An Eternal Bond

Ever since he was a boy, Yuto Nakamura had been bad at making friends. He was the quiet kid who sat at the back of the classroom, observing the world but never participating. Unlike other kids, when Yuto was asked a question or talked to other kids, his mind just went blank. Everyone else always seemed to know what to say, but not him. ‘How do they always know what to say’. It didn’t help that Yuto had never known his parents. Their untimely passing when he was a child had left Yuto feeling distant and different than everyone else around him.

That was until his grandfather, Kazuki, took him in and became his pillar of support. Kazuki was a wise and kind man, teaching Yuto life's lessons and instilling in him a sense of wonder for the world.

"Yuto, my boy, life is an adventure waiting to be embraced. Don't let your shyness hold you back. You just need to get out there and make a change!" Kazuki would say, patting Yuto on the back just enough to almost knock him over, encouraging his introverted grandson to step outside his comfort zone.

Yuto cherished these words, but taking that leap seemed an impossible task. It’s true that his heart yearned for companionship and love, but his fear of rejection had always held him back. As he grew older, the whispers of doubt grew louder, making him wonder if he was destined to live a solitary life.

That had all changed one evening in his junior year of highschool, as the sun painted the sky in hues of gold, and Yuto found himself staring up at the passing clouds on his grandfather’s house rooftop, seeking solace in the vast expanse of the city below. He clutched his grandfather's words close to his heart, longing for the strength to heed his advice.

"Grandpa, I wish you were here," Yuto whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "You always believed in me, but now that you're gone, I feel lost."

The loss of his beloved grandfather only days prior had left a void in Yuto's heart. While he had never been able to get to know his parents, Kazuki had been there his entire life and had given him the encouragement and confidence to always keep taking steps forward. Yuto missed their conversations, their walks in the park to feed pigeons, and their quiet moments of shared understanding. Yuto thought back to the funeral, to all of the people who had come to mourn his grandfather. He had never met them and would probably never interact with again. Yuto also remembered his pledge, standing before his grandfather’s gravestone, vowing to honor his memory by finally making that change and taking the step forward he had promised to.

"I won't let my fear dictate my life anymore," Yuto declared, quietly. "I'll step out of my comfort zone and find the love and connection you always believed I deserved."

In the days that followed, Yuto decided to be proactive. He had always enjoyed taking strolls around the park and feeding the pigeons, so he decided to join his school’s hiking club and had signed up to feed and take care of the school pets after school. After his grandfather’s passing, he even started saying yes to going out with other students after school and made a few friends. Each and every day, Yuto found himself pushing to be more outgoing. It wasn’t often yet, but he even had memorized how to respond in some common social situations now. However, he knew there was a long road ahead of him. The anxiety of meeting new people and new interactions was still as terrifying as always. At the same time, he knew he had changed and was proud of himself.

A full month after his grandfather’s passing, and Yuto was beginning to feel more normal than he had ever felt in his life. He had companionship, and some pretty good ones at that, but the thought of pursuing love seemed impossible.

As he was walking through the park, his mind was particularly absorbed in his thoughts, recounting all of his mistakes from that day’s social interactions and making mental notes on what to say next time to avoid being awkward. Without thinking much about it, Yuto had sat down on a park bench and was feeding pigeons. He always used a special feed that his grandfather had taught him to make special for the birds. With his head so far in the clouds, Yuto was snapped back to reality as his bag of breadcrumbs ripped and flew everywhere, creating a hilarious flurry of feathers.

"Oops, that wasn't supposed to happen," Yuto mumbled, trying to gather the spilled crumbs.

A giggle rang out from a nearby bench, and Yuto turned to find a girl watching him with amusement.

Yuto’s breath immediately got caught in his chest. She was a breathtaking sight to behold. Her eyes, a warm shade of amber, had crinkled as she had giggled at his situation. Her long, flowing chestnut hair cascaded down her shoulders like a gentle waterfall, and he found himself captivated by the way it swayed with her every movement. Her smile, framed by soft, delicate lips, had an enchanting charm that left Yuto mesmerized.

As Yuto laid eyes on Hana for the first time, his heart skipped a beat. His awkwardness momentarily forgotten; his mind began to wander into the realm of fantasies. In an instant they were hand in hand, strolling through a sunlit meadow, laughing and sharing secrets. He pictured himself boldly complimenting her and making her smile, just like in those romance movies he had watched and always wanted to recreate.

Reality brought him back to Earth, and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized he was staring. Quickly, he averted his gaze, hoping she hadn't noticed his awkwardness. But the image of her beauty was now imprinted in his mind.

Whoops. Yuto’s fantasies had gotten away from him again.

"Looks like you've got yourself a fan club," she quipped, unable to contain her laughter.

His cheeks flushed crimson as he sheepishly tried to gather the spilled breadcrumbs. His awkwardness appeared to only make the situation more endearing to her.

