----Hajimari no Hi----

Chapter One

And the day began.

That was how it always felt, I mused, reaching for my glasses. Waking up was like a sentence heard from the middle, pieces of information having flown by while your brain tried to catch up. I left my alarm clock beeping and went to find breakfast, ignoring the wall calendar's best attempts at reminding me of the date.

I knew what day it was.

The drive to school was silent. My driver never speaks to me. I didn't mind; there would be more than enough noise once I reached the school building. My driver pulled up to the curb, and I stepped out of the car, hoping against hope that I wouldn't be noticed.

Unfortunately, I have never had good luck.

Almost immediately, I found my path blocked by a girl. I had the vague idea that she was a first year, but I wasn't quite sure.

"Hiwatari-senpai, please take these," She held out a box of what was presumably chocolate, her face bright red and her eyes fixed on her feet.

"I'm sorry," I told her. "I can't accept them."

Her face crumpled. "Oh," she said, her voice tiny. "W-well, happy Valentine's day, anyway, Hiwatari-senpai..."

How does one answer that, I wondered. 'Thanks, same to you' doesn't really seem an appropriate response to someone you've rejected. I settled for a nod, and she turned away, her shoulders heavy with disappointment.

I wasn't stopped again between the sidewalk and my locker, and I was grateful. Whatever fool in the chocolate industry came up with this idiotic tradition should be shot.

A note on folded pink paper had been thrust into the vents on the front of my locker. I pulled it out and crumpled it, throwing it away without glancing at the contents. Nothing I wanted to read would be written on pink stationary.

I sorted through my books, picking the ones I needed. I was just placing the unnecessary ones back in my locker when a familiar voice floated around the corner.

"I made some chocolates for you, Daisuke-kun,"

Harada Riku, of course. Which meant...

"Ah, thank you, Riku-san. That's very thoughtful."

Niwa Daisuke.

Something cold and tired within me ached dully. I put my books into my bag, wishing, for once, that Daisuke's locker was farther away from my own. I didn't want to hear this conversation.

"Silly. It's traditional, isn't it?" This was said gruffly, but her voice softened a bit on the next words. "On Valentine's Day, you give chocolate to the person you like the best."

"Yes..." His voice was equally soft.

This had gone on long enough. Steeling myself, I swung my bag onto my shoulder, slammed my locker closed and stepped around the corner.

Harada blinked at me. "Hiwatari-kun..."

I nodded at her. "Harada-san." I turned to Daisuke. "Niwa-kun."

I began to walk down the hall, wanting to be anywhere but with the two of them, when Daisuke's voice stopped me.

"Hiwatari-kun!"

I looked back over my shoulder. "Yes?"

"Happy Valentine's Day."

I paused for a moment, and then nodded back, turning away moments before Harada reclaimed Daisuke's attention.

Happy Valentine's Day, indeed.

---To be continued...