Chapter 7: The Whisper of Hidden Fears

Gabu's Diary Entry:

It's been a few weeks since that night in the park. Since Rei wrote in my diary. Since she promised to make my dreams real. I've read her words so many times that I could probably recite them in my sleep.

"Dreams aren't meant to stay on paper. Let's make them real together."

Every time I think about it, my heart does this weird mix of soaring and sinking. What did she mean? Did she actually mean it? Or was it just another one of her cryptic, teasing remarks?

I don't know why it scares me so much, the idea of things changing between us. Maybe it's because a part of me still doesn't believe this could be real.

But I can't deny it anymore—Rei is different lately. Or maybe I'm the one who's changed. Either way, things between us feel… heavier. More complicated. Like there's something unspoken hanging in the air every time we're together.

And today, everything finally came to a head.

The day started like any other. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I was already running late for school. Typical. I barely had time to grab my bag before dashing out the door, my brain too frazzled to even think about the diary safely tucked inside.

When I reached the classroom, Rei was already there, leaning casually against her desk with that trademark smirk of hers. She didn't say anything as I stumbled in, panting like I'd just run a marathon, but her eyes followed me all the way to my seat.

"Rough morning?" she asked, her voice tinged with amusement.

I shot her a glare. "Don't start."

She chuckled softly, and I couldn't help but notice the way the sunlight caught in her hair, making it shimmer like something out of a dream. Ugh. Why does she have to be so effortlessly perfect all the time?

Class went by in a blur, and I barely managed to focus on anything. My mind kept drifting back to Rei's words, to the weight of her gaze whenever she looked at me. By lunchtime, I felt like I was going to explode from the sheer intensity of it all.

When the bell rang, I made a beeline for the rooftop. It's always been my go-to escape spot, a place where I can breathe and think without the chaos of the world pressing in on me.

But of course, Rei had other plans.

"Skipping lunch again?" Her voice startled me as I stepped onto the rooftop, and I turned to see her leaning casually against the doorframe.

"How do you always find me?" I asked, more annoyed than I intended.

Rei shrugged, her expression unreadable. "It's not that hard. You're predictable, Gabu."

I bristled at her words, but before I could retort, she walked over to me and plopped down on the bench beside me.

"So," she said, her tone light but probing. "What's been on your mind lately?"

I froze. Did she know? Could she tell how much her words had been haunting me?

"Nothing," I lied, turning away to avoid her piercing gaze.

Rei sighed, leaning back against the bench. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

Her words stung, but she wasn't wrong. I couldn't lie to save my life, especially not to her.

"Fine," I muttered, hugging my knees to my chest. "It's about what you wrote in my diary. I've been… thinking about it a lot."

Rei didn't respond immediately, and the silence stretched between us like a fragile thread. Finally, she said, "And? What are you thinking?"

I hesitated, my throat tightening. How could I possibly explain the whirlwind of emotions her words had stirred in me? The hope, the fear, the overwhelming confusion?

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just… a lot."

Rei nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I figured as much."

For a moment, I thought she might tease me again, but instead, her voice softened. "You don't have to figure it all out right now, you know. We can take it slow."

Her words caught me off guard, and I turned to look at her, my heart pounding. There was something in her eyes—a vulnerability I hadn't seen before. It was like she was letting me see a part of her she usually kept hidden.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, the question spilling out before I could stop myself. "Why do you care so much?"

Rei's lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. "Because I want to," she said simply. "And because I think… you're worth it."

My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Gabu's Diary Entry (Later That Night):

Rei said I'm worth it.

Those words keep echoing in my mind, over and over again. I don't know what to do with them, how to even begin to process them.

But for the first time in a long time, I feel something I haven't felt in years—hope.

Hope that maybe, just maybe, this isn't all in my head.

Hope that dreams really can come true.

And maybe, just maybe, Rei is the one who's going to help me believe it.