Anna was surprised at what Ryu said. "Look here, we were not really that close and we only had one encounter. I don't really see why you are reacting that way. Is it really a big deal?"

"I know, I know, Anna-san. But I really want to be a better guy for you this time. Just let me do that, please?"

Seeing no bad motive from the guy, she just let out a sigh. "Well, whatever. Just don't be a bother to me."

"Okay. Thank you, Anna-san."

Ryu was really relieved and thankful for the second chance he had with Anna. Her replies are always cold and mean but he's still thankful.

He told himself, "Well, you're really Anna-san. Acting harsh and cold. But.. But I know you're more than just that."

Anna just continued walking home and Ryu followed her. He kept on asking Anna too many questions enthusiastically but Anna was not interested at all. Then, she stopped walking.

"Didn't I just tell you not to be a bother? Really, so many questions," Anna said with annoyance.

But Ryu wasn't scared nor mad no matter how cold Anna talks to him. He just smiled at her and explained himself. "Sorry, I'm too loud. It's just that I'm so happy to see you again."

"It will be getting dark. Shouldn't you be going home instead of following me?" said Anna

He replied, "No. I intend to walk you home. It's as you said, it will be dark soon so I want to make sure you reach home safely."

"I am fine. I can walk home myself. Besides, there will be nothing for you even if you walk me home. Just go home already." Anna is getting really annoyed this time.

The two were interrupted when Yoh showed up. He was surprised to see Anna and the newcomer together.

"Yoh," said Anna in surprise

"Oh, it's the new guy in class!" Yoh said.

Ryu greeted Yoh. "Toyama Ryu. Nice meeting you."

"Asakura Yoh. Nice meeting you too."

Anna continued walking as the two boys are having a conversation. The two followed her. But then, Ryu noticed that Yoh is still walking with them. He got curious why.

"Hey, Yoh. You live nearby? You live near Anna-san's home?" he asked.

Then, Anna and Yoh stopped. "We're here," said Yoh. "Why don't you come inside Ryu-kun?"

But before he could say yes to Yoh's invitation, he noticed Anna going inside. He was shaking and he can't believe what he is seeing. He told himself, "Seriously, what is this guy's relationship with Anna-san?"

"Ryu-kun?" said Yoh calling him again and waiting for the answer to his invitation.

"Yes. I would like to join you, Yoh-kun," Ryu replied with politeness.

Yoh smiled back and went inside the inn with the visitor. Inside, they saw Anna watching TV.

"I'll be preparing dinner. Feel at home, Ryu-kun." Yoh left them and Ryu joined Anna in watching TV.

Ryu tried again to reach out to Anna. But seeing Anna in Yoh's house acting very comfortable and at home, he got curious. After a while, his eyes widened because he noticed that Anna is not in her uniform anymore. She was wearing a jet black dress. He wasn't able to notice instantly from shock of seeing Anna go inside Yoh's house. He began shaking and feeling uncomfortable. He told himself, "It can't be.. Anna-san and Yoh-kun.. I have to be sure."

He did his best mustering up lots of courage and asked Anna. "Anna-san, are you and Yoh-kun.."

Anna, knowing the question Ryu intends to ask, cut him out. "He's my fiancé."

When he heard this, it was like his world stopped. "No, It can't be."

There was complete silence in the room and suddenly, Yoh came in calling the two for dinner.

"Thank you for waiting. Dinner is ready."

Anna stood up and went to the dining room while Ryu is still frozen upon hearing Anna's words.

He said to himself, "It can't be." His chest beat so fast and he can't control his body from shaking. His head was bowed down and his fists are tightly clenched. "Anna-san's marrying Yoh-kun. She already belongs to someone. It can't be."

Ryu stood up and decided to leave. He said with complete composure, "I'm sorry Yoh-kun. I forgot I have urgent matters to attend to. I'm sorry I can't have the dinner you prepared. I am going ahead. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Ehh? That' too bad. Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer? At least have dinner before leaving."

Again, he felt pain in his chest. "I'm sure. Sorry, I am leaving."

Yoh accompanied him outside and waved him goodbye. He didn't even have the guts to say goodbye to Anna. His mind was really messed up as he walked home and lost all his energy.

When Ryu reached home, he went straight to his room so full of thoughts of everything he has heard. His parents asked him if he wants dinner but he politely refused and said that he wants to go to bed.

"I am so stupid. I got so excited upon seeing Anna again. I thought this is my second chance to make it up to her. I thought this time I will be able to take care of her, be a better man for her. A better man. Really. What am I thinking? It's all too late now, isn't it? It's been years. I can't blame her. I.. I.. I made her wait too long." As Ryu was dwelling on these thoughts, his tears fell off his cheeks. He just couldn't stop it. The pain he feels in his chest, the thought of Anna being with another guy, the tears.

