Hello, everybody... long time no see...

I'm very sorry for this super long delay, but it was only recently I actually got down to finishing this.

You see, I actually realized that me wanting to do a specific arc in a single chapter was what made this so difficult to write. With a help from a friend, I finally got the resolve for finishing this.

So to explain, this is a four chapter arc revolving around the Prez, and I'll be attempting to post this all in about a week. In any case, we begin now. I hope you like.


I honestly wasn't sure what hurt me more… the fact that Prez was going, or the fact that he didn't even tell me, so the only time I did get to hear it was when the whole school did… in any case, after band practice, I was waiting impatiently outside the Student Council's room, with Miyako and Ayumi.

"Why did you two even decide to come?" I asked both of them.

"I just wanted to wish him well," Ayumi held up her hands, defensively, "or did you want to come alone?"

I ignored her teasing tone.

"We're friends, aren't we!? Why did I only get to hear of this now!?" I kicked the door edge, "Or am I really such a bad friend that I don't even deserve to hear?"

Miyako shrugged.

"I'm sure he had his reasons… Now, once we're done, can we please return this cart?"

"What cart?" I absentmindedly asked.

"This one," she ran it into my leg, which left me jumping on my uninjured leg, rubbing the other sore calf, "you're the one who had me borrow it from the Copier room so we could look for the drum kit in the Wind Instrument club, and you forgot about it?"

"Well, I remember now," I replied grumpily, "why the hell did you have to hit me with it?"

"You wheel it for a bit…" she shoved it toward me, but I jumped to the side, where it nearly went into the wall, except that Ayumi saved it.

"If you two are gonna be babies, I'll take it…" she wheeled it back towards us, "So is he free yet?"

The window still showed some girl still speaking to Prez… Boring… I turned back to Ayumi and the cart, when something occurred to me. I put down my leg, which was probably going to bruise above the ankle later.

"Say… do you think this cart could hold someone's body weight?" I circled around the metal frame, barely 10 centimeters off the ground. It was metal, and pretty well supported, considering it was supposed to hold paper.

"Could be," Miyako joined me, "it looks firm…"

"I'll give someone 200 yen to stand on this…" I generously offered, but both of them shook their heads, "then which one of you spoil-sports would push me on this?" I climbed onto the base of the cart, which felt as solid as it looked.

"You know, we'd probably be breaking school rules if we rode that…" Ayumi said.

"And by the Student Council President's office, nonetheless…"

"I don't want to hear it from you two… you break school property once a week… and you chew gum at school…" both of them sighed, a bit red-faced at getting caught out in their hypocrisy.

"I want to push her," Miyako said to Ayumi, who nodded. I nodded as well, satisfied. Miyako pulled back the trolley some metres back, so we were facing away from the door.

"Don't want to get into trouble, huh?" I noted. She smiled craftily, which set the hair on the back of my neck up, after which she wheeled the cart so it was facing Ayumi, who was by the door.

"I'm doing this so you're the only one who'd get in trouble… now, turn around, if you will?" I unwillingly complied, so now I was facing Ayumi as well, "have a safe trip!"

"Wait, let me s-" I whimpered, but she showed no mercy.

And with more force than I thought humanly possible, she shoved the cart, with me still standing on it.

After a second or so, I got used to the speed, and it was actually kind of nice. My hair was flying behind me, and the walls were blurring at the end of my vision…

"Alright!" I threw out an arm, which had been frozen to the handle behind me, "Oh, hey Prez!"

Yeah, the door opened in time for Prez and his companion got to watch me whiz past them.

"Wait, how do I stop this!?" Luckily, or maybe unluckily, it did stop when the cart front bumped into the wall a hundred metres away. The cart had slowed down some that I didn't go flying, but the whiplash was still there, and damn, was it sore!

I stumbled back to the door.

"What the hell, Miyako!?" but she was out of sight already. I guess her plan worked…

I was about to continue past the door to catch her, but Prez put a hand on my head, pushing it down. My legs felt like jelly, so I had no chance of moving.

"Miyamura-san, please meet my friends… Kosaka is the idiot on the cart, Terada was the one who pushed her before disappearing somewhere, and Takahara is the one pretending she doesn't know either…"

Wooh, my head!

