The Sin Between US のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

Lucas didn't notice. Or maybe he did, but he never gave me a reason to think he saw me any differently. After that evening in the backyard, I became more aware of him, of everything about him. The way he ruffled his hair when he was deep in thought. The lazy way he stretched in the morning. The way he leaned back on the couch, scrolling through his phone like nothing in the world could bother him. But to him, I was still just Ava. His younger cousin. The kid he used to tease. It drove me crazy. I started looking forward to the small moments. The times he'd pat my head absentmindedly when he passed by. The way he'd laugh at my jokes, even when they weren't funny. I held onto those little things, twisting them into something bigger than they were, convincing myself they meant something. But Lucas? Lucas went on with his life. One evening, I was in the living room, pretending to be busy on my phone while secretly watching him. He was sitting on the floor, flipping through a book he'

The lecture hall was buzzing with the sounds of students settling in, exchanging greetings, and flipping through their notebooks. I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room for an empty seat. Thankfully, Favour and Gift had already secured spots near the middle, and I hurried to join them. They left early this morning for their department course. Luckily, we're having a general course together."Why do you look like you ran a marathon?" Favour asked, raising an eyebrow as I dropped into the seat beside her."Because I practically did," I muttered, massaging my temples as I tried to shake off the lingering fatigue from the morning rush. "This campus is too big."Gift chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Or you'll suffer. Either way, you'll adapt."I rolled my eyes but couldn't argue. College was already proving to be an entirely different world, and I was still adjusting to it. The sheer scale of everything from sprawling corridors to cavernous lecture halls made me feel both insignifica

The morning air was crisp as I made my way to class, my mind preoccupied with the assignments piling up. College was proving to be more overwhelming than I had anticipated so many tasks, so many new faces, and an unspoken pressure to get everything right. I kept my focus on the path ahead, trying to ignore the growing presence of Ethan in my daily life, though I couldn't entirely avoid the reminder of him. I walked briskly along the tree-lined pathway toward the lecture hall. The campus was already alive with the soft hum of early morning chatter, students hurrying to their classes, and the rustle of leaves in the gentle wind. I tried to lose myself in thoughts of my assignments and the looming deadlines, but I couldn't shake the subtle awareness that someone was watching me. As I reached the lecture hall, I scanned the room for a familiar seat, a little ritual that brought me a semblance of comfort in this unfamiliar environment. Just as I was about to settle into my usual spot near

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I stirred slightly, my mind still lost in sleep, until..."Happy birthday!!!"A chorus of excited voices and the unmistakable sound of party poppers startled me awake. I shot up in bed, my heart pounding as Favour and Gift burst into laughter at my startled expression."You should have seen your face!" Gift wheezed, clutching her stomach.I groaned, rubbing my eyes. "You guys scared me to death."Favour grinned broadly, holding up a small cake with a single lit candle. "Scaring you was just a bonus. Now, make a wish."I blinked, taking in the sight of my two best friends standing before me, grinning like mischievous elves. In that moment, the familiar comfort of home mingled with the thrill of a new day. My heart warmed at the gesture, and I closed my eyes for a brief moment, silently wishing for a good year ahead, then blew out the candle with a quiet determination."Yay!" Gift clapped, her voice ri

It had been a few days since my birthday outing, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting inside me. Every time I closed my eyes, I'd see Ethan's calm smile, or recall the way he'd casually brushed my hand when we touched at the aquarium. I found myself replaying every moment, analyzing the small gestures he'd made and wondering what they really meant. Even now, as I sat in the crowded lecture hall, I caught myself glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, as if searching for some hidden clue in his expression.Classes had become a blur lately, and I struggled to focus on the lectures. It wasn't that the subjects were uninteresting, rather, my thoughts kept drifting to Ethan. I knew I was starting to care about him more than I was willing to admit. For years, I'd built these high walls to keep everyone at a safe distance. Yet somehow, this calm, steady presence had begun chipping away at them, leaving me both thrilled and terrified. After the lecture, I found so