Episode 4: A Street Boy’s Name

[Scene: Elina’s Home – Afternoon]

Elina was sitting with her best friend Rui, telling her everything about the boy from the store — except her private thoughts and daydreams, which she kept to herself. She admitted that she didn’t even know his name yet.

Elina (FC): Rui… I like him, but I don’t even know his name!

Rui: What? That’s impossible! Come with me tomorrow — let’s go to the store together. Maybe you can finally find out his name.

Elina nodded, feeling nervous but excited. She wondered what it would feel like to actually hear his name for the first time.

[Scene: 24×7 Store – Next Day]

The next day, Elina and Rui went to the store together. Luck was on her side — the boy was there! As he greeted the shop owner, she finally heard his name.

Shop Owner’s Son: Hi! I’m Yuto.

Her heart skipped a beat. Elina had never heard his name before, and somehow it felt magical. Saying his name quietly to herself made her heart race.

Elina (FC): Yuto…

Rui teased her, but Elina just smiled softly, feeling a small flutter in her chest.

[Scene: Elina’s Home – Evening]

The next day, Rui suggested that Elina talk to Yuto. But she had no courage. Every time she thought about speaking to him, her cheeks turned pink, and her heart pounded. Instead, she continued writing in her secret diary about small things she noticed at the store.

Meanwhile, her grades started slipping. Elina had always been top of her class, but now she was distracted. She realized she wasn’t giving enough time to studies. One day, her tuition teacher told the class:

Tuition Teacher: At this age, every choice is important. You can go in the right direction or the wrong direction.

Elina thought about herself. She had been spending too much time thinking about Yuto. This wasn’t the right time for love. She needed to focus on her studies.

[Scene: 24×7 Store – Next Days]

After that realization, Elina started ignoring Yuto whenever she went to buy milk. She focused only on her errands and her schoolwork. It wasn’t easy — every time she saw him, her heart still skipped a little. But gradually, the fluttering feeling started to fade.

One day, Yuto asked her a simple question:

Yuto: Hi… which school do you study in?

Elina (FC): XXX School.

It was the first time they had talked, and Elina felt happy inside. But as days passed, she began to notice something. Her heart no longer raced as much. Seeing him at the store felt normal, almost casual. She realized that the strong excitement she had felt before was slowly fading.

Elina smiled quietly to herself. She understood now that Yuto was not love — he was just a crush. A sweet, fluttering crush that had taught her a little about her own feelings. But it wasn’t real love yet.

Focusing on her studies and daily routine, Elina felt a calm satisfaction. She still liked Yuto in a small, innocent way, but now she could think clearly. Her first crush had been exciting, fun, and a little magical — but it was time to grow, focus, and move forward.

For the first time, she realized that crushes come and go, and that love is something deeper, something that comes later. And that was okay.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***