A Kiss of Blood: Volume 1

CHP1: A Chance Encounter

Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter

Sora had never been one to believe in fate or destiny, but when she walked into the crowded coffee shop on that dreary autumn day, she couldn't help but feel like something was about to change. As she made her way to the counter to place her order, she caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. Keigo, the boy who had captured her heart from the moment she first laid eyes on him. He was sitting alone at a table by the window, his eyes fixed on the rain-soaked street outside.

Sora felt her heart skip a beat as she approached the counter, her mind racing with possibilities. What if he noticed her? What if they talked? She tried to shake off the nervousness and focus on the task at hand.

"Can I help you?" the barista asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh, um, yes. I'll have a caramel latte, please," Sora replied, her eyes darting back to Keigo.

As she waited for her order, she stole glances at him, trying to gather the courage to make a move. But Keigo seemed lost in thought, his expression unreadable.

Just as Sora's drink was handed to her, the door of the coffee shop swung open, letting in a gust of cold wind and rain. A group of girls walked in, laughing and chattering loudly, their attention immediately drawn to Keigo.

Sora watched as one of the girls sauntered over to his table, leaning into whisper something in his ear. Keigo's response was curt, his gaze flicking to the girl and then away, as if he couldn't be bothered.

Sora's heart sank. She had seen this before, the constant attention from girls who threw themselves at Keigo's feet, only to be rebuffed. She had always hoped that she would be different, that somehow, he would see her as more than just another girl with a crush.

But as the girls gathered around Keigo's table, Sora knew that her chance encounter with him had passed, at least for now. She took a sip of her latte, the bitter taste on her tongue a reminder of the bitter truth.

As Sora sat down at a small table in the corner of the coffee shop, she couldn't help but feel disappointed. She had come so close to talking to Keigo, yet the chance had slipped through her fingers.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when someone sat down across from her. It wasn't until a voice spoke that she looked up and saw a boy with tousled black hair and bright blue eyes, staring at her with a smile.

"Hey there, mind if I join you?" he said, gesturing to the empty seat.

Sora hesitated for a moment, unsure if she wanted to talk to anyone. But there was something about the boy's friendly demeanor that put her at ease.

"Sure, go ahead," she said, gesturing to the seat.

"I'm Hiro," the boy said, extending his hand across the table.

"Sora," she replied, taking his hand.

They chatted for a few minutes, Hiro asking about her day and what she was studying in school. Sora found herself opening up to him, talking about her interests and passions.

As they spoke, Sora felt her spirit's lift. She had come to the coffee shop hoping to catch a glimpse of Keigo, but it was Hiro who had turned out to be the unexpected surprise. His easy smile and kind words had made her forget her disappointment, at least for a little while.

Eventually, they finished their drinks and Hiro stood up to leave. As he walked away, he turned back and smiled at her.

"See you around, Sora," he said, before disappearing out the door.

Sora sat there for a moment, watching the rain fall outside. For the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, her chance encounter with Keigo wasn't the only one that mattered. Maybe there was something more out there for her, waiting to be discovered.

As Sora walked out of the coffee shop, she couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at the corners of her lips. Meeting Hiro had been a pleasant surprise, and she was grateful for the distraction he had provided.

She took a deep breath of the fresh evening air and started walking back home. It was a short walk, but she welcomed the opportunity to clear her head.

As she walked, she noticed a figure leaning against a nearby tree. It was Keigo. Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze in her tracks.

He was looking down at his phone, but as soon as he noticed her, he looked up and met her gaze.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Sora could feel her cheeks growing warm, and she fidgeted with the strap of her bag.

Finally, Keigo broke the silence.

"Hey," he said, his voice cool and calm.

"Hey," Sora replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

They stood there for a few moments, neither of them knowing what to say. Then, without warning, Keigo turned and walked away.

Sora watched him go, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief. It wasn't the conversation she had hoped for, but it was a start.

As she continued walking home, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Keigo. Would they ever get the chance to talk again, or was this encounter just another fleeting moment in their lives?

Only time would tell.