I woke up with my right shoulder numb. A heavy weight was pressed on it and a long arm clamped on my waist. Lifting my eyelids up, I saw green strands of my hair, brushing on my forehead. I shift my body so my back was fully pressed on the bed and looked up at the ceiling.

Himuro’s snores are loud, it made me snort.

He was hugging me from the side that caused my arm to desensitize. I pushed him to the other side of the bed, stretching my shoulder muscles. I groaned, sitting up from the bed with a yawn.

Himuro was still in deep sleep. I smiled seeing how angelic he looks when he sleeps. Only when he sleeps; but once those eyes open and that perverted mind of his awakens, goodbye angel Himuro and hello American returnee maniac. “Mm… Tomi… Hitomi…” he murmured in his sleep. Is he seriously dreaming about me?

I sighed, getting out of the covers, putting over Himuro’s body.

I started brushing my hair and then wash my face and gurgle up some mouth wash because dang I have stinky breath. I hate morning breath.

Going to the kitchen, I brainstormed on what to prepare for breakfast. My eyes set upon the waffle maker sitting just up at the cupboard. I won it as a free price when I went grocery shopping once. I haven’t used it up until I decided to make waffles for breakfast. Yep, I’m currently stirring up a mixture.

“Now, where are my hotdogs?” I ask myself, exploring whatever filled my fridge. I found these Winnies in the freezer as I pulled it out and placed it inside a container filled with water to make the ice melt faster. I plugged in the kettle heater to boil hot water for me to make coffee for the two of us. I honestly don’t know what Himuro’s blend of coffee is. Shrugging, I grabbed two mugs and filled powder and later added two scoops of milk in them. When I finally closed the cap of the milk powder, a hand suddenly opened it again and added another scoop.

“I like 3 scoops of milk in my coffee please” a voice mumbled in my ear. It made flinch knowing it was Himuro who was awake now.

“Hi-Himuro! Good morning!” I greeted trying to hide away that I was surprised by him. I didn’t turn around and continued to stir up the mixed powders then proceeded to fry the hotdogs. Himuro stayed behind me, just watching me fry foods. I then put it in the brew with the hotdog to make the waffles.

“You put hotdogs in waffles?” Himuro asked from behind me.

I nod, “Yeah, I watch a chef made once, it looked pretty delicious” I answered, putting the finished hotdog waffles on a plate. “Here, taste it” I offered. He smiled and took a bite. It looked like a fed him but actually, I wanted to give it to him but he directly ate it.

“It’s good” he commented.

“Thanks” I simply replied.

Now that I’m alone with him in my apartment, I found it awkward since it’s my first time having someone over. Even I don’t let Kensuke stay the night here. What? That guy’s like a tornado. Once he passes through a place, it looks like it went through a state of calamity or something.

Breakfast remained quiet up until Himuro helped me wash the dishes. Once we were done, Himuro told me something surprising. “Hitomi, can I take you out today?” he suddenly asked. I looked at him and blinked.

“Why?” I responded with a question.

“I want to go on an official date with you today” he answered, smiling at me. God, that smile. That angelic pure smile – “Hitomi?”

“Um, okay, sure, whatever…” I muttered frantically. I can’t believe I day dreamed about him right in front of him. Man, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. Is it because of yesterday? And that clinic scene? And those 3 words we exchanged? Everything seems so vague right now that my mind’s having trouble processing.

“Okay, thanks” he smiled. “Um, I think I’m gonna have to go home first since I don’t have any clothes left to change into” Himuro informed me.

“I see. Then I guess I’ll meet you at –”

“No, I’ll go back to pick you up here” he cut me off. I ceased my eyebrows in confusion while he smiled at me. I blush and gave a curt nod with a quiet ‘Okay’. “I’ll see you in about thirty minutes?” he confirmed.

“Uh, sure” I calculated the maximum minutes I can be ready. Actually, 20 minutes is enough. But since this is a date, I might as well ask Mayu about it.

After Himuro left, I dialed Mayu’s number to ask how to get ready. I mean, at least I have to get ready or something… I don’t know. This is my first time okay?

“Oh, Hitomi, what made you call?” Mayu picks up from the other line. I heave out a nervous sigh. I can’t believe I’m really asking help from her. I bet she’ll tease me again together with Kensuke.

“Uh, hi Mayu, can you –” I was about to state my purpose when the phone went choppy and another voice greeted me.

