"Why? Why does no one…"

Her tears streamed like a waterfall as she wailed her heart out.

Seeing her like this, I felt cracks start to spread on my heart.

"Why does no one love me?"

Her words struck like falling rain, as a feeling of indignation started to well-up around my chest.

I knew she was simply venting her heart out after a break up, yet…

"That's not true at all…"

I pulled her into my warm embrace, all the whilst she continued to wail.

She broke free as she said, "I know you love me too, but that's different. You and I are…"

"Only friends right?" I continued.

With beady eyes, she nodded.

Seeing her answer, I paused. I might ruin our beautiful friendship if I say it… but if it can make her happy, why not?

I bit my lips, "I… I! I loved you in that manner too. Don't get me wrong though, now I simply wish to be friends with you. I just want to see you smile, it doesn't even have to be directed at me".

As I continued to talk, I saw her dazed face and so I decided to end with the brightest smile I could ever make.

I knew I made the right move, the moment her tears stopped flowing. However, her cheeks flushed red instead.

I stretched a hand towards her cheeks, "Are okay now?"

She flinched and jumped away, "Are you for real? I thought you were a good friend until now. Did you really think I'd accept you now that I've broken up with my boyfriend?"

Hmph~

Seeing her petite figure disappear into the staircase, I simply made a bitter smile.

With a thought, I decided to write a letter for her before leaving it on the table. Knowing her personality, she'd come back to check if she hurt me in any way.

With a sigh, I left the rooftop through another flight of stairs.

~A few minutes later~

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Click!

The door to the rooftop slightly opened, revealing a crack.

Upon understanding that there was no one else present, the door was flung open.

A figure slowly walked towards a table and chair.

She whisked her side bangs away in order to focus on the letter in her hand.

Tears fell once more, "I'm sorry…"

~February~

It's been a few months since her break up, and it seems like she's taking it on well.

Aside from the fact that she has refused each and every confession to her since then. Even those from people she once said that she fancied.

Her last breakup must have really hurt her. Well, at least we're back to normal friends now.

I'm on my way to the rooftop to spend lunch time with her again. She loved sharing food and as someone who loved free food, it would be a shame if I didn't take it.

As we ate our lunch, we usually had a topic for our conversation and this time it was about our friendship and how we met.

"Looking back, I realize why you were so fidgety when you introduced yourself to me".

Since it was such a long time ago, I didn't pay much attention to her words.

I simply nodded, "In truth, I can't believe I'm able to properly talk to you now. The me then would've never believed this could ever happen".

"Oh right, tomorrow's the 14th right?"

"Yup".

A strange feeling erupted in my chest as if telling me to prepare for what's to come.

She pulled a heart-shaped box of chocolates from her bag as she said, "Since we'll be busy tomorrow, I figured it would be for the best if I gave you these chocolates now".

Whew~

I secretly sighed in my heart.

Fortunately she wasn't confessing or anythi—

"Lei, can you hear me out first. You see, you got me thinking after your confession a few months back…"

I reflexively answered, "No".

"I said hear me out first. You see. I realized that even when I was with my ex, I was never as happy as when I was with you.

In fact, I even remember him warning me about you. Telling me to stay away from you and such, out of jealousy.

It turns out, I smile so naturally when I'm with you that I never even realized. I really am glad to have met you.

Lei, I love you too".

Haish~

Hearing me sigh, she indignantly asked, "Even if you can't return my love, can you at least tell me why?"

Gazing at her deep blue eyes, I couldn't help but reply.

"Elena, I love you so much that a simple smile of yours is enough to make my day".

"So why?"

I bit my lip, "Elena, I'm afraid; afraid to disappoint you, afraid to make you hate me, but most of all, afraid to lose you like your exes did.

If we were only friends, at most you would hate me but you would never leave me".

Hearing my answer, a smile blossomed on her cute face.

"Silly Lei, I would never leave you".

She dashed into my embrace as I fell onto my butt.

"I don't believe you, I bet you've even said the same thing to your exes before…"

"Then I'll prove it to you".

What do you mean?

She pecked my lips once and, maybe because she found my reaction cute, she pecked my lips a few more times. With each kiss, our lips touched for longer and longer times. Once I snapped from my daze, I started to kiss her back.

A few minutes later, we finally separated. Both our cheeks were flushed and our hair disheveled, but of course we hadn't done anything too far yet.

"You know what that meant right?"

I smiled back, "Of course Elena".

She pouted, "Don't call me Elena, it feels so distant, why don't you give me a better nickname".

I knew what she meant. To her, her first kiss is so sacred that she would only be willing to give it to someone she believed she would marry.

~Present Time~

"And that Ren, is how I met your grandma".

"Muffin, are you nagging our little Ren again?"

"No Honeybun, it's just that little Ren here asked about it. It seems he's gotten himself a little sweetheart".

Hearing his grandpa out him, Ren's face turned beet red while grandma poked her head out the door.

"Really? Our cute grandson already has a sweetheart? Little Ren, you can tell us and we promise not to tell your parents".