The restaurant near the inn was warm and lively, filled with the smell of grilled fish and miso soup.
But the loudest thing in the room wasn't the bustle of customers.
It was Mika.
"Reeeei~ say 'aaah'!"
"Stop—!! Mika, I can eat by myself!"
"You're too slow! Autumn food must be enjoyed while HOT!"
Rei's face was already red—whether from embarrassment, annoyance, or Mika's harassment, I couldn't tell.
I just sat there, quietly chewing, watching them like some kind of background NPC.
Honestly… it was kind of funny.
A shadow suddenly slid into the chair beside me.
Akane.
She leaned slightly closer, her sleeve brushing mine.
"Pretty lively today, huh?"
"Yeah," I said, eyes on Mika poking Rei's cheek with a chopstick. "They're… energetic."
Akane laughed softly.
Her smile always had a faint chill of elegance—like autumn wind under a maple tree.
"Kaito, look." She pointed to the window.
Outside, orange leaves danced under the lantern lights. Mount Fuji was only a silhouette now, quiet and majestic against the purple sky.
"Autumn in Kawaguchiko is beautiful, isn't it?" she said.
I nodded. "It's nice. Peaceful. …Uh, except inside here."
She smirked. "You're cute when you say things like that."
I choked on my tea.
Before Akane could tease me more—
"OH? Is AKANE flirting with KAITO??"
Mika's voice exploded like a bomb.
Next thing I knew, Mika had slid into Akane's other side, hugging her arm.
"Awww, our cool onee-san is blushing! Look at her! Look at her!"
"I'm not blushing," Akane said calmly.
She was absolutely blushing.
Rei tried to stop Mika.
"Mi-mika, sit down! You're disturbing—"
"Ara? Rei-chan, are YOU jealous now~?"
Rei nearly dropped her chopsticks.
I quietly leaned back in my chair.
Yep.
Can't do anything about this.
After having breakfast in the restaurant, We rented the same bicycles from earlier.
Our first destination:
Momiji Corridor (Momiji Kairo)
A long corridor of bright red maple trees—probably one of the most famous spots in Kawaguchiko.
The whole path glowed gold from the lights and the sunset. Leaves drifted down gently with every breeze.
"This is… unbelievably beautiful," Akane whispered, looking up.
Mika stopped pedaling and immediately started taking photos from every possible angle.
Rei tried to rein her in—
"Don't wander too fa—HEY!"
—but Mika was already swallowed by the crowd of tourists.
As for me…
I just walked behind them.
Watching.
Keeping distance.
Enjoying the moment in silence.
Even though the place was crowded, everything felt strangely calm.
Then Akane looked back at me.
"Kaito, stand there for a second."
"Huh? Why?"
"Just a moment."
I obeyed… and click.
She took a picture.
"You look like you fit the autumn scenery," she said.
I had no idea how to respond.
So I just… smiled a little.
Next Stop is Lake Kawaguchi Lakeside Path
We followed the quiet lakeside trail.
Blue water shimmering, maple leaves drifting, Mount Fuji towering peacefully in the distance.
Their laughter echoed along the path—soft, warm, a little chaotic.
Then Mika sped toward us:
"Kaito! Akane! Why are you two walking so romantically together?! Haaah?!"
Akane nearly choked on air.
I wasn't any better—I froze instantly.
Which, of course, led to Mika teasing Akane nonstop, Rei chasing Mika in fury, and me pedaling behind them at a very slow, defeated pace while thinking:
Why is my life like this?
Night arrived faster than I expected.
The sky over Kawaguchiko sank into a deep navy blue, lit only by dim street lamps and the soft reflection of warm lights scattered across the still surface of the lake. The wind grew colder—sharp, dry, unmistakably autumn.
"I think… we should start heading back," I said, tugging my jacket closer.
Rei exhaled a small, frosty breath and nodded. "Yeah. It's freezing."
Mika still wanted to take fifty more photos—until her stomach growled loud enough to echo.
She froze.
"…Fine. LET'S GO HOME. I'M STARVING!"
And thus, the expedition ended.
Back at the Inn
The lobby door slid open, and a wave of warm air washed over us—carrying the smell of roasted barley tea and sweet complimentary bread. It felt like stepping into a heated blanket.
Mika transformed instantly.
"OH MY GOOOOSH—FREE BREAD?! FREE MARSHMALLOWS TOO?!"
She sprinted like a starving beast.
Rei tried—and failed—to restrain her.
Akane laughed softly behind her hand.
I grabbed a cup of tea and a few snacks before settling on the couch in the corner. Just planning to zone out for a bit.
But when I glanced to my right… I noticed her.
