The bell tolled at the last part of the class today. I prepared my things when my phone suddenly rings. Fishing it out of my pocket, I saw the one message I’ve never expected to see.

“Kira, I should get going.” I turn to him and said goodbye. “Sure, take care on your way home.” he replied and smiles at me. Standing from my chair, I go to the door as Shirasawa and Kobayashi waves goodbye at me the moment I passed them.

I bow and dashed out of the classroom while having the thoughts I read from my phone. “Meet me at the lobby.” I don’t know why Senior Sakura told me those.

And there’s no time to dillydally. I should go there as soon as I can. The lobby where we change our uwabaki to our outdoor shoes are completely packed with the other students.

“Where could she be right now?” I mumbled and looked around. Due to the whole crowd crumpling around, I can see where Senior Sakura is—wait…?

A girl standing from the window wall at the entrance of a lobby, shows a look-a-like of Senior Sakura. But right now, she’s way prettier than her. Those eyes show liveliness; her cheeks blushes a bit, and she seemed so fresh due to the half-up hairstyle. Some of the students took glances at her. Some can’t take their eyes off of her.

That girl, who seemed standing out right now because of her pretty looks, seemed uncomfortable. That then, her eyes lurks and sees me. With our eyes met, she moves a step forward and goes to me.

“Haruki,” that voice. That familiar voice I heard. My eyes widened as the girl came and grab my arm. “Let’s go home…”

I got stunned by her looks. “What the…” It’s as if she’s like a ripple, causing my body twitch as we dragged out of the crowd. Their eyes prying at us; I can tell they’re in bewilderment and wonder right now.

We reached the gate of the school and she let go of my arm right away.

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“Uhm…” I muttered. Senior Sakura then turns to me. “So,” she stated. “How do I look?” her voice trembled, somewhat from that line. Right now, I’m still in awe when I look at her.

“Huh? Ah… yeah. You look prettier.” I said without stuttering. And when I realized it, my face suddenly feels hot. What…?! What am I saying?! Haruki, get a grip of yourself.

“Re-really?” she uttered. Her face shows bashfulness, causing her looks cuter than before.

“Yeah, it’s refreshing to see you without glasses, Senior Sakura. Though, you’re still pretty with one, though.”

Agh, damn it! I can’t control my mouth. I turn away from her, hiding my bashfulness from the words left from my mouth. “Heh, so you see me as a pretty girl, huh?”

Senior Sakura grins as she steps forward to look at me. “Well, right now… what do you feel about me?”

“Huh?” What’s that abrupt question all of a sudden? Even she got off from that question and blushes right away. Hey! Don’t make yourself get embarrassed as well!

We both became quiet after that question. None of us dared to talk. This is mortifying; she suddenly change looks. I can’t control my heartbeat.

That question of hers, is she trying to bait me out? Well, if she’s the one who wants me to bait out of her looks, then… it should be fine. Recalling what Kira said, I should just be myself and nothing else. “If you don’t want to answer, it’s fine—”

“I feel, that you’re the prettiest girl I’ve seen. And the one I want to be with.”

I clammed my lips; hold my breathe and looked away as Sakura shows a baffled looks on her face after heard what I’ve said.

The silence is nerve-wracking; I want to crack it out but there are no words letting out of me. “Haruki, could be… could be that you like me—?”

“I like your looks, Senior Sakura. Yes. You look cuter in your style.” I cut her off. No. I don’t want to cut her off, but if I hear those words, I may never see her eye to eye again.

We’re just friends, and I’m just admiring how beautiful she is. There’s no way I will like her. No, not that emotion. Not that kind of feeling again. I don’t want to feel that certain day again.

“Oh,” that’s the only word left from her lips. Seems she’s like a little disappointed and relieve, or might be, I’m just overthinking. “Well, let’s go home now.”

Right, I want to calm down. This time, I don’t want her to disgust on me. She’s the first girl I befriend with, and a pretty one as well.

“Don’t let your words and emotions confuse you again. Remember, Haruki… you’re not that kind of person like before.”

That’s right; because I like Senior Sakura, doesn’t mean I need to tell her how I truly feel. I’m not that person before. This time, I want to make this worth a while. Senior Sakura and I, are just friends and that will never change.