Haruto Sato

On the user's birthday, he spent days preparing a gift he made himself.
She was thrilled.
— You did all that?

• I did.
  — You're impossible.
  She hugged the gift to her chest and smiled.
  I loved it.
  Their relationship continued like this throughout the last year.
  Haruto never stopped being the boy who loved science and books.
  And the user never tried to change it.
  She liked him exactly the way he was.
  Then came the last day of high school.
  The graduation ceremony ended and the students began to say their goodbyes.
  Some already had plans for college.

The user shrugged.
Let them look.
— You don't mind?

• No.
  She gently squeezed his hand.
  I came here with you. That's what matters.
  Haruto smiled. After that night, Haruto and User officially started dating.
  At first, Haruto still seemed not to believe it.
  Sometimes, when they were together in the library, he would look at her and smile without realizing it.
  "What happened?" the user asked.
  Nothing.
  You're smiling.
  I still can't believe you're my girlfriend.
  She was laughing.
  And I still can't believe you're so shy.
  The following months were some of the best of Haruto's life.
  They studied together, did assignments together, walked around the school after classes, and spent hours talking.
  Haruto also liked to prepare little surprises for her.
  During the night, they talked, laughed, and danced.
  At a certain point, Haruto realized he was completely at ease.
  He wasn't thinking about the people watching.
  I wasn't thinking about what it looked like.
  I was just happy.
  After a while, the two went to a quieter part of the hall.
  The user looked at him.
  — Haruto?
  Hm?
  Can I ask you something?
• He can.
  Do you like me?
  Haruto remained silent.
  His heart seemed to be beating so loudly that she could probably hear it.
  He took a deep breath.
• I like.
  The user smiled.
  I like you too.
  Haruto's eyes widened.
• Serious?
  She laughed.
• Serious.
  He couldn't help but smile.
  After so many years believing that no one could like him, finally there was someone who did.
  And it wasn't just anyone.
  It was precisely the girl who had managed to see him when he himself had already given up on being seen.
  That night, the two decided to start a relationship.
  And as the lights of the ball illuminated the hall, Haruto realized something:
  He didn't need to transform himself into someone else to be loved.
  For the first time, someone had chosen to stand by him exactly as he was.

Because I enjoy spending time with you.
Haruto couldn't believe it.
Are you sure?

• I have.
  She smiled.
  Unless you don't want to go with me.
  No! I want it!
  The user started laughing.
  Haruto realized he had spoken too loudly and blushed.
  — I mean... yes. I would love to.
  She smiled.
  Okay, so it's settled.
  Haruto spent the rest of the way trying to hide his happiness.
  But there was one thing he didn't know yet.
  That night, he received a message from a user.
  "And you don't need to try to look like someone else at the prom."
  Haruto stared at the screen, confused.
  Soon after, another message arrived.
  "I like you just the way you are."
  He stared at those words for several seconds.
  His heart raced.
  Perhaps...
  Perhaps the user felt something for him very similar to what he felt for her. Finally, the day of the ball arrived.
  Haruto was nervous from the start.
  He opened the wardrobe and stood looking at his clothes.
  For a moment, she thought about buying something completely different.
  Perhaps an elegant outfit.
  Maybe a new hairstyle.
  Perhaps that way he wouldn't make the user regret choosing to go with him.
  But then he remembered her message.
  "I like you just the way you are."
  Haruto smiled.
  Then I'll go anyway.
  He put on simple clothes, styled his hair as best he could, and put on his glasses.
  When he arrived at school, he noticed that almost everyone was very well dressed.
  Some boys looked at him and laughed. Haruto took a deep breath.
  Then he heard a voice.
  — Haruto!
  He turned around.
  The user was coming towards him.
  She looked very pretty, but the smile that appeared on her face when she saw him made Haruto completely forget about the rest of school.
  — You came!
  — Of course I came.
  She looked at him.
  I liked your outfit.
  Haruto was surprised.
• Same?
• Same.
  She held his hand.
  Shall we go?
  Let's go.
  The two entered together.
  Some people started looking.
  Haruto realized.
  They're looking at us.

The week of the prom has arrived.

The whole school seemed to be talking about the event.

Haruto, however, remained undecided.

He wanted to invite the user, but he couldn't muster the courage.

On Friday, during the break, he was walking down the hallway when he heard some voices.

It was Ren.

One of the most popular boys in school.

Haruto stopped near a wall, unnoticed.

Ren approached the user.

Can I talk to you?

Sure.

He took a deep breath.

I was wondering if you'd like to go to the dance with me.

Haruto felt his heart clench.

He was already expecting that answer.

The user remained silent for a few seconds.

Then she smiled gently.

Sorry, Ren.

He seemed surprised.

— You don't want to go?

I want to go to the dance.

• Then...

She shook her head.

But I already know who I want to go with.

Ren looked at her, curious.

With whom?

The user smiled.

It's a secret.

Haruto's eyes widened.

She had rejected Ren.

But who did she want to go with?

Before he could figure it out, Haruto left.

He went back into the room and sat in his seat.

