leostars

"Even a dog has its day," they say. But does that day ever come for someone like me?

Fuji Isamu is a 17-year-old loner with no friends, no dreams, and no intention of ever falling in love. After a humiliating event in his first year of high school, he’s spent every day quietly fading into the background—unseen, unheard, and unbothered.

That is, until she shows up.

Enter Akemi Ai: a mysterious and beautiful girl from Hokkaido with short, silky pink hair, a sharp tongue, and a personality that flips from angelic to terrifying in seconds. On her very first day, she stuns the class with her bold attitude—and sits down next to Isamu.

What starts as an ordinary week quickly spirals into something no one could have predicted. Because on the third day of school, the last person anyone expected to stand out—Isamu—gets the shock of a lifetime.

Akemi Ai proposes to him.

Is this the beginning of a bizarre prank? A twisted dare? Or something more real than Isamu ever dared to hope for?

A story of quiet loneliness, chaotic love, and one unforgettable confession. This is the tale of how one boy’s boring life was flipped upside down by the girl who refused to play by the rules.

THE FIRST LOVE OF A LONER

The morning sun cast a gentle glow over the school courtyard, but for Isame, the world felt cold and distant. He sat alone on a bench beneath a cherry blossom tree, the petals falling around him like silent witnesses to his turmoil.

Isame (internal monologue):

How did it come to this?

Just yesterday, I thought... I thought maybe she saw me. The real me. Not the quiet guy in the corner, not the one who blends into the background.

But it was all a lie. A convenient escape from her own problems.

I was just a pawn.

He clenched his fists, the canned tea in his hand now lukewarm and forgotten. The laughter of other students echoed around him, but it felt like a different world—one he no longer belonged to.

The rooftop was bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. Isame leaned against the railing, the wind tousling his hair. The door creaked open, and Ai stepped out, her eyes red-rimmed, face pale.

He turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

"I need to tell you the whole truth. Please."

Ai (voice trembling):

"When I was ten, my parents died in a car accident. I was sent to live with my uncle's family. They were... strict. Everything was about appearances, reputation. I was the orphaned niece, a burden they bore for the sake of family honor."

She took a shaky breath, tears welling up.

"There was a boy, Hiroshi. He was the son of my uncle's business partner. Kind, attentive. He became my only friend in that house. When I turned sixteen, our families arranged our engagement. I was told it was my duty, that I owed them for taking me in."

Tears streamed down her face as she continued.

"I didn't love him. I saw him as a brother, not a partner. But saying no wasn't an option. I felt trapped, suffocated."

Isame (softly):

"So you used me as an escape."

"Yes. I thought if I had a boyfriend, someone I chose, they'd call off the engagement. When I saw you, so calm, so detached from the chaos, I thought... maybe you could help me breathe."

She fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, Isame. I never meant to hurt you. I was desperate."

Isame approached her, kneeling beside her.

"You should have told me."

"I was scared. Scared you'd say no, scared you'd see me as weak."

He gently lifted her chin, meeting her eyes.

"We all have our battles, Ai. But facing them together makes them a bit more bearable."

They embraced, the weight of their shared pain hanging in the air.

The sun cast long shadows across the rooftop, its golden hues painting the sky as Isame stood near the edge, gazing into the distance. The distant hum of the city below was a stark contrast to the turmoil within him.

"Ai, we need to talk."

Ai approached hesitantly, her eyes red-rimmed, evidence of tears shed earlier.

"Isame, I'm so sorry for everything. I never meant to hurt you."

"I believe you. But we can't change the past. What we can do is face the present."

He turned to face her, determination etched on his face.

"Introduce me to Hiroshi. Tell him we've been together for a long time. Make it clear that your heart belongs elsewhere."

Ai's eyes widened, a mix of shock and fear.

"But... my parents, his family... they won't take this lightly."

"They need to see that you're not a pawn in their game. That you have your own choices, your own life."

Ai looked down, her hands trembling.

"I'm scared, Isame. I've always done what they expected of me. This... this is different."

"I know. But you're not alone. We'll face this together."

He reached out, gently taking her hand. The warmth of his touch grounded her, offering a semblance of comfort amidst the chaos.

"Okay. Let's do this."

Shadows Beneath the Blossoms