Sayuri’s POV:

“I can still remember the first time that we met…it was at the park…I was crying since my balloon flew away…then suddenly, a little boy went in front of me while handling me a balloon…he wiped my tears away and then gave me a very bright smile…until then, I always managed to see that smile and that made my heart skip a beat…but we’re the total opposite…he’s the school’s heartthrob while I’m just an ordinary student, shy and quiet…I’m happy as long as I’m with my manga, I’m a certified otaku…but still, we’re happy when we’re with each other….”

Sayuri’s chain of thoughts were cut off when a sudden poke was felt at her cheek…

“you’re staring blankly at the space again Sayuri…” said Ryosuke as he beamed a bright smile at Sayuri

“oh, you startled me Ryo-chan…well, I’m basically sleepy now so I’m staring at the space…”replied Sayuri

“you’re always sleepy…come on, let’s grab some food…I’m starving…” pouted Ryosuke while rubbing his stomach

“if I’m always sleepy, then you’re always hungry you glutton…” laughed Sayuri

“mou~ I’m not a glutton…”pouted Ryosuke

“ok~ ok~…geez…you’re using that signature kawaii face of yours again…” laughed Sayuri as she stood up and fixed her things

“well, that’s because I know that Sayuri can’t resist my charms ne~” said Ryosuke

“erm…whatever…” said Sayuri then she turned around so that Ryosuke would not see her blush

As they were eating at a coffee shop…

“ne Sayuri…” Ryosuke started

“hmmm…” said Sayuri then she lifted her head and looked at Ryosuke which is sitting at the opposite side to hers

“anooo~….ermmm…” Ryosuke doesn’t know how to put his words together

“now what are you trying to say Ryo-chan…?why are you stuttering there…?” laughed Sayuri

“later...8pm…same place…don’t be late ok…?” Ryosuke said these words as fast as he could because he felt that if he paused for even one second, his heart would burst out…then after saying this, he quickly stood up and leave Sayuri dumbfounded

“eh…?now what is up to that guy…?” uttered Sayuri as she scratch the back of her head

That night, though Sayuri was not sure why Ryosuke asked her to go to the same place as they used to go when they were kids, she still get ready for it…then when she was ready, she went at their favorite place – under the Sakura tree at the top of the hill not too far from where they live…as she sets her foot at the grass that surrounds the wide area, lights began to glitter lighting her way up…there, she saw a very familiar person standing and looking at her…then her feet started walking towards the direction of the guy and when she’s near, the guy handles his hand and Sayuri didn’t hesitate to hold it…

“Ryo-chan, what’s this all about…?” Sayuri managed to say but still surprised about what she was seeing

“well…ermm….anooo~…ahhh…” Ryosuke stuttered

“you’re really kawaii stuttering like that Ryo-chan…” laughed Sayuri while pinching Ryosuke’s cheek

“Sayuri, aieru…” Ryosuke said as he took Sayuri’s hand and look at her straight in the eyes

“Ryo-chan….” uttered Sayuri who looks like still processing what Ryosuke had said

“I’ve always loved you ever since we were little kids…you were the only reason behind this smile of mine…at first I was afraid to confess my true feelings but after I get all the courage that I needed, I finally decided to tell you what I truly feel…I really, really love you Sayuri…” said Ryosuke

Sayuri can’t say a word and tears started flowing down her eyes…

“Sayuri, daijoubu…? Why are you crying…? Is it because you don’t like me…? if you don’t like me it’s fine with me…I’m not forcing you to love me…just—“ Ryosuke was cut to what he was saying when he felt Sayuri’s lips touches his lips

“I’ve always loved you from the start Ryo-chan…the first time we met, I was carried away by your sweet smile…I’ve always wanted to see it…I love you Ryo-chan…I cried because I’m happy that you feel the same feeling too…I thought I have a one-sided love…but I was wrong…” said Sayuri

“so you also loved me…I’m so happy to hear that Sayuri…” smiled Ryosuke and by that, he planted another kiss at Sayuri’s lips

The next day…

“ittekimasu~” Sayuri bid her goodbye to her mom and went out their gate

“ohayo my baby~…” said Ryosuke in his ever sweet tone which didn’t fail to send hot feeling at Sayuri’s cheeks

“Ryo-chan…what are you doing here…?” asked Sayuri

“of course I’m here to fetch my girlfriend…don’t you like it…?” pouted Ryosuke

“of course I do…!” said Sayuri

“well then, ikuzou…” smiled Ryosuke as he held Sayuri’s hand and linked it to his then they started walking

Sayuri’s POV:

“am I dreaming…?please don’t let me wake up if this is a dream…I’ve always wanted to be his girlfriend…all that happened last night, are they all true…?oh please…! Please let the time stop…this feeling, walking hand-in-hand with Ryo-chan is the best feeling ever…!”