“Tomi-chan~~ Good morning! Isn’t it a bit too early for you to get up? I mean you love your bed too much and –”

“Wait, why are you with Mayu?” I queried, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. It’s nine in the morning and as far as I know, both I and Kensuke love our bed too much. The only reason I wake up early is because of Himuro’s weight almost crushing my poor right arm. A few seconds passed, neither Kensuke nor Mayu was replying. “Oi, are you still alive?” I asked again. No answer.

What are they up to now?

“Mayu-” I was about to call them again when they hung up. Ugh, so much asking for help.

Rolling my eyes, I shut my phone and decided to go for a quick shower and dress myself with my own style; a pair of jeans, a checkered blouse and a pair of converse to go with. I wore my purple hoodie just in case it was cold, and tied my long green hair in a high pony tail.

Going back to the living room, a nice scent of a guy’s body spray spread out through the living room as I entered it. Himuro was standing there, so I assumed it was his.

I gasp, discovering him shirtless while drying his hair with a towel. Good thing he didn’t see me because my whole face just turned into a tomato right now; adding the fact that I have green hair.

I covered my eyes with my hands to avoid staring at his toned muscles. Okay, I admit he has a fine body but I won’t ogle at him like some other girls. No way. No way in the hell that I’m going to – “You can look you know” – look at him…

“THE HELL? YOU’RE STILL NAKED!” I yelled, covering my eyes once again after I removed them. I thought he already put his shirt on!

Himuro chuckled. “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed”

“Just put on a shirt already!” I whined.

“Fine” I heard him sigh and soon after, I felt him tap my shoulder. Hesitantly, I uncovered my eyes to see Himuro with a shirt on. I sighed in relief, relaxing my shoulders.

“You sound disappointed. Want me to remove my shirt?” he teased, lifting up the hem of his top that made me slap his hand.

“Don’t you dare!” I warned.

He laughed at me, while I continue steaming out blushes. Irritated, I grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him out of my apartment, pushing him out the door as I lock it. Facing him, I crossed my arms in front of my chest, ready to question him when he suddenly snatched my writs from me and ended up yanking me to who knows where.

We found ourselves waiting at a bus stop as Himuro hummed melodically. I gotta say, his voice is nice. It’s like he’s used to singing tunes like this. I didn’t realize I was humming along with him until he complimented me. “Your voice is nice to listen to” he says as the bus arrived in front of us while I was still staring at him. He smiled at me before pulling me into the vehicle and told the bus conductor where we’ll get drop off. I didn’t hear what he said because I was busy in my daze and didn’t realize that we were already seated.

“What’s wrong?” he asked when I placed my palm over my forehead. I feel light-headed.

“Nothing, I just feel like I experienced de javu all of a sudden…” I replied, fragments of flashbacks reappearing in my mind. I didn’t know what was going on through my head at the moment. All I knew was, Himuro let me lean on his shoulder to rest and that’s when I start to doze off.

“Hitomi is such a cry baby, isn’t she?” mom said as dad carried me in his arms while I cry. I didn’t know what I was crying about during that time but I all I know is I wanted to be in my parents care. “There, there don’t cry honey. Kensuke did say he was sorry for letting you fall from his bike” my dad cooed, kissing my forehead.

I looked down at Kensuke who had his head down guiltily. His face shot at me with a pleading look and grabbed hold of my dad’s shirt. “Mou~ I already said sorry Tomi-chan! I promise I’ll protect you and won’t let you get hurt from now on!! Pinky swear!!” he whined and pouted at the same time. I didn’t find it convincing and grabbed hold onto my dad’s arm when he set me down.

“Hitomi-chan. Kensuke-kun says he’ll protect, didn’t he? Don’t you believe him?” my dad asks, patting me on the head.

I shake my head. “No! Last time he said that, I end up getting lost in the forest!” I said.

“But I managed to find you, didn’t I? C’mon Tomi-chan! Let’s go play with Mayu over there!!” Kensuke begged.

“You’re so annoying! Go play with her by yourself! You like her, don’t you?” I raised an eyebrow, making Kensuke blush and headlock me.

“I don’t like her!! I like someone else!!” he defended.

I slap his arms away. “Well then, it must be that girl Iguru-chan who leaves next door to you?” I assumed.

“Idiot! It’s her sister, Suzume! Tomi, idiot!” Kensuke stuck his tongue out at me then started to tease me. “Tsundere! Tsundere Tomi!”

