Between 2 hearts

Days passed after the school festival, and everything slowly changed. The relationship between Arata and Alya grew closer than ever. They didn't make any official announcements to their friends, but the way they talked, exchanged glances, and laughed together was enough for people to notice something.

In class, Alya often sat closer to Arata during group discussions. During breaks, they sometimes walked to the cafeteria together. Though there were no official statements, their closeness spoke louder than words.

On the other hand, Banri began to distance himself. He never revealed the contents of the letter he had given to Alya, and she never brought it up either. It was as if both of them understood that some things were better left unsaid.

One afternoon, at the end of the school day, Arata and Alya sat on a bench in the school garden, enjoying the gentle breeze.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" Alya suddenly asked.

Arata turned to her, slightly surprised by the question. The evening wind blew softly, rustling the leaves around them.

"Of course," Arata answered with a faint smile. "I was the transfer student who knew nothing about this school, and you were one of the first people to talk to me."

Alya chuckled, recalling those days. "I never expected you to become this popular. At first, I just wanted to help you fit in."

Arata gazed at the sky, its colors beginning to shift, his eyes filled with memories. "And I'm grateful for that. If it weren't for you, I might never have felt this comfortable here."

Alya fell silent for a moment, lowering her gaze to her shoes. There was something she wanted to say, something she had kept in her heart for a long time.

"You know, Arata..." Alya took a deep breath. "From the very beginning, I've always felt at ease with you. You're different from others... you always listen, you're always there, and somehow... I can be myself when I'm with you."

Arata turned to her, searching for the meaning behind her words. His heart beat a little faster.

"Alya..."

Alya lifted her head, looking at Arata with complete sincerity. "I'm glad you're here."

For a moment, no words were spoken between them. Only the sound of the wind remained, as if giving them space to understand their feelings.

Arata smiled gently. "I'm glad I met you too."

At that moment, they both knew—without the need for grand declarations or elaborate promises—that something was growing between them. Something that couldn't quite be explained with words, yet was strong enough to keep them by each other's side.

From a distance, Banri watched them from behind the empty classroom window. He no longer felt the same pain as before. Instead, a quiet sense of relief slowly filled his heart.

Maybe this was how things were meant to be.

He took a deep breath, then shifted his gaze beyond the window, embracing the cool evening air.

A new day was about to begin, and he was ready to move forward.

Banri stood at the classroom window, his eyes staring blankly outside, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. A sense of calm washed over him as his confusion started to fade. Seeing Arata and Alya happy together, even though the feelings he once held had now turned into mere memories, he felt as if something greater was waiting for him out there.

There was once a painful jealousy, but now, that feeling no longer consumed him. Perhaps it was because he had already said what needed to be said. That letter, though never discussed by Alya, had allowed Banri to understand himself better. Some things were meant to be left as they were—to be forgotten, to be let go.

Yet, even with this newfound lightness, Banri still felt a lingering weight. He knew he needed to find a way to move forward, to embrace whatever lay ahead. He didn't want to remain trapped in the past.

As he turned away from the window and returned to his desk, a single thought crossed his mind—perhaps it was time to start searching for his own purpose, to discover his true path in life. He felt as if he had come to understand himself a little better, though the journey ahead was still long.

Meanwhile, outside, Arata and Alya remained seated together on the garden bench. There was a lightness between them, and neither of them needed to say much to feel it. They knew that even though their journey wouldn't always be easy, they had each other to face whatever came next.

And that was more than enough.

"Arata, thank you for always being here," Alya said softly, her voice so gentle.

Arata looked at her with a warm smile. "I will always be here for you, Alya. And I always will."

As the sun began to set and the sky changed colors, they simply sat there, savoring the moment. No words were more important than the togetherness they felt at that time—a silence filled with meaning.

And even though Banri wasn't there to witness the moment, he knew that everything would be okay. He had made the decision to move forward, and that was an important first step.

The atmosphere in the classroom gradually returned to normal. However, for Arata and Alya, something had changed—something only the two of them could understand.

They spent more time together, both in class and outside of school hours. If Alya had once seemed hesitant and distant, now she was more open. The smiles she gave Arata felt warmer, their conversations deeper, and the small moments that once seemed ordinary now held a different meaning.

One afternoon after school, they sat once again on the garden bench, the place where they had often talked lately. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, which had started to turn yellow, signaling the arrival of autumn.

"Alya," Arata called gently, causing the girl to turn toward him. "I want to ask you something."

Alya raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Arata stared ahead, trying to find the right words. "Do you... regret your choice?"

Alya fell silent for a moment, then gave a small smile. "Why do you think that?"

"I just..." Arata took a deep breath before looking into Alya's eyes. "I know that Banri likes you too, and I know that you and he have known each other longer than I have."

Alya lowered her gaze, clasping her hands together. "I can't deny that. But feelings aren't about who was there first, right?"

Arata remained silent, listening to every word that left Alya's lips.

"I do care about Banri, but not in the same way I care for... someone I love," Alya continued softly. "And I realized that when I was with you."

Arata looked at her, his eyes filled with emotion. "So..."

Alya gave a small smile, lifting her face to meet Arata's gaze. "I choose you, Arata."

His heart trembled at those words. All this time, he had always doubted, fearing that maybe he was just someone who had arrived too late in Alya's life. But now, hearing her say it with such certainty, all of those fears vanished.

Slowly, Arata reached out his hand. Alya hesitated for a moment before finally taking it. Their fingers intertwined, warm against the evening air that was beginning to cool.

Without needing to say anything more, they both knew—between them, there was no more doubt.

They had made their choice.

And they were happy together.