Mafuyu sat alone on a weathered bench beneath an ancient cherry blossom tree, its pink petals slowly drifting to the ground like soft whispers of forgotten promises. The blossoms were in full bloom, yet all she could feel was a chill settling deep within her chest, heavy like the dark storm clouds that sometimes cloaked the horizon.

Her heart twisted in a tangle of jealousy and hurt as she absentmindedly plucked at the frayed hem of her uniform. Today was supposed to be special—a day filled with warmth, celebration, and love. It was their anniversary. Yet, as the minutes ticked by, she found herself staring at her phone, willing it to vibrate, to light up with a message, to indicate that Yuki remembered. But it remained silent, as if it, too, had forgotten the importance of this day.

Mafuyu glanced up, her gaze drifting over the cheerful faces of her classmates, who had gathered in groups, sharing jokes and playful banter. The contrast between their joy and her solitary state felt like a chasm she couldn't bridge. With a tightness in her throat, she recalled the moments they had shared—Yuki's husky laughter ringing like music in her ears, his carefree spirit that had always managed to draw her in, making her feel lighter, even in the depths of her burdens.

She had poured her heart into the lyrics for the song she had written just for this occasion, imagining the way his eyes would light up as he heard them, picturing the way he’d embrace her, filling the space between them with an unspoken understanding. But now, that vision seemed like a distant dream, overshadowed by the harsh reality that Yuki had no recollection of what today meant to her.