Time flies, and before they knew it, Chiaki and Hayato were in their final year of senior high school. The years had passed in a blur of classes, exams, and fleeting moments that seemed to slip through their fingers like grains of sand. As soon as her alarm clock rang that morning, Chiaki stirred awake, her hand instinctively reaching out to silence the persistent beeping. She sat up, stretching her arms above her head, and glanced out the window at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The familiar routine of getting ready for school began—brushing her teeth, washing her face, and tying her hair into a neat ponytail. Her mother, as always, had already left early to work for the Katagiri family, leaving a warm meal on the table for Chiaki. After eating the simple yet comforting breakfast her mother had prepared, Chiaki grabbed her bag and headed out the door, the crisp autumn air nipping at her cheeks as she made her way to school.
Since their second year of high school, Chiaki had stopped taking the Katagiri family's car to school with Hayato. It wasn't something they had discussed; it had just happened naturally as Chiaki grew more aware of the differences in their social status. The Katagiri family was wealthy and influential, while Chiaki and her mother lived a modest life. The distance between them had widened over the years, not in terms of their friendship but in the way they navigated their worlds. They were no longer the inseparable childhood friends who went everywhere together, holding hands and sharing secrets on the swing in the Katagiri garden. Yet, despite the changes, they still talked at school, exchanged messages over the phone, and occasionally spent time together when Chiaki visited Hayato's house to help her mother with chores. Their bond, though different, remained a constant in their lives.
"Good morning, Chiaki," Hayato greeted her as he walked into the classroom, his voice warm and familiar. He flashed her a smile, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners, and Chiaki felt her heart flutter in response. "Good morning," she replied, returning his smile as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Almost immediately, a group of girls swarmed around Hayato's desk, their voices bubbling with excitement as they vied for his attention. "Good morning, Hayato!" they chimed in unison, their laughter filling the room.
Since high school began, Hayato had become incredibly popular among the girls. His tall, athletic build, striking features, and the air of confidence that came with his prestigious family background made him the center of attention wherever he went. Over the years, he had grown even taller, and at just 18, he was only a few centimeters away from reaching 180 cm.
Chiaki, sitting at her desk, pretended not to care about the attention he was receiving, though her chest tightened ever so slightly. She had liked Hayato ever since she first understood the meaning of love, but she had never found the courage to confess her feelings. The fear of ruining their lifelong friendship held her back, and so she kept her emotions tucked safely away, hidden behind a mask of quiet composure.
During lunch, Hayato always made a point to sit with Chiaki, a tradition that had carried over from their elementary school days. They would share the food her mother had prepared, the familiar flavors bringing a sense of comfort and nostalgia. At first, the other girls had been jealous of their closeness, whispering and casting curious glances in their direction. But once they learned that Chiaki and Hayato had been childhood friends since they were little, they grew accustomed to seeing them together.
"Chiaki, Sohei wants to buy your mom a birthday gift after school. Do you have time to join us?" Hayato asked during lunch, his tone casual as he bit into a rice ball. Chiaki looked up from her bento box, surprised by the request.
"Sure, I'm free later," Chiaki nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. The idea of spending time with Hayato and Sohei after school filled her with a quiet sense of happiness, a reminder that despite the changes and the distance that had crept into their lives, some things would always remain the same. As Chiaki looked at Hayato, now laughing at a friend's joke, a familiar warmth filled her chest. She liked him—she always had. Even if she never said it out loud, she knew those feelings would always stay with her, quietly tucked in her heart.
Chiaki froze in place, her heart skipping a beat as she watched Hayato's retreating figure. Her hand instinctively flew up to touch her hair, feeling the lingering warmth of his touch. She knew Hayato had done things like this before— an intimacy that made her chest tighten and her breath catch. She quickly calmed herself down quietly, trying to push away the fluttering feeling in her chest.
*****
After nearly an hour of browsing the products at the department store after school, Hayato, Chiaki, and Sohei finally decided on a set of skincare products for Chiaki's mother—something practical yet thoughtful.
