*Kenji Tachibana – a long-lost friend Part 1*

"Big bro, Big bro, wake up, you're gonna be late."

As my little sister called while slapping my face, I was left with no choice but to open my eyes. There she was, sitting on top of me, my cute little sister. But annoying.

"Die!" trying to freak her out, I closed my eyes.

"Huh! Big bro, you just told me to die! I'm not giving you a good morning kiss."

As she always does every morning, teasing me to cheer me up from what happened to me last year.

During my second year in Middle school, I had a girlfriend.

I was so happy that I didn't care what people thought about me.

She was the only one who mattered and gave me a reason for existence.

In other words, I loved her deeply, but we broke up on Christmas Eve.

Bringing an end to our eight-month fantasy, and I turned to hate her.

As the saying goes, 'The heart was made to be broken.'

But then I must keep on living; that's what my sister taught me, proving Dazai right.

My name is Tachibana Kenji, and my little sister is Tachibana Hanabi, who's practically in her third year of Middle school.

As I got ready for my new school year, I looked at my new uniform. I was joining Meiwe Prep High School, and today was the entrance exam.

During my third year in Middle school, I developed a new personality to fit in.

I became an extrovert, started to make friends, but I basically failed. I was the type who would not fit in with others.

I became a bookworm and buried all my thoughts and emotions in novels and light novels.

So, that's why I aimed for the toughest high school in the region, basically getting away from my middle school classmates and from her, although she had transferred schools at the beginning of the second semester of the third year due to some family reason.

"I'm off."

"Take care, Kenji."

As I bid farewell to my mother, who had earlier insisted on joining me at the entrance ceremony, I managed to persuade her not to come. My sister had already left, so I took off and headed for the train station.

To be honest, I've always seen the world as grey, with no beautiful colors to shine.

I had shut myself off from the outside world, although I had tried to become more social with others, but it only broke me more because everything reminded me of her. That's why I will always HATE her.

As the entrance ceremony concluded, each student was led to their respective classrooms through the notice.

As I stood in front of the supposed class I was in, 'Class 1-B,' I opened the door gently. The seating arrangements were already decided, and I found myself sitting at the back seat near the window.

Which I really preferred because it would exclude me from the rest of the students.

As I gently took my seat, I took a novel that I had recently purchased, a mystery novel.

I began to read as the others were socially interacting with each other.

"U-um, e-excuse me."

I heard the voice at first and only assumed it wasn't directed at me.

"Tachibana-kun."

But when I heard my name being called, I was startled. So, normally, I turned and looked in the direction. A girl, but even so, I couldn't recall who she was, so I only nodded, reassuring her that I was Tachibana.

"Is it really you, Tachibana-kun?"

She spoke courageously, as though I already knew her.

"Um, sorry, but do I know you?"

As I asked the question, she seemed disappointed.

"Ah," letting out a smooth sigh.

She leaned in front of me as if she was telling me to examine her face.

I only gave her a head shake to tell her I had no idea who she was.

I then continued to read my novel.

"Suzuki Inoue." And I could only see her back as she left and took her seat in the front near the door.

As I averted my eyes from her and continued reading.

( Hey, Tachibana-kun, let's remain friends forever…)

(Yes, Inoue-san, forever and ever.)

(And also, Tachibana-kun, never forget me and also call me by my given name.)

-(Ok, promise, Suzuki-san.)

Bold as always

As memories of the past flooded my mind, I felt my eyes become teary. I couldn't forget Suzuki-san.

I wiped the tears before they could drop, and I stood up from my seat and went to where Suzuki was.

The only memory that came to my mind that was funny about her was that she never slept without her bear stuffed toy next to her.

As I stood beside her, she still hadn't noticed me, as she was also reading a novel, just like she was a kid.

"Still can't sleep without your bear, Suzuki-san?"

She looked at my face and gave out a genuine smile.

"You still call me by my first name? Kenji-kun."

"It was a promise."

Nihihi she gave out a cute chuckle and smiled.

"Thank y-" Before she could finish her words, I interrupted.

"I'm really sorry." I genuinely apologized.

"Why are you apologizing? You were always terrible at remembering people's names, and it has also been 8 years since I left town."

"8 years, huh, but you remembered who I was, so just accept the apology."

"Huh, so kind, ok then, but in compensation, you'll eat lunch with me."

"Ok, fair enough."

"Kenkun, you better take your seat; the homeroom teacher will be here soon."

As I turned and started to walk, I felt a grip on the hem of my sleeves.

"Huh?" Turning in shock, I looked at Suzuki-san, and she whispered in my ears.

