*Childhood Couple*

*Childhood Couple*

"Hey, stop it!"  Sayoko loudly shouted.

Toora is making anoying sounds by hitting his mechanical pencil on the table.

The two are in a female’s room. To be precise, Sayoko’s room. The interior is a normal organised room. Not too girlly or messy.
Rather, most of her decorations are DIY.

Her room could even have a romantic kind of feeling if she has a boyfriend to complete the package. Unfortunately, the man in
her room right this moment is not her boyfriend but a childhood friend.

Since the mid-year exam is coming near, they are studying in the room. That is what they are doing until just now with Toora
already feeling bored to death.

He just decided to play a prank on Sayoko. He secretly takes out an ice from his finished drink. Then, he stands on his feet and
starts to walk behind Sayoko.

In his position, he bent down slightly as if he’s trying to see how Sayoko solve the math question she’s working on.

Sayoko was doing a really hard question. She tuck her hair behind her ear. She had her hair tied up so her neck is exposed. The
graceful action would had captured tons of men’s heart but Toora didn’t even moved as he is so used to seeing her face since
childhood.

In a split second, Toora’s prank took action. He quickly pulls the back of Sayoko’s shirt and throws in the ice.

"Gahhh!!! Get it out! Get it out! " Sayoko yelled out loud. She is on her feet, jumping with her two arms reaching her back trying to
get the ice out.

And there is Toora who is laughing his ass off at the scene. Fortunately, Sayoko is able to get the ice out. She throws the excess
three millimeters ice towards Toora.

Toora defends himself by blocking it with his hand while still laughing. As he predicted, the ice had already melted as it reached
his arm.

"This is why you don’t have a girlfriend!" The remark literally hits Toora.

"So what... there isn’t any other girl that interest me." Toora pouts as he answered back.

"Hmm... just study already." Sayoko didn’t even give an eye towards Toora which made him sulk silently.

Toora gives in and continues studying.
_____________________________________________________________

"Sayoko-chi, want to hang out after school today? I found a new cafe that has a hot barrister working there."

The person is Reina. She is Sayoko’s friend from her last year of middle school.

"Sorry can’t." Sayoko refuses the offer.

"Why..."

"Cause she’s going out with me." Toora appears from the window and said it.

"Eh!? Going out!?" Reina shouted in surprised, gaining the attention of everyone in class. Thank goodness that it is recess or else
the teacher would have smack her in the head for screaming so suddenly.

"NO! That’s not it! We’re just going to the post office. Hey! Toora! Stop making it sound like we have a thing between us." Sayoko
is panicking despite having the situation explained.

"Whatever you say, my lady." Toora takes Sayoko’s hand and kiss it gently. He then looks up to meet her eyes.

"Y-Yah!" She makes a fist and does a ’ready to punch Toora’ pose. Toora reflexes made him do a ’I surrender’ stance.

"You two really look like couple actually." Reina said.

"Huh." Sayoko is surprised at the statement. Toora on the other hand didn’t utter a word of disagreement, rather he feels amusing.

’Ding Dong Ding’ the sound of the bell rings throughout the school. It indicates that recess is over. Toora says his goodbye and
goes to his class which is next to Sayoko’s classroom.

"Okay, in your seats." The teacher comes in and said.

"Why do the teachers in this school always so early?" Reina groans while turning her seat back to face the front. Sayoko giggles
at her while taking out the supplies for the lesson.
______________________________________________________________

"Come on, let’s go. " Sayoko turns towards the entrance of the school and starts to walk.

"Eh? Wait up. " Toora almost trips as he tries to quickly change his shoes.

"Toora-kun, let’s go to a karaoke box." A girl with a rather thick makeup talks to Toora while wrapping around his arm. Seems like
her friends are also expecting Toora to join along with them.

"Can’t, I have an errand to do. Maybe next time. " He somehow manages to free himself from the strong grip of the girl. Without a
second thought, he runs to catch up to Sayoko who is already out of the main gate.

Sayoko didn’t even looked back and just walked on ahead. She actually didn’t know that she was leaving Toora so far behind.

