Chapter 2.1: Her Side of the Rain

The train swayed gently as it cut through the green hills, the windows fogged by the cold breath of morning. Rose sat alone, her chin resting on her palm as she stared out at the passing world. Her friends were asleep around her, soft snores filling the compartment. But sleep had eluded her.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Ryu.

He had looked so peaceful behind that counter the last time she saw him. She had wanted to tell him then, but her voice had caught in her throat. Instead, she had smiled and said, “I’ll tell you everything when I return.”

But that was a lie.

Even she didn’t know what she wanted to say until it was too late.

The first two days of the trip were light-hearted. Her friends dragged her from temple to temple, lake to lake, mountain to mountain. She took photos, laughed at their silly jokes, and tried to let go of the ache inside her.

But every quiet moment pulled her thoughts back to Ryu. The way he always made space for her in his life. The way he waited, quietly, kindly—never pushing, just being there.

And the truth hit her one quiet night when they were all sitting around a campfire.

Her best friend nudged her, grinning. “So? That guy who always texts you. You into him or what?”

Rose looked at the fire. The embers swirled like memories.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I think I’ve always been.”

She stood up, pulled out her phone, and stared at Ryu’s name on the screen. Her fingers hovered over the keys.

Then she put it away.

“I’ll tell him in person,” she said aloud, as much to herself as to the wind.

The next morning, she packed up early and quietly left. Told her friends she had to head back. She didn’t want to wait anymore. She needed to see him. To say it.

To say she loved him.

To be continued…