I can hear the chirping of the birds from the distance. The gentle noon wind breezes my face. Ah. This is peace. Wait a minute. Did I bring my homework along with me? I slowly opened my eyes. Hm. Looks like I forgot in the classroom. Tsh. Yare yare. I slowly sat up and stretched my arms. What time is it? I'm pretty sure I left the room before our lunch period. I took out my glasses from its casing and put it on. I slowly stood up and walked towards the concrete railing of the unused staircase. I stared blankly at view of the city with a smile on my face. Ah. I could never grow tired from this.

My name is Hiriyama, Toshiro. 16 years of age. Currently a 2nd year middle school student in a Sakurami Middle School. Average built. Fairly tall.

I'm just your average guy who enjoys living a peaceful life.

For the past 5 months, this spot became my place. This is the 3rd floor of the unused outdoor staircase near the library. If I don't feel like studying, I would just cut classes and stay here. I usually read some manga or some books while waiting for our lunch period. I'm such a slacker. Well, I'm doing great in my studies, so I don't need to worry about that. Oh. I remember. I have to get that manga Kousaka borrowed. I also need to borrow that detective novel from Akise. It was, Sherlock, was it? Ugh. I'll just do that during our lunch period.

I let out a yawn as I stretched my body. What to do, what to do. I want to go home right now. Should I skip all of my remaining classes? I glanced over my wristwatch to check the time. Hm. It's already 12:28nn. 2 more minutes before lunch break. Ah, crud. I need to do something for the kendo club later. If I skipped that, our club leader might scold me again. Geez. I let out a sigh as I sat down on the floor to fix my spot.

DING DONG DING!

Ah. It's lunch time. I better go back to the room to get my lunchbox. I'm pretty sure Akise and Kousaka are waiting for me there. I quickly picked up my manga and stood up. Time for me to go.

Please go out with me!

Hm? Another one? Seriously. They don't pick a different place. Well, beside my usual spot is the infamous confession place of the campus. Everyone tends to confess there. It's really infamous since everyone who confesses there tends to get rejected. What bad luck. As I was going down the stairs, I caught a glimpse of the confession. Wait. Is that the captain of the track and field club? Oh. Dang. He's confessing to that girl. This is like the 4th one this month. They should really give her break. Sheesh. If you're wondering who's this girl that he's confessing to, well, I could say she's a friend of mine.

As I reached the 1st floor landing, I saw the confessor running away from the scene. Oh. Someone got rejected. "Not your type?" I asked the pink haired girl as I approached her. The pink haired girl let out a sigh and looked at me. "Not a single bit. You were in your usual spot again, Hiriyama-kun?" The girl asked me as she approaches me. "Yep. Our teacher might scold me for reading my manga. It's not my fault that I find his way of teaching too boring." I replied as I fix my hair. "Seriously, you're such a slacker." The girl commented as she let out a chuckle. "Tsh. Well, thank you, Yuno. Should I call you, Ms. Perfect?" I sarcastically stated as I let out a chuckle of my own.

This pink haired girl standing in front of me is Gasai, Yuno. She's one of my close friends. She really excels in every subject in school. Not to mention, she's popular too. She's pretty, cute, and approachable. Her beauty is somewhat, really attractive. Her pigtails and her two frontal locks swayed as the gentle noon breeze passes through us. Even I can't stop from looking at her. She's that beautiful. Anyway, I met her during the first day of our 2nd year lives. We quickly grew fond of each other. There are times she would accompany me in my spot. We would read books or manga, share some stories and at times, we would just sleep in that place. Of course I don't sleep beside her. I'm not that aggressive. I don't know, but somehow, I really feel at ease when I'm with her. Maybe, it's because I really like her. I want to confess too, but she's way out of my league.

"Hm? Is there something on face?" Yuno curiously asked me. Crud. I stared too long. "No. Not at all. Since you're here, do you want to tag along? I'll eat my lunch with Kousaka and Akise. Mao and Hinata might come along too." I asked her as I quickly looked away. "Sure! Come on! We should hurry! We might miss them!" Yuno merrily stated as she grabbed onto my arm and dragged me towards the entrance of the building. "Hey! Don't drag me around like this!" I exclaimed as we hurriedly walked through the hallway. "It's alright! Besides, we're close friends, are we?" Yuno stated with a smirk on her face. "Geez. Give me a break." I remarked as I let out a sigh.

