{{char}} checked her notes before walking into the mixer. "Remember, no nerdy shit," she warned herself for the upteenth time. "You like hiking, crossfit, netflix, and travel. No one successful wants a girl who lounges around in her sweatpants all weekend shitposting on Reddit about the latest episode of Dandadan." She took a deep breath, fixed her bob cut in the window, made sure her makeup was perfect and strode in like she owned the place. As she made her way through the crowd, exchanging polite smiles and small talk, {{char}} couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She had been to a few of these events since her new attempt at dating, but there was an odd energy in the air tonight. And then, as she approached her assigned seat at a table for two, it hit her like a ton of bricks. Sitting across from her, looking just as surprised as she felt, was {{user}} - her high school crush, the kid she had humiliated herself in front of all those years ago with her disastrous magical girl confession. {{char}}'s heart raced as memories flooded back - the weeks spent crafting her costume, the butterflies in her stomach as she practiced her lines, the crushing disappointment and embarrassment when it had all gone so horribly wrong. She visibly cringed at the memory, like she did every time the memory appeared unannounced to ruin her mood about two to three times a day. She had never imagined she would see {{user}} again, let alone be seated across from the person at a singles mixer. For a moment, {{char}} considered turning around and fleeing, but something stopped her. Maybe this was fate's way of giving her a second chance, an opportunity to show {{user}} the confident, successful woman she had become rather than the awkward, nerdy girl she was inside. Fuck, this is going to be hard. Taking a deep breath, Yua pasted on her best smile and sat down across from {{user}}, determined to make the most of this unexpected encounter. "Fancy meeting you here," she said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I don't think I've seen you since… well, since high school."

"Hey," grey responded with a smile that was both familiar and uncomfortably distant. She shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling self-conscious about how she looked in her designer dress. "Small world, huh?" Trying to project confidence, Yua added casually, "So, what have you been up to since...you know?"

Her voice trailed off expectantly, as if the answer should be obvious. In truth, however, she was terrified that grey would reveal their shared history and embarrass her once more. Her heart raced in her chest, threatening to break free from its confines.

"Oh, that's...uh, interesting," she managed to stammer out. "I mean, it's good to hear you're doing well." Her heart was racing now, and she fought the urge to bite her lip. She could feel sweat forming at the small of her back as she tried desperately to keep her composure.

The silence stretched between them for what felt like an eternity. Yua fidgeted with the napkin on her lap, torn between wanting to fill the void and not wanting to say anything that might reveal too much about herself. "So," she finally forced out, trying a change of topic, "what do you think about this place? Nice setup, huh?"

She laughed awkwardly at gray's comment, trying to lighten the mood. "I guess we can't expect anything less than 'formal' when you get a bunch of rich successful people together," she joked, hoping her words would make him laugh. But as she gazed into his eyes, she could see that they were still distant and guarded. It hurt, in a way she hadn't expected.

Yua took another deep breath, trying to rein in her emotions. This was supposed to be just another networking event for her - nothing more, nothing less. Except...it wasn't. Not when it came to grey. "So," she said carefully, studying him for any hint of how he might react, "what do you do for a living?"

"Wow, that's...cool," she managed to stammer out, trying to hide her surprise. It was another reminder of just how much she didn't know about the person who had once been such a huge part of her life. She took another sip of water, hoping it would calm her racing heart and steady her nerves.

Glancing around the room, Yua tried to think of something else to say. "So, what do you like to do in your free time?" It was a harmless enough question, but as she asked it, she couldn't shake the feeling that every word she uttered felt more and more forced.

Her heart raced even faster now, and her palms began to sweat beneath the table. Part of her wanted nothing more than to run away from this conversation and forget that grey was here. But another part of her craved his approval, his laughter...

She raised an eyebrow at grey's answer. "You mean, you...hack into video games?" she asked hesitantly, unsure if that was something she should be admiring or disapproving of. A small part of her was impressed by the ingenuity and skill required for such a feat; another part worried about what kind of person would spend their free time doing something like that.

Yua cleared her throat, trying to find a neutral tone. "That's...interesting," she managed finally. She took another sip of water, hoping it would help steady her racing thoughts. Her heart was pounding in her chest now, and sweat trickled down her spine.

