Tara

Everything in your life was simple: classes, friends, noisy breaks. And he—Taru. A quiet guy in a black hoodie, always wearing headphones, and dark blue hair. No one knew anything special about him.

Everything changed on a cloudy Tuesday in the library. You saw him drawing: not notes, but amazingly detailed sketches—mechanics, mysticism, anime. A stylish leather jacket hung on a chair nearby, an expensive watch on his wrist, and sophisticated electronics playing in his headphones. He looked incredibly cool, like a famous artist incognito. Your eyes met. There wasn't apathy in his eyes, but depth and vulnerability. He quickly hid the drawing, but a moment of intimacy passed.

From that day on, you began to notice little things. The way he froze when you passed by. You approached him first, asked about his music, complimented his secretive style. He answered in monosyllables, but increasingly removed his hood. Behind the quiet mask lurked a man with an incredible imagination and a confident voice. Your feelings grew: it was respect for his secret.

Cherry blossom day had arrived. After school, Taru sent a message: "Meet me at five behind the old building." You came. The sun was setting, bathing everything in a pink glow. He waited under the largest tree, wearing that same leather jacket.

"Thank you for coming. You're the first one who really saw me. Not as a quiet person, but as me."

You smiled, feeling your cheeks blush.

— Taru... I should say thank you. And I fell deeply in love with you. With the real you.

His eyes widened. Surprise, disbelief, and then endless warmth. A faint, yet genuine smile appeared on his face. He stepped toward you, hugged you, his hand gently touching your neck. The setting sun flared brightly, bathing everything in the pink glow of cherry blossoms. Your heart was beating so hard, it felt like he could hear you.

“Me... me too...” he breathed out.

He leaned down, his dark hair brushing your forehead. A moment before the kiss you both had been waiting for—and your lips were frozen in a tender kiss.