Shortly after, the user logged in.

She looked directly at him.

— Haruto.

He raised his eyes.

• Hey.

• Are you well?

• I am.

She noticed that he was different.

• He is sure?

• I have.

The user approached.

— You've been acting strange since the break.

Haruto tried to smile.

I'm just tired.

She stared at him for a few seconds.

Then he smiled.

• All good.

When class ended, the user waited for Haruto outside.

— Shall we go together?

Sure.

The two started walking.

After a few minutes, she stopped.

— Haruto.

• Yes?

She got a little nervous.

Do you already know who you're going to the dance with?

Haruto looked away.

• Not yet.

• Then...

She took a deep breath.

Do you want to come with me?

Haruto stood completely still.

• What?

I wanted to go with you.

He blinked several times.

But... why?

The user seemed confused.

Do you think so?

• I am sure.
  She smiled again.
  The right person will like you exactly as you are.
  Haruto felt his face grow hot.
  Do you really think that way?
  Sure.
  At that moment, he felt the urge to tell everything.
  To say that the person you liked was sitting right in front of you.
  But fear prevailed.
• Thanks.
  — For what reason?
  Because she's my friend.
  The user smiled.
  — Always.
  The next day, news began circulating around the school.
  There would be a big ball before the end of the year.
  The students were excited.
  The girls were discussing the dresses they would wear, while the boys were planning how to ask someone out.
  Haruto overheard his classmates talking.
  — Do you already know who you're going to invite?
  Sure. I'll call the girl I like.
  Haruto became thoughtful.
  He wanted to invite a user.
  Very.
  But a doubt began to bother him.
  What if someone had already planned to invite her?
  She was beautiful, intelligent, and kind.
  It wouldn't be strange if several boys wanted to go with her.
  Perhaps someone much better than him would invite her.
  Haruto looked at the user on the other side of the hallway.
  She was having a quiet conversation with a friend.
  He smiled.
  Perhaps it's best not to...
  Without realizing it, he was about to make a decision that would change that night.

He had received a message.
User: “Good evening, friend. Don't forget to study for the test tomorrow.”
Haruto smiled to himself.
Perhaps, for the first time, he had found someone who truly enjoyed his company.
But there was one thing he still didn't want to admit.
Every time I received a message from her...
Every time she smiled at him...
Every time she held his arm while they walked...
His heart was beating a little faster.
Haruto was beginning to fall in love.
And this time...
He was afraid it would be different.
Because he didn't want to lose the only person who had managed to make him believe in people again. The weeks passed quickly.
Haruto and the user were already inseparable.
At school, it was common to find the two of them in the library, studying side by side. Sometimes, they would spend so much time talking that they only realized class had started when they heard the bell.
Haruto, however, was keeping a secret.
He was in love with her.
But I didn't have the courage to tell.
After what had happened with Ayaka, he had promised himself that he would never again let his feelings for someone hurt him.
One afternoon, the two were sitting on a bench in the courtyard.
The user was reading a book while Haruto looked at some notes.
— Haruto.
Hm?
Can I ask you something?

• He can.
  She closed the book.
  Why do you never talk about liking someone?
  Haruto stood motionless.
• Like this?
  You never talk about girls.
  He adjusted his glasses.
  There's nobody here.
  The user narrowed their eyes.
• He is sure?
• I have.
  She smiled.
  Okay then.
  Haruto breathed a sigh of relief.
  But, a few seconds later, she asked:
  Have you ever been in a relationship with someone?
  He remained silent.
• Already.
  — And what happened?
  Haruto looked at the ground.
  She didn't like me.
  The user realized that the issue still bothered him.
  Did she treat her badly?
  Haruto took a few seconds to answer.
• Sometimes.
  Then she didn't deserve you.
  Haruto looked at her.

In the following days, Haruto began to notice something strange.

The user really wanted to be her friend.

She wasn't pretending.

During breaks, instead of hanging out with the popular kids, she used to go to the library.

And often, he would find Haruto there.

"Do you come here often?" she asked one afternoon.

Almost every day.

Then I think I'll start coming too.

Haruto looked up from his book.

You don't need to do this for my sake.

— I know. I come because I like it here.

She smiled.

But it's better when I have someone to talk to.

Haruto didn't know what to answer.

As the weeks went by, the two grew closer and closer.

They studied together, talked about science, exchanged books, and even started having lunch together a few times.

The user also discovered that Haruto was much funnier than he appeared.

One morning, he was trying to explain something about an experiment when he noticed she was looking at him.

• What it was?

Nothing.

You're looking at me.

— It's just that you get very excited when you talk about science.

Haruto blushed.

Should I stay?

• Very.

She started laughing.

— It's cute.

Haruto almost dropped the book.

— F-cute?!

• Yes.

He looked away, completely embarrassed.

The user continued smiling.

But not everyone was happy with that friendship.

One day, as the two were walking down the hallway, some people started whispering.

Is she dating him?

— Her of all people?

— She's Ayaka's sister. She could hang out with anyone.

Haruto heard.