"You've become rather handsome and manly too."

As she sat down, I progressed and took my seat.

"And you have changed a lot. Kenkun, it's been a long time since someone called me by my name," I muttered to myself. For the first time, I felt a little happy (a little).

*Kenji Tachibana – Along Lost Friend part 2*

"From now henceforth, those two are our newly appointed class representatives," the teacher announced. The two students who were appointed gradually went and sat down. Although I didn't catch their names, during the class meeting, I had been mostly reading my book. As the teacher was about to step outside the classroom, he turned and faced us, opening his mouth to speak.

"Um, about the empty seat at the back, don't worry, the owner will be here by tomorrow. I guess she had some sort of issue," he said, then left with no further explanation. The seat in question was right beside mine.

"Did he just say 'she'?" someone whispered.

"It's a girl, right? Is she pretty?" another student asked.

As students kept asking each other meaningless questions, I returned to my normal state.

Hours passed, and just as I promised, Suzuki came to where I was to have our lunch. We engaged in some catching-up questions of no importance until she finally asked THE question.

"So, Kenji-kun, did you finally get a girlfriend after me?" she asked, her tone easing.

"Yeah, I guess. And you were never my girlfriend," I replied.

"What a meanie…" She covered her face with both hands. "You better introduce her to me."

"I wish I could, but we broke up," I admitted.

"Oh, sorry I bothered you," Suzuki said.

"Don't worry, it doesn't bother me. Speaking of which, do you have a boyfriend?" I asked.

"Since you are my best friend, I will humbly answer you. I don't have a boyfriend, but my crush from middle school surprisingly is in this school, and that is all I can say," she replied.

"Okay," I said, noticing her disappointment.

"You won't ask who it is?" she prodded.

"Yeah, I guess I'm not particularly interested in romance anymore, so that's how it is," I explained.

"You never change. Ever since we were little, you were never interested in other people," she chuckled. "But that's how we became best friends."

She was right ever since my dad left us when I was little, I never really cared about other people and people tend to keep their distance from me.

But Suzuki-san was different, she became closer and unexpectedly we formed a bond of childhood friends.

But, then she left town and I became lonely again not until middle school that I found someone and formed a bond with so could lovers eventually I hated her and we broke up, and she transferred schools and moved to Tokyo.

After school I eventually ended up walking with Suzuki-chan from school, we went to a neighborhood park where we used to hang out while still kids.

We sat on a bench that had a shade.

" Am happy I came back and ended up seeing you."

Although she displayed a happy smile, she had sadness in her eyes.

As for who I was I didn't pry to dig anything from her lifestyle.

But I only needed to know one thing I slowly opened my mouth and asked.

" hey, Suzuki-san, so where are you staying now?" yeah a real dump question to ask during a reunion.

She looked at me surprisingly and made a mischievous smile.

" Hey are you trying to come over and make a move, you pervert." As always she kept teasing as she stood up and looked at me, she said

" Eventually we moved to our old house, so don't worry."

We chatted as it was getting dark, and we started heading home, she stopped and looked at me.

" let's exchange our Line info."

" yeah." I nodded to her.

After she took her leave in the opposite direction, I offered to escort her but she declined.

During dinner heard informed my mother that o heard Suzuki attended the same School as I did.

As I was about to sleep, I only remembered the sadness in her eyes and a question that I wanted to ask her, why did they leave without saying anything?

*Kenji Tachibana- Never have I ever imagined this…*

During the third period at school, the teacher had important information to pass.

All the students knew he was going to introduce the absentee.

As I was unfortunately not paying attention but I was simply reading as I always did.

" As I stayed yesterday about the absentee from yesterday, I would like to introduce you all to her but before that, I urge all not to ask her any deep unnecessary questions." The teacher cleared his throat I could hear he was writing something on the board but I didn't bother to look at the writing, he then continued.

" You can now introduce yourself properly."

"um- my name is Hinata Ayane and it's.."

My mind completely went black and yes I know that name without even looking at her.

Her smooth, sweet voice that used to love to hear calling my name. My mind pictured how she used to look like.

Her long black, smooth hair, her eyes were almost crimson, she had a petite body with slender hips, her pale white skin. She always had long bangs to cover her beautiful face, although everyone knew how cute she was, she had quite a lot of friends but she was always shy around the boys.

And there she was, I didn't need to look at all the physical beauty she had, the perfect personality I had brought myself to hate her, I hated her so much.

I was brought to my senses when I heard the teacher calling my name.

" Um- Tachibana Kenji I presume, please raise your hand."