"Now, please help me get these nutcases inside…"

By the time I had gained proper use of my head, I was sitting in the room, a steaming cup in front of me. Miyako was back, and the three of us were seated around the table, with the girl and Prez.

"So-sorry about that…" I muttered. The girl laughed.

"Well, that's what youth is about…" she sniggered, "not that you were particularly quiet before that…"

"Yeah, sorry to have been a disturbance…"

"It's alright," the Prez said warmly, "is your neck alright?"

"I think," I turned around, when a sharp pain hit my neck, "actually, I don't think so…"

"Well, that's youth for you… bitter-sweet and all…" the girl remarked, which got a laugh out from everyone.

"So…" Miyako said, while we were all sipping on the coffee in front of us, which was surprisingly good, considering I didn't really drink coffee, "you must be wondering why we came?"

"Not really… Chihiro-san wanted to know what the deal was with me not telling her in person that I was leaving…"

"Yeah…" I replied softly, "did I do something wrong?"

The girl randomly stood up, the chair clattering slightly at the surprise, without falling.

"Takahara-san… Terada-san… we should get that cart back to the Copier Room!" she left without getting a reply from either of them. They both gave me pointed grins, before taking the cart and leaving.

They didn't shut the door behind them, which was a sure sign they probably wouldn't be far. I could follow the thought process behind that.

"It's a good thing this isn't a confession, or then I'd probably have asked them to close the door behind them!" I said loud enough that it would travel. The door slammed shut, so I'd been right. I turned back to Prez, a grin on my face.

"Did you not tell them you've already confessed to me?" he asked. I shook my head.

"I didn't tell them much from around that time…" my brain went back to what he'd been saying before, "though were we seriously that loud that you heard exactly what I was worried about?"

"Yeah…" he awkwardly looked at his hands, "sorry 'bout that… it came really suddenly to me too… That's why I didn't tell you."

That was a relief to hear… so it hadn't been anything I'd done…

"I'm glad…" I took a sip of the semi-bitter coffee, "though do you have any sugar?"

"You sure you wouldn't prefer some chocolate to throw in instead?" I snorted my unfortunately timed sip into my nose. So he still remembered that?

"Though when I watched you zip past my door earlier, it reminded me of when we met…" he clasped his fingers and put his head on them, "you're still as goofy as then…"

"Is that a good thing… that I haven't changed?" I tried to disguise my curiosity behind another sip.

"You actually have changed a bit…" he said casually.

"I have?"

It doesn't feel like that at all for me…

"Yeah, you have," he agreed. That was all.

"You're not going to elaborate?" he laughed.

"I knew you were curious… even if you act like you're just humouring me…" I blushed.

"You got me… now, can you continue? I want to hear how I've changed!" he shrugged and took a sip of his drink.

"You should know that, shouldn't you? I want to hear how you've changed…"

"Now you're being mean…"

Somehow, I think I understood what he wanted before he would continue. He wanted the answer from me, even though he knew the answer… or maybe he wanted me to think… so I did.

"I guess… I'm not that obsessed with guys anymore… and I play a little guitar now…"

"There actually is more…" he said, but unlike before, he didn't make me fish for it, "you're actually more cheerful recently."

"Is that so?"

If so, why? I feel like I've actually been more mean-spirited lately, so he can't be right there.

"Yeah, at first, you were actually a lot more reserved… honestly, had it not been for the chocolate tea thing, I would've assumed you were like any other girl… But now, you're more open with your quirks, and I think that's great."

I was a little flattered that he had been paying enough attention to pick that up.

"Why can't all guys be like you!?" I whined. He laughed.

"Like what, exactly?"

"You know… cute… nice… observant… actually interested in me!" I waved my arms, nearly hitting the cup on the saucer. He laughed.

"You sure you're not confessing to me again?" I shrugged.

"I get the vibe that you're not particularly interested in that kind of stuff… so no. I'm just saying what I think."

"That's good to hear… so thanks."

For a couple of seconds, neither of us said anything… it was just a little hard imagining that this would be the last time we'd meet at school… or possibly even in person.