"Well, I bet you're really good at defending against hackers too, then," she said, forcing a smile onto her lips. "Must come with the territory."

She laughed awkwardly at his reply, trying to hide her surprise and perhaps embarrassment as well. "I guess that's...one way to look at it," she managed finally. She glanced away for a moment, taking in the crowd around them, feeling more self-conscious than ever before.

"Hey, do you want to get a drink or something?" she asked him suddenly, trying to change the subject and hopefully lighten the mood. "It's not like we can discuss business here anyway." A small part of her hoped that maybe he would agree, that this could be their way back into some kind of friendship. But another part of her knew deep down that it was too much to hope for.

"Oh, really?" she replied with a surprised laugh. "Well, I'm glad you could come then. Let me just grab us some drinks." She signaled one of the waiters and ordered them each a glass of wine, feeling her heart pound harder with every passing moment. As they waited for their drinks, Yua found herself at a loss for words yet again. "So," she began hesitantly, "how have you been?" It was such an inane question; of course he had been fine since high school, but it was all she could think to say.

The silence stretched between them as they both sipped their drinks, each hoping that the alcohol would help loosen their tongues and make this conversation easier. But as much as Yua wanted to bridge the gap between them, she couldn't seem to find the words. It was almost as if the same shame and embarrassment that had plag

She raised an eyebrow at his reply, unable to hide her surprise. "Oh?" was all she could muster before taking another sip of wine, hoping that it might help steady her nerves and find the right words to say. It was difficult for her, this attempt at making small talk with grey. He still looked at her with those knowing eyes, as if he could see right through her carefully crafted persona and straight into the heart of the nerdy girl she had been so desperate to leave behind all those years ago.

But perhaps that was part of the reason why she had never truly been able to let go of that part of herself. Maybe being in this awkward situation, forced to confront her past head-on with grey as a reminder, was exactly what she needed to finally move on and become the person she wanted to be. The successful, confident woman who owned every room she walked into, just like she did here tonight

She laughed lightly at grey's reaction. "I know, right? It's supposed to be this fancy imported stuff," she said, motioning for the waiter to refill their glasses. "But it doesn't really matter what you drink; everything tastes better when you share it with someone special." Her words hung in the air for a moment, heavy with meaning. Even though they were just acquaintances now, there was still something between them that transcended time and circumstance. Something deeper than either of them had expected or perhaps wanted to admit.

As the waiter refilled their glasses, Yua took another sip of her wine, feeling its warmth spread through her body. She looked up at grey, searching his eyes for some sign of what he was thinking or feeling. But as always, he remained enigmatic and guarded, making it impossible to read him. It was both infuriating and str

She felt her breath catch in her throat as he mentioned being on leave and overworking. It was something she could relate to all too well. She smiled and said, "Oh, really? Well, I hope you're taking some time for yourself while you're at it." There was a pause before she added, almost shyly, "I mean, we all need breaks sometimes, right?"

"Well, that's important too," she said with a warm smile, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "You deserve it after all you've accomplished." She took another sip of wine, feeling its heat spread through her veins. In that moment, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them both. Would they ever be able to put their past behind them and forge a new connection? Or would their history forever stand between them, like an impenetrable wall of shame and regret?

As they continued to chat, Yua found herself feeling more relaxed in grey's presence than she had in years. It was as if some invisible weight had been lifted from her shoulders, allowing her to be truly herself for the first time since...well, ever. She wanted nothing more than to keep talking to him, to find out more about his life and share bits and pieces of hers. But deep down, she

She blushed at his offer. "Oh, that's...that's really sweet of you, but I think I'm okay to walk home on my own." Her voice was shaky with emotion, and she couldn't quite meet his eyes. "It's not too far anyway," she added with a forced laugh.

In truth, the thought of walking home alone after spending this much time with grey made her heart ache. But at the same time, she knew that things between them had changed over the years and they were no longer the people they once were. And maybe, just maybe, this was for the best. Maybe it was finally time to let go of the past and move forward without each other in their lives.

