I arrive at the school at 9:57, just in time for my ten o'clock class. "Alright, everyone, today we'll be having a pop quiz." All of my students groan as I pull the quizzes out from my backpack. I teach Grade 11 Biology in Hasetsu High. Rumor says that some girls in my class have crushes on me, but I don't really like to get involved with all of that. To be totally honest, pairing up teachers and students make me cringe.

I sit in my desk as my class fills in the worksheet, flipping my pen and thinking of the mysterious lifeguard. There's still so much I have to learn about him. What are his hobbies for his spare time? What's his favorite TV show? What sort of backstory does he have? Then it hits me. What if he's the one? The one that will give my world color?

I couldn't seem to stay still in my chair, so I stand up and pace back and forth, holding my phone in my hand. I send Yuri this message: Do you want to meet me tomorrow at the same cafe? It'll be on me ;)

My mind begins to wander back to the topic about seeing color. No one who's experienced it really knows how to describe it. All they say is that you don't just see black and white. You see bright varieties of all types. Really unfortunate, now that I think about it. It's like living in a heaven, or a paradise, all the time. It's unfair. What about all the people who never find true love…? They never get there. Never see beauty.

My phone pings, indicating that Yuri already got back to me.I excitedly look to find: Sounds good! I need a break during the weekend anyways! ;D (Esp. with all this SNOW) You're lucky to catch me when I was drying off. I'm hopping back into the pool, so I'll have to talk to you later again. See ya :)

Oh, Yuri…! He's an angel. I send him a winky-emoji and then check the time. "Okay, everyone, I'll be collecting your pop quizzes now."

I never wanted to end a day so quickly before.

My whole night consisted of twisting and turning in my bedsheets, thinking and thinking about so many things. What does he think about me? What happens if he IS the right person? Is color as beautiful as everyone says? I eventually fall asleep, dreaming of discovering paradise itself, with Yuri Katsuki at my side.

Saturday Morning

Yuri should be here any minute now.

It's Saturday morning, 10am. Snow is gently falling today, and the sun is shining down, melting the excessive snow. It's gorgeous and absolutely perfect for some coffee.

Brrriiiing~ I look up to see Yuri Katsuki with messy hair and a grin on his face like usual. "Hey! Sorry, I was running a bit late…!"

"No, don't worry about it!" I reply, trying to keep my eyes off his bed-head.

He notices me staring and asks, "What's wrong? Did I get toothpaste somewhere?"

I chuckle and say, "Let me fix your hair." I stand up and slowly untangle his knotty hair. Yuri looks so embarrassed that his face starts to heat up. Once I'm done, he uncomfortably stares at the floor. Oh shit, did I go too far?! "Sorry, I-"

"It's not you!" Yuri quickly assures. "I'm just so unorganized!"

I smile. "It's only a bit of tangled hair! No biggie. And don't we all have those days?"

Yuri grins and takes a seat. "Thanks for getting the coffee ready for me." He takes the cup in his hands and slowly takes a little sip. "Mmm~ Tastes delicious."

I gaze at his cute, rounded face, so happy and so… pure. He suddenly peeks up at me with his big eyes, catching me by surprise. "…Y-yeah, no problem…!" I stutter like a total idiot. Why can't I just focus?!

"So…" Yuri mumbles with an adorable smirk. "What're your plans for the Christmas holidays?"

Right, they're only in a week! "I don't have any plans, actually." And yes, this was the truth.

Yuri looks overjoyed. "Maybe we could hang out~! I could let you through to the pool for free, since I work there."

My jaw drops accidentally, and Yuri giggles, letting out a tiny snort. My hand rushes to my mouth to stop myself from bursting out into laughter. "S-sounds great!" I mutter, trying my hardest not to explode. He's just so thoughtful…

"Awesome~" my friend replies, his glasses sliding down his nose. He notices and lets out a groan. "I should really wear my contacts more often."

"You have contacts?"

"Yeah, but I hate putting them in." he grumbles. "I almost poke my eye out every time."

I chuckle and sip my coffee. I can totally see that happening. "And I bet you look great in them."

"...Thanks." he mutters, looking away. I realize his face gradually turning a darker shade, and I have a sudden, strong urge to see color.

"H-have you ever seen colors before, Yuri?" I blurt out.

The poor man didn't expect that to come into conversation, and he nearly chokes on his hot drink.

I speedily lean forward to see if he's alright. He coughs a couple of times and says, "I'm fine…!" He swallows and gives me his friendly, trademark smile. "No, I haven't."

I look down into my cup of coffee and carefully spin it around a bit. "Me neither." It's unusually tense right now, and it makes me awfully nervous. I could've screwed this up already. I'm always bad when it comes to dating. … Wait, is this considered a date?! My heart begins to pound and we both fiddle with something in the meantime, our faces both flustered.

"How often have you dated?" I ask.

Yuri shrugs and looks from side to side. "This is my first date…" His face falls as he realizes his mistake.

So he does think this is a date!

Smiling, I decide to go along with it. "This is my first date that's actually went significantly well."

He gives me a small, nervous smile as he plays with his fingers. "I'm glad."

"Me too." I say, and then I do something completely out of question: I reach out and hold his cold hand. He glances up into my eyes and keeps his hand in place… in mine. A spark of hope comes from my chest as I think, He could be the one. I feel like our feelings toward each other are genuine.

Yuri stammers, "A-anyways, so… how bad has one of your dates been…?" His hands still remain under mine, which is incredibly comforting.

I softly laugh and say, "A girl has showered me with her hot tea before."

Yuri winces as he imagines it. "Ouch…!"

"It wasn't that wonderful."

Yuri looks down at our hands as he mumbles, "How many men have you dated?"

"One. In the last year of high school." I answer.

"How was that…?"

I sigh as I remember how bad it went. "Our relationship didn't last long. I found out that he was lying about liking me, and he told his friends I fell for him." Yuri cringes as I continue, "A rumor went around the school that I'm gay, and, well…"

Yuri is gazing into my eyes when I look up at him.

"It was true..." I mutter. "But it hurt. People made fun of me. Even my closest friends judged me for it and didn't dare talk to me in public."

Yuri nods as if he'd experienced the same situation.

"How about you? When did you discover you liked guys?"

"When I was sixteen." Yuri sits back and looks into the distance as if the memory was replaying in front of him. "I knew I wasn't going to change how I felt towards guys. I just… didn't feel attracted to any girls... I thought it was only a phase, but here I am. I haven't changed."

I give him a heartfelt smile and whisper, "I admire you for being who you are, Yuri… I really do."

He grins at me, dark eyes peering at me. "You too. It's tough finding the right person."

The right-! I think to myself. I'm not the only one thinking that chemistry is in play here.

Yuri must've guessed what I was thinking, because he looked even more shy now. "I-I should go." he mutters in a rush. "Appointment to be at."

The tingly feeling in my heart quickly turns into sinking regret. I stand up at the same time he does, and Yuri avoids my gaze, grabbing his coffee and saying, "Thanks, Viktor."

"Talk to you later?" I desperately ask, and he must not have heard it, because he leaves the café without another word. I watch Yuri shuffle away down the sidewalk and then across the street. I let out a disappointed sigh and pick up my bag, walking out of the shop and into the cold. I never know what to do or say.

When I get home, I lifelessly crumble into my living room couch, head in my hands. I'll always be alone... won't I?