It was the midst of the changing of seasons. No one could quite tell whether it was still summer or that autumn had begun.

BRRIIINNGG

The school bell rung to signal the start of lunchtime and recess. Red and golden leaves crunched beneath a certain school teacher's heels. She sat on one of the playground swings and sighed, 'Does the weather have to change every time I put on a nice pair of shoes?'

"Ms. Yukizome?"

Chisa turned her head to her right, "Yes, Hajime? What can I do for one of my precious students?"

"What's that feeling called when you want to turn back time?"

"Well, I don't know about turning back time. But when you wish you could have done something different, that's called regret. Is there something you wish you did differently, Hajime?"

The third grader sighed, "I think I messed up my entire life."

Chisa smiled, "I think you're a little too young to be thinking like that."

"I keep messing everything up," the boy picked up a fallen leaf, "Like this leaf, it's supposed to stay on the tree."

His teacher laughed, "Oh, I see. This is about Nagito."

Hajime's cheeks flushed to a scarlet color, "T-that's not true!"

"I guess that's fortunate."

Innocent green eyes stared at her, "Why?"

"Because Nagito likes someone already."

"Huh?" Hajime gave Chisa an adorable angry pout, "Who is it?"

She wagged a finger at him, "Now, now. That's a secret between a student and their teacher."

"It's important I know!"

"Why?" Chisa teasingly asked, "I thought you didn't care."

"I don't!"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Maybe…"

She cupped her hand around his ear and whispered, "Just kidding! I don't know anything!"

Hajime stomped his foot, "I didn't care anyways!"

Chisa only laughed as she ruffled Hajime's hair, "Why don't you play with your classmates?"

Hajime ran off to the bench where Nagito was reading a book, "Nagito, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Nagito gave Hajime a warm smile as he sat down, "Nobody comes around here so our secrets are safe."

"Um, Nagito…"

Nagito closed his book, "Yes?"

"You remember how we met on Halloween, right?"

"Yup," Nagito recalled the encounter quite vividly, "especially the part where you screamed at Lucky."

"I'm not afraid of a puppy!"

"Speaking of animals, Ms. Yukizome says I can bring Lucky tomorrow!" Nagito beamed at Hajime, "Isn't that wonderful?"

"But, I thought pets aren't allowed at school."

"It's only for show-and-tell tomorrow. Sonia told me Gundham's bringing 'The Four Dark Devas of Destruction'. I hope you aren't scared of hamsters too."

"Of course not! Anyways, there's something important I have to ask you."

Hajime tried to muster up all his courage, "Nagito, would you…"

"I know!" Nagito scooted closer to Hajime, "You helped me hand out the papers today. You want a kiss on the cheek, right?

"T-that's not exactly it," Hajime abruptly stood up, "I want it on the lips this time!"

"Hmm," Nagito looked at Hajime, "Nope."

Hajime's eyes widened, "What do you mean 'no'?"

Nagito shook his head, "I can't just give you a kiss for no reason."

"Y-yes, you can!"

"Maybe…" Nagito trailed off.

"I can get my kiss?" Hajime excitedly asked.

"I'll give you one if you do well on the spelling quiz tomorrow."

"Really? You have to promise!"

Nagito linked his pinky with Hajime's, "I promise."

Later That Evening…

"Hey, kiddo," Mr. Hinata ruffled his son's hair.

"Stop it!" Hajime swatted his hand away, "Why does everyone keep doing that?"

"Looks like someone's cranky today."

"I'm busy right now, so go bother Mom."

"Busy?" Mr. Hinata was stunned, "What could you be so busy with?"

"Studying." Hajime said nonchalantly.

"Hmm," Mr. Hinata lifted the paper up to examine it, "It doesn't look like there's much to study. How about the three of us watch a movie?"

Hajime retrieved the paper from his father, "I don't expect you to understand, but this is something important."

"More important than spending time with your old man?"

"Maybe you do understand," Hajime's focus returned to the paper.

Mr. Hinata sighed as he walked into the kitchen, "Do we still have the chocolate cake from yesterday? I need some happiness in my life after realizing my son hates me."

"Oh, sweetie," Mrs. Hinata dried the dishes, "He doesn't hate you. He just has a little competition going with his friend."

Mr. Hinata reached over to the plate of cookies only to have his hand smacked away, "Ow! Even the love of my life hates me."

She rolled her eyes, "Hajime was promised a kiss from that new friend of his, if he does well tomorrow."

Hajime's father immediately rushed back to the living room, "Hajime, you should have told me you were doing this for love. So, who is it?"

"I don't like him or anything. I'm just trying to do my best," Hajime mumbled to himself, "I have to get rid of my regret."

"I don't see how you could have any regrets at your age."

"You've got that wrong!" Hajime slammed the pencil down on the table, "I was offered two options when I could've made a third one myself. I could've had a future, but I threw it away for the promise of safety. Unless I get rid of it, this despair will eat away at my hope until there's nothing left!"