The following morning, he went to school feeling so down. Everyone in class greeted. He greeted them back but everyone noticed the sadness in his face. Then, came Anna and Yoh who went inside the classroom together. He bowed down. He can't face Anna and Yoh after what he did the night before.

Yoh, worried about Ryu, approached him with Manta.

"Good morning, Ryu-kun. Is everything well?" asked Yoh.

He replied that everything is good but Yoh was able to see through it. He introduced Manta to him and asked for his plans after school.

"You know what, there is a café that Manta and I wanted to try. Would you like to join us?"

"That's right. We could all hang out. We could also walk you around since you are new in town," said Manta.

"Let's all have fun," said Yoh with a big smile. He felt Yoh's sincerity and decided to go with him and Manta. Then, he turned to Anna who is seated just next to Ryu. Ryu got nervous waiting for Anna's answer. He still can't face Anna after their talk the night before.

"Anna, come with us," said Yoh.

"No, thanks. I am busy."

Ryu was relieved when Anna refused. But there was also a part of him that wants to talk to Anna.

"Ok then, so it's gonna be the three of us."

The teacher came and everyone went to their seats.

Class is over and the three headed to the café where they decided to eat. Manta and Yoh tells Ryu of places to visit, their classmates and teachers, and lots of stories. They were having so much fun. For a while, Ryu was able to clear his head.

After a long chat, Yoh excused himself for a bit to go to the comfort room. As Ryu sees Yoh walking, he remembered Anna again. "Anna.. Yoh.. They're lucky."

Again, that sadness appeared on his face. Manta noticed this and talked to him.

"Ryu-kun.. Yoh and I, we noticed it since this morning. Something is bothering you, right? We're worried about you." He scratched his head and slightly laughed. 'You may find it weird though because we've just met."

"They're nice people," he said to himself. Then he decided to open up to Manta.

"Manta-kun, yesterday up until now, I've been thinking of this girl in the past. I met her again and told her that I want us to be better friends. But then, when I saw her with another man.. his man.. his lover or something like that, I was in great pain. I thought it is too late for me now to make it up to her. She now has someone." He stopped for a moment and said, "This is embarrassing, sorry for a lame story."

"No, please continue."

"She's a nice girl although she doesn't show it. People in our town hated her. But it is not her fault. Those people are just stupid. But I was stupid too. I was the most stupid of all because I got scared. I know I had to defend her but I didn't. I was scared that I'll end up being hated as well. But as I said, someone else had that role now. The role to protect her and make her happy. So I felt really pathetic. Just when I thought I can finally be a better friend for her"

Manta just smiled. "She's lucky she has someone like you."

"She's not. I was a coward. The guy she is with now. He's the lucky one."

"But Ryu-kun, may I ask you something?" asked Manta

"Sure."

"You said you want to be better friends, right? I believe you can still be a better friend and make it up to her even with the other guy. But the thing is that guy is causing you pain, right?"

"Yes."

"Then think about it carefully. What is she really to you? It seems to me that you want that knight-in-shining-armor role all to yourself. Are you sure it is just about being a better friend and making it up to her? Also, if you really want things to be better for the two of you this time, shouldn't you be braver? You said it yourself. You were scared back then. Do you think getting scared again this time will make everything better?"

Ryu's eyes widened and his mind was filled with images of Anna. Anna when they were young, Anna when he talked to her on his first day with the sunset, every memory of Anna that he had. He smiled and things suddenly became clear to him. All thanks to Manta's words of wisdom.

"Manta-kun, may I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Yoh-kun.. and.." He hesitated but took courage to continue. "Yoh-kun.. and.. Anna-san. What are they like?"

"Oh! Yoh-kun is a great guy. He is the nicest person I know."

"And Anna-san?"

"Oh, Anna-san. Well it might not look like it but she's his fiancée. Why do you ask? You find her scary too?" Manta laughed out loud.

"Well, she's a little cold and she's seated next to me." He slightly laughed too.

"You must be wondering how Yoh-kun's future bride was decided this early. I was very shocked too myself at first. Plus, they don't really look like a couple. Actually, it was Yoh-kun's grandma who picked up Anna-san to be Yoh-kun's wife. She was his grandma's apprentice after all. It has been decided since they were kids."

Ryu was shocked with this revelation. "So it was like that."

"Yes."

Yoh went back to his seat and the three resumed their chat.

The three went home after their bonding and when Manta went the other way, Ryu talked to Yoh.

"Yoh-kun."

"Yes?"

"I really had fun today. Thank you very much. Too bad Anna-san can't come. Sorry too about not being able to join you at dinner last night."

"No worries."

"Anyway, please relay this message to Anna-san. I'll do better next time we meet." He said this with his firm resolve to be a better man for Anna.

"Sure. I'll tell her."

Hi. This story is kinda like my comeback fanfic. It has been years since I last wrote a fanfic. Sadly, I can't recover my old account. Anyway, my old account is here. u/2709369/nachieXshin

You may also read my previous works here.

Enjoy reading everyone!