The Seasons In Your Eyes

In early 2000s Kyoto, Saki Akiyama is the new transfer student: bright-eyed, pink-haired, and almost impossible to dislike. He's cheerful, curious, and always seems to find the silver lining. Then there's Achi Miyazono: quiet, guarded, and the kind of kid who keeps his emotions behind locked doors. He comes from a wealthy but neglectful family, left to navigate life mostly alone since his older brother left for Australia.

When Saki gets assigned the desk next to Achi's, it's not exactly instant friendship-but Saki doesn't give up easily. And to everyone's surprise, Achi softens. Just a little. Then a little more.

As the two grow up side by side, through awkward school days, shared lunches, sleepovers, and subtle glances that linger too long; their connection deepens into something neither of them has words for. What starts as friendship slowly, quietly blossoms into first love.

Now grown and working as teachers in the U.S., Achi and Saki are still learning how to navigate the world- and each other. Because even when love begins in childhood, growing with someone is never as simple as it seems.

This is a rewritten version of one of my first stories on my other account [now deleted.]