After New Year’s-January 5, 6:51 am.

“KENSUKE I TOLD YOU TO SLOW DOWN!” and here we are again. Me, telling Kensuke to stop pedaling so quickly because we might over speed and end up hitting someone or hitting vehicles. Of course Kensuke being Kensuke, he didn’t listen to any word I said. Next time I’m walking to school; having Kensuke to fetch me with his bike was a bad idea.

We were almost at Yosen when we passed by the park where I saw Himuro with the squirrels again. I gripped on Kensuke’s shirt, telling him to stop and hopped of his bicycle. “Kensuke, you go on ahead. I… need to go somewhere. Bye!” I waved my hand at my cousin who stared at with a wondering look. I-I don’t need to tell him that I’m going to that park! “H-Himuro!” I called the guy who was busy petting the squirrels before looking over to me with those or that green lime eye. His left eye is always covered by his hair, why is that?

“Ah, Hitomi. Good morning to you. And Happy New Year” Himuro greeted me with a warm smile. “G-Good morning… H-Happy new year too!” I reply with a bow which Himuro commented as cute. I flinched before kneeling down beside him to check on the squirrels that now have a third member of their family. Yep, mommy squirrel must’ve given birth already and her baby is now hanging on her back. They look so cute it made me smile. “Such a wonderful family, ne?” Himuro picks up the daddy squirrel and hand it over to me. I smile in delight.

“Un!” I nod, stroking the squirrel’s fur while watching him twitch his leg in enjoyment. I giggled at its reactions and glimpsed over at Himuro already had his eyes on me the moment he gave me the squirrel.

“Hitomi looks so cute. She’s like a little kid” he cooed, brushing his soft fingers on my cheek. I blushed and jolt away from him, putting the squirrel back on the ground.

“W-We should go to school or else we’ll be late” I said, not looking at him. I heard him hum. “Mmm, but I wanted to spend more time with you as possible” W-What is he saying now?! I clicked my tongue and stood on my feet firmly. He gave one last pat to the squirrels before following me as I walked to school, leaving him with those squirrels.

Walking with him reminded me of what happened during the Christmas party at Kensuke’s house. I didn’t know what made me think of that but I sure know that’s it’s awkward to talk about with Himuro. A-And that temporary gift…

My hand made its way to play with the dangling necklace hanging from my neck. It was Himuro’s gift to me; he half heart necklace that matches his. Actually, is he wearing it right now? I glanced at him to check it, not realizing that I was still holding onto my locket. “Are you looking for this?” Himuro asked me while pulling out the match of necklace, from under his shirt. I was wonderstruck when he showed it to me and immediately hid mine under my blouse. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I’m wearing every day like you” that’s it; Himuro’s wooing me again with his robust charm. Due to my easy to get agitated nature, I couldn’t respond to what he said and just kept my mouth shut. I didn’t bother to argue with him today. It’s a new year. I need to work on my New Year’s resolutions.

ROOFTOP-YOSEN HIGH, 12: 33 pm.

Our first lunch hour of the year and here I am with Mayu and the others, writing down some traditional things we do every New Year. Aside from fireworks and visiting shrines, the three of us has this practice of writing down our resolutions every year; just the three of us. But because of gaining friends, Mayu decided we should invite everyone to join us. And that includes, Yumi, Kaichou, Murasakibara and even Liu’s here.

“Why am I involved with this?” Liu sighed and stared at the paper where he’s supposed to write down his resolutions.

“Silence Liu! You’re not in China so you have to follow Japanese traditions!” Mayu proclaimed, pointing out her pen in the air.

Murasakibara whined like baby beside Yumi since he’s too lazy to write. “Aki-chin, this isn’t necessary. We’re wasting our lunch hour. We should be eating right now” and he still thinks about food more than anything. He should put his food addiction to decrease on his list. He glanced at Yumi was focused on writing her own resolutions and peeked from behind to check what she wrote. “Grow taller?” he read.

“EH! DO-DON’T READ IT MURASAKIBARA-KUN!” Yumi covered her paper in embarrassment, and jolt a few feet away from Barney. She hid behind my back and there she continued to scribble down her list.

I watch the others write down their resolution while my paper was still blank. Kensuke seems to have tons on his list while Kaichou, normal and moderate stuff such as ‘Working hard to get to college’ or ‘make her last festival in Yosen the best’. Oh right, she and Kensuke would be graduating this year. They’d be in college next school year.