Embarrassed but not deterred, Yuto managed to smile shyly, while his brain frantically attempted to come up with a response. "Yeah, I didn't expect this to happen. I'm not exactly great at feeding birds, as you can see."

The woman stepped closer, and the pigeons scattered, leaving him standing there, holding the now-empty bag of breadcrumbs. She extended her hand. "I'm Hana. You seem to have quite the charm with these pigeons."

He hesitated for a moment, then took her hand, his grip gentle yet warm. "I'm Yuto. Nice to meet you, Hana."

As they shook hands, a spark of connection passed between them. Yuto found himself drawn to Hana's vibrant energy.

"So, Yuto," Hana said, her eyes twinkling with amusement, "are you a regular pigeon whisperer around here?"

Yuto chuckled softly, his nervousness beginning to subside. Yuto couldn’t help but think that maybe all of his training had been paying off. "Well, kinda. I used to come here a lot with my grandfather and now I find myself coming back every time I need to think something through, but it seems I'm not very skilled at it."

Hana leaned against a nearby bench. "Well, you certainly made their day, and mine too. It's not often you get to witness a pigeon spectacle like that."

Yuto's cheeks reddened again, but this time it was from the warmth of Hana's words. "I'm glad I could provide some entertainment." Was he actually holding a real conversation with this beautiful woman?

As they chatted further, the conversation flowed effortlessly, as if they had known each other for much longer than a few minutes. They exchanged stories and anecdotes, laughing together as they discovered shared interests and quirks.

Yuto's shyness seemed to melt away as they talked. Time seemed to slip away, and before they knew it, the park's lights flickered to life, signaling the approaching evening. Yuto reluctantly realized it was time to go.

"Well, Yuto, it was really nice meeting you," Hana said, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

Yuto nodded, his eyes lingering on her. "Likewise, Hana. I had a great time talking to you."

As they prepared to part ways, an unexpected thought crossed Yuto's mind. Summoning his courage, he mustered the words he had been wanting to say.

"Hey, um, Hana, would you like to hang out sometime? Maybe we could grab a coffee or go for a walk in the park?"

Hana's smile widened, and she nodded eagerly. "I'd love that, Yuto. Coffee sounds great." Yes! Now he just had to spend the next few days looking up coffee orders so he could nail his delivery to the barista.

The moment seemed to linger, a shared anticipation hanging in the air. Yuto felt a mix of excitement and nervousness, unsure if he was reading the situation correctly.

"Great!" Yuto replied, trying to contain his enthusiasm. "How about this Saturday at the café near the park entrance?"

Hana nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Saturday it is, then. I'll see you there."

As Hana walked away, Yuto watched her retreating figure with a newfound sense of hope. He couldn't help but feel that this chance encounter was something special, a step towards breaking free from his shyness and embracing a new adventure that lay ahead.

Over the next few days, Yuto couldn't help but replay their meeting in his mind. He watched videos on how to be a good partner, how to be a good listener, what to wear - anything to make sure the date would be a success.

Finally, the day of their date arrived, and, after changing outfits six times, Yuto got on his bike and pedaled to the meeting spot. As he turned the corner, he saw her standing by the park entrance, her face radiant in the soft glow of the morning sun. His heart raced with anticipation, feeling like it was about to burst out of his chest.

"Hi, Yuto! I'm so glad you could make it," Hana said warmly, her smile sending butterflies fluttering in Yuto's stomach.

He managed a nervous grin. "Yeah, me too."

As they walked, Yuto couldn't help but feel the weight of his insecurities. He stumbled over his words, trying to find the right things to say, but Hana seemed unfazed, laughing at his jokes and sharing her own stories.

"You know," she said, her voice gentle, "I used to be just as shy as you. But I realized that sometimes, you just have to take a chance."

Yuto looked at her, finding solace in her words. In her presence, he felt a sense of calm he had never experienced before. Hana made him forget his worries, and for the first time, he felt truly comfortable in someone's company.

As the day wore on, they found themselves lost in conversation, strolling through a park illuminated by the passing light of the sun. Yuto found himself opening up to Hana, sharing his fears and dreams, something he had rarely done with anyone before, not even his grandfather.

"You know, Yuto," she said, her eyes filled with compassion, "you don't have to be perfect. Just be yourself, and that's enough."

Even though he’d heard that line from so many people over the years, something about Hana saying it touched his heart, and Yuto felt a deep connection forming between them. It was as if she could see past his insecurities, reaching into his soul and bringing him to life.

As they neared the end of their date, the sunlight had turned to twilight and Yuto's heart swelled with gratitude. He knew that this chance encounter was no mere coincidence. It was the hand of fate guiding him to this moment, to Hana. He had been working so hard on breaking out of his shell and he had been rewarded.

When they finally said their goodbyes, all of the excitement turned to an inexplicable emptiness. Yuto didn't want the night to end, didn't want to part ways with the girl who had awakened something within him.

