Double update because I love you guys and it’s already summer vacation. Also, this update is because of people commenting “don’t put another cliffhanger.” Lol. I’m more encouraged to update. Hooray! ^~^

P.S. Guess how many chapters are left. ;)

–

To: (y/n)

Conversation tomorrow morning.

-H

Hesitant, I closed my locker. Who was this?

My heart throbbed, and I felt a tinge of anxiousness. I despised being curious; it never lets me sleep at all. Being intrigued at who the sender of the letter would surely keep me up tonight.

"(y/n)-san?" Nagisa-kun took careful steps towards me. "I'll take you home."

I quirked an inquisitive brow. “Why so?”

“Commands.”

“Commands?” I tried to get out the answer from Nagisa by flashing him my frustrated and all agog look to no avail. Why do people love to make me interested? It’s not funny. “Hey, Nagisa-kun.”

“Just... shut up.” I almost stepped back with his reply. This wasn’t like the little boy I know. Nagisa wouldn’t answer like this. “Let’s go home and everything will be fine.” What does he mean? So many questions ran in my mind, but nothing had an answer. Nagisa let me first. I have no idea as to why he’s watching over me. We all have assassination skills. Someone who dares kill me shall die.

Kidding. As if I can kill someone. I couldn’t even put to death Karma.

As I reached home, Nagisa bowed down respectfully. “Stay safe.”

Peculiar, indeed.

°·•~

Even as I washed the dishes before going to school, “H” wouldn’t get off of my mind. The mysterious aura which that person has gets me to being frustrated. Why the long wait, really? I didn’t have the patience of talking to that someone.

As I neared school, I saw white hair from a distance. Well, isn’t this weird? Not to mention a coincidence. Itona and I are the early birds today. “Good morning.” Itona greeted coolly, nodding. I waved, finding it hard to speak, let alone hum a single syllable. “Let’s now talk.” Before I could enter the classroom, he hauled me towards the back of the school. That reminds me. Itona Horibe. Yeah, right. Why haven’t I thought of that sooner? It’s one of his initials.

“What for? And what is it about?”

“Save the questions for later, (y/n)-san.” We stopped as we reached the back of the school. He let out a breath and looked me in the eyes. “Listen carefully. I’ve been meaning to tell this to you ever since school started.” My face flushed. I was grateful that it wasn’t bright or else he would’ve seen my face. Freaking fudge—ugh. I-Is he... gonna confess to me?

“Okay. Go ahead.” Hopefully, my voice sounded calm.

“I’m giving you... a serious rejection.”

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“It’s not hard to tell that you like me. I’m being frank here.”

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“W-Well, I’m not really into doing these kinds of things because I actually haven’t experienced something like this.”

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“Look, I know the pain. I just want us to stay friends. Pardon.”

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A minute or two passed and I still wasn’t able to speak. The information kept on being processed. The functioning of my mind lagged. I couldn’t digest anything.

The cool breeze set me off of my trance. That’s when I truly felt the slap of truth.

Ah. He rejected me.

And then, for the first time in my lifetime, I had the emotion grief overwhelming my body. For the first time in school, for the first time in front of someone I liked, a tear fell. Wow.

So this is how love affects a person. This is what love does to a person. This is where love takes you.
This is when love hurts you.
This is why you shouldn’t love.
This is love.

“You’re... crying.” Itona stated flatly. I didn’t know if he had any concern with the tone he’s using. But one thing’s for sure. Damn. “Don’t cry.” It felt like an imperative sentence with the way he said it. Didn’t he know that he couldn’t stop pain? “Goddammit, this is why I hate romance.”

I narrowed my eyes at him as another tear rolled down my cheeks. “Why...” I whispered to the wind.

“What are you guys doing here?” Maehara-kun suddenly entered the scene and flipped his hair. “Am I missing something?” I furtively wiped my tears and stood straight.

“No, you’re just in time!” I ecstatically exclaimed. “Actually, I don’t wanna play rock, paper, scissors with that guy anymore. Can you please take over my place and avenge me, prince charming?”

Maehara guffawed. “Okay! Lemme guess, you lost multiple times?” I shut up. He knew that silence means yes. “Well then, I shall avenge thy princess.”

Itona tilted his head to the right. His train of thoughts was something without my knowing. But being away from him right now was better than anything.

I stepped backward and after two steps, I turned around 360 degrees. It was hard to prevent the tears from falling. Biting my lips wasn’t helping either.

The air felt cold suddenly as strands of my hair danced. A raindrop fell onto the grass. Then I realized it wasn’t raining. It was just tears.

My tears.

And I can’t stop crying.

I had this hidden spot in school that nobody knows about—somewhere in the woods. Feeling heaviness on my shoulders, I made my way toward the comforting place. A surprised gasp escaped from me when I saw Karma all chill at the exact location where I am whenever I needed some time alone.

“What are you—”

“Doing at your haven?” He said without looking up like he knew it’s me already. “I always see you here.”

“You do?”

He glanced up at me and his eyes was colored with sarcasm. “Obviously.”

The place I—or should I say we were in felt like the edge of the world. It’s a plateau. People who are afraid of heights shouldn’t be in places like this for it might cause hyperventilation. I was afraid of heights, but the serenity that washes over me whenever I’m here was like an attractive magnet so my consciousness drags me to this place whenever I’m sad.

“Do you mind speaking up about the matter?” Karma used a tone I never expected he’d use in a million years as he patted the space beside him.