Morning sunlight spilled through the tall glass windows of Sakura High, flooding the hallways with a warm, honey-colored glow. The sound of shoes clattering against the tiled floors mixed with laughter, the rustle of books, and the excited chatter of students already talking about the weekend. Posters fluttered against the walls where a passing breeze sneaked through open windows, the faint scent of blooming flowers drifting in from the school garden.
It seemed, on the surface, like any other Saturday morning — bright, ordinary, uneventful.
And yet, beneath that cheerful noise, there was something different in the air today.
A tension. Subtle, but there. Like the sky just before a summer storm, when everything feels too still, too perfect.
Haruto leaned back in his seat, half-listening to Tadao's animated retelling of a manga plot while Souta scribbled quietly in his sketchbook beside them. The classroom was bathed in soft morning light, the dust motes dancing lazily in it. Luna sat near the window, scrolling through her astronomy notes and pretending to ignore them, though her occasional smirk betrayed her eavesdropping.
The day was moving along in its familiar rhythm—until the classroom door slid open.
The sound was sharp and clear, cutting through the noise like the first note of a song.
Every conversation stopped mid-sentence. Heads turned almost in unison.
And there she was.
Saya Morizono.
She didn't need to announce herself; her presence alone filled the room. Her long Red hair shimmered like strands of silk, swaying gently with every step she took. The sunlight framed her perfectly, glinting against her eyes—dark yet bright, confident yet unreadable. Her uniform was immaculate, the folds crisp, her ribbon tied just a little neater than everyone else's.
Whispers rippled across the room.
"The Sakura Queen…" someone breathed.
"She's even prettier in person…" another murmured.
Saya was more than just popular—she was legendary. The most beautiful girl in Sakura High, admired not only for her looks but for her grace, her intelligence, and her quiet strength. Every rumor, every admiring gaze seemed to orbit her like petals caught in a wind.
And right now, she was walking straight toward Haruto.
The sound of her footsteps echoed softly across the classroom floor. Haruto blinked, startled, his conversation with Tadao dying instantly. Luna sat upright. Souta froze mid-sketch.
But no one reacted more strongly than Beru.
Her heart gave a painful jolt, as if the air itself had suddenly thickened around her. She didn't mean to stare, yet she couldn't look away. Saya's every movement seemed effortless—every glance deliberate.
When Saya stopped in front of Haruto's desk, the silence was so heavy you could hear the faint hum of the ceiling fan.
"Haruto," Saya said softly, her voice smooth as silk yet steady, confident. "About yesterday… have you decided?"
The world seemed to narrow into that moment.
Haruto blinked, his lips parting slightly. "Ah—yesterday… right." His voice caught for a second, unsure, before he nodded awkwardly. "No… not yet."
Saya's expression didn't falter. If anything, her faint smile deepened, though her eyes softened, just enough to betray something unreadable. "I see. That's fine." She tilted her head slightly, her long hair swaying like dark water. "I'll wait."
And with that, she turned gracefully, her steps as quiet as her entrance. The soft scent of her perfume lingered behind her—a floral sweetness that filled the room even after she was gone.
For a few heartbeats, no one moved.
Then the buzz began again—hushed whispers, exchanged glances, wide-eyed looks that bounced between Haruto and the door she had just exited through.
Beru stared down at her desk, her hands tightening around her notebook until her knuckles turned pale. She didn't know why her chest felt so tight, or why her heartbeat seemed to echo in her ears.
Luna leaned closer to her, whispering, "What… just happened?" Her usually sharp voice sounded oddly careful.
Souta was already leaning over Haruto's desk, his curiosity plain. "Yeah, Haruto, mind explaining that? Who is she?"
Haruto rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks tinged faintly pink. "She's… uh, Saya Morizono. She gave me a letter yesterday."
Beru froze.
Souta's eyebrows rose. "Wait—like, a love letter?"
Haruto nodded sheepishly. "Yeah. She asked if I'd think about it before giving her an answer."
A small, almost imperceptible breath escaped Beru's lips. She wasn't sure what to feel—shock, sadness, or the faint sting of jealousy she hated herself for.
Tadao whistled low. "You lucky guy. The Sakura Queen herself? You realize how many guys would kill to be in your place?"
Luna rolled her eyes. "Oh please. It's just a confession. Don't make it sound like a royal decree."
But her teasing tone did little to lift the sudden heaviness in the room.
Souta leaned forward again. "So… what are you going to say?"
Haruto looked thoughtful, almost lost. "I don't know. She's… nice. Beautiful, obviously. But… I don't know what I feel yet."
His words were simple, but they struck deep.
Beru's chest ached. She forced a smile, pretending to busy herself with her pen. "I'm sure you'll figure it out," she murmured, though her voice was barely audible.
Luna glanced at her, eyes narrowing slightly, as if she understood something Beru wished she could hide.
---
That night, Sakura City was quiet. The world outside the windows had turned silver beneath the moonlight.
