[Scene 1: Silent Behavior]
Aya avoided making eye contact with Ryo in class the next day.
She still smiled, laughed with everyone, but Ryo knew that her smile had become even emptier.
Ryo tried many times to say something, but whenever he came close, Aya made some excuse and moved away.
"Why isn't she coming close like before? Can she really not trust me?"
Ryo's heart was breaking rapidly.
[Scene 2: Aya's Silence]
That night Aya was sitting by the window in her room.
Moonlight was coming inside, and her diary was lying open.
She was writing:
"I thought Ryo would open his heart to me.
But when I saw him with someone else, it felt like maybe there's no place for me in his heart.
My fear came true… maybe I too am only a temporary existence for everyone."
Tears began to fall from her eyes.
[Scene 3: Ryo's Loneliness]
On the other side, Ryo was sitting in his room.
On the table was an old photo—of him and his mother.
He said to himself:
"I did it again… I let someone come close, and then pushed them away with my own words.
Kawashima… I couldn't tell you that the girl was just my old school friend,
who had only asked how I was.
You thought I had changed… but actually, I was scared."
He ran his finger over the picture and said:
"If you leave me too… I'll really break apart."
[Scene 4: Miko's Concern]
Miko soon realized that something had happened between Aya and Ryo.
She asked Aya:
"Is everything okay between you two?"
Aya gave a faint smile:
"Yes, everything's fine."
But Miko saw the hidden pain in her eyes.
"These two are stubborn… they can't understand each other."
[Scene 5: The Call of Lonely Hearts]
In the coming days, the distance between Aya and Ryo grew more.
They were in the same class, but like two strangers.
One day Aya looked outside the window.
Ryo was standing alone at the corner of the playground.
He looked very tired and empty.
Aya thought in her heart:
"Should I really let him go?
Or should I gather courage once again to reach his heart?"
Meanwhile, Ryo looked up toward the classroom.
He knew Aya was also looking at him.
"If she gives me one more chance… I'll tell her everything."
But neither of them could take the first step.
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📖 Chapter 9 End.