March arrived at Yamato High School, and the air warmed with the promise of spring. Hiroshi Nakamura was preoccupied with one thing: White Day. In Japan, White Day on March 14 was when boys returned gifts to girls who gave them chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Emi, the girl from the literature club, had given him giri chocolate—store-bought, friendly, not romantic—but Hiroshi wanted to give her something special. Maybe, he thought, it could show her how he felt, even if he couldn’t say it out loud.
Hiroshi spent days planning. He wasn’t good at grand gestures, but he wanted the gift to feel personal. In the art club, he worked late, crafting a small notebook with a hand-drawn cover—a scene of a quiet park under cherry blossoms. Inside, he added a short note: “Thanks for the chocolate. I hope you like this.” It was simple, but it took all his courage to write. He wrapped it in soft blue paper, tying it with a ribbon, and kept it in his bag, waiting for the right moment.
But that moment never came. At school, Emi was busy with literature club projects, and Hiroshi’s nerves got the better of him. He’d see her in the library, smiling as she sorted books, and his heart would race. He’d reach for the gift but stop, afraid she’d think it was too much—or too little. What if she only saw him as a friend? What if she laughed? By White Day, he still hadn’t given it to her. He saw her in the hallway, laughing with friends, and his courage failed. He went home feeling defeated, the gift heavy in his bag.
The third term ended, and spring break began. Hiroshi felt restless. Without school, he had fewer chances to see Emi, and the ungiven gift haunted him. He sketched to distract himself, filling pages with images of her—reading, smiling, standing under cherry blossoms. His friends noticed his mood. “You’re too quiet, even for you,” Kenji said one day over the phone. “Come hang out tomorrow. We’re going to the arcade.”
Hiroshi agreed, hoping it would lift his spirits. The next day, he met Kenji, Aiko, and Yumi at the arcade in town. The place was loud with music and flashing lights. Kenji challenged everyone to a racing game, while Yumi tried to win a stuffed animal from a claw machine. Hiroshi laughed, feeling lighter—until he saw Emi. She was near the prize counter, holding a small keychain and talking to a friend from her club. Hiroshi’s heart skipped. She wore a light jacket, her hair loose, and she looked happy. Kenji noticed and grinned. “Go talk to her, man! Don’t chicken out again.”
Hiroshi hesitated, but Aiko gave him a gentle push. “You’ll regret it if you don’t,” she said. He nodded, his palms sweaty. The notebook was still in his bag—he’d carried it every day, just in case. This was his chance. He walked over, his voice shaky. “Emi? Hi.” She turned, surprised but smiling. “Hiroshi! What are you doing here?” “Just… with friends,” he said, glancing at Kenji, who gave him a thumbs-up. Emi’s friend excused herself, leaving them alone. Hiroshi’s heart pounded. “Um, I… I have something for you. For White Day.” He fumbled in his bag, pulling out the wrapped notebook. “It’s… for the chocolate you gave me. Sorry it’s late.” Emi’s eyes widened. “You didn’t have to! Thank you.” She took the gift, her fingers brushing his. She unwrapped it carefully, revealing the notebook. Her smile grew. “This is beautiful, Hiroshi. Did you draw this?” “Yeah,” he said, his face red. “I thought… you might use it for notes or something.” “I love it,” she said, flipping through the pages. “It’s so thoughtful. Thanks, really.”
Hiroshi waited, hoping for more—a hint that she felt something, anything. But Emi just smiled, kind and friendly, like always. “See you at school?” she said, tucking the notebook into her bag. “Yeah, see you,” Hiroshi replied, his voice quiet. She waved and rejoined her friend, leaving Hiroshi standing by the prize counter. He felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. He’d done it—he’d given her the gift—but her reaction wasn’t what he’d dreamed. No blush, no shy look, just gratitude. Was he expecting too much?
Back with his friends, Kenji clapped him on the back. “You did it! Proud of you, man.” Yumi nodded, and Aiko smiled softly. Hiroshi forced a smile, but inside, he wasn’t sure. Had he made progress, or was he still just a friend to her?
Spring break continued, with cherry blossoms blooming across town. Hiroshi went to the park with his friends, watched movies, and sketched more. But Emi’s smile lingered in his mind, along with the notebook he’d given her. He wondered if she used it, if she thought of him when she did. As the break ended and school loomed, Hiroshi felt a quiet resolve. He’d taken a small step, even if it didn’t feel like enough. Maybe, in the new school year, he’d find the courage to take another.