"Sayoko." Toora finally manages to catch up after running like a hundred meters dash.

Suddenly, Sayoko remembers the embarrassing scene which Toora caused during recess. She then walks faster. Toora who is
entirely clueless walks beside Sayoko and matches her pace.

Sayoko then walks faster and is now in the lead. Toora thinks that it is some kind of prank and matches Sayoko’s pace again.

The cycle goes on for about another two or three times. Toora becomes annoyed. He matches Sayoko’s pace again. This time,
just when Sayoko is about to overtake him, he grabs her hand and refuses to let go.

Sayoko is struggling to escape. But Toora does not let go at all. He is gripping on her hand with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Let go, dimwit."

"No."

"I said let do, you idiot."

"And I said no. "

The conversation goes on and on with similar sentences coming out of their mouths.

Finally, they arrive at their location, the town’s post office. Sayoko had already gave up escaping about a couple of minutes ago.

Because they arrive at their wanted destination, Toora finally releases Sayoko’s hand.

"Thank you. " she sarcastically said and goes into the building.

Her purpose today is to post a parcel addressing to her father. Her father is a travelling photographer, he goes around travelling
the world and take outstanding pictures of the places he goes.

Right now, he is somewhere in Europe, in a small town which both Sayoko and Toora never heard of. Toora tags along today
because of a request by Sayoko’s mother. Her mother is worried that her beautiful daughter might get kidnapped by some
strangers.

Technically, her thoughts can be said as 90% correct. Sayoko is very beautiful. Her beauty has exceeded above average.

Truthfully, two years ago, she almost gotten herself kidnapped if it weren’t for Toora who came and saved her. The most recent
incident is a month and a half ago when the two were walking home from school.

Therefore, her mother trusts Toora from the base of her heart. As a result, Toora becomes the unofficial Knight in shining armor in
her eyes despite Sayoko’s disagreement.

As Sayoko finishes her task, Toora puts away his phone. He was playing ’Subway Surfers’ due to boredom while waiting for
Sayoko.

"Let go eat." Toora happily smiled and walks ahead leaving Sayoko dumbfounded.

"I just don’t get him sometimes." Sayoko sighs but goes along with him anyway.
______________________________________________________________

"Cool, it has a really neat interior. " Toora praises the indoor design of the cafe.

"Yeah, I know right. That’s why I want to come with Sayoko-chi. Even though I dont mind at all, why are you here?" Reina made
an agreement and shots the question after.

"Hey, it was me who let you guys meet up. Have some appreciation. "

"Yeah, just shut up. " Sayoko snorted.

Toora pouts and looks away.

"Sayoko-chi,  can I come to your house the next day after tomorrow? " Reina asked.

The exams are just around the corner.  Additional mathematics and physics are not her best subjects, so to be said in an easier
sentence,  Reina wants Sayoko to each her both subjects.

"Sure, of course you can." Sayoko didn’t think a second to answer her question.

"I’m buying some cakes. " Toora stands up. Either he did not want to ruin the girl talk or that he feels awkward with the two girls
ignoring his presence.

"I want white frost, please." Reina yelled out.

"No promises." Toora calmly said back.

As Toora approaches the counter, the cashier was giggling with a co-worker. They stop as Toora arrives to order. The cashier is
literally trying to flirt with Toora.

Knowing the situation, he quickly completes his order as soon as possible.

"Umm, can I ask for your number?" The flirting cashier suddenly asks.

"To ask for my number when you are still in the middle of work, I’m rather disappointed. " With that, he walks away with the tray of
cakes to Sayoko and Reina.

The tray is then placed on the table. There are a total of three slices of different types of cakes.

One is white frost which Reina ordered. Another is Oreo which Taigaa wanted.

"Here" Toora places the last piece in front of Sayoko. It is a ’chocolate moist ’, Sayoko’s favourite.

"Hmm" Sayoko takes a fork and starts to eat the cake without thanking the person who bought it.

