Chapter 3 – Yui Sakurai

Shun had known Yui ever since they were little. One of the fondest memories he had of her was when she stood up for him while they were playing in the town park. Shun was playing with sand in the park and some kids of the same age came and took Shun's sand bucket. It was just kids playing, but little Shun was so shook that he cried, and then the kids started calling him a cry baby. That didn’t calm him down at all.

And then—she appeared.

A small figure storming in like a tiny typhoon.

"Hey! Give that back!"
A girl’s voice cut through the noise.

Yui Sakurai.

She ran toward them, yelling at the bullies, standing in front of Shun with arms out like a little hero protecting her kingdom. She scolded them until they ran away. No hesitation. No fear.

That’s when Shun saw Yui for the first time. They hung out together ever since. They played together, walked to school side by side, ate lunch under the same tree during breaks. Every memory of childhood had her in it.

They both went to the same elementary school, and surprisingly, on the first day of middle school, there she was—sitting in his classroom, next to his seat. Shun was really small and introverted during his entire elementary school period. Yui was the only friend he had. But little Yui was different—a cheerful and energetic child with lots of friends, and from a young age, she had a strong sense of justice. She decided that taking care of little Shun was her duty, and slowly, little Shun became her best friend.

They played together, went to school together, ate together—they did almost everything together. Little Yui was a special person for little Shun. For little Yui, at first, Shun was just a kid who needed saving. But as time went by, Shun became a part of her life—a friend. Not just any friend, but a perfect partner in crime, an inseparable part of her life.

// Classroom (High School) //

Shun was sitting in his chair.

“Yo, stop sitting idle. Let’s get something to drink,” Takashi told him, hitting him on the back.

“Ouch, that hurt,” Shun grumbled as he got up, Takashi walking behind him.

He stood in the hallway for a second. Some distance away, Yui was standing, talking to Megumi. Megumi waved at Shun, smiling. Shun waved back. Yui turned around and saw Shun—she smiled.

Shun gave her a weak smile.

Yui was talking a lot with Hayashi these days. And lately, Hayashi had been eating lunch with him, Yui, and Megumi. It was just him and Yui during elementary school. From middle school, Megumi came into the group. And now, all of a sudden, he had to share the table with Hayashi?

Not just any other guy—but Hayashi?

High school couldn’t get any worse than this.

“Enjoying our school’s finest view?” Shun was interrupted from his thoughts by Takashi.

“Wdym?” Shun played dumb.

“C’mon man, you’ve been staring at them for a while now,” Takashi teased him. “And you see, if things go like this, Sakurai-san will slip from your hands. Hayashi is already making good progress.”

“What am I supposed to do though? I’ve been around her ever since we were kids, but now some guy who showed up yesterday is replacing me,” Shun sighed.

Takashi popped a coin into the vending machine and hit a button.

“You don’t do anything,” he replied casually. “You just stay close. Be who you’ve always been.”

Shun gave him a look.

“I’m serious,” Takashi continued, grabbing a can of coffee. “You’re trying too hard to keep things the way they were. But things change. Doesn’t mean it’s all bad.”

“Easy for you to say,” Shun muttered, choosing a drink for himself. “You’re not the one being third-wheeled in your own friendship.”

Takashi laughed. “Maybe not. But hey, if you’re that bothered, why not try talking to her about it?”

Shun looked at him like he’d grown two heads. “Yeah, sure. ‘Hey Yui, I feel weird about you talking to other guys.’ That’s gonna go great.”

“Fair point,” Takashi smirked. “But still… just don’t drift. The moment you pull back, someone else will step in.”

Shun didn’t reply.

They walked back slowly toward class, drinks in hand. As they reached the hallway, they passed by the window. Outside, the school grounds were glowing gold in the afternoon sun. Yui and Megumi were still standing in the distance, now joined by Hayashi.

He was laughing at something Megumi said, and Yui—Shun couldn’t deny it—was laughing too. A natural, open laugh. She looked comfortable.

Maybe even… happy.

They walked past the classroom and toward the stairwell, away from the scene.

And yet… no matter how far they walked, the image stayed with Shun.

That carefree smile of hers.

That smile he once thought was all his alone.

 PS :  I don't know if anybody is reading this, or if anybody liked this. If you guys comment that would be a big help. This is my first time writing a novel, and I know this story might lack depth, but please if you are interested read STAY and comment your thoughts, even if you didn't like the story let me know in the comments, at least comment bad or good if you got nothing to say :)