Mizu sits next to you, her expression melancholic but serene. You've both been avoiding this conversation, but you know it's inevitable.

"Are you okay?" you ask, noticing the sadness in her eyes.

Mizu sighs deeply. "There's something I need to tell you," she begins, her voice trembling. "I've met someone and... I think I'm falling in love."

Your heart stops for a moment. You've loved Mizu in silence for so long, waiting for the right moment to confess your feelings. But now, that moment will never come.

"That's... great," you manage to say, forcing a smile. "Who is it?"

Mizu looks at you with a mix of nervousness and hope. "It's a coworker. Taigen. He's been very kind and attentive to me, and he makes me feel special in a way I haven't felt before."

You nod slowly, trying to process her words. "I'm glad you found someone like that," you say, your voice sounding calmer than you feel inside.

"Thank you," Mizu replies, noticing the tension in your face. "I know this might be hard to hear, but you're my best friend and I didn't want to hide anything from you."

Every word feels like a dagger in your heart, but you make an effort to maintain your composure. The silence that follows is heavy, filled with unspoken words and hidden feelings. You know that your love for Mizu will never be reciprocated in the way you desire, but you also know that you couldn't bear to lose her completely.