Toora is grinning like an idiot without knowing it and Sayoko didn’t even notice the difference with his regular cheeky smile that he
wears practically everyday. The only one who thought of it as something different is Reina.

’They are really close.’ Reina thought.

______________________________________________________________

The day when Reina is suppose to come has arrive.

"Sayoko-chi! Thanks for having me." Reina rings.

"Let’s go to my room." Sayoko who’s glad at the arrival of her best friend quickly invites her in.

The loud sounds of them chatting while walking upstairs is all over the house. The house is currently has three people. Both of
Sayoko’s parents are out of town.

"Did you know that Toora is the top in his class. He also came fifth on the exam last time, right? And... Gah!! "

"I didn’t know that you have the hots for me, Reina. I’m honoured that you have feelings for me but I must kindly refuse to have a
type of relationship with someone other than my lady."

Toora who is reading a chemistry book sarcastically said his sentence. Reina’s mouth is wide open, she didn’t expect Toora would
be inside Sayoko’s room. Her admiration of Toora is now actually exposed.

There nothing else to hide.

"I-It’s only admiration. Don’t get your hopes up too high." Reina tries to cover her embarrassment.

"That’s good." Toora softly muttered to himself.

The main reason for today is to have a study session. Especially in topics of Additional Mathematics and Physics.

"So here you take the x and multiply with this one here then divide with this one and you’ll get your y."

Sayoko is doing a great job in teaching. Reina is now good at the basics at least. The probability of her solving a differentiation
question is still far.

"Sayoko, what’s Th again? " Toora who is quiet suddenly ask a blunt question.

"Thorium " she answered without even looking in a periodic table.

"Thanks."

"How come you’re here reading Chemistry when we said we’ll be learning add math and physics just the other day." Reina lightly
whines.

"Cause I’m a genius?" The statement with sounds like a question is shoot. Reina rolls her eyes thinking why does she even
admire him in the first place.

"Oh Yeah! Sayoko-chi, I bought some fortune cookies from the cafe. Let’s try some." Reina happily chirps with taking a break from
studying in mind.

Sayoko agrees despite knowing her true aim. Reina opens the box. The aroma of the warm cookies fills the air and into their
nostrils. The owner then takes one and breaks it in half. She takes out the paper that is inside after doing so and eats the cookie.

She opens up the rolled paper to read her own fortune.

’A successful achievement in an annual competition. ’ This is what was written in the paper.

"You have a competition going on?" Sayoko asks.

"It’s two months from now."

"Really? Good luck."

"Thanks, here pick one. Toora too."

’ A new shade of pink will finally bloom. ’

"Oh my! Sayoko-chi! Do you know what this means..."

"Umm... "

"You’re meeting your soulmate. I’m so envious. "

"But you already have a boyfriend."

"Doesn’t mean he won’t betray me in the future. Toora, what did you get?" Reina sulks and coos after.

"You’re good fortune is gradually increasing. Be it in occupation or love life." Toora reads his fortune out loud with a grin plastered
on his face.

"Unfair!"

The three continues their chat while eating the rest of the fortune cookies. Only God knows if Reina actually remembered anything
about her subjects.
_____________________________________________________________

"Sayoko ~ " Toora chirps.

The exams are finally over. The only thing they have to do now is to wait for their results which we doubt that they would even
remember it.

"What?" Sayoko replies.

"Your dad is coming home today."

"Seriously, he texted you ? I have a phone too." Sayoko isn’t pissed at all. Her family had always texted Toora instead of her when
they want to tell her something.

"He wants to taste your baking. "

"Haa. Rei-chan, I have to go, sorry." Sayoko apologizes to Reina.

The two had made plans in recess that they’ll visit the cafe again together. The change of plans saddens them but nothing could
be done. Besides, there’s many other days that they could choose.

Sayoko and Toora begin their walk back home. Since they are living next to each other, there is no reason for them to not at least
walk the same road.

"I’m going to the convenience store. "

"I’ll come too." Toora steps in without knowing if Sayoko wants him to be present at the moment. Sayoko thinks for a second and
decides to take him along.

