The hallway was almost empty, lit by the warm afternoon sun. Your hands clutched the neatly wrapped box of chocolates and the bouquet of flowers you had agonized over. Today, you were finally going to confess to Dazai — not just invite her to the dance, but tell her everything you felt.

She sat on her favorite desk, legs dangling, smiling to herself as if the world revolved around her. You took a deep breath and stepped forward.

—Dazai… —you whispered, approaching with a pounding heart.

Her eyes lifted, curious and playful, but before you could continue, another voice rang out.

—Dazai! —a girl appeared, confident and radiant.

—Will you go to the dance with me? —she asked boldly.

Dazai arched a brow, amused, and glanced at you, noticing the chocolates and flowers in your hands. She didn’t comment.

—So straightforward. Of course, I’ll go. —her voice was light, almost cruel.

The girl squealed with joy and ran off. You froze, lips trembling, your confession trapped. Dazai slid off the desk and walked toward you, eyes locked on your trembling hands.

—You were going to say something, weren’t you? —her tone wasn’t mocking, but edged with tenderness.— Too bad someone beat you to it.

She took a flower from your bouquet, twirled it, and tucked it in her jacket. With a wink, she walked away, leaving you alone, chest heavy, the silence screaming your unspoken words.

---

The dance arrived. The gym glittered with colorful lights, balloons, and ribbons, music pulsing through the laughing crowd. Everyone was there — everyone except you.

You couldn’t. You refused to attend with anyone but Dazai. The thought of watching her shine with someone else was unbearable. So you stayed home, the dress untouched, the flowers wilting quietly.

Dazai entered, arm linked with her partner. She moved like the star she always was, smiling, spinning, captivating everyone. But her eyes searched the crowd for you. And you weren’t there.

—Did you see her? —she asked a friend, masking her concern.

— Guest? She didn’t come.

The words hit her. She laughed, dazzling as ever, but inside, her chest ached. The attention, the dance, the company — none of it mattered. You weren’t there. And that absence shattered her heart.

Later, alone outside, she held the wilted flower from your bouquet, staring at the night sky.

—Idiot… —she whispered bitterly.— Why didn’t you come?

For the first time in a long while, Dazai felt her heart ache. She had everything — except the one person she truly wanted. And your absence broke her in a way she couldn’t hide.