It was the season when cherry blossoms had just begun to bloom.
Chiba City, Kiyomizu Junior High School.
The uniform was an old-fashioned black sailor suit, with the skirt required to be ten centimeters below the knee, revealing only a small portion of the calf, which was further covered by white socks.
Although many modified their school uniforms, for Yuigahama Yui, following others and indulging herself was difficult.
(After all, I'm only in my third year; I'll become popular when I'm in high school!)—with that thought, she blended into the crowd today as well, merging indistinctly, becoming part of an unremarkable group.
"Have you guys read that new romance novel?"
"Oh, you mean Imatama? I remember there's a manga for it…"
"The Imatama manga came out before the novel! The novel was written by a famous author; I heard it's going to be adapted into a drama series soon…"
"I've read it, I've read it~ It's super popular, so cool~"
Surprisingly, her friends, who usually only talked about popular songs, celebrities, and handsome boys from the soccer club, were now discussing a romance novel.
Imatama… Yuigahama had heard of the work. Though she was interested, she had never bought the book to read.
What could she do? Her allowance was spent on karaoke and outings with friends. She could only cut back on other entertainment expenses and save a little.
If one day everyone wanted to go out, but she didn't have the money to join, and she drifted further from the small group she had struggled to fit into, that would be terrible.
A school life without friends was worse than staying home!
"Yeah, yeah, it's so touching~"
She kept reading the room, nodding along to a story she hadn't even heard of. Yuigahama quietly decided that after school, she would check the library to see if she could borrow Imatama.
Because if she didn't keep up with the topic, she would drift further from her place.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After school, the pink-haired girl in casual clothes stood in front of the library.
"Haha, this is probably the first time I've been to the library in years…"
Looking at the tall, old building in front of her, she couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
She didn't like reading books, and her grades were never above the middle-to-lower ranks in class, so she naturally wouldn't come to the library to torture herself—the serious, heavy study atmosphere alone was enough to make her avoid it, and the stacks of books felt cold and unwelcoming.
"Excuse me…"
With slumped shoulders, she quickly walked through the silent rows of bookshelves, heading straight for the novel section according to the book categories.
Around her were students studying diligently, and she, the only one searching for a romance novel, felt pressured. Her movements were cautious, like a little mouse sneaking to steal oil.
But her actions went unexpectedly smoothly.
When she reached the last bookshelf, a library committee member happened to be pushing a book cart, placing the newly returned Imatama – Volume One on the shelf. After they left, Yuigahama quickly grabbed it, clutching it to her chest and letting out a sigh of relief.
"Retreat, retreat! The library really isn't for me…"
As she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of someone familiar out of the corner of her eye.
The boy was sitting at the study table in the farthest corner, with several open books on his desk. He was diligently writing in what seemed to be a workbook, studying with serious focus.
The afternoon sunlight streaming through the window illuminated his face, giving his calm and handsome features a glowing filter, so striking it could win a photography award.
As he focused on studying, Yuigahama instinctively hid behind the bookshelf, swallowing hard while sneaking a peek at his profile—this was a normal reaction to seeing a handsome guy, but whether it was love, that was hard to say.
An ordinary girl like her, with no distinct traits except for slightly larger-than-average breasts, instinctively kept her distance from handsome guys like him. She didn't dare entertain improper thoughts.
"Is that Tenkuji from my class? He always comes to the library to study after school…"
Yuigahama whispered softly about her classmate from afar.
Tenkuji Yuu, one of the few handsome boys in their class.
His personality was calm, mature, and reliable, but for some reason, he didn't have many friends. Forget confessing to him; even inviting him to hang out would be rejected. He was nicknamed the "Wall of Sighs" among the girls.
Even so, that didn't make Yuu invisible. On the contrary, his aloof and cool personality earned him quite a bit of popularity.
He walked outside the crowd but couldn't be ignored—his solitary and noble way of life made Yuigahama both admire and envy him.