As they arrive at the store, a worker greets them good afternoon and goes back to work. Sayoko then chooses some ingredients
for her ’soon to be baked’ cake.

Not long after, they comes out of the store with Toora lifting the heavy bags. In the eyes of a third party, it looks more like Toora is
Sayoko’s errant boy. Nevertheless, Toora doesn’t mind.

After another round of their friendly fight, they arrive at Sayoko’s house.

"Pardon my intrusion." Toora said as he steps into the house. Both of them put down the stuffs on the kitchen’s table.

"I’m gonna change first. Help me put away the grocery. " with that, Sayoko makes her way to her room to change into her casual
clothes. Baking while still wearing her school uniform would be a hindrance.

Toora quietly does his job. Despite the kitchen is not his house’s, he know where each of the bought item Should be placed
without any help. This indicates how often he goes and hangs out at Sayoko’s house.

After a whole ten minutes of waiting, Sayoko finally comes down. She is wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts. Though it looks
cute, it also looks rather sexy in another point of view.

Sayoko notices that Toora did his job well as she looks around to prepare her ingredients for the cake. After getting all the
ingredients out, she pulls out an apron.

Toora sees her trying to tie the apron. It looks like she’s tying a dead knot which will be very hard to undo after she finish.

Therefore, Toora walks towards her back and brushes Sayoko’s hand away. He then takes the two strains of ribbons and begins
to tie them.

After taking a few seconds, Toora successfully ties the ribbons into a cute bow. But that is not what makes him so surprised. The
apron is long enough to cover her shorts.

From the front, the apron makes it seems like a man’s dream came true. The dream of a girlfriend wearing a naked apron. That is
what Toora thought.

But alas, they are in a serious relationship.

’Clap’

The sound of a clap made by Sayoko gets Toora to come back to reality. They waste no time in baking the cake yet Toora is still
nervous for a reason.
____________________________________________________________

"It’s done!" The cake is a big success. The two people who baked it are cheering happily. Now all that’s left is to put it into the
fridge and wait for Sayoko’s father to arrive.

"I’m gonna go home first and take a bath." Toora informs.

"Well you ought to. You stink."

’Pang’ just like a comedy duo, Toora slaps Sayoko on the head. But that is only his mind imagining it, he wouldn’t dare to slap her
knowing that she’ll slap back harder if he did.

Toora walks to his house next door and goes into his room. He greets his mother as he passes through the living room. As he
enters his room, he sees Sayoko’s window is open.

Maybe she forgotten to close it when she hurriedly changed her clothes before baking. Toora is not worried at the least as both of
their rooms are on the second floor. No burglar would dare to sneak in while still in day time.

Toora makes his way into the bathroom and turns on the shower. The warm water hits his hair and flows down to his body and
finally the ground.

’Hah...’ he ruffles up his hair while sighing. From an angle,  he looks like a wet cat looking frustrated about something.

After a whole 15 minutes of showering, he finally comes out of the bathroom and into his room with a towel around his waist.

Suddenly, a smirk is plastered on his face. An idea came out as soon as he sees the still opened window of Sayoko’s room.

’Sayoko, your window is open. Close it.’ The text is then sent to Sayoko’s number. In a matter of a minute, Sayoko reaches her
room and approaches her window to close it when she sees an alluring view.

Toora purposely opens his own window and greets Sayoko while still half naked. He had put on some jeans but his upper part is
bare. His leaned body is visible.

The portrait is even more complete as he uses the towel around his neck to dry his damp hair.

Even though Toora gets the reaction he hoped for, Sayoko’s expression changes back into her usual one in under a minute.

"H-Hurry up, dad’s coming home soon... and invite your parents too."

"Alright."

Sayoko then closes her window and hurry goes downstairs to prepare other food. Meanwhile Toora does what he was told and
quickly puts on his white and navy shirt.

"Mom, when dad arrives, go next door. Uncle is coming home and Sayoko’s cooking."

"Alright. Tell Sayoko-chan that I’ll make my famous chicken stew."

"Kay."
_____________________________________________________________

"DAD!"

