Is love something so weak that moments after getting rejected, you'll fall in love with another person again? Or was her entrance just on point that it made you fall for her? This is the point where someone asks themselves if their feelings are feelings of love or rebound, in this case, it's hard to answer.

What happened yesterday felt like a dream. Getting rejected and all that, then there's Hana who just popped up suddenly and made me uneasy once more. It only added to the stress I'm already feeling.

Why am I so stressed? Well, exams are coming up and I'm not really doing well on my academics. Although I do pass, I pass the exams barely. Sometimes even just the right amount of points just to avoid remedial classes.

The school I'm attending gives the students a lot of freedom, some schools force you to join clubs. But here, the story is a little bit different. It's kind of like 'do what you want, as long as it's not stupid.' type of thing.

I arrived in front of the classroom just before the bell rang, signaling the start of classes. Our homeroom teacher checked the attendance but missed Hana's name.

"Hana called in sick for today. Her dad told me she has a very high fever. I hope you guys pray for her safety." The teacher said in a worried tone.

Hmm? She seemed fine when I went with her to the main road. I wonder what happened on her way home.

Classes went by. I didn't listen at all, I just looked outside the window and spaced out because luckily my seat is beside the windows. The lunch bell rang and my friends went over to my desk.

"Hey, what's up? What're you getting for lunch?" Katsura said as he searches his pocket for his wallet.

"Probably the same one I'm always having."

I stood up, with wallet in hand.

I knew these guys ever since we were little, that's like, I don't know, crap ton of years, since we're in Junior High now. Katsura is taller than me, and likes to keep his hair short. He's a stylish person and is a popular guy at school because of his charms. Haru on the other hand is about the same height as I am and a very reliable person. Because of that, the teachers trust him more than the other students in the school.

"Chicken Cutlet Sandwich huh, I'll probably have the same."

Haru said, turning his back on us and walks towards the cafeteria. We followed him.

The cafeteria is crowded, just as expected. There are students fighting over the sandwiches, their blazers getting streched out as they hand over the payment. Our school's uniform is a basically the same as most schools. The girls wear sailor uniforms and the boys wear polo and pants. Although we do have our school blazers which are part of the uniform as well that we can choose to wear anytime. But since it's winter, everyone's wearing it.

Together with Haru and Katsura, we entered the Sandwich Battlefield. We fought like gladiators who wont have a chance to eat if we're defeated. Hey, I guess that situation is not far from ours. Miraculously, we emerged victorious and unscathed. With sandwiches in hands, we went back to the classroom and ate our lunch.

"Hey, I heard something from the teachers about Hana."

Haru suddenly brought up the topic.

"Hmm? What's it about?"

I looked at Haru while I unwrap the sandwich.

Katsura is silently eating his food and listening to our conversation.

"It seems that she doesn't really have fever, but she's actually missing."

I almost choked upon hearing that.

"I see."

I keep my worries to myself and acted like it's none of my concern.

I finished eating, crumpled the sandwich wrapping and stood up to throw it into the trash can. The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break and the start of another long, boring class sessions.

I spent the rest of the afternoon classes thinking about what Haru just said. Apparently she's missing, but I was with her until the main road and the station is just a few blocks away. I tried to wrap my head about the current situation but I really don't get it.

Afternoon classes ended and the sun is setting, painting the sky red. Katsura and Haru said goodbye and went to their clubs while I pick up my bag and leave the classroom.

To clear my mind, I decided to take a detour to a nearby river that's in the middle of a forest. I sat down near the river and checked my phone. It's already 6pm. I put my phone back to my pocket and set my eyes on the water flowing in the river.

A couple of minutes have passed. I got up and picked up my bag in a slow fashion. I took a step, hit something, and tripped over.

"What the heck was that?"

I took my phone out and opened the flashlight. I almost couldn't believe my eyes.

"Hana! Hana! Are you alright?"

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She's lying in front of me, unconscious, wearing the same long sleeves and denim pants she wore last night.

"Hana! Hana!"

She's not responding.

"Ugh, what do I do? No, this isn't the time to be panicking."

I remove my jacket, put it around her and carried her on my back.

"I can already feel the gazes I'm going to recieve."

There were a lot of people staring at me on my way home, but what can I do? It's an emergency situation. I knocked at the door and was greeted by my Mom.

"Welcome ho- Wait, what?! Who's that?"

"I'll explain later, Mom."

I put her down the couch and tried calling out her name. There's still no response.

"Mom, look after her, I'll just go and get a towel."

I went to my room upstairs to look for an extra towel. I opened my closet and started searching.

"This closet needs cleaning. The clothes are all over the place."

"Shiro! Shiro! Hurry!"

Hearing Mom's urgent call, I grabbed the nearest towel and rushed to the living room, almost falling down the wooden staircase.

"Why? Mom?"

Mom rolled up Hana's sleeves.

"She has bruises all over her body. I even saw a scar around the abdomen part. Shiro, get the first aid kit and some extra clothes."

I put the towel down beside Hana, went upstairs to get some extra clothes and went to the kitchen to get the first aid kit.

"Here."

I handed the things to Mom.

"Go to buy something from the convenience store first, this will take a while."

She opened the first aid kit and started treating Hana's wounds. I went up to get my wallet and stepped out of the house.

The journey to the nearest convenience store is filled with worry, anxiety and guilt. The new moon and the gloomy atmosphere of the night didn't help either. The cold wind whistled and the trees swayed to its music, only adding to the suffocating aura around me.