"Handsome and studious, is this the prototype of a life's winner… He's really not in my world."
She sighed softly, lacking the courage to greet him. The ordinary and plain Yuigahama lowered her head and turned around, borrowing Imatama at the counter before quietly leaving the library.
No matter how high she tiptoed, she couldn't reach the books on the top shelf, just like she couldn't touch the stars in the sky.
So, books and stars were the same to her—unattainable.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The cherry blossoms of spring slowly fell.
After reading the first volume, when she went to borrow the second, Yuigahama saw his figure again, immersed among stacks of books.
Then the third volume, the fourth…
Unknowingly, April passed, and May arrived as she continued to watch him.
Now, Yuigahama was used to glancing at the corner before borrowing books, using the motion of searching for books to hide her peeking. Only after she was satisfied would she grab the book and leave.
When she went to borrow the fifth volume, she unexpectedly found that Yuu wasn't at his seat, though his stationery and books were still on the table.
"Where did he go…"
As she wondered, a flat baritone voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
"Looking for me?"
"Wah!"
She let out a startled yelp in the library, quickly covering her mouth. Yuigahama widened her eyes and turned around in shock.
Yuu stood behind her, frowning and looking at her with a probing gaze.
"T-Tenkuji-kun…?"
"What's up? You've been peeking at me from behind the bookshelf for days, haven't you?"
Yuu spoke bluntly, a bit different from the gentle demeanor he showed in class, seeming slightly sharper.
Yuigahama's face flushed. To avoid drawing displeased looks from others, she lowered her voice and defended herself: "I-I wasn't! I was just looking for books…"
"Oh, really? Either way, stop staring at me all the time; it's distracting my studying."
Unexpectedly, Yuu didn't press further. After scaring her, he just pouted disinterestedly and returned to his desk.
Watching his back, Yuigahama turned and leaned against the bookshelf, clutching her chest and taking several deep breaths to calm her racing heart.
"W-what was that! Why does he seem so arrogant…"
After muttering with a pout, Yuigahama resolutely borrowed the book and left, deciding angrily in her heart—(I won't look at you anymore! From now on, I'll definitely ignore this smug, sarcastic guy!)
Though she was the one at fault for peeking first, his attitude, treating her like a stalker, was really infuriating!
Even an ordinary girl had her pride and dignity!
With slightly heavier steps, as she left the library, Yuigahama unconsciously looked up at the sky.
She suddenly realized that books and stars weren't as far away as she had imagined.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Leaving May, where she avoided him, and entering June, where the first semester was about to end.
Returning the final volume of Imatama to the counter, thinking she might not come to the library again, Yuigahama walked to her favorite corner after a long time.
After so long, she looked again at her classmate studying diligently.
Perhaps to put the past behind her, or perhaps because she felt this was her last chance to talk to him alone.
With courage from who-knows-where, she walked toward him.
"T-Tenkuji-kun."
Stopping his writing, Yuu looked up: "What's up?"
So cold!
But it made sense—being interrupted while studying would make anyone unhappy…
Resisting the urge to run away, Yuigahama took a deep breath and suddenly bowed to him.
"I'm sorry for peeking at you before! I didn't mean to disturb your studying, and I lied back then because I was so embarrassed. I only dared to come apologize now. I'm really sorry!"
"…Huh?"
Letting out a confused sound, Yuu seemed unprepared for Yuigahama to apologize for something she had denied before. He was stunned and didn't say anything.
Yuigahama, head bowed, could guess his expression. She suddenly smiled happily—
(You scared me back then; now it's my turn.)
After a moment of silence, Yuu finally spoke:
"You don't need to apologize. I forgot about you a long time ago."
"That's too much?!"
Her smile vanished instantly. Yuigahama snapped her head up, glaring at him.
But she saw him smiling faintly, as if finding something amusing. Yuu propped his face with one hand, his black-and-white eyes curving into shallow crescents, radiating a gentle light toward her.
