Days passed since I joined the gang of Rosa, Prince, and Neko. Every after school, I would go to the playground and play different kinds of games with them. Those days became the happiest days of my life.

“Royal Flush,” Rosa announced after placing her cards on the table for us to see.

“You’re kidding me...” both Prince and I reacted with open mouths.

“I guess it’s my win,” Rosa followed and smiled proudly.

After we decided to play poker for the day, Rosa won the first game soon enough. Dejected to the result, I placed my cards on the table and commented, “You’re too good at games, Rosa.”

“Sorry for taking everything seriously...” she muttered as she reflected on her action.

I became surprised and followed, “It’s not like I said that’s unfair. In fact, we all want to win so being serious is only reasonable.”

Because of those words, she chuckled and gave me a smile.

“Thanks, Van.”

Out of the sudden gratitude, I immediately averted my gaze, and shyly answered, “You’re welcome.”

When we called it a day, I immediately went home together with Prince. As we walked on the residential roads, I asked him a question.

“Do you know where Rosa lives?”

“Rosa?” Prince reacted after he looked at me in slight wonder.

“I mean...she’s always staying behind, right?” I continued in a flustered look.

“Well, she wants to clean the playground alone before leaving after all,” he said and looked ahead. “But about her address...I also don’t have a clue.”

So even Prince doesn’t know her house...

“But why did you ask?”

Now...how do I respond to that?

“Got curious a little,” I answered after I looked at the side. Then, I returned my eyes to Prince and followed, “Then, do you know her birthday?”

“Sorry but I don’t know too,” he answered, still with a puzzled face. “Want to ask her tomorrow? I’ll ask it with you.”

Seriously...this guy is very dense.

“No need,” I responded with a smile.

“Well...if you say so...” Prince said and our conversation stopped.

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

The next day, Neko brought a toy cork gun. In appearance, it was similar to a riffle. So we decided to play a shooting game in the playground. With five empty cans placed on top of the faucet’s wall as targets, Neko showed us how to use it.

*clang*

When the cork hit the middle target successfully, Neko gave us a thumb up.

“Then, I’ll try it next,” Rosa said with a smile.

Neko gave her the toy gun after she placed another cork inside the muzzle. After that, she imitated how Neko held it earlier and pulled the trigger.

*clang*

“Oh~” Prince and I exclaimed in awe after she magnificently hit the can at the far left.

“Prince, want to try it too?” Rosa asked with a smile.

“Sure,” Prince replied with a smile and received the gun. He placed the cork on the muzzle and aimed towards a can.

*pop*

But unfortunately, he didn’t hit a thing. Rather, it landed far off the target.

“Huh? One more time,” he whispered and placed a cork inside the muzzle again. Then, he fired for the second time.

*pop*

“Why can’t I hit it?” he complained, on the verge of tears.

When Rosa saw that, she laughed out loud and approached behind Prince. Then, she placed her face near Prince’s cheek, to see if his aim was correct. Then, she put both her hands above Prince to fixed his hold on the gun.

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“Remember this position,” she whispered with a smile while her one eye was shut.

“Got it,” Prince nodded seriously, focused on the target. Then, he placed a finger on the trigger and pulled it.

*clang*

“I...I did it!” Prince shouted in happily and looked at Rosa.

“Great,” Rosa replied with a smile and a thumb up. Neko also nodded twice as praise. Then, Rosa looked at me and asked, “You too, Van?”

“Of course!” I responded nervously after making a sudden straight posture.

“Here,” Prince said cheerfully and handed over the toy gun.

“Thanks,” I said and went to the firing area. After that, I aimed the gun sloppily and waited for Rosa’s ‘special’ instructions.

I’m really nervous...

“That’s not how you should fire it, Van,” Rosa commented with her usual smile and walked towards me.

It’s here! ‘Special’ Instructions!

But to my surprise, she only stopped by my side and pointed out my mistakes.

“The rifle's handguard should rest in the "V" created by your thumb and forefingers. Your grip should be light and your wrist should be straight with the fingers curled naturally around the handguard.” She occasionally tapped my hand position and the gun parts as she explained the details to me. “Now you’re holding it in a good way. Next is you should align the rifle sight and focus your eye.”

“Y-Yes,” I responded in a slightly flustered expression and closed my right eye.

“After checking the can if it’s aligned with your vision, squeeze the trigger,” Rosa continued in focus. Then, she stepped back.

“Fire!” I muttered and hit my target can with a ‘clang’.

I did it...

“Nice,” Rosa complimented with a smile.

“Th-thanks,” I answered and scratched my head shyly.

But what’s up with the difference in treatment?

And soon after, we decided to call it a day.

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

When Prince and I said our goodbyes to Rosa and Neko, we walked together towards our houses. After we passed a couple of blocks, I decided on something.

