Introduction:
The story opens on a peaceful, early morning in a small, quiet town. Kai Nakamura, a 17-year-old high school student, wakes up in his room, staring at the ceiling. A subtle ticking sound from a clock fills the air, blending with the quiet hum of his heart monitor. Kai has a heart condition—a rare defect that makes his life fragile. He’s learned to live with it, but it has also kept him from imagining any future for himself.
Page 1-2: Setting the Tone
Kai gets ready for school, narrating his thoughts through internal dialogue:
Kai (internal monologue):
“I don’t really know how many days I have left... so what’s the point in dreaming about tomorrow? For me, it's always about getting through today.”
His room is clean and minimalist. A small stack of medical reports sits on his desk next to his books. His mother, a kind but tired woman, calls him down for breakfast. Their conversation is brief and routine, showing the weight of their reality.
Mother:
"Don’t forget your meds, Kai. Have a good day at school."
Kai (monotone):
"Yeah, I will."
Page 3-5: School Life
Kai walks to school alone. He’s quiet, introspective, and doesn’t stand out. He has a small circle of friends, but he often distances himself from them, trying to keep them from getting too close because of his uncertain future.
In class, he overhears his classmates talking about their dreams—college, careers, relationships. As they speak, Kai spaces out, watching the sunlight pour through the window. He feels disconnected from their conversations, a silent observer to a life he can never fully grasp.
Suddenly, the classroom door opens, and Miyu Aoyama, a transfer student, walks in. She’s bright and confident, her smile lighting up the room. The teacher introduces her, and she takes the seat right next to Kai.
Page 6-8: The First Meeting
Miyu immediately strikes up a conversation with Kai during break. She’s friendly, energetic, and curious, the complete opposite of his quiet demeanor.
Miyu:
"Hey! You’re Kai, right? Do you mind showing me around after class?"
Kai (surprised):
"Uh... sure."
Kai feels a bit off-balance by her forwardness. No one usually goes out of their way to talk to him, but something about Miyu feels different. Despite himself, he agrees to help.
Page 9-12: A Fleeting Connection
After school, Kai walks with Miyu around the campus. She’s chatty, asking him all sorts of questions about the school and the town. For the first time in a long while, Kai finds himself smiling at her enthusiasm.
Miyu (smiling):
"So, Kai, do you have any plans after graduation?"
Her question hits him like a brick. His smile fades. He tries to brush it off with a casual response.
Kai:
"I’m... not really thinking that far ahead."
Miyu (curious):
"Really? I’ve got so many plans. I want to travel, study abroad, and—"
As she talks about her future, Kai feels a sharp pain in his chest—not from his condition, but from the realization that he can’t picture himself in that future. He listens silently, but his thoughts are elsewhere.
Kai (internal monologue):
“Dreams... I can’t afford to have them.”
Page 13-15: A Moment of Vulnerability
As they walk by the park, Miyu notices Kai’s quiet mood and asks him directly:
Miyu:
"Hey, is something wrong? You’ve been kind of distant all day."
Kai is caught off guard by her perceptiveness. He’s never talked about his heart condition with anyone outside his family, but something about Miyu makes him want to open up. He decides to say something, though only briefly.
Kai:
"It’s just... I have this heart condition. It’s... complicated."
Miyu stops, looking concerned but not pitying him.
Miyu:
"Oh... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—"
Kai (interrupting):
"No, it’s fine. It’s just... I can’t really plan for the future like other people. That’s all."
Page 16-18: The Beginning of Change
There’s a moment of silence between them, but Miyu doesn’t pull away or try to comfort him with meaningless words. Instead, she smiles softly and says something that catches Kai off guard.
Miyu:
"Well, you might not know what tomorrow holds, but today’s still here, right? Maybe we can just make the most of today."
Kai looks at her, surprised by her simplicity and optimism. He realizes that, for the first time in a long while, he feels a little lighter.
Kai (internal monologue):
“Maybe... maybe I don’t need to think about tomorrow just yet.”
As they part ways, Kai finds himself thinking about Miyu. For the first time, he feels the stirrings of something he thought he could never afford to have: hope.
Page 19: Chapter End – A New Spark
The chapter ends with Kai lying in bed that night, looking out his window at the stars. His heart monitor beeps steadily in the background, a constant reminder of his fragile existence. But for the first time, he allows himself to imagine what it would be like to spend more time with Miyu.
Kai (internal monologue):
“Maybe... just maybe... I can make a few small dreams for today.”
Chapter End
(NOTE: the reason why I numbered the pages is because I want to show you how I will structure the manga in the future)
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The Echo of a Fragile Heart
RomanceHey guys, I'm Stian. I'm a newbie when it comes to writing stuff. Basically all of this is a MANGA PROJECT. I'm part of a project but the members are kinda lazy. I'm working on the story, and on art. Until the drawings are done I will post the chapt...