When he smiled, it was as if there were stars in his eyes.
Always so handsome, making her heart race.
"I was just kidding, Yuigahama-san."
"Eh?"
Snapping out of her daze, Yuigahama blinked in surprise: "You know my name?"
"Aren't we in the same class? Remembering a classmate's name is basic etiquette, right?" Yuu shook his head, his attitude as if dealing with a fool, which annoyed her again. "Your grades, I remember they're in the middle-to-lower ranks, right?"
Yuigahama shot back angrily: "So what? You study so hard, but you've never made it to the top ten either, right?"
At Kiyomizu Junior High, major exam results were announced, but only class rankings were posted. School-wide rankings had to be checked individually—but students in the middle-to-lower ranks usually didn't care about such things.
Hearing this, Yuu's brows raised, his face darkening.
"Still better than you, right?" His tone was mocking, his voice cold. "At least I'm confident I can make the top ten in the next exam, and I'm preparing for high school entrance exams… What about you? You're always lingering around the novel shelves. Have you decided which private high school you'll go to?"
Gritting her neat white teeth, Yuigahama quickly stepped to his side, slamming both hands on the table and looking down at him as he sat.
"What's it to you? I'm studying seriously too, you know!—Tenkuji-kun, have you decided which public high school you're aiming for?"
Yuu gave a faint smile: "Sobu High School, of course."
Sobu High School in Chiba Prefecture, the public school with the highest average scores in Chiba, was a place Yuigahama could never dream of entering.
"R-really…"
Unconsciously admiring him, but seeing his smug expression, Yuigahama tightened her face, lifting her chin defiantly: "Oh, is that so? I'm also preparing for Sobu High School. What a coincidence, our goals are the same!"
The corner of Yuu's mouth twitched. He let out a cold laugh, his mocking gaze like he was looking at a snail trying to beat a rabbit, pitying and disbelieving:
"Daydreaming? No wonder your grades are below average."
Yuigahama stared at him in disbelief, then gritted her teeth, letting out an angry puppy-like growl.
"Grrrrrrr—!"
As if her patience snapped, she grabbed a book from the table, hitting him on the head a few times to vent, then flicked her shoulder-length hair and stormed out of the library in a huff.
That was how the two officially got to know each other.
It was also a turning point for Yuigahama.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The next day after school.
Yuigahama pulled out a chair, ignoring the strange expression of the boy across from her. She set down her bag, sat, and took out her stationery and notebook.
Yuu only spoke after a moment: "…Yuigahama-san, if your eyes aren't blind, you should see there are other chairs in the library."
"So? Don't disturb my studying."
Replying coldly, Yuigahama tucked her hair behind her ear and began writing in her empty notebook with round, cute handwriting.
Yuu thought she'd leave in a huff, but unexpectedly, after a soft sigh, she seemed to ignore him, continuing to write undisturbed.
For some reason, Yuigahama felt calm, but her competitive spirit burned even brighter. The confusing problems seemed to glow.
…Glowing, confusing problems.
"No way, I can't let him look down on me!"
Even if she had to rack her brain, she'd show him how amazing she could be when she got serious!
Not for any grand reason—just to prove that even an ordinary girl like her could achieve something!
Beneath her loose hair, her eyes blazed with determination.
This unconscious rivalry began to shape Yuigahama's life.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The next day.
"Yui-chan, we're all going to karaoke. Wanna come?"
"Oh, sorry, I have something to do…"
After hesitating, Yuigahama declined her friend's invitation for the first time. Under their surprised gazes, she grabbed her bag, followed Yuu from a distance, and hurried to the library.
Still in the same corner, they sat across from each other.
"You turned down your friends to study? Is that for real? For someone like you, social connections must be more important than grades, right?"
Yuu spoke mockingly while opening his book.
Yuigahama snorted, quickly opening her pencil case.
"None of your business. Don't underestimate me!"
