As she opened her teary eyes and looked at Kenji, the only feeling that took over Sayuri was guilt.There was no happiness, only guilt.Unlike him… who seemed completely satisfied.
"You really are very special…" Kenji said, gently caressing her face.
Sayuri forced a small smile but didn't respond.Her hand went straight to the doorknob, turning it too quickly, as if she needed to escape.
"I should go inside… thank you for tonight," she said, avoiding looking directly at him.
"I should be the one thanking you," Kenji replied with a smile. "I can't wait for us to go out again."
She just nodded, not having the courage to say anything else.
As soon as she got inside, she rushed up the stairs.When she finally reached her room, she closed the door behind her and broke down.
The tears came uncontrollably.
"What did I do…?" her voice trembled. "Why did I let this happen…?"
She covered her face with her hands, trying to hold back the crying, but it was useless.
The weight in her chest only grew, filled with guilt, confusion, and fear.
But nothing hurt more than those words…
"You're not the only one for him…"
She squeezed her eyes shut.
How much that hurt… how it cut her over and over again, like a blade that never stopped.
Because deep down, she knew that no matter how much she tried to run, deny, or replace it…
Her heart still belonged to someone else.And that was exactly what was destroying her.
They went out a few more times.And after the third date, Sayuri realized something that bothered her more than she wanted to admit:
Jun didn't seem to care.Or at least, he didn't show it.
The cold was getting stronger, and little by little, the streets began to change.Golden lights decorated shop windows, trees appeared in the squares, and the air carried that magical end-of-year feeling.
"Next weekend there's going to be a winter festival…" Kenji said, resting his arm on the table. "You're going with me, right, Say?"
"Ugh, can you stop clinging to my friend for a second?" Yume complained, crossing her arms.
Kenji laughed.
"Relax, Yume… I just want to stay close to my future girlfriend."
Sayuri's face instantly flushed.
"Hmmm… already at that level?" Yume teased with a grin. "When's the wedding? I'm going to be the maid of honor."
"Don't exaggerate," Sayuri murmured, embarrassed.
"Well… I like that idea," Kenji joked, gently holding her face.
At that moment, the café door opened and Jun walked in.
"What idea?" he asked, pulling out a chair and sitting across from Sayuri.
Kenji didn't waste time.
"The idea of Yume being our maid of honor."
Sayuri looked away, but she couldn't stop herself from watching Jun's reaction.
He let out a small humorless laugh.
"Oh…" he murmured. "It's impressive how fast things change around here…"
His eyes met hers.
"Nowadays, people fall in love so easily… they're already thinking about marriage."
The words were loaded. A direct jab.
"What can I say?" Kenji shrugged with a smile. "It's hard not to fall for me."
"You know, Jun…" Yume said, crossing her arms. "Some people have a heart and fall in love. You should try it sometime."
Jun kept his gaze fixed on Sayuri and replied firmly:
"And who said I haven't fallen in love?"
The air shifted.
"There's… only one person who has my heart," he continued. "And I think she always will."
Sayuri lifted her head, and Yume practically jumped from her seat.
"No way! Who is it?! Do I know her?!"
Jun didn't answer right away. He was still looking at Sayuri. Only her.
"The only thing you need to know…" he said, without breaking eye contact, "is that she's as beautiful as an angel…"
A pause.
"But she can't go to hell with me."
Sayuri held her breath.
Kenji noticed immediately. He knew exactly who Jun was talking about—and he didn't like it one bit.
"Well…" he interrupted, standing up. "This has been great, but I need to take Sayuri home. I promised her parents."
Yume rolled her eyes.
"Fine, fine… take good care of her. Bye, girl!"
"Bye…" Sayuri replied, still a bit lost.
She stood up, her eyes returning to Jun…
And his were still on her.
"See you at the winter festival," Kenji said, already steering the moment.
As soon as Sayuri and Kenji left, Yume crossed her arms and stared at Jun.
"What? Never seen anything like it?" he said impatiently.
"Jun… beautiful Jun…" she leaned over the table, smiling. "Tell me who she is. Come on… tell me."
"No way. And stop looking at me like that, you look like a little animal," he replied, already getting up.
"Pleaaase… I promise I won't tell anyone!"
"Bye, Yume."
He left without looking back.
"Ugh… that boy," she muttered, huffing. "But I'll find out who she is…"
Despite his cold exterior, inside, Jun was shattered.
That had been the closest thing to a confession he had ever made.
But of course… she didn't understand.
And how could she?
He was the one who pushed her away… who hurt her… who pretended to feel nothing.
He walked alone through the cold streets.
With no one.
Not knowing what to do with what he felt.
When he got home, he didn't go inside.
He sat on the front steps, looking at the dark sky.
He didn't want his grandmother to see him like that.
Didn't want to worry anyone.
From his pocket, he pulled out the small notebook he always carried.
He took a deep breath and started writing.
Looking at you… I liedWanting you… waiting for youIn your kiss, I got lost…Pushing you away… hurting you…Loving you…
"Jun…?"
The voice pulled him back. He slowly lifted his head.
And there she was.
Sayuri.
Immediately, he closed the notebook and put it away.
He stood up too quickly.
"Are you looking for my grandmother?" he asked, coldly, already turning toward the door.
"Yes… I… wanted to place an order…" she said, then hesitated. "Are you okay? You seem… upset."
He let out a short, bitter laugh.
"Funny…" he said, glancing at her. "You worrying about me? What would your boyfriend think?"
The word was full of poison.
"He's not my boyfriend, Jun…"
"How fast things change…" he cut her off. "I'll call my grandmother."
She grabbed his arm.
Jun froze. Her touch made his heart race.
"What did I do to you?" Sayuri asked, her voice breaking.
He turned back, surprised. He almost gave in.
"Please, Sayuri…" he murmured, almost begging her to stop.
"Is it the other girl?" she insisted. "Is that why you're like this?"
"The other girl?" he frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Kenji said… you've been seeing someone for a while."
He laughed.
But there was no humor in it.
Only anger.
"Seriously?" he ran a hand through the back of his neck, in disbelief. "That's what you call playing fair, huh…"
"I need to know, Jun… please…"
He closed his eyes for a moment.
He was angry. At his friend. At the situation.
"Go home, Sayuri," he said coldly. "I have nothing to tell you."
She stood there.
"Believe whatever you want."
And then—
He went inside and slammed the door, leaving her there without answers.
And that… made her believe Kenji had told the truth.