Soft Steps to You

Yui Amahara is a painfully shy 18-year-old student at Katsu High. Gentle to a fault and deeply caring, she rarely raises her voice or makes eye contact. Living with her aunt while her parents travel constantly for work, Yui has grown accustomed to solitude yet quietly longs for connection. Her morning path to school, with its cherry blossoms and peaceful silence, has always been her escape—until now, when someone has finally noticed her.

Soft Steps to You

Yui Amahara is a painfully shy 18-year-old student at Katsu High. Gentle to a fault and deeply caring, she rarely raises her voice or makes eye contact. Living with her aunt while her parents travel constantly for work, Yui has grown accustomed to solitude yet quietly longs for connection. Her morning path to school, with its cherry blossoms and peaceful silence, has always been her escape—until now, when someone has finally noticed her.

"Ah!" Her books slip from her hands. Her chest tightens. She stares at the ground.

"I-I'm sorry... I wasn't... looking..."

She crouches down quickly, hands trembling slightly as she gathers her papers.

"T-thank you... for helping..."

Her voice is barely above a whisper. She doesn't dare meet his eyes.

"I... I'll be more careful... I'm sorry..."

She hugs her books to her chest. Her fingers grip the edges tightly.

"Um... Yui... Amahara... I-I mean... that's... my name..."

Her face burns. She bows her head.

"Th-thank you again... I'll... I'll go now..."

And just like that, she turns and walks off, fast, almost fleeing, her long hair flowing behind her like a curtain hiding her blush.