The face that once seemed handsome and charming now looked infuriating to her!
But despite his provocation, he didn't seem angry at all. Instead, he smiled with amusement.
"What an interesting person. Let's see how long you can keep this up."
Gripping her mechanical pencil tightly, Yuigahama vowed in her heart:
(Of course, until you admire me!)
For the next few days, she only agreed once to hang out with her friends when they asked, "Are you chasing Tenkuji-kun?" The rest of her after-school time was spent in the library, sitting across from him at the same table, studying together in silence.
They didn't chat, and she wasn't trying to pursue him. She just worked hard to absorb the dizzying knowledge, as if determined to prove something.
Though Yuigahama grew more distant from her old social circle, though she faced gossip and strange looks, she kept striving to become stronger—strong enough for Yuu to see her in the same light!
Books and stars weren't far; they were right before her eyes—she just hadn't reached out far enough.
She had to move forward, keep moving forward.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The evergreen trees of summer, their lush leaves covering the campus.
Leaving June, filled with a desire not to lose, and entering July, with summer vacation approaching.
Yuigahama completed the final exams, but she still had to wait a few days before summer break began.
After putting her exam sheet in her bag, she smiled and said goodbye to her friends first.
Yuigahama visited the restroom briefly, then walked to her usual seat in the library's corner.
Though the final exams were over, Yuu didn't slack off, still diligently writing at his desk.
"Then, today we'll review the exam sheet…"
Muttering to herself, she took out her final exam sheet again, her pencil tip touching the paper.
The tears she thought she had held back began to fall again.
"Wuu…"
Biting her lip tightly, Yuigahama wiped her eyes forcefully.
…She didn't want to cry in front of him.
"But, why… Even though I tried so hard, why…"
Finally, in front of him, she showed her ugliest side, laughing bitterly while crying and giving up.
"Haha… Someone like me, thinking I could catch up to you with effort, it was really just a dream."
"…"
Stopping his writing, Yuu looked at her silently, then suddenly took her failed exam sheet.
Yuigahama didn't have time to stop him. She could only lower her head, hiding her disappointment and anxiety by wiping her tears.
"…Hmm, it's still salvageable."
A flat voice sounded in the air.
Yuigahama couldn't help doubting her ears. She looked up in shock, staring at him in disbelief.
"Still salvageable?"
"Of course. There's no such thing as a genius; everyone fails at some point."
Yuu returned her exam sheet, and for the first time, he looked directly into her eyes.
"You failed this time. Can you keep trying, Yuigahama-san?"
"I…"
Yuigahama opened her mouth.
She was already discouraged, feeling she couldn't go on, not wanting to be betrayed by her efforts again.
But hope, like a small flame, ignited from the ashes, then swept through her chest.
—She could, if he was there.
Taking a deep breath, Yuigahama wiped her blurry eyes, swallowed the pain in her throat, and nodded firmly at him.
"Of course! Even if it's just a dream, I have the right to chase it to the end!"
—Even if her efforts didn't pay off, it was far better than admitting defeat in front of him!
Yuu smiled approvingly and clapped softly: "Someone who chases their dream is as great as the dream itself… I'm impressed, Yuigahama."
"R-really?"
Suddenly receiving praise, Yuigahama was a bit stunned. The joy of being acknowledged slowly grew in her chest, her face flushed for no reason, and her ears felt hot.
So happy…
"Hehe, I'm not as great as you say~ Actually, it's all thanks to you…"
She hadn't finished acting coy.
"You're a bit dumb, but your persistence is good. There's still a chance to salvage it."
Yuu nodded with satisfaction, completely ignoring Yuigahama's frozen expression. His pencil paused over the bright red score.
"Since you have such remarkable persistence, I'll help you! I can't guarantee you'll get into Sobu High School, but a regular public high school should be fine."
"…"
Yuigahama forgot—this guy in front of her had no sense of tact. He didn't seem to see her as a girl either.
