I mustered the most confident smile I could as oniisan introduced me to his basketball team. I felt a blush creeping on to my cheeks as I looked at 4 boys towering before me. There was also a shorter boy about my height with light blue hair who was cleaning the court. This was my first time meeting older boys, and they were all quite handsome. I couldn't help staring at the one onissan introduced as Kise Ryota; I heard he was a model. I was so distracted that I didn't notice an intense dark blue gaze on me.

I couldn't help myself – I stared.

Akashi was introducing her but I barely heard a word he said. She was beautiful. With mid length dark red hair, golden yellow eyes and a cheerful smile, she was slender and tall for a girl her age – the top of her head just about reaching my shoulder.

She flashed a friendly smile at me as Akashi made formal introductions and I felt my face flush.

Her name was Akashi Reika.

1 year later…

"Come on guys! Don't give up!"

I looked to see the other team's coach yelling at his players. I shook my head. It was inevitable – the score was 90 – 53 and we were 1 minute from the end of the 3rd quarter. Unless a miracle happened, the 4th quarter would be the just the same, there was no way they could win. In comparison, our coach, Satsuki Momoi was standing calmly by the benches with her clipboard of data, a small smile on her lips. She knew it too. Teiko was going to win another championship.

"That was almost too easy! I thought there would be at least someone I could challenge this time! The only one who can beat me is me!"

I glanced at Daiki-kun. Here in Teiko, winning was everything. It was a mindset that oniisan had had ingrained in him since we were kids, and in turn had drilled it into the team as well. We were Akashis, being the best in everything we did was of utmost importance. While oniisan had his shogi and basketball, I loved track running. And I was good. At 14, I was the best female runner in the state, as well as the youngest. My dream was to qualify for the Japan Olympics team one day.

I looked at the boys walking ahead of me – Shin-kun, Daiki-kun, and Atsushi-kun. Their broad backs and tall builds practically towered over me, casting a shadow over me under the light of the setting sun.

I'm going to miss them. What would school be like without them next year? I wondered.

Speaking of shadows… I sneaked a peek at Tetsu-kun who was walking beside me with his head down, his gaze focused on the ground. He was especially quiet today. Sometimes I wonder what he thinks about when he spaces out like that, he seems to have a million things on his mind. Maybe he's thinking about which school to go to next year since it's their last year here in Teiko.

"What is Reikacchi thinking about? Worrying like that will make you get wrinkles, you know!"

Someone poked his finger between my brows repeatedly, attempting to smooth out my unconscious frown. I swatted his hand away and frowned even more, on purpose. 'Someone' had the nerve to just laugh and tease me even more.

'Someone' was none other than my boyfriend, model and girl-magnet – Kise Ryota. He had his arm casually swung over my shoulders like an armrest since he was taller than me. Even as we were walking, I had noticed onlookers, girls mostly, whispering to each other and gesturing in his direction. Some looked at me with vaguely concealed envy while others went as far as to shoot dirty looks at me, but I was so used to that by now that I didn't even flinch. We had been dating for 6 months now.

A flurry of pink hair interrupted my thoughts. Satsuki-chan rushed past me and pounced on Tetsu-kun, hugging him tightly. "I'm going to miss you so much Tetsu-kun, let's make sure to go to the same school together next year, ok!? You, me and Dai-chan!" I noticed Tetsu-kun did not reply even as she continued rambling on.

It was getting dark and it had started drizzling. We quickly said our goodbyes as everyone went their separate ways and headed home. Ryota walked me home as always. We walked in silence, which was unusual since he always had many things to talk about. I glanced up at his handsome face, and noticed his eyes had a faraway look in them. Looks like Tetsu-kun and I weren't the only ones distracted today.

I loved his eyes from the minute I saw them, the day oniisan introduced us. The way they practically glowed when the light hit them, or when Ryota was really happy.

"Reikacchi, can I ask you something? You have to answer honestly, ok" he said quietly.

He really isn't like himself today.