The art room was still. Dusty light spilled in through the tall windows, catching faint motes in the air.
Lily stood just inside the doorway, her fingers gently tightening around the love letter she'd hidden in her bag all day. Her heart pounded—not with expectation, but a gnawing uncertainty. She didn't even know the boy's name. He'd only signed the letter with an initial.
Footsteps echoed in the room. She turned, and there he was.
A second-year. She remembered seeing him around before—quiet, but known for being the type to watch from afar. His name was Daichi.
He stepped forward slowly, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
"You came," he said, a hopeful smile twitching at his lips.
"I wasn't sure I would," Lily replied honestly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Outside the room, just around the wall, Aki pressed himself back, careful not to breathe too loudly. His pulse rang in his ears, not because of what he thought might happen — but because Lily had never brushed him off like that before.
Why didn't she tell him?
Why did she come alone?
Inside, Daichi cleared his throat. "I, um… I know this is sudden. I'm not really good with words, but… when I see you, I feel like I'm looking at something out of a dream."
Lily looked down, unsure how to respond. It wasn't the first time someone had said something like that to her since her transformation — her new body, the way people now looked at her. It didn't feel real. Not always.
"I've been watching you in class. I don't mean that in a creepy way," he added quickly. "I just… you always seem calm. Kind. And really pretty."
The word "pretty" made her flinch for some reason. Maybe because it reminded her of everything she had that wasn't really hers.
Aki listened from the hallway. His hands had curled into fists again, unintentionally. He didn't even realize.
Inside, Lily gave a soft sigh and looked Daichi in the eye.
"I'm sorry."
He blinked. "You… what?"
"I appreciate the letter. And your courage. But I don't feel the same way," she said gently.
Daichi's face slowly fell.
"I just don't want to lead you on," Lily added.
There was silence for a moment. Then, with a forced laugh, Daichi rubbed his neck again and gave her a small bow. "No, I get it. Thanks for being honest."
She nodded, and he left without another word.
When his footsteps disappeared down the hall, Lily turned toward the window, exhaling quietly — not out of relief, but of reflection.
And then she heard a shuffle near the door.
She stepped toward it—and found Aki standing there.
Their eyes met.
"You didn't leave," Lily said softly.
Aki looked like he'd been caught stealing something.
"I didn't mean to spy," he said. "I just… you looked like you were hiding something. I got worried."
Lily hesitated. Then: "I wasn't hiding it because I was interested. I just didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
Aki nodded, then looked away.
"You really turned him down?" he asked quietly.
She gave a faint smile. "Of course I did."
There was a pause between them. One charged not with jealousy — but something unspoken. Something uncertain, and maybe a little scared.
"Let me walk you home," Aki said.
Lily nodded.
And for the first time in a while, neither of them said anything more — but the air between them felt full.