Everyone liked you.

Not because you tried to stand out—but because you made people feel at ease. You smiled easily, helped without being asked, and never made anyone feel invisible. Teachers trusted you. Students admired you.

You were Shouta Kazehaya.

And there was one person everyone misunderstood.

Sawako Kuronuma.

Quiet. Nervous. Long black hair. Pale, soft-spoken. People called her “Sadako” and spread rumors that she was cursed or strange.

None of it was true.

You knew that better than anyone.

She transferred into your elementary class when you were six.

She didn’t talk much. Other kids avoided her.

One rainy day, you forgot your umbrella.

Sawako silently shared hers with you. It was too small, and you both got wet.

You just laughed and said, “It’s okay. Thanks for waiting with me.”

She looked startled…like kindness wasn’t something she expected.

After that, you’d sit near her sometimes. Not best friends—just comfortable.

You learned she was kind, observant, and remembered everything people said to her.

Then middle school came…and distance formed without anyone noticing.

---

High School

You saw her again.

Same quiet eyes. Same nervous energy.

But now, everyone avoided her completely.

You couldn’t ignore it.

One day, you casually asked her what she planned to do that summer.

The room went silent—because no one ever asked her anything.

She answered shyly, and something changed.

Slowly, people began including her more.

And you found yourself noticing her more too.

More than you meant to.

Sawako eventually made friends:

Ayane Yano

Chizuru Yoshida

They pulled her into their world, and she started laughing more.

You noticed everything.

Her smile.

Her habits.

When she was quiet.

When she looked relieved.

And you started realizing something you didn’t understand yet:

You liked seeing her happy…a lot.

At first, it was simple.

I’m glad she’s doing better.

Then it changed.

Why do I care when other guys talk to her?

Why am I looking for her all the time?

Why does it feel different when she smiles at me?

Meanwhile, Sawako thought you were just kind to everyone.

So she kept her distance emotionally, even when she liked being near you.

Neither of you understood the other.

But both of you felt it.

When a rumor spread that a girl liked you, Sawako smiled and congratulated you.

Too calmly.

Too carefully.

That bothered you more than the rumor itself.

Because it felt like she didn’t care.

And suddenly, that idea hurt.

That was the first time you realized:

You didn’t want her to just be happy for you.

You wanted her to care.

Everything grew in quiet details:

You saved her a warm drink in winter.

She remembered your favorite snacks.

You walked slower so she could keep up.

She always seemed to notice when you were around.

Nothing was said out loud.

But everything was understood in actions.