The next morning,
I woke up tired and groggy. After dragging myself out of bed, I got ready for school. When I stepped outside, only Aika was waiting for me.
"Where's Kiyomi?" I asked.
"She called me earlier," Aika said, her voice soft. "She said she won't be coming to school today."
I frowned. "Did something happen yesterday? During our date?"
"That's what I wanted to ask you," Aika replied. "She seemed… down when I talked to her last night. I thought maybe something had happened."
I shook my head. "No, the date went well. She was smiling the whole time—she looked really happy." I paused. "Why are you asking?"
"It's just… she didn't sound okay when I spoke to her," Aika murmured. "It was strange."
"Nothing really happened," I said, recalling the end of our date. "Just that call she got near the end. It seemed to bother her."
"Call? What call?"
"It was from her neighbor, I think. She didn't say much else. That's all I know."
I felt uneasy. I had tried calling Kiyomi right after we parted ways yesterday. No response. I called again. And again. Countless times, but it was always the same. Even Aika tried. Still nothing.
"Let's try again later," I said, trying to hide my worry. "We don't know where she lives, so… calling or waiting is all we can do."
We went to school, but I couldn't focus. My thoughts were consumed by Kiyomi. Was she okay? Did she need help?
After dropping Aika off at her place that evening, I returned home and tried calling Kiyomi again. The same silence greeted me. I stayed up late, staring at my phone, waiting for a reply that never came.
The next day, it was the same. No Kiyomi. No calls. No answers.
Days passed like that.
Eventually, Aika and I went to our teacher to ask for Kiyomi's address from the school records. I felt guilty for invading her privacy, but I was desperate. Something felt wrong.
The teacher showed us the records—but there was nothing. Her address wasn't listed. No one knew where she lived.
It made me feel useless. I was her boyfriend, yet I didn't even know where her house was. I couldn't protect her. Couldn't check on her.
Then, one morning at school, just as I was losing hope—
"Kiyomi!"
She stood near the school gates, looking dreadful. Her eyes were hollow, her face pale, hair unkempt, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked like she hadn't slept in days.
Without thinking, I ran to her and wrapped her in a hug.
She flinched—startled. As if she hadn't even noticed me until that moment.
"Kiyomi, are you alright?" I whispered. "Where have you been? Why do you look like this?"
She hesitated before speaking. "I… I've been taking care of the house. My parents… they got worse after the date."
I stiffened. "Are they okay now? Do you need help?"
"They're better," she said quietly. "I don't need help. I just… I feel guilty. I shouldn't have gone on that date knowing they weren't well."
"No, Kiyomi," I said. "Don't blame yourself. It was me. I asked you out without considering your situation."
"I could've said no," she said. "It's my fault for agreeing."
"You said yes because you care about me," I insisted. "That's not something to blame yourself for."
She looked at me for a moment, then smiled weakly. "Maybe you're right… but let's not argue over whose fault it was. Let's just go to class."
I nodded and followed her. I still felt guilty… but I was just relieved that she was safe.
From afar, Aika watched us. Her eyes were filled with sorrow. She had always supported me, always wanted the best for me. Seeing me like that… must've hurt her.
During the day, I caught her glancing out the window often, her expression never changing. At lunch, I went to the cafeteria and got all of her favorite foods. I brought them to her, hoping to cheer her up.
She looked at the tray and smiled faintly. "Thank you, Yuki… but I don't really have the appetite."
She didn't touch the food.
After school, she came to me.
"I need to ask you something," she said.
I smiled. Maybe now she'd open up to me. Maybe she'd finally tell me what had been bothering her.
We stepped outside the building, and she turned to face me.
"Let's break up, Yuki."
My heart froze.
"W-What?"
"It's time," she said. "We were never meant to be together."
Her words stabbed into me like daggers. My chest tightened, and I could barely breathe.
"Why?" I choked out. "Are you unhappy? Did I do something wrong?"
"I'm just… not interested in this relationship anymore," she said, her voice emotionless. "You should find someone else."
Then she turned away—but I saw them. Tears. Silent tears rolling down her cheeks as she walked away.
I stood there, stunned. She didn't mean it. I knew she didn't. So why—?
I ran after her, desperate for answers.
As I exited the school building, I saw Kiyomi speaking with Aika. She handed her something, then turned and ran.
"Aika! What did she say? What did she give you?"
Aika tried to calm me. "She gave me this. She said… to give it to you after a few days. But I think you should read it now."
She handed me a letter.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
It read:
Dear Yuki,
By the time you will read this, I will have already broken up with you.
I am sorry Yuki.... I am really sorry, I never wanted to hurt you.
i have my reasons for doing this, reasons I cannot involve you in.
I know I have been a mystery to you, I have never told you about me or my past and you have never questioned me keeping your promise
this made me really happy.
Yuki... My love.
I've always loved you unconditionally and will always love you.
But you must forget me, as our paths are different.
No matter how much we love each other we are just not meant to be.
While I was gone during the past few days---i tried to find ways to be with you,
But… this path which I have to take is dangerous.
i cannot let you be involved in this path with me.
Please forgive me.
Your love,
Kiyomi Mizuhara
The words blurred as tears fell onto the page.
I stood there, sobbing, unable to stop. Aika tried to comfort me, but nothing could reach me.
People passed by, some staring, some pretending not to see—but I didn't care.
All I could do was cry.
And whisper her name.
"Kiyomi…"