First Love

This is about my first love. I fell in love with him—and even now, I still can't forget that feeling. Maybe what people say is true: you never forget your first love. I remember it vividly.

“Yuki!”

That’s my friend, Nami. She’s in the same class as me. In two years, I’ll be in high school. Maybe I should start preparing myself to get a boyfriend. Most of my friends are already in relationships, including Nami. Sometimes, I wonder… Am I just not attractive enough?

But honestly, that’s just a selfish thought. The reality is, I’m just an introverted girl. Quiet. Ordinary.

But one day, everything started to change. I ran into someone—an old classmate from elementary school—by pure coincidence while I was out in town.

“Is that you, Yuki?” he asked.

“Yes! And you’re Touma, right?” I asked, trying to confirm.

“Yes! It’s been such a long time! What have you been up to?”

“Just studying. How about you?”

“I’m in the soccer club now. In two months, we’ll have a match against Sakura Middle School.”

“Wait! That’s my school!” I was surprised.

“Really? Maybe it’s destiny!” he said, laughing. “But we’re going to give it our all!”

“Good luck!” I smiled.

“By the way, can you give me your contact number? It’ll be easier to talk—I’ll be busy with practice. I miss talking with my old classmates, especially from elementary school,” Touma said.

“Of course!”

We exchanged numbers. That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I wanted to talk to him again—no, I needed to.

So I messaged him, asking if he was free. He replied within five minutes.

From that day on, we began messaging each other every night. We talked about everything—why he chose another school, whether he still kept in touch with our old friends, even our future dreams. I didn’t even realize the time had passed until I saw the clock—2 a.m.

The next day at school, Nami noticed.

“Are you okay, Yuki? You look like a panda,” she teased.

“I just… couldn’t sleep last night. I was too happy.”

“What happened?” she asked curiously.

“That’s a secret,” I replied, smiling to myself.

Each night became something I looked forward to. His messages made my day. His words made me feel seen, heard. I felt safe with him.

And before I even realized it… I had fallen in love.

One day, Nami asked me a question that made my heart skip.

“Yuki, have you ever experienced your first love?”

“First love?”

“Yeah. I’m dating someone now, but I still can’t forget my first love. I was rejected by him, though.”

First love.

The first person who popped into my mind was… Touma.

“I think I’m going through mine right now,” I said softly.

“Really? Who is it? Who finally caught your heart?”

“I’m not telling,” I smiled.

“Come on!”

Two months passed since we met again in town. Every night, my heart fluttered, waiting for our chats. I started thinking: maybe tomorrow… maybe tomorrow I’ll confess.

“Yeah, tomorrow is the match against your school,” Touma messaged.

“You ready? Our school’s team is pretty strong,” I teased.

“It doesn’t matter. As long as I give it my all, I won’t have any regrets.”

“You sound really confident.”

“And hey, if you have time, maybe we can meet up tomorrow? I’ll bring my friends—we could have lunch together.”

“It’s my pleasure!” I replied, my heart soaring.

That night, I decided to make lunch for him. Maybe tomorrow would be the perfect time… to confess my love.

The day arrived.

The match started after school. I came with Nami, but really… I only wanted to see Touma play. And there he was—fast, focused, brilliant. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

“Yuki, who are you staring at?” Nami asked. “Jersey number 10?”

How did she know?

“Yes. He’s just… really good,” I replied, trying to cover my feelings.

“Hmm. Are you sure that’s all? Anyway, I heard a rumor. Someone said he might have a girlfriend… and that she’s a student here.”

“…Really?”

Touma had never talked about any girl. I knew everything about him—his dreams, his struggles, even his family. That had to be just a rumor.

The match ended. Touma’s team won.

I was excited to meet him for lunch, my heart pounding with anticipation. I called his name—but then I saw something I wish I hadn’t.

A girl suddenly hugged Touma from behind.

“Touma! Congrats! I knew you’d win!”

“You watched the game, Sayuri?”

“Of course! You were amazing! By the way, where’s the friend you wanted to introduce me to?”

“There she is!” he said, pointing at me. “Yuki, this is my girlfriend. Her name is Sayuri.”

Sayuri and I bowed to each other. The air between us was awkward. Painful.

“Let’s go eat! I’m starving!” Touma said, cheerfully unaware.

I forced a smile, but I couldn’t stay.

“Sorry, Touma. I have something to do. You two go ahead. Goodbye.”

And then I ran.

I didn’t want him to see my tears.

I ran until I reached the school rooftop. I stood there alone as the tears poured out.

How foolish of me.

I should’ve known I didn’t stand a chance. But even without confessing, it felt like I’d been rejected. Watching them together… it felt like I’d lost a match I didn’t even play.

I hated that feeling.

Now, ten years have passed.

But I still can’t forget that bittersweet memory. It’s engraved in my heart—the warmth, the longing, the heartbreak.

I wonder what he’s doing now.

…Who cares?

There’s so much more to life. So many things to explore and enjoy.

Then, my phone rings.

“Hello? Nami?”

“Yuki! Are you free this weekend?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Let’s go to the beach! I want to find my soulmate!”

I laughed. She’s still the same.

“Okay!”