“Oi! I’m not a tsundere!” I yelled.

“Yeah, right. Yet you keep on denying your crush on Kawazata” Kensuke mocked, trying to mimic me in stuttering in denial of my 7th grade crush. “I-Idiot! I don’t like Ka-Kawazata-kun! He-He’s not that handsome! Bu-but h-he ca-can be so cute when he removes h-his gl-glasses!”

“Kensuke!” I shout, punching him at the head. “I hate you so much! I’ll never tell you who my crush is! Ever!”

“Eh?! Why won’t you? I’m your cousin!” Kensuke complained.

“That’s what you get for teasing Hitomi, Fukui-senpai” Mayu commented, appearing beside him. “I’m gonna have to tell you to her parents!”

It’s weird. She suddenly appeared out of nowhere. And why is she wearing our middle school uniform?

“Jeez, I was just joking, Mayu!” Kensuke reasoned yet Mayu was still angry at him. I lied silently on my bed while agonizing the death of my parents. “I was trying to cheer her up!”

“That’s not the proper way of cheering her up! Do you think that’ll motivate her to go to school?” Mayu argued. “Plus, we’re in a new school. She still has to adjust!”

“She doesn’t need to adjust! I’ll be there for her in her 2 years of middle school! And up until high school!”

“Fukui-senpai, idiot! You’re one year ahead of her! You’ll be graduating as soon as she’s in her last year of middle school!”

“Then I’ll get myself get held back!”

“No you won’t-”

I sat up from seat that stopped their quarreling. Slowly, I turned my head to Kensuke who was staring at me. “Hitomi! I— ”

“Stop being an idiot Kensuke!” I shouted. “Don’t repeat your year level just because of me!”

“But Hitomi!”

“No! don’t make me like a burden to you and auntie! I don’t need you guys to get held back by me! you hear that?!”

I sighed, “I’m sorry but I won’t be living her after the funeral” I revealed.

“What?! What are you talking about Hitomi?! You have nowhere else to go! Where will you stay?!” Kensuke protested.

I gave him a blank stare.

“I’ll be staying over my Mother’s cousin” I mutter. “Here I go” I say to myself as I enter the Amai Saito café shop.

There, my aunt from my mother’s side greeted me. Kensuke’s mother is my father’s sister, from his side. Instead of giving me a warm welcome, she treated me like a normal employee of hers and she was the boss. I listened to her silently, nodding my head and thanked her when she showed me her room.

I sat on my bed, letting nostalgia take over me. I guess this is my new life.

I’m going to live without mom and dad from now on.

All alone – “Hitomi, someone’s looking for you” my aunt knocked on my door once again.

I blinked my eyes, going down to the café, to see two teens sitting on a chair. Both were blonde and were ordering food nonstop.

“I’d like to order one tsundere maid to go talk to us for a whole day!” Kensuke…

“Fukui-senpai! If Hitomi hears you, she’ll definitely not approach us!” And Mayu…

“What are you talking about? There she is right there!” Kensuke grinned; pointing at me then waved his hand. “Tomi-chan! How are you?”

I stood there astonished. Kensuke lived at the farer area of Akita and Mayu is staying in Tokyo. How the hell did they know my location?

“I told my mom to move near your neighborhood! And Mayu as well!” Kensuke told me when he came to visit me once at the café. It was my third year of middle school and he was in high school. He was attending Yosen High during that time and then informed me that I’ll be going there as well.

“What are you talking about, Kensuke? My aunt won’t agree with it… besides, I heard it’s a prestige school so…”

“Don’t worry about the expenses! I talked to auntie and mom about it! They’ve got it all covered up!”

This guy doesn’t know how to stop. He never leaves me alone and always visits after class. Doesn’t he have any club practice? I heard he joined the basketball club.

“Oh, and Mayu would be attending Yosen as well so you have no choice!”

“FINE, WHATEVER!” I snapped, leaving him at the table silent. I didn’t want to chatter with him longer because auntie will scold me for ‘slacking’ again.

I guess I felt kinda guilty for snapping at Kensuke like that but it’s the best way for him to just shut up and go home. I mean, he has better things to do than look after me.

“So troublesome…”

“You seem troubled Hitomi. Something wrong?” Mayu asked me on our way home.

It was our graduation day yet it felt like a normal day for me. Well, it was nothing special actually. Neither of our parents went there. Well, mine were dead and Mayu’s were working abroad. Both of us can feel the loneliness from one another so we decided to have a sleepover at Mayu’s house. Good thing my aunt allowed me to go too.

