Saki Nakamura was everything people admired. She was beautiful—radiant, effortless, and always the center of attention. Her long, dark hair flowed like silk, and her smile lit up the room in a way that made it impossible for anyone to ignore her. At school, she was the envy of every girl and the dream of every guy. It seemed that all of her wishes were granted, that life was set on a path meant just for her.
But behind the perfection, Saki felt the weight of expectations pressing down on her. Everyone assumed she had it all, but in truth, she was often lonely. It was as if she was living someone else's life, a life that others admired but that she had never chosen for herself. She didn't know how to break free, how to be real with the world around her, how to show them the parts of her that weren't perfect.
And then there was Makoto Ito.
Makoto wasn't like the others. He wasn't a show-off, wasn't someone who felt the need to impress. He was quiet, reserved, a little gloomy, with dark eyes that always seemed to be lost in thought. He had a rawness to him that made him stand apart. While everyone else in her life felt like they were playing a role, Makoto was different. He didn't try to make Saki feel special—he just was.
It was a mystery to Saki, but something about him intrigued her. He didn't fawn over her beauty like the others did. He was the only one who didn't put her on a pedestal. Maybe that's why she found herself dating him in the first place. Not because she was in love, but because he was there. Because he was someone who wouldn't demand too much, wouldn't expect her to be perfect.
But, as the days wore on, she realized that she was only holding onto the relationship out of guilt. He was always kind, always understanding, and she couldn't bring herself to break his heart. So, she stayed. It wasn't love, not the way she thought it should be. It was simply a habit, something she felt obligated to maintain.