Mei's Lonely World
Mei had always been quiet.
Even as a child, she was the girl who sat in the corner, flipping through books while other kids played outside.
She wasn't bullied. She wasn't hated.
She was just… invisible.
Her parents were kind but busy. They didn't ignore her, but they didn't see her either.
"You're such a smart girl, Mei."
"You're so responsible."
"You never cause trouble."
And that was the problem.
She was too quiet. Too obedient. Too easy to overlook.
No one ever asked how she felt.
No one ever stopped to listen.
Until he did.
The First Encounter
The first time Mei met Yuto, it wasn't perfect.
They crashed into each other on the street.
She had been lost in thought, staring at the ground, when she suddenly collided with someone.
Both of them fell back.
Mei's books scattered across the pavement.
Yuto rubbed his head. "Ow… Are you okay?"
Mei quickly collected her books, mumbling, "Sorry, my fault."
But Yuto just laughed. "Guess I should look where I'm going too."
That was the first time someone had smiled at her like that.
And that was the moment something changed.
Little Moments That Meant Everything
From that day on, Mei and Yuto became close in such a short time.
Not the kind of friends who talked all day.
But the kind who sat in silence comfortably.
The kind who walked home together without needing words.
The kind who understood each other's loneliness.
The Second Meeting – The Umbrella
One day, it rained.
Mei had forgotten her umbrella and stood outside, hesitating.
Then, a voice.
"You can share mine."
She turned to see Yuto—holding out his umbrella.
Mei hesitated. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "We're going the same way anyway."
That was the first time someone had noticed her.
At the library: Yuto would always sit beside her, reading manga while she read novels. Whenever Mei found a good quote, she'd slide her notebook toward him. Yuto would read it and smile. "That's a nice line."
At the café: Mei didn't drink coffee, but she liked sitting by the window, watching the rain. Yuto would sip his drink and say, "You like the rain, huh?" Mei would nod. "It makes me feel… safe." Yuto just smiled. "Then I like the rain too."
During spring: Yuto once pointed at a cherry blossom petal in Mei's hair. "You have something there." Mei froze. "W-Where?" Yuto gently plucked it out. "Got it." Mei's heart raced.
They were just small moments.
But to Mei—
They meant everything.
Unspoken Love
Mei had always been okay with being silent.
She thought it was enough just to be by Yuto's side.
She thought she didn't need to say it.
"I like you."
But everything changed that day.
The Moment Everything Broke
Mei was walking home from tuition.
It was late, and the city lights glowed softly.
That's when she saw them.
Yuto. Reina.
Together.
Sitting at an outdoor café.
Laughing.
Mei's steps slowed.
Reina playfully poked Yuto's forehead. Yuto chuckled, rubbing the spot.
Mei just stood there.
Her fingers tightened around her bag strap.
Her heart ached.
"It's okay," she told herself. "I don't care."
But then, Yuto reached out and brushed a fallen eyelash off Reina's cheek.
Reina smiled.
And that was when Mei's heart shattered.
Her feet moved before she could think.
She turned.
And ran.
The Run That Wouldn't End
The streets blurred as Mei's legs carried her forward.
"I don't care."
Her shoes slapped against the pavement, her breathing sharp and uneven.
"I don't care."
But the memories wouldn't stop.
💭 Yuto handing her an umbrella.
💭 Yuto smiling at her notes.
💭 Yuto gently plucking the cherry blossom from her hair.
The wind stung her tear-filled eyes.
Her vision blurred.
Her heart screamed.
"I don't care!"
She ran faster.
Past the café.
Past the school.
Past the streets they used to walk together.
But no matter how fast she ran…
She couldn't outrun the pain.
The loneliness.
The realization.
She thought those moments meant something.
She thought she was special to him.
But now, she realized—
Maybe she was just a side character in his story.
And Reina…
Was his main lead.
A Lonely Walk Home
Mei wiped her eyes.
"Why am I crying?"
She took a shaky breath, hugging herself.
"I should be happy for him."
"I should move on."
"He was never mine to begin with."
But it still hurt.
Every small moment.
Every silent memory.
Every unspoken word.
"It's okay."
She whispered to herself.
But the tears kept falling.