“Sakura, wait!”

Kei closes the distance with Sakura as they got off from the facade. She grabbed the girl’s wrist, as Sakura halted from running.

“What’s the matter?” Kei asked. She felt that her friend is trembling right now. Sakura didn’t answer, but instead, a small sniffle left from her. She tried to composed herself before facing Kei.

“No, it’s nothing.” Sakura assures an answer, yet her voice quivers. She can’t fully hide the bothered feelings brewing inside her now. Recalling the words that girl said made her emotions swirl.

It made her agitate, that Haruki might sway and drift away from her. Although, they’re just friends and nothing else.

“Hey, Kei…” Sakura called.

“What is it?” Kei responded, tainted with concern on her voice. Slowly, Sakura faces her friend, with tears overflowing her eyes. Kei twitches as she saw her friend in tears.

“What’s wrong—?”

“Is it normal for a girl whose friend with a guy who got confessed have these mushy feelings?”

That question she asked. Kei realized something, that her friend had been in love with someone. She can’t find and retort any answer to her. Nothing could ever justify from what she feels right now.

Instead, she pulls Sakura and tightly embraces her. Sakura got baffled from what Kei have done, but she slowly understands that there isn’t words can comfort her.

She then wails and clings tightly, releasing all the pain and frustrations hiding through. Realizing that the person she was once hold dear will be someone’s dear clenches her heart.

Yet, there’s nothing she can do. It’s all too late for her to realize these feelings. The feelings she was once ignored, and now can be irreplaceable.

****

September 13, 20xx

It was a fine day. A normal day for a person like me, who never made any special bond with my classmates. I only have few friends, but they’re all in different schools.

It’s my Junior High year, 1st grade. In my class, there’s this pretty girl I’ve been admired from afar. She’s friendly and popular with everyone. Although, I admire her, I didn’t made friends with her.

Her name is Takigawa Shion. An existence everyone is beyond reach, and the person that will change everything on me.

She has a long, silky black hair, designed with braids at each side. Her face is round and slightly droopy eyes with brown in hue. Her lips are brightly rosy in color and fair complex of skin.

She isn’t skinny, and not a petite one. A enough proportion of body for a young maiden suits her style, on her skirt and uniform covered in cardigan.

She has a bright mood, and greets everyone with a smile every time she arrives at school.

And that’s why I admire her secretly. That person will also change everything in my life.

September 16, 20xx

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Shion and her friends are talking and exchanging banters inside the classroom. No, to be precise, they’re playing a game. Each one of them tells the others their punishment while hilariously laughing.

And there’s me, who just silently reads e-book novels from my phone while not minding the bustle of the surroundings. On my ears are earphones plugged in; playing a track of Lo-Fi soundtrack to concentrate myself.

I don’t mind having someone to be with me, and I don’t mind being alone at all. After all, I’m just someone who can easily forget.

Until….

September 24, 20xx

Someone left a letter from my shoe-locker. The letter didn’t wrote any name of the sender, but it addresses to me. “Haruki Nakazono?” I mumbled. It’s weird; who in the right mind to send me something like this?

Of course, out of curiosity… I read the letter. “Please go behind the school building after class. I’ll be waiting.”

What’s this? Is this some type of a Novel-like or Anime-like cliche type of confession? No. This is absurd. A boy like me who doesn’t have redeeming looks will get a confession by someone.

Oh, well… let’s just make this through.

After school. I went behind the school grounds and saw a familiar girl standing right before me. I never imagined that someone who I just admired from afar will come here.

“Uhm… Miss Takigawa—”

“So, you came.”

Her eyes meet mine. “I… well, the letter indicates someone wants to see me here, so…” I replied, trying to be composed.

“I’m happy you came. I thought you won’t come here.” she bashfully speaks. Now that I think about it… this is a weird situation. Why, a pretty and popular girl like her, will come here?

“As you see, Nakazono… I…”

What? Is she trying to confess her feelings to me?

“I do like you. Please go out with me!”

That word bestow down to me. It feels like a cold water splashes through me. I got bewildered from what she said. “Huh?” is the only word I retort.

“Do you dislike me?” Takigawa asked. No, if anything else… I like you. But there’s no way a pretty girl like you will go out with a mundane boy without redeeming looks, right?

”No. Uhm…” I answered, trying to clear my head. “I-if you’re fine with someone like me. Then… I’ll go out with you.”

That’s the time my first relationship with someone begins. The days with her are fulfilling. Miss Takigawa—no, she preferred to call her by her name, in exchange with mine. Shion is a clingy, yet lovable girl.

It’s almost like a dream for me to go out with a pretty girl like her. That time I started to get attracted by her. Our time together is truly precious to me. And I thought it would stay for long…. and then…

November 5, 20xx

I was about to surprise her with a gift I got from a crane game while we’re playing in the Arcade. It’s already winter season and we’re wearing our blazers.

“Hey, Shion… how long are you going to play along with that guy?”

A familiar voice suddenly lift from the distance. I saw a group of girls and several guys crowding together. “Don’t worry; I’ll dump him soon. It’s just he’s fun to hang out with, you know?”

That word gave a chill through my body. “What’s his name again? Haruki? Haha! He thought you’re in love with him.”

“Hey, you’re awful! Stop saying it! I admit he’s cute because of his dimples, but he’s too bland to be my boyfriend. Hahaha!”

All this time I’ve been toying by her. So that’s how it is…. huh? And without me knowing, tears starts to welled in my eyes. No, I knew it all along because everything is too good to happen.

And from there, I confront her. I told everything I wanted to say… together with her friends. But it’s all nothing but an imagination. The thing is I just come to her together with her friends.

Holding the racoon plushie she said she liked, I gave it to her. “I hate you.” it’s the only thing I said and left the place right after.

I ran away. The coldness of the air I breathe stings my abdomen. But I keep running. I grunt out of anger and shouts out loud. On the bustle road, my voice lingers.

I wasn’t so sure what I will do; who can I turn to. My chest clumps tight while recalling each words she just said awhile ago.

From this point on, I start distrusting pretty girls.

The next day, at the class, a word that I got out with Shion became a rumor. Everyone ridiculed and mocked me for being delusional. Who in a right mind to go out with someone like me.

I didn’t retort to their mockery; I secluded myself from those people and ignored them completely.

It’s depressing; I wish to be gone for good in this world. I wish I could turn back time and change everything. But it’s all too late. After 3 years in Junior High… I finally graduated, but in the end, I became a laughing stock in my class.

I also got a nickname: Delusional Haruki, and Haruki, the assuming one. Well, there’s nothing I can do. Mocking them back won’t gain me anything at all.

And from there, I just started to live my life my way. Without involving with any special relationship with someone. And without getting deeper connection with my friend named Asahina Sakura.