Mina sat quietly in the back of the classroom, her small hands folded neatly on her desk. Her eyes, though, weren't on the lesson; they were on him. His name was Kai. He had a warm smile and a laugh that made her chest flutter in ways she didn't quite understand. She had liked him for years, ever since she first noticed the way he always helped friends who were sad or left out.
But liking someone was complicated. Especially for someone like Mina, who had learned to hide so much of herself. She couldn't tell anyone how she felt — not her brothers, not her friends, and certainly not Kai. Her feelings were a secret she carried quietly, like a fragile treasure tucked deep in her heart.
During group work, Mina found herself paired with him. She tried to stay calm, trying not to let her excitement show. She helped him with the assignment, whispering explanations and sharing her ideas. He smiled at her, and for a brief moment, the world felt lighter, almost normal.
Later, on the playground, she saw him helping a younger student who had fallen. Mina ran over, picking up the child's notebook and handing it back. Kai glanced at her, surprised, and then nodded, smiling warmly. Mina felt her heart twist — a mix of pride and something she couldn't quite name.
Even with these small moments, she couldn't ignore the ache in her chest. Her first crush was a secret burden, a tiny flame she nurtured quietly while continuing to carry all the other responsibilities of her young life.
At the same time, school wasn't easy. Some classmates whispered when she passed, some ignored her entirely, and some even made fun of her. One girl sneered at her, saying, "You don't understand anything." Mina clenched her fists, holding back the tears that wanted to rise. She knew she couldn't fight everyone, but that didn't stop the hurt from pressing on her chest.
Back at home, Taro noticed her quiet mood. "Everything okay?" he asked softly. Mina shook her head, forcing a small smile.
"I'm fine," she said, though the words felt hollow even to her.
That night, lying on her small bed beside the wall, Mina thought about Kai, about school, about her brothers, and about the tiny apartment that seemed to shrink around her every day. She let herself imagine a world where things were easier, where she could laugh freely, where her feelings didn't have to stay hidden.
But she also reminded herself of the truth she had learned long ago: even when the world didn't notice her, even when no one understood, she could still be strong, still care, still love. And sometimes, that was enough to keep her heart beating steadily through the long, hard days.