Saeko paced the room, her mind racing.
It can't be true. He promised he would never leave me. He promised…
She repeated the thought like a mantra, but it did nothing to ease the ache in her chest.
A sudden knock on the door made her freeze. It was already night. Who else would disturb her if not the guys? None of them had answered her message yet. They probably prefer to respond in person.
"Did you read the news?" she asked, opening the door.
"Yeah," came the answer, but it wasn't from her friends. It was Satoshi.
"You?" she startled. "Why are you here?"
"Because I read the news..." he said, stepping inside. "And I thought you might need some company while your family is away."
He even knew about this? Her father had taken her siblings on a two-night trip to share some sxperience. Saeko, however, couldn't join them because of her work.
I really do need company. But...
"I brought your favorite," he said, setting a bag down on the table.
Saeko opened it.
...It was a beautiful wooden shogi board.
She blinked at it in disbelief. Why did I hope for pudding? She let out a tired sigh.
Noticing her disappointment, Satoshi quickly added, "You used to love playing. It always helped you clear your mind."
"I guess..." she sighed, her voice flat.
"Shall we?" he asked, sitting down to play. She reluctantly joined him. It truly helped her let go of her worries.
Before she knew it, hours had passed, playing shogi with Satoshi. It was something familiar. Comfortable.
"It's good to see your hair in a braid again. This feels more like you; neat and composed. When you let it loose, it just looks like you are not in control," he said, stepping closer, his fingers grazing over her braid.
"Don't cross the line," she said firmly, but her voice faltered. "Wasn't I clear enough back then? I..."
"I know," he cut in, his tone soft but steady. "I get that you're in love with Sota." He said it plainly, as if he had accepted it as fact, and it made Saeko freeze, her eyes wide with surprise.
"I mean, who wouldn't be? He's handsome, charming, full of excitement. It's easy to be drawn to him. But these feelings that flare up quickly? They burn out just as fast. They're not deep or lasting. They don't compare to something real, something like what we have."
Saeko's breath hitched.
"How dare you tell me how I feel, and how deep my emotions are?" Her voice trembled with anger.
Satoshi leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady, yet soft.
"Come on, he wouldn't be right for you in the long run. Not like I would be. The two of us is not to be compared." His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable rawness beneath it.
"With you, I could always understand how I felt," Saeko began. "We were like two halves of the same whole, clinging to each other. Our lifestyles, our dedication, our rational approach to life... it all fit perfectly. Everything clicked. We agreed on everything," It was so… practical?
"When you left me, it felt... inconvenient. When Sota left me, it felt... indescribable…" she trailed off. "With him, I can never describe or understand what I feel. You're right. The two of you can't even be compared." She opened the door wide, signaling for him to leave.