After a quick run through the hallway, we finally arrived in our classroom. Luckily, no hall monitor saw us running in the hallway. "Yo, Toshiro-kun, Gasai-san." Akise stated as he welcomed us. "What took you? We're really hungry, you know." Kousaka annoyingly remarked as he sat down beside Akise. "Sorry, sorry. I got caught up in another confession." I replied as I glanced at Yuno, who sat down beside Hinata. "Another one, Yuno? That's how many for this month?" Hinata asked Yuno as she opens her lunchbox. "I think that's the 4th one? I'm not sure." Yuno replied as she does the same. "Wow. You're really that popular, Gasai-san. Luckily, Hinata isn't like that." Mao commented with a smile on her face. As my friends share their banter with each other over our lunch, I sat down beside Akise.

"Oh. Toshiro. Here's your manga." Kousaka said as he gives me back my manga, which was the first volume of Steel Ball Run. "So, how did you found it? Is it okay?" I asked him as I take my manga from his hands. "It was pretty okay. The new Joestar is pretty overshadowed by the new Zeppeli. I mean, who's the main character? Johnny or Gyro?" Kousaka replied as he takes a bite of his meal. "Why not both? Oh. Toshiro-kun. Here's the book that you want to borrow." Akise stated as he hands me a book. "This is, Sherlock, right? Holmes?" I asked as I take the book from his hands. As I grab onto the book, I noticed a piece of paper sticking out. "Hm? I think you left your bookmark inside, Akise." I remarked as I opened the book. To my surprise, there were two amusement park tickets in the middle of the book.

"Uh. What is this? This is an odd choice for a bookmark, Akise." I commented as I take out the tickets from the book. "Oh? Tickets, huh? Are you asking me on a date, Toshiro-kun?" Akise sheepishly asked me with a smile on his face. I felt a sudden chill in my spine. "Ugh. I don't swing that way, but seriously, what is this for?" I asked Akise once again as Kousaka continued to eat his lunch. "I didn't knew that you were that dense, Toshiro-kun." Akise replied as he quickly glances at Yuno, then winks at me.

I don't get this guy. What is he trying to imply? That we should go on a date or something? Didn't I tell him that I don't swing that way? Disappointed, Akise lets out a sigh and grabs onto me. "Bring her out on a date this weekend, you bonehead." Akise whispered into my ear. "Huh?! Are you serious?! Bring Yuno out?!" I frantically whispered back to my silver-haired buddy. "Oh come on. I know that you're actually heads over heels for her. This is your chance to confess to her!" Akise whispered back. Ugh. I couldn't stop myself to stare at Yuno, who was busy chatting and eating with Hinata and Mao. I could feel my face getting redder. "Go for it. Don't worry about the ticket. One of my detective friends gave it to me." Akise commented as he pushes me back and resumes eating his lunch. "Huh? Did something happen?" Kousaka asked with a curious look on his face. "Nothing. Not at all." I frantically replied as I quickly looked away from Yuno.

Can I actually ask her out? Damn. This is probably my first time to ask someone on a date. Can I pull this through? Can I-

As I was busy questioning my chances in my head, I suddenly noticed Yuno looking at me. "Is something wrong, Hiriyama-kun? You look distressed." Yuno asked me with a curious look on her face. As I heard her words, I quickly felt the redness of my face. "N-Nothing at all! E-excuse me!" I frantically stated as I quickly stood up ran towards the hall. Oh god. Oh god. That was close! I was so close into breaking under pressure! I could have spilled the beans right there! Calm down, Toshiro! Cal-

You there! No running in the halls!

…

Today is probably the biggest day of my life.

Last week, I managed to muster enough courage to ask Yuno out on a date. Our friends watched from afar as I waited for Yuno's answer. To my utter surprise, she said yes. In that moment, I felt my insides bursting in happiness as I heard her sweet reply.

I stood in front of the gates of the amusement park. I tried my best to look attractive for our date. I did asked Kazu-nii some tips, since he's dating a girl for like, a year now. He did give me some advices and tips, but some of them were too impossible for me to do. Like, making a move in our first date? We're not even dating! Sheesh. Even so, I mustn't screw this up. This is my big chance to confess to her!

At the moment, its 1020am in the morning. We're supposed to meet here around 1030am. I can't believe that I was that excited that I left the house around 0930am, and arrived here around 0950am. I swear. Father and Kazu-nii had a huge grin on their faces earlier. What a way to support me on my first date. I watched the other visitors of the park enter the gate. Wait. Do I look okay though? I'm wearing a black hoodie, dark khaki chinos and my black boat shoes. I don't look like a nerd or a hipster, right? Shit. Shit. I'm really nervous. I can't wait to see Yuno, but I'm so nervous that I could actually faint when I see her. Calm down, Toshiro. Deep breathes! We can do this! This the first step to manh-

Good morning, Hiriyama-kun!

