Love Poem: Vertical Reading Poem💞Secret (Hi-Mi-Tsu)

Vertical Reading Poem "Secret"

Hi for just one night,

Mise-kake (pretended) strength,
Tsu
rai (painful) even knowing, secretly the night I followed

Telling myself over and over that it was only for one night,
I walked beside you.
The city at night was quieter than I expected,

neon lights blurring on the wet road,
swaying as if in a dream.
Every time the hem of your coat fluttered in the wind,
the distance between us closing,
I felt a little scared, but happy.

I smile with a feigned strength.
"I'm fine."
If I say that, I feel like I can truly become a woman who is fine.
But deep in my heart, I was counting down the moments until this instant ended.

When we entered a small shop,
soft light and low music
wrapped around the continuation of the night.
Your profile seen through the glass was a little closer than in the daytime,
and a little further away.
Every time our fingers almost touched, I would hold my breath,
finding myself both ridiculous and heartbroken.

Even knowing it is painful.
That this love leads nowhere.
That you have a place to return to,
and I am just "tonight."
Even so, every time you call my name with your voice,
a small light is lit deep in my chest.

As the night deepens, words decrease and silence increases.
But that silence was not cold.
It was as if it were a signal that we both couldn't say,
"Don't end it yet."

When we left the shop, the moon peeked out from between the clouds, illuminating us with white light.
As you walked, you looked at me several times.
Each time, I wished in my heart.

If only this night could last just a little longer.
If only your feelings could lean toward me.

Secretly.
In a voice no one could hear, I was praying.
It doesn't have to be a big miracle.
I just want one reason to see you again.

The night I followed.
It was a night I chose while knowing it would end,
and at the same time, a night I believed somewhere might become a beginning.

At the crossroads, you stopped and lowered your gaze as if a little lost.
And then, for just a fleeting moment, you touched my hand.
"See you again."
Those three words pierced deep into my chest.
Not a promise, not a lie, just words.
Even so, I see a glimmer of hope within them.

On the way home alone, the night wind cools my cheeks.
Tears were about to spill, but didn't,
and instead, only a small light remained deep in my chest.

Surely, nothing might change.
When tomorrow comes, you will return to your daily life, and I will live on holding this secret.
Even so,
I want to believe that the "see you again" from that night was not a lie.

Behind the feigned strength of just one night,
I am still waiting,
just a little, for a future where you turn back to look at me.