Saki melted under Hiroki's gaze.
For that one moment… time itself seemed to stop.
Every sound, every whisper — even the rhythm of her own heartbeat — disappeared into silence.
There was only him. Only Hiroki's eyes.
It felt as if the entire world had faded away.
The sunlight that poured through the window, the soft hum of the class — everything vanished.
All that remained was that gaze — warm, calm, and endlessly deep.
It was like seeing a version of Hiroki she had never known before.
And maybe… seeing a version of herself she had never allowed to exist.
Her lips trembled.
Even breathing felt impossible.
She swallowed hard, her voice coming out like a fragile whisper.
"T-thank you…"
Hiroki looked at her — silent, yet so full of emotion.
Then the corner of his lips curved upward, a gentle smile forming.
"There's no need to thank me," he said softly.
"I just said what I truly felt."
That voice… so sincere, so real.
It wrapped around Saki's heart like a quiet warmth.
Her chest tightened, her heartbeat quickened.
That moment — so simple, yet so painfully beautiful — felt like it could last forever.
All the misunderstandings, the tears, the small hurts between them…
it was as if they had been washed away in an instant.
Still, she couldn't find the words.
Her eyes stayed locked on his, searching for meaning, for something to hold on to.
"Hey, Saki," Hiroki said, his tone calm but filled with something new —
something hopeful.
"If you want… we could finish the date we left incomplete."
Her heart skipped.
Her entire body froze for half a second.
The words sank into her, soft but powerful.
She took a shaky breath, her voice trembling.
"W-why…?"
Hiroki's smile softened further. His gaze didn't waver.
"If you need a reason…" he whispered,
"Isn't love enough?"
Her world stopped once again.
That word — love — hung in the air like magic.
Her chest filled with both pain and light.
It was too much to contain, too warm to resist.
She wanted to say something, anything.
But her voice was gone — stolen by the storm inside her.
Only one thought echoed through her heart:
I can't let this chance slip away.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
Her eyes shimmered with a fragile, trembling light.
"Sure… I'd love to," she whispered, her lips curving in a faint smile.
Hiroki's face softened even more, his eyes kind.
"Alright," he said gently. "Then let's wait for school to end."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
"Yeah…" she murmured, lowering her head to hide her smile.
The weight she'd carried for so long… suddenly felt lighter.
When Hiroki returned to his seat, she could still feel his presence beside her.
For the first time in what felt like forever… she felt alive.
Is this really happening…? she asked herself again and again.
But no matter how many times she checked, it wasn't a dream.
It was real.
Her breathing slowed, her racing heart gradually calmed.
She rested her head on her desk, letting her eyes flutter closed.
In her mind, she could already see it —
the sea, the soft waves brushing the sand,
the wind gently tangling her hair as Hiroki laughed beside her.
His hand reaching out to hers…
that same smile that made everything else disappear.
Her lips curved faintly as she drifted into sleep.
Peaceful, warm, dreaming.
But peace rarely lasted long.
Something nudged her shoulder — once, then twice.
She groaned softly.
"Did I fall asleep again…?"
She didn't open her eyes.
A low, almost whispering voice reached her ears.
She smiled faintly to herself.
It's probably Hiroki again, she thought.
If I stay still, maybe he'll think I look cute like this.
The nudging didn't stop.
Annoyed, she finally opened her eyes —
And froze.
It wasn't Hiroki.
It was Yusuke.
And a few steps away stood Hana, watching quietly, her expression unreadable.
Saki's breath caught.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Yusuke's face was serious — too serious.
"I'm sorry for what I did before, Saki," he said suddenly.
"If you'll let me, I'd like to make it up to you. I'll help with your project… and I have something special for you."
Whatever warmth she had felt minutes ago vanished.
Compared to Hiroki's simple sincerity, Yusuke's words felt hollow — forced.
Her heart, which had been fluttering, now felt cold and tired.
With a quiet, steady tone, she said,
"Sorry… I already have plans today."
Yusuke's eyes darkened.
His brows furrowed.
"But didn't you promise to work with me, Saki?"
Her gaze dropped. A wave of guilt passed through her chest.
But she refused to let it take over.
"I'm sorry," she repeated softly.
Yusuke inhaled sharply, forcing a faint smile.
"Alright then," he said quietly.
"I'll wait for you after class anyway."
Saki didn't reply.
But deep down, a chill crawled up her spine.
There was something else behind Yusuke's tone — something uneasy.
She looked around the classroom, but Hiroki was nowhere to be seen.
Her chest tightened again.
Too many things had changed too quickly.
And once again… she didn't know whom to trust.
I'll never fall asleep at school again, she thought, clenching her fists.
Then the bell rang.
The classroom door opened.
Hiroki and Miyuki walked in, chatting softly.
Relief washed over her.
At least Hiroki hadn't seen that scene.
But now, her heart stood between two paths.
Should she go on that date with Hiroki…
or stay behind and face Yusuke's persistence?
One path led to her heart.
The other… to her logic.
Her eyes moved toward the blackboard, but the letters blurred.
All she could hear was Hiroki's voice echoing in her head:
"Isn't love enough?"
Her fingers tightened against her desk.
Her heart still burned with that warmth — fragile, yet powerful.
Maybe fate was giving her one more chance.
Or maybe… the real story was only beginning.
Saki took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment press against her chest.
Her heart whispered softly:
This time… will I be the one to choose my fate?