I—Haruka Akise—had someone I loved.
He was a boy in my class named Tatsumi Yanagida. Standing over six feet tall as a high school freshman, he had a piercing gaze that, combined with his bluntness, made him seem a bit unapproachable.
He didn't stand out much in class. By his own admission, he was a gloomy, socially awkward loner. Apparently, people had been afraid of his intimidating appearance for as long as he could remember, and he only had a handful of friends...
Well, I didn't find him scary at all!
When he pulled me into a tight embrace, I felt completely enveloped by his large frame. It made me feel so incredibly safe. And whenever he whispered into my ear in that low voice of his, I just melted.
Even his sharp eyes made my heart throb because of the contrast—the way they softened into such a gentle, affectionate gaze whenever he looked at me.
He wasn't very good at expressing his emotions. When he couldn't find the right words, he would fall silent with his brow furrowed, which was actually quite cute. It always made me want to tease him.
...What was I talking about again?
Right, the person I loved.
I met him around the beginning of June, which meant it had been about two months since we first crossed paths.
It had only been two months... and yet, so much had happened since the day I met Tatsumi-kun.
I could still recall that day vividly.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?"
He appeared with an undeniable sense of intimidation, cutting off the words of Makabe and her group as they cornered me.
He stood there silently with the evening sun at his back. I couldn't see his expression clearly because of the backlight, but his gaze, brimming with cold anger, pierced right through them.
Whether they were frightened by his intensity or the smartphone he held, the girls fled. As I watched them go, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washed over me, and I slumped to the ground.
Tatsumi-kun watched me with concern before eventually sitting down beside me and casually opening a can of coffee.
The flat, metallic click of the tab opening almost made me laugh. It eased the tension I had been feeling, if only a little.
When I brought it up later, he made a sour face. "I wasn't sure if it was right to give a drink to a girl I barely knew... plus it was black coffee, and it had gone lukewarm..."
Well, I probably would have been awkward about accepting it anyway, but the memory still made me smile.
The fear and despair of having my past exposed—a past I never wanted anyone to know—had turned into a sense of resignation. I’d felt like everything was over, and I didn't care anymore.
In that heavy atmosphere, on a whim, I decided to talk to the boy who had saved me.
I was desperate, and I wanted to know how a person would react to the truth about my past.
I expected sympathy or disappointment, but my predictions were proven completely wrong.
After hearing my rambling story, Tatsumi-kun grew angrier and sadder than even I was.
Then, as I poured out my anxieties about my future at school, he looked me straight in the eye—and told me I was cool.
He told me that no matter what anyone else said, he would always think Haruka Akise was cool. Hearing those words, I burst into tears.
It wasn't fair.
Just when I was in despair, thinking all my hard work had become meaningless, he gave me the words I needed to validate every effort I had ever made.
I made Tatsumi-kun panic, but I was so happy.
I knew his words weren't just a way to comfort me; he truly meant them from the bottom of his heart.
Even if the worst happened and my past was revealed... even if everyone else turned their backs on me.
If there was one person who thought I was cool, then I felt like I could face anything.
Looking back, it was a bit of a leap in logic, but at the time, I truly believed it.
The joy of being praised, the embarrassment of crying, the immense relief... all those emotions erupted at once.
In that sudden shift of energy, I grabbed his hand and started running.
To be honest, I didn't even know what I was thinking then.
Now that I think about it, I guess I just wanted to confirm it. I wanted to see if this boy—who appeared before me at my lowest point to say exactly what I needed to hear—was actually real.
The warmth of his hand as I gripped it stayed with me.
Not wanting to lose that connection, I told him to think of a "reward" and went home. That was when I finally came to my senses.
I tried to focus on my exams to calm my heart—though I could hardly concentrate—and after my meal and bath, I finally felt like I could think straight again.
First, I thought about school.
What if Makabe and the others really told everyone about my past? Maybe the rumors were already spreading.
I didn't have the courage to check the Group LINE to find out. As a result, I ended up going to school the next day without knowing what was being said... but that was another story.
If my past was exposed, everyone would think I had been lying to them. I wouldn't be the "model student" anymore. Everyone would hate me.
I remembered the hell of middle school, surrounded by malice with no one to help me.
Just as I was about to cry from the fear and despair that had once driven me to the brink, I remembered Tatsumi-kun's words.
I felt my heart grow lighter, and my thoughts drifted toward him.
Back then, my feelings were probably just a "special affection" rather than "clear love."
But it was true that my heart pounded whenever I thought of him. I was becoming aware of him.
The next morning, I remembered his words and forced my legs to move. At the shoe lockers, I spotted a familiar back and called out to him.
I pretended to be calm while we chatted on the way to the classroom.
That was when I realized something. From the moment he heard my story until then, he hadn't looked at me with even a hint of pity.
Despite his anger and sadness regarding my situation, he looked at me as if he were looking at something radiant.
That didn't change even when we reached the classroom door and I showed my weakness.
