Chapter 12:His Side Story:Captured in Her Eyes

As she entered the café, her gaze swept around the interior, and I couldn't help but notice the graceful bounce of her flowing hair as she walked towards her chosen seat. Every step she took was marked by an elegant fluidity that immediately captured my attention. Her movements were a dance of poise and confidence, as if she commanded the space around her effortlessly.

Her deep brown eyes held a certain depth, a mesmerizing quality that seemed to hint at a wealth of untold stories. They were like pools of mystery, drawing people's attention without her even trying. The way she carried herself exuded a subtle magnetism, and it was as if a veil of intrigue surrounded her presence.

As I continued to discreetly steal glances at her, I observed that she finally settled at a table near the window, just one table apart from ours. Her choice of seating allowed her to have a view that faced directly to the left side of me, creating a subtle connection between our two spaces.

As soon as she settled down at her chosen table near the window, I couldn't help but notice the excitement in her demeanor. Her eyes seemed to hold an eager anticipation, as if she was looking forward to something special that might happen.

"Hiroshi," I heard my name being called, prompting me to look around and find my friends wearing mischievous grins. "What?" I asked, though I already knew what they were implying by their expressions.

"You seem to have quite an interest in that girl," Takuya remarked, leaning his shoulder against mine.

I sighed lightly, my gaze still subtly directed at her. "It's not like that."

Kazuki's grin widened. "Oh, come on. We can tell."

I rolled my eyes, trying to sound nonchalant. "It's just... well..."

"Every time you look at her, your heart starts racing," Kazuki teased, leaning in even closer.

"Alright, alright," I admitted, giving them a small smile. "Maybe there's something intriguing about her."

Before I could elaborate, our attention shifted as we noticed Uncle Toshiro making his way towards her table. His conversation with her seemed surprisingly friendly, as if they had known each other for a long time. A puzzled exchange of glances passed between my friends and me.

"Hiroshi," Haruki's voice pulled me back, and I turned my attention to him. He rested a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You know, it looks like Uncle Toshiro knows that woman. Why not ask him to introduce you?"

Their suggestion struck a chord, and a mixture of hope and trepidation surged within me. This situation might just present the chance I'd been seeking – a way to get to know her better and perhaps even strike up a conversation.

"Hey! Don't make decisions on your own!" I called out, hastening my steps to catch up with them.

Approaching Uncle Toshiro and the intriguing woman, a blend of nervousness and excitement coursed through me. This could be the opening I needed to learn more about her, to understand the enigmatic presence that had captured my attention.

We joined Uncle Toshiro's side, eagerly awaiting his introduction. With a warm smile, he said, "Allow me to introduce you, gentlemen. This is Hanako Miyazaki, my niece, the woman who has captured the heart of her fiancé."

My heart sank at the mention of "fiancé." Had she already committed to someone else? It felt like a sudden and unexpected thunderbolt had struck me, leaving me bewildered.

As I observed her standing beside Uncle Toshiro, I couldn't help but notice the genuine happiness that radiated from her when she spoke about her fiancé. It left me pondering about the kind of man who had captured her heart. The curiosity grew stronger with every passing moment.

Despite knowing that she was already engaged, I stepped forward and offered a polite bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hanako-san. I'm Hiroshi Takahashi."

My friends followed suit and introduced themselves one by one, maintaining an air of politeness and respect in the face of the unexpected revelation.

My friends, however, were undeterred by the fact that Hanako already had a fiancé. They continued to engage in conversation with her, asking about her likes, her interests, and inevitably, her fiancé. It was as if they were equally intrigued by the mysterious man who had won her affection.

I joined their conversation, carefully choosing my words to hide the turmoil I felt upon learning about Hanako's fiancé. With a thoughtful expression, I offered a comment that wouldn't betray the storm of emotions swirling within me.

"That's quite an intriguing story," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "It's fascinating how people from different backgrounds can come together and find love."

As I spoke, I couldn't help but let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh. Each time I looked into Hanako's eyes, my heart would start racing, and the realization that she already had a fiancé weighed on me like an anchor. If only she weren't already engaged, I thought to myself, I would be determined to make her mine, to claim the woman who had the incredible power to quicken my heartbeat. I would introduce her proudly to my friends, as the one who had captured not only my heart but also my soul. She would be the woman I'd make my wife, our marriage a testament to a deep, passionate love that defied all odds.

However, I couldn't allow my true feelings to surface, and I remained composed. She was simply a woman who had seemingly met her fiancé to introduce him to her parents. Coincidentally, she also happened to embody my ideal of the kind of woman I would one day marry. Instead, I continued to engage in the conversation, concealing my true emotions beneath a façade of politeness and interest.

Uncle Toshiro was not here? I looked around, scanning the café with my eyes, but I couldn't see him. It seemed like nobody had noticed that Uncle Toshiro was no longer with us. He had been right here a minute ago, and it struck me as strange that none of us had realized he had left. Was I really that preoccupied with Hanako that I didn't notice his absence? I mentally shook my head, chiding myself for not being more attentive.

Just as I was beginning to wonder where Uncle Toshiro had gone, he suddenly reappeared at the café's front door. In his hand, he held an envelope. He made his way over to Hanako and handed the envelope to her.

Uncle Toshiro's return with the envelope was met with a curious silence. It seemed like he had something important to convey, and the atmosphere in the café shifted as everyone's attention turned to Hanako and the envelope in her hands.

Hanako opened the envelope, her fingers trembling slightly as she retrieved the contents. As her eyes scanned the message within, a look of shock and concern washed over her face, draining the color from her cheeks. "What? But why...?" she whispered in disbelief, her voice barely audible amidst the sudden hush that had fallen over the café.

The contents of the message seemed to have taken her by surprise, and I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. The message held some kind of revelation or news that had clearly unsettled her. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone waited for Hanako to share what she had just read.

Uncle Toshiro gently patted her shoulder, a knowing look in his eyes as if he were already aware of the contents of the letter. Concerned glances were exchanged among my friends and me. It was clear that whatever Hanako had just read had deeply affected her.

Unable to contain my worry, I spoke up, my voice laced with genuine concern. "Are you alright, Hanako-san? Is there anything we can do...?"

Hanako offered a weak smile in response, though her eyes held a hint of sadness. I didn't want to see her like this, and my heart ached at the sight of her distress. She held out the paper, allowing me a glimpse of its contents. To my surprise, my eyes widened as I read the words: "Breaking off the engagement?!"

A whirlwind of emotions swept over me, catching me off guard. On one hand, I felt an unexpected sense of relief that she was no longer engaged. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and I couldn't help the rapid beating of my heart. But at the same time, a part of me was saddened by her obvious distress, and I struggled to find the right words to comfort her.

She explained that everything had been going according to their plan, but now her face contorted with sadness, her eyes welling up with tears. She clutched the paper in her hand, clearly trying to hold back from crying.