As the days passed, autumn slowly settled in, bringing not only the beauty of golden leaves but also the weight of final exams.
Among all the students, Sayuri seemed the most overwhelmed. Her grades needed to be perfect, and she found herself running from one responsibility to another, her nights consumed by books and scattered notes.
Her alarm clock was no longer enough to wake her on time. Mornings became frantic races against the clock, leaving her barely able to enjoy breakfast.
One particularly chaotic morning, as she turned the corner near the university, her hurried steps were suddenly interrupted by a hole in the pavement.
She stumbled. Her books slipped from her arms, scattering across the ground.
Her heart pounded, she couldn't be late.
Ignoring the sting in her knee, Sayuri gathered her things as quickly as she could and rushed toward campus, leaving a few loose papers behind.
When she reached the classroom, relief washed over her—the professor hadn't arrived yet.
She sat down and asked a few classmates if they had seen Yume, but no one had.
Knowing how important that class was, Sayuri stood and went to look for her.
She hurried through the corridors until she reached the university gates. Scanning the crowded street, her chest tightened.
Yume was nowhere in sight.
Then a white car pulled up in front of her.
The door opened. Yume stepped out, followed by a tall beautiful man. Light hair, glasses and Effortless charm.
A leather jacket over a moss-green sweater, paired with black jeans. Small hoop earrings framed his face.
There was something magnetic about him.
"Yume! I'm so glad I found you... you are late! "
"Hi Sayuri this is my childhood friend, Kenji." said Sayuri, holding him by the arm.
Kenji stepped forward, offering a warm, confident smile, and said smoothly.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Yume talks about you a lot."
"Hopefully good things," she replied with a shy laugh.
He let out a soft chuckle, his gaze lingering on her just a moment longer than necessary.
"Only the best."
He tilted his head slightly, a playful spark in his expression.
"Speaking of good things… would you like to join us this Saturday for a concert?"
Sayuri blinked, caught slightly off guard.
"concert?"
"Kenji has a band," Yume explained. "They're playing next weekend at a bar downtown."
Sayuri hesitated, she had never been to a place like that before. But something about the invitation felt… exciting.
"Come on," Kenji said with a soft grin. "It'll be fun. I'll be there the whole time."
"I'll think about it," She said, bidding farewell and returning to the classroom with Yume.
Almost at the end of class, Sayuri looks at Yume and says.
"I don't know if I should go… I've never been to a place like that."
"Don't worry," Yume reassured her. "Kenji is like an older brother to me. I've known him forever. You need to relax a little."
Sayuri sighed, then smiled.
"You're right… maybe I should go."
Later that afternoon, as the golden light of sunset brushed the tops of the trees, Sayuri arrived home and noticed her neighbor, Mrs. Midori, tending lovingly to her garden. Sayuri left her bag by the door and walked over.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Midori. Your garden is beautiful as always."
The elderly woman smiled, her eyes warm and gentle.
"My dear Sayuri, I'm so happy you like it. This little garden is my pride and joy."
A soft, delicious aroma drifted through the air. Sayuri closed her eyes for a moment.
It reminded her of her grandmother's house, quiet afternoons, comfort… and love.
"Is that cake?" she asked softly.
Mrs. Midori chuckled.
"Walnut cake, fresh from the oven. Would you like to join me for tea?"
"I'd love to," Sayuri replied.
Inside, the house felt warm and full of memories. Worn furniture and family photographs gave the space a comforting sense of history.
Books filled the shelves, rows and rows of them. As Sayuri stepped closer, she inhaled softly. The scent of paper and memories, like a place where the world slowed down.
Curious, she asked gently.
"Don't you ever feel lonely here?"
Mrs. Midori smiled.
"Never. My grandson is staying with me now. After a disagreement with his father, he decided to live here for a while. He brings me a lot of joy."
"That must be nice," Sayuri said softly.
A moment later, Sayuri noticed her parents arriving home earlier than usual.
"Sorry but I should go," she said.
Mrs. Midori wrapped a few slices of cake and handed them to her.
"For your family."
"Thank you so much."
Inside the house, Sayuri found her mother putting away groceries.
"What's that?" her mother asked.
"Mrs. Midori sent some cake. It's really good—"
"You were with her?" her mother interrupted.
"I just stopped by to say hello…"
Her mother sighed.
"You're in your final year, Sayuri. You need to focus, now sit down and eat your dinner, I brought it to that place you love."
"I'm not hungry," Sayuri added quietly. "I already ate."
"Cake isn't dinner. You need proper food."
"I'll eat tomorrow. I'm tired."
