I can’t contact Haruki that day. Or it seems, he just reads my text messages and just ignore my calls. I want to talk to him about it. I am also in wonder if Shion contacted him as well.

“He really is bothered by what happened that time, huh?” I mumbled while looking at the screen on my phone. I haven’t forget his expression that day. It’s my first time to see him like that.

“I wonder how’s he doing. Wait, fireworks festival will be this weekend. I want to go with him, but seems he doesn’t want to talk.”

I feel frustrated by it.

Why should I feel like this? We’re just friends and nothing more. I need to focus on myself more. Since I’m already in second year now, my career path must be on track.

These mushy feelings must be disregard right now. I need to attain to my dream, to be a teacher. I really am aiming to be a teacher since when I was in middle school, inspired by a student-teacher.

And the grades I have right now must be maintained, because of the University I’m applying after graduating high school.

So right now, there’s no need for me to get distracted by these feelings. I must aim for the dream I have, and that will happen soon.

***

Saturday:

It’s the time of the festival near the school. I arrived around 6pm, exactly as the dusk come by. On the riverside are the bustle of the crowd; lights from the food stalls and variety stores illuminates the whole place.

I was about to invite Kei and Kagome, but they said to have plans. I don’t have any much friends to call out, except for Haruki. But he didn’t answering my calls.

Walking along the bustle of the crowd, I tried some variety games. To unwind, and to distract myself from thinking about him. This is what I need to do. Time passes by, and the evening draws in.

The bustle of the crowd keeps coming. And for the last attempt, I tried to call him again. Likewise, he didn’t answer my call. “Seems he’s really upset from what I did, huh?”

Yeah, I know what I did is ridiculous, but I didn’t know anything about it. I just want to know something about him. Heaving a sigh, I walk again at the certain stores in the area.

“Hey miss!” someone called me. Turning sideways, an old man with a smile on his lips beckons me. He’s selling apple candies. “You want some?” he asked.

“Huh? Ah…” I gasped and looked at the merchandise. It’s been sometime now since I ate one. “Yes, please.” I smile.

The man hold the stick and gives it to me. “How much?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

”It’s on me.” the man gently smiles. “You seemed down, miss. So, I want to offer you some sweets. Don’t worry much about it; everything will fall into the right place.”

I got awed from what he said. He seemed to read what’s on my mind. “Uh, uhm…”

Before I could talk, some other customers passed over me to buy. I didn’t pursue to ask how he knew, and just left the stall right away.

I walked again in between the crowd, while licking the apple candy the man gave to me. It’s sweet; it made the worries I have vanished a bit. Studies said that eating sweets can boost someone’s mood.

Well, that could help me for a bit. Since the one I want to be with isn’t around.

I wish to talk to him again, to see him again. As I keep walking, a familiar voice I heard from a distance caught my attention. Turning where the voice is, the looks of the person I’m longing to see appear right before me.

“Haruki…?”

The sadness in me suddenly vanished. Seeing him right now made my heart throbs fast. Through the times we’ve never talk, I feel the longingness to see him, and talk to him.

“Senior Sakura?”

Him calling my name made me happy. I can’t help but to smile, but I tried to hide it. I was about to move a step forward when… “Big brother?”

A little girl, around 5 years old, called out to him. She’s a little girl version of him. They’re look-a-like.

Haruki introduces me to her little sister, Naruko. I greet her as well and look again at Haruki. “I was trying to call you, inviting you here… but, seems you’re busy.”

I speak out. He didn’t give a response to me. Seems I hit it, he feels upset from what I did last time.

I didn’t pursue anymore because I’m half fault about it. And right now, he seemed reflecting from what he did. “Well, since we’re here… I guess it would be good to take your offer, right?”

A sudden invitation from him. I glance at him, as he smiles. He’s showing those dimples again, and I am sure couldn’t resist to his offer.

“Big sister? Big brother, she’s pretty.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty and kind.” Haruki replied as his eyes locked mine. That moment, his eyes somewhat imply something… but I didn’t think much of it. It seems like, he’s saying “I like you.”

No, stop it. You’re delusioning. He’s not like that. Wake up, Sakura! I just avert my eyes off, trying not to show bashfulness on him.

“Hey, big brother… do you like her?”

A sudden popped question blurt by her sister. I glance at her, as well as her brother from the sudden question. “Well… about that…” I turn to him. What? Is he confessing to me? Oh, gosh… my heart isn’t ready to—

“Yeah, she’s a dear friend. So big brother likes her.” he uttered. Hah, yeah… right. I am his friend. What am I expecting to hear from him? It’s not like… no, it seems like, maybe… somehow, Haruki might like me as a girl, right?

I just smile at him, as my face blushes from his reply. Yes, let’s not think of it much further.

“The fireworks will start at 8pm. Everyone, please enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Announcing the time of the fireworks on the PA, we both look at each other. “Well, we’re here already, so… want to watch the fireworks together?”

“I want to watch the fireworks with big sister, too!” Naruko added.

Nodding at both of them, I smile. “All right, if you’re fine with me…?”

“Of course.” Haruki reassured an answer. We started to buy some food for dinner at some food stalls and go on the nearest bench to watch the fireworks. The two siblings are totally enjoying the fireworks, especially Naruko. She’s cute.

And from the moment I glance at Haruki, who has showing calm expression while watching the fireworks, I thought to myself… “Why do I feel happy when he’s around? On that day I met his ex-girlfriend, and she said she wants to rekindle their relationship, why is my chest clumps?”

These are the thoughts I have right now. I like how our relationship is right now, but why do I think… if they’re starting to go out again, I am about to cry?

As I drawn to him, I also leaning to his face, trying to kiss him. That then, I avert off and turn around. “No… what’s this…? why is my heart thumps fast when I look at him?”

It’s not what I think this emotion is, right? No… it can’t be. This can’t be.

That’s right; this is just an admiration for the person like him. A dear friend of mine. He’s a friend I want to cherish, a person with a special place in my life.

There’s no way I will fall in love with Haruki.