"This is going to sound crazy, but... from the moment I first set eyes on you I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."
― Leigh Fallon, Carrier of the Mark

The first time Komaeda saw her was in the school campus.

He'd been in a hurry to get away from the bullies chasing him that he didn't notice her until he bumped into her.

Light gray-green eyes met startled green before he offered a small apology and resumed his run.

The second time he saw her was in the library. Rumors had been going on around the school that he'd supposedly assaulted a girl in the school. Guys sent him a glare each time they saw him while the girls gave him looks of disgust.

He was used to this kind of behavior back in middle school, but it still hurt. The rumors were false. What really happened was that one of the popular girls in the year above him, Ruruka Andoh, wanted to sleep with him because some of her friends had dared her to.

Komaeda had refused. Ruruka didn't take it well.

Soon after, rumors of him assaulting her had spread to the rest of the student body.

It was no use trying to explain, people didn't listen anyway.

His only solace was the schools library at the far corner of the school. As soon as he walked in, the students would leave their seats and leave the room until it was just him in there.

Oh well, at least no one would bother him there.

So one could imagine his surprise when on the fourth day, someone took a seat next to him in the library.

Komaeda looked up from his book in surprise. He glanced at the person sitting next to him and his eyes widened just a bit. It was that girl he'd bumped into last week.

Her long brown hair was set up in a high ponytail and those green eyes of hers were currently focused on the book in her hand.

Komaeda glanced around. There were plenty of other tables in the library, why had she chosen to sit next to him he wondered.

It didn't look like she was going to answer him but she wasn't giving him a look of disgust either so maybe she wasn't that bad. He returned his attention back to his book.

And for the next few hours till the school announced that it was closing, they both spent their time in comfortable silence.

The third time he saw her was during lunch a few days after the library incident. He'd just bought his lunch and was on his way to his special place in the roof when he spotted her and another blonde girl arguing about something.

Noticing that they were heading his way, Komaeda quickly hid behind the trashcans and crouched down before they spotted him.

"Come on Naegi! Come with us to karaoke! It'll be fun, I promise!" The blonde girl whined.

The other girl, Naegi, crossed her arms and shook her head. "No thanks Junko. There's this book I want to finish in the school library."

Junko's face scrunched up in disgust. "Ugh, you know he's there right? Nobody wants to go there because that's where he likes to hang out. Haven't you heard the rumors about him?"

Naegi frowned. "You shouldn't listen to rumors Junko. Besides, the source of those rumors came from Ruruka, and no offence, but that girl has a tendency to lie. I'm sure that guy is actually really nice too. So I'm going back to that library, and I'm finishing that book."

Junko made another face but didn't say anything and soon after they disappeared inside the school building.

Once they were completely gone, Komaeda got up from his hiding spot and looked in the direction the girls had gone to. He couldn't help but look forward to after school.

Once the school bell rang indicating that school was over, Komaeda quickly put his things in his bag and practically ran to the library.

A look around the room told him that he'd arrived early. Komaeda made his way to his usual table and placed his bag on the floor before he randomly picked out a book from one of the shelves and took a seat.

A few minutes later, Naegi walked into the room. She gave him a nod of greeting before she went to one of the shelves. After a bit of looking, she picked out a book and made her way to her seat next to him.

And for the next few hours, they both sat there reading in silence.

It was during the last few minutes before the school would close that Komaeda heard growling.

Startled, he looked around the room in confusion but saw nothing.

Shrugging, he went back to his book.

A minute later, the growling noise came back.

Komaeda looked around and noticed Naegi's red face.

The growling grew louder and Naegi's face became redder.

Realization hit him and his eyes widened.

She was hungry.

He was debating whether to say something when Naegi abruptly got up and went to the restroom at the back of the library.

Just then, the overhead speaker announced that the school was closing and Komaeda began to pack his things when an idea hit him.

Making sure that Naegi wasn't coming back yet, he quickly took out the yogurt and spoon that he was going to eat later on and placed it on her seat before he hastily made his way out the door and leaned against it so he could see the results.

A few minutes later, Naegi made her way out of the restroom only to pause in surprise as she noticed the yogurt on her seat.

Komaeda held his breath.

Naegi walked up and picked up the yogurt. She looked around the library before a soft smile graced her features.

Komaeda did a fist pump.

Satisfied, Komaeda turned on his heel, and with a skip to his step, went home.

