The next morning felt different.
Kaito woke up earlier than usual.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains as he got ready for school, but his mind was already racing.
Today.
The word echoed in his thoughts.
Today he was going to tell Hikari how he felt.
Just thinking about it made his heart beat faster.
He had spent the entire night thinking about the right words.
But no matter how many times he practiced in his mind, it still felt awkward.
Still…
He had made his decision.
He would tell her after school.
Maybe in the library.
That place had become special to both of them.
Kaito grabbed his bag and left for school.
The classroom was already half full when he arrived.
Students were chatting like usual.
Mika and Yui sat near the front, talking quietly.
Kaito glanced toward Hikari's desk.
It was empty.
She's probably just running late.
He sat down and waited.
The bell rang.
Class began.
But Hikari's seat remained empty.
Kaito glanced toward it several times during the lesson.
Maybe she's sick.
It wasn't unusual for students to miss a day.
Still..
Something about it felt strange.
During lunch break, Mika and Yui approached his desk.
"Kaito."
He looked up.
"Have you heard from Hikari?"
Mika shook her head.
"No."
Yui looked slightly worried.
"She didn't answer our messages either."
Kaito nodded quietly.
"…Maybe she's just sick."
"Yeah," Mika said, though her voice didn't sound fully convinced.
"She'll probably be back tomorrow."
But tomorrow came…
And Hikari still didn't appear.
Then another day passed.
And another.
Her desk remained empty.
The classroom felt strangely quiet without her bright voice.
Even Mika and Yui seemed less energetic than usual.
By the fourth day, the entire class had begun whispering.
"Did she transfer?"
"Maybe something happened."
Kaito tried not to listen.
Instead, he focused on his work.
But every time he glanced toward the empty seat…
His chest felt tight.
Finally, one week later…
Mr. Takeda walked into the classroom with a serious expression.
The room gradually fell silent.
Students sensed something was wrong.
The teacher placed his papers on the desk and looked around the room.
Then he spoke.
"I have an announcement to make."
The classroom grew completely quiet.
"Hikari Aoyama has transferred to another city due to family circumstances."
For a moment…
No one spoke.
Then whispers spread through the room.
"Transferred?"
"Wait, when?"
"Why didn't she tell anyone?"
Mika looked shocked.
"What…?"
Yui stared at the desk silently.
Meanwhile, Kaito sat completely still.
Transferred.
The word echoed in his mind.
No.
Something felt wrong.
Hikari wasn't the type of person to leave without saying goodbye.
Especially not to her friends.
Especially not to…
Him.
After school, the classroom slowly emptied.
Students left in small groups, still talking about the news.
Eventually, only Kaito remained.
He stayed behind to clean the classroom, like he sometimes did.
The room felt unusually quiet.
Even the sunlight coming through the windows felt colder.
Kaito walked between the rows of desks, organizing chairs.
Then he reached his own desk.
Something caught his attention.
Inside the desk drawer was a small folded piece of paper.
His name was written on it.
Kaito.
His heart suddenly began beating faster.
Slowly, he picked it up.
His hands felt strangely unsteady as he unfolded it.
The handwriting was familiar.
It was Hikari's.
The letter was short.
But each word felt heavy.
Kaito.
Studying with you was the happiest part of my school days.
At first I thought you were just quiet.
But I realized you're actually really kind.
I wanted to tell you something before I left.
There was a small pause before the final lines.
Almost like she had hesitated while writing them.
I think I fell in love with you.
Kaito's eyes widened.
His heart pounded loudly in his chest.
She…
Loved him?
His hands trembled slightly as he read the final sentence.
If we meet again someday…
Maybe you can tell me how you feel too.
The paper slipped slightly in his hands.
Tears blurred his vision.
The words he had planned to say…
The confession he had prepared…
They had all come too late.
Kaito slowly sat down at his desk.
The quiet classroom felt empty.
Too empty.
For the first time since hearing the news…
The truth finally hit him.
Hikari was gone.
And the girl he had fallen in love with…
Had left without ever hearing his answer.
The sunset outside painted the classroom in soft orange light.
Kaito held the letter tightly in his hands.
His voice was barely a whisper.
"…I love you too."
But the person those words were meant for…
Was no longer there to hear them.