"Don't expect life to be fair…but expect me to be by your side no matter how unfair it gets. No force on Earth could ever tear me away from you."

"…Hah…Hah…"

Himuro Tatsuya, one of your school's most loved boys, races through the doorway of the roof. Looking behind him and panting lightly, he's halfway towards you when he turns his head around, locks eyes with you, and instantly freezes. A few seconds pass, before his eyes narrow in annoyance and his lips press together tightly. When he realises you've noticed his irratation, he offers you a strained smile.

"My apologies. I didn't know the roof was already occupied." He states politely, although it's more than clear he's not happy to see you here. This seems fair, since you're not very happy to see him either.

He reluctantly walks closer to you, and with his immense height he's soon able to look over into your lap. When he sees the box of chocolates still held tightly in your hands he winces slightly, but when his eyes move back to your face they widen in surprise. Once he realises you're crying, his smile immediately disappears and he looks away uncomfortably. Himuro, having escaped to the roof to avoid the many women trying to give him chocolates and confess their love to him, has come to an important insight: you did not come here for him.

You turn away from him quickly, trying to wipe your tear-stained face, and quickly shove the lid back onto the box. You don't see that he smiles again, but that this one is small, warm, and actually genuine.

"If it's alright with you…would you like to have lunch together? I would love your company." He says softly. You nod your head, mumbling a quiet 'yes', although you can't help but wish he'd just leave. The only thing that makes your rejection sting worse is being pitied by someone who has never been rejected.

"Thank you. My name is Himuro Tatsuya." He speaks kindly as he sits across from you. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss…?"

"(l/n) (f/n). It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Himuro-san." You respond quietly. There's a long awkward pause for a moment, before Himuro speaks up again.

"(L/n)-san, if I may…why are you up here? Shouldn't you be in the school, celebrating with your friends?" Himuro inquires concernedly.

You stiffen up immediately, but after a moment you slump down as the tension leaves you completely. You decide there's no harm in talking about it. Sniffing, you wipe your eyes, and start to tell the story. You tell him about making the homemade chocolates, about confessing to your crush, and about him leaving you here on the roof. You stare straight at the ground throughout your entire story, but once you finish you look back up at him. To your surprise, he looks sincerely saddened by your story. He leans over and puts his hand on yours.

"(L/n)-san, I'm very sorry something like this happened to you. You worked very hard, and it is unfortunate-"

"Thank you, Himuro-san." You interrupt him, looking back down at the ground as you pull your hand back. "Thank you, but I really don't want your pity."

Himuro tilts his body back, looking at you in shock, and before you know it you can't stop your words.

"Honestly, your words ring pretty hollow, coming from someone who's never been rejected. Who's never been 'not good enough'." You state tiredly. You sound like you feel: emotionally exhausted, but still angry and hurt. You also know it's wrong to take this anger out on Himuro, but you can't stop yourself. "Please, Himuro-san, let's not play this 'game' where you pretend to care about me, and I pretend to believe that you do. I…I just can't do it today…" It takes all you have not to start crying again.

Himuro is completely silent, his head tilted down and his hair covering his eyes. He should be furious at you, but…he just can't bring himself to be. There's just so much pain and exhaustion in your voice. And it's excruciatingly familiar to him.

You realise you've gone too far, and open your mouth to apologise. However, Himuro speaks up first.

"(L/n)-san," he starts, his voice quiet and soothing. "I do understand what it's like to 'not be good enough'. I know it very well. I also know what it's like to be rejected."

You look up, and to your surprise Himuro actually looks like he's holding back a pained expression. He turns away closes his eyes tightly for a moment, as if trying to block out some painful memories. You watch him quietly, feeling a fierce guilt well up inside you, and you stick your hand out to him suddenly.

"Himuro-san." You say politely, your voice much gentler now. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we start again? Hello, my name is (l/n) (f/n), and I'm very glad to meet you. Thank you for spending lunch with me."

Himuro turns back to you and blinks, but a small appreciative smile appears on his face as his hand takes yours and gently shakes it. "You're very welcome, (l/n)-san. My name is Himuro Tatsuya. I'm glad to meet you as well." he replies softly.

"So, Himuro-san…" you start, as you pull your hand back. "I'd like to know more about you. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
Himuro is startled again, but his smile is slightly brighter this time as he nods and starts talking. You converse for quite a while, with Himuro speaking especially passionately about basketball.

"I think he left just as I was learning juggling at-"

"Juggling? Really?! No way!" You say, your mouth hanging open in amazement.

For a second, Himuro's expression goes completely blank, and he turns his face away from you just as it turns irritated. Unfortunately, Himuro has met many girls in the past who treat this talent, and any other quirk that doesn't fit their image of him, as a flaw in their otherwise perfect 'Himuro'. More unfortunate is the fact he seems to think your reaction means you're one of those girls.

