A Premonition of Change
The night breeze brushed against his cheek, and the dim streetlights barely pierced the darkness. Subaru walked silently along the road.
Looking back, his conversation with Maria earlier felt like a dream. Betrayed by his childhood friend, Kanon, insulted by Reo, and then meeting Maria, whose single statement seemed to change his world: “I’ll teach you how to change.” Her piercing gaze and soft smile were still vividly etched in his mind.
As the lights of Café Pleiades came into view, Subaru stopped in his tracks. The gentle glow seemed to cut through the darkness, offering a sense of comfort.
“This place never changes…”
He muttered softly and headed toward the house entrance, separate from the café.
Subaru’s room was cluttered with scattered textbooks and manga. A discarded shirt lay on the bed. He sighed, picked it up, and collapsed onto the bed.
“I really got dumped, huh…”
Staring at the ceiling, he murmured absently. Yet, to his surprise, his heart felt oddly calm. Maybe Maria’s strong impression had dulled the sting of Kanon’s betrayal and Reo’s taunts, leaving them as distant memories.
“Don’t you want to change?”
Maria’s words echoed in his mind. His hesitant and vague reply at the time had been met not with rejection, but acceptance. She had even offered him specific “ways to change.”
On a park bench, Subaru had poured out his helplessness.
“…Why am I like this? Nothing ever goes right…”
Maria, sitting beside him, listened quietly and nodded. Her gaze was unwavering and clear. Even as he struggled to find words, she waited patiently without pressing him.
“Then why not start by changing yourself?”
Her suggestion left Subaru wide-eyed in surprise.
“Change…?”
“Yes, change. It’s not as hard as you think.”
She smiled gently.
“For example, start by correcting your posture. Just by straightening your back and walking with your chest out, you can leave a much better impression on people.”
“Posture…”
Subaru fell silent, lost in thought.
“And practice looking people in the eye when you speak. Also, try to stop using fillers like ‘uh’ or ‘um’ during conversations—it makes a big difference.”
Maria’s voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of passion.
“Can I really do that…?”
“Of course. You don’t have to do it all at once.”
She smiled reassuringly.
“Start with small goals and achieve them one step at a time.”
“Small goals…”
“Yes, for instance, when the new semester starts, try initiating a conversation with someone. Even a simple greeting is fine.”
At her suggestion, Subaru felt a mix of surprise and unease.
“But… I’m not good at that kind of thing…”
“No one is at first. That’s why you take small steps.”
Maria’s words carried an inexplicable persuasiveness. More than that, he felt her genuine support for his efforts to change.
Subaru gave a hesitant nod, then looked at her anxiously.
“What if… I fail?”
Maria widened her eyes slightly before chuckling softly.
“Failure is natural. What matters is continuing despite it.”
Her straightforward words left Subaru momentarily breathless. Then, as if struck by an idea, Maria clapped her hands.
“That’s it! If Sorano-kun achieves his goal, I’ll give you a reward.”
“A reward…?”
Subaru faltered as he spoke.
“Yes. Like I promised earlier—I’ll cosplay for you.”
“What!?”
Maria’s words made Subaru instinctively raise his voice. His gaze wandered, and his thoughts scrambled.
“W-why cosplay, all of a sudden…?”
Maria tilted her head and smiled.
“Because you said you wanted me to cosplay earlier, didn’t you?”
Maria smiled, tilting her head.
“Or is there something else you’d prefer?”
“Uh, no, that’s not…”
Maria stared intently at Subaru, who struggled to respond.
“Think about the cosplay you’d like. Once you achieve your goal, I’ll do it for you.”
“Wha—!”
Subaru’s face flushed bright red as Maria nodded in satisfaction.
“It’s settled. For now, your focus should be on achieving your goal.”
“…”
Unable to counter Maria’s innocent smile, Subaru could only nod. Yet, deep inside, a faint motivation began to stir—though the reason might have been a strange one.
Maria stood gracefully and offered a kind smile.
“Sorano-kun, you have the power to change yourself. Believe in it.”
Her words seeped into Subaru’s heart.
Back in the present, Subaru lay on his bed, staring out the window.
“Change…”
He didn’t know what awaited him after changing. But one thing was clear: without taking that first step, nothing would ever begin.
When he opened the window, the spring night breeze swept into the room. A new determination, faint but growing, began to shine within him.
“Not for the cosplay. Not for Amane-san. For myself… I’ll change.”
His eyes fell on a dusty album on the shelf. Filled with memories of Kanon, he reached for it but stopped halfway. Instead, he turned off the light, letting the quiet night envelop him as Maria’s words echoed once more.
“I’ll teach you how to change.”
Guided by that voice, Subaru gently closed his eyes.