“You’re nervous about high school, aren’t you?” Mayu read through me easily like a book.

I flinched, covering myself with my hoodie, out of embarrassment again.

“Hey, you still have that jacket of yours, Hitomi…” Mayu noticed as I fidget inside my jacket’s warmth.

“Of course I do… my dad gave it to me after all…” I said bluntly. “C’mon, let’s go home…”

“Oh, wait a second Hitomi!” Mayu grabbed my arm, facing me to her. “I have something to give you!” she smiles, getting something from her bag then giving it to me.

I took it and torn out the gift wrap covering the scrapbook that was inside. “Go open it!” Mayu coaxed excitedly. I sighed, flipping open to see pictures of me as a baby.

I turned to the next page and then the next, realizing that it was a collection of my pictures ever since I was a baby…

“Mayu…” I stared at her closed eyed smile.

“I made that for you for graduation! Congratulations Hitomi!” she exclaimed as a tear rolled down my eyes. I wiped it away. “Hitomi… you can cry in front of me, you know…” she says.

“So-Sorry…” I apologized, tucking the scrapbook under my arms and cover my face. “Sorry Mayu… I’m sorry for being weak…”

“It’s okay, Hitomi. I’m your friend. I’ll always be here for you!”

“Literally…” Kensuke commented before Mayu reacted to his story.

“S-So he did ri-rip it out?!” and there goes gullible Mayu, believing another tale from my own cousin.

“Stop lying Kensuke. We all know that isn’t true” I countered him lifting my face up from the manga I was reading.

“Eh? It’s true. I’m not lying!” Kensuke justified. “Ask Nanami about it!”

“Nanami? Is that Fukui-senpai’s childhood neighbor?” Mayu wondered. “Wait, you’re still classmates with her?!”

Kensuke flinched. “Yeah, why?”

“It must be fate then!”

“What are you talking about Mayu? Fate is stupid”

“But it’s true! Sooner or later you’ll find the right person for you where he or she will love you for who you are!”

“Mayu, please shut up”

“Eh? So mean Hitomi! Who knows, when you enter high school next year, you’ll find your special someone!”

I shut the manga I was reading and retorted: “Mayu, I don’t intend to find that special someone. And if ever he does arrive, I’d probably push him away since I don’t have time for love. I need to focus on my studies! Plus, Nanami-san’s nominated me to the student council which I don’t like because that’ll need to more stress!”

“Wait, Nanami did that? That doesn’t seem like her…” Kensuke commented. We’re getting off topic here.

“You talk like you know here a lot, Fukui-senpai” Mayu smirked at him. “You like her don’t you?”

“I DO NOT!”

I sighed, face palming. Mayu just won’t give up on the love stuff.

“Oh, and Hitomi! Even if you push your soul-mate away, it won’t work!” Mayu corrected me. I irked an eyebrow. “Because you have this!” she pointed at my heart. “That’s connected to his!”

“You’re very deep sometimes Mayu. It’s kinda annoying” even I agree to what Kensuke had said. “Let’s go before we get late”

“Agreed” I say and followed my cousin, leaving Mayu behind.

“Hey, I’m telling the truth!” Mayu yelled after us. “Fukui-senpai! Hitomi! Hitomi!”

“Hitomi” I woke up with the sound of my name getting cold. I lift my head from Himuro’s shoulders and caress my forehead. “You feeling better?” Himuro asks from beside me. I nodded then put my head back on his shoulders as he kisses my forehead. “We’re at a gas station. Do you want to pee or something?”

“Uh, no thanks…” I mutter in reply and look out of the window. “Where did you take me?” I asked.

Himuro smiled down at me, stroking my hair. “You’ll see. Though, you seem familiar with the place. Getting de ja vu?” he inquired.

I blinked my eyes at him before scanning through the window of the place where we were. “It’s… wait… hold on… this seems to be my old vacation neighborhood…” I finally recognized it.

This is Kensuke’s hometown! The one me and Mayu always visited every vacation! And to where Kensuke’s old house is located!

But… “Why did you take me here, Himuro?” I asked.

He didn’t answer and pulled me back to my seat. “I told you, you’ll see” was his only answer.

Sup doods. I didn't update this for more than a month... 

I'm so gomen...

But I should tell you this is the second to the last chapter of this story... hahaha i'm sorry...

hope u like this chapter