“Fuyuki-chan, since when did you get into music?” The blue-haired girl seated in front of me asked.

I took off the tiny device playing music on my right ear. I slightly tilted my head and said, “Did you say something, Akane-chan?”

The girl chuckled. “It’s just that this is the first time I’ve ever seen you listen to music.”

“Fair point.”

She had a mischievous expression. “You and Takahashi-san look cute together right now!”

I heard pounded at her comment. When I turned to see Chizuru-chan, her face was red.

I wonder why my heart’s beating so fast… These moments… If I could only stop time at moments like this… I guess it does help lighten my mood…

•••

Classes are finally over…

I turned to my side and faced Chizuru-chan. Time seemed to have slowed down at that moment. The sunlight coming through the window made her look like an angel. The way she moves is like she doesn’t care about her surroundings, yet deep inside, she’s really caring. It got startled when she stared back at me. Her head was also slightly tilted. “Do you need anything, Fuyuki?”

“N-No! I didn’t really mean to stare…” I awkwardly played with my hair.

“Ahh, I see…”

The atmosphere was tense until Akane-chan arrived. Akane-chan smiled, “Wanna try out the new cafe near the mall?”

“I don’t really have anything else to do today, so sure.”, I said.

“I’m down!”, said Chizuru-chan.

It took us several minutes for us to arrive at the cafe. Sweets was the theme of the interior. I unconsciously squealed with excitement. “Akane-chan, how did you know about this place? It’s so cute!”

She gave me a warm smile. “I saw it on the way to school. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time! I guess I made the right decision to ask you to come visit the cafe with me.”

Chizuru-chan had a content expression. “I never thought I’d see you this happy again.”

There’s not much to be happy about, though…

We then sat down and were greeted by a waitress wearing a cute brown lolita dress.

Oh my gosh, am I in heaven? I love her outfit! And it’s not just her too!

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I couldn’t help but look at the waitresses’ clothes. It all looks so cute!!!!

•••

I couldn’t help but feel happy while I watched Fuyuki.

She became so blank that it’s rare to see her show emotions. I’m just glad that she’s getting better. I guess she loves lolita fashion that much.

“She looks so amazed…”

Kashiwagi-san chuckled. “I know, right? We should go here again sometime. I can’t really blame Fuyuki-chan for being that amazed. This cafe is just so cute!”

“Oh yeah, you’re into it too.”

“Yeah, I love it just as much as Fuyuki-chan. Seeing her like this, though, I miss seeing her smile…”

“She’s slowly getting better. If I could only do more than being there for her…”

Akane-chan squeezed my hand. “She’ll eventually get better, Takahashi-san. Don’t beat yourself over it.”

I sighed. “I’ll stop now.”

•••

I’ve finally gotten home. I was plopped into the bed. I felt empty while I stared at the blank ceiling.

Ugh, would this emptiness completely disappear? I’ve already tried going to a psychiatrist, but it doesn’t even feel like anything changed. I still feel like I’m suffocating! I… I just can’t take this anymore… I give up… I doubt this will ever change…

I started sobbing uncontrollably.

No matter what I do, it only temporarily disappears! It’s like getting relapses of that moment.

I then heard a knock.

“May I enter?” The muffled voice muttered.

“Okay…”

I quickly suppressed my sobs and lay down on my bed face flat. After a few moments, I felt a figure seated at the edge of the bed.

“What happened, Fuyuki-sama?”

I laughed it off. “Everything’s perfectly fine, Shizuka. No need to worry about anything.”

She sighed. “Fuyuki-sama, I could hear you crying.”

“Uhh, I was just watching a movie. It was so sad. The love interest disappeared after being touched by a human. My ship…”

The woman sighed again. “Fuyuki-sama, I’ve known you for quite a while now. If it is truly because of a movie, then why are you lying down face flat? Look, there is no need to tell me, but if you need anyone to talk to, Kashiwagi-sama, Takahashi-sama, Grandma, and I are all here for you. Please remember that.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore, so I sat up and faced the white-haired woman. Tears started rolling unconsciously. “I just don’t know what to do anymore. I’d still sometimes feel like I’m getting suffocated! I just don’t know anymore. I doubt this would ever disappear…”

I felt arms being wrapped around my body. “Does it happen less frequently now?”

“I guess…” My voice got muffled from our position.

She started rubbing my back. “Then that means you’re getting better. It may feel like nothing has changed, but it doesn’t mean that you truly haven't gotten better. Actually, based on my observations, your expressions look less tense than usual. You were also smiling when you got back today. If you really haven’t improved, then I doubt that those will manifest. Don’t be too harsh on yourself.”

“I guess the psychiatrist did say something about celebrating small achievements… So this is what she was talking about… I should try applying that.”

We stayed in that position for quite a while. It helped lessen the pain.

I guess she has a point. I am slowly getting better… I mean, nothing really starts overnight, and I only started months ago. I just hope that things will continue to get better…

I then heard another knock on my door.

“Can I come in?”

This time, the voice was more masculine. I immediately got off Shizuka and wiped my tears.

“Yeah”

A man in a suit carrying a paper bag was revealed. “Sorry if I wasn’t able to personally fetch you today. Something urgent came up. I bought your favorite cheesecake to make up for it.”

“I shall leave now.” The woman looked at me before she left.

“Uhh, thanks for the cheesecake, Furukawa-san!”

His eyes widened for a split second before smiling. “Should I ask the maids to prepare it for you?”

“N-no, it’s okay…”

We sat there in awkward silence. I started eating the cheesecake. As expected, it tasted just how I like it.

Now that I think about it, I got my facial features from Furukawa-san. Even in his mid-40s, his skin looks flawless.

I looked at Furukawa-san and noticed that he’s not eating anything.

“Please don’t mind me. I’m not really fond of sweet things.”

I then continued eating my cheesecake.

I guess we still have a long way to go. I don’t even know his preferences, but then again, we only started getting to know each other several months ago… I really owe this to Chizuru-chan…