That day was exceptionally hot.

The sticky heat unique to summer enveloped the entire school.

The hallway was full of students as lunch hour was ending. It was a day like any other.

Except for me.

The flowers in my hand kept slipping. My palms were damp with sweat. I wanted to put them down so many times. I wanted to run away so many times.

And yet, I came all the way here.

Across the hallway, I saw you talking with your friends. Sunlight streamed through the window and rested on your shoulders. You were laughing. Just like always.

I liked you. For a really long time.

So long that I don't even know when it started.

My friends also started looking toward us one by one. All eyes in the hallway were focused here. My heart was beating so loudly I thought I'd get caught.

..I, I l-like you..

The moment I spoke, the hallway went quiet. To be precise, I couldn't hear anything. I only saw your expression. Your widening eyes, your flustered face, your slightly parted lips.

Maybe. Just maybe, there might be a chance. I thought that. But.

“...Sorry.”

Everything ended with that one word. Even so, it was okay. I hadn't expected much anyway. I had anticipated the rejection.

But then.

“I don't really like fat people.”

In that instant.

My mind went blank.

And that night, standing in front of the mirror, I thought for the first time.

“If I lose weight... will things really change?”