In a world where a single glance can condemn you and a kind heart is easily mistaken for a threat, Gouda Takeo has long accepted his fate. Two meters tall and built like a fortress, he's used to the fearful stares, the empty seats, and the children who cry at the sight of him. But when he saves a delicate girl from a molester on a packed train—only to flee before she can even learn his name—Takeo's life is set on a collision course with a misunderstanding of epic proportions.
Because the girl h
My Love Story!! Beyond the Misunderstanding - Gorilla Learns the Truth in the Snowy Park
Outside the window, the sky was so clear it made yesterday's rain seem like a lie.
But inside Gouda Takeo's heart, the clouds had yet to lift.
The day after skipping school. Dragging a body heavier than usual, Takeo passed through the gates of Shuuei High. Two meters tall, a hundred and twenty kilos. His custom-made 4L navy blazer felt suffocatingly tight today. A buzz cut of black hair. Small, deep-set black eyes. A face as rugged as a gorilla's.
The moment he stepped into the classroom, every classmate's gaze skewered him at once.
"Oh, Gouda. You all right?"
"You were out yesterday, right? Did you come down with something?"
Takeo forced a smile.
"A-ah. Yeah, something like that. I'm fine now."
With that, he took his seat.
(Like hell I'm fine.)
(I can't even look Yamato in the face.)
The events at the rainy park yesterday wouldn't leave his head. Rinko, shivering and soaked. The words she'd started to say. And the way he'd run from that place.
(I'm the worst.)
Takeo slumped face-down onto his desk.
Lunch break.
In the corner of the classroom, Takeo sat alone, spreading out his bento.
The extra-large nori bento his mother had made. Normally he'd polish it off in five minutes flat. But today, his chopsticks wouldn't move.
(I'm hungry, but...)
(I've got no appetite.)
That was when it came.
"Takeo."
A low voice he knew by heart.
He looked up to find Sunakawa Makoto standing there. Silky black hair, the bangs swept lightly aside in a clean style. Cool, narrow black eyes. Refined features. His childhood friend—the one girls were always confessing to.
"Su-Suna..."
"Come to my place after school. We need to talk."
That was all Suna said before turning his back and walking away.
(Talk?)
Something stirred in the depths of Takeo's chest.
(About yesterday? Or about Yamato?)
Takeo shoved the rest of his bento into his mouth by force.
After school.
Takeo stood in front of Suna's house.
The newly rebuilt house next door to the Gouda home. The Sunakawa residence. A place he'd visited hundreds of times since childhood.
He pressed the intercom.
"It's open."
Suna's voice came from inside.
Takeo opened the front door.
Suna's room was on the second floor—directly facing the window of Takeo's own room.
When he entered, Suna was sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Sit."
Suna pointed at the floor.
Takeo sat down on the floor without a word.
Silence.
From outside the window, the evening breeze stirred the curtains.
(What's with this atmosphere?)
(Suna, making a face this serious...)
Takeo swallowed hard.
"Takeo. I'm in love with Yamato."
Suna's words echoed quietly through the room.
For a moment, Takeo lost his voice.
His mind went blank.
(Suna... likes Yamato?)
(So that's how it was.)
(And Yamato likes Suna too.)
Deep in his heart, something crumbled with a sound.
But Takeo immediately plastered on a smile.
"I-I see! If you're the one saying it, there's no mistake!"
Takeo forced his voice loud.
"I'll step aside! I'll cheer you and Yamato on!"
"Yeah. So stay out of the way."
Suna fixed Takeo with a cold stare.
"Don't go near Yamato."
"I-I know. I won't get in your way."
Takeo nodded, still smiling.
(This is right.)
(I'm stepping aside.)
(I'll cheer Suna and Yamato on.)
"S-See you, Suna."
Takeo stood up.
"Yeah."
Suna said nothing more.
Takeo left Suna's room.
Down the stairs.
Out the front door.
Through his own gate.
And in that instant—
Tears spilled from Takeo's eyes.
(I love her.)
(I love Yamato.)
He screamed it inside his heart.
(I love her, and I'm supposed to cheer them on—that's messed up, isn't it.)
(But it's the only thing I can do.)
Takeo drove his fist into the wall of his house with all his strength.
