-A memory lost in time-
Shintaro Kisaragi sat on his desk, bored and unamused. It was another average day for him, as classes were about to end. The poor last period teacher was unable to control their class, considering how it was last period and all.
As soon as the bell rang, a flock of students surrounded the class's most popular girl, Ayano Tateyama. "Going somewhere today, Tateyama-san?" "Let's go on karaoke today, Tateyama-san!" A large amount of invites were given towards Ayano, as she awkwardly tried to decline most of those events. Shintaro decided to pick up his bag and leave, seeing that there's not much to do but go home, as usual. He really didn't get along with anyone in the classroom, as others found him to be socially awkward than the rest of them. Sooner or later, a hand tugged his sleeve, as a familiar voice could be heard. "Going somewhere today, Shintaro-kun?" Asked Ayano Tateyama, which baffled everyone in class, including Shintaro himself. Why would the class's most popular girl spend time with him? Save for him helping her with homework, he really didn-ah, homework. That was it, probably help with homework. But wait, when were they on a first name basis?
"Did you need help with homework again, Tateyama?" Not even adding a -san at the end, Shintaro pretended to be rude to her, maybe that'll drive her away. "No-no! How mean, thinking I only come to you whenever I need help with homework..." She then decided to grip onto his wrist and drag him out of the classroom, walking the once heat-hazed streets, now currently facing chilly winter. "Tatey-" "Call me Ayano, please. It's way too awkward when you impose formalities on me!" The girl giggled, as Shintaro's face simply got more dumbfounded than ever. "Well...Ayano-san, where are we headed?" He decided not to question as to why Ayano spent time with him. He was rather grateful, considering all he had to do was go home if she didn't spend time with him. "I...really didn't have anything planned, Shintaro. Let's just roam around the cold for now! I hate the summer, considering how the heat gets really strong..." She held onto Shintaro closely, so close that one can almost mistake them for lovers. Shintaro didn't know how to react, and simply just played along awkwardly. They ended up going around various shops, trying clothes on (much to Shintaro's dismay) and playing games at the arcade. Eventually, they stopped at a crepe shop to finish the day.
"Ayano-san...thanks for the treat." Shintaro finally smiled. He hadn't smiled in a long time like this. "Of course! It was fun hanging out with Shin-chan~!" He was now Shin-chan? This girl clearly ignored whatever the limits of the first name-basis was. "You looked really lonely, that's all, and I didn't like seeing your sad face. After all, you wear the jacket of red, and red is the color of heroes, right!? So you should stand strong and brave! After all, your happiness might pass onto someone else. Happiness theory, ever heard of it?" Shintaro was rather confused because she described him as a hero. "Me, a hero? Not really, I'm only smart and that's about it, what a lame superpower..." He awkwardly replied, but then Ayano shook her head, as she held her finger out , pointing at Shintaro's heart. "You're a hero, right there. You're a kind person deep down, I know it. I know you'd listen to my problems, and would come to my aid if I needed it."
Two years later, unfortunately, amidst the heat-haze, this memory will be forgotten. This memory will most certainly be lost in time.