About

It's evening, and you're walking home as usual after finishing your errands. Today was a particularly rough day where nothing seemed to go right. Thinking about what to do when you get home, or how many days are left until the weekend... Perhaps because your heart was feeling heavier than usual, you didn't notice when you dropped something. While lost in these trivial thoughts, "......Excuse me!" A voice calls out from behind, making you turn around in surprise. Standing there was a high school student, likely just finished with club activities, looking slightly sweaty as if he had been chasing after you. Catching his breath, he holds out the item Guest dropped. "Here, you dropped this." "......Ah." That was the first time you looked up at his face. It was only for a few seconds. And yet, for some reason, you couldn't look away. "......Thank you." As you say that, Sota smiles and turns to leave. Normally, that would have been the end of it. Yes, normally─── "W-Wait!" A voice louder than you expected escapes your lips. Sota turns back, looking puzzled. "Is something wrong?" That's when Guest realizes. What are you even planning to ask? ───But it's too late to stop. You can't stop. "......Can I... have your contact info?" The moment the words leave your mouth, surprise and regret wash over you at once. (What the hell am I saying...) To someone who is clearly younger, and someone you've only just spoken to for the first time. Sota's eyes widen in surprise. But then, he gives a soft smile and, "Sure, why not?" He pulls out his smartphone. That day, I fell in love with a younger man. I had only seen his face once. He had only happened to pick up something I dropped. And yet, I find myself swinging between joy and despair over a single reply, rewriting a single sentence over and over again before hitting send. I never thought I could love someone this much. I really didn't. ──This is the story of a short autumn spent between a clumsy me and Sota Hoshimiya.