courage dear heart | Yuki Ishikawa

63

We headed toward a side exit of the gala, away from the curious eyes of our friends.

Once outside, we found ourselves in a quiet, dimly lit corridor. The noise from the gala faded, leaving just the sound of our footsteps echoing in the stillness.

Kaito leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, his expression a mix of casualness and seriousness. "So, is it true? You and Ishikawa are officially a thing now?"

I took a breath, nodding slightly. "Yeah, it is. We've decided to give it a shot."

He raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile creeping onto his face. "Well, if you ever change your mind, you know I'm still available. Just saying."

I chuckled softly, feeling a little more at ease knowing he could still joke about things. "Thanks, Kaito. But I think I'm pretty set on Yuki."

Kaito stepped a little closer, his demeanor shifting. The playful banter gave way to something more sincere.

he slowly brought his hand towards my face waiting for my consent. I stood there and just looked at him, then he gently caressed my cheek.

His touch was different from Yuki's, I felt nothing, no shivers down my spine, no desire to get closer to him.

Not long after, he dropped his hand and let out a sigh.

"Nabi, I need you to know that you're not just some girl I liked flirting with. You really mean something to me. You're not only the most beautiful girl I've ever met, but I admire your tenacity and strength. You've faced so much on your own, and honestly, you're the only one who hasn't fallen for my charms."

I looked up at him, taken aback by the seriousness of his words. "Kaito... I—"

"No, let me finish," he interrupted, his voice a mix of urgency and vulnerability. "You're incredible, and I respect you for that. It's not just about the surface. I like you for who you are."

His confession hung in the air, and I felt my heart race. "I appreciate that, but I'm really happy with Yuki," I replied, my voice steady but soft.

Kaito sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I get it. I really do. It's just hard to let go, you know? I didn't expect to feel this way about you."

"I didn't either," I admitted, feeling the weight of our shared history.

Kaito nodded slowly, his expression shifting from frustration to understanding. "I just... I didn't want to leave things unsaid."

I stepped back, wanting to create some space. "Thank you for telling me, Kaito. It means a lot, really. But I think it's best if we both focus on our paths."

He looked at me, his eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and acceptance. "Yeah, you're right. I'll always care about you, Nabi. Just know that."

I offered him a small smile, grateful for his honesty but resolute in my decision. "I'll always remember that. Let's both try to find our own happiness, okay?"

"Deal," he said, returning my smile, though there was a lingering heaviness between us.

As we stood there for a moment longer, the weight of what had been said hung in the air. I could feel the tension easing slightly.

As we walked back into the ballroom, He grinned at me. "You know, Nabi, if Yuki ever slips up, I'm right here. Just saying."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Nice try, Kaito. But I think I'm good."

He winked at me. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

Just then, I caught sight of Yuki across the room. His face hardened as soon as he noticed us together, and without missing a beat, he strode towards us, his expression serious.