"Okay, everyone. Please settle down. Today, you guys are going to have a new classmate," declared the teacher. "This is Toyama Ryu. He came all the way from Aomori and new to town. Hope you all get along."

"Haiiii!" replied the students.

"Anyway, Ryu-kun, any words for us?" the teacher asked with anticipation.

The new student then spoke and said, "I am Toyama Ryu. My family and I are new to town so I am in your care. It is nice meeting you all!" He flashed a very sweet smile and his classmates welcomed him very warmly.

"Ehh? Isn't he cute?" said one to her seatmate.

"Yes, he is," the other one replied. "I wonder if he has a girlfriend or someone. Kyaaah! He's really cute and he seems nice."

With his charm, most girls in the class are talking about him and looking forward to hanging out with him. The usual plain classroom was suddenly filled with moe flowers. The boys, on the other hand, are feeling a little jealous and intimidated with this new kid gaining all the attention from girls.

"Now, then, Ryu-kun," the teacher said. "I wonder where you will be seated." Looking around the room for empty seats, he spotted the one next to Anna in the back row. She then turned to Ryu. "Ryu-kun, your seat will be next to Kyoyama Anna at the back.

Ryu's eyes widened upon hearing Anna's name. He said to himself, "Anna.. Could she be?" He shrugged his head. "It can't be. This is Tokyo. There is just no way that it is her." His head was bowed down so absorbed in his thoughts that he can't even hear the teacher and all the chattering around.

"Ryu-kun. Ryu-kun. RYUUU-kun."

Snapping out of it, he looked at the teacher and apologized.

"Feeling nervous? Don't worry, they are all nice kids."

"That's right, Ryu-kun. We'll be your friends. We're all excited about you," said one girl in class.

"Thank you very much!" Ryu responded with the same sweet smile that made all the girls blush.

The teacher is now about to start the class and requested Ryu to go to his designated seat. When he was seated, he looked at Anna. His eyes never went away from her and all thoughts from earlier came back again.

"What is it?" said Anna coldly while jotting down notes and not even looking at the newcomer.

He was a little shocked and just smiled. "Sorry, it is nothing. Maybe I scared you a little bit looking at you like that. But I am not a creep or a pervert or something. It's just that I remember a girl when I was young when I heard your name and saw you. Gomene."

"Well, whatever. Just don't stare at me like that again."

"Yes. I'm sorry." Ryu then picked up his notebook and pen to jot down notes too. But still, the thoughts won't go away. He still remembers the blonde little girl he met way back in Aomori. The girl that he met and left behind. The girl that he was too scared to defend. The girl that he wants to see again so badly.

Without him realizing it, he was again staring at Anna with all those questions lingering inside his head. Anna looked at him this time with a really annoyed face. "Hey! Did I not tell you to stop looking that way? It's annoying!"

Snapping out, Ryu bowed his head and apologized again to Anna feeling so embarrassed. "What is wrong with me? I hope she doesn't think I am some kind of weirdo."

Anna just sighed and went back to jotting down notes. Ryu did the same feeling stupid about being caught staring at Anna twice.

The bell rang and the teacher left for her next class. Everyone is back to chattering and making plans on what to do after class, club activities, the upcoming exams and a lot more. But of course, with a newcomer in class, they are all curious about him especially the girls. Anna left immediately to go outside not caring even one bit about everyone around. Ryu was surprised not seeing Anna next to him. He was about to stand up and catch her but some girls approached him.

"Ryu-kun, right?" said one girl.

He again flashed his friendly smile and the girls' hearts started beating fast. "Yes. You two are-?"

Blushing and feeling giddy, they introduced themselves.

"I am Kobayashi Mika."

"And I am Kuraki Rina."

"Nice meeting you, Ryu-kun!" the girls said in chorus.

"Nice meeting you too."

Little by little, the crowd around him became thicker. Questions over here and there. He wants to talk to everyone but his mind won't go off from the girl in the past and Anna. To clear his mind and answer all the questions in his head, he decided to talk to Anna and make confirmations. He was looking at the door the whole time waiting for Anna to come back.

At last, the long wait is over. He only waited for a few minutes but it felt like an hour to him. Anna is at the door of the classroom. He was about to stand up but got interrupted when the teacher came.

"Start of next period," he told himself. "I still have chances to talk to her, anyway."

The class was finally over everyone is excited for their own after-class plans. Different groups started inviting Ryu to hang out but he refused them all.

"Sorry, everyone. I have important matters to attend to. Next time, I will come with you, I promise."

"Eeehh? It's okay if it is important. We understand."

"Right. You promised to come next time anyway," said the other classmate.

"Thank you everyone." He picked up his bag and went out of the room looking for Anna. With everyone talking to him, he always can't find a chance to talk to Anna. He walked around the campus searching for her but to no result. The sun is about to set so he decided to go home. As he walked home unable to talk to Anna, he let out a huge sigh. He then shifted his eyes to the beautiful orange color of the sun setting and finally felt okay again.

But then, he heard a commotion. There was a skinny guy in glasses being cornered by rough looking guys.

"Ghosts, huh?" said one guy grabbing the poor guy's collar and pressing him against the wall. "You wanna get all the attention that's why you made up that crazy story, right? Pathetic!"

"It's true. I am not trying to impress anyone or anything," he replied really scared with tears and snot all over his face.

Just before his punch lands on the bullied guy's face, Anna comes and blocks the guy's fist.

"You're noisy. Out of the way."

The bully got really angry ready to divert the punch to Anna but before it hits her, she gave a killing glare that scared the hell out of the bullies and they ran away.

"I am telling the truth about the ghost," said the skinny guy still crying and standing firm to his story.

"I know." Anna replied then she just continued to walk and didn't bother to stay.

Seeing this scene, flashbacks appeared in Ryu's head about the girl in his past. It was the same scene, the same reaction from Anna, and the same admiration that he felt when they were kids. Now, he is absolutely sure that that girl and Anna are one and the same person. Amazed, and seeing a chance to speak with Anna, Ryu, ran towards her. "I won't miss this chance now."

Now, Ryu is facing Anna. With the beautiful color of the sunset, her hair and dress dancing with the wind, her cool composure, Ryu's eyes widened and was speechless. He was simply amazed that he can't say a word. Seeing Anna like this made him freeze and his mind was with nothing but Anna standing in front of him.

"What is it this time?" asked Anna.

Trying to calm himself, he said, "Anna-san, you might not remember me but it is me, Toyama Ryu. In Aomori, six years ago, we met."

Anna tried to recall the guy and suddenly, flashbacks also appeared in her head. "Oh, it is you." Her response is a little indifferent though.

Ryu's heart beat faster and he grabbed his chest tightly. "What's this?" he told himself. "My heart is beating fast. I can't stop it. And why can't I take my eyes off her?"

Anna was being impatient. "If you've got nothing more to say, I am leaving."

"Wait, Anna-san!" he grabbed Anna's arm to stop her from walking. He was surprised at what he did. But now, he is closer to Anna and his amazement of her just grew bigger. "I was wondering, Anna-san if we could be friends with you again. Just like six years ago, in Aomori. No, not like that. I mean, better friends."