STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM-YOSEN HIGH, 6:39 pm.

I popped a vein. “I told you it doesn’t mean like that” I tried to convince Mayu the nth time that my “I like you” to Himuro didn’t mean in a romantic way. It just states how admire him as a good person. But when I told her the story the next day, she came jumping to conclusions and kept chanting the Hitomuro love team has bloomed. Wtf.

“Anyway, what are you doing here anyway?! Don’t you have studying to do? What are you still doing here?” I question Mayu who was pestering me as I work for the student council. You see before we have our Winter Break, the student council has proposed a winter Christmas party bonfire at the school field, celebrating advance Christmas together.

Of course Midterms exams are coming before the break and us council members are really squished with work and studying. And yet Mayu is here bugging me with my love life. When actually—I DON’T HAVE ONE!

“Hitomin, you’re still not done with that?” Yumi popped beside me, peeking at my desk to see my works.  I was startled a bit then turned to her before answering.

“S-Sorry Yumi. Not yet” I tell her as she dragged a stool placing it beside my chair and sat beside me. I blinked at her curiously with her staring at me for a few seconds before smiling. “I’ll wait for you to finish it. Then we can walk home together with Akihiro-chan” Y-Yumi… S-She’s so adorable!!

If you’re wondering how long it has been since that “confession” of mine to Himuro was, well, just two days. But Mayu’s been blabbering about it non-stop so it felt like weeks. Also about my offered help towards Yumi, we’ve talked to Himuro about it and he generously offered to help her with Murasakibara—

Mayu suddenly grab hold of my sleeve as I gave her glare only to see her happy sparkling face at me. I raised an eyebrow hearing the door open. Kaichou must be back from talking to the principal. Aaand judging from Mayu’s look; Himuro must be around. 

“That’s a lot of work, Hitomi” a chill ran down my spine when a voice spoke behind me. I turned around. “H-Himuro…” I stammered receiving that smile of his that he gave me putting a blush on my cheeks. “Yo. Are you done practicing?” I ask as he picked up Yumi from her seat like she was some light feather before putting the little girl on my lap and sitting where the girl was sitting. Now, Yumi was looking up innocently at me like she’s my daughter.

“Actually, Coach Araki just made us prepare since we’re going to leave for Tokyo for the Winter Cup” he informed me. Oh right, I remember, Kaichou’s arranging financial support for the basketball club too. “Suzume-senpai just came back with me and Kensuke-senpai, also…” he paused while I glance at Kaichou who was continuing her work and pitifully being bugged by Kensuke.

“Oi Kensuke, stop distracting her will ya?!” I scolded my cousin who gave me a childish grin.

“Tomi-chan~” he skipped gleefully to me before attacking me a hug before Yumi hopped out of my lap. Man, good thing I and Kaichou were the only ones who stayed late here to work!! If the other members were here, they would be complaining to me by now.

I yanked him away from with an annoyed glare while he just smile stupidly at me. Tch. This guy…

“Himuro-kun, that’s my seat!” Yumi came pouting to Himuro who had stolen the seat she grabbed for herself to sit beside me. “I want to seat next to Hitomin!” she tried grabbing him out of the chair but due to her little body, she failed and ended up stumbling on the ground.

“Yumi!” I called helping her up. I looked at Himuro. “Stop teasing her would you? Besides that is her seat, so sit somewhere else” I commanded sternly giving my orderly look at him.

He smiled playfully. “Ah, sorry. I just thought Yumi-chan wanted to seat somewhere else”

“Like where?” I inquired when I heard the door open again, and there Murasakibara entering and calling for his teammate. Liu also was with him.

“Murochin~ why did you make me come here? Did I do something wrong?” whined Murasakibara as she sat on the seat right across mine. I felt Yumi shake in nervousness as her widened eyes were glued to the tall teen in front of us.

“Oi, why are you basketball freaks suddenly gathering in the council room?” I chided letting Yumi sit on my chair for a while standing up to face the four players with us in the council room. Mayu seemed to agree but obviously was only pissed at Liu. Why does her blood boil whenever she sees that Chinese?

“Yeah! You’re not allowed here Liu!” Mayu told Liu. Hey, Mayu, you could’ve at least told it to the three more players. Why focus only on Liu?

I sighed pushing that thought away and face Kaichou. “Are you fine with this Kaichou?” I asked her as she looked away from her work, her eyes set on me.

She gave me a smile. “I don’t mind Yoshio-san. Besides, Himuro-kun walks you home right? So it’s okay if he waits for you here” what?! =///=

“And Hitomin’s cousin, Kenskkun walks home Nanami-senpai right?” Yumi asked nicely causing Kaichou to blush bright red and glanced back on her work, hiding her flustered face.

“Yeah…” I trailed having a weird look. “Anyway, I think we should go home Kaichou since it’s almost 7. I still have to study for the Midterms” I say grabbing my purple jacket putting it on.

