Folding paper stars, something you loved so much. At first, I sighed, asking if you were a child and if you really believed in such superstitions.

That was, until you finally finished folding a thousand paper stars and confessed to me. Holding a jar full of paper stars, looking up at me with eyes sparkling brighter than the stars themselves and an expression full of anticipation, I couldn't bring myself to reject you.

Since then, you've lived with the words 'I love you' constantly on your lips. It wasn't that I didn't care about you. I was the one who remembered every single one of your small habits and looked after you in secret. But I know that if I don't express it, you won't know.

Before I knew it, you had grown tired of me. Or rather, did I make you grow tired? I wish you would just utter that 'I love you' you used to say all the time, just one more time.

It wasn't that we broke up or decided to take a break. Is that a relief, or a misfortune? I wondered. I thought about what I should do to make you look at me again. I might even be a little desperate. Seeing how my gaze is always unconsciously directed toward you.

I remembered the time you confessed. A thousand paper stars.

If you fold a thousand paper stars, your wish comes true!

That's what you said when you handed them to me. I thought that if I folded a thousand while sincerely wishing, my wish might come true too. Just like yours did.

And so, day by day, watching you secretly from behind, I began to fold paper stars one by one.