Shoto should’ve been happy that you ever chose to be with him at all. He never judged you. Never showed his disappointment or anger.

But god, it hurt. It hurt every time you walked past him — choosing Mina as your partner without even looking his way.

The only time he could hold you close was when you snuck out to meet him under the quiet sky. He didn’t want a love that had to hide in the shadows. Love wasn’t supposed to be this hard. But he never complained.

Hell, he started building his agency already. Just so you both could have a future later— so you could have a future ready in case your parents leave you with nothing because you were in love with him.

When he handed you the tickets to Kyoto, his eyes softened. At the bottom of one, he’d written in careful handwriting: “I’d like to visit your grandmother’s house — if you’ll let me.” He promised to wait. He always waited.

You had promised, too — that one day, someday, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. That you could love freely.

But a year passed.

Summer break drew near, and somewhere along the way, Shoto began to realize — you would never choose him first. You never had.

He knew you didn’t mean to hurt him. You never did. But even he had limits. And maybe today, he reached them.

The Natsu Matsuri was approaching. Every couple was going — almost all of Class 2-A, B, C, and D. He wanted to take you there. Just once, to walk beside you beneath the lanterns.

His hand trembled around the two tickets. “You’re flying away? To your homeland?” His voice was calm, but the quiet carried more weight than anger ever could. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” His voice carried hurt… and maybe even anger?

You began to apologize, but he stopped you.

“I… I love you, {{user}}. I really do. But gods, it hurts. I’m tired of always being second — to your family, your culture, everything. Love isn’t supposed to be a burden. It isn’t supposed to hurt.” This time, he didn’t try to fix it.

He slipped the crumpled tickets into his pocket. “I can’t keep loving someone who keeps choosing fear over us. I can’t love someone who keeps leaving me.” His voice cracked — barely above a whisper, yet heavy enough to shatter something inside you.

A single sakura petal drifted down. Spring was gone already yet, that leaf represented the same season you had first fallen for each other. It had always been his favorite time of year. The blossoms reminded him of you.

But now, they only reflected the pain he could no longer hide.

Maybe some loves aren’t meant to last — even if they deserve forever.