I obediently raised my hand, but why did she have to be here most importantly why did you have to call me by full name?

It's like fate had finally caught up to me.

Our eyes met as she walked towards me, she had an angry face but she hid it with a smile but couldn't fool me.

" Nice to meet you, hope you take good care of me." She said those words and took her seat

Wait what does she mean by 'hope you take good care of me' is she for real.

Does she not remember me or something this despicable girl, why do I even care, I looked at her one more time and noticed she had reduced her bangs and openly displayed her beautiful face, which had once only I was able to notice up close.

As I turned back and stared outside through the window I felt the vibration of my phone in my pocket as I looked at it, it was a Line message from Suzuki-san. As I read it…

(what's up you look like you have seen a ghost or something.)

(No I was just puzzled by the teacher calling my name out of the blue.)

(Don't tell me you have fallen in love with that girl.)

(stupid.)

With those few messages, I switched my phone off to avoid any further interrogation.

Even though she has ended up in the same School and precisely the same class there was only one thing I was certain about, absolutely no one must ever find out about our past.

During lunch break, Suzuki-san came over to my seat to have lunch with me.

" Hey, why did you switch off your phone, you jerk."

" I guess it's prohibited to use one's phone during homeroom." As I came up with an excuse.

" You meanie, Kenji-kun." As she folded her arms and looked the other way, showing disappointment.

I patted her head to show remorse for what I did.

" Oh, that feels good, let me return the favor by kissing you." She said those words while placing her index figure on her lips, with a teasing posture.

"You idiot, better eat up."

As I shot back, I could feel a sharp stare beside me as I turned, I saw Her tilting her head.

" hey, Ayane-san, which middle school did you attend?"

" It's not worth mentioning, but's is in Tokyo."

" You have a beautiful skin complexion and you are so cute I wish I could hug you."

" Thanks, um- .."

"Hey, sorry about that, Mirai-san, stop with a weird question."

" okay, sorry Ayane- san."

" No problem."

Wait did she just say cute, oi, oi stop complementing that witch? I couldn't say those words openly.

As we finished our lunch, which I was sharing with Suzuki-san I had forgotten mine.

Suzuki-san had progressed to her seat, as I headed for the bathroom.

As I had come back most boys and girls had surrounded Ayane-san and were admiring her.

As the last school bell rang, I didn't have anything to do and I was not in any particular club. I started packing some books into my bag. When a letter fell out from the desk.

I unfolded it and in the letter, a single sentence was written.

Let's meet at the rooftop after school.

Even though there was no sender's name I had already figured out who the sender was.

As I approached the door leading to the rooftop, I placed my right hand on the doorknob let out a sigh, and opened it.

As I expected, my ex-girlfriend stood at the center of the roof. She had her bag in her right hand and her left was holding her phone.

She didn't even had any greetings not that I wanted to hear any as she started opening her mouth.

" First of all am so mad that I am at the same School as you…" you don't the to tell me though. " …second, let me make myself clear I will never forgive you if anyone ever

Found out about our previous relationship…" as if I wish to let anyone know about you. "…thirdly stop flirting with your girlfriend in front of me. "so she is jealous.

Do I have to answer at all, no I don't the so.

I'll just walk away slowly.

As I turned back slowly, I held the doorknob, I could hear the sound of stepping from behind, as I turned back, Ayane-san was running towards me as she was in arm's reach she tripped.

Unconsciously I grabbed her and pinned them at the door, I supported myself by placing my right hand on top of her head and I leaned towards her(unconsciously) and began to speak.

" firstly am so happy you hate that we ended up at the same, secondly I will never let anyone know of our previous relationship I will take it to the grave, thirdly Suzuki- Suzuki-San is not my girlfriend."

I said those words looking directly into her eyes, her face had completely turned red up to her ears. She looked at I could feel her body shaking, she then closed her eyes and raised her chin.

I almost gave into temptation and brought my lips near hers almost kissing her realizing that I took a step back and gave her a flick in the onrehead.

" ow, ow, that hates." She mourned in pain.

Realizing what was about to happen her face flashed red, she then opened the door and closed it after some seconds she opened again pocking a head from the inside of the building and opened her mouth,

" That's why hate you so much, idiot."

Idiot, what did even do, before I could ask she had shut the door and sprinted away.

I could feel my body burning up not that I had a fever, I was so embarrassed, we almost kisses dammit.

That's why, that's why,

" I also hate you, too much," I shouted to myself.

As I returned home, after dinner, I tried to at least read my novel but I couldn't focus, I kept remembering what had happened earlier.

I ended up calling it a day, one thing I was sure of, never have I ever imagined this as my second day in high school.

