Haruki left by everyone he knows as they have lunch. Ayase and Hinako as seem to have their “own world” setting, chatting gleefully like there’s something between them.

He can’t just get in between them; he feels like a third wheel. “Well, I guess I’ll eat by myself.”

“Haruki, someone’s looking for you.” from the distance of the entrance door is a person standing. A guy classmate, looking for him. And beside that person, is another he never expect to see.

“Hi, Haruki!” beaming with a glee smile, Senior Asahina Sakura waves at me while holding her packed lunch.

He almost baffled out and looked at the surroundings as every person in the classroom gazes at him. A pretty senior called my name. And not his surname.

“Ah, uhm… Senior Asahina.” he stand from the seat and goes to her. Shit, addressing by her surname again. He bet she’ll get mad. “You seemed alone, want to have lunch together?”

It fired back. The thoughts he has suddenly flushed down. His senior doesn’t show any upset looks right now. “Ah, Senior Asahina… I didn’t know you’re friends with him?”

A guy same age as Haruki approached. He’s kind of taller than him, way good looking and has a stylish look of a model. “Hey, uh… Yamaguchi Akito.” Sakura greets, yet her tone show displeased.

Yamaguchi Akito, a first year, same as Haruki and Kira, from the class next door, is famous for being an ace in the sport of soccer. His good looks and physique is quite popular with the girls.

And unlike Haruki, who doesn’t have much redeeming quality, this guy sure can swoon Sakura’s feelings.

The boy named Yamaguchi Akito then stands in between and turns his back to Haruki. “What the—”

“Instead of him, why don’t we have lunch together?” Locking his eyes on hers, Yamaguchi show a wide grin. His white teeth clearly seen. Sakura heaves a tepid sigh and smiles sarcastically.

“You are good looking, but I don’t like showy guys.” passing him, she grabbed Haruki’s hand and pulls him out. “Uh, huh? Senior Asahina—”

A dagger glare suddenly gazed at Haruki, making him jolt out of surprise. Right before the two got far, Sakura then faces Yamaguchi with her arms linked on Haruki.

“Besides, this guy here is my type. Sorry. ” her words playfully let out. All the students inside the class where Haruki was got baffled from the sudden announcement of their senior.

Even Haruki himself turns to see Sakura as he heard such words. “Huh? Are you serious? You and that guy?”

“As clear as the weather we have today.” Sakura replied. Her hands linked further into Haruki, and noticed that she’s trembling. “Uhm… Senior,” he whispered.

“What?” she asked. Haruki glances at her. “You’re shaking—”

“No, I’m not. You’re imagining it.” she interjects. Seems like Sakura doesn’t want to get anyone notice how she feels right now. “Well, then.”

They both turns to walk away, when Yamaguchi clenches his hands and grit his teeth. “Senior Asahina! That guy is too plain for a pretty girl like you!”

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Sakura then stopped from walking. “You see, that guy is quite ugly; not even half of my handsomeness has been with him at all. He’s like a jerk.”

Hearing it made Sakura’s ears flapped. For some reason, she doesn’t want to hear anyone badmouthing Haruki. He’s a nice guy, despite meeting him just a few weeks ago.

Unlike the others, Haruki isn’t someone who boasts about his achievements. He’s a normal one and doesn’t care about her looks at all. He is her first guy friend. A person she does feel special with.

She’s about to turn, when Haruki glances at her. Shaking his head sideways subtly, he asked her not to make a fuzz anymore. Yet, Yamaguchi didn’t stopped.

Yamaguchi grins, acting hefty as his words reaches her. “A guy with no redeeming looks like him doesn’t need to hang out with you at all—”

“Yeah, yeah… you keep yapping. You’re like a girl.” Haruki then turns to face her. Sakura got awed from what he did. “What’s wrong if Senior Sakura has her eyes on me instead of you?”

His heart starts palpitating. He is also trembling, but chose to stand firm and looked at Yamaguchi. “You punk—”

“That I guess, a girl’s eyes wouldn’t deceive a nice guy over a badass one, right? I mean, you may be good looking… but I can make her feel safe.”

That’s a corny one. Yeah, he admits it. But now, he’s acting cool towards his senior. Everyone looked at them, as Yamaguchi scowls and goes inside of his classroom.

The still quietness of the surroundings, as well as the eyes pierces them befalls the awkward feeling between them. “I guess we should go now?” Haruki, facing Sakura who still shows bafflement, grabbed her wrist and they run away.

On that moment, Sakura felt like something’s linked in her to him. Something she can’t fully understand. All she knows is this guy is running with her, chasing away the prying eyes looking at them.

***

Reaching the facade of the building, the two of them sits down on the bench. “That was something….” Haruki speaks as he let out a light laugh. Sakura didn’t say anything, but clenched her hands while looking down.

She never expected to blurt such words. She didn’t even mean to say anything about it at all. Yet, whenever she recalls it, her heart’s start to pounding like a drum.

“Uh, Senior Sakura?” Haruki called.

Sakura jolts as she faces the boy. Seeing his face made her feel hot. “Huh? You’re saying something?”

“Ah, no. Uhm… I just want… well, to say thanks?”

“Huh?”

Haruki scratches his head and smiles awkwardly. “Well, saying you like someone like me?”

Those words slipped from his mouth; Sakura’s feeling of embarrassment overflowed. “Waahh! Don’t—don’t mention it!” waving her hands, she immediately covers Haruki’s mouth.

“I don’t mean it, okay?! I mean… I mean, I like you! You’re a good man! I feel comfortable when you’re around. It—it’s not like I like you, like the like you think!”

Sakura almost stuttered from her words, as her face flushes. Haruki noticed it. Grabbing her hand and put off away, he smiles. “You don’t need to be bothered by it.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, I understand that you like me as your friend, right?”

As a friend. Yes, this is how she thinks of Haruki. It’s just been a week since they met. And there’s nothing special about him. Haruki is a person she adores, because of his dimples.

He’s cute, and quite a manly awhile ago. But what’s this sting sensation pinching her chest? “We’re friends, and I’m happy because a senior like you befriended someone as plain as me.”

Those words were somewhat real, but Haruki thought to brush it off. It might cause a misunderstanding between them. “Yeah, that’s right…” Sakura scoffs. “But don’t think I hang out with you even if you’re plain. I hang out with you because you’re genuine with your feelings, and you’re cute.”

As like she wants to forget it, Sakura made a joke about his looks. Haruki just wryly nods at her.

—“Maybe he doesn’t really want to get what I mean.”

—“I don’t want to think more of it. Senior Sakura, liking me.”

They exchange laughs while eating their meal. On the secluded, sanctuary place of their own. Hiding the thought that only those two can fully understand what those words left really meant.