-4:12 PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016-
The café lights hummed softly above them, the world outside washed in gray drizzle as people hurried past under umbrellas.
Jousuke Daikuhara leaned forward, his breath caught, eyes fixed on Seiichi Sakamoto.
"Rika... she—" Sakamoto had said.
And then he fell silent, the words hanging between them, the soft patter of rain the only sound that filled the space.
"Sakamoto-san." Jousuke pressed, his voice firmer now. "Tell me."
Sakamoto's calm eyes met his, the hesitation clear, but his composure remained.
"Rika... she was planning to confess to you." Sakamoto finally said, his voice low, steady. "Before we broke up, she told me. She said she wanted to let go of her feelings for you, but every time she saw you, she couldn't."
Jousuke's breath caught in his throat, the warmth of the café suddenly feeling heavy.
"She wanted to confess." Sakamoto repeated. "But she was scared. Scared it would ruin everything."
Jousuke's fingers tightened around his cup, the steam fogging up his glasses slightly as he lowered his gaze.
"When... was this?" he asked softly.
Sakamoto exhaled, brushing a hand through his hair. "About two months before we broke up. She told me she didn't want to hurt me, but she couldn't lie to herself anymore."
The words sank into Jousuke like rain into dry earth, quiet but heavy, each one settling into the corners of his mind.
"And now...?" Jousuke asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sakamoto looked out the window, watching the blurred lights of passing cars. "Now, I think she's trying to gather the courage to tell you. She's been trying to move forward, but her feelings for you never disappeared."
Jousuke's chest tightened, the weight of everything pressing down, Leah's soft smiles, Miyazaki's hidden glances, and now, Rika's quiet, unwavering love.
"...I don't know what to do." Jousuke admitted, his voice trembling slightly.
Sakamoto turned back to him, his calm eyes unwavering. "You don't have to decide now. But you can't keep pretending you don't know."
Jousuke swallowed, the tea in his cup cold now, untouched.
"...Do you still like her?" Jousuke asked, glancing up.
Sakamoto's eyes widened slightly before a soft, resigned smile curved on his lips. "Maybe a little. But I've accepted that her heart belongs to you."
Jousuke's throat tightened, guilt mixing with confusion, a storm brewing quietly within him.
"You don't hate me for it...?" Jousuke asked softly.
Sakamoto shook his head gently. "No. You didn't ask for this, Daikuhara-san."
The rain outside slowed to a gentle drizzle, the café lights casting soft reflections on the window.
"She deserves to be happy." Sakamoto continued. "So do Boutsuki-san and Miyazaki-san. But you do, too."
Jousuke pressed his lips into a thin line, memories flickering through his mind—Leah clutching her penguin plush with trembling hands, Miyazaki turning away with flushed cheeks, Rika's quiet voice as she laughed softly when they worked together in class.
"They all have feelings. And I..." he thought.
Jousuke clenched his fists, a soft shiver running through him.
"Daikuhara-san." Sakamoto said, his voice calm but firmer now, leaning forward slightly.
Jousuke looked up, eyes wide, waiting.
"You need to figure out what you feel." Sakamoto continued, his gaze unwavering. "Not for them. For yourself."
Jousuke's breath caught, the words settling into him like a quiet truth he had tried to ignore.
"Because if you don't..." Sakamoto added softly, "...you'll end up hurting all of them."
A soft chime rang as another customer entered, the breeze brushing against them as the café door opened and closed.
Jousuke's mind was a mess, tangled with unspoken words and blurry feelings, each memory of Leah, Miyazaki, and Rika pressing against his heart, soft but heavy.
"I'm scared." Jousuke whispered.
Sakamoto's calm smile softened. "It's okay to be scared."
The café grew quieter, the rain outside a soft background to the warmth pressing around them.
"Sakamoto-san..." Jousuke said suddenly, lifting his gaze, a hint of determination flickering in his eyes, "...if you were me… what would you do?"
Sakamoto paused, blinking slowly before letting out a soft laugh, calm and quiet. "If I were you...?"
He looked away for a moment, as if thinking, before turning back, his dark eyes gentle but firm.
"I'd stop running away. I'm used to it."
Jousuke's eyes widened, his breath caught, the words echoing in his mind.
"Stop running away..." he thought.
Outside, the rain began again, tapping softly against the glass, as the café lights flickered once, settling back into their warm glow.
And in that quiet moment, Jousuke realized that whatever came next, he could no longer pretend he didn't know.