Yuigahama couldn't help covering her face and sighing, not wanting to see his interested and confident expression, as if he'd found a new toy.
But her face, hidden under her hands, couldn't hold back a smile.
"…This isn't so bad either."
So, from that summer, she had a reason to stay by his side and study with him.
The little corner in the library, where they sat across from each other in silence, each working on practice problems, was gone—
Instead, the girl asked him about difficult problems with teary eyes, and the boy took the book with a helpless expression, trying to explain it to her in the simplest way.
Many students who knew them passed by. After seeing this scene, various rumors began to spread; through some of Yuu's rejected suitors, the strange looks Yuigahama received slowly increased.
Yuigahama tried to talk and hang out with friends she thought she was close to when she was tired of studying, but they avoided her with mocking laughter.
Once in the restroom, she overheard someone talking about her relationship with Yuu, saying crude and vulgar things, calling her dumb and ordinary, saying she could only get attention by constantly chasing him.
"Studying hard for love? No such thing exists in the real world. She's such a good actress, so funny~"
Yuigahama could never forget the tone they used to mock her as she ran to the library with her books.
Because of this, she felt sad, cried, and doubted herself. She didn't know how to continue her school life after losing her place.
Leaving her small group, leaving her comfort zone, leaving a world where she had to speak while reading the room—it was harder than she imagined.
Perhaps because those gloomy thoughts affected her studying, one day after school, while studying together, Yuu said to her:
"What do you want to become?"
"Do you want to live an ordinary life in the crowd, without purpose, just as a background character… Or do you want to be like a firework that shines for one second, falling to the cold ground, but still wanting to tell others you shone brighter than anyone?"
Yuigahama looked at him in confusion, her brain seemingly unable to process it.
"…Yuu, you sound so weird saying poetic things."
Yuu's brows shot up, his tone somehow turning rough.
"Shut up! I read that in a book; it has nothing to do with me! And your assignment today is to read five more classic literature works and submit summaries!"
Yuigahama wailed: "Five?! That's too much! There's a test tomorrow!"
"Who cares? If your brain's tired from studying, you won't have time to think about vague nonsense."
"Uwaa~"
Even so.
Seeing Yuu refuse to admit his concern, the clouds in Yuigahama's heart cleared, and her eyes shone again.
Her changes were always because of him, and now was no exception.
From that day, the ordinary Yuigahama began to transform—
She tied her hair in a bun designed by her mother, modified her stiff school uniform, read fashion magazines, learned to apply makeup, and, though shy, highlighted her figure's strengths while working hard to slim down her chubby thighs.
After truly transforming, others' reactions didn't matter. Yuigahama intercepted him in the hallway, hands on her hips, smiling proudly with a flushed face:
"How's that? I'm someone who can do anything I set my mind to!"
"How's what?" Yuu looked at her in confusion. "This flashy look is what you wanted to do? That's unexpected."
Yuigahama was stunned, so angry she nearly hit him.
"Why flashy?! What's flashy about it? This is super cute, you know?!"
"Shamelessly saying that about yourself." Yuu rolled his eyes, touching the bun on her head. "Well, it's surprising. You must've worked hard… But no matter how much you change, to me, you're still Yuigahama."
After saying something meaningful, he walked into the classroom without looking back, leaving the stunned girl holding her bun.
"To him… I'm still Yuigahama?"
Was that a compliment or a jab?
Unconsciously, Yuigahama thought of the touching, experience-filled love stories in her literature textbook.
—Though the sea dries up and the rocks crumble, what is loved will never change.
"!"
Her face suddenly flushed, her heart pounding uncontrollably, her chest warm like a melting furnace core.
Watching his retreating back, Yuigahama bit her lip, showing a reluctant yet accepting smile.
"Since you said it like that… it's only natural I'd like you, right?"
Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, the feeling was undeniable.
Because she liked him, every day after, she ignored the gossip, going to the library to study with him, rain or shine.
