Bonus Chapter 28.5 — “I Didn’t Know Back Then”

It was supposed to be a simple cleanup day.

Airi stood in the middle of the living room, staring at a dusty cardboard box labeled in childish handwriting: “AIRI’S TOP SECRET.”
The “secret” part was underlined three times in pink crayon.

“Found this in our attic,” Hina said casually, sipping juice like she hadn't just discoverd a nuclear bomb in box form.
“It’s been sitting there since primary school, I think? You left it here ages ago.”

Airi frowned. “You kept this all this time?”

“Too lazy to throw it away,” Hina said.

Airi opened the box slowly. Inside were old paper dolls, a few broken hairclips, and a thick, doodled diary.

She flipped it open.

Entry: Age 5

Today I got lost.
We were walking home from the festival.
I had cotton candy in one hand, and I was staring at the glowing toy I got from a booth.
Mama and Papa said to hold hands but I saw a very big Mr.rabbit ballon and forgot.
I cried and cried and then a scary dog came.
It barked and walks towards me and it was BIG.
Then a boy came.
He looked sleepy and small and had messy hair.
But he stood in front of me like a hero.

The dog finally left after a long time.
Then he sat next to me on the swing and said,

"You didn't even cry, You're so brave."

He stayed with me until Mama found me.
He even gave me his juice box.

I didn’t even know his name.

But I liked him.

He was warm.

Airi smiled.
She remembered the swing, The cold wind, The relief of hearing her mother’s voice again.

She flipped forward.

Entry: Age 9 (Valentine’s Day)

I was going to give him chocolate.

I swear I was!

But then I saw that girl looking at him like she was going to do it first.
So I… might’ve shouted his name and told him he dropped his gym uniform.
He turned around, confused, and the girl ran away.

…I also may have eaten the chocolate myself later.

It had almonds.

Entry: Age 12

Today, someone tried to pass a letter to Yuuji behind the school.

I might’ve intercepted it.

She should’ve at least used better paper, The folds were uneven.

Also, I don’t think Yuuji ever found out.

Entry: Age 13

I made him cry, Not really on purpose. I said something too harsh.
I wanted to say sorry, but he looked scared of me after that.

I hated it.

That’s when I started writing notes.
The nice ones.

I left them in his locker, his desk… one inside his textbook.
He probably never knew they were from me.

I just wanted to say sorry.
But I didn’t know how.

Airi paused, fingers resting gently on the worn page.

“Back then, I really didn’t know how to thank him,” she said softly.

The afternoon sun cast golden rays through the window. She closed the diary, hugging it close.

“But now I can.”

From the kitchen, Hina poked her head out.

“Wow,” she said, dry as ever. “You were an adorable little menace.”

“Shut up,” Airi mumbled, red faced.

Hina grinned. “I like the part where you stole the letter. Very villain origin story.”

Airi smirked. “If I’m the villain, does that make Yuuji the clueless protagonist?”

“…He’s not even that good at being the main character.”

They both laughed.