"I hate you!"
"I hate the fact that you never smile and never laugh when you used to back then!"
" I hate the fact that you changed a lot! "
"I hate the fact that you stopped playing with me! "
"I hate the fact that you stopped petting my head!"
" I hate the fact you stopped calling me Maya-chan! "
Stop
"I hate the fact that you ceased to become my friend! "
Just Stop
"I hate the fact that I stillhave to start an argument with you just so you would talk to me! "
Make it stop
"I hate the fact that I missed the old you!"
Just stop it!
" AND I HATE THE FACT THAT I LOVE YOU!"
I know it's my fault...
"I want my Houtarou-kun back."
I was the one who caused all these...
"Leave me alone!.. You're good at that anyway."
Those words had been haunting Houtarou. He wished he could've done something. He wished he could've known earlier. If he did maybe... just maybe none of these would've happened. Maybe Mayaka...
"Penny for your thoughts?" Satoshi waved a hand in front of Houtarou, who'd been spacing out. That sent Houtarou back to reality.
Houtarou shook his head from all his ugly thoughts.
Satoshi tilted his head to the side, waiting for Houtarou's answer. He noticed Houtarou had been acting strange all day. He'd been spacing out and it looked like the guy had a serious problem. It was really unusual to see him like this since not many things bothered him.
"It's nothing," Was all Houtarou replied. He was obviously lying. There was apparently SOMETHING bothering him. It wouldn't take a genius to see this because it was written all over his face, clear as ever.
Then Houtarou looked at the empty chair where Mayaka would always sit in the clubroom. His gazed was glued there for awhile, Satoshi noticed it.
"Okay, Houtarou. What's really going on? Did something happened between you and Mayaka?" Satoshi was not buying his 'It's nothing' excuse and he was determined to get his answers. Somehow he feels like it has something to do with a certain girl with sepia brown hair.
After hearing him Houtarou's was taken aback. How did he know? Was he really that obvious?
Satoshi was glad he was able to get a hint of emotion on his friend's usual emotionless face. Yeah, Houtarou was pretty shocked alright. Shocked that he knew it. That just proved his suspicions right.
"How did you-"
"You've been staring at Mayaka's chair for God knows how many times you've been doing that. It's hard not to notice." Satoshi managed to cut him off. "So tell me, what's wrong?" He arched a brow at his troubled friend.
Houtarou turned his head to make sure no one else was there in the club room. When he was sure no one was there he opens his mouth to speak. He struggled at first but managed... "Well how do I say this?..."
*flashback*
"Houtarou-kun! Houtarou-kun!" Little Maya-chan called out to her friend who was walking towards her. She just reached the sakura tree, it was their special place.
"Coming Maya-chan," Little Houtarou almost reached the sakura tree.
"Neh Houtatou-kun, will you be my friend til the end?" Mayaka asked when Houtarou was already by her side. She hung her head low and was staring at the ground. There was suddenly an unusual aura that emerged around her and a haze that wouldn't rise.
Houtarou just smiled at his close friend." Of course, Maya-chan."
That was enough to make Mayaka smile too and change her mood. She was such a complicated little girl, one minute she's sad the next she's happy." Really, Houtarou-kun? You mean it?" The little girl asked enthusiastically. She was just so full of life.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Houtarou continued smiling at the enthusiastic little girl.
"Then let's make a promise right here and right now. Friends forever and ever," Mayaka held out her pinky to make a pinky promise.
Houtarou also did the same and entangled his pinky with hers. "Promise."
*end of flashback*
" W-wait... you and Mayaka... You were childhood friends?! And you just realized that when Mayaka told you and broke down in front of you?!" Satoshi was shocked more than ever. Who could've guess the mortal enemies were once friends. There's always a story behind everything after all.
"Yes," Was all Houtarou could say.
" W-what happened between you two?" Satoshi's expression softened, he was worried about his two friends. All these years...
"Somewhere in the middle I lost it... I lost her... I don't know why but it was all because of me," His voice sounded strained and hurt. He really did blame himself for everything, He was selfish.
Satoshi saw that the once emotionless face Houtarou had was now full of emotion. One emotion; sadness.