A dull thud.
The wall caved slightly.
Blood seeped from his knuckles.
(It hurts.)
(But it's better than the pain in my chest.)
Takeo sank to the ground.
The setting sun dyed his massive frame orange.
That night.
Takeo lay on his bed in his room.
The lights were off.
In the dim room, he stared vaguely at the ceiling.
(Will Suna and Yamato work out?)
(Yamato likes Suna, after all.)
(They're a good match.)
Takeo told himself this over and over.
But the ache in his heart wouldn't fade.
He happened to glance out the window.
The Sunakawa house across the way.
A light was on in Suna's window.
(Suna, still awake?)
Takeo checked the clock.
One in the morning.
(He's usually long asleep by now.)
Takeo tilted his head.
(That's unusual.)
(Well, maybe he's got a lot on his mind.)
Takeo pulled the covers over his head.
(I should sleep.)
(Sleep and forget.)
But he couldn't sleep.
An hour later.
Takeo looked out the window again.
The light in Suna's room was still on.
(Still awake.)
(What's he doing?)
Something felt off.
Suna always kept a disciplined routine.
He almost never stayed up late.
(Is something bothering him?)
(Is it about Yamato?)
Takeo stopped himself from thinking further.
(It's none of my business.)
(I've stepped aside.)
Takeo pulled the covers even deeper over his head.
And yet, the light in Suna's room didn't go out all night.
The next morning.
Takeo greeted the dawn having barely slept.
He dragged himself up and picked up his phone.
A notification for a new message lit the screen.
The sender: Yamato Rinko.
Takeo's heart pounded.
With trembling fingers, he opened the message.
"Um, Takeo-kun. There's something I want to tell you directly. I'll be waiting at the park where it snows today. The bench in front of the fountain at Minatosaka Park. I'll be waiting the whole time."
Takeo read the message over and over.
(Something she wants to tell me directly?)
(The park where it snows?)
Takeo looked out the window.
The June sky was clear.
There wasn't the slightest sign of snow.
(It's June.)
(It can't snow.)
(What is Yamato talking about?)
Takeo tilted his head.
But he couldn't stay still any longer.
(Yamato is waiting.)
(Waiting for me.)
Takeo bolted out of the house in his pajamas.
"Takeo! What about breakfast?!"
His mother's voice chased after him.
"Don't need it!"
Takeo shouted back.
Outside, the air was cold enough that it didn't feel like June at all.
Takeo leaped onto his bicycle.
Fifteen minutes by bike to Minatosaka Park.
Takeo pedaled with all his might.
Past Shuuei High.
Through the redevelopment district in front of Minatosaka Station.
It was as he was passing Patisserie Lumiere that it happened.
"Gouda-kun."
A low, carrying voice stopped him.
Takeo hit the brakes.
Ichinose Subaru stood before him.
Light brown hair styled carelessly, a red bandana around his neck. A sweet-looking face. Amber eyes. The owner and chef of Patisserie Lumiere.
"I-Ichinose-san..."
Takeo stood there, out of breath.
"Rinko-san won't choose you."
Ichinose crossed his arms and looked up at Takeo.
"I'm the one who'll protect her. There's no need for you to go."
"Get out of my way!!"
For the first time, Takeo raised his voice.
It was louder than even he expected.
Ichinose's expression flinched for an instant.
"W-What did you say...?"
"I said get out of my way! I'm going to see Yamato!"
Takeo shoved Ichinose aside.
Ichinose lost his balance and landed on his rear.
"Guh—!?"
Ichinose stared up at Takeo, astonished.
Takeo didn't look back—he leaped onto his bicycle.
"I'm the one who'll protect Yamato!!"
Takeo shouted as he pedaled away.
Ichinose watched his receding back, dumbfounded.
"Gouda-kun... you..."
Ichinose's murmur dissolved into the wind.
From the sky, white things came fluttering down.
It was snow.
June snow.
Takeo raced through the snow.
His bicycle tires cut through the wet pavement.
Cold wind lashed his face.
Snow piled on his buzz cut, on his shoulders.
(Snow.)
(It's really snowing.)
(Just like Yamato said.)
Takeo poured power into his pedaling.
(Hang on, Yamato.)