Hana sat alone at a small wooden table. Warm yellow light fell across her long black hair and the page of a thick notebook. Her pen moved slowly but steadily, her expression soft yet concentrated.
Before I realized it, my feet were already walking toward her.
"Whoa, what're you writing?" I asked, sliding into the seat beside her.
She blinked in mild surprise, then offered a faint smile.
"I'm writing the moments I experienced today… for my novel."
Hana always spoke gently. Each word deliberate.
Sometimes it felt like her sentences had weight, even when she said something simple.
"I thought you'd rest first," I said.
"I get addicted to writing when I see a beautiful place. Feels like a waste if I don't capture it right away."
She opened her notebook a little.
Inside were small, delicate sketches of the sunset sky, brief dialogue fragments, and descriptions of falling maple leaves. Everything was neatly organized, carefully crafted.
"You've been writing since when?" I asked.
"Since elementary school. But back then it was just fairy tales. I only started trying serious stories recently."
She chuckled softly. "Even though I'm still bad at it."
"You're not bad," I replied instantly.
She blinked. "Huh?"
"You're just… incredibly focused. I can tell from your notes. That's not 'bad,' it's disciplined."
Her face turned a faint shade of pink.
Whether from embarrassment or the warm light, I couldn't tell.
We talked for a long time—about her hobbies, the books she reads, the music she likes, what inspires her, what scares her. She told me:
She loves romance, action, and slice-of-life novels.
She sketches scenery when she feels overwhelmed.
She sometimes composes simple melodies on a digital piano.
I listened quietly.
And strangely… I didn't feel drained.
Talking to her was calm. Gentle. Comfortable.
"I… don't usually talk this much," she said softly.
"You're just easy to talk to."
I looked down, embarrassed. "Ah… well, thanks."
Suddenly, I remembered something important.
"Hana."
"Yes?"
"We still have our instruments here. I brought my violin… just in case."
Her eyes brightened immediately. "Seriously? You brought your violin?"
"Yeah. It felt weird not having it with me."
She closed her notebook with a soft thud.
"Then… let's play something. The night's still young."
"Sure. Let's grab it first."
We told the others we'd step out for a bit. Rei reminded us not to disappear. Mika was still stuffing her mouth with marshmallow-filled bread. Akane simply smiled, eyes knowing but not intrusive.
Back in the room, I picked up the slender black violin case.
Hana held it carefully, almost reverently.
"Looks like you take care of it," she murmured.
"If I don't, the sound gets worse," I replied.
She laughed quietly—a tiny, warm sound.
"There's a nice spot," I said as we left the room.
"Hm?"
"The place where I… had a nightmare on our first night."
"Oh…"
"Don't worry. It's beautiful in reality. That night was just… a bad time for me."
Hana nodded without pressing further.
We walked out to the side terrace of the inn—a quiet space overlooking the lake. Small lanterns lined the stone path, their soft golden glow scattered by the cool breeze.
In front of us, the water was calm, reflecting faint lights like ripples of stardust.
Mount Fuji was only a silhouette in the dark, but still unmistakable.
Maple leaves drifted down like slow, crimson snowfall.
"It's… breathtaking," Hana whispered.
"Wanna try?" I asked, opening the case.
"…If it's okay," she said quietly.
"Of course."
I lifted the violin and adjusted its position on her shoulder—gently correcting her stance, guiding her hands. Our fingers brushed a few times, and each time, Hana inhaled sharply.
"Relax. Don't stiffen up," I said.
"I-I'm not stiff…"
(Totally stiff.)
She drew the bow for the first note. Off-key.
Second note. Still wrong.
Third?
"…Not bad," I said.
"You don't have to lie. That sounded awful."
"It wasn't that bad. You're picking it up quickly."
We tried several times.
Her bow squeaked once, and she burst into a tiny fit of laughter.
Then she got serious—eyes narrowed, lips pressed together.
Eventually, the sounds blended with the whisper of wind blowing across the lake.
No Mika screaming.
No Rei scolding.
No Akane quietly observing.
Just the two of us.
And the soft, imperfect notes floating in the cold autumn night.
After a while, Hana lowered the bow.
"…Thank you," she said.
"For teaching me. Even this late."
"Thanks for wanting to play," I replied.
She smiled—gently, honestly.
A quiet, warm smile that seemed to thaw the chilly night air.
The warm lights in the lobby reflected softly on the wooden floor, creating the perfect atmosphere for one thing:
Sleeping.
Unfortunately, I was stuck between two creatures who ran on unlimited energy:
Akane and Mika.
"That towel is MINE!"
"No way! Blue is obviously MY color—!"