“why are you staring at me like that…? I might melt you know…” laughed Ryosuke while looking closely at Sayuri, their faces were like inches away from each other

“eh…?! Ah…! Anou~…betsuni…” uttered Sayuri then she turned her gaze away and blush

“kawaii na Sayuri~” laughed Ryosuke then they continue walking

As they were walking along the school grounds, Sayuri can feel the sharp stares from her schoolmates especially the girls…she can also sense that she was the one who were they talking about…

“daijoubu Sayuri…?” asked Ryosuke who noticed his girlfriend’s uneasiness

“ha…?anou~ yeah…” Sayuri faked a smile

“are you sure…?” reassured Ryosuke

“hai…” said Sayuri

“I cannot believe it…! That girl and Ryo-sama…! They’re dating each other…?!!” exclaimed one of the girls

“maybe we misunderstood it…we all know they were childhood friends…” said the other

“childhood friends don’t walk hand-in-hand with each other…” sneered another girl

“what’s so special with her, she’s just an ordinary girl…I’m way much prettier than her…” said another girl as she flipped her hair

These girls doesn’t know but Sayuri can hear what they were saying…that afternoon…

“I’ll walk you home…” smiled Ryosuke then he was about to hold Sayuri’s hand but she avoided it

“well, ikuzou…” Sayuri faked a smile then she went first

“eh…?” uttered Ryosuke

As they arrived at Sayuri’s house…

“here…” smiled Ryosuke as he handles a box of strawberry to Sayuri

“nani kore…?” asked Sayuri

“strawberries…! I hope they would make you happy…” smiled Ryosuke

“eh…” uttered Sayuri

“I’ve been noticing that you’re down all day so I was worried so when I dropped at the convenient store, I bought this so I could give this to you…when I’m down, all I have to do is to eat strawberries and then I’m ok again…” smiled Ryosuke

“gomenasai Ryo-chan~…” said Sayuri then she hugged Ryosuke

“you don’t have to say sorry Sayuri, just always remember that if there’s something troubling you, I’m always here for you ok…?” said Ryosuke as he cupped Sayuri’s small face with his hands then kissed her at the forehead

“ok Ryo-chan…” smiled Sayuri

Days passed by being oh-so perfect for Sayuri and Ryosuke…they couldn’t wish for more since they already got each other and they know that they love each other…but one day…

“hey you…!” exclaimed Ayako as she and her friends went near Sayuri

“nani…?” asked Sayuri who looked startled

“I don’t know what’s with you and Ryo-sama agreed to be your boyfriend…” said Ayako

“well maybe, it’s out of pity…” laughed Rika

“Ryo-chan loves me…” said Sayuri

“really…? Well maybe he loves you but that love has a negative impact on him…well you see, Ryo-sama is the most popular guy in our school…everyone loves him…but when the news that you two were dating each other spread, his number of followers lessen becoming him at the least spot…then he can’t concentrate with his club activity since he has to take you home and all his attention were focused on you…how can he focus on himself if you’re in the way…” said Ayako which made through Sayuri

“so I’m just a nuisance…” uttered Sayuri

“well, most probably…” said Ayako

“so if I were you, I’d avoid Ryo-sama now…” added Rika

That afternoon, as Ryosuke checks on Sayuri at her classroom…

“eh…?Sayuri was not here…?” he uttered, “could it be that she already went home…?but why didn’t she wait for me…?” he thought

Ryosuke tried to call Sayuri but there was no response from her…he became very worried so he decided to go at Sayuri’s place and check on her…

“gomen ne Ryo-chan, Sayuri was not here…come back again next time…” said Sayuri’s mom

“oh…ok…arigatou auntie…” uttered Ryosuke sadly for he can’t see Sayuri

As Ryosuke went away…

“now you even asked me to lie at Ryo-chan…poor guy…why did you asked me to told him that you’re out…?why are you avoiding him…?” asked Sayuri’s mom

“I don’t want to talk about this kasan…” said Sayuri then she went up to her room

