Chapter 1: The Diary Exchange Proposal
It was a fine day.
The kind of day where the clouds drifted lazily across a blue sky and the sunlight filtered through the windows with just the right amount of warmth. Katsumi strolled through the school gates, hands in his pockets, his expression as unreadable as ever.
Another normal day.
Just like yesterday. Just like the day before that.
He entered the classroom and glanced around. Utsuro was already there, standing near her desk, surrounded by classmates. Her laugh rang out clear and bright—easy and light, like wind chimes on a summer breeze.
Katsumi watched her for a second, then moved to his seat near the back of the room.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't have to.
With practiced ease, he pulled a handheld console from his bag, turned it on, and began playing. His fingers tapped the buttons with lazy familiarity as the hum of school life continued around him.
Moments later, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, Katsumi," Utsuro said, leaning over his desk with a mischievous grin. "Guess what day it is today?"
Katsumi blinked, his fingers pausing mid-combo. He looked up at her, confused.
"Huh?" he mumbled. "Tuesday?"
Utsuro's smile twitched.
Wrong answer.
She puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms like a disappointed teacher scolding a forgetful student. "It's our three-month anniversary, dummy!"
Katsumi's eyes widened a fraction. "Ah… really?"
"You forgot." Her pout deepened.
Katsumi scratched his cheek, awkward. "I, uh… kinda forgot."
Silence hung between them for a moment.
Then he added quickly, "Sorry about that."
Utsuro let out a dramatic sigh—but there was a playful glint in her eyes. "Hmph… I was going to stay mad, but I'll forgive you if you agree to one condition."
"Condition?"
She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling. "Let's do a diary exchange!"
Katsumi blinked. "Diary… exchange?"
"Yeah!" Utsuro nodded, suddenly excited. "We each write in a diary every day, and at the end of the day, we swap! And—and we can write questions in them, too! Like, what did you eat? What made you smile? That kind of stuff!"
Katsumi stared at her.
Diary exchange.
It sounded cheesy. Way too romantic. Way too... not him.
But then he saw the way she looked at him—hopeful, eyes full of anticipation like a child waiting for a promised candy.
"…Alright," he said. "Let's do it."
"Really?" Utsuro's face lit up. "Yay! Thank you!"
She clapped her hands, delighted.
"I'll give you mine after school," she said, pointing at him. "And I want one from you, too! With answers! Don't forget!"
Katsumi gave a small smile. "Got it."
And so, after school, when the sky had turned the color of burnt orange and the halls began to empty, they stood outside the gates.
Utsuro handed him a small pink notebook with a ribbon on the cover.
He handed her a plain black one in return.
No one said it, but both of them held those notebooks like they were holding something precious.
And just like that, the diary exchange began.