How I Fell in Love

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light spilling through the curtains of Eva's bedroom. She sat on the edge of her bed, a pillow clutched tightly against her chest, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. The quiet hum of the city outside was a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

Her day with Yuuto had ended hours ago, yet the warmth of his presence lingered like a shadow she couldn't shake. Eva let out a long sigh, leaning back against the headboard.

"When did it start?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the stillness of the room.

Her mind wandered back to the beginning—the day she first noticed him.

---

The First Encounter

It was the start of their second year of high school. Eva had transferred in during the middle of the semester, a fact that had immediately made her the center of attention. She was used to it—new schools, new faces, the inevitable whispers that followed her wherever she went.

But Yuuto hadn't whispered.

She remembered it clearly. He had been sitting near the window, the sunlight catching in his hair as he stared out at the courtyard. Unlike the other students who had crowded around her, bombarding her with questions, Yuuto had stayed quiet, almost disinterested.

At first, it annoyed her. Who was this guy who didn't even bother to look her way?

It wasn't until much later that she realized his indifference wasn't rudeness. It was just who he was—calm, thoughtful, and completely unaware of the effect he had on people.

---

The First Smile

A week after her transfer, Eva had found herself struggling with a group project. Her partners had abandoned her, leaving her to finish the work alone. Frustrated, she had gone to the library, determined to figure it out herself.

That was when she saw him.

Yuuto had been sitting at a corner table, surrounded by stacks of books. She didn't know what compelled her to approach him—maybe it was the way he seemed so at ease in the quiet space, or maybe it was just desperation.

"Hey," she had said, placing her notebook on the table. "Do you know anything about this?"

He had looked up, startled, and for a moment she thought he might brush her off. But then he smiled—a small, hesitant smile—and said, "Yeah, I think I can help."

It was the first time anyone had smiled at her without any hidden motives, without trying to impress her or gain something in return.

She didn't realize it then, but that smile had planted a seed in her heart.

---

The Moment She Knew

Eva hugged the pillow tighter, her cheeks flushing as she recalled the moment everything changed. It had been during a class trip to the mountains.

She had wandered off alone, needing a break from the constant noise of her classmates. She didn't expect anyone to notice, let alone follow her. But Yuuto did.

"Are you okay?" he had asked, his voice soft, his concern genuine.

Eva had tried to brush him off, but he didn't leave. Instead, he sat down beside her, quietly sharing the silence.

For the first time in her life, she felt seen—not as the pretty new girl or the center of attention, but as herself.

That was the moment she knew. She didn't just like Yuuto. She was in love with him.

---

The Trouble She Caused

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she thought about everything that had happened since then. Falling in love hadn't been simple. It had been messy, chaotic, and at times, destructive.

She had done things she wasn't proud of—schemes to get closer to Yuuto, arguments with Rika, even moments where she'd let jealousy cloud her judgment.

Eva ran a hand through her hair, her heart heavy with regret. She thought of the time she had nearly sabotaged one of Rika's plans just to make herself look better. Or the way she had pushed Reina away, afraid of losing her place in Yuuto's life.

"I've been awful," she muttered, burying her face in the pillow.

But no matter how much trouble she caused, Yuuto never treated her any differently. He didn't judge her, didn't push her away. Instead, he gave her the chance to be better.

---

The Present

Eva's thoughts drifted back to their day together. It had been so simple—laughing, talking, sharing little moments that felt more precious than anything else.

She remembered the way he had smiled at her when she won the basketball game, the way his laughter had filled the arcade, the way he had walked her home, making sure she was safe.

"I don't deserve him," she whispered, her voice cracking.

But even as the words left her lips, a part of her refused to let go of the hope that maybe, just maybe, she could.

---

A New Resolve

Eva sat up, her eyes shining with determination. She couldn't change the past, but she could change who she was moving forward.

"I'll do better," she said aloud, her voice steady. "For him. For us."

For the first time in a long time, Eva felt at peace. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to fight for what she wanted—not with schemes or manipulation, but with honesty and heart.

As the moonlight bathed her room in silver, Eva closed her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing for certain: she was in love with Yuuto, and she would do everything in her power to be worthy of that love.