"From here everything looks calm, like nothing ever happened," Kenji sighed while looking at the small town from the top of the hill.
He watched each snowflake falling and blending into the warm lights of the little houses in the valley.
"I think this time I went too far with my pride," he reflected. "I think after tonight she will never forgive me..."
As he opened the beer can, he felt a tear slide down. He was alone and felt guilty about everything. Yes, he had lied, but he had also hidden his true feelings because he thought it was the right thing to do.
Morning came quietly and cold. The smell of coffee filled the corridors of the cabin, and birds began leaving their nests. Sayuri woke up still sore from the fall, but the fever had already gone down.
She looked to the side and there he was, sleeping on the chair next to the bed. Jun looked so peaceful in that moment. She moved closer and touched his hair, gently stroking it.
"You're awake already? How do you feel?" he asked, sounding worried.
"I'm fine... I feel okay..."
"Are you sure? We should check your temperature," he said, standing up.
She grabbed him and hugged him.
"Sorry, Jun..."
"Hey, you don't have to apologize, love... it's not your fault."
Sayuri looked into his eyes.
"Sorry for not listening to you, for doubting you, for not giving you a chance..."
He interrupted her.
"Please, don't apologize. The mistake was mine and Kenji's..."
Jun lowered his head, looking like he was about to give up.
"Maybe we should stay away from each other..."
Sayuri got up, irritated.
"How can you say that? After everything? Like it's easy? Like what we have means nothing..."
Tears began falling before she even finished speaking.
Jun closed his eyes, as if hating himself for saying that. Then he pulled her closer.
"Sorry... I will never say that again, I promise. Now calm down, okay?"
"Okay..." she replied, still crying.
"How could I stay away... when you're the most important thing in my life?"
He looked into her eyes.
"You are the air I breathe... and without air I wouldn't survive."
Sayuri's stomach growled softly, completely breaking the moment. She immediately covered her face.
"Just pretend you didn't hear that."
"Haha, I think someone is hungry. Come on, let's get something to eat."
He took her hand and guided her to the kitchen. On the way, they ran into Yume. She looked exhausted.
"Good morning, Yume."
She looked at Sayuri and suddenly started crying, hugging her.
"Frieeend... are you okay? I was so worried..."
Sayuri felt awkward but hugged her back, while Jun tried not to laugh and gently comforted her.
"It's okay now, shorty. The worst is over. Now let's eat?"
Yume looked at him, wiping her tears.
"Is there cake...? I like cake when I'm nervous..."
When they heard that, they couldn't hold it in anymore and started laughing.
"Let's go," Jun said, leading them.
Seeing the cake, Yume's expression instantly changed.
"Wow... how can cake make someone this happy?" Jun teased.
"Shhh," Sayuri said. "Come on, let's eat."
"But shouldn't we wake Kenji?" Jun asked.
Yume, already chewing, replied.
"He's not back yet."
"He left?"
"He went out last night after everything that happened. Said he needed to be alone."
Sayuri looked worried. Even after everything, she still cared about him.
"Should we call him to check if he's okay?"
Jun took his phone and tried calling, but it was off.
"He's fine," Yume said. "He'll show up soon like nothing happened."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Say. Don't worry, I know him very well."
"Excuse me," one of the maids said. "Miss Yume, there's a phone call for you."
"For me? Nobody has this number..."
She stood up and answered.
"Hello?"
"Yume..."
"Kenji? Where are you? Are you okay?"
"Haha, calm down, Yume... so many questions."
His voice sounded hoarse and tired.
"I'm fine. I just called to say I'll be late. Can you handle the dinner and New Year's preparations for me?"
"Late? Where are you?"
"Yume..." he sighed. "Please do it for me? The drinks and decorations will arrive soon."
Silence.
"Okay... I'll handle it. But Kenji... are you really okay?"
A pause.
"I'm fine. I met some friends nearby."
Yume didn't fully believe him, but didn't push further.
"Okay... but don't be late."
"I'll see you tonight."
The call ended.
On the other side, there were no friends. Only Kenji, alone in his car, overwhelmed by guilt, trying to gather courage to return.
Time passed quickly. Yume ran around organizing the New Year's party, while Sayuri, even with her injured leg, insisted on helping.
"Love... I told you to sit still, I would handle it," Jun complained, taking the balloons from her hands.
"Hmm... but I want to help."
"Helping means staying still and recovering."
"You sound like a seventy-year-old man."
Jun let out a small laugh and carried the balloons away.
A few minutes later, he looked at the chair where Sayuri had been sitting.
Empty.
"Oh no..."
He walked to the kitchen and found her helping the maids set the table. Jun closed his eyes.
"She's so stubborn..."
His phone vibrated.
"Kenji: Some friends will arrive at 8 PM. Please receive them. Thank you."
Yume looked at the clock and widened her eyes.
"Five in the afternoon?! Are you crazy? When he comes back, I'll kill him..."
She ran into the room.
"Sayuri! Jun! Kenji's guests arrive in three hours!"
"What?! I haven't even showered!" Sayuri panicked.
"I'll help you upstairs," Jun said, holding her hand.
He guided her slowly because of her leg.
At the bathroom door, he leaned on the wall and smiled.
"Need help showering?"
Sayuri turned bright red.
"Jun!!"
He laughed.
"Just trying to help, love."
"Get out!"
She pushed him out and closed the door, hearing his laughter outside.
Everything was ready for the party. The screen was connected for the band's official launch. Decorations sparkled in gold and silver.
But Kenji still hadn't arrived.
Yume kept calling. No answer.
Almost midnight, the door finally opened.
"I'M BACK!!"
Kenji entered smiling, wearing a perfect black suit and holding an expensive champagne bottle.
"Missed me?"
Cheers filled the room.
He greeted everyone, then saw Yume.
"You are unbelievable, you know that?"
"I know," he laughed.
"Only not hitting you because I don't want to ruin the party."
"I knew you missed me."
He hugged her quickly before she could complain more. Jun approached.
"Are you okay?"
Kenji looked surprised.
"Yeah..."
He avoided eye contact.
"About yesterday's punch..."
"Jun," Kenji interrupted. "Let's leave it in the past."
A pause.
"Tonight is the beginning of our future, brother."
Jun nodded and shook his hand.
Yume shouted.
"It's starting!"
They walked to the computer. The countdown began.
"Five..."
"Four..."
"Three..."
"Two..."
"One!"
They clicked publish together. The band's first song went live.
The room exploded in celebration.
"To our future," Kenji said, raising his glass.
"To the future," Jun replied.
His eyes found Sayuri in the crowd.
She was smiling softly at the screen.
Jun's song for her had been chosen as the band's first official release.
Sayuri placed a hand on her chest and whispered.
"I love you..."
Jun walked toward her through the lights, held her waist, and kissed her without hesitation. Fireworks exploded outside the cabin.
"Happy New Year, my love," he whispered against her lips.
"Happy New Year, Jun..."