Haruto sat at his desk, his textbooks open but untouched. His gaze was fixed on the night sky, on the endless sea of stars stretching across the horizon. The cool breeze fluttered his curtains, ruffling his dark hair as though the night itself wanted to comfort him.
He sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "What do I even want…?" he muttered softly.
Saya's words replayed in his mind, the image of her calm smile lingering. She was beautiful, no doubt about it—perfect in ways that didn't even seem real. And yet… he couldn't shake the feeling that her world was far from his own.
He turned slightly. Across the street, through a softly glowing window, he could see Beru's silhouette. She was sitting by her desk too, her light dimmer than usual.
Almost unconsciously, Haruto stood and opened his own window, letting the cool air fill his room. He leaned slightly over the frame, calling out gently, "Beru?"
She turned in surprise. Their eyes met across the quiet distance separating their homes. The night seemed to still around them.
"Haruto?" she called softly, sliding open her window as well. The wind caught her hair, lifting a few strands across her face. "What are you doing up?"
"Thinking," he admitted, smiling faintly. "About… what to do. About Saya. She's… well, she's kind, and confident, and I don't want to hurt anyone. But…"
He trailed off.
Beru's fingers curled against the window frame, her pulse racing. She wanted to say don't choose her, to shout it into the night—but the words refused to come.
Instead, she took a quiet breath and smiled, though her voice trembled. "Haruto… follow your heart. Whatever you decide… I'll support you."
For a moment, Haruto just looked at her. The moonlight reflected in her eyes, soft and sincere. He felt warmth, gentle and real, and for an instant, he almost forgot what he'd been thinking about.
"Thanks," he said softly. "You always know what to say."
They stayed like that for a while—talking about small things, the stars, their club, tomorrow's homework—letting the silence between words carry meaning neither dared speak aloud.
Eventually, Beru bid him goodnight and closed her window, retreating into the quiet dimness of her room. She leaned against the wall, pressing her palms over her chest, feeling the dull ache there.
"I'll support you," she whispered to herself. "Even if it hurts."
She crawled into bed, curling under her blanket, staring up at the ceiling where moonlight traced faint shapes. Sleep never came easily that night.
Haruto, meanwhile, remained by his window long after the lights went out across the neighborhood, staring at the stars until his thoughts tangled into dreams.
---
The next morning dawned soft and golden, but to Beru, it felt strangely muted.
She met Haruto at the corner as always. He greeted her with his usual bright smile, the kind that always made the morning feel lighter—but today, she couldn't return it fully.
They walked together in silence for a while, the rhythm of their steps steady.
"Haruto…" Beru's voice was quiet, almost fragile. "Did you… decide?"
Haruto glanced at her, hesitating for a moment before smiling again, a little nervously this time. "Yeah. I think… I'll give it a try. Saya and I… we'll date."
It was as if the world paused.
Beru's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she couldn't speak. Couldn't even think. The soft wind that brushed past her suddenly felt cold.
"I see," she managed after a second, her voice gentle, practiced. "That's great. I hope it works out."
Her lips curved into a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Haruto didn't notice—he was too caught up in his own nervous excitement.
By the time they reached the school gates, she had mastered her expression, burying the tremor in her heart beneath the mask of composure.
---
By afternoon, word had spread.
When Haruto approached Saya in the hallway, every nearby conversation died down. The Sakura Queen stood near the window, her hair glowing faintly in the afternoon light. She turned at the sound of his footsteps, hope flickering across her usually calm expression.
"So?" she asked softly, her tone carrying both nerves and anticipation.
Haruto smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've decided. I… said yes."
Saya's eyes widened in surprise before her face broke into a radiant, unguarded smile. She stepped forward impulsively, throwing her arms around him. "Finally! I knew you'd say yes!"
A few gasps rippled through the corridor. Some students froze mid-step; others exchanged stunned glances.
Haruto blinked, flustered, but laughed softly, patting her shoulder awkwardly. "Saya—wait—people are watching—"
But she only laughed, a clear, delighted sound that made the moment shimmer.
From the other end of the hall, Beru stood watching, her books clutched tightly to her chest. The scene felt distant, unreal, as though she were looking through water. The laughter, the chatter, even the sunlight—all of it blurred together.
Her chest tightened painfully. She turned away, walking quietly down the hall, each step heavier than the last.
Outside, the sky was bright, the air fragrant with spring, yet the warmth seemed hollow. She walked home alone, her shadow stretching long across the pavement, the world feeling both too loud and too empty.
That night, Beru lay in bed, her face half-buried in her pillow. The stars outside her window shimmered faintly, distant and cold.
Across the street, Haruto sat by his window again, smiling faintly as he thought of Saya's laughter—the warmth of her hug.
He didn't see the faint light still glowing in Beru's room, or the quiet tears that traced paths across her cheeks.
And when he finally drifted to sleep, dreaming of a smile that wasn't hers…
the stars outside flickered, dimmed, and one by one, disappeared behind a gathering veil of clouds.
---
To be continued...