Chapter One: みゆき
Every peaceful morning carries the quiet illusion of permanence. Behind familiar smiles, warm tea, and the gentle comfort of a decade shared together, an unsettling shadow lingers. Is a bad dream merely a fleeting nightmare, or the first crack in a world waiting to shatter? When tomorrow feels uncertain, even the sweetest reality can begin to feel fragile.
The sky above the school is totally grey, it possessed the heavy, suffocating color of oxidized lead, pressing down upon the earth like a corroded ceiling that could collapse any time.
High above the concrete sprawl, on the perimeter edge of the rooftop, a girl stood there motionlessly. The biting wind dragged her black hair across her cheeks, but she did not flinch even the slightest. Her eyes were devoid of light... two hollow green spheres staring down at the empty courtyard below, reflecting nothing to her worldview, only its crushing geometry. Her lips, dry and cracked like parched soil, moved in a silent, rhythmic cadence. A single word escaped them, repeated over and over in a fragile, broken whisper that dissolved against the howling air.
" I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
It was the phrase of a broken mechanism, a needle caught forever in the groove of a shattered record.
"Stop it, Miyuki!"
The voice sliced through the gloom like a blade.
Miyuki turned her head slowly, her neck moving with a sickening rigidity. Standing near the metal access door was a girl framed by a cascade of vibrant, golden hair that seemed entirely alien beneath the overcast sky. Her same color of gold of the piercing eyes burned with cold anger and exasperation.
"Rin..." Miyuki’s dry lips parted, the name slipping out as a lifeless rasp.
"Are you completely out of your mind?" Rin stepped forward, her voice sharp with disdain. "Is this how you plan to fix everything? By jumping off this roof? Huh?" This Rin girl pulls the Miyuki's uniform collar.
" Do you honestly think throwing your life away will grant you salvation? All it’s going to do is make Takumi suffer even more than you already made him, Asahina Miyuki!"
The name Takumi seemed to strike Miyuki like a devastating physical blow. Her knees trembled, and before she could process the accusation, the world around her buckled.
The gray rooftop dissolved into a claustrophobic hallway. Miyuki found herself walking through the school corridors, but the air felt suffocatingly thick that it feels almost liquid. Around her, students stood in clusters. Their faces were obscured by shadows, yet their eyes on her glaring with malice, disgust, and kind dirty looks as they're watching a walking trash. Whispers echoed off the lockers, distorted and overlapping.
" Look at her...
" How could she do that...?"
" Terrible person..."
" Shameless..."
She tried to cover her ears, but the scene shifted instantly. Now she was stumbling down a narrow suburban road in her neighborhood. Behind drawn curtains and over manicured garden hedges, housewives and neighbors leaned together, their lips moving in vicious sync. Venomous badmouthing hissed through the quiet afternoon.
" Poor Tendou-kun, tied to a girl like that... she ruined him..."
" Hey. I heard that boy even tried to jump off the building because she slandered him!"
Hearing that, Miyuki's eyes wide opened. She gripped her chest and sprinted, but her legs carried her into absolute darkness.
She was suddenly sitting alone on the floor of a cold, gloomy room. The only illumination came from the sickly, flickering light of a television set sitting on a low table in front of her. The screen displayed a brightly lit press conference. A high school student, sharply dressed in a suit, stood at a podium holding a sleek glass trophy before a barrage of flashing camera bulbs.
The chyron at the bottom of the screen read in bold, crimson lettering:
A High School Student: The Youngest Person to Receive Award for Best Author.
The camera zoomed in on the young man’s face as he raised the award. It was a face Miyuki knew better than her own. Below him, the digital graphic displayed his full name:
Tendou Takumi
In that moment, a violent surge of disjointed memories ripped through Miyuki's mind flashes of a chaotic room, tearful screams, and her own voice screeching horrible, unpardonable accusations, branding Takumi as a monster, an abuser, ruining his reputation before the entire world.
The television screen went black, and Takumi was suddenly standing right in front of her in the pitch-black room. He was not looking at her with his warmth that Miyuki growing up looking at. His expression was a definition of absolute detachment.
