It started mid-October. The sun was shining, the leaves were changing, and the summer heat was long gone. Everything changed for me that fall, some for the better and others for the worst. There was one thing that was undoubtedly good though, and his name was Takashi Morinozuka.

~October 9th~

I had been admiring him from afar. We had math, history, and physical education together. He was quite athletic yet intellectual at the same time. That's what I liked about him, his ability to be effortlessly great at everything, but be so reserved. Though I suppose a fool like me wouldn't stand a chance with that kind of perfection. Completely ignoring my science teacher I gazed out into the courtyard where Mori sat, enjoying his free period.

"Excuse me, Ms. Uzumaki, would you mind telling the class what the electrons in the outer shells of an atom are called?"

"Valence electrons." I answered without skipping a beat. "Now if you wouldn't mind, I would like to go to the restroom."

With a slight gesture of annoyance he dangled the pass by his side. I pushed back from my desk, grabbed the pass, and left the room.

Luckily there was no one in the bathroom. The silence of the stalls allowed me time to think. I stared into the mirror, picking out all of my features. With shoulder length curly caramel hair, fair skin, gentle features, and a skinny build I knew I was pretty looking. I'm good enough for him, I just have to trust myself and take the first step. My mind was made up, today was the day I would confess my love for Mori-san.

I stood at his locker and fiddled with the slip of paper in my pocket. I've had the note for months. but I never had the courage to do anything with it. Before the cowardice kicked in, I dropped it into the slit of the door and ran back to class.

The rest of the day seemed to pass quickly. At the sound of the last bell I gathered my belongings and headed to the nearly abandoned hallway in the West Wing. I knew we would have the most privacy here. I waited there with my back turned to the entrance so I would have time to get my emotions in check before facing him. It wasn't long before I heard those footsteps and taking a deep breath, I turned around. He stood there expectantly without uttering a word and held out the note from earlier. I took it from him and shoved it in my bag.

"We've been going to school together for a while now, Mori-san and I know we haven't had a chance to have a proper conversation, but I would like you to know that I have developed feelings for you and I decided that you should now. I have never been to the Host Club; I wouldn't torture myself. The affection you give those girls is bought, paid for, not real at all. You probably have women falling all over you all the time, but I just wanted to let you know that I've had the feelings for a while."

Mori didn't do anything, just gazed at me. It was getting awkward. Although I didn't necessarily expect him to return my affections the silence stung.

"I'll just be going. See you later Mori-senpai." Waving weakly I walked past him back the way I came. Not more than two steps later I felt a warmth on my elbow.

"You should stop by the Host Club tomorrow, Kimiko."

I nodded, my back still turned to him. He slid his hand down to meet mine and lingered there for a second. His arm fell back down to his side and I that as my cue to walk home.