"Sayoko! My daughter, how’s everything been? You weren’t kidnapped while I was gone, were you?"

"No."

"Good evening, uncle." Toora greets the overly excited man.

"Toora, I see that you’ve been taking care of her well. You haven’t done any funny business behind my back, did you? Not that I
mind."

"Of course not."

The door of the entrance hall opens again with two adults inviting themselves in.

"Gen, my friend. It nice to see you again." A man greets while the woman behind him is holding a pot.

"Ayato! Yukiko! Good to see you two! How’s your business been?"

"Great, thanks to you for introducing the location." The man who is named Ayato answers. He is a landscape architect with a high
social ranking. He is also Toora’s father.

"Sayoko-chan, may I use the kitchen for a bit?" Yukiko who is undoubtedly Toora’s mom, asks.

Sayoko takes no hesitation and leads Yukiko to the kitchen. The two grown up men makes their way to the living room to continue
chatting.

After a few moments, all of them are in the living.  They sits around the small table full of food.

"Toora, when are you going to confess to my sweet daughter here?" The drunken father of Sayoko said.

"Huh?" Toora and Sayoko  takes the question by surprised.

"Yeah, my son. You two look great together. I’m almost old enough to have a grandchild already." This time is from Toora’s father.
His mother nods in agreement.

"You two, go out and buy me some coke or something. Don’t come back until you do."

The drunken fathers both kick the two teenagers out of the house.
______________________________________________________________

"That was weird. " Sayoko sigh.

"Haha. They are seriously drunk aren’t they? Good thing we only drank juice." Toora replies.

"Yeah. " Sayoko giggles.

"Ah,  Let’s go to the convenience store and buy some coke. "

"Or else they’ll end up eating all of the cake you made?"

"Hum!" The girl strongly agreed.

The way to the nearest store is about 400 meters away. Despite the store being close, the night sky is not to their favour. It is cold
and Yukiko is shivering,  literally.

Their breath could even be seen in the air. Yukiko blows warm air in between her hands brings her hands to her cheeks. The

warm sensation quickly disappears as soon as she touch her cheeks, leaving her pouting in frustration.

Being a gentleman, Toora takes off his jacket and wraps it around her petite body.

Yukiko gladly wears the jacket. Even though the jacket is a little big for her, she feels really warm. Unlike her, Toora starts to
shiver for that he is only wearing a shirt.

"You know, you should really  think first before lending something you really need."

"But you were cold." Toora said back.

"Yeah but. Actually, never mind. Wear it."

Sayoko takes off the jacket and pushes it towards Toora. She then runs in to the convenient store, leaving Toora in the cold.

Realizing her running in to a warmer place, he quickly joins Sayoko. They both bought the drinks and a few other things.

After finding out she doesn’t have much money with her, Toora volunteers to pay instead. They then make their way back to
Sayoko’s house.

Toora had given her his jacket again. Sayoko obediently wears it since he wouldn’t stop annoying her.

Upon passing through a street, Sayoko notices a store selling a variety of thing, from toys to clothing. She skips ahead and buys
an item using the money she has.

Toora who is holding a bag of the bought drinks finally catches up to her. Sayoko suddenly wraps Toora’s neck with the item she
had just bought.

A warn knitted scarf. Toora is surprised. Sayoko rarely buys anything for him using her own money. Sayoko just smiles without
saying anything.

Toora’s slightly blushed face is well hidden behind the warm scarf. They both silently walk back to the house.
______________________________________________________________

"My boy, finally you’ve come back."

Toora sighs. The living room is now a wreck because their parents had gone too far with the partying. Everyone except him are
now at different places and positions, sleeping soundly.

The grandfather clock that just strikes 1 didn’t wake them at all. Sayoko is also asleep on the couch in a weird position.

Toora sighs again.

"How did I even come to like you?"

Toora swiftly picks up Sayoko bridle style. Taking her upstairs, into her room and gently tucks her into bed.

He then looks at her. Sayoko’s sleeping face is fully visible, cute and funny at the same time, entertaining Toora as she shifts
around in her bed.

