Standing atop the school roof, Mizuki Himeji looked at Akihisa Yoshii expectantly. With the sun on its way toward setting, she had just confessed to him. After months of holding it in, she had finally worked up the courage! Optimism resonated within her heart as she suspected Akihisa reciprocated her feelings. Already she was planning on trying out a new recipe for her soon-to-be boyfriend to enjoy on a picnic. How could he possibly not be as excited as she was!

But something was wrong. Akihisa did not look as happy as she anticipated. In fact, he seemed distressed. Did he not hear what she just told him?

"Well, it is Akihisa after all," Mizuki thought to herself, "Maybe he needs a little longer to process the information. How cute!"

"Mizuki…" he began before biting his lip.

"Here it comes!" Mizuki held her breath.

"You know I care about you a lot. You've always been there for me and I'll always be there for you. Having you in class 2-F is so much fun. Any guy would be lucky to have you. For the longest time, I thought about asking you to be my girlfriend."

Mizuki blushed and smiled widely, thinking her affections were being returned.

"But Himeji…" Akihisa sighed, "I love someone else."

"Oh…" she said softly, fighting back tears. Her efforts were in vain. Quickly, tears began to trickle from her eyes.

"Please don't cry Himeji," was all Akihisa could think to say.

"How can you say you love someone else? You made it seem like you only had had eyes for me Akihisa!" she bellowed between sobs.

No more words exited Yoshii's mouth. This situation was beyond his capabilities to handle. The best he could do was look down and wait for Mizuki to settle down. The two stood there speechless for some time before she managed to cease her crying. With her eyes now red, she frowned while staring somewhat coldly at Akihisa.

"It's Minami isn't it?" she guessed with annoyance. Before Akihisa could confirm her supposition, she cut him off.

"Well, I hope you're happy with her. I never would've guessed you'd pick her over me," she spoke with contempt in her voice. She started to walk away in a fury, but Akihisa grabbed her arm.

"Listen, you know this wasn't easy for me. It's not like she's better than you or anything. There's like, an indescribable connection between her and me. It wouldn't be fair to you, me, or Minami if I ignored it. Don't think for a second that I don't like you Himeji. I like spending time with you. Please keep being my friend," he pleaded with her.

Growing a bit calmer, the pink-haired girl folded her hands in front of her chest.

"Akihisa, I'm tired of just being friends. What can I do to make you love me? Tell me, I'll do anything. Whatever you do, don't leave me like this…" she begged in desperation.

As much as her words pained the dull young man, he stuck to his convictions. Mizuki was a smart, pretty, kind and gentle girl. Yet for all her pleasing attributes, she was not the one for Akihisa. That distinction belonged to Minami and nobody could take it from her. Even someone as incredible as Himeji. Some guys would kill to have the problems this kid has.

Speaking of which, the FFF had been watching Yoshii on that rooftop. Ever since his kiss from Minami, he was under their constant surveillance. They had heard everything that was spoken just now. The spies which had been eavesdropping departed clandestinely and went to report their findings to Sugawa.

Mizuki, with one final look of sadness, turned from Akihisa and left. The latter sat down in defeat when she had done so. His guilt over perhaps leading on Himeji ate at his conscience. Reflecting over what he had told Minami and Mizuki, he realized in his heart that he made the right decision. Difficult as it was, he had no other choice. He loved Minami and that was all there was too it. Given time, Himeji would understand.

Akihisa exited Fumizuki Academy with the sun's final rays of the day illuminating the country. Though he had expected the schoolyard to be abandoned, he found Yūji, Hideyoshi and Kōta were all talking in a huddle by the school's gate. Knowing he could not slip by them, Yoshii naturally joined their conversation.

"Hey guys," he greeted, "what did I miss?"

"Yūji and Shōko kicked Tokonatsu's butt. Guess we really didn't need you at all," Hideyoshi calmly explained.

"I'm not the one who fainted out there! I was only looking out for Minami you know," he defended.

"Whatever man. It's over now. But since you brought her up, Shimada looked pretty happy when she left today. I also noticed Himeji leaving looking pretty upset a little while ago. Does that mean what I think it does?" Yūji astutely inquired.

