The morning sunlight filtered through the cherry blossoms, casting a soft glow over the school courtyard. Students walked in clusters, chatting, laughing, and stealing glances at someone—or rather, someone.
I watched quietly from under the old cherry blossom tree, strumming my guitar softly. My hazel eyes followed her—Aoi Minase. She was walking toward the school entrance, chestnut hair flowing naturally, eyes bright and warm, carrying her notebook with effortless grace.
Everyone noticed her. Everyone, that is, except her. She smiled at a friend, laughed softly, and moved like she belonged to a different world—one brighter, gentler than mine.
"There she is again… Aoi," I thought. "The girl who makes this world a little softer, a little warmer."
But then, of course, my gaze wandered.
Leaning casually against the fence, football in hand, was Ren Amakura. Black hair flowing in the breeze, light brown eyes scanning the courtyard, a calm, playful smile on his face. Girls whispered and giggled as he passed, some even from schools farther away. Instagram fame, football fame, charm that drew admiration like gravity—he had it all. And somehow, even he noticed her.
"Ren… the perfect guy," I muttered quietly. "Polished, talented, effortlessly beautiful. And he notices her."
I let my fingers move over the strings of my guitar, pretending to focus, but my eyes refused to leave her. She dropped her notebook near me, and instinctively, I picked it up.
"Here… you dropped this," I said, handing it to her.
Her warm smile met mine, and for a moment, the courtyard disappeared. "Thanks, Haruto… you're always so thoughtful," she said softly.
My chest tightened, and I felt my heart skip a beat. A small touch, a gentle smile… just her acknowledging me. Just me. No one else.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Ren leaning on the fence, football resting at his feet, casually watching our interaction. Calm, smiling, present. Admired by everyone, untouchable in his perfection.
"And there he is… Ren Amakura. Dreamy, charming, everyone's favorite. Even he notices her. But that's fine," I thought. "I'm not here to compete. I just… want her to be happy."
Aoi walked past me, notebook clutched to her chest, smiling softly. I strummed the last note on my guitar, letting the moment linger.
"I don't need to be the one everyone admires. I just need her to see me… the real me. Not flashy, not perfect, just… Haruto."
And sometimes, being close was enough.