Upon arriving at the bus station, the rain completely halted. A bit of afternoon sun rays radiantly pierces at the cloudy, gray sky.

“It’s good that the rain stopped,” Haruki muttered, closing the folded umbrella. “Indeed. I was thinking about how will I go home if the rain continues.”

Sakura let go from his arm. She felt bashfulness all throughout the time they’re walking under the same umbrella. But she can’t just show it to him.

“Be sure next time to bring your umbrella.” Haruki suggested and smiles at her. She looks at the boy and nods; seeing his pair of dimples makes her heart flutter.

“Yeah, I will…”

However, through her reply is the heavy feeling bestow. She enjoyed the sharing of umbrella with him. It doesn’t clear at her, but she wishes for the rain to continue pouring.

For a little bit of their time together, where she can just stay by his side.

“Senior Sakura?” Haruki tapped her shoulder. She shunned out and looks again at him, blinking several times as if something strange happened. “Your bus is here.”

Facing forward, the bus arrived and passengers getting off from the station came out. “Oh, sorry… I’m spacing out.” she chuckles awkwardly and clears her throat.

“You’re tired already? You should rest after getting home.”

“Yeah, I will. Thanks, Haruki.”

She was about to board when a last passenger dropped off from the station. “Huh? Haruki…?”

That unexpected moment, Haruki’s face show ghastly expression. It’s as if something or someone is making his fear crawled up. That moment also, Sakura turns to see the person who called on him.

On their center is a girl same age as him, wearing black blazer and a pleated gray mini skirt. Her hair is short in length, around shoulder; her complexion hasn’t really change… still like a porcelain and fair in hue.

Her eyes, still droopy, but now glances at him with surprise. The once somewhat petite body has been grown fully into a young woman. “Haruki, it’s you, right?”

The once girl filled with wonder, suddenly shows gleeful tone on her voice. “Haruki?” Sakura suddenly intervened and looks at both of them.

Haruki, averts his eyes off the girl while gritting his teeth. “Hey, don’t you remember me? It’s me, Shion… your classmate in middle school.”

The girl named Shion introduces herself. With a bright smile on her lips, she continues. “You changed a lot, huh…? You look better than last time we met.”

“Uhm…” Sakura called. Both Haruki and Shion looked at her. “Ah, my bad… am I interrupting with you two?”

“No, Senior Sakura. She’s just someone I just know…” Haruki answered. His voice rasped out, like he’s totally lethargic.

Sakura wants to go near him, but she’s kind of reluctant. “Hello, I’m Takigawa Shion. Haruki’s classmate and ex-girlfriend.”

Offering her hand to shake, Shion smiles at Sakura. The sudden chilly feeling crawled down on Sakura as she heard her introduction. “I’m Asahina Sakura, Haruki—uhm, Nakazono’s Senior and friend.”

Accepting her hand, they start shaking. “So, the pretty senior here is your… girlfriend, I suppose?”

Shion’s eyes narrowed as she looks at Sakura. “No, she’s… not my girlfriend. We’re just acquaintances.” Haruki answered.

The three became quiet and without them knowing, the bus was already gone. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re doing fine. And… by the way, you two want some coffee? If you’re fine with it?”

With still the bright smile, Shion offers the two.

“No, we’re fine—”

“—Sure, let’s go have a coffee for a bit.”

Both Sakura and Haruki have a synchronous answer, but differs on their opinion. “Well, seems like Senior Asahina wants to have some coffee, so let’s go. Don’t worry, it’ll be my treat.”

He grunts and glances at Sakura. While Sakura nods and shows a friendly smile. Shion leads the way, as the two follows.

“What are you doing, Senior?”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Huh? She said it’s her treat. So I accept it. It is rude if we decline.” Sakura answers as she meets his eyes. “Besides, she’s your ex-girlfriend. I didn’t know you were charismatic, huh?”

She grins, while Haruki scowled. “Shut up.” he grunt.

“Why…? This is also a good thing to know more about you, right?”

“This isn’t the thing I don’t want you to know.” Haruki speaks with anger on his voice. That’s right; the person they met is the reason why he can’t trust anyone’s feelings.

Sakura didn’t reply, but her eyes just looked at seemingly infuriate friend while walking towards the nearest cafe. They arrived and occupied a seat near the big window.

Shion, facing Sakura with Haruki beside her, smiles brightly. “It’s been a while, Haruki. How’s your life doing?”

“Doesn’t concern you.” he grunt. Sakura turns and nudge him. “Hey, don’t be so rude to her!”

“No, it’s alright. I understand why he’s acting like that.”

“Then, if you understand… why are you still talking to me?”

“Haruki, enough.” Sakura meddled as she looks at him. “She’s just trying to be friendly with us.”

“You don’t know anything at all. Stop meddling!” Haruki then stands up and left the cafe, leaving Shion and Sakura out of bafflement. The atmosphere became heavy and a bit of awkward.

“Sorry, for the things he said—”

“He still hasn’t forgiven me yet.”

