The Secret of That Notebook Has Yet to Be Revealed | Unrequited Love Literature Club

I have participated in Naru-san's article below. Thank you for having me.

Lost items are usually long gone by the time you realize they're missing.
And of all things, it had to be that notebook.
Oh no, what if someone sees it?

The campus during lunch break.
On the bench in front of the bookstore, I was quietly adding to what happened yesterday.

As I wrote, my face softened just a little.

That was when it happened. I felt someone sit down on the bench right next to me.

I reflexively closed the notebook and looked up,
and there he was—the senior.

Eek! My heart skipped a beat.
I shoved the notebook into my backpack and stood up without even being able to meet his eyes.

I walked away, as if fleeing to the library.

──And then, I realized.
The notebook is gone.

It's a bit too personal to call a 'lost item',
but I found a compact notebook in the library's study area.

I can't find a name, but the way the stickers are placed on the cover and the way the corners are worn make it clear that it belongs to a girl.

Opening it might be wrong.
But before I turn it in to the librarian, there might be a clue inside.

Thinking that, I flipped through the pages just a little.

'April 11th, Friday, Sunny'
A diary...? No, what is this...

This is definitely about me, isn't it?

'Blue striped shirt is refreshing, new glasses... too cool'

'I was curious about him during the seminar too, but he has such a nice, soft scent.
I couldn't bring myself to talk to him, but our eyes met and my heart raced'

My chest feels tight.
It's so adorable, it almost makes me want to laugh.

But more than that, I didn't know what to do.

This is a 'feeling' directed at me.
Yet, I can't return anything.

I don't know who this girl is.
I'm not even sure of her face.
Or what kind of feelings she had while writing this.

'Unrequited love is fun.'

Seeing those final words, I gently closed the notebook.
I have to return it.
But I can't say I read it.
I felt it was better not to say anything.

I have to keep this story inside my own heart...

It was two days later that I got a call from the library saying, 'We have a lost item.'

My heart skipped a beat. At first, it didn't click, but the moment I saw the notebook shown to me at the reception desk, my face grew hot.

—Of all things, that one, that notebook.
I thought it wouldn't turn up again.

No one saw the contents, right?
I held onto that convenient hope, but the position of the sticky note I'd tucked between the pages was slightly different, and that alone made my chest tighten. Oh no.

And, as I took the notebook and tried to leave the library,
the person standing there was none other than my senior.

Why...?

'I'm the one who found the notebook. It was just a coincidence. It was left on a study desk that day.'

My senior said in a quiet voice. There was no change in his expression.

'...Thank you very much.'

I thought he might ask me something. But my senior didn't say anything.

'...That's all. See you.'
Lowering his eyes just a little, but smiling gently, my senior walked away quickly.

I felt like he had conveyed something more than just that.

The notebook had returned to my hands.
But nothing had been added to it.
Neither words, nor emotions.

Even so, I felt like something had been conveyed.

They must have pretended not to see it.
They must have gently tucked those pages away deep in their heart.

I quietly descended the library stairs, holding the notebook to my chest.

The twilight breeze felt strangely warm.

It was as if an invisible palm
had gently wrapped around my feelings.

I tried my hand at an original piece. It is a clumsy piece of writing, but I hope you enjoy it.

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