The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees of the small city park, painting the grass in soft golden hues. The quiet park, known to few, was a sanctuary away from the crowded streets and the noise of school life.
Jousuke walked along the path, careful not to make a sound that would disturb the scene before him. There, near the little pond, Kaede knelt gently, scattering crumbs of bread toward a small group of pigeons.
Her long silver-white hair glimmered like moonlight in the fading sun, falling gracefully over her shoulders and brushing the edge of her purple cardigan. The breeze carried a few strands across her pale white skin, and her deep blue eyes, framed by the transparent glasses, caught the sunlight as she observed the little animals with care.
Her long white skirt swayed softly as she shifted, and the white socks paired with her loafers gave her an air of elegant simplicity. Her sling bag rested lightly against her side, forgotten for the moment in her complete focus on the small creatures before her.
Jousuke's breath caught in his throat. He had seen Kaede countless times at school, in the student council office, and in fleeting moments around the hallways—but seeing her here, so serene, so alive in her quiet element, stirred something deep within him.
"She… she's beautiful," he thought, his gaze tracing the curve of her jaw, the delicate line of her neck, the careful grace in her movements. "Not just beautiful… perfect, in a way I never realized before."
He stepped forward slowly, not wanting to break the peacefulness, but wanting to be near her. The pigeons cooed softly, pecking at the crumbs, and Kaede's soft voice hummed as if speaking to them alone.
Then, her head lifted. Those brilliant blue eyes met his, and she straightened. "Jousuke… you're here. What's wrong?"
The question, simple as it was, sent his heart racing. He opened his mouth, but no words came. His gaze shifted over her once more—the care she gave the animals, the way her hair shimmered, the soft strength in her posture. It all overwhelmed him.
Kaede noticed his hesitation, stepping closer. "Jousuke? Are you… okay?"
He finally found his voice, quiet but earnest. "Kaede… I…"
She tilted her head, lips slightly parted, curious and gentle. "You've been thinking about a lot lately, haven't you?"
He nodded, swallowing hard, emotions churning inside him. The last week had been a storm of guilt, heartbreak, and reflection—Rika's tears, Leah's sobs, the weight of their love and the pressure of his own feelings—but seeing Kaede now, standing there in the golden light, he understood what he had been carrying all along.
It's her. It's always been Kaede.
He took a cautious step closer. "Kaede… I've been trying to… to think clearly, about everything. About… about the others, about myself, about what I feel…"
Kaede's eyes softened, but she didn't interrupt. Her hands rested gently in her lap, fingers brushing the edges of the bread crumbs.
"I… realized something," he continued, his voice catching. "Reciprocation isn't about who loves you the most. It's about who you truly… love. And… Kaede…" His hand trembled slightly as he reached for hers. "It's you. I… I love you."
Her breath hitched. The blue of her eyes seemed to deepen, sparkling with unshed tears. "Jousuke…" she whispered, barely audible, yet the sound carried a weight that made his chest ache.
He lowered himself slowly to kneel before her, matching her proximity as the pigeons scattered slightly, sensing the shift in energy. "I… I'm sorry it took me so long to see it," he murmured. "I… I didn't want to hurt anyone. But my heart… it's been yours, Kaede. It always has been."
Kaede's hands shook, but she didn't pull away. "Jousuke… I…" Her voice cracked, but a smile, soft and trembling, appeared on her lips. "I… I'm so glad… I was waiting for this moment…"
He reached gently, brushing a stray lock of her silver-white hair behind her ear, careful not to touch her face too abruptly. His thumb brushed her cheek, tracing the warmth there, and she closed her eyes at the simple, intimate gesture.
"I was so scared," she admitted softly. "Scared that… you might not feel the same, that… after everything, it might be too late…"
He shook his head, cupping her face with both hands. "Kaede… it's never too late. I just… needed to realize it for myself. I needed to know my heart clearly. And now… I do. I love you. Only you."
Tears slipped down her cheeks, sparkling in the sunlight. She reached up, hands trembling, to pull him close. Their foreheads touched, a gentle, electric connection that spoke louder than words.
"I… love you too," she whispered, voice breaking but pure, resonant. "I always have… Jousuke…"
He closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of her hair, feeling the warmth of her body, the steady pulse of her heart through the careful closeness. "Kaede… I promise… I'll never let anything hurt you like this. Ever."
Her hand clutched his sweater lightly, holding him as if letting go would mean losing everything. "I… I believe you, Jousuke… I believe you."
For a long moment, the world seemed to disappear. No school, no pressures, no other hearts and confessions—only the two of them, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the soft cooing of pigeons around them.
Jousuke finally smiled, a rare, full smile that reached his eyes. "Kaede… let's walk home together. We… we have a lot to talk about."
She nodded, her tears turning to soft laughter, delicate and relieved. "Yes… together."
As they stood, the sun dipped lower toward the horizon, painting the park in streaks of gold and crimson. In that quiet park, known to so few, the world felt right. Two hearts that had wandered in confusion had finally found each other—and for the first time in weeks, everything was simple, pure, and theirs.