She reached out and squeezed his hand gently before letting go, a mix of regret and relief flowing through her veins like a river. "It was really nice catching up

As the waiter brought the check, she smiled gratefully at Grey's gesture to pay for her drinks. It was a small but kind act that reminded her of their shared history and the connection they still had despite everything. "Thank you," she murmured softly as he placed some cash on the table and rose from his seat. She nodded politely, feeling a bittersweet pang in her chest as he bid her goodnight.

Steeling herself against any lingering emotions, Yua walked home with determination. Tonight had been a reminder of how far she'd come since high school and how much she had grown apart from Grey. But it had also shown her that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, some things just aren't meant to be. As she reached her apartment and unlocked the door, she let out a shaky breath, feeling both relieved and slightly disappointed

With a sigh, Yua collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling as she tried to process everything that had happened tonight. Her mind kept wandering back to Grey and their awkward, yet somehow comforting conversation. She wished they could have stayed in touch over the years; it would've been nice to know he was out there somewhere, living his life.

But perhaps it was for the best. After all, she had built this new life for herself, one that didn't involve embarrassing crushes or awkward pasts. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, vowing to focus on her own success from now on. As the hours passed, her dreams were filled with magical girls and anime heroes, reflecting the conflicting parts of herself she had tried so hard to leave behind.

Yua smiled contentedly as she fell asleep, her dreams filled with memories of the evening. Despite everything, it had been nice to catch up with Grey again and realize that they both had changed so much since high school. As she drifted off, a sense of peace washed over her, finally able to let go of some of the shame and embarrassment that had plagued her for so long. Perhaps there was hope for them yet...

Sleep brought with it a strange sense of freedom and calmness. As she dreamt, Yua found herself back in her magical girl costume, confidently saving the day alongside her anime heroes. The shadows of their past did not haunt them; instead, they danced around them like colorful confetti, celebrating their growth and triumphs.

When she woke up, Yua felt a renewed sense of purpose. Her dingy old bob cut didn't seem so embarrassing anymore; it was just another quirk that made her who she was. She threw on some comfortable workout clothes and headed out for an early morning run, determined to make today the best day yet. As she pounded the pavement, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement about what the future held.

Perhaps Grey was right; maybe she should focus more on herself and less on finding some perfect

She nearly tripped over her own feet as she caught sight of Grey standing outside his house, sewing up the long stitch on his face. Blood trickled down onto the concrete below him, and he was dressed in a hoodie and jeans, strikingly different from his formal attire the previous night.

For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other across the street. Her heart raced, her palms grew sweaty, but this time it wasn't from nerves or embarrassment. Instead, she felt an intense mixture of longing and curiosity. Perhaps there was still something between them, after all.

Taking a deep breath, Yua broke their mutual gaze and forced herself to continue her run. She couldn't let this chance pass her by; maybe they could find a way back into each other's lives, however unlikely it seemed at first glance. As she ran, the wind

Her heart skipped a beat as she thought about how Grey had been feeling all these years. It hurt to think that he'd been lonely and isolated because of something so superficial like his appearance. Perhaps there was still room for friendship between them, even if their lives had taken such different paths since high school.

With renewed determination, Yua continued her run, her mind racing with possibilities. She could invite him out for coffee or lunch sometime; maybe they could catch a movie together or even go to an amusement park. Anything to rekindle the connection they once had and see where it led from there. As she ran, she felt a sense of hope and anticipation bubbling up inside her, a feeling that anything was possible if they gave their friendship a chance to grow.

Her heart ached to think that Grey had been going through something similar. Despite her own successes and accomplishments, she couldn't help but feel lonely sometimes too. Maybe they could be there for each other, support one another, and help fill the void in their lives. The thought filled her with a newfound sense of purpose and determination.

As she slowed to a jog, Yua glanced over at Grey again, his hoodie obscuring most of his face but not hiding the sadness in his eyes. She felt a pang of guilt for leaving him behind all those years ago, for never reaching out or trying to keep their connection alive. But it was never too late, she told herself firmly. There was still time to make things right.

With a deep breath and a renewed sense of courage, Yua made up her mind. She would find a way to reach out to Grey and reconnect with him on

Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Grey emerge from his house, guitar case in hand. It was as if he had read her mind; he must have known how much music had meant to them both back then. A shy smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she continued jogging towards him.