I hadn't even given him a parting gift… or at least something he'd remember me by. Though maybe I could… I still had all our freebie toys that I'd taken from our clubroom earlier on today.

"Say… can I give you something?" I asked, digging into my bag. After some nodding from him and some fumbling from me, all five animals were sitting on the table in front of us.

"What are these, exactly?"

"The audience in our clubroom… I didn't really get time to buy you anything, so I'd at least like you to have one…" Prez nodded.

"Alright, that would be a nice present to remember you by…" he agreed. He ducked down, eyeing each of the plastic figures carefully, "I think I'll take this one."

"Good choice," I nodded at the panda that he'd picked up.

"Yeah, it kinda reminds me of you…" he answered, patting its head, "In any case, I think you should choose a name for him."

Man, but I suck at names… Way to put me on the spot, Prez.

White… black… A name popped into my mind.

"How about Shirayuki?" I suggested.

"Snow White… That kind of Shirayuki?" He seemed puzzled by that, considering how he was twisting the little plastic bear around.

"Well, yeah… Snow White had black hair… So Shirayuki works…" I nodded. It wasn't a very creative name but at least it wasn't stupid.

"I dunno… it seems male…" I just sidestepped the issue, as I usually did.

"Shirayuki-kun it is…" I replied happily. Prez laughed.

"I'll take it… just, I hope if you ever have sons, you won't give them any girls' names."

"That I will try…" I laughed, "I'll run my baby names by you first."

As soon as my words sunk in, I actually realised how sad this was… If he was moving away from this town, would we actually meet up enough that we could discuss this kind of stuff?

Could we even continue being friends like this? I tried to gulp down the hard knot that was forming in my throat…

"Why do you have to go? You only have two trimesters left in this place, so can't you wait?" I could feel the start of tears forming in my eyes.

"I really wish I could, Chihiro-san…" he sighed, "this is out of my hands, so all I can do is apologize…"

"Apologize then…" I hissed, but by then, the tears were already on their way down, "apologize for being so friendly with me, then not even staying long enough that we could do anything fun together…" I scrunched my skirt with my shaking hands, but there was no use. I was crying enough that I could only see everything as murky shapes.

"Chihiro-san…" a warm hand landed on my shoulder, "I really am sorry that I have to leave…"

"You should be," I croaked, "You were supposed to be here so I could whoop for you when you graduate… or so you could watch me play my guitar…"

A fresh round of tears formed… I didn't even get to play him anything yet. I stood up stiffly.

"C-can't you wait one more term?" I pleaded, "we're gonna perform during the Mai High Fest and I was going to-"

My words cut off as I felt my previously downturned face press against something warm and hard. Then, I felt arms wrap around my shoulders. Prez was hugging me.

"I'll definitely come to see you perform…" he replied softly, his hand stroking my hair, "even if I need to run away from Military School…" I laughed lightly and turned my head so I wasn't talking into his chest.

"Don't be stupid…" I moved my arms so I was hugging him back properly, "you can't run away for something like that…"

Despite the horribly warm weather, hugging another warm-blooded human wasn't uncomfortable… On the contrary, I didn't want to let go, because I knew when I did, I wouldn't get to do it again… he's leaving, after all…

"I'm gonna miss you," I mumbled, tightening my grip. He laughed, which I felt inside me too.

"I'll miss you as well…" he replied in a slightly gruffer voice than usual. I think I was probably hugging a bit too hard that I was choking him, but he didn't protest about that.

Come to think of it, have I even hugged a guy before? My head was still a bit clouded to remember exactly. Still, if it was, it was a nice feeling.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, which I felt again. It couldn't really hurt to tell him, would it?

"I was just thinking that hugging people isn't so bad… if everyone felt like you…" I was close enough to hear the slight intake of air.

"Yeah… I don't get to hug people that often, but you seem cuddly… I bet you hug your friends often."

"Not really… that's more Ellie's thing… I don't think I've even hugged a guy before…" almost immediately after that, he let go of me. My arms kind of fell in surprise as well.

"Sorry about that…" he looked down, seemingly embarrassed, "I didn't really ask for permission to hug you…" That cracked me up. Did he think about that whole time thing… in this situation, of all things?

