MidReal Story

Fearful Hearts Next Door

Justice

Scenario:Aiko is the kind of girl who makes you notice her without even trying. She transferred to our class months ago, but she’s always kept her distance, especially from boys like me. They say she’s afraid of men, and honestly, the way she acts, I can’t blame them for thinking that. She’s also my neighbor, which makes things… interesting. Today, I stepped into the elevator and found her already there. Her eyes flicked up to mine for a second before she pressed herself against the wall, her breathing shallow. Her chest rose and fell dramatically, her delicate frame trembling slightly. She was so close, I could feel her discomfort—and something else. Her flushed cheeks and soft lips made it impossible to look away. My palms felt clammy, my heart pounding. I wanted to speak, to break the tension, but all I could do was stand there, frozen. She looked terrified of me. And yet, I couldn’t stop looking at her.

Create my version of this story

Aiko is the kind of girl who makes you notice her without even trying. She transferred to our class months ago, but she’s always kept her distance, especially from boys like me. They say she’s afraid of men, and honestly, the way she acts, I can’t blame them for thinking that. She’s also my neighbor, which makes things… interesting. Today, I stepped into the elevator and found her already there. Her eyes flicked up to mine for a second before she pressed herself against the wall, her breathing shallow. Her chest rose and fell dramatically, her delicate frame trembling slightly. She was so close, I could feel her discomfort—and something else. Her flushed cheeks and soft lips made it impossible to look away. My palms felt clammy, my heart pounding. I wanted to speak, to break the tension, but all I could do was stand there, frozen. She looked terrified of me. And yet, I couldn’t stop looking at her.

Aiko Nakamura

central character,neighbor and classmate of the other protagonist,petite with striking features,introverted and fearful.

Emi Tanaka

mutual friend of Aiko and Taro in school but not their neighbor,athletic build with short hair,outgoing and supportive.

Taro Yamada

Aiko's neighbor and classmate,friends with other classmates but distant from Aiko initially,tall with a gentle face,curious and protective.

How did I end up in this situation?

Oh right.

I ran into my neighbor in the elevator.

Literally.

When the door opened on our floor, we both stepped inside at the same time and collided with each other, which sent us both stumbling back against our respective walls before we regained our balance.

She just transferred to our school.

She was so close, I could feel her discomfort—and something else.

Her flushed cheeks and soft lips made it impossible to look away.

My palms felt clammy, my heart pounding.

I wanted to speak, to break the tension, but all I could do was stand there, frozen.

She looked terrified of me. And yet, I couldn’t stop looking at her.

Finally, I managed to find my voice.

"I-I’m sorry about that," I said, my voice shaking slightly.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded slightly, her eyes still avoiding mine.

Her body was tense against the elevator wall, her fingers gripping her bag tightly enough to turn her knuckles white.

The only sound was the hum of the elevator as it continued its journey upward.

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of something else to say.

But nothing came to mind.

Aiko’s breathing seemed to steady a bit, but she remained silent.

"Why did you look so scared when you saw me?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.

"It's not you," Aiko replied softly, glancing up at me for the first time.

"It's just... I recognized you from the photos in my dad's office."

I leaned back against the elevator wall, my legs still a bit shaky from our collision.

Taro’s expression was confused, and I immediately regretted mentioning the photos.

I stared at the floor numbers changing above us, wishing they would move faster.

"Never mind," I mumbled.

But Taro stepped closer, his height making me press further into the wall.

"Wait, what photos?" he asked, genuine confusion in his eyes.

I clutched my bag tighter, my knuckles turning white.

The elevator dinged at my floor, and I bolted past him before the doors could close.

"Aiko, wait!" Taro called after me, stepping into the hallway.

I paused, my heart racing, and turned to face him reluctantly.

"My dad... he used to work with your father," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

I stared down at the floor, my shoulders tense.

The mention of our fathers made the air feel thick and heavy.

When I risked a glance up, I saw Taro standing a few feet away in the dimly lit hallway, his eyes studying me intensely.

His brow was furrowed in thought.

I fidgeted with the strap of my bag, memories of those photographs flooding my mind - newspaper clippings and police reports I wasn't supposed to see.

The sound of a door closing down the hall made me flinch, and Taro took a careful step forward.