As I stood there, frozen, he looked at me steadily.
"I think you could stand to believe in yourself a little more, Akise-san."
Something hot welled up in my chest at those words. At the same time, I felt a tiny bit of frustration.
Why was he always—even though we’d only been talking for two days—so good at saying exactly what my heart needed to hear?
I felt a small sense of dissatisfaction that I was the only one whose emotions were being tossed around.
That was why I wanted to know more about him, too.
Ding.
"...Ah. The toast is done."
The sound of the toaster brought me back from my memories.
I was glad I hadn't turned the stove on yet. I put down the bacon and checked the bread.
It looked perfectly toasted and delicious. It was definitely worth the price, even if it had sat unused for two months.
I needed to finish the rest of the meal quickly.
I lightly oiled the pan and heated it over a medium flame. Once it was hot enough, I tossed in the bacon to sear it.
As the appetizing scent of fat filled the air, I gently cracked an egg over the bacon. While I used my chopsticks to keep the shape from falling apart, my mind drifted back to the past.
"...That really was a shock. I was waiting there all nervous, and then I heard Miki shout, 'There's a rumor that Haruka and Yanagida-kun are dating!'"
But that was the moment I finally recognized my own feelings.
Miki's voice was loud enough to reach me even out in the hallway. I was stunned.
Based on the conversation that followed, someone had taken a photo of us holding hands and running through the halls the day before.
I never imagined anyone was watching. I had been moving on pure impulse, not caring about who saw us.
And because of that, a baseless rumor had started about me and Tatsumi—I mean, Yanagida-kun.
We had only just started talking, so being "lovers" was... lovers...
Why didn't the idea bother me? In fact... why did it make me so happy?
Imagining a relationship with him didn't spark even a hint of disgust. Instead, I felt a strange sense of elation. Oh, I see.
I had fallen in love with Yanagida-kun.
Once I realized that, a sense of amusement bubbled up, chasing away the fear I’d been feeling.
Maybe I was laughing at how easygoing I was to fall in love in the middle of a crisis, or maybe it was just the sheer contrast with the tension from moments before.
I wasn't entirely sure, but I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud.
When Miki noticed and started interrogating me, I decided to keep it vague. "It's a secret♪"
Part of it was just being defiant about the rumors. But the other half was that I simply didn't want to deny being in "that kind of relationship" with him.
In hindsight, it was thoughtless of me to cause trouble for Tatsumi-kun, and I truly regretted that.
Once I knew I loved him, I went on the offensive.
I tracked him down as soon as lunch started and made him eat with me. When I secured a promise for a bento and a study session on Saturday, I wanted to do a victory pose.
I told my parents everything when I got home that day.
They were worried about the blackmail attempt, but when I told them Tatsumi-kun had helped me, they were relieved. They seemed very grateful to him.
When I admitted I had fallen for him, Papa looked a bit conflicted, but Mama was thrilled.
To win a man's heart, you must first capture his stomach. Following that ancient proverb, and with advice from Mama, I put everything I had into making those bentos.
Mama proudly told me that was how she made Papa fall for her, which earned her a shy, wry smile from him.
The bento I woke up early to prepare was a massive hit.
Tatsumi-kun looked so genuinely happy, murmuring "This is good" over and over as he ate.
He savored the Kinpira Gobo, which I had worked especially hard on, as if he cherished every single bite.
Watching him made my heart feel so full. I realized that this was what happiness felt like.
Wanting to hold onto that feeling, I made him promise to let me keep making them.
After much negotiation—he felt bad about it—we agreed that he would pay for the ingredients and labor, and I would make them twice a week.
It became one of the things I looked forward to most every week.
...From then on, my approach became a total blitz.
I had zero romantic experience. All I knew came from dramas, anime, and manga I’d watched while shut away in my room.
Because my first love had started with such a romantic, fateful encounter, I got carried away. I did things that made me blush just thinking about them now.
Especially after studying at the Civic Center—even if it was a sudden storm, going to the house of a boy I barely knew! And then, even if it was an accident, I basically pinned him down and tried to kiss him!
Even when I worried I was overdoing it, I was swept away by my feelings. But it couldn't be helped—I was head over heels.
The more time we spent together, the more that love swelled. I couldn't control it, and I didn't want to.
As it turned out, he told me later that he had already fallen for me back when we spoke Behind the School Building... Well, one way or another, we started dating! All’s well that ends well!
We continued to spend time together, and our bond grew deeper with every passing day.
However, the closer we got, the more I noticed a flicker of guilt in his eyes.
Then, I met his younger stepsister, Yui.
Even though they weren't blood-related, she reminded me so much of her brother.
She acted bright and social, but she had built a fortress around her heart to keep everyone else out.
Fortunately, she let me in right away. Her smile was full of affection and deep gratitude.
That was the day I learned about the burden they both carried.
Triggered by a message from Makabe, they told me their story. They spoke as if they were confessing their sins, and it was a history filled with pain and suffering.
