In search of you

A car slowly entered the grounds of a large mansion under the night sky.

The headlights dimmed as the vehicle came to a stop. Noa stepped out and walked toward the mansion. Several house workers lined up and welcomed her warmly. From the upper floor, Noa’s mother hurried downstairs and greeted her with a gentle smile.

“Welcome home, Noa. How was school today? Did your friend like the food you made?”

Noa removed her shoes and replied softly,

“It was nice, Mother… Has Father come home yet?”

Her mother shook her head.

“No. Come to the dining room and have dinner.”

“No, Mother. I’m fine. I have a lot to study.”

Before her mother could say anything else, Noa ran upstairs.

Her mother stood there quietly and whispered,

“What happened to her…?”

Inside her room, Noa tossed her bag onto the bed and collapsed onto it. Hugging her pillow tightly, she smiled and closed her eyes.

The memory returned.

The kiss on his forehead.

His surprised reaction.

Her face grew hot.

She opened her eyes quickly, sat up, and walked to her study table. From her bag, she took out the diary Isamu had given her. Opening it slowly, she began to write.

Yesterday…

Before meeting you, I met Etsuko at the college to give him the food I had made. I found him sitting alone on a bench in the playground. I walked up quietly and scared him.

He jumped and said,

“Oh—Noa! You scared me again. What are you doing here? Is there any problem? Should I call Isamu?”

I laughed and replied,

“No issues. I just came to give Isamu the food I made. I made some for you too.”

When I handed it to him, I noticed his face. It reflected a deep sadness. I asked what was wrong, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he asked where you were and guided me through the hallway.

That’s when I saw you.

You were walking past us… with a girl beside you.

I felt jealous.

She could talk to you so easily, while I struggled just to stand near you. She looked good. And the two of you looked so close.

Today…

I was sleeping when a maid entered my room.

“Ma’am, it’s time for school. Your mother is waiting.”

I groaned, shaking my head as my long hair fell over my face.

“Is it already time…?”

The maid gently pulled away my blanket. I got up, went to the bathroom, and prepared for school.

Downstairs, I was welcomed by my stepbrother, Fenrir Rei—half Japanese, half American.

“Good morning,” he said with a smile.

We went to the dining room together.

Mother was already seated.

“Which university have you decided on, Rei?” she asked.

“I’ve decided to join Harvard University.”

“That’s wonderful,” she replied. “Why don’t you take Noa with you?”

I froze.

Without another word, I stood up and left the room.

“Noa, wait!” they both shouted.

“What kind of behaviour is this?” Mother yelled.

I didn’t turn back.

I left the house, entered the car, and Rei followed me.

“Noa… she’s still your mother. You should respect her.”

“For what?” I snapped. “I told her already—I don’t want to move especially not with you. I like Japan. Do you understand?”

“I do… but don’t hurt her feelings.”

I looked away.

“And what about you? You’re famous at school. Every girl loves you—even though you’re not in my class, every girl wants you .”

“Stop it… You’re making me shy.”

“Shut up. I’m upset with my mother .”

At school, the moment we stepped out of the car, everyone stared. I felt their eyes on us.

I met my friends and greeted them. Then  Rei came to me again.

“Good morning, girls. Have a good day,” Rei said. “See you later, Noa.”

The girls screamed his name.

“You said you’d introduce him to us,” one of them teased.

I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

Class began.

“Good morning, Noa,” the boy beside me said.

“Good morning, Rin.”

At lunch, my friends gathered around my desk.

“Hey Noa,” one of them said, “you said you have a boyfriend, but you never showed him.”

“Don’t shout,” I whispered.

“Then when will you show him?”

Rin overheard us.

“You have a boyfriend? Why don’t I join you to meet him?”

“That’s why I told you not to shout. Yes, I have one. Please don’t tell anyone.”

Rin nodded.

“I promise.”

“Okay. After school, we’ll meet him. End of discussion.”

Everyone cheered.

After school, I asked Rei to cover for me.

“Please make an excuse to Mother.”

“Alright. I’ll be late too.”

We took a bus to the university.

My friends were amazed.

“So your boyfriend is a college student?”

I blushed.

Because of the festival, no one stopped us. We asked a boy for directions.

“He’s busy. If it’s important, go to Room 21.”

Isamu stood there—coat over his shoulder, glasses on, fixed his funk hair perfectly styled and two part the hair in front .

Isamu opened the door in a hurry and stepped out.

My heart stopped.

He looked so handsome.

“Oh, Noa? What are you doing here again?”

“They… they wanted to see you.”

My classmates girls are also shy and amazed by Isamu 

“Hello,” he said calmly. “I’m Isamu Botan. Noa’s boyfriend.”

I turned completely red.

They noticed his tie was messy and my friends forced me to fix it. Standing so close to him made my heart race.

Rin looked away, clearly jealous.

“I’m Rin Kanzaki. Nice to meet you.”

“I have to go,” Isamu said. “Yuzuki dumped all her work on me again.”

When he mentioned Yuzuki, my chest tightened.

Rin has noticed my pale face 

Before leaving, he handed me a letter.

“Please give this to Etsuko.”

Then he ran off while wearing his coat.

Later, I found Etsuko sitting alone under a tree.

I gave him the letter.

He read it… and started crying.

“What happened?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“Nothing.”

Then he ran.

Still crying.