Her mother softened slightly.
"Alright. Get some rest."
"Good night"
Passing through the living room, Sayuri saw her father asleep on the couch. She gently kissed his forehead before going to her room.
Sitting at her desk, she began sketching clothing designs for her portfolio. Hours later, exhausted, She looked at the clock and whispered,
"It's too late. It's past midnight."
After a quick shower, she fell into a deep sleep.
A week passed in a blur of exams, presentations, and exhaustion.
Finally the weekend arrived and with it the day of the concert. She was anxious, stopped in front of the mirror, and began trying on different outfits.
She chose a black pleated dress with sheer sleeves—one she had made herself, Tights and Mary Jane shoes. Her hair tied back with a purple ribbon, soft makeup, warm tones and Cat-eye eyeliner.
A short time later, Yume arrived, she looked stunning.
"You look amazing!" Sayuri said.
"So do you! So let's go"
They took the train downtown. The streets were alive, bold styles, bright colors, laughter echoing through the night.
Sayuri had never seen anything like it, she was excited.
Upon arriving in front of the gate, Kenji meets them.
"Ready?" he asked with a knowing smile.
Inside, the lights dimmed.
Guitars echoed.
Drums pulsed.
The band appeared, Kenji stepped onto the stage and then Jun.
The moment Sayuri saw him, her breath caught. He took the microphone and sang, his voice was captivating, making her skin crawl.
Emotional.
Magnetic.
Sayuri couldn't look away. Something about him pulled her in, something she didn't understand.
After the show, Kenji approached them.
"So? What did you think?"
"It was amazing!" Yume said.
"And you?" he asked Sayuri.
"I loved it," she said softly.
They sat together, that's when Sayuri noticed it again. That scent, It wrapped around her senses, an unforgettable perfume. Her heart skipped.
She stood up quickly and turned to see where the perfume was coming from, and at that moment she twisted her ankle, losing her balance, but before she fell to the ground someone caught her.
She looked deeply into his eyes and couldn't believe that the scent enveloping her was coming from him, from Jun. He helped her sit down again and then sat quietly next to Kenji.
Throughout the conversation, Sayuri couldn't stop looking at him.
At that moment he noticed and spoke.
"Are you quiet or do you just like to stare?" Jun said.
She blushed.
"It's just that I'm not used to conversations like this."
"What do you like to talk about?" Kenji asked trying to make her more comfortable
"Books and fashion"
"Then you'll have to recommend some to me."
"I'd like to."
Jun gave a wry smile.
"You won't read them."
Then he looked directly at her.
"But I would I have several at home. Do you want to come over tonight?"
"Jun!" Kenji exclaimed sharply.
Sayuri was completely embarrassed. Yume, realizing what was happening, stood up quickly.
"It's late. We should go. I promised I'd take you home early, Sayuri."
Then the two quickly left the place. As they walked home, Yume spoke seriously:
"I noticed your look at Jun, and I must warn you, he's not the type of guy you fall in love with or take seriously with a girl. He's a dear friend, but he has too many problems."
Sayuri frowned.
"I just met him, I didn't even think about that, Yume."
"I know. I just don't want you to get hurt."
Sayuri sighed.
"Anyway, I don't have time for this."
Back at the bar, Kenji turned to Jun.
"What was that?"
Jun shrugged.
"I was just having fun."
"She's different, Yume said her parents are very strict and she's very studious."
Jun took a long swig of whiskey, and said with a serious face,
"She's too perfect for a place like this. Tell Yume not to bring her again."
After loading all the equipment into the car, Jun sat in the front seat and fell asleep. Kenji sat behind the wheel and drove to his house. Once there, exhausted, they went straight to bed.
The next morning
"Jun wake up! I made pancakes!" Kenji's voice echoed through the house.
Half asleep and hungover, Jun picked up his cell phone to check the messages and look at the photos of the event
As he swiped his finger sideways, scrolling through each photo, one image in particular caught his eye.
It was Sayuri, smiling delicately at the camera; he stared at that smile for a while, Kenji called him again, he put the phone in his pocket and shouted,
"I'm coming!"
At breakfast, Kenji gave a small lecture.
"You were quite rude to Sayuri last night."
Jun frowned.
"Who's Sayuri?" he asked sarcastically.
Kenji stared at him with a serious face.
"You're kidding... right?"
"Ah... that girl, the quiet one, like I said, I was just messing with her."
He took a sip of orange juice, grabbed a pancake, said goodbye, and quickly left in the cold autumn rain, without looking back, but with something bothering him.