Shun had just finished his classes for the day. As usual, he walked home alone, the quietness of the afternoon air surrounding him. His mind was still a little distracted by the thoughts of Alice from earlier that day.
Why was he thinking about her so much?
It wasn't like he wanted to talk to her. He didn't like talking to people. But something about Alice… made him feel like there was more to her than just the perfect, silver-haired girl everyone admired.
Shun's thoughts were interrupted when he reached his front door. Just as he was about to open it, he heard footsteps behind him.
He turned around.
It was Alice.
She was walking towards him, holding a small shopping bag.
Her silver hair shimmered in the afternoon sun, and for a moment, Shun couldn't help but stare. She looked just like she always did—calm, graceful, and perfect. But this time, something felt different. She wasn't surrounded by people. It was just her, walking alone.
"Hey," she called out, her voice a bit uncertain. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Shun blinked. "You live next door, right?"
"Yeah," Alice said, smiling softly. "I was just out buying some things. Seems like we're neighbors after all."
"Yeah…" Shun didn't know what to say next. It felt strange to be talking to her like this, but it wasn't bad.
Alice looked at him, her smile faltering just a little. "How's your day been?"
Shun shrugged. "Same as usual. School."
"Yeah, I know that feeling." She paused, her expression becoming a little more serious. "I don't know… It feels like everyone expects something from me. All the time."
Shun glanced at her. He wasn't sure what to say, but he didn't want to be rude either. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Maybe… you should stop trying so hard to be perfect all the time," he said quietly.
Alice blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know," Shun said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sometimes, people just expect you to be something you're not. But you don't have to always meet their expectations. You just have to be okay with who you are."
Alice was silent for a moment, processing his words. Then she smiled, though it was small. "Thanks, Shun. I guess I needed to hear that."
Shun nodded. He wasn't good with words, but it felt right to say something, even if it was simple.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. They just stood there, the awkward silence hanging in the air.
Finally, Alice spoke again. "Well, I guess we'll be seeing each other a lot more now, huh?"
Shun didn't know what to say to that, so he just nodded.
"Anyway," Alice said, breaking the silence, "I should get going. But... it's nice to talk to you like this."
Shun nodded again, then watched as she walked away, her footsteps light on the pavement.