Riding the bus, I sit near the window. It feels like there’s someone who I want to see. But there isn’t. The sight of the place I used to see, and that person who always with me all this time.

The pain in my heart never subside. All the words he said made my chest clump tight.

I let out a sigh. My phone suddenly vibrates. Fishing it out of my skirt, Shion’s number appeared on the screen. I picked it up and answered the call. “Hello?”

“Senior Sakura…” her voice cracked at the end of the line. I hear her soft sobs. “What’s the matter?”

“.…Haruki, Haruki and I made our closure.”

“Huh?”

What…? Why? I know she likes Haruki, and there might be a reason for them to go back together.

“I… I was hoping to be with him, but he said he liked someone else.”

My chest clumps tighter after hearing it. I know Haruki doesn’t like someone right now, or perhaps there’s on on his life? I do want to know who that person is… but on our case right now, it’s impossible.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. I sympathized to her. I don’t know what to say; these are the words I can only say right now.

“No, don’t be.” Shion sniffs, and softly chuckles. “But I’m happy I could tell these feelings for the last time. It’s just… there are things can’t be back the way it used to.”

I gripped my phone while listening to her. “And… take good care of him for me, okay? He’s kind of stubborn, but he’s a good guy.”

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“W-wait… what? Why are you telling me this?”

Shion didn’t speak for a second; I heard her sigh deeply. “You like him, right?”

The sudden moving of the bus hit me as those words bestows. “Huh?” my lips trembles after hearing it.

“You like Haruki, right? I know that much. And you still gave his contact to me despite of it.”

“No, I…”

I trailed the words I want to say. What should I say? Why is my heart quivering whenever I think of him? Why do I feel happy when he’s around? Why I feel pain when he’s getting along with another girl?

Why? I love Haruki?

“Don’t say anything. I can see you through… you like, or should I say, you’re in love with him.”

Her tone says it’s true. But I keep denying it. There’s no way I will fall in love with a friend, and Haruki of all people. “Shion, no… you’re wrong.”

“Senior Sakura.” Shion chides in. “Just, just do what I say, okay? If it’s you, I can be assured. You’re the person that can make him confide. I want to assure to myself that he’s happy with his life.”

“Shion…” I utter. I don’t know what to say. If there are words that can make me assure that there’s no truth to these feelings. Yet, I slowly feel like it. It might be…

“Okay, I’ll do as you say.”

“.…Thank you, Senior. I’ll leave him to you.” she then hang up. I took my phone away and heaves a tepid sigh. At the track of the illuminating lights through the roadway are the thoughts I have with him.

Since the time we met, I never thought of him as someone special. He’s just an ordinary boy, with mundane looks. His presence makes me smile. His voice gives me calm feeling.

His way of calling my name makes me happy. And that night, when we watched the fireworks together… he sparks, like he’s someone I feel like being with.

Huh?

Wha-what am I thinking? Stop! Stop it! You’re making yourself conscious of him. You two are just friends. Don’t make it more complicated.

I leaned on the window. I must unwind; all the happenings today overwhelms me. I don’t want to think of anything. And next year, I’ll be an entrance examinee for college.

“Yeah, right… Sakura. Don’t think of anything that can hinder your dream as a teacher. You’re still in High school.”

Right. I shouldn’t think much further than this. All the thoughts I have for him, I should just set it aside. “Make this as your stepping stone to reach your goal.”

And the examination week will be at the corner. I should prepare for it. Don’t let other things hinder your progress.

With that, I set a goal for myself. I won’t think of anything that makes me bothered between us. I aimed to be a teacher, so let’s face this challenge. This is just a hurdle I need to overcome.

And when my feelings are sorted out, I will confront Haruki.