The Girl Beside Him

Outside the nurse's office, someone stood silently by the door.

It was Ayaka.

She had come looking for Daiki, but what she saw stopped her in her tracks.

Suzume… leaning on him.

Daiki… letting her.

Ayaka's hand tightened on the doorknob—but she didn't enter.

She walked away, her chest hollow, the weight of her unspoken feelings heavier than ever.

**Cut Scene – End of School**

Ayaka and Riku stood just outside the school gates, waiting. The sun had started to dip, casting soft shadows on the pavement. Ayaka's eyes caught movement—Daiki walking out, talking and laughing with Suzume. Her chest tightened at the sight.

As they approached, Daiki greeted casually, "Hey, what's up?"

Riku didn't respond, his gaze fixed on Suzume, trying to piece together who she was and why he had never seen her before—especially if Daiki knew her.

"Riku," Daiki called again, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh—sorry," Riku muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "So… Daiki, who's this?"

Daiki smiled. "This is Suzume. She's in my class. Suzume, meet Riku and Ayaka—my friends."

Suzume gave a small polite wave. "Hi."

Both Riku and Ayaka returned the greeting, though Ayaka's voice was a little softer.

Ayaka looked at the two of them and asked carefully, "You guys seem close… Are you friends or…?"

Daiki hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. " Friends...I… don't know yet. But I guess you could say she's kinda attached to me. She won't let me rest," he said with a slight laugh, trying to keep the tone light.

Ayaka pressed on, eyes a bit uncertain. "So… there's nothing going on between you two, then?"

Daiki blinked. "Where's this coming from?"

"It's just… earlier, when I was looking for you, I saw her leaning on you. So I thought maybe…"

Before Daiki could respond, Riku leaned in with a teasing grin. "Huuuh? Daki, you're not hiding something from us, are you?"

Suzume quickly stepped in, smiling softly. "No, no. It's not what you think. I leaned on him—it was just a favor. That's all."

Ayaka let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Really?"

"Really really," Suzume confirmed with a warm smile.

Ayaka's voice softened. "Thank goodness…"

Daiki glanced at her curiously. "Thank goodness? What do you mean by that?"

She looked away, forcing a small smile. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Oh… okay."

Then Riku wrapped an arm around Daiki's shoulder, grinning. "Even if he *did* say she was his girlfriend, I don't think we'd believe it. No offense, Daki—but she's definitely out of your league."

Suzume covered her mouth as she laughed, then paused. Her eyes drifted to Ayaka—and in that moment, she understood. The forced smiles, the awkward tension. Suzume saw it all.

"I should get going now," she said gently.

Daiki turned to her. "You sure you'll be okay heading home alone?"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine," Suzume said with a small nod.

"Alright," Daiki replied.

"See you tomorrow," Suzume said with a wave before turning and walking away.

Riku stretched. "Guess we should head home too."

"Yeah," both Daiki and Ayaka said in unison.

As they walked, Daiki began explaining everything that had happened earlier, from the moment Suzume asked for his help to when she leaned on him. Ayaka listened quietly, not saying much.

---

**Cut Scene – Daiki's Home**

Daiki walked into the house with a smile that hadn't been there in a while.

"I'm home," he called out.

"Welcome back," his parents said from the living room, surprised—but glad—to hear the warmth in his voice again.

---

**Cut Scene – Restaurant: Riku & Ayaka**

In a cozy corner of a small restaurant, Riku sat across from Ayaka. A tense silence hung between them, filled only by the distant chatter of other customers.

Riku finally broke it. " So did you get your answer today." Ayaka replied yh." Riku continued "So… do you realize now that your feelings will always be one-sided?"

Ayaka looked down at the cup in her hands. "I already knew that. I just… I wanted to see how he'd react."

Riku leaned forward. "And?"

Ayaka sighed. "It hurt. But it's not like I didn't expect it."

Riku clenched his fist, then suddenly slammed it on the table. "Then why won't you go out with me?!"

People turned to stare. Riku quickly sat back, cheeks red. "S-Sorry…"

Ayaka gave a half-smile. "Riku… I can't break the promise we made. I don't want to ruin our friendship with Daiki. Or ours."

Riku looked at her, frustration and heartache written all over his face. "Ayaka, it won't ruin anything. We can still be friends. With Daiki too."

She shook her head. "It's not that simple. You're my friend. You've always been my friend. If you weren't… maybe I would've already said yes. But you are. And I can't just forget that."

There was silence.

Ayaka stood up, grabbing her bag. "If there's ever a way… a path where our friendship stays the same and I can take your hand without regret—I'll take it. But until then… please wait."

And with that, she walked out of the restaurant.

Riku stared at the empty seat in front of him, then slowly lifted his drink and took a sip. The coldness did nothing to cool the burn inside his chest. He decided to also go home.

Cut Scene – Suzume's Apartment

Suzume sat on the floor of her room, knees hugged to her chest, staring at her phone. She scrolled past pictures of other classmates, none of them featuring her. She wasn't part of any group. Not really.

But today… Daiki.

She said with a low voice.

She smiled, even though her eyes were glossy.

"I shouldn't… but I think I'm falling for you," she whispered to herself, pressing the phone to her chest.

And then she closed her eyes, holding onto that small warmth she hadn't felt in so long.