Between Their Platonic Relationship

CHAPTER 1: The End Of A Love Story

Long before the first light of dawn, Saki was already up, carefully fixing her hair in front of the mirror. Today was a special day—a day she had been looking forward to for weeks. She and Yuu, her boyfriend of three years, were heading out on a seaside trip to celebrate their anniversary.

She took her phone and sent him a message.

"I’m on my way to the station."

Her heart brimmed with excitement, fueled by the anticipation of her dream vacation.

The two had met during college, where Yuu, her senior, had swept her off her feet with his calm demeanor and reassuring smile. After graduation, Yuu secured a stable job at a prestigious company, while Saki pursued her passion for teaching, becoming a kindergarten teacher.

Her gaze wandered to the wall beside her bed, adorned with a collection of photographs. Pictures of her and Yuu captured precious memories of their college days, outings, and milestones. Nestled among these were snapshots of Saki with her kindergarten students, each child holding a special place in her heart. As she finished tying her hair, a soft smile spread across her face. The thought of Yuu waiting for her at the station and the adventure that lay ahead filled her with warmth and hope for the life they were building together.

As Saki hoisted her luggage and stepped out of her apartment, the glorious hues of dawn painted the sky in shades of gold and pink, welcoming her to what promised to be a perfect day. The weather mirrored her buoyant emotions—clear and radiant, just like her overflowing happiness.

Descending the steps of her apartment building, she spotted the taxi she had booked waiting patiently at the curb. The driver leaned against the car, glancing at his watch, but straightened up when he saw her approach. With a polite nod, Saki loaded her bags into the trunk before sliding into the backseat.

As she settled in, she pulled out her phone and checked her messages. The lock screen was empty of new notifications, so she composed a quick text to Yuu.

"I'm heading to the station. See you there."

Since Yuu started working for an international corporation, his schedule has become increasingly demanding. Saki had always supported him, envisioning herself as a mature and understanding girlfriend, cheering him on through the peaks and valleys of his career. Even though his work often left them with little time together, she never complained. She understood the sacrifices needed for his success, though it wasn’t always easy.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, catching the radiant smile lighting up her face.

“It looks like something wonderful is happening today, miss,” he said with a kind smile.

Saki tilted her head against the window and returned his gaze through the mirror. “Today is our third anniversary, and we’re taking a trip to celebrate,” she replied, her voice brimming with happiness.

“Ah, congratulations! I wish you both many more years of love and joy,” he said sincerely.

“Thank you, sir,” she replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.

The driver chuckled softly. “Hearing you reminds me of my younger days. I used to travel with my girlfriend—who’s now my loving wife. These days, with kids to take care of, we can only manage short outings together. Things change a lot once you have a family.”

Saki’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “But having a family must be the most wonderful thing, right?”

“Oh, absolutely,” the driver said, his expression softening. “My wife and children are my biggest motivators. They make all the hard work worthwhile and bring me so much joy.”

“That’s so inspiring,” Saki said, her heart warming at his words. She glanced down at her phone, where a picture of her and Yuu—grinning and carefree—stared back at her.

She envisioned herself as a devoted wife, thoughtfully tending to her husband’s every need and nurturing their future children with love and care. The image of her daily routine played vividly in her mind, rising early to prepare a neatly packed lunch box for Yuu, seeing him off with a kiss and a smile as he left for work, and patiently awaiting his return each evening. She imagined greeting him at the door with the comforting aroma of a warm, home-cooked meal, the cozy embrace of their home wrapping them in a sense of peace and belonging.

This dream of a happy, harmonious life with Yuu filled her heart with uncontainable joy. It wasn’t just the acts of love she pictured but the warmth of their shared moments—the laughter echoing through their home, the shared glances across the dinner table, and the quiet nights spent planning their future together. For Saki, this was her ultimate vision of happiness. Building a life filled with love, devotion, and togetherness with the man she adored.

The driver chuckled again. “Still, let me give you some advice. . . Don’t rush into having kids after getting married. Enjoy your time as a couple first. Marriage and dating are two very different stages, and there’s so much you can do together before starting a family. Trust me, you’ll appreciate it later.”

Saki nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Before long, the taxi arrived at the train station. The driver parked carefully and got out to retrieve her luggage from the trunk.

“Have a safe trip,” he said warmly as he handed her bags to her.

“Thank you, sir. Take care as well,” Saki replied, her voice light and cheerful.

As the taxi drove off, she stood at the station entrance, her heart beating with anticipation. The day she had longed for was finally here.

With Yuu yet to arrive, Saki decided to sit on a nearby bench at the station, her luggage by her side. The minutes ticked by as she quietly observed the steady stream of passengers moving through the platform, some hurrying to catch departing trains while others waited with similar anticipation. She clasped her hands together, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of him.

Minutes turned into an hour, and her initial patience began to wane. Around her, people bound for the same destination gathered on the platform, chatting and glancing at their watches as they waited for the train. Saki’s worry deepened as she realized the scheduled departure time had already passed, yet there was no sign of Yuu. He hadn’t sent a message or given any notice that he would be late—a behavior unusual for him.

A creeping sense of unease began to take root. Her thoughts raced with worst-case scenarios.

"What if something happened? Could he have been in an accident?"

Her chest tightened as panic bubbled within her. Gripping her phone, she quickly dialed his number. It rang, but he didn’t answer. She tried again—and again. The repetitive ringing was almost maddening, filling the void where his reassuring voice should have been.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he picked up.

“Yuu! Where are you? Is everything alright?” Saki asked urgently, her voice trembling with worry.

“Saki…” His voice was low, strained, and heavy with despair.

Her heart sank instantly. She could hear the unevenness of his breathing, the weight of something unspoken in the silence that followed. Her mind screamed for answers, but fear kept her still.

“Yuu, what’s going on?” she pressed, trying to steady her rising panic.

Before he could reply, a soft but distinct voice—a woman’s voice—came through the line.

“Yuu, is there…?”

The words hung in the air like a dagger. Saki’s grip on the phone tightened as her breath caught in her throat. The faint yet unmistakable sound of another woman’s presence shattered her composure.

Her world began to tilt, a whirlwind of emotions swirling through her. Confusion, disbelief, and dread all fought for dominance as she waited for Yuu to explain.