If he is the sun, I am among the shadows.

"Time, tide and food wait for no man or woman! Let's go (Y/N)-chan!" Hinata Shoyou, my childhood friend exclaimed, adding extra words to the quote he had picked up during our lesson. He was trying to pull me to the lunchroom. However, I didn't exactly like the idea of being around so many people.

I was shy, very shy. And this led to a lot of bullying as I grew up. I couldn't make any friends at school, so my parents decided to introduce me to my neighbour, Shoyou-kun.

My past was scarred, but my present made up for it all.

"Shoyou-kun..." I started to protest.

"You don't want to go because you're afraid some bullies might target you again right?! It's ok (Y/N)-chan," he smiled brilliantly at me, "I'll be there!" he pointed his thumb toward himself in a victory pose, his eyes shining brightly as he expectantly looked back at me.

His warmth melts the ice surrounding my heart, and clouds my mind with steam.

I knew I couldn't say no. I knew I wouldn't see the people who used to bully me, since they went to different high schools. Yet, I couldn't get over not being able to talk to people. Maybe it was time I started trying.

"O-ok, let's go then," I stammered, hoping that I wouldn't run into any trouble.

As we entered, I noticed a lot of students waving at Shoyou-kun. Waving back, he led me to a table where some of his friends sat. He had a lot of friends.

He taught me that it was ok to trust again.

While we ate, I looked around. Deep down, I knew I couldn't keep hiding in the shadows. I wanted to stop burdening Shoyou-kun as well. I wanted to do something to get over my fear of confrontation.

After meeting him, I say 'I want to' much more often than I say 'I have to'.

"I think I'll go get us something to drink," I told him, as an itch made its way up my throat.

"Do you want me to go with y-"

"No, it's ok, Shoyou-kun!" my voice came out far more forceful than I was planning to, stopping him mid-sentence. "It's just a drink," my voice crawled back inside its shell once again.

"Ok then, thanks, (Y/N)-chan!" he smiled knowingly, the complete opposite of his usual dense self. He knew that I wanted to be sure that I could stand up for myself. He knew as much as I did that I wanted to learn how to confront people. He has known for a while many things that I realized only recently. Until recently, I was too afraid to realize them.

He taught me that my fears are often just illusions.

I walked to the soda machine, at the corner of the room. I watched as the soda cans rolled down. I didn't bend to pick it up. Instead, I stood against the wall, thinking. Am I being a burden to Shoyou-kun? I was doubting myself. I slid down, my head resting on my hands, my hands resting on my knees, hopefully unseen by other students.

"(Y/N)-chan? What's wrong?!" I heard his voice, with a hint of panic in it.

I looked up. He looked back. That's all it took for me to open my mouth, and spill my worries , "Shoyou-kun, am I being a bother to you? B-because of me...because you eat with me...you aren't able to eat with your friends, or spend any time with them...you aren't able have fun!" I ended at a whisper. 'I wouldn't want you to ever stop smiling,' I thought to myself.

Like a flower cannot bud without sunshine, I cannot blossom without his smile.

Shoyou-kun scrunched up his face, bringing it inches closer to mine. "(Y/N)-chan! That's not true! Do you know why I choose to eat with you every day?!" he held me by my shoulders, and shook me slightly.

I shook my head no.

"Then, do you know why you choose to eat with me every day?" He asked innocently, curiosity evident in his voice with his face still as close, refusing to back away. I knew why, yet, would I be able to convey what I felt?

I can't do everything, but I won't let what I can't do interfere with what I can do.

"It's...because I want to spend time with you," I started, hoping to finish before my face was a deep shade of red. "And because you make me forget all my fears and insecurities," I continued. I knew my feelings, I loved him. I had figured that out over a year ago, yet, should I go on? If he rejected me, would he be my friend anymore? I glanced at Shoyou-kun. His face was dusted with a light blush, his eyes compelling me to continue. He was helping me, yet again, to learn to voice my feeling.

"It's because, Shoyou-kun...I have..." I said, mumbling the rest of the words, in an inaudible voice.

"(Y/N)-chan, I can't hear you!" he half complained. Both our faces were now a red shades darker than it previously was.

"It's because, for years now...I realized...that I l-like y-you Shoyou-kun...! That's the main reason I didn't want to come to the lunchroom...I wanted to spend my time with you," I confessed, my head down, my bangs covering my eyes. I didn't have to say anything more, for now. I had conveyed what I was feeling for all these years.

It's not 'I love you because I need you', it's 'I need you because I love you'.

Shoyou-kun's reaction was unusual. His eyes widened, then he blushed. However, he recovered soon afterwards, his eyes brightening considerably. "Yes!" he screamed, jumping up. I looked at him questioningly.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)-chan! For not confessing first! I wanted to help you to practice facing people. You can't have a girlfriend who can't say no to jerks!" he said, ending his sentence with a thoughtful face.

"Huh...?" I said to myself, confused.

"That's right," he smiled and stretched his hand out to me, "I love you! I've loved you ever since the first time you smiled at me!" Realizing what he had said, he blushed, but never did his voice falter, or his eyes look away.

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

I took his hand and pulled myself up. "T-to the classroom?" I asked, my stammer still present.

"To the classroom!" he exclaimed, swinging my hand back and forth.

"So...Shoyou-kun, if you were fine with eating in the classroom, why did you drag me to the lunchroom today?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

He looked down at me and flashed me a toothy grin, "It was the first time ever they were serving your favourite, (Y/N)-chan!" he replied, with a jump in his step.

I really did love him.

I'm going to keep facing the sunshine, and I will no longer see the shadows.