A sharp beep echoed in Jun's ears. His eyes were closed.
The ringing inside his head grew louder, dull at first—then shrill, almost unbearable.
Somewhere beneath that screeching sound, he thought he heard wind… rustling leaves… a voice?
Then, everything began to blur and twist—memories unraveling back to the day that changed everything.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows behind the school's gym.
Sweat clung to Jun's temples, his baseball jersey still damp from practice. The scent of grass, chalk dust, and a faint floral perfume hung in the warm air.
"Kayo… you wanted to talk with me?" Jun asked as he rounded the corner, a glove still in one hand, breath steady but curious.
Kayo stood there, fidgeting. Her fingers twisted the hem of her uniform skirt as she glanced away.
"I see you came, Jun. Thank you for that," she said with a smile—soft, but nervous.
"I mean, you called out of the blue, so I figured it had to be important."
He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "Of course I came."
Kayo looked up. Her cheeks were red, her gaze fluttering.
"Well, you see…" she began, her voice trembling slightly. "There's something I've wanted to tell you... since we were freshmen."
She took a breath and then, in a single, fragile push:
"I like you, Jun. Please… go out with me!"
Jun blinked. The air suddenly felt heavy around him. The warmth on his skin dulled into something stagnant. His hand tightened around the baseball glove.
"I see," he said, a flush creeping into his cheeks. "So that's what this is all about…"
Kayo's voice cracked. "So then… is that a no?"
Jun looked at her—really looked. The way her shoulders shook, how her eyes avoided his, how tightly she clutched her shirt.
"No, it's not that," he said, scratching the back of his head. His fingers were slightly clammy. "I just… I was under the impression you liked Keigo. Since he's the one who—"
Suddenly, Kayo stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Her grip was desperate, trembling.
"You're the one I love, Jun. So please..."
Her voice wavered as if she were trying to stop herself from breaking apart.
Jun hesitated, then gently lifted her head just enough so their eyes could meet. Her pupils shimmered, wide and afraid.
"Listen… I've never really thought about you in that way before. But… if you really mean it—if you truly like me—then… I think we should give this a shot. You and me, I mean."
Kayo's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so happy," she whispered.
Over the following weeks, their new relationship took shape in small, gentle ways.
On their first weekend date, they wandered through a quiet park, their hands brushing awkwardly until Jun finally took hers in his. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves above them, warm on their shoulders. She'd packed sandwiches and fruit in a pink cloth-lined box, giggling as she made him guess the flavors.
Another time, they caught a late movie in town. Jun had barely paid attention to the screen—too distracted by the way Kayo leaned against him during the quiet moments, her head resting on his shoulder, the scent of her shampoo filling his nose.
At school, she'd often wait by his classroom after the final bell, lunchbox in hand. The meals she made were always packed with care—tamago rolls shaped like little hearts, rice balls wrapped with seaweed spelling his name, even curry once in a tiny thermos. She'd blush every time he praised her cooking, fidgeting with her sleeves while pretending it was no big deal.
He started to look forward to those moments. To her presence. To the calm she brought with her.
And while he wasn't sure if it was love yet, something warm had begun to take root inside him.
Two months passed, colored by after training walks, shared lunch, and the time they spent together. Their relationship bloomed slowly, gently. But beneath that surface, emotions stirred elsewhere—waiting, unresolved.
The sun hung high above the school gates. Jun walked with his head low, lost in thought.
Suddenly—
"Jun, you damn playboy!!"
A strong arm hooked around his neck from behind in a half-joking chokehold.
"Gah—Kai—let go! I can't breathe!"
Kai laughed and released him. "That's payback for not telling me about you and Kayo. I had to hear it from rumors, man. Rumors! Your best bud—left in the dark!"
Jun rolled his shoulders and sighed. "Yeah, sorry. It happened fast."
"So it is true?" Kai asked, eyebrows raised.
"Yeah. It is."
"Well damn," Kai grinned. "Kayo's cute and all, but I never expected you to be the one to score her. It feels like one of those dreams where everything's upside down."
Jun nudged him. "I'm not that unattractive."
Two days later. School rooftop.
The wind hummed over the edge of the rooftop as Jun, Kai, and Aika sat on their usual bench. The sun reflected off the tin roof, warming their backs. Aika's bento box rested unopened in her lap. She hadn't touched it.
"Yo Jun, I'm surprised you wanted to sit and have lunch with us," Kai said, popping open a bag of chips. "After getting a girlfriend like Kayo, shouldn't you be giving her all the attention? If you don't, another guy might come along and snatch her up."
"Yeah, yeah, quit it with your jokes. Plus, I'd never abandon the two of you," Jun said with a grin. "You've been my friends for ages—watching me grow and cheering me on. So there's always time in my schedule for you."
