Date: April 11th

Current time: 7:10 AM

After barely managing to wake up at 6:50 AM —a time that will become standard for waking up on school days—, I exited my room and descended the stairs quietly to go to the kitchen in the lightest steps possible.

Of course, I couldn’t afford to wake anyone up at such a time; my parents come home after 10:30 PM almost every day and head to the store at 9 AM sharp —unless they leave a lot earlier to clean up the store, like yesterday—, so it would be better to let them get the rest they deserve for all the hard work they’re doing. Saki, on the other hand, usually wakes up at 7:30 for school. Most schools here start at 8:30, but hers is just a couple blocks away, so she needn’t worry about being late as long as she gets off of bed in time.

IF ONLY MY SCHOOL WAS THIS CLOSE! TALK ABOUT UNFAIR!

Although the sun had barely risen by 6:55, there was no need to turn on the lights to do my work in the kitchen; preparing my own breakfast, that is.

To put it into perspective: Ever seen a room with windows facing east a few minutes after sunrise?

Weak and trembling sunlight slowly fills the room. You can see shadows slowly forming, while tiny particles of dust start floating in the air, appearing wherever the sunlight reaches.

Given my home’s position as well, the morning sun appears to be ascending slowly from the blue horizon. Its deep yet gentle shimmering orange rays make it seem like the ocean’s usual azure color has changed for as far as the eye can see; truly the perfect scenery to enjoy the first moments of my day, as well as my breakfast (It might have not been anywhere near as fancy or ‘yummy’ as Saki’s buffet yesterday, but hey, I tried my best!).

‘If life can be this beautiful, then it must be like the coffee I just made; sweet,’ I thought to myself.

THEN WHY WAS THE COFFEE BITTER?!

Observation #5: I probably shouldn’t try making coffee on my own ever again…

At the moment, I’m reminiscing all of this while waiting for my usual bus to arrive at my usual stop.

The bus I’m taking to school passes from the station every 20 minutes, 3 times per hour; at :10, :30 and :50. I’m obviously trying to catch the 7:30 one for this occasion, but the 7:50 one is my last resort to make it just in time to school or at least be a few minutes late to homeroom.

The time is 7:27 now… Just 3 more minutes.

Without any previous warning, a strong breeze blows, making my entire body shiver as a result. "Brrrrrr, it’s colder than a few minutes ago. When did it get so cold anyway…?" I mutter as I pull my scarf up, so that it can cover my mouth too.

After leaving the house, the difference in temperature between the inside and the outside became more than obvious to me.

While yesterday was warm and sunny —nothing out of the ordinary for mid-April—, there are still some bits of the winter cold wandering around the country, and today is one of those days where you’d swear that you felt this cold, like, 2-3 months ago…

Despite that, spring isn’t concealing its presence and prevalence over this winter-ish weather. The most recognizable evidence? The beautiful sight of the blooming cherry blossoms —more accurately, the ‘Prunus serrulata’ species, commonly referred to as the Japanese cherry (I just happen to know, it’s not like I’m playing smart or anything, just saying…).

If I confused you with all the scientific terminologies and the like, I’m talking about the pink-petalled cherry blossom that is more or less one of Japan’s most known trademarks.

Kawazu is lucky enough to be a tourist attraction during spring and summer because of their lavish abundance here. Even while walking to my stop, pink petals were slowly falling to the ground from the blossoms. I can only assume this also happened overnight, because there were petals already lying on the ground here and there no matter where I would choose to look.

If you will allow me to get a bit poetic here: Alas, I was treading on an unending road painted in pink by the enthralling fallen petals of spring’s blooming cherry blossoms.

To be able to feast your eyes on something as wonderful as this may seem like an anime or manga-only thing to take place in real life, but it’s actually as true as they get!

I check my phone again for the time: Now it’s 7:30.

Looking at the direction the bus I’m taking should come from, I can see something approaching; that’s definitely it.

My chest suddenly feels a bit heavier than before.

My heart is pounding like crazy.

And with every passing second, my heartbeat grows faster.

And faster.

And even faster.

As if I’m anticipating something to come as soon as the bus gets here.