“Prince...” I said after I stopped on my steps.

“Hm?” he mumbled and stopped too. “Is something wrong?”

“I’ve got something to do. So...go ahead without me,” I said with a serious face.

“I see. Okay then,” he answered with a smile.

After that, I ran back to the playground and saw Rosa. She picked up some leaves that fell on the ground and gather it inside a garbage bag.

“She really likes to tidy things up,” I commented and hid in a nearby wall while watching her.

When she placed the bag to the trash can, she walked away from the playground.

“Time to follow her,” I whispered and sneakily went after Rosa. She walked straight and after a couple of blocks, she turned left in an alley. I slowly approached the curve and when I peaked there, Rosa was gone like a ghost.

Where did she go?

“Boo,” someone muttered and tapped my shoulder.

“Eeek!” I squealed in surprise and immediately turned around to see the culprit.

“Why are you following me?” Rosa asked with a smile.

“That’s...” I muttered in a flustered expression and failed to look at her eyes.

“Stalking is a bad thing, you know,” she jokingly continued and chuckled.

“Sorry...” I apologized after looking down. “It’s just...I want to know more about you.”

Hearing those words, she immediately got silent.

Wait. Isn’t that the same as confessing?

Because I was face was down, I didn't see Rosa’s reaction. I considered to lift my face up but decided not to because of the confession I accidentally gave her.

That's almost the same thing as confessing, right? Right? If this is how it will be...then...I will confess for real! I don’t have anything to lose anymore!

“Rosa!” I shouted and stood straight. Then, I bowed slightly and clench both of my fists.

“...”

“I...I like you as a girl!” I screamed as loud as I could. “You’re...very cool...and dazzling in my eyes. Every move you make, every smile you show, it’s...too captivating for me. And I want you to know these feelings!”

“...”

“That’s why I...” I continued and lifted my head, only to see her giving me a warm smile. “Rosa...”

“I like you too...Van. But...” Rosa responded and her expression turned into a sad one. “The like we’re feeling to each other isn’t the same.”

“That’s...” I whispered, surprised.

“So...I’m sorry. I can’t return your feelings,” she apologized with a slight bow.

“I see...” I muttered and looked down sadly. “Do you already have...someone you like perhaps?”

“...”

Because she didn't answer, I looked at her once again. But this time, she gave me an unusual smile, very different from the smiles I’ve seen her make the few days we’ve been playing. The smile of hers was definitely that of a girl in love.

“I do,” she answered with a shy nod.

So...that’s the case, huh. Now everything makes sense. Jeez...what a lucky guy...that Prince.

“I hope you’ll be successful in that love of yours,” I said with a forced smile and ran away.

“Wait!” Rosa said and I stopped on my tracks. “Will you still...play with us?”

Does she need to ask about that?

I faced her and with a bright smile, I replied, “Of course!”

And that was how my first love ended.

──◈─▣─♕─▣─◈──

The next day, after school, I walked towards the playground while nervous about how to face Rosa.

“What should I even say to her after that rejection yesterday?” I thought to myself as I advanced in the pace of a turtle.

“Hey, Van!” a familiar voice called after he appeared before me.

“Johnson...” I reacted with widened eyes after I saw the bully of my life together with his three friends. And like the usual, I got cornered once again in the alley by Johnson’s group.

How nostalgic indeed.

“We didn’t see you these past few days, Van,” Johnson said in an intimidating smile and stroked his jagged hair. “Are you hiding from us?”

“N-No I’m not!” I disagreed even though he hit the nail on the head.

Gosh, I want to hit this guy’s head with a nail.

“Then, want to give your wallet to us again? Don’t worry, we will return it empty tomorrow like usual,” Johnson followed with a grin. Then, the three behind him followed him with a snicker.

I need help...Rosa...

‘It’s your problem and you need to be the one to overcome it. All we could do is to lend you our helping hands.’

Those words of Rosa suddenly flashed before my mind.

So...I really need to overcome this. I can do this...and I will! Rosa...give me your strength!

But before I stepped forward, a familiar voice echoed throughout the alleyway.

“Van!” someone shouted after she arrived. “You fine there?”

Then, Johnson and his group looked at the three who arrived. It was Rosa together with Prince and Neko.

“I’m fine,” I said and made a sigh of relief.

“Hey,” Rosa said with an intimidating glare and stepped forward. “Van is a friend of ours so don’t you f*cking lay a finger on him.”

“Huh?” Johnson reacted in irritation and started walking towards Rosa. “You think you can scare us with your cursing?”

This is bad. They’re now after Rosa! I have to do something!

“Stay back!” I shouted as loud as I could. Because of its intensity, it made everyone stop. I faced Johnson after he looked at me and yelled, “I will be your opponent!”