Terashima Nobuo had always been a man of patience, of quiet affection. For years, he harbored his feelings in the quietest corners of his heart, never daring to speak the words that could either change everything or shatter his carefully constructed world. But today was different. Today, he had gathered the courage to confess.

In his hands, he clutched a bouquet of her favorite flowers—delicate lilies, their white petals a soft reflection of her elegance. He had carefully chosen each one, ensuring they were perfect, just like she was in his eyes. His heart raced with both excitement and fear as he stood before the familiar door, the one that led to her apartment. The one he had visited so many times as a friend, but never as something more.

He took a deep breath, brushing off the nervous sweat on his palms. This was it. Today, he would finally tell her how much she meant to him. The words had been on the tip of his tongue for so long, but now, in this moment, they felt real, weighty, and urgent.

With one last steadying breath, Nobuo knocked.

He waited. A few moments passed. He adjusted the bouquet in his hands, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. This was going to be the beginning of something new. Then, the door creaked open.

And his smile faltered.

There, standing in the doorway, was her—the woman who had filled his every waking thought—but she wasn't alone. Beside her was a man. Taller than him, with a confident smile and an arm casually draped around her shoulders. The man was laughing softly, as though sharing a private joke with her. Their faces were close, their familiarity undeniable.

Nobuo's breath caught in his throat. His heart dropped. It was as though the ground had slipped from beneath his feet. For a moment, he couldn't breathe, couldn't move. His mind screamed at him to say something, anything, but the words seemed trapped in the pit of his stomach.