“You haven’t written anything yet?” Himuro peeked at my paper while I looked at his. His list seems to be normal until I reached the last one that says—

Be the best boyfriend to Hitomi.

“Oi Himuro, what the hell is that?” I pointed at the last one he wrote on his list. He “innocently” blinked at me before checking what I’m pointing at and smiled. “Ah, it’s just my goal” H-He’s not even my boyfriend yet! “We’re not dating!” I stated with a blushing face. Kensuke glanced at us and checked Himuro’s paper and reacted. “Hey, whoa. Slow down pretty boy. I ain’t letting you date my tsun tsun cousin without proper courting ye know. Nope. Gimme that and I’ll correct your resolution” Himuro handed his paper to Kensuke who erased the last thing Himuro wrote. Oh god, thank you. For the first time Kensuke’s acting a responsible protective cousin—“There’s the proper order”

I suddenly took those words back after reading what Kensuke wrote.

·         Overcome the circumstances of having a tsundere crush.

·         Tolerate Hitomi’s tsundereness.

·         Make her happy and make her heart doki doki while bearing the pain in getting hit by a tsundere Hitomi.

·         Ask her out on a date and saying cheesy lines and accept that you’re an idiot/baka.

·         When asking her to be your girlfriend, prepare yourself with a punch that says ‘yes’.

·         Finally, back to the first one, overcome the circumstances of having a tsundere girlfriend.

“And that’s how you become the best boyfriend to Hitomi!” Kensuke finished and received a massive kick at the gut. He never learns, does he? “O-Oh yeah one more thing… always bear with the pain you get…”

“Kensukkun, Hitomin doesn’t like it when you call her that. So please stop teasing her!” Yumi scolded my cousin who is 2 years older than her. And she acts more mature than him! “We can look at each other’s new year’s resolution later. For now, I want to give Hitomin and Himuro-kun this” that caught my attention and curiously stared at the item Yumi pulled out from her pocket. It was a mistletoe. For several seconds I stared, I didn’t know why Mayu was squealing excitedly and Kensuke laughing like crazy. Kaichou was even blushing when Yumi pulled it out. I wondered why they had different reactions and when I looked at Himuro, that’s when it hit me. “Eh? Shirachin, that’s this for?” Murasakibara took the mistletoe from Yumi’s grasp and raised it on top of them. Mau shrieked even more and patted Murasakibara’s back. “You have your own ways, Murasakibara-kun!” she stated proudly. She’s not thinking about—“Now go give Yumi-chan a smooch!”—I knew it.

“A-A smooch?!” Yumi shakes violently as her whole face turned red like the ribbon around the mistletoe she brought. “Mu-Murasakibara-kun why did you do that?” oh great, steams’ coming out of her head.

“Hmm? I asked you what this is” Murasakibara’s truly an airhead. I face palmed while Himuro just smiled at the two.

“That’s a mistletoe, Atsushi. It’s a plant used to decorate whenever it’s Christmas” Himuro explained what it is.

“Really? But why did Aki-chin said to give Shirachin a smooch?” Murasakibara wondered.

“Well, there are sayings that a couple is seated under mistletoe, they should kiss each other for good luck for their relationship” Himuro says and looks at the mistletoe with four berries on it. “They say if an unmarried woman doesn’t get kissed under a mistletoe, she’ll have bad luck and stay single forever” after that, Yumi completely turned clum as she started sulking in her spot.

“Really? That means Shirachin will be single forever?” I can’t believe Barney’s this stupid.

“That means you’re the only one who can save her Murasakibara-kun! Now go give her a kiss!” Mayu coaxed pushing Murasakibara towards Yumi.

“A kiss?”

“Hey! You can’t just kiss someone because of some dumb myth!” I spoke up and gave a look at Mayu. She looked away and hid behind Liu who sweat dropped at her. “Anyway, it’s not completely true. The sayings vague. You don’t have to do it Atsushi” Himuro told his partner who glanced at Yumi’s covered face. Aw, she’s so cute.

“But Shiraga-chan will remain single and alone forever!”

“Don’t tell me you believe in those things, Nanami?”

“Eh? F-Fukui-san I…”

“Shirachin will be lonely forever?” Murasakibara glanced at our council president then back at Yumi again. He smiled and ruffled Yumi’s white cotton hair. “That won’t happen. I’ll always be at Shirachin’s side so she won’t be alone” Yumi flinched, removing her hands from her face and looked at Murasakibara with admiration. “M-Murasakibara-kun-” HEY! Murasakibara just kissed YUMI!