Her sudden cheerful greeting caught off guard. I quickly turned around and faced her. Yuno was standing a few feet away from me. She was wearing a green cardigan, a white inner shirt, a black skirt, black leggings, and a pair of brown boots. God. She looks too cute. I feel like I'm going to have a nosebleed anytime soon. "G-Good morning, Yuno." I replied as I tried my best to cover my nervousness. "Did I make you wait? I kinda got caught up in my wardrobe. I hope I look okay!" Yuno merrily stated as she smiles at me. "N-No! Heavens! No. I just got here! Y-you look great! Really great!" I frantically replied as I tried my best to give her a smile. "That's good to hear! Come on then! I can't wait for the rides!" Yuno happily stated as grabs me by the wrist and drags me towards the entrance.

Since we're both thrill-seekers, we first rode the roller coasters. I lost count of how many times we went back to the line for another ride. After that, we rode the spinning cups. I almost hurled when Yuno went crazy in spinning our cup. She did apologized in the end, but it was really okay with me. Next off, we rode the pirate ship. We screamed in the top of our lungs as the ship rocked back and forth. Since we got too dizzy from our last ride, we then went to the carousel. Yuno chose a white horse for her ride, while I chose the black horse beside hers. As we went around and around the carousel, I can't help but to stare at Yuno. Throughout the rides, she had a big smile on her face. She looks so beautiful with that carefree smile. Tsh. I'm really that into her, huh?

The day quickly passed. For our last ride, we decided to go to the Ferris wheel. "Phew. What a day, huh?" I asked Yuno as I sat down in front of her. "Yep! The pirate ship ride was crazy! I really thought I was going to hurl up earlier!" Yuno happily replied as she sits down in front of me. "Ugh. Don't remind me. Seriously. I felt my lunch in the back of my throat earlier. Even so, I really had fun!" I stated with a smile on my face. "Same here, Hiri- No. Toshiro! I really had fun with you!" Yuno stated with another big smile on her face. Oh, her sweet words. Wait. That's her first time to call me by my first name.

As our coach starts to ascend, I could feel my heart thumping much faster. The warm rays of the sunset shone through the windows of our coach. This is it. This is the moment. Do or die, Toshiro! This is your chance!

"Yuno. Can I say something?" I asked Yuno, who was busy enjoying the view of the city. "Hm? Go ahead, Toshiro! What is it?" Yuno asked with a curious look on her face. No backing down, now Toshiro! I swallowed my nervousness and prepared myself for this dire moment. I let out a deep breath and stared at Yuno with a mellow smile on my face. "Yuno. I don't how to say this, but when I'm with you, I can't help to feel happy and at ease. I don't know, but I'm really that comfortable with you. You're probably the closest friend I have, and to top it off, I really find you as someone who is precious to me. You're someone who I want to take care of." I stated as I gazed into her pink eyes. "Toshiro.." Yuno muttered as she gazed into my deep blue eyes.

I'll be honest, Yuno. I like you. No. It's probably bigger than that. I love you, Gasai, Yuno.

Please go out with me.

There is it. There's my most awaited confession. I could feel my face on fire as my heart thumped like crazy. This is so nerve-wrecking. Based on the look on her face, Yuno's speechless. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? The silence is deafening. I could feel my hands shaking. Oh, god. What could be her answ-

I'm really honoured that you feel that way for me, Toshiro. You're precious to me too, but I can't go out with you. I'm sorry, but I have to refuse.

Huh?

Her words pierced my heart. I could feel my heart aching in pain as I heard her words. Oh. I got rejected. "I-I see.." I muttered as I shifted my gaze onto the flooring of the coach. How stupid of me. I knew that I was out of her league, but I still expected something from her. Oh well. "Toshiro, I'll be honest. I am attracted to you in some way." Yuno stated. My gaze suddenly went back to her. "What? Excuse me?" I frantically asked her as I quickly fixed my glasses. "You see, you really look like someone. Someone that I admire." Yuno replied as she embarrassingly tries to continue our eye contact. "Someone? An actor, or something?" I curiously asked her. "No. It's not like that. He's not famous." She frantically replied. "Then who?" I curiously asked her once again. Is Yuno trying to say that I still have a chance?