"You know, a first hug isn't actually a thing…" I giggled, "but thanks for considering my feelings, even if it was a bit late." Her rubbed his head, embarrassed, "at least you didn't kiss me or anything like that…"

"You haven't had your first kiss yet?" he asked, somewhat shocked.

"Considering I was actually thinking about how I've never hugged a guy, what do you think?" he laughed, his fingers playing with his white undershirt at the sleeves…

Man, it's Summer… why would he wear a full sleeve undershirt in this heat?

"Well, you'll never have to worry about me kissing you…" he laughed, picking up Shirayuki-kun, the plastic panda from the desk, "I'll leave that to Katsuragi-kun…"

"You had to mention him, didn't you?" I groaned, but I could my face heating up.

"What, you want him to, don't you?"

"Well… I don't not want him to…" I mumbled, "But rather, why would I never have to worry about you!? Am I unlovable or something?" his smile fell slightly.

"It's not that… you know what it is…"

"Maybe you should say it in proper words instead of just implying it…" I snapped back, before regretting my tone, "though you don't have to…"

"No…" he ran a hand through his hair nervously, "I did get you to spill about Katsuragi, after all… I should as well…"

He opened his mouth, but no words came out…

"Should I give you a hand?" I asked. He nodded, his adam's apple bobbling like crazy, "when we first met… were you lying when you said you were lying about being gay?"

His weird twitchiness calmed down and he solemnly nodded, his head falling toward the ground. I felt my annoyance rear its head.

"Look up," I ordered. His eyes met mines, "if you feel ashamed about that, you're wrong…"

"I'm not ashamed about that…" he mumbled, "I told you the truth in the first place, then just took it back. I'm more ashamed that I lied…"

"Though why did you?" I wondered. Since he brought it up, it was actually a good question.

"I thought you were really fun when we first met… I didn't want you to treat me differently, or the hate me for being weird…"

"Please," I scoffed, "I like weird… I wish I was weirder, actually…"

"Weird?"

"Well, I wanted to be special… that was why I asked you out in the first place. I didn't think badly of you then, and I don't think badly of you now…"

And that was the truth… I'd suspected it for a while, but in the end, it didn't really change what I felt toward him at all. And the honest, relieved smile that he sent my way was worth it.

"Umm… can we come in now?" we turned around, where Miyako was at the door,

"How long have you guys been there?" Prez asked.

"Long enough to hear the news that wasn't news…" Miyamura added, which had the Prez groaning.

"Still, we're glad you got it off your chest…" Ayumi added. I think that was the proof he needed. That bit of intel had no effect on anyone.

For a couple more minutes, the five of us just chatted. Still, as the sun was setting, time was definitely up.

"Thanks, Fuyuhara-kun… I wish you do well at your new school…" Miyako said.

"Yeah… I hope you get to see some cute guys there…" Ayumi added. The two of them stepped outside and waited for me, while Miyamura-san minded her business by the cupboard.

"You know… I figured you were pretty special when I first found out about you…" I smiled, "I think you've become even more special since then…" he smiled again at the encouragement.

"You're gonna kick ass at your new school… still, I hope you'll remember the little guys from here…"

"I'll send you a message whenever I can," he smiled, "As if I could ever forget someone like you…"

I wasn't sure if it was the happy look he had on his face, or those words, but I felt my heart squeeze then. I didn't let that show on my face.

"I'll hold you to that, then," I gave him a wave as I passed through the door, "See ya…"


Ok, there you have it... 25 percent completion of this arc...

Seriously, you guys deserve better than this 3 month break, but I was really having trouble writing this, until I made a new friend on fanfiction, AButterfly'sTrueColours, whom is a huge KeiChi fan, and who had some pretty nice things to say about this fanfiction too... With all the idea bouncing and fangirling we've done between us, I think that was good about my Writer's Block.

So seriously, thank you all for holding up so long with this... I'll try my best, and because holidays are just around the corner, I'll try to do better.

And to all the people who are waiting for the next chapter of Down Memory Train, don't worry, that is next.

Ja ne... be sure to leave me a review if you have anything to say.