Saki could no longer hide her excitement.
She had to go out into the garden.
As she walked through the silent corridors, the echo of her footsteps raced against the rapid beating of her heart.
With every corner she turned, her breathing quickened, as if another surprise awaited her.
When she pushed the door open and stepped outside, her breath caught.
The garden… had transformed into something like a festival ground.
New Year Party.
Colorful lights filtered through the branches, and soft-tempo music filled the air.
The scent of youth and happiness brushed against her face with the breeze.
Saki couldn't take her eyes off it.
Along the path surrounding the garden, club booths were lined up.
Glowing signs shimmered above them: Music, Drama, Travel, Photography…
It felt as though all the colors of the school had come alive on this night.
Her curiosity pushed her to quicken her steps.
At the edge of the stage, she spotted two familiar silhouettes.
Hiroki.
And… Miyuki.
Saki's heart began to race again.
The pieces were slowly falling into place.
Hiroki was going to perform on stage.
But what about Miyuki?
What was she doing here?
At that moment, Hiroki lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
His gaze seemed to read everything running through Saki's mind.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and that familiar smile curved at the corner of his lips.
As if to say, "Everything I'm about to do… is for you."
Saki's breath hitched.
That "special song" proposal still echoed in her thoughts.
With Hiroki's gaze, her curiosity only deepened.
As Saki and Hiroki exchanged sweet glances…
Suddenly, another male student approached Saki's side.
"Hey… you must be the new student, right?"
His voice was slightly timid, yet friendly.
Saki turned toward the voice that broke the connection between her and Hiroki.
Her brows furrowed instinctively.
Noticing her reaction, the boy scratched the back of his head.
"Uh—s-sorry… calm down. I just wanted to say hi."
"My name is Yusuke Kato," he said with a shy smile.
He chuckled softly.
"You might seem a little reserved, but don't worry… I won't hurt you."
Saki's expression softened.
"I guess… that's fine."
She smiled faintly.
"My name is Saki Aoki. Nice to meet you."
Yusuke returned her smile warmly.
"I like your name. It feels familiar somehow."
Saki realized Yusuke was trying to start a conversation.
She decided to go with the flow.
But there was a faint uneasiness inside her.
A small sense of guilt toward Hiroki…
Her heart was beating fast, and a mixture of curiosity and hesitation settled on her face.
The colorful lights in the garden and the distant music only made the subtle tension between this new trio more apparent.
"If you'd like, we can sit somewhere," Yusuke said.
"I wouldn't want you to get tired standing."
Saki thought to herself: As if I'd know what to do if I stayed standing anyway…
"Yes," she said with a slight smile.
"Sitting somewhere sounds good."
Yusuke guided her to a suitable table in the garden.
They sat down together.
The liveliness in the garden continued to grow.
The main performance was about to begin.
Students were laughing, enjoying the night to its fullest.
Yusuke picked up one of the two drinks on the table and handed it to Saki.
"Care to join me?"
Saki looked at it in surprise.
"Oh… there were two drinks here?"
Yusuke laughed lightly.
"They were probably left here for the event."
These small gestures began to warm Saki's heart.
She took the drink and sipped it.
Her eyes drifted to the stage without her realizing it.
Hiroki was checking the strings of his guitar.
While talking with Yusuke, she kept glancing at Hiroki.
She didn't even notice the hint of jealousy on her own face.
She took another sip, then set the glass down and turned fully toward the stage.
Yusuke rested his arm on the table and leaned in slightly.
His gaze was gentle.
Saki's heart sped up.
Her cheeks flushed.
"Let's get to know you a little," Yusuke said.
"Why did you transfer to this school?"
Saki lowered her eyes.
Her emotions were tangled.
"I-I… left my previous school because…"
She swallowed, then pulled herself together.
"Back there… I was dating the school's popular guy."
Yusuke's expression changed.
He could already guess what came next.
"I found out he cheated on me," Saki said.
"After that, everyone started hating me."
She bowed her head.
Placed her hands on her knees.
Her eyes welled up slightly.
Yusuke felt sorry for her.
But he didn't want to miss this moment either.
"What they did to someone like you is terrible," he said.
Saki lifted her head.
A faint smile appeared.
"Then… I wanted a fresh start," she said.
"That's why I'm here."
Yusuke smiled.
"You'll meet better people here."
"Don't worry," he added.
"You're safe here."
He paused.
Gathered his courage.
"If you want… I could heal your heart."
Saki stared at him in shock.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Yusuke took a breath.
He spoke with eager intensity.
"If you allow me… forever—"
Just then, a voice rose from the stage.
Principal Takashi was speaking.
Everyone in the garden turned toward him.
Yusuke's words were cut short.
He looked at the stage with disappointment.
Saki also turned her head toward the stage,
still not fully understanding what he was about to say.