Much of the Thursday morning was nothing to care about. Small assignments, a tad bit of school work to tend to, and a review of an incident over at the field which I later dismissed.

I’ll admit I should’ve had a bit more insight into the incident, or else I wouldn’t have obtained the answer to my question of why a student was excessively vomiting across the field.

I do make a lot of mistakes. But the question is will I regret it? Probably not.

I scanned the nearby classrooms, with the usual groups of students talking and laughing with each other. I continued nonetheless, wanting to reach Mio before break time almost ended, as one of her friends would often meet up with her.

Sliding the door to the storage room, I grabbed onto a small white sheet of wrapping, an orange grip handle, and a blade of shovels sticking out from both sides, placing it under my left arm.

I reached for my cell phone with my free hand, clicking on the small contacts list of students. After a scroll, I tapped on Mio, before placing the phone over my ear, waiting for the pickup.

“Ah, Ryu-kun. What’s up?”

Did you seriously have to call me by my first name?

“Nothing much Fumiko-san. Can we meet in a few minutes?”

“Uhh, sure I guess. Please make it quick though, since Kurumi-san may stop by”

“It doesn’t matter. This is regarding the Horticulture Club. Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble"

Mio hesitated in her response.

“Uh, sure. Usual spot, right?”

“Always. I’ll meet you there, then"

“See ya”

I hung up shortly.

I approached the school hallway, standing close to a classroom marked “3-B”. As a few students left the room, I stepped towards the door, glancing over at the twin-tailed purple-haired girl, with ribbons sticking out on each side.

“Ebisuzawa-san?” I peeked over the pile of shovels and tools I was holding.

Kurumi turned over, her violet eyes widening as she noticed my presence behind her. She had always been the feisty type, but had a soft spot for something… or more exactly someone. I don’t know who though.

“Hi Ryu-kun, do you need something?”

“Could you please help me carry some over to the storage room? I know you’re athletic so you’d probably have no issue with this”

“I’m sorry, but I’m meant to meet up with Mio-san"

“Fumiko-san is in an important Horticulture meeting that I’m meant to attend. Is it possible you could carry it since you’re part of the club?”

“Fine,” Kurumi shrugged, “Try not to give me too much”

“Thank you” I passed a few shovels towards her, relieving the burden over my hands.

“Rooftop right?”

“Of course. If nobody’s there, just go over to the storage room on the first floor or leave it at the club’s rooftop"

“That… that seems a bit too far"

“I’m in a hurry. If there’s any issues just knock on the Horticulture Club room"

“Alrighty. See you then" Kurumi walked off, fiddling with one of the shovels in the meantime.

It was a shame that she had to make the run around the school since I had already known the rooftop wasn’t open after school. But if it meant having more time tending to the issue without Kurumi knocking on the door like a puppy, then so be it.

I came inside the Horticulture Club Room, with Mio standing close to the window, almost as if she had come in mere moments ago and forgot to settle in. Setting some of the shovels close to the corner, I sat on a small sofa. Mio turned over, her foot fiddling close to the wall.

“Take a seat Fumiko-san"

“Uh sure, but can you at least tell me what seems to be the issue, Ryu-kun? I feel like I’m in the Headmaster's office"

Quite direct as usual.

“I apologize for that”

“No thanks. Are we waiting for someone?”

“Sakura-sensei is coming over”

“Megu-nee? Does this have to do with my grades?”

“Well yes, but we’re not here to lecture you about studies”

Mio sat down at an adjacent seat, her mouth covered by her hands. The door slid open, with Sakura walked in with her books close to her.

“Good afternoon Fumiko-san and Tanaka-kun," Sakura smiled, setting her books close to the table.

“Afternoon Megu-nee” Mio gave a small wave, making me follow suit.

“I hope I’m not late”

“We’ve just settled in, so don’t worry”

I felt Mio glance at me before turning back.

“Anyways, Sakura-sensei. I think it’s best to get straight to the point”

“Mhm” Sakura turned over to Mio-san, retaining her usual smile despite knowing what she was about to say.

“So Mio-san. I understand you’ve been having a bit of a struggle with balancing out your club duties and schoolwork?”

Mio reluctantly nodded, shifting herself away from the chair.

“I’d like to ask this simple yet straight-up question; are you able to have time to keep up with your academics while tending to the club? Because I’ve started to notice that the balance in your performance is a bit erratic"

“I understand what you mean. But, it’s kinda hard to keep it hard, especially with what has happened recently" Mio retaliated.

