If sunrise marks the start of a new day, then sunset is its quiet end. Unlike the sunrise, which is bold and radiant, the sunset is more subdued, its beauty softer and more reflective.

 As the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky is painted with warm hues of orange and purple, casting a peaceful stillness over the world.

Though it doesn't dazzle like the morning light, the sunset has its own kind of magic. 

There's something deeply moving about it—the way it invites pause and reflection, drawing people in with its serene beauty.

 It evokes a sense of calm and nostalgia, as if the day's closing moments carry a quiet, bittersweet reminder that all things must come to an end.

The cool autumn breeze flows gently, neither too strong nor too weak, carrying the crispness of early autumn across the wide rooftop. It brushes softly against the skin, a reminder of the season's change. 

Below the orange-red glow of the setting sun, two silhouettes stand side by side—a man and a woman—framed by the fading light. 

Their figures are outlined in the warm, soft hues of the evening, creating a quiet, serene moment between them.

"Kurumi, I... I really have something to say." The boy's voice wavered, and his hands trembled slightly at his sides.

His face was pale, as if all the color had drained from it, and his eyes flickered with unease.

It was clear he was scared—scared of the words he was about to speak and, more than anything, afraid of being rejected.

However, the fear he felt at that moment paled in comparison to the intense, boiling emotion churning inside him. 

It was a mix of uncertainty and urgency, a force he couldn't ignore. His heart raced, and his breath caught in his throat.

Taking a deep breath, he gathered what little courage he had left. With his mind racing, he stepped forward, his footfalls feeling heavier than usual. His hand shook slightly as he reached out and placed it on the shoulder of the girl named Kurumi. 

The contact, though brief, sent a jolt of warmth through him, grounding him in that fleeting moment.

She stood bathed in the warm, red light of the setting sun, her figure glowing with a quiet beauty. 

The deep crimson of her eyes seemed to blend with the orange hues of the horizon, glowing faintly as they met his gaze. It was as if the fading sunlight had infused her with a soft, radiant warmth.

He felt his lips tighten, his heart racing. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it felt as if time had slowed. 

In each other's gaze, they saw their own reflections, clear and vulnerable. His pulse quickened, his face flushing with a mix of nervousness and something deeper. The silence between them hung heavy, filled with words unsaid.

The heat of the moment pressed against them, their sweat mingling with the tension that charged the air. Neither of them moved, nor spoke, as they simply stood there, lost in the weight of the moment.

And then.

A gentle breeze blew through, tugging lightly at Kurumi's long black hair, breaking the silence with a soft rustling sound. Her hair fluttered in the wind, drawing his attention for just a second.

As if the tension had become unbearable, he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I love you."

"...Me too, Ota," Kurumi whispered, her hand gently stroking her hair as a soft, radiant smile lit up her face. The sweetness of it was almost otherworldly, enough to make Ota's heart race.

His eyes sparkled, filled with newfound resolve. Taking a bold step forward, he wrapped his arms around her small waist, pulling her into a firm embrace.

Kurumi responded instantly, tightening her arms around him. Their warmth mingled, the erratic beats of their hearts and the soft rhythm of their breaths filling the space between them. Love and desire intertwined, driving them closer.

Their faces drew nearer, inch by inch until only a breath separated them. And then…

Stop, this shit is cringe.

 Wincing in discomfort, I felt my lips tighten and my brows furrow into a deep grimace.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, I averted my gaze, turning my face away

Just now, it was a confession between two people that I know. 

My dumbass, mediocre Otaku friend, and the school's beauty queen. Honestly, I still didn't understand how he managed to flirt and conquer Kurumi.

And I didn't understand why I came at such a precise time to withness them kiss each other.

Fuck I hated this. Why did the guy I disliked and made fun of have a girlfriend before me?

Just thinking about it filled me with a simmering frustration. 

"How the hell can he be successful?" and "What's the secret formula for flirting with girls?" These questions stormed into my mind, uninvited, like relentless intruders. 

They seized control of my thoughts, turning them into a whirlwind of self-doubt and endless speculation. No matter how hard I tried to focus, they lingered, demanding answers.

My eyes narrowed, and my lips pressed into a firm line. I thought I was the kind of person who wouldn't be shaken by small, trivial things like this. But I was wrong—it left me uneasy in a way I hadn't expected.

Seeing others' happiest moments laid bare made me feel like a loser, as if their joy highlighted everything I hadn't achieved.

I planned to interrupt that passionate confession to bring those two back to the cruel reality. 

But thinking back, I shouldn't have done that. Ota is my "good friend," and Kurumi, even though I don't have much compassion for her, to say I hate her is too much.

