A Chance Encounter

The days after his failed attempt to talk to Aiko felt like a fog that wouldn’t lift. Every time Renjiro saw her laughing with Daichi in the hallway or sharing notes in class, a small crack appeared in his heart.

How can he be so fearless? Renjiro thought as he watched Daichi talk to Aiko as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

After school, he lingered by his locker, staring at the small box of sakura mochi he’d never gotten the chance to give her. It felt like a cruel joke now—a reminder of his cowardice.

“Hey, Renjiro,” a voice called.

He turned to see Haruto, his best friend since middle school, standing there with his usual easygoing smile.

“Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about Aiko,” Haruto teased, giving him a gentle punch on the shoulder.

Renjiro sighed. “It’s not that easy to forget, Haruto. She’s… different.”

Haruto leaned against the locker. “Look, man, I get it. She’s sweet and smart and all that. But Daichi’s always been the flashy one. You gotta figure out what makes you stand out.”

Renjiro frowned. “What makes me stand out? I don’t even know who I am half the time.”

Haruto’s smile faded, replaced by something more serious. “Then maybe that’s where you need to start.”

---

That evening, Renjiro found himself at the small shrine near his house. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, their petals drifting in the wind like pink snow. He sat on the stone steps, listening to the quiet hum of the cicadas.

What makes me stand out?

He remembered how his mother used to tell him that everyone had a spark inside them—a light that only they could shine. But lately, all he felt was darkness and doubt.

Suddenly, a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Renjiro-kun?”

He looked up and felt his heart skip a beat. Aiko stood there, her schoolbag hanging from her shoulder, her hair illuminated by the soft glow of the shrine lanterns.

“Oh—Aiko-chan,” he stammered, standing awkwardly. “What are you doing here?”

She gave a shy smile. “I come here sometimes to think. It’s peaceful.”

Renjiro nodded, his hands sweaty. “Yeah, it is.”

Aiko sat beside him on the steps, the distance between them close enough that he could feel the warmth of her presence.

“You looked sad in class today,” she said gently. “Is everything okay?”

Renjiro hesitated, his throat dry. This was the chance he’d been waiting for—a real conversation, not a quick greeting or a forced smile.

“I… I guess I’ve been feeling like I’m always a step behind,” he confessed. “Like I’m not good enough. Especially compared to Daichi.”

Aiko’s eyes widened. “Why would you think that?”

Renjiro laughed bitterly. “Because he’s so… confident. And I’m just… me.”

Aiko looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing the edge of her skirt. “Daichi-kun is confident, yes. But sometimes, confidence is just a mask people wear.”

Renjiro blinked. “A mask?”

Aiko nodded. “Everyone has things they’re afraid of. Even Daichi. Maybe he smiles so much because he’s afraid people will see he’s not perfect.”

Renjiro stared at her, her words sinking in. He’d never thought of Daichi that way.

“I never thought about it like that,” he said softly.

Aiko turned to him, her expression kind. “Renjiro-kun, I think you’re special. You always notice the little things—like how the petals fall, or how someone’s feeling. That’s not weakness. That’s strength.”

Renjiro felt a warmth in his chest he hadn’t felt in a long time. “Thanks, Aiko-chan. That… means a lot.”

Aiko smiled, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped just for them.

---

The next morning, Renjiro felt a new determination as he walked to school. Daichi was waiting at the gates, his grin as cocky as ever.

“Yo, Renjiro! Didn’t see you at cram school last night. Too busy daydreaming about Aiko-chan?” he teased.

Renjiro took a deep breath. “Hey, Daichi.”

Daichi raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the serious face?”

Renjiro looked him in the eye. “I just wanted to say… I’m not giving up on her.”

Daichi’s grin widened. “Finally got some guts, huh? I like it. Let’s see who she picks in the end.”

Renjiro nodded, his heart pounding.

Because for the first time, he felt like he wasn’t just chasing after someone—he was standing up for himself.

He was here.

And he wasn’t going to back down.