“OI!”

“Relax Hitomi; it’s just on the forehead”

Well, he’s right. Murasakibara kissed Yumi on the forehead, but still… I’m too overprotective over her… “There, Shirachin won’t be lonely forever” I bet he doesn’t understand half of what he’s saying. Yumi blushed again and scooted over me, and buried her face on my chest. I sighed and patted her head. “You won’t be lonely Yumi. You’ve got friends now” I told her as she looked up at me. “Hitomin…” she smiled and hugged me with her tiny arms.

“Murochin, here you go~” Murasakibara now handed the mistletoe to Himuro after picking up a berry from it. Himuro thanked him before giving me a knowing glance which I read before he could even speak. “Not a chance”

“But your temporary gift isn’t enough~” he pouted.

“I don’t care” I popped a vein.

“By the way Hitomi, we’re going to look for an apartment for you right?” Kensuke recalled smiling at me. I’m surprised he remembered that. I nod my head.

“Hitomin’s going to live alone now?” Yumi came butting in and cling onto my arm.

“Ah, yeah. I turned 18 last December 27th so my aunt declared that I should live on my own. She gave me up until next week to look for an apartment” I explained to Yumi whose eyes lightened.

“Can I go to? Can I? Can I?” she’s getting excited again. I smiled and patted her head. “Sure. You can help me look for one, Yumi” I said. “Really? Yippee!” Yumi cheered and leaned on me.

“I’ll go too” Himuro volunteered.

“I’ll go where Shirachin is” Murasakibara added.

Kensuke chuckled and glance at Mayu. “Want to come too Mayu?” he asked the blonde who shook her head and declined.

“Sorry, I still have band practice”

“Liu?”

“No”

“Nanami?”

“Erm… council duties…” Kaichou caught my attention. Council duties? We’re both in the council yet she…

She’s too hardworking. I wish I could give her a reward but what should I? I tapped my chin thinking and glanced at Himuro who called me. He was raising the mistletoe so I snatched it from him. “Why did you take it?”

“Shut up, pervert” I stared at the four berries attached on the plant.

CLASS 3-A—YOSEN HIGH, 1:51 pm.

Nanami Suzume’s POV

“Ne, Nanami, why did you think Hitomi and Himuro handed us a piece of their mistletoe? They even said we have to share” Fukui-san said out of nowhere while we were walking back to our classroom. H-Huh?

“I… don’t know. I mean, myths say that after a guy kisses his girl under it, he has to take a berry, and then kiss the girl again. Th-The berries state how many kisses he will give” I explained. W-Why am I telling this to him? I mean, I’ve watched it on some facts channel during Christmas Eve and watch some couples do it. But I never actually thought of doing it… N-Not that I plan to raise it on top of me and Fukui-san—Wah! Why am I even thinking it? I feel so slutty…

“Say Nanami, what would happen if I eat this berry now?” Fukui-san was about to pick the berry from the stem so I quickly stop it.

“Fu-Fukui-san you shouldn’t do that! You should only take it when you kiss a girl right under it!” I quickly covered my mouth. Wh-Why… I’m not really obsessed over him but why—

“Hmm? A girl huh? I’ve got no one in mind that I like…” Fukui-san trailed, playing with the stem he got. He shrugged and grinned cutely at him. “How about you Nanami? Got any guy you like? You can have it if you want. I mean, if it’s with me I can’t use it anyway” Fukui-san handed me the mistletoe before walking ahead in our classroom. I stared a stem and immediately remembered a glimpse of Fukui-san’s adorable face. I… I really like him, don’t I?

“Oh Nanami, hey there!” Okamura-kun? “Eh? Where’d you get that mistletoe? Hehe, are you planning to use that against Fukui?” N-No!

“Okamura-kun don’t say things so loudly!” I shushed Okamura-kun, putting my index finger on my lips. He’s one of the people besides, Yoshio-san, who know about my feelings for Fukui-san.

Okamura-kun patted my back strongly and laughed. “Don’t worry too much Nanami. Besides, worry more on how you’ll use that on him” he advised, pointing at the plant in my hands. He left me outside the classroom, blushing my heart out and squealed inwardly.

How am I supposed to use this?

STUDENT COUNCIL—YOSEN HIGH, 6:20 pm.

“Kaichou, you’re still not going home yet?” I looked up from my paper works to Yoshio-san who already fixed her things and was ready to go.