(I'm on my way.)
He reached Minatosaka Park.
Takeo practically threw his bicycle aside and sprinted into the park.
The fountain plaza.
Snow fell quietly, piling up.
On the bench, a single girl sat.
Soft chestnut hair reaching her shoulders, fluffy at the ends. Big, round brown eyes.
Yamato Rinko.
Soaked by the snow, Rinko sat with her head bowed.
"Yamato!!"
Takeo shouted.
Rinko raised her face.
Her eyes were brimming with tears.
"Takeo-kun..."
Rinko stood.
And then she ran toward Takeo.
"Takeo-kun! There's something I absolutely have to tell you!"
Rinko flung herself against Takeo's chest.
Her small body collided with his massive frame.
Takeo gently caught her.
"I love you, Takeo-kun! I've loved you for so long!"
Rinko cried out through her tears.
"It's not Sunakawa-kun—it's you I love, Takeo-kun!"
Takeo's mind went completely blank.
His heartbeat shook the snow.
(Yamato... likes me?)
(Not Suna—me?)
"B-But Suna said..."
Takeo's voice came out hoarse.
"I lied."
A low voice he knew by heart.
Takeo spun around.
At some point, Sunakawa Makoto had appeared there.
Snow was piled on his black hair.
"I'm not in love with Yamato. I was testing you."
Suna spoke quietly.
"Testing me...?"
Takeo's fists trembled.
"I wanted to know if you really loved Yamato."
Suna looked straight at Takeo.
"Because you always give up, just like always. Yamato chose you. You're the one who has to choose."
"You bastard!!"
Takeo swung at Suna.
His massive fist caught Suna's cheek.
A dull crack.
Suna staggered but didn't fall.
"You lied to me?! You trampled all over my feelings?!"
Takeo grabbed Suna by the collar.
"Yeah. That's right."
Blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, Suna nodded.
"But if you really love Yamato, then this was the right outcome."
"What's right about it?!"
Takeo shouted.
That was when it happened.
"Takeo-kun, stop!"
Rinko's tearful voice rang out.
Takeo came to his senses and looked at her.
Rinko's face was a mess of tears.
"Sunakawa-kun lied for our sake. He wanted you to realize your own feelings, Takeo-kun..."
At her words, Takeo released Suna's collar.
(For my sake?)
(He wanted me to realize?)
Takeo looked at Suna.
Suna gave a quiet nod.
"Yamato loved you from the very start. I knew it all along."
Suna looked up at the snowy sky.
"You jumped to conclusions and tried to step aside on your own. So I tested you."
"Suna..."
Takeo's voice caught.
"Don't make Yamato cry. You're the one who's going to make her happy."
That was all Suna said before turning his back.
"See you."
Suna walked away through the snow.
Takeo watched his back recede.
Anger, friendship, gratitude, and guilt churned together in his heart.
(Suna...)
(What have I done to you?)
"Takeo-kun."
Rinko tugged at Takeo's sleeve.
Takeo looked at her.
Rinko was crying—and smiling.
"I love you, Takeo-kun. I love you so much. I've loved you for so long."
Rinko repeated it over and over.
Deep in Takeo's chest, something burst open.
(I love her.)
(I love Yamato too.)
He screamed it inside his heart.
"Yamato, I love you too. I've loved you for so long."
Takeo gripped Rinko by both shoulders.
"I was scared of losing you to Suna. I thought someone like me had no right to love you. But I was wrong. I love you, Yamato."
Tears spilled from Takeo's eyes too.
"Takeo-kun..."
Rinko buried her face in Takeo's chest.
Takeo gently wiped her tears away with his own hand.
The snow wrapped quietly around them both.
June snow.
Snow that shouldn't have been possible.
But to the two of them now, it was a blessing.
Takeo held Rinko's small body close.
"Yamato. I won't let you go anymore. I'll never let you go."
Takeo whispered against her ear.
"Mm. I won't let go either. I'll always be by your side, Takeo-kun."
Rinko nodded against his chest.
The snow kept falling.
Takeo pictured Suna's receding back once more.
(Suna, thank you.)
(I got your feelings, loud and clear.)
But somewhere in his heart, something unsettled still remained.
Between anger at Suna and f
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