Prologue
The door to her apartment closed with a soft click. Today had not gone at all how she thought it would have. With it having been her uncles wedding that day, she knew there was a chance she would see him there.
Sensei.
She hadn't seen him since she graduated high school. Even though it felt more like 6 years since she barely saw him much her last year of high school. He didn't even come by uncles much anymore either, she wasn't sure if that was because of her or if their friendship wasn't the same as it was. Although, sure enough, there he was at the wedding. Mamura had been busy so he wasn't able to make it, and she wished he could have been so she didn't have to face sensei alone. It was foolish thinking, though, she was not that naive high school girl anymore, and she was confident she had made the right choice.
While she had been talking with some of uncles other friends she had spotted him in the crowd and they locked eyes. In that moment she felt something tighten in her chest. He looked the same as she remembered. His hair was slightly longer, but other than that he was the same. He smiled at her and gave her a slight wave. She remembered that smile well. It did not reach his eyes. It was something she never noticed before when he was in high school.
When she finally made it home she was exhausted. Who knew she would feel so drained from seeing her old teacher? Yes he was her first love but that was so long ago. She was happy with Mamura, they got along well and even planned on moving in together. He was busy lately with his internship that she was surprised he popped over that evening, not that she was complaining, she felt like they hardly spent a lot of time together anymore. He let her ramble on about the wedding, but thought it best to leave out the part about seeing sensei there. Not that she had anything to hide, but with how things were in the past, she felt it was best.
But then Mamura slid off the couch, and went down on one knee. Her breath caught in her throat, she knew what he was doing. This morning she would have said yes in a heartbeat, but when he asked the question she froze. Her mind wandered back to sensei at the wedding. The way he smiled at her, how sad his eyes looked. Mamura fidgeted slightly waiting for an answer, his eyes searching hers.
She couldn't say yes, and she wasn't entirely sure why. Before she could explain herself Mamura was up on his feet. He tried to mask the hurt on his face, but it was obvious. Quickly making up an excuse to leave, he walked out of her tiny apartment leaving her alone on the couch.
She loved Mamura, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. But if she loved him, then why hadn't she said yes to his question?