Toora holds her hand, playing with it for a short while. He looks at Sayoko again and sigh for the nth time.

"Sayoko, I really do like you."

He places his lips on Sayoko’s hand that he’s been playing with. After that, he walks out, closing the door gently so that the noise
won’t accidentally wake her up.

Toora walks down stairs, leaving Sayoko alone, soundly asleep in her room. Then, he makes his access to the store room and
brings out a few spare blankets that are placed in there.

Using each to cover the adults that are sleeping in the living room. He then takes another one and wraps around himself.

He then takes a seat at the dining table which is the only place not occupied. He rest his head on the dining table. He chuckles at
the few thoughts that he just remembered.

The way Sayoko fights with him, walking together to and from school, her sometimes awkward gestures after being teased, Toora
silently laughs at the sweet memories.

He sighs again. Realizing that her emotions aren’t the same as his. The chase has been going on for too long.

Even though their parents have nothing against him dating Sayoko, the thought of Sayoko wouldn’t return the same feelings
saddens him.

After thinking for a long time, he decided in his mind to not be a coward anymore. He slowly falls asleep.
______________________________________________________________

"Sayoko -chi! Look at that guy, he’s the new tranfer! He’s so hot!"

Reina said while pointing to a guy in a different uniform in the hallway. The guy is tall and lean, his appearance alone has made
the girls passing by squeal with excitement.

"What about your boyfriend? "

"He broke up with me over the weekend. "

"Eh!? Are you okay with that?"

Sayoko sounds sorry for not being by her side when she’s having such a tough time. Even though Sayoko feels sorry, she is glad
that her best friend is not going out with that stupid boy anymore.

Reina is cute, she deserves someone better, is what Sayoko is thinking.

Soon enough everyone is in their respective classes. The teacher arrives just 5 minutes after the bell rings.

Reina pouts at the early arrived teacher. As usual, the teacher tells everyone to calm down. But unlike usual, a boy comes into the
classroom and greets himself.

The new proclaimed student makes eye contact to Sayoko. The teacher explains his situation while the person himself is still
looking at Sayoko, not turning away for even a second.

"Therefore, Seichi Aoki will be your classmate from today onwards. "

"Aoki-kun, did you dye your hair?" Reina actively asks as she is curious just like the others are.

"No, my mother is French. "

"Then can you speak the language. "

"Unfortunately, I cannot."

"Aww. "

The teacher silence everyone and tells Seichi to sit in the empty seat at the back. Seichi walks straight to get to his seat.

Upon his way, he stops beside Sayoko’s desk, never gazed away for a bit at all.

"Sayoko, at last , I finally found you."

"Aoki-kun, you know Sayoko? "

A classmate excitedly asks Seichi. Wanting to get his attention at all cost. Seichi takes Sayoko’s hand and lightly kiss on her ring
finger.

"Yes, because she’s my first love."

The whole class turns into an uproar. Everyone is shocked at his unexpected sudden confession. The girl in the sentence is just
as surprised as the others.

"Everyone please quiet down! If you wish to continue, please do so during recess."

The teacher scolds them and they all do so, not dare to disobey their scary teacher. The lessons starts as soon as Seichi sits
down.
_____________________________________________________________

"Sayoko! Lend me 300 yen. Whoa! "

"She’s busy explaining."

"Oh Reina. I could see that but what’s with the other circle?"

"Oh! The hot new transfer. By the way, he confessed to Sayoko. "

"What!?"

"Your reaction is worst than I thought. You really like her, do you?"

Toora goes silent at Reina’s sad tone.

"Sayoko, let’s hurry and get lunch."

Toora looks over to see the commotion, Seichi pulls Sayoko along with him and disappear into the hallway. Toora becomes more
gloomier than ever.

"Toora, won’t you eat with me instead?"

"Ah, sorry. I don’t feel like eating anymore."

Toora walks away, leaving Reina all by herself.

"I hate this. My surrounding is full of idiots who can’t read situations at all. Why am I so unlucky?"