“Well, one thing you’ve agreed to as a leader of a club is to be able to responsibly manage your time. What’s stopping you from doing such?”

“I know… it’s just not that easy"

As Mio spoke, she continued to stare at the ground with shame, contradicting what was once her prideful and boasting nature. Sakura placed her hand over my shoulder, making me turn over.

I might’ve made myself look like a prick in front of Mio.

“Tanaka-kun. Can I please take over the conversation from here?”

I nodded, keeping silent while pushing my chair away.

“So Mio-san, how are you feeling about the recent work I’ve given to you?” Sakura smiled.

“Uh, it’s alright I guess. I don’t have any issues with it"

“Is that so?”

“Yeah… the essays are a bit tough, but I can get the hang of it”

“Great! I’d like to ask, if you’re comfortable answering, is there something or someone bothering you recently?” Sakura placed her hand over Mio’s.

“Not really…” Mio continued to look away from Sakura.

“Are you sure Mio-san? You’ve changed quite a lot recently. I’m willing to help with whatever the issue is”

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Mio proceeded to tear up, using her hands to cover her eyes.

“Hey, Mio-san… Whatever you have going on, I’m willing to listen”

“I do have something to tell you… but uh… can it be just between the two of us?”

Sakura turned over, giving me a small yet friendly nudge towards me.

It wasn’t easy trying to negotiate with students nowadays, especially in terms of having them try to release whatever issues they had in mind.

But Sakura. She had such a potent ability to handle such an issue, yet at the same time completely adept in such a situation. As if she had handled a scenario like this hundreds of times. Most of the teachers here would probably struggle similarly to me.

Keeping close to the wall, Sakura’s sweet and calming voice continued to soothe Mio’s loud yet inaudible sobbing which I could even hear when standing outside a classroom.

After what felt like fifteen minutes, the room turned silent, before the door slid open, with Mio slowly walking out.

“Thank you Megu-nee,” Mio sniffled, her small and modest makeup completely undone by the constant tearing up.

“It’s alright. If there’s any issues, just come up to me at any time"

“Bye" Mio walked off, oblivious to my presence.

As the quick footsteps down the stairs ended, I approached Sakura.

“Sorry that I couldn’t help Sakura-sensei"

“It’s alright Tanaka-kun. What she was talking about was quite serious. Besides, I assume you haven’t interacted with Mio-san before?”

“You’re right…” I scratched my hair in embarrassment

“No no, it’s alright. I could tell you aren’t interested in personal matters"

“Heh"

“I will say though, you do seem like in a rush. Were you trying to get it over and done with?”

“Time isn’t a concern for me. I’d just like things resolved quickly”

“That doesn't sound like you"

“It’s just been a habit since middle school… On the subject of Mio-san, do I need to follow up on anything related to Mio-san for the time being?”

“Not really. Just need to give her a break for now, since her mental health has taken a toll recently"

“Okay. I’ll say I’m quite impressed with how you handled the issue”

“It’s no big deal”

“Actually it is. If we had more teachers like that, perhaps some students could be more open about their issues…”

“How do you know?” Sakura looked at me with a sense of surprise,

“My friends used to tell me that. Other than that, it’s pretty much common sense"

“I’m surprised you have friends,” Sakura raised her eyebrow.

Her innocence softened the blow of her sentence.

“Have you decided on a substitute to take over for now?” Sakura asked, ending her earlier question.

“Still going to stick with Yuuri Wakasa”

“Perfect. I'll inform her tomorrow”

“No need. Yuuri often likes to sit with me when the other seats in her usual table are occupied"

“What if she doesn’t?”

“I’ll just talk with her later on. It’s easy to find her around here. Anyways, I think I’ll have to go" I said after a glance at the clock.

“Alright, see you tomorrow Tanaka-kun"

After Sakura’s conversation, I couldn’t help but think about her discussion with Mio. Even though I didn’t hear much, I couldn’t help but look up to her in a new light.

I glanced down at the window. The open field was filled with the usual students, backed by a few members from the track club. Walking over to it, I took a glance at the outside before walking back downstairs.

I grabbed onto my bag, resting it over my shoulder before continuing to the side of the field, where a small bench lay with a few track and field members. They exchanged a few waves at me, before continuing with their usual runs. Leaving my bag close to the edge, I scanned across the field.

Still no sign of him.