“Eh? But Yoshio-san…”

“It’s okay Nanami! You’re already done arranging the basketball club’s departure to Tokyo right? All you need to do is prepare that Christmas party you were talking about! Plus, you still have to study for your midterms~” Kensuke sang fixing up her papers on her desk for her.

“F-Fukui-san, wait a minute!”

I watch the poor Kaichou struggle with Kensuke’s roguish attitude. The basketball players are so unfair; they already took the midterm’s way earlier than us since they’ll be leaving for Tokyo at the time we’re taking exams. Man. Sighing, I also arranged my desk before grabbing my bag and held my hand out to Yumi. “Let’s go home, Yumi” I smiled as she reached for my hand. Before she could do so, Himuro already grabbed mine and pulled me with him.

“Alright Hitomi, let’s go home~!” he sang pulling me into to him, his arm draped around my shoulder. “Yumi-chan, Atsushi, let’s go!” tch, I know what this guy is planning.

“Do you think by leaving them alone would help her?” I whisper over to Himuro beside me. He leaned on my ear to reply. “I don’t know but it will do the trick. Plus, it’ll make them talk to each other” I shrugged. Well what he said was true. He’s good with this.

“Ne, Nanami, let’s walk home together!” I heard Kensuke ask Kaichou to walk home with him. I’m starting to smell something fishy between those too. And with Mayu and Liu—“Oi Mayu. Why are you strangling Liu?” Kensuke’s question made me take that back. I do. Mayu with Liu? Since when did she like guys like him anyway?

I sighed and called Yumi to walk with us, with Himuro calling Murasakibara. “Yumi let’s go—” I paused seeing her walk like a robot to me while shaking. Murasakibara already joined us outside the classroom while Yumi was halfway. I sweat dropped. “Yumi…”

“Yoshio-san and the others are going already?” Kaichou called after us as I was about to close the door.

I nodded. “Un. We’ll see you tomorrow then. Kensuke, take care of her” I remind making the poor Kaichou blush. “Mayu, I’ll be going then. Be careful okay?” I say before closing the door with Yumi already reaching it.

“Ikimashou, Yumi-chan!” Himuro grabbed her out of the room completely and handed her a maiubo without Murasakibara noticing. “Give this to Atsushi later when we part ways. This is his favorite candy” he advised whispering at her ear. It made her flinch and blush.

She shakily took the candy from his hand. “M-Murasakibara-kun’s favorite sweet…” she stuttered looking at it with a nervous smile on her face. Light sparkles appear around her as she rubbed it on her face. Himuro just gave a smile patting her shoulder while saying encouraging things like ‘good luck’.

=A=”

“Ne, what is Murochin doing with Shirachin?” Murasakibara asked from beside, eating one of those pocky. P-Pocky?! I flinched seeing him eat my favorite snack.

Himuro walked over to us with Yumi following him and grabbed the pocky from Murasakibara teasingly. “Ah Atsushi, I thought you had enough of this snack so Yumi-chan can make you try one of the snacks she brought with her!” he pulled me with him as we started to walk ahead of the two first years, leaving them at the back to talk.

Man, Himuro’s careering this kind of stuff. He really likes cheeky things like this. Well, he is cheeky himself and to justify that—well you know how he is. “Those two are getting along pretty well” Himuro commented glancing over behind us where we saw and hear the two talking about sweets and stuff Murasakibara likes.

“Why is their topic always the one he can relate to?” I grumbled feeling sorry for Yumi that he has to cope up for that airhead. “By the way, you’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow for the Winter Cup right?” I opened up a topic about the tournament, looking at Himuro. He looked surprise commenting that I actually took interest on the competition that I told him that it just happens to be announced in the council that’s why I remembered it.

“We’ll be staying in Tokyo for a while. Which means I don’t get to see you for a few days” he acted hurt and cried comically. Wtf—

“Stop it, it’s creeping me out!!!” I screamed jumping away from him.

“Eh?! M-Murasakibara-kun’s going away for a few days?!” Yumi reacted after the purple head told her about it carelessly. Oh, we haven’t told her about it yet. “H-How many days?!” I looked over to Himuro and asked him the same question. He told me it depends on the how many games will they win. But he still hasn’t any clear answer since he’ll be watching more games if the team loses.

“But as if, we’ll lose though” he smirked boastfully facing in front. “If there’s anything I hate, it’s loosing…”

“Himuro…” he looks like a scary ganguro right now. Wait; was that the ride word to describe him? I slapped myself mentally for calling him that. I mean, the guy’s really passionate with the sport and here I am talking to myself in my mind and—

“And I hate losing Hitomi~!” he hugged me from behind playfully.

I popped my vein reading my fist. “Don’t you play with me!!!” I punched his face away. After that, I pulled Yumi with me to walk home since her brain wasn’t functioning properly out of the blush she was gaining while walking with Murasakibara.

“H-Hitomin… =//v//=”

Oh Yumi…

YOSHIO HITOMI’S ROOM, 10:00pm.