Mr. Hinata blinked, "I think you should stop playing videogames for a while…"

"I don't have time for those! Not while Makoto Naegi is trying to take Nagito away from me!"

Mr. Hinata chuckled, "A love triangle? You sure are popular. But, I thought you and Makoto were good friends."

"We are, but Nagito is a little too friendly with him."

"You can't expect to monopolize all of Nagito's time. He's allowed to talk to anyone he wants," Mr. Hinata paused, "Hold on, are you jealous?"

"I'm not jealous!" Hajime snapped.

"If you say so," his father teased.

"I'm not!" Hajime stormed off to his room.

The Next Day (2:30pm)...

"Nagito!" Hajime beamed at him, "Look what I got!"

Nagito was immediately greeted with a paper shoved excitedly in his face, "You got a perfect score."

"So, could I get that kiss now?" Hajime refused to meet Nagito's eyes, "N-not because I want it or anything, but you did say that could be my reward…"

"Well, you have to close your eyes first."

Hajime shut them close, "On the lips this time."

"You'd have to get closer than that, Hajime," Hajime took a step and stumbled, "You might want to open your eyes before you move though."

As soon as Hajime took a second step, he was greeted by Lucky licking him across the face.

"Eww!" Hajime grimaced and wiped his mouth with his shirt.

Nagito giggled, "I guess you got your kiss, Hajime."

"Wha-? No!" Hajime panicked, "That doesn't count! You were the one who promised me a kiss."

"You should be happy, Hajime. Lucky's kiss is more valuable than mine."

"That's not true. Besides, you pinky promised..."

"Do you really want me to keep my word that much?" Nagito looked curiously at Hajime.

Hajime nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, because that what makes you a good person."

"Are you sure?" Nagito rubbed his arm, "I'm not really worthy enough to kiss."

Hajime twiddled with his fingers, "Well, I think you are."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Hajime was taken back, "L-like a real kiss?"

"Yup."

Hajime frowned, "It better not be from the dog though."

Nagito pouted, "You're hurting Lucky's feelings. He loves you, Hajime."

Hajime's scowl softened when he laid eyes upon the puppy squirming in Nagito's arms, "But, I'm not sure if you ever will though."

"What was that, Hajime?"

"N-nothing!"

Nagito gave Hajime a small kiss, "Was that fine, Hajime?"

"Yeah," Hajime touched his lips, "It was nice."

Later in the Afternoon (4:03 pm)

The two boys walked together with Lucky leading the way to Nagito's house.

"Hajime, you didn't have to walk me all the way home."

"I had to."

"Why?" Nagito sighed, "I really don't want to burden you…"

"It's getting dark a lot earlier these days. If you're not careful, something could happen to you while you're walking alone."

Nagito smiled at Hajime, "You're worried for me?"

"O-of course not!"

"Oh," Nagito's smile fell.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Nagito gave Hajime a small reassuring smile, "Why were you so concerned about receiving a kiss from me?"

Hajime scratched his cheek, "B-because…"

Nagito impatiently tapped his foot, "That's not an answer."

"Because you're lucky!" Hajime blurted out.

Nagito pointed to the puppy chasing its tail, "But, he's Lucky."

"After I got a kiss from you, I passed the spelling test."

Nagito lifted Lucky up from the neighbor's yard, "But Hajime, didn't I kiss you after the test?"

"Um…" Nagito grew impatient once again.

Hajime hesitated, "Well, that's because your luck affected the future."

"If you truly believe in this luck I have," Nagito blushed, "I can kiss you every day."

"For real?" Hajime cheered, "That's awesome!"

Nagito held the dog to Hajime, "I think Lucky might get jealous though. Maybe you should kiss him."

"What?! I don't like the dog, I like you!"

Nagito's eyes grew wide, "Really?"

Hajime crossed his arms, "Dummy, I wouldn't lie about that."

"Then, I like you too."

Hajime scratched Lucky's ear, "What about Makoto?"

"Makoto?"

Hajime mumbled, "I thought you liked him more."

Nagito smiled, "Don't worry, Hajime! You have a big place in my heart."

"Do you really mean it?"

Nagito nodded and Hajime sighed in relief, "That's good to hear. N-not that I was upset or anything!"

"Of course, you wouldn't be. After all, you'd let me know if you were."

"Then, I'll make my demands clear! I want a hug everyday too!"

"Don't push your luck, Hajime."

"I can still get my kisses, right?"

"If you behave…"

"Don't forget! You have to promise!"

"Cross my heart," Nagito looked at the yawning puppy, "I need to go home now. Lucky's tried from all of Peko's petting."

Hajime laughed, "I bet he would be."

Nagito held Lucky in one hand and waved at Hajime with the other. While Hajime was walking home, he stepped into a large puddle. He was late arriving home, but he wasn't troubled. Hajime had already recieved the best part of his day, a kiss from the boy he deeply cherished.