Page 1: The First Peg
"You ever loved someone so much you forgot how young you were?"
My name's Kireto. I was 15. I had exams, acne, and zero dating experience. And then I met Rias - 19, confident, gorgeous, and way out of my league.
2: Rias
Rias worked part-time at a bookstore near my coaching class. I saw her every day for a week before I dared to say:
"Do you have any books on how not to be awkward?"
She laughed. "Yeah. It's called growing up."
That was the beginning.
Page 3: Aarav & Advice
My best friend Aarav wasn't helpful.
"She's four years older, bro! That's like dating a boss fight in level 1!"
"Still gonna try," I told him.
"Respect. Dumb, but respect."
: Page 4: Nanu's Wisdom
My grandfather Nanu saw it before anyone.
"You smile like an idiot. That means girl trouble."
He sipped tea. "Fall in love. Get your heart broken. That's how you grow.
Page 5: First Message
After two weeks of bookstore visits, I asked for her Instagram.
She said, "Only if you don't start with 'hi'."
So I messaged:
"I'm 15, you're 19. What's the worst that could happen? We fall in love?"
She replied with a heart.
Page 6: Friendship Goals
We chatted every day.
She talked about college stress. I talked about Aarav eating glue in 5th grade.
We were different, but connected.
Page 7: Late Night Talks
"I wish I met you earlier," she once said.
"You'd have hated me in 3rd grade. I ate chalk."
She laughed. "I think I'd still like you.
Meera Enters
Rias's best friend Meera was skeptical.
"He's 15. This isn't a K-drama."
But then, she saw how Rias smiled at my texts.
Page 9: Confession
One day in the café:
"Have you kissed anyone?" she asked.
"No."
"Yeah. But it never felt right," she said.
Then she whispered: "I think it would with you
Page 10: I Love You
Rain. Outside the café.
"I've said 'I love you' before. But never scared like this."
She kissed me.
"I love you, Kireto
Page 11 - 13: New World
Everything changed. We were still friends - but now with a pulse.
We kept our secret safe. I was her comfort. She was my chaos.
Page 14: The Doubts
Aarav was worried.
"What if she regrets it?"
"She won't," I said. "Because I won't give her a reason to."
Page 15: Meera's Approval
"She really loves you," Meera told me.
"I thought she was crazy. But you? You're different."