"...I'm sorry."

"You seem like a really great person, Yaku-san."

"But... my ideal type is someone tall."

"...I hope you find someone good."

The woman left the seat with a regretful smile.

"..."

Left alone in the cafe, Yaku stared at his cold coffee for a long time.

"...It's because of my height again."

After forcing a smile and paying the bill, he stepped out of the cafe.

Under a sky so overcast it looked ready to rain.

Yaku walked with his hands in his pockets and his head hung low.

It's okay.

I'm used to it.

He tried to comfort himself that way, but,

One step.

Two steps.

The corners of his eyes grew hot.

...Ha.

Eventually, one tear, then another, fell onto the asphalt.

The moment he was walking without even looking ahead properly.

Thump.

He bumped straight into someone.

Yaku hurriedly looked up, but,

All the pent-up emotions burst out at once.