Every word, every sentence, kept replaying in Yuto’s head on his bike ride back home. It wasn’t until he had he almost hit a lamppost that he realized his throat was dry and he was also really hungry. So, halfway back home now, Yuto stopped to get a drink from the convenience store.

As he sat out in the cool night air, his heart thumped wildly as he remembered Hana. He was both terribly embarrassed about all of the mistakes he felt he made but equally excited about this new connection. He knew he would not be able to sleep if he did not go back and see her one last time to clear up some of the stupid things he had said. He chugged the rest of his drink, almost choking a bit, and mounted his bike. He pedaled as hard as he could, his heart racing, his cheeks flushed, each second feeling like an hour. He was close to the park entrance again. "Hana!" Yuto called out, exhilaration coursing through his veins.

As he approached the bus stop where he knew Hana would be waiting, he heard a distant yell that almost made him crash his bike. It sounded familiar. A sense of urgency gripped him, and he pedaled faster towards the sound.

When he arrived, his heart dropped to his stomach. There, under the streetlight, was Hana; injured and lying on the ground, blood trickling from an unseen wound. A man in a black hoodie and dark grey pants stood over her, the light glinting off of his cruel sneer as he stood over her.

"Hana! No!" Yuto cried out, panic and fear surging through him.

Before he could think, Yuto acted on instinct. He didn't hesitate for a second, pedaling as fast as he could and crashing his bike into the man. Just as the man looked up, WHAM. The force knocked the attacker off his feet, giving Yuto a moment to rush to Hana's side.

"Hana!? Hana!? Are you okay?" Yuto asked, his voice trembling with worry as he scooped her up and checked for a pulse.

Hana winced in pain but managed a weak nod. "I... I think I'll be fine. Police..." Her last words were barely louder than whispers.

Yuto pulled out his phone and dialed emergency services, his hands shaking. As he spoke to the operator, he kept an eye on the attacker, who was slowly getting back to his feet, rage in his eyes.

The police were on their way, but Yuto knew they might not arrive in time. He had to protect Hana. Summoning his courage, he stood between Hana and the attacker, his heart pounding in his chest.

"You won't hurt her anymore," Yuto said, his voice surprisingly steady despite his fear.

The attacker glared at Yuto, his face contorted with anger. "You can't stop me! She belongs to me!"

"No… no one belongs to anyone!" Yuto retorted, his voice shaky but firm. "Hana is her own person, and she deserves to be treated with respect and kindness."

His words were interrupted as the attacker lunged at Yuto with the knife. Yuto managed to dodge the first strike, but the second blow caught him off guard, and he felt a searing pain in his side. He stumbled back, clutching the wound, but he refused to back down.

Hana screamed for him to be careful, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Yuto, please!"

As the struggle continued, the sound of sirens filled the air. The police were finally approaching, but Yuto knew he had to buy more time to protect Hana.

With the last of his strength, he mustered all his courage and charged at the attacker once more, but this time the man's knife found its mark. Yuto felt a sharp pain in his chest, and he fell to the ground, his vision fading rapidly.

As darkness enveloped him, Yuto heard the voices of the paramedics arriving on the scene. He tilted his head to look at Hana, who now appeared to be unconscious. Just as his fear began to grow, he overheard the paramedic, "The girl looks stable; she should be alright."

Relief washed over Yuto, and he though to himself, "Oh, thank goodness."

With his final ounce of strength, Yuto reached out his hand to Hana, who was now being tended to by the paramedics. Even though she was unconscious he could have sworn he saw her hand twitch as he just managed to touch the tip of her finger. He managed to give a weak smile.

"I'm glad... you'll be okay," Yuto whispered, his vision growing dim.

As his hand slipped from Hana's, Yuto's world faded into darkness. He had given his all to protect the girl he had just met, and in the end, he knew he had made the ultimate sacrifice for love. Maybe it wasn’t the love he had always dreamed of achieving one day, but beggars can’t be choosers. If only he had gotten started earlier and not wasted so much time.

But then… There was light.

As Yuto slowly regained consciousness, he found himself disoriented and surrounded by some sort of otherworldly glow. Looking around, he appeared to be in a hospital room, but unlike any he had seen before. Confusion overtook him and he tried to piece together what had happened, but his memories were hazy, as if a distant dream. The pain he had felt before was gone, replaced by an inexplicable sense of warmth and comfort. As he gazed around, a voice resounded in his mind,

“New player registered. Yuto.

Level: One.

HP: One.

Strength: One.

Speed: One.

Magic: One.

Equipment: None.

Job: Unknown

Skills: Unique Skill - Love Meter.”

As he faded back into unconsciousness, a series of images flashed before Yuto’s mind. Amber eyes. A cascade of brown hair. Adventurers. Dungeons. Love? This was the weirdest dream ever.