When I was invited inside of the house, I was greated by a loving family. Though Makoto didn't come out of his room like he usually did, in the affectionate manner that he often greated me in. Instead, he didn't come out for some time.

His mother made idle chatter at the kitchen table, the children sitting around and doing their homework, occasionally asking questions. School ended in a few days, and the kids were studying and finishing up final assignments before their final testings at the end of the year. Makoto was packing to move to Tokyo. I believed it was for a college, though I never really discussed it with him. He simply told me that he was going to be moving there, though I don't remember specifics of the move. I remember, however, running away from him, not wanting to deal with this problem. I would rather push it into the back of my mind and pretend that it never happened, and convince myself that Makoto wouldn't be moving. Makoto would never leave me, right?

"So, where do you plan to go to college, Haruka?" She glanced at me as she sipped her tea, obviously wanting to see where her son's best friend was going. To me, it was kind of morbid. It was basically asking 'Hey, where are you going and what's the fashion that you're going to break up my son's best friendship?'. Sighing softly to myself, I glanced at the woman and simply stated, "I don't know yet, m'aam."

After a few more minutes of boring prattle between his mother and I, the friend that I was looking for came out of his room with his suitcase packed, bringing it towards the front door. He didn't recognize my presence at first, though once he did, he offered a feign smile. He was a wishy-washy person. I knew that this pained him greatly, because he almost started to cry when he told me. He had been so frustrated. How was he not now?

"Hey, Haru-chan."

I hated when others called me that. Though, Makoto was the only exception to this. He could probably call me whatever he pleased and I would still listen to him.

I don't know why I didn't say anything to him at first. I simply nodded to him before I got up and grabbed his wrist, dragging him to his own bedroom with him.

His bedroom wa skind of weird. And Makoto was kind of weird today. He was wearing his glasses, which was something that he rarely did. Though, it made him look older.

"Why can't you stay?"

I knew that it sounded like I was begging and whiny. Needy, another good word to use. Though, I was, and I didn't care. I needed Makoto to stay here with me. I couldn't lose another friend. I couldn't lose another emotion out of my own fear.

"I can't stay here anymore, Haru. We're graduating. I have nothing to stay here for."

That was the most serious that I have ever heard his voice in my life up to this point. His pale green eyes traced my face, trying not to get mad, and trying not to cry. It was obvious, his eyes being glassy. Breathing in heavily, he stared up at the ceiling, avoiding my gaze.

"Why can't you say it to my face, huh?"

Being persuasive or insistant wasn't my strongest suit, really. But I needed him to understand how desperate I was.

"It's because you're the only person here who can make me regret my decisions. I need to avoid you. I'm sorry, Haru-chan."