"Takumi-kun... please..." Miyuki sobbed, reaching out a trembling hand. "I'm the wrong here... please forgive me..."
Takumi did not react. He looked down at her with eyes colder than ice, his voice flat and void of any affection. "It's too late, Miyuki. I don't need your apology."
He turned his back on her and stepped into the abyss.
" Wait!"
Miyuki gasped violently, her body bolting upright as her lungs grasp for air desperately, as if she was submerged in the water for so long.
Her heart battered against her ribs like a trapped bird. Cold sweat clung to her skin, making her pajama shirt stick uncomfortably to her skin. She looked around frantically.
Soft, early morning sunlight filtered through her white lace curtains, painting pale golden lines across her tidy bedroom.
She sank her hands into her disheveled hair, clutching her head as her chest heaved.
"A dream..." She muttered, her breath rattling in her throat. "It was... just a dream."
"Miyuki!"
Her mother's warm voice echoed up from the bottom of the stairs. "Breakfast is ready! Hurry up or you'll be late for school!"
Miyuki sat frozen on her bed for a few seconds, letting the familiar domestic sound wash over her, slowly drowning out the lingering echoes of Rin’s scolding and Takumi’s icy rejection. She drew a long, shaky breath and forced her blanket aside. "Coming!" she called back, though her voice lacked conviction.
Half an hour later, Miyuki stepped out of her front door, crisp in her navy blue and white school uniform. The morning air was cool and refreshed by the previous night's dew, a stark contrast to the oppressive gloom that had suffocated her sleep. She adjusted her backpack strap, walking down the familiar residential sidewalk.
A few dozen meters ahead, leaning against a utility pole while looking through a small notebook, was a familiar male student.
Tendou Takumi.
He was her classmate, her boyfriend, and her childhood friend for ten long years. He wore his uniform neatly, his soft tangerine orange hair catches the morning sun, giving him an approachable, gentle aura.
Hearing her footsteps, Takumi closed his notebook and looked up. A warm, bright smile immediately broke across his face. He stepped forward to meet her.
"Good morning, Miyuki-chan." He spoke up gently. His smile faltered slightly into a sheepish, apologetic expression. "Ah, I really want to apologize about yesterday."
He put his palm together. " I promised we'd walk home together after school, but I got completely caught up with the club work and forgot the time. I'm really sorry."
Miyuki looked into his eyes, the eyes that were filled with genuine remorse and warmth, so utterly different from the cold stare in her nightmare. A soft, reassuring smile naturally formed on her lips.
"It's alright, Takumi-kun." She said, her tone gentle. " No need to apology. I know how hard you're working for your dream. You're trying to get your novel published, right?" She chuckles softly.
Takumi rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling softly. "Thanks for understanding, Miyuki-chan! It's just... the draft is finally coming together, and I lose track of everything once my fingers is on the keyboard."
Miyuki trying her best to not laugh.
" We're almost late for school." she said, falling into step beside him.
As they began walking down the tree-lined path toward the school, the sunlight shifted through the leaves above. For a fraction of a second, as a shadow fell across Takumi's face, a sudden, blinding image flashed before Miyuki’s eyes... the glowing television screen, the glass trophy, and the bold headline declaring him the youngest author to win the national award.
Miyuki stumbled mid-step, her eyes widening in confusion. The vision lasted less than a second, dissolving as quickly as it had come, leaving her staring blankly at the pavement ahead.
" Wha...What was that?" She thought while she rubs her eyes, her heart skipping a beat.
"Miyuki-chan?"
Takumi’s voice snaps her back to reality. He had stopped a step ahead of her and was looking back over his shoulder, his brow furrowed with mild concern. He tilted his head. "Are you alright? You stopped all of a sudden."
Miyuki quickly blinked away her disorientation and offered him a light, dismissive smile. "Ah, no! I'm fine... I guess."
" I... " She holds her forehead." I was just a little sleepy this morning."
Takumi examined her face for a moment longer before sighing with a soft, affectionate smile. " You may one of school's honor student, but you should know enough sleep is important for your brain."
