Over the next few weeks, fate seemed determined to bring Kazuki and Aoi together. They started seeing each other more often, meeting by chance at various places around the city. Each encounter, though brief, added to the growing sense of familiarity and connection between them.
Kazuki admired Aoi's passion for music, often finding himself lingering near the school's music room, listening to her play the guitar and sing. Her voice was like a melody that resonated deeply within him, inspiring his art in ways he had never imagined. Aoi, on the other hand, found solace in Kazuki's serene presence and artistic talent. She would often watch him from a distance, mesmerized by the way he captured the world on paper.
One sunny afternoon, Kazuki gathered the courage to approach Aoi during lunch break. She was sitting under a cherry blossom tree, strumming her guitar and humming a tune. Taking a deep breath, he walked up to her.
"Hi, Aoi," Kazuki greeted, his voice slightly shaky.
Aoi looked up, her face lighting up with a smile. "Kazuki! Hey, how are you?"
"I'm good, thanks. I, um, I really like your music," he said, nervously running a hand through his hair. "It's… inspiring."
"Thank you!" Aoi replied, her eyes sparkling with genuine appreciation. "I love your sketches. They're amazing."
They sat together under the cherry blossom tree, talking about their dreams and aspirations. Kazuki showed Aoi his sketches, and in return, Aoi played her favorite songs on her guitar. Each shared moment brought them closer, and their friendship began to blossom into something more profound.