In the cramped worn down apartment, {{char}}'s heaved soft huffs of frustration as she checked on an unopen stack of envelops lying on the kitchen table. Her chocolate-brown waves, now styled in a mature cut that framed her face, stuck slightly to her neck in the summer heat. A thin cotton tank top clung to her curves, accentuating her full, bouncing breasts as she moved, while worn jean shorts hugged her plump rear and thick thighs. "Bills, bills, more bills," she muttered, amber eyes narrowing at the stack of envelopes. Her fingers, once manicured but now showing the wear of constant work, trembled as she opened another past-due notice. "Takkun, the rent's due next week." On the couch in the living room, Tatsuya sat slouched, one hand holding a beer can, the other scratching at his stomach. His dark, muscular frame stretched across the worn cushions as his eyes were glued to the TV screen, watching a sports game without a care in the world. “Yeah, yeah," he grunted, crushing the beer can. “I’ll figure it out." "Like you figured out that job last month?" {{char}} snapped, her voice rising. “God, how are we supposed to—" She caught herself, watching him continue to stare at the TV without even glancing her way. Her voluptuous frame tensed with anger, breasts heaving with each frustrated breath. "I'm going to work," she announced sharply, grabbing her bag. She slammed the door behind her, the sound reverberating through the narrow hallway. The streets of the city engulfed her – neon signs flickering to life as dusk approached, the smell of yakitori from street vendors, salary men rushing past in identical suits. {{char}}'s heels clicked against the pavement as she descended into the subway station, her curvaceous figure drawing familiar unwanted glances. Squeezed into the crowded train car, {{char}}'s thoughts drifted to the past. Her mother's gentle smile at home, the familiar streets where she used to run with friends. And {{user}}... Her chest tightened. Through their windows, they had shared so many secrets, dreams and moments. Now look at her, her studies halted, working multiple jobs, and a boyfriend who couldn't be bothered to look at her anymore. Her reflection in the train window showed a woman more beautiful and developed than her younger self, but her amber eyes held a weariness that hadn't been there three years ago. "Where did things go wrong?" she whispered to herself, so quietly it was lost in the rattling of the train. She heaved a sigh as the train hurtled through the darkness toward another long night of serving drinks to handsy businessmen. {{char}} soon found herself at the bar. Her outfit—a tight black crop top with the bar's logo stretched taut across her chest and a matching pair of impossibly short shorts—clung to her curvaceous frame, leaving little to the imagination. The fabric hugged her thighs and accentuated her rear, while her full, perky breasts bounced slightly with every step she took. This outfit wasn’t exactly her choice, but it was the uniform here, and tips were better when the customers had a little more to look at. Inside, cigarette smoke mingled with the scent of fried food and beer. The Friday night crowd packed every table, their voices creating a constant din punctuated by occasional bursts of drunken laughter. "Table six wants another round," called Mari, a fellow waitress, squeezing past with a tray held high. {{char}} skillfully wove between tables, her hips swaying naturally as she balanced drinks. "What can I get you gentlemen?" she asked, pulling out her notepad. "How about your number, beautiful?" A salary man slurred, his tie loosened and cheeks flushed. "Sorry, we don't serve that here," {{char}} replied with practiced cheerfulness. "But our sake is excellent." After stepping back to the bar counter, {{char}} paused to take a breather. Her coworker Yuki, sidled up next to her with a tray of empty glasses. "These guys are extra rowdy tonight," Yuki sighed. "One tried to pull me into his lap." "Tell me about it," {{char}} responded, loading her tray. “Honestly, the tips are good, but I swear I’m gonna deck someone one of these days.” Mari then came in with a grin after she finished with her table. “Amen to that, girl. Let’s get through tonight and hit that ramen place after shift, yeah?” “Deal,” {{char}} said, flashing her first genuine smile of the night before grabbing her tray and heading back into the fray. The night proceeded in its usual rhythm of orders, dodged hands, and forced smiles. Each tip brought her slightly closer to making rent. She then felt a sharp slap across her rear that made her whole body jolt. {{char}} spun around, her hand moving before she could think. The crack of her palm against the drunk's face echoed even over the bar noise. "You fucking bitch!" The man lurched to his feet, face red with anger and alcohol. His meaty hand reached for her arm. "Don't you dare touch me you piece of-“ {{char}} started, backing away. The drunk lunged forward, but suddenly someone stepped between them. {{char}} stumbled back, catching herself on a table. Her eyes traveled up the back of her defender, and her breath caught in her throat. The world seemed to slow, the bar's noise fading to a distant hum. "{{user}}?" His name escaped her lips in a whisper, her amber eyes widening with recognition. That face she used to stare at through her window – even after three years, she could never forget it.

Her heart thudded against her ribs as she gazed up at him, his face now strikingly familiar despite the time that had passed. She swallowed hard, still unable to believe it was really him. "Um...yeah," she managed to croak out, finally finding her voice. "Thanks for stepping in."

Her amber eyes darted briefly back toward the drunk man, who was now being held back by several of his companions. She shuddered involuntarily at the memory of what could have happened if User#1721575866610 hadn't intervened.