“Ah, not yet” I smiled sheepishly and patted the stack of work I have yet to finish. “I see” she nods her head and noticed the familiar plant she let me have, sitting on top of my desk. “You still haven’t used that?” I flinched after Yoshio-san asked me and gazed it before staring at the papers again. Why do people keep on asking me that? I can’t just use it on Fukui-san to force him to… I mean I don’t even know if he likes me back. I just don’t know what to do with it.

I was about to say something to Yoshio-san but then noticed that her lips looks pretty swollen and red. I blinked before examining thoroughly that made her weary and step back. “W-What is it?”

“A-Ah, it’s nothing. I just noticed how reddish your lips are. Did you trip and your lip hit the ground or something? It looks pretty swollen” I asked Yoshio-san who flinched and hid her face in her hood again. Did I say something wrong? “I-If you don’t want to answer then—”

“It’s that visible…” Yoshio-san mumbled to herself leaving me clueless. What does she mean? I examined her for a little bit and noticed how embarrassed she looked. Wait…

“It’s Himuro-kun, isn’t it?” I assumed with a kind smile. She didn’t answer after that so I guess I was right. I was about to ask Yoshio-san to submit the fieldtrip paper work suggestion to the faculty on her way, but Himuro-kun together with Shiraga-chan and Murasakibara-kun suddenly barged in the room calling for us.

“Hitomi~!” “Hitomin!” “Shiochin…”

“Ah, Suzume-senpai is here too. You’re working hard” Himuro-kun greeted me.

“Yeah, I need to finish this next week for our field trip next week” I explained as Shiraga-chan peeked at my desk. “Kaichou-senpai, that’s so many, paper works I mean. How are you going to finish that?” I looked at her and smiled. “Well, I guess I have to stay late at night again, Shiraga-chan. I just have to finish this. It’s my job” “Ehhh? But that’s too tiring Kaichou. You should have a break. I know! Here” I received one maiubo from Shiraga-chan which Murasakibara-kun tried to take. The little girl had to shield it from him and fight it for me. “No Murasakibara-kun! it’s Kaichous!” “Eh? But I’m hungry Shirachin~~” I watch the two fight over the small candy Shiraga-chan gave me. I decided to give it to Murasakibara-kun so that they’d ease down and stop quarreling inside the council room. Plus, it’s pretty late for them to create such a noise.

“There, there, Murasakibara-kun you can have—” “Ah, Nanami you don’t want it?” my hand was suddenly grabbed my wrist as I was about to hand over the candy. It was Fukui-san who swiftly snatched the candy from my hand and opened up the wrapper. “Fukui-san!” I was surprised at him suddenly appearing behind me. “You don’t want this right?” he asked, casually taking a bite and glanced at Murasakibara-kun.

“Fukuichin… that’s supposed to be mine” Murasakibara-kun pouted.

“You already had tons earlier. Anyway-” I flinched when Fukui-san suddenly draped his arm around my shoulder and saw how close his face is. “-let’s go home Nanami. I’ll walk ya” his face is too close that—

At the moment Yoshio and the other three saw the position their senpais are in. Their eyes suddenly averted to the mistletoe just sitting on the desk in front of them. Murasakibara and Himuro who seemed nonchalant about the fact that Yoshio and Shiraga wanted to help Nanami and Fukui’s relationship trigger. Both of the girls jumped for the plant and planned to put it above the two in slow motion but ended up knocking over the papers neatly stacked on the president’s desk.

“Damn it…” Yoshio cursed under her breath

“Mouuu~!! So close!” Shiraga pouted.

Fukui already pulled back his arm from Nanami.

“What are you two doing?” Fukui-san asked with a pestered tone. He helps Yoshio-san up while Murasakibara-kun easily pulled up Shiraga-chan onto her feet. She’s so puny I bet she’s light as a feather.

“Shirachin, why did you suddenly attack Kaichouchin’s desk?”

“My, my, look what messes you did, Hitomi” Himuro scolded his girlfriend who—for the first time—POUTED and looked away. It’s the first time I saw her do that!!! “Ah, you’re so cute when you pout. It makes me want to kiss—”

“NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Yoshio-san snatched the mistletoe from Himuro-kun’s hands and backed away. I noticed it only had 1 berry left. It was three a while ago when they gave me one.

