Chapter 1 - The Meeting
Kaito rushed out of the office, his bag hanging from one shoulder and his phone pressed against his ear.
His mother had called him six times already.
“Mom, I’m on my way.”
“You’re late, Kaito! The girl has been waiting at the café for you.”
“I know. I’m coming.”
“Please, just talk to her properly. You don’t have to decide anything today. But at least give her a chance.”
Kaito sighed.
“I know, Mom.”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Then his mother spoke more softly.
“I’m only asking because I want to see you settled before…”
She didn't finish the sentence.
Kaito understood.
His mother had been unwell for some time. His father was no longer around. She was the only family he had left.
And that was the reason he had agreed to this meeting.
Not because he wanted to get married.
But because his mother wanted him to.
“I’ll be there soon,” he said before ending the call.
---
Nearly forty minutes later, Kaito finally reached the café.
He pushed open the glass door and looked around.
A girl was sitting alone at a table near the window.
She looked up when he approached.
“Yui?”
She smiled.
“And you must be Kaito.”
“Yes. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay. I haven't been waiting that long.”
Kaito sat across from her.
For the next few minutes, they talked about ordinary things.
Work.
Family.
Hobbies.
Their likes and dislikes.
Yui was easy to talk to, and Kaito found himself relaxing a little.
But there was something he needed to say.
So finally, he took a breath.
“Yui… there’s something I should tell you before we talk about marriage.”
She put down her cup.
“Okay.”
“My mother really wants me to get married. She hasn't been keeping well, and… I agreed to meet you because I didn't want to upset her.”
Yui listened quietly.
“But honestly,” Kaito continued, “I don't want to get married.”
Yui tilted her head slightly.
“Can I ask why?”
Kaito looked toward the window.
After a moment, he said,
“Because I love someone.”
Yui blinked.
“Then tell your mother.”
Kaito gave a small, almost helpless smile.
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because I've never told that person either.”
Yui stared at him.
“You mean… she don't even know that you like her?”
Kaito shook his head.
“No.”
“How long have you loved her?”
Kaito didn't answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on the rain-streaked window.
“A long time.”
Yui leaned forward slightly.
“Then tell me the story.”
Kaito looked at her.
“My story?”
“Yes.”
He smiled faintly.
“It's not a very interesting story.”
Yui smiled back.
“Sometimes the simplest stories are the most beautiful ones.”
Kaito was quiet for a moment.
Then he leaned back in his chair.
“Alright.”
He took a slow breath.
“If you have time…”
His eyes softened.
“I'll tell you.”
---
Thirteen Years Earlier
A fourteen-year-old boy ran out of his house, his schoolbag bouncing against his back.
“Mom! I'm leaving!”
“Wait! Your breakfast—”
“I'll eat later!”
He didn't stop.
He ran down the street as fast as he could.
His name was Kaito.
And he was already late for school.
When he turned the corner, he saw a bus waiting at the stop.
“Wait!”
He sprinted toward it.
The doors were just about to close when he jumped inside.
Breathing heavily, Kaito looked around for an empty seat.
And then—
He saw him.
A boy was sitting by the window.
He looked about the same age as Kaito.
He wore a different school's uniform.
His bag rested beside him, one hand casually placed near the window as he looked outside.
The morning sunlight fell softly across his face.
Kaito stopped.
For some reason, he couldn't look away.
The boy didn't notice him.
He simply continued watching the world pass by outside.
The bus started moving.
Kaito finally found a seat a few rows away.
But every few seconds, his eyes wandered back toward the window.
He didn't know his name.
He didn't know which school he went to.
He didn't even know if he would ever see him again.
But somehow…
Kaito felt that this wasn't going to be the last time.
And he was right.
