Tired thoughts filled the room, suffocating the air around her.
"Is this really the right thing…?" Sayuri whispered, wrapping her arms around herself as if trying to hold her heart together. "I feel like I'm giving false hope to someone so kind…"
Her eyes slowly closed.
A quiet breath escaped her lips.
"This isn't what my heart wants… so why can't I stop?"
The clock ticked louder than it should.
3 p.m…4 p.m…5 p.m…
Each second felt like pressure.
Like a countdown and she was still there… unmoving.
"Should I call and cancel…?" she thought, biting her lower lip until it hurt. "But… I'll hurt him…"
Silence answered her.
"I should just get ready…"
Even if her heart refused.
Even if everything inside her said no.
At Kenji's house, everything felt lighter and brighter.
Almost like a different world.
"Wow… my son smells amazing today," his mother teased, watching him with a knowing smile. "Rehearsal?"
Kenji adjusted his collar, confidence written all over him.
"No, Mom… I've got a special date."
A smirk curved his lips as he sprayed more cologne.
"Maybe… with your future daughter-in-law."
She laughed softly, crossing her arms.
"Future daughter-in-law? Haven't I heard that before?"
Kenji chuckled.
"This time… it's real."
And for the first time… he meant it.
He grabbed his keys.
"I should go. I still need flowers."
"Be careful… and don't mess it up," she said, smiling.
Minutes later, he stood in front of Sayuri's house.
One step then another.
His heart wasn't calm either.
He rang the bell.
"Good afternoon, Kenji. Come in, Sayuri will be right down," her mother greeted.
He stepped inside, sitting carefully, holding the flowers like they mattered more than they should.
Her father approached.
"So… what are your intentions?"
The question hit harder than expected.
Kenji swallowed.
"They're sincere, sir. I care about Sayuri… and I respect her."
The man simply removed his glasses and began cleaning them in silence.
Then—
"Kenji…"
Sayuri appeared.
And just like that…
Everything else disappeared.
"Wow…" he breathed. "You're… beautiful."
She smiled softly, almost shy.
Green dress. Sneakers. Black coat.
Simple yet impossible to look away from.
She took the flowers and handed them to her mother.
"Can you put these in a vase?"
"Don't come home late," her father said sharply. "I don't want you out all night with this boy."
"Honey…" her mother interrupted gently. "She'll be fine."
He said nothing, just walked away.
The ride was quiet, too quiet.
Sayuri stared ahead… but her thoughts were somewhere else.
With someone else.
Jun.
Like a shadow she couldn't escape.
Like a feeling she couldn't betray.
"We're here."
Kenji stepped out and opened the door for her.
Her eyes widened.
"Wow… this place is beautiful…"
Soft lights, flowers everywhere. Like stepping into a dream.
"I knew you'd like it."
His hand brushed her arm.
Gentle and careful.
"Table for two?" the waiter asked.
"Yes. Reservation under Kenji."
He pulled her chair.
Ordered wine and smiled.
Everything was perfect.
Too perfect.
The kind of perfect that feels… fragile.
She drank more than she planned, just enough to quiet the noise in her head. Just enough to breathe.
After dinner, lights surrounded them.
Music echoed. The amusement park felt alive and for a moment… so did she.
"Look—the Ferris wheel," Kenji said, excited. "Let's go."
"Okay…"
Up there…
The world felt distant and small. The mountains, covered in snow, looked like something out of a dream.
Kenji moved closer, wrapped his arms around her.
"What are you doing…?" she asked, startled.
"I just want to hold you…"
His voice softened.
"…and never let go."
Her heart skipped.
Their eyes met.
"Sayuri…"
His hand lifted to her face.
Slow.
He knew it, certain that this was the moment.
But before their lips could touch… she lowered her face.
She lowered her gaze.
"I'm sorry… I'm not ready."
"Just one kiss…" he insisted.
"I can't… if I do… I won't forgive myself."
His expression changed.
"Forgive yourself…? For what?"
A pause.
"For Jun?"
"Kenji…"
"Don't you see?" His voice deepened. "I want you more than he does. I try for you… and still… he's the one on your mind."
"I'm sorry… I can't control how I feel…"
Something shifted in his eyes.
Something darker.
"I'm not giving up that easily."
He stepped closer.
"I'm going to make you mine."
A chill ran down her spine.
That wasn't love... that felt like… a warning.
Then suddenly—
He laughed.
"Sorry… that sounded weird," he said, softening again. "I just really like you. I want something real."
A pause.
"And it hurts… seeing you suffer over someone who's probably with someone else right now."
Her heart dropped.
"Don't say that…"
"But it's true," he insisted. "You're not the only one for him."
A small lie, but a dangerous lie.
"I don't want to talk about Jun… please."
"Okay… sorry."
He smiled light again. Like nothing happened.
"Let's play something," he said. "I'll win you a plushie."
But the moment was gone. The rest of the night was not the same.
Back at her house… He tried again.
"Can I…?" Kenji asked, lifting his hand to her face.
This time…
She didn't stop him.
That lie was still echoing in her mind.
He's probably with someone else…You're not the only one…
Her chest tightened, so she closed her eyes.
Not because she wanted it. But because she needed to forget.
Even if just for a second and for the first time… to escape.
She let it happen.
She accepted the kiss.