“Hitomi! Lights out!” my aunt announced as I replied a ‘hai’ flipping my light switch on. I flopped on my bed after another day’s work. I just finished my shift at the café and still manage to think about that Christmas party we have to arrange. I was planning to study when I get home but I was too tired from work so I’ll probably study on my free time tomorrow. Or maybe in between classes. Now that I think about the party, I remember Himuro can’t come since he and the basketball team would be in Tokyo.

I wonder how Kaichou and Yumi would feel attending that party without their crushes around. I bet they’ll feel lonely since me myself—

“What?” I sat up racking my brain on what was I about to say in my mind. Me? I’ll feel lonely? Scratch that, I already feel lonely. “Eh, why am I even lying to myself?” I slumped back on my bed, staring up the ceiling with sad eyes.

I smiled to myself. “I’ll probably miss him by that time” I told myself before drifting off to sleep.

ROOFTOP—YOSEN HIGH, 12:03 pm.

I was studying at the rooftop by myself since Himuro and the team already left for the Winter Cup tournament. Usually he always accompanies me here whenever I study, but, well yeah he left. But it’s somehow a relief; I can study alone in peace.  I flipped another page, reading my textbook when suddenly Yumi appeared beside me while peeking at my book.

“Hitomin, you’re still studying even though it’s lunch time?” she asked as I jolted away from her. “Hello~” Yumi smiled at me brightly. Man this girl, I’m envious. She’s an honor student so she doesn’t need to study for midterms. Plus, she once mentioned to me that she has her own personal tutor.

“What are you doing here, Hitomin? Don’t you feel like eating?” she asks, taking a bread from her pocket then giving it to me. I shook my head.

“No thanks. I’m planning to study for the whole hour” I politely decline but she already opened it and shoved it in my mouth. Yumi!

“Mayu-chan has band practice with her club so she wasn’t able to join us here” Yumi informed me. Well that’ll be an advantage. At least I can study in peace. “Nanami-senpai also has some errands to do, so it’s just you and me today Hitomin~”

I smiled at her and nodded. “Yeah” normally it’s us eight eating here at the rooftop. Me, Mayu, Kaichou, Yumi and the four other basketball players. But since they’re out to win their game, it’s just us here. It kinda feels lonely.

“I miss Murasakibara-kun and the others already” she said out of nowhere. “Because of the tournament they’re participating at, they won’t be able that Christmas party Hitomin and Nanami-senpai are preparing” Yumi looked kinda down. I patted her head soothingly and ruffled her hair.

“Then why don’t we go watch them play in the Winter Cup?” I suggested, jokingly of course. What? I want to brighten up the mood! But when I saw Yumi’s face, I immediately regretted it because she took my joke seriously.

“R-Really?! W-We’re going to watch Murasakibara-kun play basketball?!” she looked at me excitedly, her eyes sparkling. I flinched and waved my hands denying and tried to explain but she—“That’s a great idea! Let’s also invite Akihiro-chan and Nanami-senpai!” way to go Hitomi. You just fooled the poor girl.

“Oi Yumi. We can’t just—”

“Oh that’s right! We can just ditch the Christmas party and go with them! Perfect, right after the midterms…” she started muttering to herself pulling out her phone. “I’ll call Shirley-chan to buy us train tickets for Tokyo on the date after the Midterms then!”

“OI!! Don’t decide things on your own Yumi! We still have to consult Kaichou about it!” I stopped her before she even dialed numbers.

“But Hitomin, it’s not like we’re not allowed to not attend that party” she pouted waving her short hands childishly. I sweat dropped. This little girl doesn’t only look like a child, but also acts like one. “We should go celebrate with our friends! I know! Let’s celebrate the whole winter break in Tokyo! It’s my treat!”

W-What?! =.=”

“Y-Yumi!”

“I know! Let’s stay at the small house me and my sister used to live in when we used to stay in Tokyo!”

“Oi stop that! We still have exams to focus on!”

“Eh? Just leave the preparations to my body guards Hitomin!”

Yumi assured patting my shoulder. “Also, I know that you’re missing Himuro-kun right now! So I’ll try my best to get you two alone when we get there!” That is not what I’m asking for Yumi!! =///~///=

“I bet Hitomin and Himuro-kun, miss each other so…” Yumi started texting on her phone. Probably her body guards. This girl didn’t even listen to me. Sigh. Skip the Christmas party and spend the whole Winter Break with our friends huh? Impossible. We still have our own families to spend the holidays with besides—

Tch. What am I saying? I don’t even a family to go back to.

“Oh I’ve got an idea!” Yumi perked up after a long silence from her. She glanced at me with a smile. “Let’s go ice skating when we get there too!”

=A=”

“Yumi…” I called her.

“What is it, Hitomin?”

I twitched an eye. “I don’t know how to ice skate…”

“That’s fine! We still get to go to Tokyo after the winter midterm exams!”

This girl…