Pristine dawn

A new day

One clearer

Than yesterday

Specks of dust

Like stars

Under golden sunlight

When she opened her eyes

A moment

Of clarity.

Collective instances

Stacking to a conclusion

A perilous trek

Journey towards a goal

The path to happiness

Long

Winding.

Final closure

Answers

Satisfy

Her desires.

There was

A certain spring

To each step

A skip

In high spirits

Like a bird

Spread the wings

Ready

Fly.

A silhouette

Closer inspection

Revealing a face

However dark

Brightens her up.

"Morning, Hachi."

"Good morning, Yumiko."

It was pleasant

Finally

A smile

Albeit a faint one

She can rest assured

It belonged to her.

Her hand found way

Intertwining with his

Beneath the woolen gloves

Warmth

Comfort.

"You seem particularly cheerful today. Won the lottery or something?"

She simply giggled a response.

In fact

Perhaps

She may have won

Something bigger

Than material wealth.

"Hachiman. Let's meet on that bridge, this evening."

"Yeah, sure. You wanna go get dinner afterwards?"

"Quite generous now, aren't you?"

"Of course."

On the other hand

The cynic

Without a gambit

Nor a plan

But knowing

What was about to unfold

He simply concluded.

Cross the bridge when you get there.

Whatever will his decision be

It will be one

He would not regret.

Beside him

Like a candle

Burning gallantly

Against the cold wind

The fire Queen

Strode in blithe.

Two individuals

Brandishing a flaw

A cynic

An optimist

Obnoxious mix

Oil and water

He was greased with negativity

Complemented

By the positivity

Of a blonde flame

Brought together

Stroke of fate

Unbelievable.

Now, they would have to believe.

The pessimist

Refuse

Believing by faith

Such preposterousness

Insisting on logic and facts

Solid foundation

For a feasible dogma.

The other

Fooled and tricked

More than thrice

Yet still persistent

A relentless fire

Bent on finding

Beneath the ash and dust

Something worthwhile.

Numerous gazes

Marveling at the sight

Two figures

Truly a strange combination

Only existing

In the realm

Of deluded fantasies.

Truth so unbelievable

They began to believe it.

"Hikki! Yumiko-chan! It's great to see you two back!"

One gave a sheepish

Half-assed smile

The other

Looked as if

She who had struck jackpot.

Scent of sweet fruit

Drawing closer

Soft elbow to the side

Peach eyes caught dead ones.

"It seems you did sort it all out after all. What's the secret?"

"There is no secret."

"Oh Hachi... is there?"

With a provocative tone

The blonde chimed in

A sly grin

Green eyes

Eliciting mischief.

"E-eh? Hikkimo!"

"Oi. Don't just jump into conclusions."

"Hachio... you're still holding me."

The sweet airhead

Red with annoyance

Unleashed

Barrage of punches

While a certain actress

Enjoyed the show

To his expense.

"Oof- I concede. Shoo now, leave me in peace."

"Hmph! Hikki!"

Akin to a foxy kouhai

One was blessed

With hypnotizing cuteness

The other

Charming beauty

Laced with devilry

Reminiscent

Of a certain temptress.

"Still... thank you for taking care of Yumiko-chan for me."

"She's not sick."

"Idiot!"

"Welcome."

"Really. It means alot to me. She's very happy to have you."

"I get that alot."

"Mou, Hikki! Quit being so condescending!"

He simply sank down to his seat

A peculiar feeling

Of serenity.

"Yui. Thank you too. For being her friend."

Sooner or later

He would have to revise

His cynical thesis

Ruthless criticism

On youth.

Being nice?

It seems

Nice.

The pleasurable things in life

All are either

Unlawful

Immoral

Or fattening.

But maybe not.

He was crushed once

A shattered heart

Sharpened mind.

Toppling the walls

No easy feat

Tantamount

Disabling defenses

Vulnerable

Open to devastating assault

It was a perilous gamble

For a shot

At happiness.

The first step

To failure

Is trying.

Yet the first step

To success

Is doing.

He must not try again.

He must do it again.

Perhaps

His faux pas

Was keeping a knife

Close to heart

Unwillingness.

Perhaps

Put more trust

A foolish girl

But one

He had known

Quite well.

She was happy to have him.

No doubt.

He was happy to have her too.

Genuine may be for the few

But perhaps

Happiness is for all.