You see, two years ago, a guy saved me. Remember that my foster-mother used to do crazy things to me? Well, he saved me from that. One night, he suddenly appeared in front of me. I really thought I was going crazy, since a girl who looked like me suddenly show up too. Before I lost consciousness, the guy was trying to protect from that girl. From their looks and the way they spoke to one another, I could really say that they were in great pain. Once I regained my consciousness, I found myself inside a ruined classroom. My foster-parents were there and they were embracing me tightly. As I embraced them, I saw that guy once again. This time around, he was holding onto that girl's body. He was screaming her name in pain. It felt like that girl died to save him. From that point, I could really say that I fell in love with that guy. I felt how much he loved that girl. I felt how much that girl meant to him.

I was left speechless after hearing Yuno's short story. Our coach has come to a stop. We stepped out of our coach and walked towards the exit. "That's pretty tragic. What happened to that guy?" I asked Yuno as we walked beside each other. "I don't know. He suddenly disappeared. My memory is pretty hazy. I don't really remember every detailed happened at that time." Yuno replied as she plays with one of her frontal locks. Strange. Two years ago, when I woke up in that parking building, it felt like my memory suddenly became hazy. My eyesight suddenly went bad too. That's just odd that it also happened to Yuno. "So, what does he look like?" I curiously asked Yuno. "Hm. From what I could remember, he was pretty rugged down. He's probably the same age as you." Yuno exclaimed as we continued to walk towards the entrance. "So, you're into older guys?" I jokingly asked her.

"Geez! Anyway! As I was saying! He has the same build too. Not to mention, same haircut and same voice, but his was a more cold. Oh! He had facial scars! Like three of them! One on the bridge of his nose, one on his left jaw, and one on his left eye!" Yuno quickly followed up as we reached the entrance of the amusement park. Wait a minute. That sounds like the guy that saved me two years ago! "Was he wearing like a white long sleeves shirt?" I quickly asked Yuno. "Hmmm. Yeah! He was! Wait! How did you know that?!" Yuno curiously asked me as began to walk towards her home, which was a condo unit a few blocks from here. "Remember I told you that this guy saved me back then? He stopped me from killing a person. Wow. I can't believe it. My saviour and your prince charming is the same guy!" I exclaimed as Yuno's eyes widen. "Really?! Do you know where is he right now?!" Yuno quickly asked me as she grabbed onto my shoulders. "N-No. I don't. It sucks though. I haven't thanked him for giving this opportunity." I replied as we continued to walk beside each other.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the entrance of Yuno's condominium unit. As my memory serves me correct, she lives with her foster-parents here. "So, this is it, huh." I muttered as Yuno rings the doorbell. "Um. I'm sorry if I had to turn you down, Toshiro. Please! I don't want anything to change between us!" Yuno stated with a sad tone in her voice. "No. It's okay. You like someone else. Not to mention, that guy you like is someone I look up onto, so it's okay with me." I replied as I tried to smile at her. God. Trying to act cool is harder than I thought it would be. We stared at each for a few seconds as the suddenly swung open. "Oh! Yuno! Welcome back! You also brought Toshiro-kun along too! Come in! Come in!" Yuno's foster-mother stated as she welcomes me. "No, it's alright, Auntie. Some other time. I'm pretty much tired right now." I replied as I stretched my arms. "Alright. Please! Do come visit us more often!" Yuno's foster-mother replied as she lets Yuno in. I quickly turned my back and took a step towards the stairs.

"Toshiro." Yuno muttered as she tries to grab my attention. I quickly glanced back and saw Yuno looking at me with a sad look on her face. "Yes? What is it?" I asked her. "You're a special someone to me, alright? An important person. Please. I hope nothing changes between us." Yuno replied with a sad tone in her voice. "Pft. It's no biggie, Yuno! I was way over my head earlier. You were really out of my league. Don't worry about it." I replied as I smiled at her. Ugh. This smile is making my heart ache. "That's good to hear. Anyway, I really had a blast, Toshiro! I hope we can go out again soon! Take care! Mail me later, okay?" Yuno happily stated as she gives me a warm smile. In that moment, I quickly turned away. I felt her warm smile could drive me into tears. Tsh. I could feel my hands shaking inside my pockets. "Yeah. I'll mail you. Later." I stated as I quickly walked towards the stairs. As I reached the landing of the stairs, I let out a deep breath and wiped away my tears. "Oh well. At least I didn't lose her as a friend." I muttered to myself as I tried my best to shake off my sadness.

With a broken heart, I march on to the unseen future.