Reina mumbles. Meanwhile, Toora climbs up the stairs leading him to a door. The door leads to the rooftop. Even though the
place is forbidden to enter by students, Toora is given permission to use it anyway he wants to.

One is because he wanted a quiet place to constantly go to, to read, hide away from his fangirls or just to sleep. Second is
because the principal has taken a liking to him as an active student in both academics, club and sports.

Even though he is not number 1 in academics, he is number 1 if club and sports are included.

"Just when I said I’ll work harder. Why?"

He sighs while looking at the guys playing baseball with enthusiasm. His eyes is then drawn to the straight long haired girl walking
to a bench with a guy.

He had already recognise the boy, the light blond hair could only be one person if thinking from his memory. He recognise him as

Seichi Aoki.
_____________________________________________________________

"Oi! Let me go! "

Sayoko yell furiously, trying to get out of Seichi’s grip. Lots of eyes shoot at them, curious towards the scene.

A handsome guy and a beautiful girl fighting is not that rare in this school, but everyone is curious of the new face they are seeing
for the first time today.

"I’m treating you to eat. Besides, Sayoko you aren’t dating him already, are you? "

His serious tone makes Sayoko calms down. She is still mad though, she takes no hesitation and glares at the boy.

"What do you mean? Who are you anyway?"

"Right, it’s been so long, of course you wouldn’t remember me."

"Just answer my question. "

Seichi theater -like movement has made Sayoko even more irritated. He sighs when looking at Sayoko’s face.

"Let’s take this outside. Before that, which one would you like to eat?"

"Just buy what you want already, I’m not hungry."

Sayoko leaves towards the exit of the canteen. The exit leads to the field where some of the students are now playing baseball
with their friends.

She waits for Seichi to come and explain. After a good full one minute, Seichi is finally out. He sees an unoccupied bench and
tells Sayoko to join him sitting there.

Sayoko has no reason to refuse, her legs are getting tired from the wait.

"Tell me now!"

She orders in an angry tone. Seichi has already sat down and now opening the melon bread to eat. He stops his actions when
hearing Sayoko’s order.

"It’s me, Sei -chan. "

"That the heck are you talking about, Sei-chan was my childhood friend, a cute, innocent girl that always sticks behind me. She
always wear boyish clothes in hope that everyone thinks of her as more like a boy instead of being mistaken as a girl..."

Sayoko had literally jumped from her seat when she suddenly hears the nickname of her dear chilhood friend. She realize her
mistake and mumbles the last part.

She blinks at Seichi. The boy is wearing a warm smile unlike when he was in class a while ago.

"I’m hurt. You really did thought I that I was a girl."

"But Sei-chan is a girl. "

"Sei-chan is always mistaken as a girl. Now that I’ve grown taller, everyone aren’t teasing me anymore. "

Sayoko stares at Seichi silently, couldn’t believe that her long disappeared friend is right in front of her. She’s even more shocked
at the fact that the once cute and shy child is actually a boy.

"Sayoko, recess is almost over. So here."

Seichi hands her one of the breads he had bought. Sayoko stares at the bread before taking it. She gives in and sits on the
bench.

Both of them are quietly eating, Seichi is grinning like an idiot knowing that his long time crush is eating next to him while Sayoko
is deep in thoughts.

The bell rings at last and they go back to class.
_____________________________________________________________

For the past few days, Seichi has been dragging Sayoko places around the town, wanting to remember the places they had
played when they were younger.

Sayoko doesn’t refuse one bit. She actually enjoys revisiting the places she had long forgotten.

While the two are happily bonding, the other side is not at all the same. Toora is gloomy, more than ever, he tried getting their
attention yet was rejected unknowingly.

Reina is sad to knowing her friend is happily enjoying her time, but she is even more sad and frustrated to see Toora in his current
condition.

Today is also another day with Sayoko and Seichi chatting about the past to present. The two are in their usual place. Toora who
is on the rooftop is watching them with silently.

The time now is after school. Toora turns around and kicks a pebble. He then looks down, leaning against the wall.