I arrive at the store and the automatic door opened. My eyes are filled with the surplus of drinks, snacks and others.

"Welcome, sir."

The cashier greeted me with a smiling face. I forced a reply and went over to the drinks section to get something warm for the 4 of us. Dad is probably on his way home now. I grabbed random snacks and some small ice cream cups and walked towards the cashier.

He scanned the things I brought over, put it in a plastic bag. I put my wallet out and gave him the payment.

"Thank you, please come again."

The cashier said, with a smiling face. I walked back home with a quicker pace than before, worried about Hana's condition.

"I'm home."

I opened the door and went to the living room.

"Mom, is she still unconsious?"

"Yeah, but I already treated her wounds and also changed her clothes to the T-Shirt and Pajamas you gave me, she should be fine now."

"Thanks."

I put the plastic bag down the table in the dining room.

"Where's Dad?"

I asked while I'm putting the ice cream cups into the refrigerator.

"Oh, he's not going home. He said he still has a lot to do at the office."

"I see."

I put the snacks and the drinks down the table.

"Mom, let me switch with you. Go eat first, I'll look after her."

I sat on the floor, in front of Hana.

"I'll just bring the food over here."

"Ooh, great idea."

She stood up to get the food.

"Here you go."

Mom handed me my plate and we started eating. We had idle chat for awhile until she asked me who Hana is.

"She's a classmate of mine. Her name's Hana."

I answered while trying to cut the steak in half.

"Why was she covered in bruises and why was she unconscious?"

I finish my food and set it aside.

"I really have no idea, Mom. I heard she called in sick for today then Haru said that she's actually missing and not sick. Then on my way home, I went to the river where Haru, Katsura and I always played when we were young and found her there."

She grabbed my plate and stacked it on top of hers.

"Alright, I guess we won't know anything unless she tells us herself. I'll go wash the dishes."

"Okay."

She went to the sink, put the plates down and opened the faucet. Letting the water flow.

A couple of minutes later. I felt Hana move.

"Hana? Hana?"

She responded with an inaudible sound, like someone who's being forced to wake up.

"Hey, Hana."

She opens her eyes.

"Huh? Where am I?"

I let out a sigh of relief. My body that was once filled with tension, has now relaxed. The suffocating atmosphere around me, gone as well.

"You're in my house. I found you lying near a river."

"Ah, I see."

She tries to pull herself up.

"Here, let me help you."

She lets out a quiet laugh.

"I'm sorry for being a burden."

"No, it's fine."

I supported her until she's sitting straight on the couch.

"Hmm? My clothes are different and I feel better. Did you change them?"

"No no no, Mom changed them. She also treated your bruises."

I averted my eyes, trying to hide my embarassment.

"My bruises, huh. I see."

She looked at her arms, sadness in her eyes.

"Think you can eat?"

"Yeah, I'm actually really hungry."

She said while rubbing her stomach.

"Hold on, let me get you some food."

I stood up to get Hana some food. Mom just finished washing the dishes and went together with me.

Upon seeing my Mom, Hana tried to stand but her legs betrayed her and she falls back on the couch. Her cheeks burned red with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry for being a burden, and thank you."

"No worries, Hana."

Mom smiled and handed Hana the plate.

"Thank you, Ma'am… uhh. "

"Sara. I'm Sara Akihito, Shiro's Mom."

"Thank you, Ma'am Sara."

Mom looked at me and told me to just put the plate in the sink after Hana's done eating.

"Nah, Mom. I'll wash it."

She looked at me and smiled.

"Okay, I'll leave you two guys now. I'm just at my room if you need me."

She gave me a pat and then went upstairs.

"You have a nice Mom, Shiro."

"Yeah, I'm lucky."

She continues to munch her food. But after some time, tears roll down her cheeks.

"Hana? Why?"

I sit beside her and put the plate aside.

"It's the first time I ate something filled with a mother's love."

Tears continued to fall down her cheeks. I held her hand tightly.

"What do you mean?"

"My Mom never cooks for me. It's always convenience store food or cup ramen."

I felt her grip get stronger.

"And my bruises? They're caused by my Dad."

"By your Dad?! But why?"

"My Dad's an alcoholic, so sometimes when he had too much to drink, he hits me."

She rested her head to my chest and I hugged her. Her tears still falling down her cheeks, showing no signs of stopping.

"Hana, has it always been like that?"

She looked up at me.

"Yes, ever since I was born, and I'm so tired of it. I felt like I wanted to escape...by putting an end to my life."

"So the reason you were there was because of this?"

She nodded.

"But you know, I failed."

She caressed my face. Her hands softer than an angel's wings.

"I failed..."

She repeated, and her eyes met mine.

"Do you know why?"

I shake my head.

"Because I realized how much I love you and how much I wanted to be with you."

She buries her face to my chest once more. My heart starts to beat fast by the sudden confession. I held her tightly, and returned her feelings with all the little strength that I had.

"Me too, Hana. I wanted to be with you."

"Even after everything that I told you?"

"Yes."

She looked at me with a smile. It was that smile again. I thought it was once in a life time, and I was proven wrong in the greatest way possible.

"I love you, Shiro."

Those words rang in my ears like an Angel's whisper.

"I love you too, Hana."

I hugged her tightly. Secretly wishing that we can stay like this forever.