They were bickering like kindergarten kids fighting over crayons.
I sat on the sofa, cheek on my palm, eyes half-closed.
Honestly… if I closed my eyes for ten seconds, I'd probably pass out.
Rei sat beside me, holding a cup of hot tea, looking like a tired mom of two hyperactive toddlers.
"Naoko… if you're sleepy, just say so," she murmured.
"I'm not sleepy," I replied automatically.
My eyes closed by themselves three seconds later.
Rei sighed heavily.
As Akane poked Mika's forehead like a scolding teacher, I finally gave up.
I cracked my eyes open and asked in a flat voice:
"…Where's Kaito?"
The arguing stopped instantly.
Like—dead silent.
Mika turned first. "Huh? He was here earlier, right?"
Akane frowned. "Yeah, he said he was grabbing some free snacks. After that…"
Rei slowly set down her tea, her face turning serious.
"…Hana's gone too."
Three pairs of eyes turned to me, as if I had all the answers.
I lifted a shoulder lazily.
"I left for two minutes to get a drink and you guys forgot everything, huh?"
They exchanged confused glances.
Yep. Not a single one of them noticed when Kaito and Hana slipped out.
"If that's the case—we should look for them," Rei said as she stood.
Mika jumped up. "Yes! What if Kaito got kidnapped by a fox spirit or something—we gotta save him!"
I raised a hand.
"Don't."
All three turned toward me.
I shifted slightly, searching for a comfortable posture.
"They're together. Kaito won't let Hana wander around alone. So…"
I yawned.
"…they're fine."
Rei squinted at me. "Why are you so sure?"
Mika and Akane waited for my answer.
I shut my eyes for a brief moment before answering:
"Kaito always puts others first. Even when he looks aloof… he's aware of everything around him. As long as Hana is with him, they're safe."
There was a small pause.
Akane smiled softly.
Mika nodded—probably not because she understood, but because she felt like it.
Rei finally sat back down.
"Yeah… that does make sense," she muttered.
After a moment, Mika suddenly asked:
"By the way… do any of you know what Kaito actually likes?"
Akane answered first. "Uh… he doesn't like sweet food?"
Rei blinked. "He said that?"
"No," Akane admitted. "I just guessed."
Mika looked up at the ceiling. "Did he ever tell us his favorite singer?"
"Or his hobbies?" Rei added.
I thought for a second.
The three of them looked like detectives trying to solve a case, but honestly… it was funny seeing them so lost.
"…You guys notice something?" I said quietly.
"We hang out with Kaito all the time. But about him—the real him—we only know the basics."
Mika nodded fast. "Yeah!! He's like… the human version of a mystery loot box!"
Rei pressed her fingers together. "He's kind. Smart. Reliable. But… he always keeps some distance."
Akane looked out the window, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"…But he doesn't seem lonely, right?"
I shrugged.
"Sometimes I think he's just used to caring about everyone else more than talking about himself."
Mika huffed. "Tch. People like that always have some huge dramatic secret."
"Like what?" Rei asked.
Mika stood and struck a pose:
"Maybe… he's a superhero at night!!"
Akane rubbed her temples. Rei covered her face.
I nearly fell asleep again.
Mika kept going, "Or a ninja! Or—"
"I think," I cut in flatly,
"he's just someone who rarely talks."
Silence fell again.
Not awkward—warm.
Like we all realized at the same time:
We've been close to Kaito, yet none of us truly knows him.
Rei finally whispered:
"…When he gets back, let's ask him together."
I gave a tiny smile.
"Sure. As long as you three go first."
Mika and Akane exchanged glances—then yelled in unison:
"NO WAY WE'RE GOING FIRST!!"
The lobby exploded into chaos again.
I leaned back into the sofa, eyes drifting shut.
The argument between Akane and Mika slowly faded into something more like small bickering rather than full chaos. The lobby felt warm, sleepy, and… weirdly nostalgic. Maybe it was the tea. Or the quiet night.
Or maybe it was the fact that Kaito wasn't here, and suddenly everyone noticed the empty space he left.
Mika plopped onto the sofa across from me and swung her legs like a kid.
"Ya know…" she began, eyes drifting to the ceiling,
"I remember the first time Kaito helped me. It was… kinda cool."
Rei immediately sat up straighter.
Akane looked over with interest.
I stayed quiet—perfect.
Mika scratched her head. "It was that day I sprained my wrist on the stairs after PE. I was freaking out 'cause it hurt like hell. Everyone panicked, even the teacher. But Kaito? He didn't say anything—just grabbed some ice packs and wrapped my wrist like a pro."
Akane blinked. "Yeah, I remember that. He was so calm."