A heavy sentiment left from Shion before Sakura proceeds. She noticed also the somber looks on her face. Her eyes almost moist with tears; it’s as if she’s trying to hold it back.

Sakura didn’t retort, but her eyes didn’t avert off of her. “It’s been 3 years, I thought he already forget it. I think what I’ve done really made him mad.”

Shion shows a bitter smile as she looks at Sakura. “I want to apologize for what I’ve done to him.”

“Can you tell me… what have you done to him to the point he’s acting like that to you?”

Sakura has been getting the urge to know something about this girl. She’s been giving her a bad feeling, knowing that Haruki has been furied by the moment they saw each other.

“Yeah, I will say it.” Shion replied. Composing herself, she started telling her past. She and her circle of friends has been playing truth or dare game. And like any games, it has a punishment.

The thing is, Shion has been admiring Haruki from the distance since. His presence alone made her heart quiver; sitting at his chair and looking at the distant sky; sometimes, just listening to music.

He isn’t the type to get along with others. He has friends but a few only talk to him. But what made her attracted to him is his dimples. Whenever she sees him smile, everything sparks.

That made her realized, the admiration she has for him turned to something else. Yet, for being selfish for her own sake, Shion decided to pretend that it isn’t true.

And one day, she sent a letter to him. A letter indicating that she wants to tell her feelings. But behind all of it is the punishment her friends pushed. Due to her popularity because of her looks, everyone has been admiring her.

And thinking about that image will ruin if she just start dating a nobody as him… Shion couldn’t take the risk.

That day, Haruki decided to come with her. A little courage made her decide to confess, though half of it was a punishment for the game. She was happy when he accepts her confession and they started dating.

Those times were really irreplaceable for her. Shion thought to herself, to forget everything, about the punishment game and be real to her true feelings. She wants to stay with Haruki as long as she could.

She knows everyone would be disappointed with her decision, but not having Haruki by her side is something unbearable.

Then, a certain day they had an after school detour. The two decided to come at the Arcade to play some games, when Shion’s friends came without her knowing.

Shion being herself, she made a facade face towards them. She hides her feelings towards Haruki and let them hears the words they want to hear, contradicting to the feelings she wants to say.

And without her knowing, Haruki heard all of those words. It wasn’t intentional, but it’s all too late. The face she saw that time on him made her heart broke.

From that day, they never speak to each other again. Shion tried to come to him whenever she has a chance, but he always been running, or avoiding her.

Her peers started a rumor about him going out with her. Everyone made fun of him. 3 years until then, Shion never made up with him. Leaving the enclose thoughts between them.

****

”How horrible…” those are the only words left from Sakura after hearing Shion’s tale.

“I’m sorry; I know you’re dating him, and telling this story makes me feel bad.”

“Huh? No. No! We’re not dating… And thank you, for telling me the story.”

Now, Sakura knew behind the rage of Haruki towards Shion. She understands why he’s acting like that. She wants to get mad, too. Treating him like nothing just because he’s not that good-looking.

Yet, despite of it… she feels that Shion is really sincere with her feelings. “I want to see Haruki again to apologize to him, and get a closure to our break up.”

“Huh? He didn’t say anything?”

Shion shakes her head sideways. “I want to make things clear between us. I do still love him, though.”

Hearing it made her heart quiver. Sakura doesn’t know, either, why her heart reacts to this.

“And since you said you two aren’t dating, maybe… just maybe, there’s still a chance for me to rekindle our relationship.”

Shion’s eyes show a spark of hope after telling those words. “Is that okay with you, Senior Asahina?”

“Huh?” that left Sakura’s lips. She got baffled from those words. There isn’t between them, yet why her feelings gets mushy? She don’t understand.

“Well, if he loves to… maybe you two can try again? I mean, you two looks suitable to each other.”

A sting penetrates her chest. Each words burrowed like a thorn. Sakura feels it through her. She can’t imagine Haruki having with another woman. She must feel happy for him.

“Then, can I have his contact, please? I want to talk to him sometime.”

Her smile once back again. “Yeah, sure… I can give it to you.” Sakura offers as she shows her phone. Shion quickly gets his information, as well as hers. “Thank you, Senior. Also… if I may, may I call you by your name? You can call me Shion.”

“Yeah, sure.” Sakura smiles.

“Thank you. I’ll also contact you when things get settled between us.” Shion giggled.

After that, they had some friendly conversation. Sakura told her about their usage of first-name basis and reason behind it. An hour passed, and they decided to go home.

On her way back, Sakura pondered about the things happened today. One thing she knew is that Haruki and Shion has a past romantic relationship. But because of the conflict between them, Haruki decides not to talk about her.

Their closure isn’t concluded. And now, Shion’s trying to get closer to him again; rekindling the relationship they had once.

She heaves a tepid sigh with eyes closed. “What am I doing…? I don’t understand, why is my heart aches whenever I think he and that girl start going out again.”

A question lingers to her. A question with a vague answer. She wants an answer, but nothing comes out.

Little did she know from that day, everything will gradually change between them.