For a moment, I experience a short and sudden flashback of yesterday’s events; my encounter with Karasuma on that very same bus, with Fukuda-san at the school’s training grounds, with the Irisu twins and Ichijou-san at the stairs…

It's only been one day since then, but...I feel nostalgic already...

Honestly, try to give me a chance to redo that day from square one, and I’ll turn you down immediately. It was a day that I could never wish to forget, and I’ll state a gazillion reasons if it comes to that!

But I still can’t swallow the fact that I fell for such an obvious prank… Maybe I would redo just that! I'm only changing a small thing, okay?!

As soon as I get on the bus, I head straight to the galley without realizing it.

"Karasuma…isn’t here…"

That’s right; she’s nowhere to be seen in here.

I feel kind of…let down for some reason.

But this is definitely weird. I can’t cut her out for a person who would miss the bus to school. Considering that she was here before me yesterday, her house must be in the next city over.

Then why…? Where could she be?

Current time: 8:03 AM

Buses of this line feel as lonely as ever. With no one else around most of the time, you’d wish there was something that could keep you busy until it reaches your stop.

Walking alone to school is basically the same thing, if you ask me… Talk about a totally depressing situation…

As for the 30 minutes I was waiting for the bus to get to school, I was contemplating on why Karasuma is absent, but I think it goes without saying that trying to solve a mystery with no clues is near impossible to achieve…

While doing that though, I came to understand what my anticipation was all about; I was hoping for Karasuma to be there waiting for me, but for whatever reason, she’s was not. I believe that should be enough to explain my disappointment before.

Besides, after everything we went through yesterday, there’s no way I wouldn’t ask for more time with someone like her.

I wonder why…

Why I’ve taken such a liking to her…

"Well well, if it isn’t Taichi!" says a voice that definitely sounds familiar to my ears. Before getting the chance to fully turn around and look at whoever said that, I feel a light pat on my shoulder: "Yo!"

A voice that knows only pride, dark blue hair reaching the neck, tucked sleeves...

I can’t be mistaken about this…

"Satoru!" I utter in utmost surprise to see him once again.

"Yes, I’m Satoru."

"You’re going to Sakudai too!?"

"You bet I am!"

That at least explains why he’s wearing the Sakudai uniform then.

"Didn’t you notice me here at all yesterday?"

"S-Sorry, probably not…haha… hahaha…"

WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!

"Talk about rude! I was sitting behind you during the exam! I even took the same bus as you when the results were announced!"

WHA—?!

"As always, you don’t give off much presence, do you, Satoru…?" I forcibly giggle.

"You jealous of my talent or something?"

WHAT KIND OF PRIDE CAN YOU TAKE IN THAT?!

‘Hmph, I will pretend like it doesn’t bother me!’

BUT IT DEFINITELY DOES!

"I-It does bother you a bit, doesn’t it…?"

"Silence!"

This guy is hopeless…

Every single reply from him was told with a huge grin on his face, so I can only believe he’s actually being serious about this so-called ‘talent’ of his…

"By the way, you’re sitting between the twins, aren’t you, Taichi?"

"I am… Why?"

Does that mean we’re in the same class as well?!

"I’m next to this Shigenobu or whatever he’s called."

"WHA—?!"

I can understand not noticing him once or twice —even though he was, like, less than two meters away from me each time—, but not noticing him yesterday IN CLASS?! And not to mention that there was also the chance to notice his name on the pinboard divisions and the seating plan…!

THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR ME TO TAKE!

"Well, I’m going up ahead!" he says before creating an increasing distance between me and himself.

"O-Ok, see you in class then."

"Make sure to notice me this time!"

What are you, a yandere?!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand he’s gone and I can’t see him anywhere around…

If there’s anything we should be leaving to science, it’s a cure for this absurdity of a problem he has!

Unsolvable problems aside, allow me to introduce him: This guy is Watase Satoru, a middle school classmate of mine. He’s the type of guy that would probably hit on any girl he could find given the appropriate circumstances, but I doubt he ever succeeded with that during his middle school years.

But why is he here, attending the very same school I am?

Why is he talking to me like he doesn’t remember anything?

I want to believe he’s forgotten about it after all this time.

The question that arises now is: How do I confirm that?