He made a simple hand gesture to follow him. "Come on, we don't want to get caught in the morning gate rush."
"Right!" she nodded, rushing to catch up to his side.
The morning classes passed in a blur of chalk dust, rustling paper, and forgetable monotonic lectures. By the time the noon bell chimed, signalling for time to lunch break, Miyuki’s mind had mostly cleared of the unsettling morning residual thoughts.
She and Takumi walked down to the bustling cafeteria together. The hall was alive with the clatter of trays, loud laughter, and the ambient roar of hundreds of teenagers. They managed to secure a small table for two near the window, sitting opposite each other as they unpacked their lunch boxes.
As Takumi talked animatedly about a plot hole he had to managed yesterday, Miyuki took a bite of her rice ball. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a group of nearby students pointing toward their table, whispering with playful, knowing grins.
"Look at them... still eating together every single day..."
"Well, they've been together for long, right? Total power couple..."
Miyuki felt a faint warm touch her cheeks. It was the typical, harmless reaction of high school students spotting a couple in public, but the quiet acknowledgment of their bond filled her with a subtle warmth. Takumi, entirely engrossed in explaining his narrative structure, seemed completely oblivious to the attention, gesturing enthusiastically with his chopsticks. She listened to him with a gentle smile, feeling a deep sense of security in his presence...
Although that she struggles to be interested in the topic.
When the final bell of the day echoed through the school building, signaling the end of classes, Takumi immediately headed to his extracurricular duties. Miyuki took her time packing her bag before making her way down the third-floor corridor toward the designated room.
She stood before a wooden door with a small, brass plate that read *Literature Club*.
She slid the door open quietly. The room smelled of old paper, wooden floorboards, and the faint scent of warm electronics. Takumi was sitting at a desk near the back, his fingers flying across a computer keyboard with rhythmic, disciplined speed. His eyes were fixed intently on the glowing monitor, completely consumed by the manuscript taking shape before him.
Miyuki smiled softly, preparing to step inside, but her eyes inadvertently drifted toward the shadowed corner of the room.
Sitting at a small side table, flipping through a thick paperback, was a girl with short, neatly trimmed brown hair.
Tachibana Mio.
Mio was the president of the club, though she rarely engaged in loud conversations. The moment Miyuki stepped through the doorway, Mio slowly raised her head. Her gaze did not land on Takumi, but locked directly onto Miyuki.
It was an unreadable, strangely sharp look, not by any form showing hostility, but heavy with an underlying judgment that made Miyuki feels uneasy. For several long seconds, Mio simply stared at her, her dark eyes devoid of the usual high school warmth, as if evaluating something Miyuki couldn't comprehend.
Miyuki felt an icy discomfort creep up her spine. She unconsciously took a half-step back, her fingers tightening around her bag strap.
Mio broke the eye contact as suddenly as she had made it, quietly returning her attention to her book without saying a word.
Miyuki exhaled softly, swallowing the strange lump in her throat.
" I'm just being overly sensitive today because of that terrible nightmare." She thought as she reassured herself, dismissing the chill in her chest. She forced a bright smile onto her face and walked over to Takumi’s desk, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. " Working hard today, Mr. Author?"
Takumi paused his typing, looking up with a sheepish grin. "Ah, Miyuki-chan!" He chuckles. " Just finishing up this last paragraph. Give me two minutes!"
Once Takumi saved his document and turn off the computer, the two walked out of the school building together. The evening sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky in vibrant shades of amber, violet, and deep crimson.
As they passed through the tall iron gates of the school, Miyuki's eyes glance on something far side of the street. Standing near the stone wall was a male student wearing their school's uniform, though his blazer was unbuttoned carelessly. He had striking, messy blonde hair and stood with an arrogant, posture, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. He was looking away, but his presence radiated a sharp, distinct defiance that set him apart from the crowd.
Miyuki blinked, wondering if she had seen him around before, but Takumi gently tugged her sleeve. "Miyuki-chan? The light's green."
