The wind whistled through the bamboo stalks, stirring the lanterns above. The lights in front of us swayed through and fro, a dazzling kaleidoscope of brightness and shadow was before our eyes. Perhaps there was something about the lighting, being orange instead of blue, that made it romantic - eeriness aside. And when I glanced at Tobe's eyes, the glint in it told me all - he was going to confess, and this was the perfect time and place.

Hayama was there, trying to pump up his friend. I couldn't be bothered with what they said - it was all platitudes, not of it true. But I did pay attention to the clearing in front of us, or how Ebina was there, standing. Gulping, I was reminded of the stakes. It was all or nothing at this point.

The request Tobe made about wanting to let his love be known. The request that Ebina made of wanting us to be close. The request that Miura made to keep the clique close.

This was the moment where all of those would collide.

Tobe came up, walking confidently as Hayama stood back. He stood in front of Ebina, a stone throw's distance away.

"I have something to say."

Here it was, the breaking point of their friendship. For someone like me - a loner with no relationships to call his own but the precious one he had with a few - seeing it happen real-time should've been a clinical procedure. Relationships, like the seasons, come and go; changing, but staying the same. But, for whatever reason, I felt my heart clench. I knew that something was about to change.

"What is it, Tobecchi." The smile on Ebina's face was strained.

A foreboding feeling welled up in my feet.

I moved-

"I also have something to say!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Seasons come and go, yes, but they also change. "Yukinoshita Yukino, please go out with me."

"Hikki-" Yuigahama choked out.

Yukinoshita stood silent. Slowly, her lips moved. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Why not?" Despite this being an act, I couldn't help but feel disappointment.

"We're not even friends," she coldly said. "Aren't you jumping the gun a little?"

The crux of the matter. Neither I nor Yukinoshita were friends. We had no relationship to lose. Ergo, there was no reason to worry. Slowly, I let go of my heart. I left it all up to Tobe now-

Yukinoshita spoke up.

"But..." She smiled. "I wouldn't mind being friends first."

What.

This was.

What?

This was completely out of left field. I hadn't accounted for this in my plans-

"Will you be my friend, Hikigaya-kun?"

By now everyone was staring at us. Even the people that were supposed to be confessing to each other. Yui broke into tears.

I answered, "Sure."

Seasons come and go, but they also change.

Tobe ended up forgetting about the confession.


Hello, readers. Sorry for the half a year long dry spell. I've been working on another fic (won't say though) and that has been taking up my brain juice for writing these oneshots. However, good news, I've finished chapter 3 of the 17 chapter story, so rest assured, by the time I finish chapter 8, I'll be posting.

Signing out,

Xynovitch