Mika nodded. "Right? And he didn't even tell me to stop crying. He just said, 'Breathe. I'm here.'"
She smiled sheepishly. "Kinda embarrassing though…"
Her tone softened—something rare for Mika.
But then—
"ANYWAY!" She clapped loudly.
"That was just because he's a nice guy. Don't get weird ideas!"
Akane and Rei exchanged suspicious looks.
I smirked.
Sure. Just because he's nice.
Rei wrapped both hands around her mug, steam fogging her glasses slightly.
"For me…" she started slowly,
"It was last month. When we had that group project."
Akane gasped. "Project from hell?"
"Exactly." Rei nodded. "I was overwhelmed because everyone kept depending on me for everything. I stayed at school until dusk, organizing the data alone."
She paused, staring at her tea.
"And… Kaito suddenly came. No one told him. No one asked him."
Mika leaned forward. "What'd he do?"
"He took the stack of papers from my hands and said, 'You shouldn't carry everything alone, you know.'"
She let out a small laugh.
"I almost cried, honestly."
Akane smiled warmly, Mika grinned, and I watched silently. Rei never talks about things like this.
"Of course," Rei added quickly, cheeks turning pink,
"It's not like it meant anything special. He's just thoughtful with everyone."
But no one believed that.
Not even her.
Akane leaned back, staring at the warm lights above the lobby.
"Hmm… for me, it was our last trip," she said with a gentle hum.
"That day I… got lost."
Mika choked on her drink. "AGAIN??"
"Hey!" Akane pouted. "I don't get lost that often!"
Rei and Mika looked at me.
I shrugged.
"I mean… you do."
Akane huffed dramatically before continuing.
"It was at the autumn festival. I got separated from you all because I was following the fireworks photographer."
She pressed her cheek into her palm.
"It was getting dark and the street lamps weren't that bright. Suddenly someone grabbed my wrist."
Her voice softened.
"It was Kaito. He didn't say anything dramatic—just, 'You're getting lost if you keep going there.'"
Rei smiled. Mika's eyes sparkled.
Akane drew circles on her knee like a shy child.
"It was… well. Nice. I felt safe."
Then she waved her hands quickly.
"But it's not like it meant anything romantic or whatever! Don't look at me like that!"
We all looked at her like that.
She turned red.
The three turned toward me at the same time.
"Naoko, your turn!"
I opened one eye.
"Pass."
"No way!" Mika pointed accusingly. "You definitely have a story!"
Akane scooted closer. "Tell us~"
Rei pushed her glasses up. "If you don't, Mika will make up something weird about you."
I sighed.
Fine. A short one.
"There was this one time," I started slowly,
"when I stayed too late at the clubroom because I fell asleep."
Mika raised a hand. "Wow. What a shock."
I ignored her.
"When I woke up, it was dark. Everyone had gone home. I thought I was alone."
I paused, remembering the faint light under the door.
"But Kaito was standing outside. He said he waited because he saw me sleeping and didn't want to leave me alone in the building."
Akane smiled softly.
Rei whispered, "That's so like him…"
Mika leaned forward. "So? How'd you feel?"
I stared at her.
"…Sleepy."
Mika fell off the sofa dramatically.
But then I added quietly:
"…but also… relieved."
The three froze.
"And don't ask anything else," I said sharply, cheeks warming slightly.
They didn't push further.
Because they understood.
They didn't push further.
Because they understood.
They understood the weight behind each memory.
They understood why every story sounded ordinary yet somehow… important.
They understood that Kaito wasn't someone who shined loudly—
he was someone who quietly filled the empty spaces in their lives without ever asking for anything in return.
But then—
Silence.
A long, thoughtful silence.
Akane was the first to break it.
"…But actually," she whispered, "what does Kaito like?"
Mika blinked. "Huh."
Rei frowned. "That's… a surprisingly difficult question."
I opened one eye. "…You're only realizing that now?"
They all leaned back, eyes drifting to the ceiling as if the answer might magically appear there.
"He likes…" Akane started, then stopped.
"Books? Maybe?" Rei tried.
"No, I've never seen him read anything except textbooks," said Mika.
"Then… music?" Akane guessed.
"Well, we know he plays the violin," Rei added, "but does he like it? Or is he just good at it?"
That question hung in the air.
They realized something startling:
We each carried a precious memory with him…
but none of us knew even the simplest thing about him.
His favorite food.
His favorite color.
His hobby.
What makes him laugh.
What makes him excited.
Nothing.
Akane pulled her knees up, hugging them loosely.
"It feels weird," she murmured, "being this close to someone… but not really knowing them."
