A Heart in Conflict

Haru stood under the pale light of a lamppost outside the school, clutching a small bundle of letters in his trembling hands. Each one bore Aito's handwriting, a testament to the feelings he'd never been able to express. Haru had spent hours reading them, feeling every word resonate with the heart beating in his chest.

Now, he was about to face Aika.

She arrived, her steps hesitant but graceful, the faint breeze carrying the scent of spring blossoms. Her sparkling eyes met his, and Haru's heart raced—not with love, but with the weight of what he was about to reveal.

"You said it was important," Aika said softly, her voice laced with curiosity.

"It is," Haru replied, his throat tightening. "Aika… there's something you need to know about Aito. About me."

He handed her the letters, watching as her delicate fingers unfolded the first one. Her eyes scanned the words, and with every line, tears began to well up. Haru stood silently, letting her process the truth.

"These… these are his letters?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Haru nodded. "He wrote them for you. He… loved you, Aika. He always did. But he could never tell you."

Her tears spilled over, streaming down her cheeks as she clutched the letters to her chest. "I… I didn't know," she said, her voice trembling. "But deep down… I always felt something. There was this warmth whenever he was near. I just… never realized what it was."

Haru took a deep breath, his own emotions swirling. "After the accident, Aito's heart… it was given to me. That's why I've been having these dreams, these memories. They're his."

Aika looked at him, her tear-filled eyes searching his. "So… you're here because of him."

"Yes," Haru said. "But Aika, I need you to understand something. Aito's feelings for you were real. His love was pure, and these letters prove it. I… I can't take his place. I can't love you the way he did."

Aika sobbed, her shoulders shaking as the weight of Haru's words sank in. "Haru… I don't know what to say. This is all so much."

"You don't have to say anything," Haru said gently. "I just wanted you to know the truth. Aito's story deserves to be told, and you deserve to know how much you meant to him."