Ayumi_Takoyaki

Ren Nakamura prefers to keep his head down and his eyes closed, drifting through life without a care. But when a bright and unexpected presence enters his world, his once quiet days begin to stir with something new. As the seasons change, so does the boy who never wanted to wake up.

Where the Flowers Bloom

Ren Nakamura had never wanted to freeze time before.

The world had always been something he wanted to escape—something he avoided, ignored, slept through.

But now—he wanted this moment to last forever.

Because for the first time, he wasn't running.

For the first time, he was living.

Evening – A Quiet Place, Just for Them

After the fireworks, they didn't go home.

Yuki had grabbed his sleeve, tugging him gently in the opposite direction.

"Let's go somewhere else."

And now—they sat side by side on an old bridge, legs dangling over the edge, the quiet hum of the river below them.

The festival lights flickered in the distance, but here—it was just them.

Just the sound of the water. The cool night air.

And the space between them—smaller than it had ever been.

Ren exhaled, tilting his head back. "Why'd you bring me here?"

Yuki hummed. "Because I wanted to be with you a little longer."

His chest tightened.

He turned to her, but she was already looking at him.

Her expression was unreadable—soft, thoughtful, a little sad.

She was thinking about time again.

"Thinking like that," Ren muttered.

Yuki tilted her head, smiling slightly. "You don't even know what I was thinking."

Yuki laughed softly, shaking her head.

Then—her voice, quiet and warm.

His breath caught.

Because when she said it like that—it felt like something fragile. Something real.

And suddenly, he needed to know.

Needed to hear her say it.

Ren wasn't sure why he had said it.

Maybe because everything between them had changed, but the words had never been spoken.

Maybe because every moment with her felt like it could be the last, and he didn't want to waste any more time.

Then—softly, carefully—

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Ren stopped breathing.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

"Don't say stuff like that."

Because it hurts.

Because I don't know how to live without you anymore.

Because I don't want to think about what happens when you're gone.

Yuki smiled—that small, knowing smile.

She leaned in slightly, tilting her head.

"Then tell me what you want me to say, Ren."

Because what he wanted her to say—

Instead of answering, he reached out—fingers brushing against hers.

Yuki inhaled softly, eyes flickering down to their hands.

Then—slowly, carefully—he interlaced his fingers with hers.

Instead—she squeezed his hand back.

And for a moment—just a moment—

Ren swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper.

"I won't let you go, Yuki."

They stayed like that for a long time.

Two hearts beating against borrowed time.

A moment too perfect to last.

And Ren knew—he would never forget it.

That Night – A Promise He Can't Keep

Lying in bed, Ren stared at the ceiling.

He still felt the warmth of her hand in his.

Still heard her voice, soft and real.

Ren clenched his jaw, gripping his blanket.

And for the first time—he wished tomorrow would never come.

Because if time stopped, she wouldn't have to leave.

And if she didn't have to leave—he wouldn't have to learn how to live without her.

I’ll Never Forget This Moment