to his ears and averted his gaze to the tree trunk.
— I… when… I…
She tilted her head slightly, a flicker of something cautious and warm appearing in her grayish-blue eyes.
— Ren-kun? Did you want to say something? I'm listening.
She spoke softly, but her fingers tightened ever so slightly on the edge of her skirt.
— I… I just… uh… I… when… when can I give you my work? From the art club. You know, the one you asked to see. I finished it. Almost.
A second of silence. Sana blinked. The surprise on her face was quickly replaced by a faint blush—and something else that she hastily hid behind a smile.
— Oh… yes, of course. I thought… — she faltered, adjusting her bow, — …I thought you meant something else. But I’d be happy to look at your work. Maybe after school on Friday? In the library.
— Yes! Yes, Friday. Great. I’ll… I’ll bring it then. Definitely.
They stood for a few more seconds, exchanged awkward nods, and went their separate ways. Sana headed toward the main building, while Ren walked back toward the bench near the flowerbed. Kaori Abe, who had been sitting near you and Iori, adjusted her glasses and rose silently.
— I'll catch up with her. She's going to be… thinking. — She glanced at Ren, then at Iori, her voice tinged with dry irony: — Don't get too comfortable. Class starts in twenty minutes.
She left to follow Sana. Iori Kudo, sprawled on the bench with his phone in hand, let out a huff and watched Ren go with a mocking gaze.
— Did you see that? "I… I… I…" — he mimicked Ren, lowering his voice and stuttering. — He stood there for ten minutes like a monument. A masterpiece. A total masterpiece, Sato.
Ren approached you, let out a heavy sigh, and collapsed onto the bench beside you. He stared at the ground, clutching the hem of his shirt.
— I blew it. Again. — He looked up at you, his eyes filled with more despair than one might find even before a math exam. — Listen… you see it, don't you? You always see everything. Help me. I can't do this anymore. I need to… well, get some courage. Or something. You know Sana better than I do. Use Kaori, or whatever… Just tell me what to do. Please.
He fell silent, looking at you with hope.