"I asked Minami to be my girlfriend today," Akihisa proudly declared. His pride vanished when he recalled what transpired next.

"But then… Himeji told me that she liked me. I tried not to be a jerk about it, but I had to turn her down. Of course, she knew it was because I liked Minami. To be honest, I'm kind of worried about…" he was interrupted with a punch to the gut.

"OW! What the hell was that for?"

"Sorry Akihisa. I had no choice. If you're serious about dating Shimada, then you can't obsess over Himeji anymore," Yūji replied with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

"He's right you know," Kōta endorsed, "You'll need to hand over any photos of Himeji that I've given you. And before you ask, I don't give refunds."

"Uhhhh… yeah I guess…" Akihisa reluctantly reached into his wallet to return several pictures which featured Himeji. Kōta quickly swiped them away as soon as they became visible.

"Good news is that I'll have premium shots of Shimada starting tomorrow. It'll cost you three times the regular price, but it'll be worth it now that you two are an item."

"And just why do I need you for pictures of my girlfriend?" Akihisa asked indignant.

"I suppose there are always other customers to sell them to," Keota indifferently replied.

"Oh hell no! I'll pay whatever you ask. Nobody's looking at Minami but me!" Akihisa fiercely declared.

"Hey, maybe you should also get rid of any pictures of me. You don't want her think you're into guys," Hideyoshi spoke up, hoping to take advantage of the situation. The other three boys stared at him with puzzled expressions.

"Why would she think that?" Yūji wondered.

"Because I'm a guy!" Hideyoshi redundantly exclaimed.

"Very funny Hideyoshi," Akihisa laughed, "But I'm not getting rid of these pictures just yet. They could be worth millions once you become a famous model and actress!"

"Actress?!" Hideyoshi grew impatient. However, he knew better than to argue the point further.

"Alright, enough of your jokes Hideyoshi. I have something serious to say now," Yūji commanded.

"Listen Akihisa, we've always been there for you man. You're the biggest idiot in our class, but we all love you. That being said, there may be some trouble in store for you. The FFF is definitely going to catch wind of this, and Miharu Shimizu from class D is probably already stalking you. And your sister… Well, we'll do our best to protect you but in case we can't…"

Akihisa appreciatively waited for his friend to say something touching about how much their friendship meant to him.

"I'm gonna need that twenty bucks you owe me," Yūji finished with his hand outstretched.

"Hey!" Yoshii cried, "I am almost certain I paid you back already."

"You calling me a liar?" Yūji questioned his friend while getting in his face.

"I have you now!" a feminine voice echoed unexpectedly. Feeling a sharp pain in one leg, Yūji fell to one knee with his hand still stretched open. A diamond ring fell from the sky and landed perfectly in his hand. Shōko suddenly appeared in front of Yūji, blushing with both hands on her face.

"Oh my! Of course I'll be your wife! But only on the condition that we get married this evening. I already have a minister lined up and your wedding party appears to all be here. We better get going!" she mused.

Rising to both feet, Yūji took one serious look at Shōko. He then bolted in the opposite direction, and was soon chased by his would-be fiancé. Akihisa took that as his que to leave as well.

"See you guys tomorrow!" he called to Hideyoshi and Kōta, "I'm gonna head to Minami's and see if we can cook a meal together!"

Kōta and Hideyoshi waved goodbye to their idiot friend.

"Good for him," Hideyoshi observed with satisfaction.

"Hey, since love is in the air and all, I don't suppose you and me could…" Kōta started. Hideyoshi grabbed his friend by the collar in an effort to intimidate. His foot slipped accidently however and unfortunately his pants, which were caught on a nearby tree branch, ripped. Kōta struggled mightily for five seconds trying to focus his camera. Alas, he succumbed to his inevitable nosebleed and passed out. The last thing he saw was a pair of pink…

Meanwhile, Akihisa was at the grocery store. He had sent Minami a text asking if he could make dinner at her house. She agreed, on the condition that he would pick up the groceries. This was somewhat of a disappointment to the young man, who expected to use whatever ingredients the Shimada residence contained. Nevertheless, he dug deep into his pockets and purchased the necessary food items. When he had done this, he began his walk toward Minami's. Though the sky was beginning to turn black, Akihisa Yoshii's world was as bright as ever.