Surely fate is despicable.

*Hinata Ayane – so what…*

I Hinata Ayane, a sixteen-year-old high school girl had never imagined I would meet the one person I wished I couldn't meet when I returned to Kyoto, my ex-boyfriend Kenji Tachibana.

During middle school, I was an average student in academics but in turn, I had a lot of friends due to my cuteness, though I couldn't call them my friends for I didn't feel any comfort in the group.

That's when I met Him, he gave comfort more than anyone else and so I bravely got the courage to confess to him and we started to be known as lovers.

At first I was so happy.

We could hug, hold hands, eat lunch together and many other things.

I found a place I could call my belongings.

And on Christmas Eve he broke up with me.

I spent most of my winter holiday crying, I wanted to call to say am sorry.

Even though I didn't do anything wrong, I couldn't bring myself to that.

As school reopened he didn't even talk to me or look at me even once.

And I ended up hating him so much, I hate him, I hate him.

At the start of the first semester of my third year at middle school, I ended up transferring due to some unavoidable reasons.

Although I hated that boy, I still wanted to tell him am moving to Tokyo, let's stay in touch but still I couldn't face him I was really scared and hurting.

But one day, during the summer of my third year living in Tokyo, I mastered the courage to call him but he had changed his contact info.

A boy who was a loner and a girl who craved affection their story comes to an end.

That's what I thought but today I saw him, I felt like a burden had been lifted from my chase. But still, I hate him and I will always hate him.

He flirts in front of me, I can't help but feel jealous why did he have a girlfriend, why didn't he feel sad?

No, I guess not for he broke up with me.

He then told me she wasn't his girlfriend again I felt relieved.

We almost kissed but I knew I didn't like him because I hated him. Why is fate always on bad terms with me?

The following day I prepared myself and headed to school.

Ever since the third year of middle school when I overcame my anxiety and trimmed my bangs.

I became more popular, and even now during my second day in high school I became well known for my cuteness and my grades shot up.

I can finally become a proper high school girl but still, I feel…

" kenji-kun, I missed you so much…"

She hugged him, but he said that they weren't dating jerk.

" let's kiss."

Kiss what's wrong with this girl get away from him.

Wait why am I so anxious am I jealous no it's just immoral for them to be acting like this during class.

" Stop that Suzuki-san, you'll others get the wrong idea about us."

Tachibana-kun has always been acting so cold towards others I guess that makes him cool.

"Nhinhi" I let out a soft chuckle as I sat down, I didn't mean to disturb their conversation but the girl turned to me and moved close to my face, I was startled, Tachibana-kun only sat down and assumed what was going on.

"Hey, I heard rumors that you are cute, but looking close you are super cute…" What's wrong with this girl, "…oh am sorry, I haven't even introduce myself as Suzuki Inoue."

"um- am Hinata Ayane nice to meet you." I shook her hand which she hand extended to receive mine.

" ah, look at your boobs are they D-cup am so envious of you. I bet Kenji-kun is always looking at your boobs."

As I looked at Tachibana-kun his face was red up until his ears.

Before I could even talk I felt all her hands grabbing my boobs.

"Ah" I couldn't help but let out a soft moan before I could her I didn't expect it.

"Hey, Suzuki-san, stop with your pesterin and take your seat it's almost homeroom."

" Hey, you are so harsh Kenji-kun, but let's chat again Ayane-san."

As Inoue-san went to his seat, I looked

"Oh." He was so harsh.

During my middle school days all the time I felt lonely, I could cuddle Kenji-kun to feel his warmth.

He was my hope.

I remember one day. I was caught up by two boys who kept pestering me but I could tell them I had a boyfriend.

We had kept our relationship a secret because he said he didn't like attention.

So I respected him and then he helped me from those boys, I was so happy I couldn't contain myself and I hugged him in front of the other students.

I imagined he would push me away but he wrapped his arms and hugged him.

I whispered in his ears what I only imagined.

" I love you, my hero." As he smiled.

And now after a long time without seeing each other for a long time, he saved me a gain.

" Hey, Tachibana-kun…" although he can't look at me, I know he can listen. Although we hate each other we still share memories of the past. "… Thank you, hero."

He turned and looked at me and he slowly opened his mouth after letting out a small sigh.

" I didn't save you."

And he looked away but I saw something, something I hadn't seen in a long time, he smiled his pure smile.

So what if we can't bring ourselves not to hate each other?

So what if I didn't get the chance to say sorry?

So what if I didn't say goodbye.

So what if I still….

We will always share the memories of our past and am happy for that.