The Sky That Day Was Still Red | Unrequited Love Literature Club

The setting sun was streaming into the classroom after school.
Only the red-stained blackboard and the sound of curtains swaying in the wind echoed quietly.

“...Well, I’m going now.”

When she said that with a smile, I gripped the strap of my bag tightly instead of answering.

I had been in love with her since spring.
Being in the same class, sitting in the seat next to her—that alone changed my world.

At first, just making eye contact made me happy, and just talking a little bit led to sleepless nights.
But she had always had someone she liked.
And she told me she was going to confess to that person today.

“I’m nervous, but I’ll do my best.”

Her voice was bright.
She asked me to support her as a dear friend.
I wasn’t selfish enough to refuse that request.

So, today.
I stayed in the classroom, waiting for her return all by myself.
I didn’t want to hear the result, but she had said, “Listen to me again later.”
Because we had made that promise.

As the sun began to set, I saw her figure outside the window.
Another shadow was walking toward her from the other side.
She was smiling.
I couldn’t see her face from this distance, but that... that was surely a smile of success.

“I’m happy for you.”

The back of my throat hurt.
Even so, I whispered to myself so that no one could hear.

I sank into the classroom chair and looked up at the sky.
The sky, where the colors of night were beginning to mingle, was infinitely beautiful and cruel.

Inside my bag was a letter I never got to show anyone.
I rewrote it many times, tried to give it to her many times, but in the end, I couldn’t hand it over until today.

Perhaps it will never have its turn.
My feelings will likely be left behind in this classroom, quietly.

Her voice, her smile, everything—it all became his.

Like a stuffed animal that was forgotten and left behind.
I am a lost item that was never picked up.

I participated in Naru-san’s #UnrequitedLoveLiteratureClub.
Wow, I never expected to pick Lost Item from the lyrics of “The Reason Contrails Form”.
It’s such an emotional song. I hope I was able to write a story that fits such an emotional theme.
I’m looking forward to the next theme too 😊