Rei nodded slowly.
"Yes. But I… don't feel bad about it."
Mika tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Rei's expression softened.
"Even if we don't know his favorite things…
we know the moments he's shared with us.
Those small, kind things he's done.
Those memories… they feel like they matter more."
Akane smiled faintly.
"Yeah… those moments are what made me feel close to him."
Mika kicked her feet lightly off the sofa.
"And honestly? I'm kinda relieved.
At least we're not the only ones who don't know what he likes."
They all nodded.
Different stories, different emotions—
but the same warmth connecting them.
Naoko closed her eyes again, her voice low but clear:
"We might not know what he likes yet…
but we know he cares."
The others froze for a heartbeat.
Then nodded.
Because that was enough.
Because those memories—the ones he never realized made an impact—
were the reason they felt connected to him.
Even without knowing his favorite color or food or song…
We were close to Kaito because he was woven into our lives in ways we never truly noticed.
Quietly. Softly. Constantly.
And for now…
That was more than enough.
Here is a longer, more detailed version of the scene, adjusted so the entire event happens inside the inn, not outside:
I told the others I needed the restroom for a moment.
The hallway outside our shared room was warmer than I expected, lit by soft lantern-style lamps mounted on the wooden walls. The inn had that classic ryokan feel—quiet, polished floors, faint scent of cedar and tea. But the corridors all looked so similar that after taking two wrong turns, I wasn't entirely sure where I was anymore.
…Perfect. I managed to get lost inside the inn.
After a bit of wandering, I finally found the restroom. The warm water on my hands did help settle me a little. But when I stepped back out into the corridor, the silence felt heavier than before—soft, muffled, almost lonely.
I should've just gone straight back.
But something made me pause. At the end of the hallway, past a sliding door someone forgot to close fully, I noticed a faint glow. Curious, I peeked through the gap.
Inside was a small indoor garden—one of those decorative spaces ryokans keep for guests to relax. Tatami flooring, a stretch of polished wood panels, and a large open window facing the lake outside. The moon reflected on the glass like a watercolor painting.
I stepped in.
The room was colder than the hallway. A draft slipped in through the slightly open window, brushing past my arms and sending goosebumps up my skin. I rubbed my hands together, telling myself I'd stay just a moment before returning.
Then I heard it.
A note—soft, hesitant. A violin.
It wasn't loud, almost like someone was practicing quietly so as not to disturb other guests. I froze for a second, unsure if the sound was real or if my mind was making things up. But then came another note, slightly shakier, followed by a warm voice guiding it.
I moved toward the source, careful not to make any noise.
There, near the open window, were two silhouettes.
Kaito
and
Hana.
Hana stood with a violin tucked under her chin—awkwardly, slightly crooked. Kaito stood close beside her, adjusting her posture with calm, patient movements. His voice was low, instructive, but gentle.
"Not like that. Relax your shoulders. Try lifting the bow a bit more."
My heart tightened.
Kaito always avoided the violin. Not because he lacked skill, but because… well, he had his reasons. Reasons he rarely talked about, reasons that only slipped out in quiet moments. I had always assumed he kept that part of himself closed off from everyone.
But here he was.
Leaning in to guide Hana's fingers. Softening his tone when she squeaked a note. Even smiling a little when she finally drew a clean, quiet sound from the strings.
The warmth between them—it wasn't romantic, but it was… familiarity. Trust. Something shared.
I didn't know whether to step forward or to turn back.
The room was cold, but the tightness in my chest was worse. I hugged my arms as if that would make the feeling go away.
Then Kaito glanced up.
His eyes met mine through the dim light.
He blinked in surprise, then raised his hand and waved, a small smile tugging at his lips. With a tilt of his head, he gestured for me to come closer.
My body didn't move.
Something held my feet in place—fear, jealousy, confusion, disappointment. I didn't even know which one it was. All I knew was that approaching them suddenly felt impossible.
So I did the only thing I could.
I turned away.
Not abruptly—just enough to make it clear I wasn't coming. Enough for him to notice the hesitation in my steps.
As I walked back toward the hallway, my mind raced faster than my feet.
He said he didn't like playing violin.
He said he didn't want to.
He said it wasn't something he enjoyed anymore.
So why… why here? Why now? Why with her?
I tried to think positively. Maybe Hana begged him. Maybe he felt bad refusing. Maybe he didn't want to teach her but was helping just a little.
Maybe it didn't mean anything.
But the image of his relaxed posture, his gentle expression, the calm way he guided her bow—that lingered like a cold draft behind me.
And no matter how hard I tried to brush it off, one quiet question kept rising:
Why couldn't he be that open… with me?