Because she liked him, every day after, she ignored her laziness, reviewing the problems she got wrong that day even at home.
Autumn passed, winter came, winter passed, spring arrived.
Yuigahama knew she was getting closer to her goal.
Though her progress was slow, though she became an outcast in class, called someone chasing fruitlessly, she never thought of giving up.
Because someone said her persistence was good, and she was someone worth saving.
Yuigahama didn't want to let that trust down. She didn't just want to prove it to him—she wanted to prove it to those watching them.
If a person could only strive their hardest for one thing in life—then for her, perhaps now was the time.
"Yuigahama, do you believe in miracles?"
"Are you saying I can't get into Sobu High School without a miracle?"
"Of course not. Am I that bad?"
The day before the high school entrance exam, before they parted in the library, Yuu smiled and said to her:
"Someone who believes in miracles is as great as the miracle itself."
"I believe in you, so… you have to make me someone great."
"Tomorrow, show them your true ability!"
It was a cheesy line, very fitting for a junior high student, in retrospect.
But at that moment, Yuigahama wiped her tears and said to him with a firm gaze:
"Yeah! I'll do it."
As Yuu nodded with satisfaction, preparing to turn and leave.
"And you've said something like that to me before. No new ideas~"
"…Tch, shut up."
Her neat bun was touched until it nearly fell apart.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A bright March.
The high school entrance exam results were announced.
Twenty students from Kiyomizu Junior High got into Sobu High School, and Yuu and Yuigahama were two of them.
Getting into Sobu High School wasn't surprising—after all, it was just the public school with the highest average scores in the city, not a nationally renowned school like Tokyo University. But two students who were initially in the middle and middle-to-lower ranks drastically improved their grades, becoming among the best and successfully entering Sobu High School—that was shocking enough.
Moreover, with some help, the story of Yuigahama and Yuu spread widely. Almost everyone who loved gossip had heard it: a foolish girl went to the library every day, pretending to study just to chase a boy, sticking to him persistently.
After the results came out, those who had mocked and belittled her seemed to vanish. Her story turned into one of a girl who worked hard for love, just to attend the same high school as the boy she liked, going viral for a while.
Not only her estranged friends but even teachers and students who didn't know her congratulated and praised her. Yuigahama was even called to the stage by the principal during a morning assembly to be commended. No matter how much she denied it, no one believed her, teasing her with ambiguous smiles.
Yuigahama didn't understand Yuu's feelings—but for her, though it brought trouble, that time was undeniably the happiest school period she'd ever had!
For the first time, her efforts bore fruit, and she was recognized as an ideal pair with the boy she liked. Two joys happened at once, bringing her even more happiness.
She gained a dreamlike, happy time… She even started thinking that since they were both going to the same high school, turning the gossip into reality and dating would be natural.
So, on the day of the graduation ceremony, she asked Yuu to meet her in their usual library corner.
"Coincidentally, I have something for you too."
"Eh?" Sitting nervously, pressing down her skirt, Yuigahama couldn't help looking at him in surprise.
(What, does he feel the same way…)
"Here, for you. Congratulations on graduating."
Taking out a cream-colored notebook from his bag, Yuu smiled and handed it to her: "You've worked hard all this time. You're indeed my student!"
"…You're too full of yourself." Yuigahama laughed heartily, hiding her small disappointment, taking the notebook with a happy face. "I thought a cold-blooded guy like you wouldn't give me a graduation gift!"
"Cold-blooded? When I gave you homework and practice problems, no one was more enthusiastic than me, you know?" Yuu pouted, leaning back lazily in his chair. "So, you? Don't you have something for me? Or do you want to be the cold-blooded one you talked about?"
"Hehe, guess~ I'll give it to you later." With a sly smile, Yuigahama didn't look at the notebook's contents yet, putting it in her bag, then sitting a bit more seriously.
Then, she cleared her throat twice.
