[Scene continues — Tenshin University Cafeteria]
[Yumeha's best friend, dressed in a soft cream cardigan and navy skirt, sits alone at the next table, quietly reading a novel while sipping warm tea. Her long, wavy hair falls over one shoulder. Though she appears focused, her ears catch certain familiar names—Fujiwara, Mitsui, Yumeha.]
---
Girl (inner monologue, glancing subtly):
That voice… that's definitely Yan. Loud as always. And Reo's here too? So they're all in the same cafeteria today?
[She tries not to stare, but curiosity stirs inside her. She shifts slightly, trying to peek without being obvious. The third voice—quieter, deep and calm—feels unfamiliar, yet oddly composed. Her eyes flick over the table, catching the sight of two familiar boys, and one stranger.]
---
Girl (inner thoughts):
Who's that sitting with them? He's not from the Tenshin Branch High, definitely. Maybe the new student Reo mentioned before?
---
Yan (still talking animatedly):
"…Seriously, if Yumeha Mitsui is actually attending this university, she's doing a damn good job at hiding. Even the student council president claims he's never seen her."
---
Girl (heart skips slightly):
Yumeha… again. Why does her name always pop up like this? They talk like she's a character in a novel, not a person with real thoughts, fears, and reasons for hiding.
[She lowers her cup slowly, her fingers tightening just a little.]
---
Ren (voice low, calm):
"If she's really here, she probably has her reasons. The Mitsui name isn't something you carry lightly. I've seen it in Geto."
---
Girl (inner monologue):
Geto-san… of course, he'd say that name so casually. Wait. He knows Geto?
---
Yan (with a mouthful of rice):
"Ren here knows Geto Mitsui personally! Like, actual events and family dinners type of knowing!"
---
Girl (eyes widening slightly):
Ren? Wait… Fujiwara?
---
Reo (grinning):
"He's my older brother. The Fujiwaras and Mitsuis go way back. It's not that big a deal."
---
Girl (trying to stay composed, thoughts racing):
Fujiwara… Ren Fujiwara. I've heard of him from Yumeha. That calm, unreadable heir who keeps out of the spotlight... No wonder I couldn't recognize him earlier—he's rarely photographed. And today, he's just… here?
[She tries to sneak a glance again but only catches the side of Ren's face—his hair casting a shadow. Her heart beats faster for reasons she can't quite name.]
---
Yan (cheerful and oblivious):
"You know, if people found out Ren Fujiwara was eating lunch in the cafeteria like a normal person, there'd be chaos. We'd probably get caught on the school forum before dessert."
Ren (coolly):
"Then let's eat fast."
---
Girl (smiling faintly to herself):
He's… nothing like I imagined. Not cold. Just… reserved. Controlled. But even from here, you can tell he's used to carrying a lot.
---
[She stirs her tea again, quietly watching from the corner of her eye. The talk continues at the boys' table—carefree, clumsy, loud at times. But now she listens not just with curiosity, but a soft sense of wonder.]
Girl (inner thoughts):
Yumeha… if only you could see this. He's not just the Fujiwara heir. He's a person. A boy, sitting here with your best friend's little brother… laughing over curry and soda.
...
[Scene: Evening. The golden cityscape glows softly beyond the window of Yumeha's quiet dorm room. Aika's name lights up on her phone screen. She answers, already sensing something in her friend's silence.]
Yumeha (softly):
"Aika… it's late. Did something happen?"
Aika (her voice composed, but warm):
"I wasn't going to call, but… I couldn't sleep. I wanted to talk to you before this feeling passed."
Yumeha (sitting up, concerned):
"Is everything alright?"
Aika:
"It's about today. In the cafeteria. I overheard something—your name came up."
Yumeha (still):
"My name?"
Aika (carefully):
"There were three boys. Yan—you know how loud he is. Then Reo Fujiwara, and… his older brother, Ren."
Yumeha (the name stirs something in her chest):
"Ren… Fujiwara?"
Aika (gently):
"I didn't see his face. He was sitting in the light, but turned just out of my view. I recognized Yan's voice easily. Reo too, of course. But Ren… his voice was different. Low, calm. Mature. He didn't say much, but when your name came up… he listened."
Yumeha (quietly):
"Did they… say anything cruel?"
Aika:
"No. Not at all. Yan brought up the rumors—that the Mitsui family's daughter might be hiding among the students. Reo laughed, but in a teasing way. Ren… he didn't laugh. He said if it were true, she must have her reasons. He sounded… thoughtful. Not dismissive."
Yumeha (after a pause):
"Last night… at dinner, my father brought them up too. The Fujiwaras."
Aika (listening intently):
"He did?"
Yumeha (replaying it in her mind):
"Yes. He mentioned that Ren returned from Nara. Said he's joined Tenshin University's marketing department. Mother smiled at that—she always admired their family's steadiness. And then… Geto-nii mentioned Reo. Said he'd grown into a bright and sharp boy. But when Father said Ren might one day take over the Fujiwara group… something about the way Geto nodded… it felt approving. Like he already trusted him."
Aika:
"Your family and theirs… they've always had history, haven't they?"
Yumeha (softly):
"Since before I was born. The Mitsuis and Fujiwaras were once intertwined in every business conversation—our fathers, our grandfathers. But over the years, those paths quietly drifted apart. I never got to know them, not really."
Aika (tenderly):
"And now Ren is here. And speaking your name like it's something precious—even without knowing who you are."
Yumeha (smiles faintly, but there's weight in her voice):
"You know, Aika… when Father asked if I'd ever met either of them, I lied. I said no too quickly. Because part of me wanted to keep that distance. Pretend I could stay hidden, unknown."
Aika (after a pause):
"Are you still trying to stay invisible, Yumeha?"
Yumeha (softly):
"I don't know. Maybe I'm afraid of what will happen if someone like Ren Fujiwara sees me—not just the surface, but… everything beneath."
Aika (gently but firmly):
"He didn't sound like someone shallow. He didn't try to speak over Yan or laugh for attention. He listened. He measured his words. I think… he's the kind of person who notices what most overlook."
Yumeha (whispers):
"What if I'm not ready to be noticed?"
Aika:
"Then wait. But don't run. You're not the same Yumeha who only smiled to match the room. You've worked hard to breathe on your own."
Yumeha (with soft gratitude):
"You always see me so clearly."
Aika (warmly):
"And someday, someone else will too. Maybe sooner than you think. Maybe someone like Ren."
Yumeha (letting out a fragile breath):
"If I ever stand in front of him… I hope I won't need to hide."
Aika:
"You won't. You'll just need to be you. And that'll be enough."
Yumeha (closing her eyes, a hint of peace settling over her):
"Thank you, Aika. For hearing me. For reminding me who I am."
Aika (quietly smiling on the other end):
"Always."
The call end.....