Ruining your friend's space just because you're jealous is so petty. And I'm not that kind of person.

I am better! Yes, you're better, Shinji!

"Huh…what a mess." Sighing deeply, I went out to a hidden corner of the rooftop.

It was pretty nice, to be honest. It's just a shame that my usual comfort was ruined. Despite my desire to look at it, I am no longer interested in doing so.

Then, as I began to feel uneasy, the question, "Why do not I have a girlfriend yet?" suddenly came to mind.

It was a simple question, but it stuck with me, making me feel a bit uneasy and maybe even frustrated with myself. I had not previously given it much thought, but now I could not get it out of my head.

I have to answer it.

To start, I am almost perfect on the surface. In addition to having some of the best grades in the school, I also look pretty good, and—most importantly—I am tall.

My magic power is incredible, my physical strength is outstanding, and I am also pretty athletic. Finances are not bad, my future is open, and besides that, I am also a key member of the student council.

Yet, I still didn't have a girlfriend. 

Then the problem must lie in my nature. 

So it's difficult; nature is something that cannot be changed. Then I also realized another problem.

I don't try to find a lover; that's the biggest reason for this lack of a girlfriend situation. To be frank, I'm waiting with my mouth open and doing nothing.

 I am also a little grumpy and moody, so it is no wonder that nobody loves me.

It is also because I do not think anyone is particularly attractive, either in terms of appearance or personality.

Some are pretty good in the department of looks but are practically a bitch, and vice versa.

Is my standard too high? I don't know; I don't have many friends or acquaintances to tell me anyway.

"Never mind, this is fine," I muttered under my breath as a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I pressed my palm to my forehead, feeling the weight of the day settle in, and let out a long, weary sigh.

I decided to linger a bit longer, allowing myself to fully soak in the beauty of the sunset.

 The sky was painted in warm hues of orange and pink, the fading light casting a soft glow over the landscape. I could feel the quiet calm of the moment, the kind that only a sunset could bring. 

But just as I was starting to relax, the serenity was shattered by the sharp ring of my phone. The sound cut through the air like a jolt, pulling me back to reality and interrupting the tranquility I had hoped to enjoy.

"Dad? A call at this time?" I was taken aback when I saw the caller ID—it was a call from my father. 

He's usually so tied up with his work, often caught in long meetings or traveling for business. 

His job keeps him constantly on the move, sometimes even abroad, and that means he's hardly ever at home. It's rare for him to reach out during this time of day, especially when he's been so busy.

 So, seeing his name flash on the screen at this hour felt completely out of the ordinary. I couldn't help but wonder what could be so important to make him call now.

"Oh god, there is going to be a problem." I let out a sigh as the anxiety swept over me.

Clicking my tongue, I pressed the answer button.

"Hello Dad, why are you calling me?" I want to get straight to the point.

"Hey Shinji, it's been a while since I called, and you don't even ask me if I'm okay or not?" With a whiny tone, he complained. It sounded quite annoying with that deep voice.

"If nothing happens, then I don't call." I spoke casually.

I know. It sounds quite cruel to say that to your father, but that's my opinion: only call when necessary, go straight to the problem, and find a solution.

"Tch, you're such a boring guy." Clicking his tongue, he complained.

"Okay, I'll say it straight. I'm remarried; I'll go home tomorrow."

Remarriage…

The word echoed in my mind—a sharp, sudden presence that seemed to freeze time. 

My thoughts came to a halt, and everything around me blurred into a haze of white, as though my very mind had blanked out in an attempt to process what I had just heard.

My lips pressed together, a tight, reflexive gesture of restraint, as though holding back a flood of emotions I couldn't quite name. 

For a fleeting moment, it felt as though my heart had faltered, skipping a beat—an unexpected, jarring sensation that left me momentarily breathless, caught between confusion and disbelief. 

"Calm down, this isn't that big of a deal..." I muttered to myself, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

 Placing a hand on my chest, I took a deep breath, feeling the tension in my body slowly ease. 

With a moment of quiet composure, I finally spoke. "Yeah, congratulations, Dad." My words were flat, devoid of any real emotion. Without waiting for him to say anything else, I ended the call.

I didn't ask about the reasons behind this sudden news or who he had married. It didn't matter to me. His life was his business, not mine. I wasn't curious, nor did I want to pry.

It would be inaccurate to say that I am happy my father got married again; instead, I feel a lot more conflicted and odd. I don't understand it, nor do I need to.

"Let's go home." I muttered to myself and tucked my phone away. That call is what finally killed my interest in sightseeing. I didn't want to see this place anymore

Let's go home; I'm tired.

Unbearable tired.