Chapter 3 – After School Secrets

The final bell rang through the halls of Sakura High, echoing over the clatter of chairs and chatter of students rushing to leave.
Yui stayed seated, her bag neatly packed, her posture straight. Her blue eyes flicked to Yuto, who was slinging his backpack over one shoulder and chatting with his friend Riku.

He laughed—an easy, natural sound that made Yui’s heart flutter and ache all at once.

That smile… it’s too bright to share with anyone else.

When Yuto noticed her watching, he grinned. “You ready to work on our project, Matsumoto?”

Her heart leapt. “Y-Yes! Of course.”

Riku raised a brow, smirking. “Oh? You two staying late together? Sounds romantic.”

Yuto rolled his eyes. “It’s just a school project, dude.”

But Yui’s lips curved into a faint smile. Just a project for now. But someday…

They met in the art room, the late afternoon sunlight slanting through the windows, dust floating like tiny stars in the golden air. The classroom was quiet except for the sound of Yuto pulling out cardboard, paints, and fake spiderwebs from a box.

“Okay,” Yuto said, setting things down. “We’ll need to design the café layout. Maybe like—tables with spooky decorations, dark curtains, flickering lights…”

Yui nodded, sitting primly across from him. “I already thought of the color scheme—black, crimson, and deep purple. It’ll look mysterious and romantic.”

Yuto chuckled. “Romantic? For a haunted café?”

Her cheeks flushed faintly. “W-Well, maybe… a little romance makes the fear sweeter, don’t you think?”

Yuto blinked. “Huh. Never thought of it that way.”

For a moment, their eyes met. The golden light hit her hair just right, making it shimmer. Yuto looked away quickly, clearing his throat. “Uh, yeah. Anyway. Let’s paint the sign.”

Yui smiled softly, secretly pleased by his flustered reaction.

As they worked, their hands occasionally brushed over the same paintbrush, same paint bottle, same paper. Every time, Yuto laughed it off—“Oops, sorry”—but Yui’s pulse raced faster.

Each touch felt like a spark.

Each laugh like a promise.

If only you knew, Yuto… if only you knew how much I want to keep you by my side forever.

After an hour of decorating, Yuto leaned back with a sigh. “Man, this is harder than I thought.”

Yui tilted her head, amused. “You’re already tired?”

“I didn’t say that,” he said, smirking. “Just… didn’t think painting would be this messy.”

She giggled softly. “You have some on your cheek.”

“Huh? Where?”

“Here.”

Without thinking, Yui leaned forward and gently wiped the paint off his face with her thumb. Her touch lingered for a second too long. Yuto froze, feeling the warmth of her fingers.

“T-Thanks,” he muttered, turning away quickly, his face slightly red.

Yui smiled to herself, her heart fluttering wildly. He blushed… He really did.

As the silence stretched between them, Yuto grabbed a brush and dipped it in paint. “You missed a spot,” he said with a mischievous grin—then dabbed a small blue streak on Yui’s cheek.

Her eyes widened. “Yuto…”

He laughed. “There! Now we match.”

For a second, she just stared at him—then, unexpectedly, she smiled. “Oh really?”

She grabbed another brush and flicked a tiny dot of paint on his arm.

“Hey!”

“Payback,” she said softly, giggling.

And just like that, the serious, quiet art room turned into a playful battlefield. Paint streaks flew. Laughter filled the air. Yui’s gentle smile turned bright and genuine, and Yuto couldn’t help but grin back.

When the laughter finally faded, they were both sitting on the floor, breathless and covered in spots of blue, red, and white paint.

“That was fun,” Yuto said between chuckles.

Yui looked at him, her heart swelling. “Yes… it really was.”

For a moment, time slowed. The setting sun painted the room orange and pink. Yuto looked peaceful, smiling softly at the ceiling.

He’s so close… so beautiful.

Her hand inched toward his, trembling slightly. She wanted to hold it. Just once. Just for a second—

But then the classroom door slid open.

“Whoa, Yuto! You’re still here?” Riku’s voice broke the moment. He stepped in, grinning. “You and Matsumoto… having fun, huh?”

Yuto jumped up quickly. “I-It’s not what it looks like!”

Yui’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes darkened slightly.

Riku laughed, waving. “Relax, man. Anyway, we’re heading out for ramen. You coming?”

“Yeah, sure,” Yuto said, glancing apologetically at Yui. “Sorry, Matsumoto. I’ll clean up tomorrow, okay?”

She forced a small smile. “It’s fine. Go ahead.”

He waved as he left. “See you tomorrow.”

The door clicked shut.

The smile faded from Yui’s lips.

Her gaze lingered on the doorway, cold and unblinking.

Riku again… Always interrupting. Always in the way.

She looked down at the floor, at the paintbrush Yuto had dropped. Slowly, she picked it up, tracing her thumb along its handle.

But that’s okay. Because I’m patient. You’ll come back tomorrow, Yuto. And the next day. And the next.

Her reflection in the window smiled faintly—soft and sweet, but her eyes gleamed with quiet obsession.

Soon, you’ll see. No one understands you like I do. No one ever will.

The next morning, Yuto yawned as he walked into class, hair messy, still thinking about yesterday.
When he sat down, something caught his eye—a small note on his desk.

“Thank you for yesterday. You looked really happy. Let’s make more memories together. – Y.M.”

He smiled awkwardly. “Matsumoto, huh?”

Riku peeked over his shoulder. “Ohhh, love letter?”

Yuto laughed it off, but his cheeks warmed slightly. “No, it’s just… a thank-you note.”

Across the room, Yui watched him with a small, satisfied smile.

Yes, read it. Think about me. Keep me in your mind.

Her fingers brushed the pencil she had kept from the other day—the one he had touched. She held it like a secret.

Soon, Yuto… you’ll realize you were always meant to be mine.