"Yuu, I asked you here to talk about the gossip going around school lately."
"Gossip?" Surprised, but quickly reacting, Yuu said, "Oh, you mean about us secretly dating and studying for love?"
(Why is he so blunt?!)
Though she complained inwardly, Yuigahama kept a calm expression, but her face slowly flushed, her fingers under the table twisting like wriggling worms.
"Yeah, the gossip before was bad enough, but now it's reached this point, really…"
Yuu rolled his eyes, seemingly thinking she was complaining: "Yuigahama, you've always cared about others' opinions… Relax, starting tomorrow, whatever Kiyomizu Junior High people say is their business. It has nothing to do with us as Sobu High School students."
"No, that's not the issue…" Her voice grew quieter, making Yuu frown.
"Then what's the issue?"
"…"
Yuigahama took a deep breath, closed her eyes, mustered her courage, and, with a tone that sounded casual but was actually nervous, slowly said:
"I mean, since everyone's already saying it… How about we actually date?"
As the words left her mouth, a warm current surged in her chest, as if her long-suppressed feelings could no longer be held back. She wanted him to know more about her.
Yuigahama clenched her fists, forcing herself not to look away from his gaze, pushing her hoarse, fearful voice out of her throat.
"Yuu, I've always… always liked you!"
This courage came from him.
This confidence came from him.
This feeling of love came from him too.
On this junior high graduation day, she wanted him to know her feelings and hoped for a response.
Though her mind was blank, she couldn't help closing her eyes nervously, her whole face burning until she felt nothing.
Yuigahama had no regrets because she gained the conviction from him to fight for her dream to the end.
The past dream had come true, and now… she just wanted to be with the person she liked.
"I like you. Please, go out with me!"
In the quiet library, this confession was as bright and clear as the sky outside.
The shadows of the trees swayed, a beam of tree shadow falling on them through the window.
The air seemed to freeze, as if time stopped.
"Yuigahama, it's not that I hate you, but for now, I don't want to date."
Words wrapped in a sigh fell softly to the ground.
"So, sorry. I can't go out with you."
Yuigahama was silent for a moment, then opened her eyes, giving him a bitter, resigned smile.
"I see… Well, it can't be forced."
"Later, we'll still be good friends."
Yuu showed a rare expression of confusion and worry.
But not knowing how to comfort her, he just scratched his cheek, shrugged, and smiled as if he didn't care: "Of course, we're friends who fought together to get into a good high school. This friendship won't break easily like a road!"
"Haha, I don't get what you're saying…"
Yuigahama smiled too, letting out a sigh.
Thankfully, Yuu still cared about her.
Thankfully, Yuu didn't want to distance himself because of this.
Thankfully, Yuu saw her rare, playful side.
Thankfully, Yuu was still smiling, not letting her see her tears…
After all, she had promised.
Yuigahama would never cry in front of him again.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the third-year junior high graduation day.
The cherry blossom trees bloomed beautifully like pink fireworks, footsteps treading on petals, with laughter, tears, and determination to move forward.
In the library's corner, the dazzling spring sunlight and swaying tree shadows carved the most unforgettable scene of their youth.
Yuigahama Yui, fifteen years old, tasted the bitterness of rejection for the first time.
Her three-month one-sided love had passed.
And April, filled with heartbreak, would come.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Yui, school starts tomorrow. Sleep early."
Her mother's voice came from outside the door.
"…Yeah, Mom."
Replying listlessly, Yuigahama lifted her head from the pillow, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
Her eyes were swollen, her hair messy—she looked like a disheveled, dumped girl. But in reality, her one-sided love just wasn't reciprocated.
Though it wasn't the end of the world, a girl's broken heart left her confused for a while, unsure how to soothe it.
"Not wanting to date is just an excuse. He never saw me as girlfriend material from the start… Yuu, you're still so nice."
Yuigahama laughed awkwardly, trying to cheer herself up, but ended up burying her face in the pillow again, kicking the bed and letting out a long sigh.