Days passed by and Sayuri kept on avoiding Ryosuke and this was completely felt by him…he was not numb to not feel it…so he decided to make some actions about it…

It was afternoon and classes had ended…Sayuri was still at the classroom for she has something to finish…as she finished what she was about to do, she went out of the classroom and…

“why are you avoiding me…?” asked Ryosuke as he looked at Sayuri straight in the eyes

“I’m not avoiding you…” said Sayuri not looking at him

“why can you look at me…? what’s happening Sayuri…?” asked Ryosuke as he holds at Sayuri’s shoulders

“nothing…! I was just busy ok…” sneered Sayuri taking Ryosuke’s hands off her shoulders

“I know there is something…why can’t you tell me…?” asked Ryosuke as tears were forming at his eyes

“I said there’s nothing…so if you’ll excuse me…” said Sayuri as she really wanted to hug Ryosuke but there was something inside her that stopping her to do it…then she walks fast but she felt a sudden grip at her wrist

“why won’t you talk to me…?” asked Ryosuke

“I said I’m busy…” she replied

“I LOVE YOU…!” Ryosuke exclaimed

Sayuri wanted to tell him that she loves him too but she just walked away leaving Ryosuke behind

The next day…

“you’re really good Ayako…! You made that girl out of Ryo-sama’s side..!” said Rika

“of course…how dare her…if we couldn’t have Ryo-sama as our boyfriend, and so she is…besides, what I said was true…she was really a nuisance at Ryo-sama after all…being by his side makes him so uncool…!” said Ayako

“so you were the one behind that attitude of Sayuri…” said Ryosuke as he heard all what the two said

“Ryo-sama….” Uttered Ayako and Rika who looked very startled

“how dare you tell Sayuri that she is a nuisance to me…?!!! no one except from me know the real her so you all have no right to tell her that…!” exclaimed Ryosuke as he was really furious about what he had discovered

“go…gomenasai…!” said Ayako and Rika in chorus

“you should be apologizing at Sayuri and not to me…and if ever I heard that you two were pestering her again, I swear that you’ll gonna regret meeting Yamada Ryosuke and hurting my girlfriend’s feelings…UNDERSTAND…?!!!!” he shouted

“’HAI…!” said Ayako and Rika in nervousness then they run away

As Sayuri was sitting at the bench, one student approached her…

“Yamaguchi-chan…! Yamaguchi-chan…!” exclaimed that student

“eh…?doue…?” asked Sayuri

“Yamada-kun…” uttered that student still gasping for breathe

“WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM…?!!” exclaimed Sayuri with a worried tone in her voice

“come with me…” said the student then they both went away

The student took her at the gym…and when they opened the gym door…there was a spot light focusing on her…it was so bright that made Sayuri’s sight blurred…she squint her eyes for her to see what’s in front of her and she was surprised to see almost all the students from their school there…then her gaze landed at the stage in front…she saw a very familiar guy…the guy whom together with her since they were kids…

“Yamaguchi Sayuri…you finally came…I’ve been waiting for you…” Ryosuke started talking at the mic that’s in his hand

“Ryo-chan…” uttered Sayuri

“I was so happy when the day that you became my girlfriend came…that was the most happiest day of my life…!but when you started to avoid me, that made my heart ripped into pieces…no matter what other people says, you should only believe in me…and only me…because if there’s a person who really knew you well, that would be me…so even if they tell you that you’re becoming a nuisance, don’t mind them…you were never a nuisance to me…and popularity…?who the heck cares about popularity…?popularity may come and go but the person you loved only comes once in your lifetime…so I don’t want to let this opportunity go away…I really, really love you Yamaguchi Sayuri…if you want to bring the smile on my face again, then stop avoiding me…and for all of you who were here, I wanted you all to know how much I love this girl…so Yamaguchi Sayuri, please be mine again…” said Ryosuke

Sayuri can’t control her emotions and tears began flowing down her eyes…as Ryosuke saw Sayuri crying, he immediately went down the stage and go near Sayuri…

“you really cry fast…I want to see your smile again…please smile…for me…” whispered Ryosuke as he wipes the tears from Sayuri’s eyes

“I love you Ryo-chan…gomenasai…” said Sayuri

“’I said you don’t have to say sorry…” smiled Ryosuke

“I really love you…” smiled Sayuri

“I missed that smile of yours…I love you too…” smiled Ryosuke and with that, Sayuri felt Ryosuke’s lips touches hers

“I always wanted to see your smile Ryosuke…I love you…”

E-N-D