"Okay, this one smells nice," Sohei said, holding up a bottle and sniffing it dramatically. "Not too strong, not too weird."
Chiaki laughed softly. "You sound like an expert, Sohei."
"I am an expert," he said proudly. "The Katagiri business is all about women's products. I naturally know these things."
Hayato raised a brow. "You're only fifteen."
Sohei smirked. "Exactly. Years of training."
Hayato chuckled, then turned to Chiaki. "You think your mom will like this set?"
Chiaki nodded. "She'll love it. She always puts others first… so it's nice to give her something just for her."
Hayato smiled. "Then let's wrap it up nicely later. I'll even tie the ribbon."
"You? Tie a ribbon?" Chiaki teased. "It'll probably end up looking like a tangled shoelace."
"I'm offended," Hayato said with mock hurt, clutching his chest. "Sohei, back me up."
Sohei shrugged. "She's not wrong."
While the two boys continued bickering lightheartedly, Chiaki's attention drifted to a nearby display. A soft glimmer caught her eye—a delicate flower pendant necklace resting on a white velvet stand. The petals were shaped like tiny sakura blossoms, and in the center, a small stone sparkled gently under the store lights. Something about it made her pause.
She stared at it a little longer than she meant to, her eyes softening.
Hayato, mid-sentence, noticed her gaze shift. His voice trailed off, and he glanced at the pendant, then back at her. "Chiaki…"
But before he could say more, Chiaki looked away quickly and mumbled, "I'll go check out the gift wrapping counter."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked off, her steps quiet but hurried.
Hayato watched her go, the smile on his face fading slightly. Sohei followed his gaze, then nudged his brother.
"You saw it too, didn't you?"
Hayato didn't answer, but his eyes lingered on the pendant—the one that had made her eyes shine for just a second.
*****
That weekend, Chiaki and her mother went to the Katagiri house as usual to help with housework, but this time, there was a special reason. Mrs. Katagiri had secretly planned a surprise birthday party for Chiaki's mother.
In the afternoon, Chiaki took her mother out grocery shopping, making sure to take their time while the others decorated the house and prepared the food. When they returned, Sohei immediately ran to the door to help carry the groceries, his excitement barely contained.
Chiaki then led her mother to the dining area, where the lights suddenly flicked on, and everyone jumped out, shouting, "Surprise!" Chiaki's mum 's eyes widened in shock before filling with tears as the Katagiri family and a few close helpers began singing "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you all so much," Chiaki's mum said, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked around at the smiling faces. Mrs. Katagiri, holding a beautifully decorated cake with candles flickering on top, placed it in front of her. "Make a wish and blow out the candles!" she urged, her eyes sparkling with joy. Chiaki's mum closed her eyes, her lips moving silently as she made a wish, and then leaned forward to blow out the candles. As the flames went out, everyone clapped and cheered, the room filled with laughter and warmth.
After dinner, Chiaki helped clean up the dishes in the kitchen, her hands moving automatically as her mind replayed the events of the day. Hayato walked in, grabbing a towel to help dry the dishes. When Chiaki realized they were alone, her heart began to race, the air between them suddenly feeling charged with unspoken words.
"Hayato, have you decided which university to apply to?" she asked casually, trying to fill the silence. Graduation was only a few months away, and the question had been on her mind for a while. Hayato hesitated, glancing at her as if he wanted to say something important.
"Well, actually, I…" he started, his voice trailing off. Chiaki tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"What is it?" she prompted.
Instead of answering, Hayato reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered for just a second too long, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. Chiaki's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing as she tried to decipher the meaning behind his actions.
But before she could say anything, Sohei walked in, holding a stack of plates. "I'll help too!" he announced cheerfully, oblivious to the tension in the room. With Sohei around, Hayato was unable to continue the conversation. He sighed, shaking his head slightly, while Chiaki quickly turned away, pretending to focus on washing the dishes—her heart still pounding from the brief but unmistakable moment they had just shared.