"Ah, right!" she said, turning away from the blonde boy as they crossed the street.
Their destination was a cozy, brick-fronted establishment located just two blocks off the main commercial avenue. A hanging wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, bearing the name carved in warm typography:
*Hanamichi Cafe*
The moment they pushed the door open, the brass chime above rang musically, ushering them into an atmosphere filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and baked butter pastry.
"Welcome!"
A smooth, mature voice called out from behind the counter.
Stepping out from the kitchen area was a tall, elegant adult lady with long orange hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She wore a clean dark apron over a stylish blouse. Her features carried a striking resemblance to Takumi, particularly around the gentle shape of her eyes.
"Oh my¬" The lady smiled warmly, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned against the counter. "Look who decided to walk into my humble cafe today. What will our favorite sweet couple be having this fine afternoon?"
Miyuki’s cheeks flared a bright, brilliant pink. "A-Aoi-san!" she stammered, bowing her head slightly in embarrassment.
Takumi’s face flushed a matching shade of red as he let out a dramatic, long-suffering groan. "Mom, please... how many times do I have to ask you to stop joking around like that in front of customers?"
Tendou Aoi, Takumi’s mother and the owner of Hanamichi Cafe, let out a delightful, melodic laugh. "What? Come on, you two are always so solemn when you walk in together. A little teasing keeps you young!" She winked at Miyuki. "Go on, take your usual seat. I'll bring over some fresh tea and pastries."
"Thank you, Aoi-san," Miyuki murmured softly, still feeling the heat in her face as she followed Takumi to a secluded booth in the corner.
The cafe was quiet and comfortable. Sunbeams filtered through the lace window curtains, illuminating the gentle dust motes dancing in the warm air. Takumi slumped into the bench seat with a defeated sigh, though a small, fond smile remained on his face as he watched his mother bustling behind the espresso machine.
A few minutes later, Aoi brought a tray over to their table, placing a steaming pot of black tea, two cups, and a plate featuring a single, perfectly golden-brown croissant in the center.
"On the house for my hardest working student and lovely little girl." Aoi said with a cheerful wink before heading back to serve a customer at the counter.
Takumi shook his head with a light chuckle, picking up his tea cup to take a sip. "She really never changes."
Miyuki didn't answer immediately. Her eyes drifted down to the single croissant resting on the porcelain plate between them. The golden, flaky crust glinted under the afternoon light.
As she stared at the pastry, her mind naturally drifted backward, tracing the long, unbroken thread of their shared past.
Ten years. A decade of her life had been spent alongside Tendou Takumi.
She remembered him as a little boy who would scrape his knees trying to rescue stray kittens from trees, a boy who could never turn a blind eye to anyone in need. He was relentlessly optimistic, possesses a heart so fundamentally kind and bright that it felt almost selfless to a fault. Whenever she had been sad, insecure, or overwhelmed, Takumi had always been there. A steady, unyielding anchor in her life. He cared for her with a quiet, unconditional devotion that had never faltered, not even once.
He was the ideal companion, a person of absolute integrity and boundless warmth.
Miyuki slowly lifted her gaze from the plate, looking at Takumi as he stared out the window, quietly lost in his own thoughts, likely tweaking sentences of his novel in his head.
A soft, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her lips.
Deep down, embedded within a hidden, quiet corner of her heart that she rarely dared to acknowledge, a tiny longing stirred. She loved his kindness, his dedication, and his selfless nature. But sometimes... just sometimes... she wished he would look at her not as a constant variable in his life, but with a sudden, overwhelming passion.
She wished, deep down, that Takumi could be just a little bit more romantic.
I would like to apologise that I am not proficient in Japanese and have my work written in English. If you find this interesting and want to translate it to Japanese, I would gladly give you my approval. Any support will be appreciated!
日本語が堪能ではなく、英語で執筆していることをお詫び申し上げます。もしこの内容にご興味をお持ちいただき、日本語に翻訳したいと思っていただけるようでしたら、喜んで許可いたします。どのような形でのご支援も大変ありがたく存じます。(Google Translate)