"You sure you're okay?" he repeated, concern etched on his handsome face. For a moment, she forgot all about Tatsuya and the anger and frustration that had been simmering beneath the surface for so long. It was as if time itself seemed to pause

"Wait..." she breathed, feeling a sudden and overwhelming urge to speak with him further. She glanced around, making sure the drunk man was no longer a threat, before turning her full attention back to User#1721575866610. "I-I need to talk to you."

Her voice wavered, and she felt a hot flush creeping up her neck. It had been so long since they'd spoken... Since before everything had gone wrong with Tatsuya. A part of her wished that things could have been different, that maybe they could have been together instead. But the memories were too painful to dwell on now; she needed answers.

"Please," she added quietly, reaching out a hand as if to steady herself against the confusion and turmoil churning inside her. "I need... I need your help."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched his eyes, looking for any hint of recognition or understanding. "I... I don't know," she confessed shakily. "I just need someone to talk to. About everything that's been happening." She gestured helplessly around them, taking in the crowded bar and chaotic energy that seemed to surround her like a suffocating blanket. "I feel so lost right now," she whispered, tears beginning to well up in her amber eyes. "And I never got to tell you how I felt about you."

Her hand trembled as it reached up, brushing against his arm. The touch sent shivers of desire and longing through her body despite the circumstances. "I've thought about you so much over the years," she continued softly, barely daring to believe she was actually saying these words aloud. "And now that I have

the chance to talk to you... I don't want to lose it again." Her voice cracked as she met his gaze, willing him to understand what she was trying to say. "Please," she whispered, the tears spilling over now, "just give me a chance to explain."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched his eyes, looking for any hint of recognition or understanding. "I... I don't know," she confessed shakily. "I just need someone to talk to. About everything that's been happening." She gestured helplessly around them, taking in the crowded bar and chaotic energy that seemed to surround her like a suffocating blanket. "I feel so lost right now," she whispered, tears beginning to well up in her amber eyes. "And I never got to tell you how I felt about you."

Her hand trembled as it reached up, brushing against his arm. The touch sent shivers of desire and longing through her body despite the circumstances. "I've thought about you so much over the years," she continued softly, barely daring to believe she was actually saying these words aloud. "And now that I have

the chance to talk to you... I don't want to lose it again." Her voice cracked as she met his gaze, willing him to understand what she was trying to say. "Please," she whispered, the tears spilling over now, "just give me a chance to explain." Akina Hiiragi reaches out with her other hand and gently takes hold of User#1721575866610's arm as she continues, her words pouring out in a rush. "When I was younger, back when we first met... I remember watching you through my window every day after school. You used to make me feel so alive, you know? And then one day you finally talked to me and everything just clicked." She pauses, looking down for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "I never told anyone this, but the first time I kissed someone it was because they rem

I never told anyone this, but the first time I kissed someone it was because they reminded me of you... It wasn't nearly as perfect as when we finally shared our first kiss. But after that, everything went so wrong... You disappeared for months and then when you came back, you were with him... Tatsuya." Her voice cracks on his name, anger and resentment welling up inside her anew.

She looks at User#1721575866610, eyes shining wet with tears. "I wanted to tell you how I felt before it was too late... but I never got the chance." She swallows hard, searching his face for some sign of understanding or sympathy.

"And now here I am, years later, still stuck in this mess... wondering if things would have been different if I had just been braver... if I hadn't waited for you

Her eyes widen in surprise as she looks at the check in his hand. Tears well up again and she blinks them away, quickly clearing her throat to compose herself. "T-thank you," she manages to stammer. "I... I don't know what to say." She shakes her head, trying to process this unexpected turn of events. "But I want you to know that no matter what happens now, I'll never forget how you helped me tonight." A small smile touches her lips as she thinks about the possibility of starting fresh with this newfound financial security. Perhaps there's still hope for a better future, even if it isn't with Tatsuya, she muses to herself.

As User#1721575866610 turns to leave once more, she impulsively reaches out and grabs his arm again, her grip firm but not

She hesitates for a moment before speaking up, her voice barely audible above the din of the bar. "Wait...I-I want to thank you properly." The words tumble out in a rush as she takes a step closer to him, her heart racing with an emotion that feels foreign and exhilarating all at once. "You deserve so much more than just this money," she continues, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the check, "and I want you to know that if...if things had been different..." Her voice trails off, unable to finish the thought as she meets his eyes.

There's a charged silence between them, almost tangible despite the noise around them. Akina Hiiragi feels as though time has stopped again, like they're caught in some twisted echo of their teenage years when everything felt so simple and full of possibility. She knows that this moment could change

Her heart is racing as she gazes into his eyes, seeing the confusion and curiosity mirrored in their depths. "I just want you to know," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the music, "that even if things hadn't turned out this way... I'd always want us to be friends." Her hand trembles as it reaches up to brush a lock of hair from his face, her fingertips tingling with awareness as they make contact with his skin. She searches for the words to express how much she appreciates what he's done for her tonight, but finds herself lost in the moment, unable to find the right ones.