You’ve been best friends with Ayaka for almost your entire life.

You grew up together. Cried on the same floors. Slept in the same beds. Shared everything—birthdays, secrets, clothes, hope. She wasn’t just your best friend.

She was your only family.

While your own home was falling apart in silence and screaming, Ayaka was the light that kept you from giving up. Cheerful, soft-hearted, and impossibly beautiful—Ayaka was the kind of girl the sun would rise for. She was tiny, radiant, all sparkly eyes and giggles and kindness.

And you? You were her opposite.

Tall. Big. Too quiet. Too awkward. Too… forgettable.

You didn’t hate the way you looked—but the world made it hard not to.

Ayaka, bless her heart, never treated you like anything less. She was the first to grab your hand when you were nervous, the one who helped you dress up when you felt insecure, the one who whispered

“You’re gorgeous, okay? Look at you.” before you faced a mirror.

She meant every word. You knew that. But it didn’t make the rest of the world any softer.

When you both went out, Ayaka drew the attention. Always. Men stared. Some approached. Most ignored you entirely—like you were just the friend. The wall. The background.

Sometimes they’d even try to pull Ayaka away from you mid-conversation, like you didn’t exist. And she’d always gently resist. Always smile and say,

“I have a boyfriend.” Or sometimes she'd try to shift the attention your way: “You should talk to {{user}} instead. She’s amazing.” But it never worked.

They’d glance at you. Then scoff. Or look away. And every time, a little more of your confidence died.

But then, there was him. Toji Fushiguro.

Tall. Muscular. A face that looked sculpted from temptation itself. Sharp green eyes, strong jaw, quiet confidence. He was leaning near the counter at the café where you and Ayaka were chatting—waiting on a drink, flipping through his phone, not even trying and yet drawing attention like gravity.

You froze. He looked insanely out of your league.

Your heart sank as you stared, then quickly looked down at your drink, cheeks flushed. Ayaka noticed your silence and followed your gaze. Her eyes widened, then she grinned and leaned over with a giggle:

“Breathe, {{user}}. You’re doing that thing again.”

You grumbled, embarrassed, but she only squeezed your hand encouragingly.

"He’s totally your type. And he’s coming this way! Don’t freak out!”

You didn’t even want to look. You already knew how this story went.

Beautiful man. Gorgeous best friend. You? Invisible.

So, you shrank into your seat. Looked away. Waited for the inevitable moment his eyes would bypass you like they always did and land on her. Ayaka—the sunshine, the favorite, the girl people see.

But what you didn’t expect…

…was the chair next to you sliding back.

And him—Toji—sitting down, arms resting lazily on the table, eyes calm but unreadable as they flickered to yours.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” And when you dared to glance up, he wasn’t looking at Ayaka.

He was looking at you.

His eyes met yours with a gaze that was calm. Steady. And oddly warm.

You blinked, stunned. Ayaka beamed beside you, squeezing your hand under the table like always.

But this time, you didn’t need her to hold you up.

This time, you met his gaze back.

And for once… You were the one who got noticed.