But, once more, you surprise him.

Before he can say anything, you quickly lean closer to him, you're eyes wide. "That's so cool!" You exclaim. "That's such an awesome talent; I've never known anyone able do that! Ah!" you put your hands on his, smiling brightly. "Would you be able to juggle something for me, Himuro-san? Please?"

Again, you stun Himuro into silence, and he stares at you in shock. A moment passes, before he gives you another heartfelt smile. He then pushes the hair over his eye back over his ear, so you can see more of his face. He looks happier than you've ever seen him, though you can't quite understand why.

"Of course, (l/n)-san. But…ah…I need something to juggle…" he says, as he looks around for just that. You quickly hold out your box of chocolates. "Here! Use some of these!" you reply excitedly. "They're different sizes, and pretty solid!"

Himuro has to put a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter. You tilt your head in confusion, but he quickly regains his composure. "Alright, (l/n)-san. But only on one condition." he leans closer to you, his eyes looking deeply into yours. "If I do this, you have to give the rest of your chocolates to me, as a Valentine's Day present."

"…Hah?" You blink at him in disbelief. "But…Himuro-san, don't you have more than enough chocolates? Dozens of girls must have given some to you today already. Why would you want mine?"

Himuro pauses for a moment, still watching you closely, with a small smile on his face. "Yours are special, (l/n)-san. Very special." he pauses to take the box from your hand, opening the lid and looking at the chocolates inside. "These are the only chocolates I want today...the ones made by you."

"O—Oh! Well, in that case, sure. Of c-course you can have them." you stammer, blushing darkly.

Himuro smiles appreciatively. "Thank you, (l/n)-san. Now, to fulfill my end of the deal…" he picks up a few of your small chocolates, taking a moment to test their weight, and then, to your delight, he starts to juggle them. His hands are incredibly agile, and are always there to catch the falling chocolate. "Amazing…" you gasp. "Wow, I wish I could do that…"

You're so busy marveling at his juggling, in fact, you don't see that Himuro is concentrating more on you than what's in his hands.

After a few moments, you suddenly speak up again. "Himuro-san…I'm so sorry about the way I acted earlier." you say quietly, turning your head to the ground. "I was upset, and I took it out on you. I really acted terribly. I'm…I'm really sorry."

Once again you seem to have caught Himuro off-guard, but he quickly regains his smile. He stops juggling the chocolates and puts them back into the box thoughtfully. His expression is soft as he gazes at you. "That must have been difficult to say, (l/n)-san. I know you were very distraught. I accept your apology, now please think nothing more of it." he replies affectionately.

"Himuro-san, you're so kind….Thank you. Thank you for spending this time with me, for comforting me and making me feel better. I don't think I can ever repay your kindness." You smile at him, slowly lifting your eyes to meet his. "I understand why you're so popular now. You're a compassionate person, and you're really interesting! You're a lot of fun to talk to!"

"…I should be the one thanking you, (l/n)-san," he says quietly, looking towards the side. His expression seems oddly melancholic now. "I don't often meet girls who want to talk to the real me. I'm…actually really happy that I got to meet someone who really wanted to get to know me, and likes me for more than…" He pauses suddenly, looking back at you before darting his eyes away. "Really…I should have been comforting you, but you ended up comforting me…" he sighs, pushing his hair back again.

"Himuro-san…"

You're interrupted by the shrill sound of the bell ringing throughout the roof. Himuro narrows his eyes in annoyance, and sighs irritatedly as he stands up.

"(L/n)-san, I really wanted to spend some more time with you, but I must be going. People will come looking for me now that lunch is ending." His face still looks annoyed as he glares at the door, but it quickly softens when you stand up as well and hand him the chocolates, smiling brightly. He gently takes the box from you, once again smiling tenderly, and holds it close to his chest.

"Himuro-san! It really was a lot fun talking to you!" You exclaim excitedly. "Let's do it again! Maybe you can even teach me how to juggle?"

Himuro laughs cheerfully. "As long as it's you, (l/n)-san, I'll be happy to do so…It was a pleasure meeting you, (l/n)-san. Goodbye." he waves at you, still smiling, before he leaves the roof.

You wave as well, before sitting back down. You know you should start heading to class, but you have so many thoughts swirling in your head you decide to take a few minutes to think some more. Besides, your heart is beating painfully fast, and you know your cheeks must be flaming red.

-

As Himuro reaches the bottom of the stairs, he stops. He looks down, his hair hanging over his face as he stares at the box of chocolates in his hands. Slowly, he runs a finger over the lid's soft material. "Why did I want these so badly, (l/n)-san? Because they're beautiful…like you." He whispers quietly, before he turns his head back to the roof door, his expression fiercely determined.

"We will meet again. I will do whatever it takes to make you want me as much as I want you. "