Chapter 1
Sticking Around
Setsuna wept solemnly in her bed. She knew the time would come… the time she would leave her friends.
Two months ago… she was told they were moving.
"Setsuna, I got a business opportunity in France. We have to leave in a couple months. I'm sorry..."
Setsuna stood up, wiping the fresh tears from her face. She walked steadily towards the door. The wooden planks creaking under her footsteps. She remembered all the sleep-overs Sekai and her had. The pain forced more tears down her cheeks. She stood still at the door and fought to hold the tears within.
She opened the door hesitantly and started towards the stairs. She heard her mother talking downstairs; she paid little attention to it. She crept down the stairs, quietly.
She was halfway down when a precious memory flooded into her mind. Makoto's face appeared in her mind. Her body froze still. The tears she fought back flew down her face. Her weeping echoed throughout the house.
"Setsuna, are you alright?"
"Yes, mother…I'm alright," she said wiping the tears from her face.
"Are you still upset?" Her mother asked
"No," she said bluntly.
"Really? Well, I have good news, that was my boss… we're not moving. We worked out a position I can keep here," her mother said.
Setsuna's tears stopped, and her face brightened. Her face radiated with joy. She let new tears flow down her radiating face. With new found energy she ran up stairs.
"Setsuna, don't forget to unpack!" Her mother yelled.
She ran into her room with an abundant supply of energy and jumped towards her suitcases. Clothes spewed from the suitcase landing everywhere. Setsuna rapidly cleaned her now dirtied room in moments with this new found energy. She looked forward to the new term of school.
Sekai Saionji walked into the classroom with her normal upbeat attitude. Setsuna followed behind with a cheery attitude. Sekai looked over by the windows and saw Makoto Itou staring out the window.
"Setsuna, what seat did you get?" Sekai asked enthusiastically.
"The window seat next to Itou," Setsuna replied with a grin.
"Setsuna, please trade seats with me! I want to sit next to Itou,"
"But…"
"Setsuna! I'm begging, please!"
"Fine,"
Makoto Itou was staring at his phone. He looked at the lovely stranger on his background. He thought about how Taisuke almost saw his phone's new background.
"She's cute!" Sekai whispered in Makoto's ear.
"Huh… What?!" Makoto said in shock.
"I didn't know you were so trendy, is that the phone charm?"
"Eh… but, I'm not!"
"Really? It looks like you are. Who is it then, your girlfriend?"
"I... um... don't have one,"
"Do you want her to be your girlfriend?"
"What are you even saying"
"I'm Sekai Saionji, and I'll help you,"
"But Sekai... I don't even know you,"
"I want to help you,"
"But you can't tell anyone,"
"I won't, I swear,''
Sekai made small talk with Makoto. She felt a twinge of pain in her heart knowing another girl has stolen the heart of Makoto. The twinge was painful, but she bottled it deep within herself. She was just happy to be with Makoto just for the time being. The feelings were mixed; she was hurt but too happy to even notice the heartbreak.
The time flew, and the lunch break had just started. Taisuke stood up and approached Makoto.
"Yo Makoto! Wanna get some lunch?" Taisuke asked.
"Well… I actually have plans to spend lunch with Sekai,'' Makoto replied.
"Hey Makoto, I know a place for us to eat at," Sekai said enthusiastically.
"But-"Makoto barely spoke when Sekai grabbed his hand and bolted out the door.
Setsuna watched as the she dragged him into the hallway and down the corridor. She went to the lunch room with Hikari and Nanami.
"Hey Setsuna, you seem more energetic than usual. What happened?" Hikari asked.
"A few good things happened last night,'' Setsuna replied.
"What did happen though?" Nanami asked with curiosity.
"Nothing really, don't worry," Setsuna responded.
The trio entered the lunchroom, and searched for an empty table. One lay in the back of the lunchroom. The group sat down and unpacked their lunches. Setsuna's lunch box was a cutely decorated blue box, filled with delicacies her mom prepared for her. The food inside was simple, two rice balls separated from the main dish, a medium serving of soumen noodles sprinkled with pieces of vegetables, and a rice ball with a chocolate mousse inside.
Setsuna ate lunch with the feeling that things were going to be ok.