The next day, Komaeda quickly made his way to the library. He was already late thanks to the lecture his homeroom teacher had decided to give him, something about picking fights with other students. Komaeda snorted, did he look like the type to pick fights? Honestly.

Finally reaching the library, Komaeda took a deep breath, and after attempting to fix his hair, he slid the door open and stepped inside, only to be disappointed.

Naegi wasn't here. Komaeda sighed and grudgingly made his way to his usual table only to stop and stare at the item that was there.

After a pause, he reached a hand and picked up the small bag there. Attached to the bag was a post-it note. He took it off the bag and brought it closer to his face so he could read it.

A smile adorned his face a second later. The note read:

Thank you for last time, I hope you like cookies :)

Komaeda hugged the bag to his chest. His heart was pounding like crazy. Excited, he opened the bag and took out one of the cookies before he brought it to his mouth.

Komaeda decided right then and there that macadamia cookies were the best.

The weekend seemed to drag on. He just wanted it to be Monday already. He wanted to see Naegi already. He'd devoured the cookies she gave him just yesterday and already regretted it. Komaeda sighed and turned to his side on his bed.

He couldn't stop thinking about her. Every time he thought of her, his palms would get sweaty and his heart would start pounding. He wondered if he was getting sick.

School still sucked, but he truly enjoyed those moments he had with her after school.

"Did something good happen?"

Komaeda looked up at his friend, well his only friend really, and raised an eyebrow at him. His friend had decided to visit him this Sunday afternoon and they were both sitting on his couch drinking soda. "What makes you say that?"

Hinata Hajime gave him a dubious look. "You look like Christmas just arrived early. What's up?"

Komaeda looked at his friend and bit his lip. After thinking it over, Komaeda quickly explained his feelings to his friends. He told him about the rumors at school, about the little meetings he and Naegi would have after school and how he'd started to react whenever he thought of her.

Hinata's eyes widened before he started laughing. Komaeda frowned. He didn't think it was very funny.

Once Hinata calmed down he took a sip of his soda and leaned back on the couch before he said, "Dude, you're in love."

Komaeda frowned and tilted his head. "Love?"

Hinata rolled his eyes. "Yep. It's definitely love. And you said her name was Naegi?"

Komaeda nodded. "I don't know her first name."

"It's probably Makoto Naegi then. I don't blame you for falling in love."

Komaeda looked at his friend in surprise. "You know her?"

Hinata nodded. "Yup. We're childhood friends you know. We still see each other every now and then." A wistful smile appeared on his face. "She's pretty awesome."

Komaeda looked into the distance. "Makoto Naegi." He whispered. "Am I in love with you?"

Monday finally rolled around and Komaeda couldn't wait for school to be over. He tapped his foot impatiently and glanced at the clock. Two minutes to go. One minute. Thirty seconds. The bell rang. Komaeda was out the door before the teacher could dismiss them.

Komaeda made it to the library and took his usual seat at the table. Once again he picked out a book at random and started reading while he waited for Naegi's arrival. Every minute seemed to drag. After ten minutes, the library door slid open and Naegi walked in. She took her usual seat next to him and pulled out a book.

After a minute of silence Komaeda cleared his throat and said, "The cookies…" Naegi looked up from her book. Komaeda felt his face go warm and he looked away. "They were good."

"I'm glad." Startled that she'd actually spoken to him, he turned back to her only to be blinded by the smile she had on her face. Komaeda decided that he wanted to see her smile more often.

He nodded and they both resumed their reading. Naegi pulled out a set of earphones and put them on her ears. Komaeda kept glancing at her from the corner of his eye. He wondered what she listened to.

Noticing his stare, Naegi glanced at him and offered him the right earphone.

Komaeda jumped. "Are you sure?"

Naegi smiled. "Sure, here."

Komaeda brought his chair closer to hers and took the offered item. He placed the earphone on his ear and closed his eyes as the sweet melody hit him. He didn't know the name of the song, but he instantly liked it.

"It's called Touching You by Kenichiro Suehiro. It's one of my favorites."

Komaeda opened his eyes and his face became scarlet. Naegi was close.

Too close.

This was seriously bad for his heart.

Her green eyes sparkled. "By the way, I'm Naegi Makoto, it's nice to meet you."

I know he wanted to tell her.

I've known for a while.

You're constantly on my mind.

What he said instead was, "Komaeda Nagito. It's nice to meet you too."