If only this situation is not that saddening, then the picture would had made millions in cash. Reina opens the rooftop door,
watching Toora from a distance.

"What do you want?"

Toora suddenly speaks in a lazy tone and turns back to look at the field. Reina takes her step onto the rooftop and closes the door
behind her.

"I’m sorry, I was just "

"Worried? I’m just pathetic right now, aren’t I? "

"No, you aren’t. "

"Just leave me alone. It’s obvious that I lost. She date him sooner or later. Rumors has already gone wild around the area."

"Then go confess to her already! When were you this cowardly !?"

Reina yells out loud, her sobbing voice is visible to Toora’s ears. He turns around in worry. Reina is really crying. She furiously
wipes her soaked eyes.

Seeing this, Toora quickly runs over and held her hands.

"Don’t! You’ll scratch yourself. "

Reina obeys. She stops wiping but puts her arm covering her eyes instead.

"Just go to her already."

"But"

"Then I’ll do it first! Toora Ichihara, I like you!"

Reina said with determination yet quivers at the same time, already knowing the obvious answer. She is holding back her tears.

"I-I’m sorry."

"Then leave me here and go to her. Make me feel that you rejected me."

"No, I can’t do that. Students aren’t allowed on the rooftop without me."

"You’re still playing that good student act?"

"Eh? But I am a good student. "

The fight ends with Reina laughing at Toora’s light joke. She knows deep within herself that he’s preventing her sudden burst of
emotions from doing the unthinkable.
______________________________________________________________

"Sayoko! You’ll do it? I’m not forcing you to do it for me, am I?"

Seichi is delighted at the news. His wish since he parted from Sayoko will come true at last.

"Haha, speaking of who, he’s here!"

"Eh!? Now!? No way!"

Sayoko panics thinking that her confession will be said so soon after she told Seichi.

"Sayoko! I’ve got something to tell you. "

"Then I’ll go ahead. Sayoko, let’s go home together later. "

The two see Seichi walking away. The surrounding is quiet as not many students are left at this time.

"Actually, I have something to tell you too."

For the first time in his life, he sees Sayoko blushing uncontrollably. His confidence unknowingly goes down to half.

"Then you say it first. Mine isn’t that important at all."

Toora insists Sayoko to say it first. He decides to not confess if the word of her dating Seichi personally comes out from her
mouth.

"T-Then I’ll go ahead. You see, you know that I’ve been going to places with Sei-chan, r-right? "

"Yeah, I know. "

"I’ve been going to places that I had long forgotten and realized something as I spend with him."

"No, you don’t need to say it. The teacher told you to quickly finish the report and go home. So, I’ll be going first, have fun walking
with Seichi. "

Toora’s pained reaction is so obvious. He wants to hurry and get away from here since the conversation is easy to know where it
leads to.

"Oi, Toora! I’m trying to say that I like you, you idiot!"

"Huh!? EH WAIT! WHAT?"

"I like you. "

Sayoko looks at Toora, saying the three grand words slowly and clearly. Toora feels like it’s a dream, the girl he longed for is
confessing to him right now. He runs to her, grabbing her shoulders with both of his hands.

"I’m not dreaming, am I!? You like me? When!?"

"As I was saying, I realized when Sei-chan took me to those places. I somehow engage with the feeling. Not that I hated you in
the first place."

"Sayoko. I too, like you, even before I knew it myself."

Sayoko blushes like a tsundere and whacks him in the head, not able to withstand her embarrassment. Suddenly, two people
comes over.

"Yay, my wish has finally been fulfilled."

"Right, Toora , you owe Seichi for this."

The two are Reina and Seichi. The both of them bumped into each other just now. They decided to watch the two from afar. Call it
peeping or not, they don’t care.

"Seichi, you knew?"

"Of course I would. Though I did fall in love with Sayoko again along the way."

He mumbles the later words but only Reina heard them.

"Enough talking already."

"Eh? I didn’t know that Sayoko ’s blushing face would be this cute."

"What about you? Since when did you address Sei-chan by his name."

"S-Shut up! H-He told me to."
____________________________________________________________
The End.