I shrugged and helped Fukui-san pick up the papers. I saw the mistletoe on the ground that was probably knocked down together with the papers so I decided to pick it up the same time Fukui-san did that made our hands touch. “Eh!” I quickly retracted my hand away and let Fukui-san pick it up and scan it. “You still haven’t used this?” he questioned so I nod my in response.

“Well! We better go now! I still have to erm…”

“We’re gonna look for an apartment for Hitomin!” Shiraga-chan cheered and skipped ahead of them out the council room.

“Yeah! That! See ya!” eh? They’re leaving—

“Eh? They left me…” Fukui-san trailed with a sad tone as I saw his expression soften. I suddenly felt bad for him. But he did offer to walk me home. Still! He really looked forward to go with Yoshio-san.

“I thought we were going apartment shopping” Murasakibara wondered. Shiraga shushed him and peeked through the window.

“Murasakibara get away from there! You’re too tall! You’ll be seen!” Yoshio pulled the tall guy with her in the corner where she and Himuro were hiding. Himuro clamped himself onto Yoshio’s back.

“Playing spy is so fun” Himuro smiles. “And Yumi-chan can be a good spy”

“Shush men. You’re too noisy” Yoshio watched as Fukui and Nanami exit the council room. “They’ll be okay. Yumi, let’s go”

“Roger that!”

“Oh yeah, here you go” Fukui-san returned the mistletoe to me. He smiled. “I think you should reserve that for future use. For instance, when you find true love and such. Use it at the perfect moment~” huh?

Fukui-san snorted and put his hand behind his head sheepishly. “Why do I say weird stuff whenever I’m upset?” my eyes widened after he admitted that. I was taken aback with that because he’s usually a cheerful person.

We continued to walk in silence before Fukui-san broke the silence. “I admit, it’s hard to help Hitomi to be the way she was back then” I turned my face to look at him as he continued. “Because I didn’t know… it’ll have a cause”

“What do you mean, Fukui-san?” I ask making him stop walking.

“I wish I could be the best cousin to her but it seems that I’m not the right one for the job. I mean, I barely make her smile” he continues, his voice going sentimental. My eyes softened after seeing his face and my hand instinctively made its way to hold his.

“Don’t say that. If anything, you did your job perfectly in making her happy. Just by caring about her like that makes you the best cousin. Well, in my opinion you are” I tried my best to comfort but couldn’t avoid the fact that I’m blushing at the words I’m saying. I… I just wanted to express what I think and feel. Truthfully.

 I smiled at Fukui-san soothingly and felt his hand hold back mine. “Thanks, Nanami” he smiled back.

I didn’t know the reason behind what happened but we unconsciously held hands together as we walked home. We only let go when we arrived at my house when Fukui-san walked me. “I… I guess this is good night” I stammered, staring at Fukui-san’s handsome face.

“Yeah, I guess” he gave that cute childish grin again. It made my heart pound faster and the butterflies in my stomach, crazier. “Ne Nana—no, Suzume” He said my name… First name. “Can I call you that?”

I nod my head looking dumbfounded and didn’t even bother if I looked stupid in front of him. What caught me off guard is him planting a soft kiss on my cheek.

o.O

O/////O

“Thanks Suzume! For always being there for me…” he gave me a soft smile while I just froze.

“Ah, eh… well… ah! N-No problem! Etto… Good night—Fu—I mean, Kensuke-san! I can call you that—I mean, can I? Well if you don’t want to—” I started blabbering nonstop until Iguru came into the rescue and called me from the door.

“Onee-chan! Come in already!” Iguru you interrupter! >///<

“S-Sorry!” I bowed 90 degrees for humiliating myself in front of him.

“Why are you saying sorry?” Fu—Kensuke-san chuckled. “And you can call me Kensuke” he permitted. “Good night Suzume”

“G-Good night!” with that, Kensuke-san walked off to his home.

If Iguru didn’t call me again, I’d be standing out the night the whole time.

Walking into my warm house and up to my room, I forgot to eat dinner and immediately went off to bed.

I lied down there for several good minutes before noticing the mistletoe lying on my desk. I picked it up and touched the area of my cheek where Kensuke-san kissed me.

I guess that perfect moment he was talking about has to wait.

I don’t know about true love though. I don’t think I’m still waiting for it to arrive. 

Helloooooo~~~!!! So this chapter is for my beloved Fukui Kensuke-kun who celebrated his birthday last May 23~ Belated my dear~ Hihi. Not much Hitomi X Tatsuya but this is for Nanami x Fukui! Hope you guys like it :)