Egao

By Jerui-kun

Author's note: This story is an alternate reality. Although the characters are the same, Echizen won't be a main character (Sorry about that) but he's going to be a part of this, naturally. I borrowed a phrase from the manga Celeste Blue by Sakura Amyuu, if I'm correct. This is a FujiSaku Fic. Hope you like it. Give me a feedback~ I'll love you forever if you do. :D And I'll be super motivated if you do a review.

Chapter 1

I heard you calling me

I saw you crying. And I thought I don't want to see you putting on such a sad expression.

"Sakuno, are you okay?"

She just looked up to me, her eyelids puffy. What a gloomy expression that was, one that you wouldn't know what to do when you ever witness it. All the same, I sat beside her and she watched me as I move.

We were sitting on one of the benches at the back of the school, under the shade of a maple tree where students usually eat their lunch. And we're cutting class, now that I think about it. It was just the sixth period and the school day would come to an end and it will soon be time for club sessions.

When I was already seated, she looked at her lap blankly, tears welling on her eyes. Sadistic as I am, I cannot tolerate this amount of pain emanating from my most favorite person. Who can inflict much pain on a person? I can't decipher what kind of pain Sakuno was experiencing. I mean, I can make Yuuta embarrassed but my sadism is limited to that for close friends and family (it's a different case for those who wish to harm my loved ones, of course.

"Syuusuke-kun."

I looked at her once she had called my name but she's looking at nothing in particular, her eyes blank and empty.

"How do you cure a love sickness?"

I chuckled a bit. I believe I have read that question before. However, I don't have the answer either.

"Hmm. I don't know."

"I see."

"You're love sick?"

"Uhuh. And my heart broke just a while ago. I didn't know he already has a girlfriend."

Silence.

"How can you keep smiling, Syuusuke-kun? When I see you, I keep thinking you don't experience any problem. Yuuta-kun wasn't like that even though you were brothers. But then you can't have the same personality after all."

"I was born this way. It feels more natural like this."

"I hope I can smile that way, too"

When I looked at her, and I saw that she was watching at me. Her eyes, though swollen, were telling me she was curious. I peered at her wearing my most serious expression without warning, my smile gone, leaving my face expressionless.

She gasped. I know what she saw. She had seen my bright blue eyes staring intently. I'm not staring keenly if you ask me, but Eiji told me it was like I was seeing everything whenever he sees my eyes.

She continued looking at me albeit my glance. "Perceptive blue…" she whispered.

"I'm sorry?"

"Your eyes are blue and it's like you perceive more than what we see."

"I guess."

She's Sakuno, alright. She's my most favorite female person outside our family, and my childhood friend. We used to play when we were younger. She has the most vibrant smile, honest and innocent eyes and she has the cutest expression whenever I tease her. I consider her a special friend.

Her insightful personality is the most charming. It was as if she sees differently from anyone I know. Growing up with no parents and no siblings, Sakuno remained cheerful in the care of her grandmother. I don't know what it is like because I have my parents and my siblings, but having her around, I caught a glimpse of her feelings.

I asked her once, how it was when she sees other people having their parents around during parent's class visitation. She told me that it hurts just a little though she do not know for she never had felt the love of a real father and mother but her grandmother gives her more than she could hope for.

Whenever I observe her, she looked strong and yet fragile. I seldom see her cry. The last time I saw her cry was five years ago, when I saved her from bullies.

And now, she cried. And I saw her from the window on the third floor during fifth period. And suddenly, I felt I should go and comfort her. And I did.

I clapped my hands and said "Then, let's practice."

"Huh?"

I grabbed her hands gently and then faced towards her, "(ichi purasu ichi)one plus one?"

"(Two)Ni." And then she giggled. "How childish!"

I smiled at her. "That's more like you." And then I let go of her hand and tucked stray hair from her face behind her ear. I patted her head afterwards.

She looked at me and voiced out, "you're like a big brother."

"But I'm not YOUR big brother."

Another chuckle.

"I know."

….

"How did you see me, Syuusuke-nii?" she inquired, slightly mocking.

"I heard you calling me."