I stepped towards the side of the field, doing my usual stretches while waiting for a small batch of students to finish up with their lap. They weren’t the best, but they only joined a few months ago and I was a club manager.

The cherry blossom trees surrounding the field were brushed past by a small breeze. After a few students left the track, I started running down the field. From time to time, I looked over to the entrance, looking for him.

Reaching the finishing line, I slowed myself down, rubbing my arms over my forehead. Despite it being considerably short for my standards, it was easy to say that my run was faster than before.

“Look Kurumi-san! He’s here!”

I lowered my arm, glancing up in the direction of the voice. A few male students in their sporting uniforms were scattered across the field, setting down their usual items. Looking at the group, my eyes were set on a single boy named Tatsumi Katsuragi.

Katsuragi was the true definition of captivating. Every time he spoke, it felt as if the world around me had disappeared into a meaningless void, with the only thing standing in front of me was him and only him.

His carefree attitude, his friendliness, almost everything was admirable about him. And what wasn’t admirable was merely decent instead of a flaw that anyone would mention.

In other words, he was almost perfect.

As Katsuragi continued down the field with his bag over his shoulder, he glanced at me, followed by a small wave. Katsuragi had known me for quite some time, yet I don’t think he had the same feeling I had.

Sitting down at my usual bench, I took a quick sip, my eyes still zooming between Katsuragi and the track and field. I had a similar feeling within my body, almost as if it was normal for me. Yet it wasn’t normal.

Today’s the day I’m going to ask him out.

It wasn’t exactly the best idea I had in mind. Yet, I’ve continued to fiddle around on and on. I wasn’t even able to have a single proper conversation with him. Every opportunity I had was squandered by my shyness.

However, with only a few boys in the field today, I was confident there wouldn’t be such an issue. After all, a little conversation with Katsuragi wouldn’t be interrupted by something trivial, right?

I got up from the bench, hastily walking up to Katsuragi who rested close to a cherry blossom tree. With every approach, I felt my heartbeat pounding in my chest. I can’t back down now.

“Ah Kurumi-san, what’s up?” Katsuragi smiled at me.

“Hi Senpai”

“I saw your run earlier… I didn’t know you could run that fast”

“Thanks…”

“I don’t think I’d get to run often like that”

“You can always give it a try”

“It’ll be a while until I get up to your level…”

This is the perfect time!

I just wanted to ask you something…”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Would you like to… uh…”

Katsuragi waited patiently, keeping his glamouring smile over his face.

“Would you like to go out to the Tron Mall on Saturday?”

“Uh… sure I guess Kurumi-san. I don’t have anything on that day"

“Just the two of us?”

“Yep"

“Perfect. How about at 11 in the morning? We could stop by at a cafe there"

“Su-sure” I said while stuttering with a simple word.

We stood in silence for a moment, with my hands interlocked out of my shyness as I looked down on the ground, smiling at my only success.

“Wow, we’re getting close to graduation...” Katsuragi mumbled after glancing at his phone.

“Mhm"

“I thought we’d be stuck in October during this time…”

“Heh. Time flies…”

“I know. It’s a shame we’re in our last year…” Katsuragi mumbled

An idea struck my head as he mentioned it. It sounded weird, yet if I wanted to take my chances. I had to say it. I couldn’t back down now. Even if I felt good today, for all I know I’ll end up regretting it tomorrow.

“So… senpai… what university are you planning to go to?”

“Tokyo U. Most of my friends are going there"

“Well, Senpai… I’d like to tell you something"

“Hm?”

“I’d…” I looked away from Katsuragi, my face completely warm. After a quick breath, I turned back towards him.

“I’d like to graduate and attend university together with you…”

Katsuragi seemed visibly taken aback by it but kept his usual smile towards me.

“Well, if that’s the case you’ll have to study hard for it"

“Don’t worry… I’ll make it"

“I know you will"

“Thanks…” My face continued to warm up.

“Anyways, I have to get going now" Katsuragi gave a small wave to one of his friends in the distance.

The conversation made me feel like I had taken the stage from them. Not in a negative way, but as if it was my turn for something. It had been a few months of delays and hesitation, yet now I’ve finally achieved something.

I was proud of myself.

Despite the promise, I had hoped that I would get to stay with Katsuragi until the end. School, with him around, felt as if every day was a beautiful day. Almost nothing could ruin it, especially thanks to him.

And I had always hoped that these beautiful days would go on forever.