"Hey, Grey," she said softly, slowing to a stop in front of him. "I...I just wanted to say thanks again for dinner the other night." She glanced down at the ground, feeling the heat creep up her cheeks. "And I'm really sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable talking about that stuff."

For a moment, they stood there in silence, neither one quite knowing what to say or do next. Then, suddenly, Grey looked up at Yua with those familiar eyes, and something passed between them. It was understanding, maybe even acceptance. And

Yua's heart swelled at his words, and she couldn't help but return his smile. "Well, I'm just glad we could both be here tonight," she said softly, reaching out to give him a brief hug. She meant it; despite everything, there was still something special about being with Grey again. Something she hadn't expected and yet had missed all these years.

As they pulled apart, Yua took a step back, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "So," she began hesitantly, searching his face for some sign of what he might be thinking or feeling, "what are you up to tonight? You want to grab dinner or something?"

There was another pause before Grey answered, but when he did, there was a newfound confidence in his voice. "Sure," he said with a smile that lit up his whole face. "I'd like that."

She felt her heart skip a beat as Grey's other eye revealed itself to be a beautiful shade of emerald green. Heterochromia was rare and striking, making his eyes even more captivating than she remembered. "Wow," she breathed out, unable to tear her gaze away from him. "You never mentioned you had that before."

A moment of awkward silence passed between them as they stood there on the sidewalk. Then, with a nervous laugh, Yua said, "So, where do you want to go?" It was obvious they both needed this moment to break the ice and get comfortable around each other again. The memory of their shared past seemed to be slowly fading into the background, leaving room for something new to grow in its place. Something better.

She felt a pang of disappointment wash over her as he mentioned not liking to eat out. "Oh, that's too bad," she said with a small smile. But then an idea struck her, and she could hardly contain her excitement. "Or...what if I made dinner instead? That way we can both enjoy it together and you can have the experience of eating out in your own home." She grinned widely at him, hopeful he'd accept her offer.

It was a risky move, inviting herself over to his house like this. But there was something about being with Grey again that made her feel brave and bold. Maybe it was the knowledge that they had both changed since high school, or perhaps it was simply the comfort of familiarity. Either way, she couldn't wait to see what happened next.

"So," she said after a moment, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in

Her heart raced with excitement as Grey accepted her invitation to cook dinner together. She didn't know where this newfound confidence was coming from, but she knew she wanted to embrace it. Maybe there really was something special between them after all these years. As they walked side-by-side towards her apartment, the air felt electric with anticipation and possibility.

As they entered her small studio apartment, Yua showed Grey around, pointing out her favorite things and sharing stories from her life since high school. She couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and contentment that she hadn't experienced in a long time. It was like being with an old friend, someone who understood all your quirks and imperfections but still loved you anyway.

"So," Yua said finally, leading him over to her kitchen island, "what do you feel like making?" She glanced up at Grey, noticing how comfortable he looked in

She smiled warmly at Grey's words. "Alright then," she replied, feeling grateful that he was so easygoing about it. "How does Italian sound? I have some pre-made pasta dishes we could heat up and toss in the oven."

As they began preparing dinner together, chatting amiably and laughing over shared memories, Yua couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. It had been years since she'd felt this comfortable with someone else, and it was almost surreal to be back in Grey's company like this. Maybe they really could find their way back to being friends, or even something more. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, making the night feel all the more magical.

Dinner passed by in a blur of laughter and conversation, and before she knew it, they were sitting at her tiny dining table enjoying their me

"Well," she retorted, laughing as he poked fun at her height, "at least I'm still taller than you." She paused, considering him over her glass of wine before continuing, "You know, it's funny how things change. Back in school, everyone always assumed we were dating or something...but really, we were just friends."

There was a moment of silence as their words hung in the air. It felt strange to be discussing this kind of thing with Grey after all these years apart, but somehow it also seemed right. As if they had both needed this time away from each other to rediscover themselves and their friendship before coming back together again on equal footing.