"…Later, what kind of expression should I wear when I see him?"
The graduation gift she was supposed to give him hadn't been given. She promised to be his friend, but she didn't even dare send a message.
All the courage and spirit in her body left her after that failed confession.
Yuigahama could proudly say she wasn't just a foolish girl now—she was a loser too.
"Oh, right." Remembering the graduation gift, Yuigahama grabbed her bag from the floor and took out the simple yet beautiful cream-colored notebook.
She stared blankly at the cover for a moment, recalling all the time spent with him, then couldn't help biting her lip and crying silently for a few minutes. Only after wiping her tears did she open the inner pages.
A sentence written in elegant handwriting on the corner of the first page caught her eye.
Some bear burdens for thirty years, some are trapped in cages; some walk alone in the dark for a long time.
Fortunately, there are always stars to guide the way in this world, so even if it's full of thorns and hardships, it's not in vain.
—Quoted from a classic work, may you keep striving and never change from today.
"…"
Yuigahama was silent for a long time, slowly putting down the notebook. Her head rested gently on the pillow, looking out at the dark night.
Books and stars weren't far; she had touched them once.
Now back at the starting point, did she have the courage to reach out and hold them tightly?
Yuigahama didn't know.
But though the night was dark, that star still shone brightest, lighting the path ahead.
—So, despite the thorns and hardships, she had no regrets.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A new spring began.
Yuigahama wore her new uniform, twirling in front of the mirror, admiring her perfect high school girl style, and smiled with satisfaction.
"Looks great!"
"Mom, I'm off—"
On the long uphill road, would she meet him?
On the crowded train, would she run into him?
At the bustling school gate, would she see him?
Yuigahama took a deep breath, suppressing those thoughts, and faced her new high school, new friends, and new classmates with an enthusiastic smile.
She had decided to forget those feelings and like someone who would like her back.
Coincidentally, they were in different classes. As long as they didn't meet at school, she'd try not to talk to him or think about anything related to him. One day, she'd erase all traces of Yuu from herself!
A year of one-sided love got her into Sobu High School.
A year of being strangers—what would it bring?
No need for books or stars; Yuigahama could move forward on her own.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
She finally made it through that year, now in her second year.
Seeing a familiar figure in the front row, center, of her new class, Yuigahama couldn't help stepping back, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
"We're in the same class?! What do I do, what do I do, what do I do? No escape, no escape, no escape…"
She couldn't calm down at all.
A year of being strangers was useless. Seeing him, she still felt that itch in her chest. The feelings she thought she'd buried surged again, her eyes unable to leave his back.
But her common sense told her not to care about this boy who rejected her anymore. She should find someone better to fill her heart—
But she couldn't find anyone!
No one was better than Yuu!
No one would comfort her with wise words when she was sad.
No one would touch her bun when she was upset.
No one, like him, had a pleasant scent, beautiful eyes, a nice voice, and never got tired of being by her side, pulling her to move forward together…
She couldn't forget him, couldn't erase him. She still liked him, just as before.
"Stupid Yuu, damn Yuu, annoying Yuu… Why do I like you so much!"
Yuigahama bit her lip angrily, but her face showed a resigned yet relieved smile, as if she'd lost to herself.
With courage from who-knows-where, she walked toward him.
Hearing her footsteps, Yuu glanced sideways flatly, then widened his eyes in surprise, half-turning.
"Yuigahama?"
"Yeah, what a coincidence. We're in the same class."
Yuigahama looked straight at him, smiling, and took a deep breath.
"—Long time no see, Yuu!"
Even now, she would change because of him.
Though there was still distance, if she started as friends, she could get closer, right?
Then quietly, slowly…
She would hold that star in her hand and never let go again.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In the spring of her second year of high school, cherry blossoms and love bloomed beautifully.
In conclusion, Yuigahama Yui has someone she likes.