Summer was approaching at Yamato High School, and the air grew warm and humid. Hiroshi Nakamura, now a second-year student in Class 2-B, felt the days pass quickly. Being in the same class as Emi, the girl from the literature club, and his best friend Kenji made school brighter. But his feelings for Emi, unspoken and heavy, made his heart restless. He saw her every day—her kind smile, her quiet humming—and wished he could tell her how he felt. But fear always stopped him.
In May, Hiroshi had grown closer to a new classmate, Ryo. Ryo was friendly, with a quick laugh and a talent for math. He’d joined their lunch group with Kenji, Aiko, and Yumi, fitting in easily. Ryo was a good guy, always helping others with homework or sharing snacks. Hiroshi liked him, glad to have another friend. But one afternoon, everything changed.
After school, Ryo caught up with Hiroshi near the art club room. “Hey, can we talk?” he asked, his voice low. They sat on a bench in the courtyard, the cicadas buzzing in the trees. Ryo looked nervous, twisting his hands. “It’s about Emi,” he said. “I know you’re friends with her. I… I really like her.” Hiroshi’s heart sank. He stared at Ryo, his mind racing. Emi? His Emi? He forced a smile, but his chest felt tight. “Oh… yeah?” he said, his voice weak. “Yeah,” Ryo said, looking at the ground. “She’s kind and smart, and I can’t stop thinking about her.” “I want to tell her, but I don’t know how. You talk to her a lot, right? Can you… help me?”
Hiroshi wanted to say no. The thought of Emi with someone else—especially a friend—made his stomach twist. He liked Ryo, but giving up Emi felt impossible. She was the girl he’d dreamed about for a year, the one whose bookmark and notebook he’d made with care. But Ryo’s hopeful eyes made him pause. Ryo was a good guy. Didn’t he deserve a chance? And if Emi liked him back, who was Hiroshi to stand in the way?
That night, Hiroshi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His sketchbook was open to a drawing of Emi, her face soft in pencil. He didn’t want to lose her, but he hadn’t even confessed. Maybe he didn’t have the right to feel this way. If he said no to Ryo, would he be selfish? If he helped, would he regret it forever? The questions swirled, keeping him awake.
The next day, Hiroshi found Ryo at lunch. “I’ll help you,” he said, his voice quiet. “I can… give you advice or something.” Ryo’s face lit up, and he thanked Hiroshi over and over. Hiroshi forced a smile, but inside, he felt heavy.
Over the next week, Hiroshi helped Ryo plan his confession. They decided Ryo would ask Emi to meet him after school near the cherry blossom trees, where it was quiet. Hiroshi suggested Ryo be honest and simple. “Just tell her how you feel,” he said, though every word hurt. Kenji noticed Hiroshi’s mood and pulled him aside. “You sure about this?” he asked. “You like her, don’t you?” Hiroshi shrugged. “It’s fine. If she likes him, I… I want her to be happy.” Kenji shook his head but didn’t push.
The day of the confession came. Hiroshi couldn’t focus in class, his eyes drifting to Emi. She was her usual self, laughing with friends, unaware of what was coming. After school, Hiroshi hid near the school gate, close enough to see but not be noticed. He didn’t know why he stayed—maybe to support Ryo, maybe to torture himself.
Ryo stood under the cherry trees, nervous but determined. Emi arrived, her expression curious. Hiroshi couldn’t hear their words, but he saw Ryo’s gestures, his earnest face. Emi listened, her head tilted. Then she shook her head gently, her face kind but firm. Ryo’s shoulders slumped, and they talked a bit more before Emi walked away. Hiroshi’s heart raced. She’d said no.
Later, Ryo found Hiroshi in the art club room. “She turned me down,” Ryo said, trying to smile. “Said she’s got someone she likes. But it’s okay. Thanks for helping, man.” Hiroshi nodded, relief flooding him. “Sorry it didn’t work out,” he said, but he didn’t mean it. Emi liked someone. Who? The question burned in his mind. Was it him? The bookmark, the notebook, their talks—did they mean something? Or was it someone else entirely?
That evening, Hiroshi walked home with Kenji. “You dodged a bullet,” Kenji said, grinning. “Now’s your chance, man. Don’t wait forever.” Hiroshi nodded, but doubt lingered. Emi had someone she liked. If it wasn’t him, he didn’t know if he could bear it. But if it was… could he finally be brave? As summer loomed, Hiroshi felt torn between hope and fear, wondering who held Emi’s heart.