After talking with Satoshi, Satoshi managed to convince Houtarou to visit Mayaka and try to talk to her. Mayaka was absent that day because she wasn't feeling well and Satoshi also said that Houtarou should give Mayaka the notes and homework she missed that day. Houtarou knew it wasn't going to be that easy. How could he convince someone that he deserves to be forgiven when he broke a promise? A PROMISE. And a promise means everything to a person. And a sorry won't even matter if a single promise gets broken. If he was Mayaka right now, he'd hate him too. In fact he already hate himself now. He just don't wanna run away. He has to face this. If he runs away at some point in his now complicated life he'll have to muster up every courage inside him to overcome his problem. He needs to. He has to face Mayaka, it's now or never. It's funny how they had that 'I hate you' and 'I can live without your love' issue but now after hearing Mayaka said 'I hate you' well he wish he could just say 'I'm to lazy to care' but no, He couldn't. Mayaka... she was so full of life back then, always enthusiastic but now... Did he do this? Was it because of him? Did he squeeze the life off the poor girl?
The trip to Mayaka's home gave Houtarou enough time to ponder on his actions. He finally arrived in front of Mayaka's house. He stood there like he was glued to that very spot and he couldn't bring himself to take a step. It'd been awhile since he last went here. The house still looked the same. A beautiful white plastered house with a brown tile roof. There was a front porch that would accommodate the beautiful flowers that sit at the foot of the stairs that lead inside. Velvet drapes framed the arched windows, the curtains remained drawn allowing light to enter the house. Nothing had changed about the house. Change... what a poor choice of word. That was exactly what described them right now. They changed or maybe it was only him. Gathering up all his strength he dragged his feet to the front porch. It even took more courage to be able to knock the front door. After awhile a lady with a light shade of mahogany opens the door.
"Oh hello Houtarou-kun, it's been awhile. You've really grown up," The lady said with a sweet smile.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Ibara, is Mayaka home?" Houtarou said politely.
"Yes, she's in here room. Come in. Come in," Mrs. Ibara gestured him to get in.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ibara," Houtarou bowed slightly and entered the house.
" Houtarou-kun, don't be so formal with me. By the way how are you and Mayaka doing?" That was enough to make Houtarou frown. The sweet lady notices it." I'm guessing not so good."
Houtarou just nods.
"I knew you'd say that. What happened to you two? You were so close and one day... one day everything changed," Her sad gaze fell on the boy who has melancholy written all over his face.
"I... I don't know either..." He trailed off. He knew it was his fault and to make matters worse he haven't even remembered being Mayaka's childhood friend until she told him. He was a terrible person.
The older lady's gaze wandered outside." She used to wait for you there- on the porch. She waited and waited till she'd fall asleep on the front porch. She kept doing that for days-weeks-months. And you know what? Whenever I carry her inside when she was asleep she used to mumble in her sleep 'Houtarou-kun, I'll wait for you'. She eventually stopped waiting but something changed in Mayaka that day and I know you can bring that back. You're the only one who can," She gives Houtarou a half-hearted smile. " She's in her room."
He started towards Mayaka's room. When he reached the front of her room he was having second thoughts. Mustering up all his strength, he slowly turned the door knob and the door creaked as he left it open. After slowly but surely getting in he closed the door behind him.
Mayaka was there but she was asleep. He was relieved she was asleep. It was better than having nasty confrontations. He was trying his best to avoid that but at one point or another he eventually had to face that. He made his way to her bed side. As he stood there he watched her sleep. Her hair fell across her beautiful face and he brushed it off behind her ear. He just can't take his eyes off her and he ended up studying her features. Her short hair was a light hue of sepia brown and it flowed just below her ears, adorning her beautiful porcelain skin. Even though her eyes were shut it was hard not to notice the long lashes that framed her eyes nor her straight nose and most of all her saccharine sweet lips. She looked so peaceful. If only she'd be this peaceful when she's awake. Suddenly her brows creased and the peace that was on her face was now gone. She looked like she was having a nightmare.

"Houtarou-kun…Houtarou-kun, I'll wait for you… Houtarou-kun, come back," she muttered under her breath. She fidgeted in her sleep. Tears formed at the side of her closed eyes. Perfectly tears shaped drops strolled down her numb cheeks," Houtarou-kun, forever, right?"

His heart broke at the sight. He felt a great weight at the edge of his heart. This was his fault. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. "Mayaka… Ssshh… don't cry," He tried to shush and comfort the poor girl.

Then the next thing he knew her eyes fluttered open, revealing her eyes filled with tears," H- Houtarou-kun..?"

Houtarou gave her a soft smile.

Mayaka instantly snapped out of it and pushed Houtarou away." Go away! Get out of my room! Get out!" She pointed at her door, her eyes red and puffy, tears continued to fall.

"Mayaka… I…" Houtarou tried to speak but was cut off.

" Leave! I hate you!" The last three words struck him hard and it stung.

"Mayaka… I tried but…"

"Leave! I don't wanna hear it!" Mayaka threw a pillow at him. He knew he deserved that.

Deciding it was better to leave, he spoke to her for the last time," I left the notes and assignments you missed today at your nightstand," He gave her one last glance and stepped out. When he first walked in through that door he expected the worst and whatever happens he'll just accept it and every painful word she'd throw at him.

Mayaka's heart was pounding so hard, it was like it was going to erupt like a volcano soon. Even when she saw Houtarou's back and when he left the room her heart beat kept pounding in her chest like crazy. Her gaze landed on the notes on her nightstand and that's when she lost it. She broke down into a sob, tears can't stop falling from her eyes anymore.

From outside the room, Houtarou was leaning on her door. His heart was breaking as he listened to her sobs and gasps and it hurt even more when he knows he was behind it. He wished he could be there by her side, comforting her, patting her back, shushing her, but he couldn't, she won't let him, and they're not the same anymore, not the kids they used to be anymore.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: HI GUYS..! SORRY FOR THE REEEEAAAALLLYYYY… LATE UPDATE. SCHOOL WAS REALLY TORTURING ME AND IT WASN'T MAKING THINGS EASY FOR ME. MANY PROBLEMS CAME UP TOO SO I'M REALLY SORRY. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW