“If Kwon-senpai is elected, she will be a model for all students and I believe she will make this school a better place. This concludes my campaign speech!” Sakura bowed as she finished her speech rehearsal during their lunch. Hyewon and Yena clapped their hands, mesmerised by their friend's cohesiveness, “It’s perfect! At this rate, you’ll be on the student council after the election”.

“Huh? No I won’t,” Sakura shakes her head.

“Why not? I think you would enjoy it. In junior high, you joined the softball club just because you were invited, and you still became a regular” Yena brought them down the memory lane.

Sakura just pouted and diverted her stares, “Hmmm”

“You’re the kind of person who gets it once they start,” Hyewon said monotonously.

Yena, the ever energetic she is, continued “You are even getting into helping out now.”

“I told you I won’t join,” Sakura went an octave higher, denying Yena.

*sound of bottle hitting the pick up box*

“What are your plans for the break?” Eunbi asked, picking up her CC Lemon bottle.

“Nothing special. I have to memorize my campaign speech anyway,” Sakura answered.

Eunbi smiled softly, letting out a low sigh, “It’s finally happening.”

“I can relax once it’s over, so I don’t mind”, Sakura said.

“If I’m elected, I want you to join the student council activities”, Eunbi stated firmly.

Sakura walked ahead ignoring her senpai remarks, “I never said I was going to join the council.”

“Aw come on, join us!” Eunbi pestered.

The younger of the two squinted her eyes at the elder, “When did we decide this?” at which Eunbi couldn't help but laugh.

The sky was glowing orange as they shared the path, walking home after almost a full day at school.

“Want some?” Eunbi offered her drink to the younger. To which Sakura gladly took, “Oh, thank you”.

Sakura took a few gulp and handed it back to Eunbi, “Here”

Eunbi keeps her eyes for a full 5 seconds at the part where Sakura’s lips once placed on the bottle. And she gladly drank from the same spot.

“Well then, goodbye!” They parted ways. But Eunbi, the sweet summer child, stares at the younger girl's back and calls her out, “Wait! I’m heading that way too, today.” she said.

“Eh, not to the station?” Sakura was dumbfounded. This is not the way to Eunbi’s house. She thinks.

“I wanted to stop by the bookstore.” the elder said.

“The bookstore…” Sakura repeated slowly.

“Yeah, you know, the one down there. I’m going on a trip during the break, so I want a book to read.”

Sakura just stared at the elder and continued their walk, “How many people are there in your family?” she asked.

Eunbi took a few seconds before answering, “Three. Just me and my parents. How about you?” 

“There’s me, my big sister, my parents and grandmother.”

Eunbi was amazed at the number of occupants in the younger’s house, “Wow, it must be pretty lively.”

“Just alright,” Sakura hummed.

They arrived at the said bookstore and Sakura stared proudly at the sign board.

“This place!” Eunbi exclaimed.

“I knew it”, she smiled.

“Hello,” Eunbi greeted as they walked inside.

“Oh, Saa-chan. Welcome home.” the shopkeeper greeted her.

“Hi Grandma,” Sakura smiled at the said person.

Eunbi turned around in shock.

“This is my family store,” Sakura smiled dearly at her shocked senpai.

“Y-You could have told me.” Eunbi gulped.

“Oh, were you surprised?”

“But it’s called Fujishiro Bookstore”, Eunbi furrowed her brows in confusion.

“It’s my grandma’s store after all.” Sakura shrugged.

Eunbi stood close to her and whispered, “I’m so nervous right now.”

“You’re just at a friend’s house. There’s no reason to be nervous.” Sakura said nonchalantly.

Eunbi whispered again, “It’s like “Sorry for seducing your daughter.” You know?”

“Yeah, but you’re not seducing me,” Sakura shrugged. This senpai and her unique brain.

“Welcome home. Is this your friend?” A middle aged lady greeted her. Presumably she is Sakura’s Mum. 

Sakura smiled and introduced Eunbi to her mum, “This is Kwon senpai, from the student council. I told you before, remember? I’m helping with the election.”

Her mum gasped “Oh yes. She’s just as beautiful as I heard,” Sakura said, “Thanks for teaching our Saachan a lot.”

Eunbi’s mood turned giddy, “The pleasure is mine. She’s taken on an important role, and I really appreciate her help.”

Sakura stares at how cheerful her senpai sounds.

“Oh my, she’s not bothering you?” her mum asked and the two exchanged bits of conversation that she cannot follow through.

 “What a polite person,” her Grandma praised the senior.

“Yeah, on the outside,” Sakura replied sourly.

“Saachan, don’t talk about people that way,” Mrs Miyawaki warned.

Her sister, Sasshi butted in, “What? Who are you talking about?” 

Sakura glares at her sister, “You don’t need to know.”

“What? Did you bring a boy over?” Sasshi asked again, closing in to tease the younger and whispered “Tell your sister.”

“We’re talking about a girl,” Their mother said.

“What? A girlfriend?” Sasshi rendered speechless. Never knew little Saachan swung that way.

“Of course not,” Sakura rolled her eyes.

Their father lowered the newspaper he’s reading and joined the conversation, “If that happened, I’d fall off my cushion!” he teased.

Sakura was drowning in her own thoughts again and her phone beeped.

It’s from Shige.

“Wanna hang out during the break?”

**********

On school break...

“Hey Saachan!” the loud Shige being her usual self.

“Shige!”

“It’s so hard to see you now that we’re in different high schools.” Shige pouted.

Sakura rolled her eyes, “Duh~ Said the one who never replied to my texts!”

“What did you decide for your school club? That school doesn’t have softball, right?”

“Saachan is not in a club. She is helping the student council.” Hyewon answered.

Shige's eyes widened in shock, “Student council? That’s so not you.” 

“Well as for me…” Yena chimed but Shige cut her first, “You joined the basketball club to chase a senior? Well at least that’s what I heard.”

Yena groaned and knocked Shige’s head, “Shhh!”

“It’s too cute for me.” Hyewon put down the shirt she’s holding. Apparently not up to her taste.

Shige laughed at the remark, “You really never change.”

The quartet spent their time at the arcade and later went to the cinema.

“Is this the one you wanted to see?” Sakura asked Shige.

“Yes!” she answered firmly.

Yena however trailed off… “A romance movie…”

“Yup! Are you okay with it?” Shige asked and the whole squad was looking at the girl who was shocked at the sudden attention.

“Huh?” “Oh… It’s fine with me,” she reaffirmed them.

“Do you want popcorn?” Shige asked.

Will Sakura say no to buttered popcorn? For sure no. “Of course I want to!” 

They walked to the condiments counter but Yena stepped back to stare at the poster again.

*movie finished*

“That was a good movie,” Sakura commented.

Hyewon just hummed, “I’ve read the original, but the movie was alright.”

“They both liked each other, so they should have just said something!” Shige scowled.

“But then the movie would be short,” Sakura added.

“Yeah, but it’s so frustrating to watch!”

Shige then turned towards Yena, “Hey I know, Yena, you should tell that guy you like him.”

“Uh yeah…” the other three were shocked at the lack of enthusiasm, “He, uh.. He turned me down” Yena chuckled.

And the table went *cricket sounds*

“Ah.. I’m sorry…” Hyewon muttered.

Yena tried to reassure them, “No,no it’s okay!”

“And to think we took you to see a romantic movie…” Shige trailed.

 “It’s fine!” “Come on, don’t make this awkward!” Yena tried to lighten up the mood.

“But...Really I’m surprised at how little I’m bothered. I would be sad if he said he already had a girlfriend. He said he wants to focus on basketball right now. So it’s not like I was wrong to like him..” At that moment, Sakura thought she might have seen something in her eyes.

Yena continued, “This is not the end. I’ll just have to keep on liking him and wait until he quits basketball."

It was so fascinating to Sakura. Yena spoke as if she had practiced on what to say. How many times did she practice those words? Gulping them back, rearranging them. Just how well prepared she could be?

“That’s right Yena! You must not give up!” Shige cheered for her.

Hyewon then added, “He might say that now, but if he knows you’re into him, he might change his mind one day.” 

Shige nodded.

Sakura hummed, “You think so?”

And the two enthusiastic hyenas attacked her “We know so!”

Sakura was stupefied and Yena just bit a chuckle, Thank you girls”

Back at the bookstore, a young lady was fidgeting in front of a bookstore when the door suddenly opened, revealing her crush.

“Grandma, should I put these out here?” Sakura was unaware of a nervous bunny outside the door and was shocked to see the latter.

Eunbi bowed slightly.

“Oh.. Hello.. May I help you?” Sakura asked.

Eunbi quickly hides the paperbag she’s carrying behind her back.

“Uh.. I.I ust… shopping” she stuttered.

Sakura squinted he