Deep regret and guilt haunted them both.
That was why I reached out and touched his cheek.
He had saved me, so it was my turn to save him.
I might have said something bold, but I meant every word.
I vowed to stay by his side forever. Even without the specific words, that was the moment we confirmed our feelings for each other.
Then, with the help of our friends, we finally settled things with Makabe and her group.
...By then, Makabe and her friends were nothing more than pebbles on the road to me. They had been suspended and were basically invisible in class. I didn't care about them anymore.
But if they hadn't called me out that day, I might never have met Tatsumi-kun.
If they hadn't spread that rumor, I might never have realized I loved him.
In a way, they were our "Cupids." When I told Tatsumi-kun that, he looked incredibly displeased, as if he wanted to argue but knew I was right.
—From that day on, he seemed to find a sense of resolve.
His insecurity vanished, replaced by a new confidence. Even when I teased or approached him, he accepted it head-on, even if he was flustered.
Most of all, I noticed the "heat" in his eyes when he looked at me. It was intense enough to burn.
It was the same kind of flame that had been smoldering in my own chest.
When our heat intertwined, my whole body felt like it was on fire, and I couldn't think of anything but him.
That heat kept rising until it finally boiled over—and Tatsumi-kun was the first to break.
Once we shared our feelings and finally defined our relationship, there was no more reason for restraint.
Once you release what's been burning inside you, there's no stopping it.
As if to drown out the frustration of not being able to say enough, we held each other tight and pressed our lips together.
Everything else vanished. I was simply intoxicated, indulging in him... I even felt like the boundary between us was melting away—
"The fact that we stopped there might actually be a miracle..."
I wondered what would have happened if Papa hadn't called. It was a little scary to think about.
It's not like I would have hated it. Honestly... I had a normal amount of interest in that kind of thing.
If a kiss could make me this happy, I wondered what it would feel like to be connected even more deeply.
Since these recent events proved I had less self-control than I thought, I was sure I would fall into it like a bottomless swamp. I’d never be able to get out...
"...Goodness, what am I thinking about so early in the morning?"
Even though we had been dating for nearly two months, I still couldn't shake the "love-struck" mood Karin always teased me about.
I knew I should focus, but whenever I was with him, I was just too happy for anything else to matter.
"Dear me," I whispered in a voice that didn't sound bothered at all, as I finished getting breakfast ready.
I put the bacon and eggs on the toast and plated them with a side salad. I could handle the drinks after I woke Tatsumi-kun up.
I nodded at my handiwork, took off my apron, and headed for his bedroom with a skip in my step.
"Excuse me..."
I opened the door softly and slipped inside, approaching the bed as quietly as possible.
Despite the morning sun peeking through the curtains, he was fast asleep, breathing steadily.
He was turned away from me, bundled in a blanket as if the air conditioning was a bit too cold. I wanted to crawl in and be his body pillow right then, but I held back.
"Tatsumi-kun, wake up..."
I gently shook his shoulder, but he only let out a low groan.
He rolled over in his sleep, finally showing me his face. He had such a cute sleeping face. He was usually so cool, but when he slept, his expression softened, making him look a little younger.
Seeing him so defenseless made my heart ache with affection. A little bit wouldn't hurt, right?
I closed my eyes and slowly brought my lips toward his half-open mouth... mugu.
"...Morning, Haruka."
"Mornin', Tatsumi-kun! Why're you shtoppin' me!?"
"Because I have morning breath. No."
"Hmph... is the cheek okay, then?"
"...Well, if it's just once."
"Yay!"
Chu. I tried to sneak in a second one, but he pulled away. Stingy!
I didn't mind the morning breath, personally... but I guess I’d be a little embarrassed if the roles were reversed, so I didn't push it.
Tatsumi-kun sat up and stretched, giving me a wry smile as I pouted.
"I'll go brush my teeth. You can do it after that."
"...Ehehe, so you want to do it too, Tatsumi-kun?"
"You started it, Haruka... but yes, I want to as well."
He looked away bashfully, and I lunged forward to hug him.
He didn't seem surprised. He just caught me in his arms.
As I rubbed my head against his chest, a ticklish laugh escaped him.
"I can't move like this. ...Mm, something smells good."
"Ah, right! Breakfast is ready! We're going to the beach today, so you need to eat up and get some energy."
"Oh, thanks. I'm looking forward to it... but at least do this from behind, not the front."
"Okay!"
I stuck to his back like glue as he headed for the washroom.
Even in the middle of summer, it felt nice thanks to the air conditioning.
I sniffed his shirt, breathing in my favorite scent, and he squirmed in embarrassment. Not a chance! I'm not letting go~♪
...Ah, I was so happy.
I had fallen in love for the first time, and we had actually become a couple.
Since then, every day had felt surprisingly vibrant.
The memories in my heart were all shining so brightly they were almost dazzling... and I knew they were only going to keep growing from here.
Tatsumi-kun. Thank you for meeting me.
Let's keep making wonderful memories together!