The morning sun spilled softly through the blinds, casting long streaks of golden light across her bedroom. Maya sat by the small desk in her room, her hands resting on an open notebook, though the pen in her hand remained still. Her thoughts weren't on the page but on the Kaito's words from the evening before.
"You don't have to be defined by the bad things that happen to you."
She traced the edge of the notebook absentmindedly, replaying the scene in her mind. She had heard countless platitudes over the years, mostly from teachers or counselors trying to help her, but something about his words felt... different. They weren't dismissive or pitying; they were honest.
She stood up and walked to the window, pushing it open to let in the crisp morning air. Her eyes wandered to the empty street below. Somewhere out there, the boy was starting his day, probably as carefree as ever.
For a moment, she smiled. Just a small one, barely there, but enough to surprise herself.
When she walked into the classroom, she noticed something was different. The desks were being rearranged, and students were groaning as the teacher called out the new seating chart. She glanced at her usual corner, dreading the idea of losing her isolated spot.
"Next to Maya, Kaito will be seated" the teacher announced.
Her heart sank. Sitting next to him meant she couldn't avoid him anymore. She took her seat quietly, keeping her eyes down as Kaito approached. He plopped into the chair beside her with his usual easy grin.
"Looks like we're neighbors now," he said casually, setting his books down.
She nodded stiffly, focusing on the textbook in front of her.
During the break, he leaned over, peering at her desk. "Hey, is that your notebook? Can I see what you're doodling?"
She froze. She had been scribbling tiny sketches of abstract shapes in the margins, a habit she developed during boring lessons.
"It's nothing," she muttered, shutting the notebook quickly.
"Come on, don't be shy," he said, not prying further but still curious. "I bet it's cool."
For the rest of the class, he didn't bother her, but his presence was impossible to ignore. He hummed softly under his breath during a particularly dull lecture. She couldn't help but notice that even his humming was in tune.
When the teacher stepped out for a moment, he turned to her again. "So, what kind of music do you like?"
She blinked, startled by the sudden question. "Music?"
"Yeah. Everyone has a favorite, right?"
She hesitated before answering. "I like... older music."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"
"Like a prayer by Madonna," she said quietly, her cheeks heating up. She braced herself for the teasing that usually followed such an admission.
But instead, he leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. "Madonna, huh? That's different. 'Like a Prayer' is a classic. Can't blame you for liking it."
She stared at him, unsure how to respond. He wasn't mocking her. He actually seemed to respect her choice.
"You know," he added with a grin, "I never thought I'd meet someone my age who listens to Madonna. You're full of surprises, huh?"
She looked away, hiding a small smile.
After school, Maya wandered into a nearby convenience store, her steps hesitant as she scanned the shelves. She rarely stopped here, but today, she had a craving for something sweet. She stood in front of the snack section, debating between two different chocolate bars.
"Struggling to make a life-changing decision?"
She turned, startled, to find Kaito standing behind her, holding a can of soda and a bag of chips. His grin was as playful as ever.
"I'm just... thinking," she replied, turning back to the shelf.
"Let me guess," he said, tilting his head. "You're trying to decide if you should get the one with caramel or the one with nuts."
She blinked at him in surprise. "How did you know?"
"It's written all over your face," he said with a laugh. "Caramel's the way to go, by the way. Trust me."
She hesitated, then reached for the caramel bar.
"Good choice," he said, stepping past her to the checkout. "See you around."
As he walked out, she couldn't help but feel a little lighter.
The next day, during a quiet moment in class, she found herself sketching again. She had always loved drawing but kept it hidden, afraid of being judged. Today, she felt a little braver, and her pencil moved with more confidence.
Kaito glanced over and caught sight of her sketch. "Wow, that's amazing!" he said, loud enough for nearby students to hear.
She quickly covered the page. "It's not that good."
"Not that good?" he repeated. "You've got real talent, Maya. Why don't you show this to people?"
She shook her head, her face turning red. "It's just a hobby."
"Well, if you ask me, it's a pretty awesome hobby," he said with a smile. "You should be proud of it."
For the first time, she felt a tiny flicker of pride in her work. Maybe, just maybe, she could start believing in herself.