New beginnings: my very long journey to love

"You know, like whoosh and boom, like that."

"That means absolutely nothing to me. Can you try explaining it in a way that actually makes sense?"

"Sorry, no can do. Magic isn’t like numbers and crap—it’s more like a feeling. You’ll get it when you do it."

"BUT I DON’T KNOW HOW!"

"Well, I don’t know what else to say except… time for bed. Good night."

"Wait, you still haven’t—"

Bang! His father shuts the door.

"...explained magic..." Renji grumbled to himself.

"Frickin' lazy a-hole."

Suddenly, the door swings open again.

"Oh yeah, almost forgot. Since you can see the curse now, you’ve probably got, at most, seven days before their relationship is completely ruined. Just thought I’d let you know. Night!"

And with that, his father shuts the door.

"..."

"WHAT?!"

Later at school, Renji walked down the hallway, lost in thought.

"Okay, since Dad is no help whatsoever, I’ll just tackle the problems one at a time. Let’s start with the easiest—helping two people get together… with zero love knowledge on my part..."

Renji stopped in his tracks.

"I’m doomed."

Just then, a voice rang out from the staircase.

"Watch out!"

CRASH!

"Ow... I’m really sorry! I didn’t mean to hit you!"

"Nah, don’t worry about it. Happens... none of the time."

As the scene became clearer, Renji realized that he and the girl had landed in a rather compromising position. But for some reason, neither of them showed any signs of embarrassment.

"Uh… do you mind getting off me?"

"Oh! Yeah, sorry—again."

As they both dusted themselves off, the girl suddenly extended her hand.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I’m Natsumi. What’s yours?"

"I’m Renji. Nice to meet you." He awkwardly shook her hand.

"So, what’s got you falling down the stairs?"

"Oh, you know… club stuff. What about you?"

"Me?"

"You looked like you were trying to solve world problems in your head."

"Oh crap." Renji panicked. "What do I even say? ‘Oh yeah, I’m just trying to figure out how to get you and your boyfriend together while also learning how my magic powers work’? Come on, think of something!"

"Umm… relationships…" he blurted out.

Natsumi’s curious grin quickly faded into a more somber expression.

"Relationships, huh?" she muttered before taking a seat on the stairs.

Renji frowned. Concerned, he sat down beside her.

"What’s wrong?" he asked. "I’m… I’m an open ear."

She looked at him in surprise before giving a small, appreciative smile.

"It’s just… there’s this boy I really like, but I’m too much of a chicken to ask him out. I’ve been trying to give him hints, but I don’t think they’re working. Sometimes I feel like I’m really close, but then… I don’t know. What should I do?"

Renji thought for a moment.

"How about this? Next time you see him, ask how he feels about you. Technically, you’re not admitting your feelings, but if he’s not interested, then you have your answer. Either way, you won’t have to stress over it anymore."

"That’s… okay advice," she said hesitantly.

"Hey, what do you want? I’m not a genie."

She chuckled. "By the way, do you know where this boy might be right now?"

"Oh, Daiki? I think he said he was going to the roof."

"Thanks."

"Wait—where are you going?"

Renji paused for a moment before smirking.

"To play Cupid."

And with that, he darted up the stairs.

Finally arriving at the rooftop, Renji stood in front of the door. He took a deep breath before opening it.

Inside, he spotted Daiki, his fingers curled tightly around the chain-link fence, staring out into the distance. His eyes held a mix of sorrow and disappointment.

Before the silence could linger, Renji spoke up.
“Umm… hi.”

Daiki turned, surprised by the voice. “Who are you?”

Renji blinked. “Wow, rude.”
“I’m Renji Hoshino. A friend of yours asked me to check on you.”

Daiki looked him over with suspicion. “Why didn’t they just come check on me themselves?”

“Damn it, he’s got a good eye for bullcrap,” Renji thought, scrambling for an excuse.
“They’re… busy. Helping a teacher with, um… school stuff.”

Daiki raised an eyebrow. “Okay, Renji. If my ‘friend’ sent you here to help me, then what exactly do I need help with? I’m perfectly fine—”

“You and I both know that’s a lie,” Renji interrupted.

Daiki flinched. “What?”

“Look, man. I can tell. You’re sad, and angry at yourself because you’re not saying what you really want to say.”

Daiki turned away, clearly frustrated. “What do you know? My problems have nothing to do with you!”

Renji paused for a second before replying, “Umm… they kinda do.”

“Why?!”

“Because you look exactly like my dad!”

The rooftop fell silent.

Renji sighed and stepped forward. “After my mom left, my dad had the exact same look in his eyes. He spent years pretending he was okay… but he wasn’t. He was just angry at himself for never trying. For never fighting for what he wanted.”

Renji placed a hand on Daiki’s shoulder.

“You’re angry because you haven’t tried. But that anger? It means you care. It means you’re not being honest with yourself. Stop second-guessing everything. Just do it.”

Daiki hesitated. “But what if—”

“No! None of that!” Renji cut in. “You deserve to try. Stop doubting yourself… and just go for it.”

Without another word, Renji turned, opened the rooftop door, and gave Daiki a gentle push.
“You need to at least try… If not for yourself, then do it for them.”

Daiki looked at him, stunned. “Wait, how did you—?”

“What are you still doing here? Go already!” Renji barked with a grin.

“Uhh—right!” Daiki stammered before bolting down the stairs.

Once the door closed, Renji exhaled and turned back toward the roof.

Standing there was an ominous, shadowy figure—the love curse.

Renji narrowed his eyes.
“Now… to deal with you.”