Chapter 5: Unsent Messages
The next few days passed in fragments.
Classes resumed. Exams loomed. Sogen's halls bustled with their usual life—but for Kyoshi, something felt off. Subtle, like a hairline crack in glass you can't see until the light hits it just right.
Hikari still smiled when she saw him. Still sat beside him during lunch when she could. Still laughed at his quiet jokes.
But something behind her eyes had changed.
A half-second delay in her smile. A hesitation before responding. An unsent message always sitting at the bottom of their chat window.
He noticed everything.
And it was driving him insane.
It was Thursday afternoon when he finally gave in to the feeling.
Hikari had been absent from their usual table in the cafeteria. No message. No explanation. Kyoshi sat alone again—tray untouched, sketchpad closed.
He pulled out his phone, staring at her last message.
Thanks again for Kyoto. I had a really good time.— Hikari (3 days ago)
No heart emoji this time. No teasing follow-up. Just flat gratitude.
He typed out something.You okay? Haven't seen you today.
Paused.
Deleted it.
Typed again.Is it something I said?
Deleted again.
In the end, he just stared at the screen and turned it off.
That evening, he found himself walking the campus alone.
The sky was dark, clouds moving in low and heavy. Wind curled through the trees with a whispering sound, and the lamps along the path flickered, casting long, ghostlike shadows.
He ended up near the art studio, the place he always went when he needed to disappear. Inside, the familiar scent of paint and old books welcomed him.
He sat at his usual desk, sketchpad open, pencil in hand—but his fingers didn't move.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
On her.
On her voice saying, "Do you think we're getting too close?"
On that phone buzz… and the way her smile had faded.
Who was it that messaged her?
Why did she leave so quickly?
Was it someone else?
A soft knock interrupted him.
He turned.
And froze.
Hikari stood at the doorway, hands in the sleeves of her cardigan, eyes wide beneath the dim light.
"I figured you might be here," she said gently.
Kyoshi swallowed. "You've been distant."
She nodded, stepping inside. "I know."
He stood, uncertain. "If this is about Kyoto—about us—I just want to know. Don't leave me guessing."
Her eyes shimmered. She stepped closer.
"I'm scared," she said. "Because I think… I like you more than I meant to."
Kyoshi blinked.
"I told myself it was just a friendship," Hikari continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "But when I'm with you, I feel like I don't have to be perfect. I feel... free. And I don't know what that means yet."
He took a step forward. "Then let's figure it out together."
She looked up at him.
Then nodded—slowly, shakily. "Okay."
But just as Kyoshi allowed himself to breathe, her phone buzzed again.
This time, she didn't check it.
Instead, she whispered, "There's something I need to tell you. About someone I used to be close to. Before you."
The warmth in the room faded a notch.
Kyoshi's jaw tightened slightly. "Who?"
Hikari's eyes dropped to the floor. "His name is Ren. And… he's back."