"Quit talking like you're some kind of celebrity," Kai smirked, smacking Jun's back. Jun coughed violently, almost choking on his rice ball.
"Quit flexing on me just because she gives you home-cooked meals!"
"Well, I have to. You're eating junk every day."
"Ow, that burns."
They both laughed.
Aika remained silent. Her hands gripped her box tightly. Her eyes stared down, unfocused. Her shoulders were stiff.
Jun noticed. "Hey, Aika, are you okay?" he asked, concern in his voice.
"I'm fine," she replied, barely audible. Her voice scraped like something worn thin. "It's just that… this doesn't sit right with me. And to be honest, it's kinda awkward."
Kai raised a brow. "What are you rambling on about?"
Aika drew a slow breath. Her fingers curled over the lid of her lunchbox.
"I know I've seen you two together countless times, but I still can't believe it. Are you and Kayo really dating?" Her voice was shaky.
"What do you mean? Of course we are," Jun said, a bit confused.
"I see... So you love her then?"
"Um… Aika, you're acting really out of character right now," Kai muttered, puzzled.
Aika's lips trembled. Her fingernails dug into the soft edge of her lunchbox. Her eyes glistened, staring into a void she could no longer avoid.
"Seeing the two of you together every day… really makes me feel uneasy," she said, clutching her chest. "It hurts… a lot."
"Aika…" Jun whispered.
"I know this is bad timing. Maybe it's selfish. But… I can't go on like this anymore. For the longest time, ever since we met in elementary school… I've been in love with you."
"WHAT?!" Kai practically screamed.
"I buried my feelings because I didn't know how to tell you. I was scared you'd reject me. But now… seeing you with her every day is tearing me apart."
Jun's throat tightened. His fingers clenched on his knees, and a quiet nausea churned in his gut.
"Aika, I…" he lowered his head, bitterness creeping into his voice. "I'm sorry."
Tears streamed down Aika's cheeks. She stood, grabbing her bento.
"Never speak to me again," she muttered, turning away.
The rooftop door banged loudly behind her.
Her footsteps faded behind the metal door, but the tension she left behind stayed, pressing against the rooftop like a storm cloud that refused to lift.
"Sheesh… this is a shocker," Kai said, stunned. "To think I was just a side character in this friend group…"
He scratched his head. "Actually, it makes sense now that I think about it. She used to put so much effort into the lunches she made for you. And she was one of your biggest supporters. Go figure."
"I… honestly didn't know she felt that way," Jun said, staring at the closed rooftop door. His chest felt hollow. "But… I'm in love with Kayo. So I guess this is for the best."
Two weeks later. Late afternoon.
The golden sun peeked through the clouds as Jun stepped out of a small jewelry store, a tiny wrapped box clutched tightly in his hand.
"Today's Kayo's birthday… I hope she likes this necklace."
The ribbon rustled as he tucked it carefully into his bag. His heart felt full—hopeful.
The next day. School locker room.
The locker room was quiet except for the distant sound of bats striking balls on the field.
Jun walked in, unzipping his bag, ready to change for practice. The wooden floor creaked beneath his sneakers. His hand reached for his shirt—
Then—
A soft gasp escaped his throat.
There, by the far wall of lockers, he saw Kayo kissing Keigo. Their embrace was tight. Their lips locked deeply, hungrily. Their bodies pressed close like they'd forgotten the world existed.
Jun's heart froze. His knees buckled. The room tilted.
The gift box slipped from his hands.
His training bag hit the floor with a loud thud.
Kayo turned sharply at the noise, startled. Her eyes locked with Jun's.
"What the hell is going on here?!" he yelled.
"Jun…" Her voice shook. Her hand trembled. Her lips parted, but nothing came.
Jun stumbled back. His legs were weak, his breaths shallow. His heart pounded—loud, hard, unbearable.
He turned and ran, eyes burning, breath ragged.
"Jun, please wait!" Kayo called, chasing after him.
Keigo grabbed her wrist. "Don't."
Jun ran and ran, tears cutting down his face. Each step echoed memories—her smile, her touch, her voice. All now turned hollow.
Was any of it real? Did she ever love me… or was I just the placeholder?
He couldn't breathe. Not from the running—but from the crushing weight in his chest. The pain of being nothing.
He barely heard Kayo's voice fading behind him. He didn't notice the stray ball flying. The world had narrowed to a blur of grief and betrayal—
—and then, a sharp pain cracked through it all.
Crack!
A loose baseball, just struck on the far field, sailed over the fence.
It slammed into the side of Jun's head.
A deafening pop exploded inside his skull. His knees buckled, eyes wide, mouth slack. The sky spun above him—then vanished.
Everything went white.