Ken couldn’t concentrate on school throughout the day. He was concerned for Hana, and couldn’t wait for school to get over. His anxiety was getting the best of him. At around the sixth period, Kai received a mail, it was from Shizune, she had asked him to meet her behind the school building, once their school was over. Kai decided it was a time to end this façade. Once the last period’s bell went off, Ken, Kai, and Saichiba met for a meeting.

“I’ll go to Hana Chan’s house”, said Saichiba

“I’ll check around the school, also I have something to deal with”, said Kai

“And I’ll stay behind, in case she decides to come back here, also I have something to do”, Ken added

Once everything was decided, the two moved out. Ken opened their class’s cupboard and took out a bucket and scrubber.

--------------------------X-----------------------

Hana had spent the entire day behind their school’s gym, she wanted to cry but couldn’t. She kept remembering the scene this morning. The reason she ran away wasn’t because she was ashamed that her secret was out. She didn’t care whether people knew about her father or not. The reason she ran was because she was overwhelmed. She decided it was time to return home and that her friends must be worried about her, though she wasn’t sure whether she could still call them her friend. She was sure she had offended Ken, even though he was acting supportive. She slowly made her way back to the classroom. When she reached behind their school building, she saw Kai and Shizune. She quickly hid behind the bush, but still, their tone was audible.

“Mizuki Kun, I don’t like to beat around the bush, so let me tell you straight away, I love you”, Shizune said without hesitation

“Fuuuuuu…...”, Kai let out a deep sigh, “Hanari I’ve already told you before I’m not interested in someone like you, I told you didn’t I, first be yourself then think about me”, Kai said with no emotion

“Why? Mizuki Kun, why? It’s because of that bitch Hana, right? What does she have that I don’t?”, Shizune was on the verge of breaking down

“Excuse me? I think you have a misunderstanding, I’m not interested in Hana”, Kai said, “Alright, I’ll tell you my secret, the person I’m interested in is Saichiba”

Shizune was stunned, same was Hana’s state.

“Why, why, what does she have?”

“It’s not something you’ll understand”, Kai said sternly, “You who will go any length for your desire. Let me tell you why I like, no why I love Saichiba. It’s because she is free-spirited. She doesn’t put on a fake air like you do, she will accept you the way you are and in return will want you to accept her the way she is. Being true to yourself, being one hundred that is what’s perfect to me. Saichiba is perfect to me”, Shizune kept quiet

“And how dare you do what you did to Hana”, he was glaring at her, “you think it’s easy? Huh, why don’t you try putting yourself in her shoes, then will you find how brave she is. Your act hurt Saichiba too and I’ll never forgive you for that, but most importantly, Hana’s an important friend of mine too. And making her your enemy means making me your enemy”.

Shizune broke down completely, one because she had lost Kai and secondly because she realized her foolishness.

Kai gaze soften abruptly, “Hanari, I know you’ve liked me for a long time, I chose to ignore your feelings so that you won’t get any hopes. I didn’t want to hurt you. And please try to be yourself, you’re more attractive that way. Forget about me, I’m pretty sure there are better guys than me for you out there”, he offered her his hand.

Shizune wiped her tears, and took some time to calm herself before shaking his hand, “I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done. I’ll apologize to Hana too. Thank you, Mizuki and best of luck”, she quickly turned away and left. She didn’t want him to see her crying anymore. She had given up on him.

After she had left, Hana approached Kai, “Thank you”

Kai was startled at first but replied, “For what?”

“For everything”, she smiled, “I was nearby”

“Mention not, what are friends for?”

For the first time Hana looked at Kai as a trustworthy friend, she felt foolish she had been deluded by his cold attitude.

“Oh, and I’m sorry I heard the Saichiba bit too”

“It’s fine, it had to come out one day. Better sooner than later. And return to the classroom, Ken’s waiting while Saichiba’s gone to your house. I’ll fetch her”, saying that Kai was about to leave when Hana said,

“Saichiba Chan’s a lucky girl”

“You too are”, saying that Kai left.

Hana didn’t get what Kai meant. She made her way to her class but stopped outside the class door. She saw Ken furiously scrubbing at her desk, his tie gone, his pant and shirt folded to his knees and elbows. It wasn’t enough, writing those things on the blackboard, the same sentence had been spray-painted on her desk too. When it looked like Ken was done, Hana walked into the class, “Thank you, Ken”

“Uh… oh Hana Chan thank god you’re fine”

“Why wouldn’t I be fine?”

“Uh, you know stuffs happened and….”

Hana could only laugh at this, “You know Ken, the reason I ran away wasn’t because I was ashamed, it’s because I was overwhelmed. Deep down I had feared that once my truth comes out, you and Kai would treat me differently and try avoiding me. But you both proved me wrong. This morning, you acted exactly opposite the way I thought you would act. When you looked at me, it wasn’t a look of sympathy but something better, you looked at me like you didn’t care and that I’m still the same, and I’m thankful for that”

It was Ken’s turn to laugh, “You fool, you think I’ve a requirement criterion for friends? If you’re not fake anyone can be my friend”.

Hana simply walked up to Ken and hugged him. She understood what Kai meant. Ken was stiff at first but then he hugged her back. There were students outside going about their club activities, bids chirping, wind rushing but none of them mattered to Ken, what mattered to him was inside the classroom, at that moment.

After he reached home, he made his third entry

6th August 2011

Today was one hell of a messy day, but everything is sorted out thankfully. I found out a truth about Hana. But that doesn’t change anything for me. She was Hana before and is still Hana. The one who I love. Yes, today after I hugged her, I realized that my feelings are not shallow but true. I do love her.