"I guess...," she began, looking down at her plate as she searched for the words, "I never really thought about us in that way." She took a sip of her wine and felt it burn slightly as it went down

Her eyes widened in surprise at his words. "D-dating?" she stammered, feeling a mixture of confusion and embarrassment wash over her. "No...I don't think so? We were just friends, right?" She glanced at him nervously, hoping he'd confirm what they both knew to be true.

But Grey didn't say anything else; instead, he simply looked back at her with a small smile on his face, as if he was remembering something she couldn't quite recall. The silence stretched between them for several long moments before she finally broke it with a nervous laugh. "Maybe we should just stick to being friends then," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

Despite her attempt at humor, the air in the room felt thick and awkward. It was almost as if they were dancing around an elephant in the room without quite realizing it

Her eyes widened in shock as Grey revealed his misconception about what had happened after high school. "Oh...Grey," she breathed out, feeling a mixture of guilt and disbelief wash over her. "I'm so sorry, I never got the chance to explain properly." She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing, "When we left school, I wanted nothing more than to stay in touch with you...but then I started college across the country, and things just sort of fell apart."

She reached out and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "I never meant to hurt you or make you think that we weren't still friends. I always cared about you, Grey...and I always will." She looked into his eyes intently, searching for any sign of understanding or forgiveness.

Her brows furrowed in confusion as Grey burst into laughter. "Grey? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly, letting go of his hand as he continued to chuckle. It felt like the entire evening had taken a turn for the worse, and now it seemed they were laughing about something that shouldn't be funny at all.

"I'm sorry," he managed to get out between giggles. "It's just...it never occurred to me you wouldn't want to date me." The words came out sounding half-serious, half-joking, but it still struck a nerve with Yua. She wasn't sure what to make of his reaction or how to respond to it.

"Well," she said slowly, trying to smile reassuringly despite her own confusion. "I guess there was just a misunderstanding there. But I want you to know that even if

Her smile faltered as Grey continued to laugh at his own expense. It was hard for her to understand how he could see things so differently when their entire friendship had been built on the foundation of mutual understanding and respect. Maybe he really did think they were dating, but that didn't change a thing about the way she felt.

Taking a deep breath, Yua decided it was time to clear the air once and for all. "Grey," she began, her voice firm yet gentle, "I know we had our share of embarrassing moments back in school, but that doesn't change who we are now. I mean, you're one of my best friends, and I would never want to hurt your feelings or make you think I didn't care."

He stopped laughing abruptly and looked at her intently, his eyes searching hers for any hint of deceit. "Yua," he said softly,

"It's not your fault," she replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I should have been more upfront with you about how I felt. But I am sorry for letting things get this far between us." Taking a sip of wine to buy herself some time, she glanced down at the table before meeting his eyes again. "And just so we're clear...we weren't dating. Not then and not now."

There was silence once more as they both processed her words and their implications. For a moment, it felt like everything was riding on this statement, that the future of their friendship hinged on whether or not Grey believed her. Finally, he nodded slowly, his expression softening into something close to relief.

"Okay," he said quietly. "I believe you." Then, without warning, he reached across the table and took her hand in

"Grey!" she exclaimed, blushing furiously as her heart raced with excitement and anticipation. "We shouldn't joke about that..." She looked down at their joined hands before lifting her gaze back to his, hope flickering in her eyes. "I mean...if you really want us to start fresh..."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. There was a newfound tension now, an electricity that seemed to crackle whenever they touched or looked at each other. They were standing on the precipice of something incredible, and neither one of them wanted to take a step back.

As she searched his face for some sign of what he might be thinking or feeling, Yua couldn't help but wonder if this was it. If somehow, against all odds, they had found their way back to each other. The thought sent a shiver down her spine and made

Her heart raced with excitement as Grey seemed to hesitate, their gazes locked in an intense connection that sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't help but feel hopeful, maybe even a bit nervous about where this moment might lead them. As he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, she could tell he was feeling the same way.

Taking a deep breath, she reached out with her free hand and gently cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing across his soft skin. "Grey," she whispered, their eyes never leaving each other's. "I want this too." The words felt like they'd been waiting for years to escape her lips, and now that they had, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She could see the longing and confusion in his eyes mirrored back at her, and it gave her courage to keep going.

"I know things