"I'm not too much of a chatter, but this is one of the longest I've had, Miyuki-san." He finally mentioned it as those very words stopped their walk, Sora only realized this just now.
"What's wrong, Sora-kun?"
"Mhm..."
He looked away for a brief second, structuring words in his head as he contemplated his reasoning.
"It's nothing, nothing. Really." In mere seconds, his contemplation was already finished, nor his reasons were solely enough for such questions. Although, in the end, that plan could never be executed.
"It's fine! I won't squeeze the reasons out of you like a sponge or anything." She nodded quickly.
"You're very understanding. I like that part of you."
"E-eh!?"
"Yes. That's true." He answered with a bright smile on his face, which Miyuki has never seen before, flustered, but relieved.
"Y-you fluster me, Sora-kun."
"Oh? I was merely saying the truth."
She was left blushing, but their feet continued to walk forward. Until a familiar male student appears in front of them.
"Shirosaki-san?"
"Oh, hello. Kenji-san."
It was Kenji Kokorou, the current moments had made it seem like he appeared out of nowhere. Their busy tongues focused too much on chattering with one another, their eyes forgot to check out the situation that surrounds them.
"We were just walking together, did something happen?"
"Oh, no. No. I just happened to see you guys here."
Kenji gulped as he answered her question, as if he was afraid of giving out such news even her ears would be afraid to hear.
"Well... I'll just head back to class. You guys seem very close. I don't fit in here..." He tries to back off, as if staying would be pointless there. He felt as if it sounded like the right thing to do for him. At least, that was what he thought in his mind. This was the time of a man facing his racing thoughts inside. Chaos inside, but peaceful outside, Sora tried not to be suspicious of the current situation.
"Sora-kun!"
"E-eh!?"
He felt his arm grabbed by Miyuki's warm soft hands. It reminded them both of that faithful, rainy day.
"I... I want you to stay for a little longer with me."
"O-oh..."
They both went silent, in an awkward manner as Kenji acts as the spectator.
"Oh, it seems you two are closer." Kenji mentioned. "Oh well, I also have business in class anyway. Later."
Kenji makes a small wave as he heads back to class 2-A. Making a somewhat troubled face as he entered the classroom, he opens the door.
"Miyuki..." He repeats her name, one last time, in his heart. "Hmph... Did I do something wrong?" He asked himself, inside. He was left there, sitting on his desk as his mind contemplates. Alone in thought without a soul's accompaniment.
"Oh!" Miyuki swiftly lets go of his arm, thinking the bold attempt was unnecessary. "I'm sorry, I just had fun talking with you." She said in an embarrassed tone. "I let my words slip right out of my tongue..."
"It's alright." He said, in his calm, usual voice. "We still have time left before class. Let's spend them wisely." He smiled once again, in hope of cheering the embarrassed Miyuki.
"Sora-kun..."
"I've said it's fine, no? Let us go! We've only went out for a few minutes."
Her flushed face was plain red. Left flustered as she blushed once more, her heart beats fast as her sharp ears heard the rapid pumps. She had never felt anything like this before. But, the sensation made it seem as if Miyuki had experienced such situations such as these multiple times... The feeling of Deja Vu, she paused for a brief moment.
Sora, outside of Miyuki's fluster field. Noticing the unusual behavior with his sharp eyes. "Oh... Eh? Yuki-san? Are you there?" He asked out of concern.
Meanwhile, in class 2-A...
"You stared at me so I thought I just came to you."
"AAAHHHHHH! YOU STARTLED ME FROM BEHIND!"
Hiroto makes a sudden, unexpected approach towards the day dreaming Hanabi.
"Oh, um. I'm sorry." He apologized for his surprise. It was unintentional. "I usually scare people as their first impression. Even without intention to." He explained, as the straightforward man he was.
"Ah... Phew... Well, what brings ya here?"
"I..."
His mind raced in a matter of a second. Social communication was never his dominant nor primary skill. His usual figure was always like a lone wolf observing from afar, which he still is 'till today. Observant of various students, but socializing or even communicating was a difficult skill to him.
"...I thought, well... If we could be friends?" Hiroto stuttered.
Hanabi, on the other hand, was surprised. A male classmate in which she only noticed today has piqued an interest in forming a friendship together.
"Hahaha! At least tell me your name!"
"I'm Hiroto. You must be..."
She continued his sentence. "Hanabi." She smiled brightly like the fireworks in the night sky, ending his sentence like how the fireworks ended their spark.
"Hanabi! Hmm... I like your name."
"Thanks, Hiroto is a nice name too."
The first impression was shocking like the loud sounds of fireworks, especially if one was never aware that the beautiful sparks will eventually come out in the starry night skies. But once they take a glance, their eyes dilated as they feel the sensation of happiness. Making a smile brighter than the lights of the fireworks itself.
"I just thought that it was time for me to change, this year." He confessed, even after only meeting each other for a brief moment.
"Oh..." Hanabi was speechless. These moments were always rare to her. A variety of people like Hiroto exist in this world, but as they say, it takes courage to spit it all out of your tongue, that originally came from the deepest depths of the heart.
"I... Never thought someone would say something like this to me as their early impressions." Hanabi said, in all honesty.
"Erm, does that bother you?"
"No, not at all!"
The words of validation. This was what he sought for, for a very long time throughout his life. He could feel as if the gateways of hope had given him a chance.
"Hiroto-san," Hanabi stood up from her table. "I look forward to strengthening our friendship." She hoped for the best in the future.