His smile disappeared.

"Perhaps it would be better if you went," he said.

User stopped.

• Why?

— Because they're talking about you because of me.

So what?

You don't need to listen to this.

The user looked at him seriously.

— Haruto, I get to choose who I want to hang out with.

He remained silent.

— And I chose you.

Those words stayed in his head for the rest of the day.

Yuna remained silent for a moment.
I'm not going to change who I am just because you care about what people think.
Ayaka was surprised.
Before she could answer, Yuna left.
Meanwhile, Haruto was in the library.
He was sitting alone, reading an astronomy book.
It was the place he always went when he wanted to get away from others.
Yuna went into the library looking for a book.
She walked between the bookshelves until she found Haruto.
He paused for a few seconds.
He was so focused that he didn't even notice her presence.
Do you like astronomy?
Haruto quickly raised his head.

• There is?
  Yuna pointed to the book.
  Astronomy. Do you like it?
• Oh yes.
• Me too.
  Haruto was surprised.
• Do you like?
  I like science in general.
  She pulled up a chair and sat down next to him.
  Can I see?
  Haruto handed over the book.
  Yuna began to flip through some pages.
  This is a very interesting topic.
  Haruto smiled discreetly.
  It was the first time someone had shown genuine interest in what he liked.
  After a few minutes, Yuna returned the book.
  Thank you for letting me look.
  It was nothing.
  She smiled.
  — You're Haruto, right?
  He was confused.
  How do you know my name?
  I heard it during class.
  Ah...
  Yuna extended her hand.
  So... can we be friends?
  Haruto looked at her hand.
  For some reason, his heart started beating faster.
  But a small doubt appeared in his mind.
  Was she just playing a game with him?
  After everything that had happened with Ayaka, Haruto no longer trusted people easily.
  Even so, he shook Yuna's hand.
  We can.
  Yuna smiled.
  And at that moment, Haruto had no idea that this simple friendship would change his entire life.

Haruto stood still for a few seconds.
At that moment, he realized something.
Perhaps he had confused liking someone with believing that one day that person might like him back.
After that day, he decided he wouldn't try again.
I would no longer dream about Ayaka.
He was no longer going to wait for any girl to notice him.
Haruto just wanted to finish school, study hard, and move on with his life.
He didn't yet know that, a few days later, someone would enter that school and completely change his perspective on love.
And, unlike Ayaka...
That person would recognize Haruto.

The following Monday, the room was more bustling than usual.

The teacher entered accompanied by a girl no one knew.

— Everyone, we have a new student today. I hope you'll welcome her warmly.

The girl took a small step forward.

My name is Yuna Sato. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Some students started whispering.

She was pretty, but she didn't seem to be trying to draw attention to herself. Her uniform was simple, and she carried some books close to her chest.

Haruto, sitting near the window, just looked for a few seconds and went back to his notebook.

Then the teacher pointed to an empty desk.

Yuna, you can sit over there.

The desk was a few rows behind Haruto.

Yuna walked to her seat and sat down.

Shortly after, one of the girls in the room approached her.

Are you new here?

I am.

Do you know Ayaka?

Yuna smiled.

— I know her. She's my sister.

The girl's eyes widened.

• Serious?!

Quickly, the news began to spread through the room.

Ayaka's sister was studying there.

When Ayaka found out, she didn't seem happy at all.

During the break, she went to Yuna.

So you really did come to this school.

• Yes.

You could have chosen any other.

Yuna noticed the irritation in her sister's tone.

I liked it here.

Ayaka crossed her arms.

Just don't do anything that would embarrass me.

The bell rang, announcing the start of another morning at school.

In the hallways, groups of students chatted, laughed, and walked together. Some were worried about exams, others discussed the party that would take place the following month.

In the midst of all that commotion was Haruto Sato.

He was walking alone, holding some books against his chest.

His uniform was always a little wrinkled. His glasses slipped down his nose, his hair was completely messy, and he had a few pimples on his face. He also wore braces.

Haruto knew he didn't look like the popular kids at school.

And he knew that some people found that funny.

"Look, there's the nerd," someone commented as he walked by.

Some laughter followed soon after.

Haruto pretended not to hear.

He was already used to it.

She entered the room and sat in her favorite spot, near the window. She opened a science book and began to read while waiting for the teacher.

Science was one of the few things that could put his mind at ease.

He enjoyed learning about practically everything. He spent hours in the library and often stayed after class to finish some research.

But there was one person who could completely confuse her heart.

Ayaka.

Ayaka was one of the most popular girls in school.

Beautiful, confident, and always surrounded by friends.

Haruto had liked her for a long time.

He never had the courage to say it.

In fact, I probably never would have.

One day, while walking down the hallway, Haruto ended up passing by Ayaka and her friends.

— Haruto — she called.

He stopped immediately.

— Y-yes?

Ayaka looked him up and down and smiled mockingly.

Do you still wear those clothes?

The friends started laughing.

Haruto lowered his eyes.

— I... like them.

Then keep using it.

She walked past him, leaving the laughter behind.

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