May 2

Today, Ueda-senpai confessed to Kakeru. He started going out with Ueda-senpai. Kakeru clearly does not like Ueda-senpai, and they break up after a month. However, after Kakeru accepted Ueda-senpai's confession, I saw Naho's face. Her feelings for Kakeru was clear as crystal. At this point, I do not know if Kakeru likes Naho, but he definitely treats her in a different way from other girls.

So, for today, please stop Kakeru from going out with Ueda-senpai.

"Kakeru, do you know Ueda-senpai?" asked Suwa. The morning soccer practice just finished. It was Kakeru's first day as an official club member and they were walking towards the classrooms.

"Ueda-senpai? Ah, you mean that hot senpai who always watches us at the field during soccer practice. Why? You've fallen for her, Suwa?" said Kakeru.

"No, no, no. What you're talking about?"

"Wow wow. Calm down, Suwa. Just pulling your leg."

Suwa glared at Kakeru, who did not look a single bit apologetic. Suwa wondered what kind of person he had ended up befriending.

"Say… if she ends up confessing to you, what will you do?" asked Suwa.

"Already expecting a confession, I see."

Kakeru received another glare from Suwa.

"Hahaha. Well, I'll say yes, since she has a pretty face." said Kakeru.

"Hmm. I didn't expect you to be so shallow, Kakeru."

"Ouch! Suwa's mouth so sharp."

Suwa sent another glare towards Kakeru.

"So, why did you ask me this question?"

"Just curious."

"Bet you like Ueda-senpai."

"Don't spout rubbish, Kakeru."

"Suwa likes Ueda-senpai." shouted Kakeru.

"Can you shut up, Kakeru?"

"Don't want. Don't want. Everyone! Suwa likes Ueda-senpai."

"Hey!" Suwa attempts to shut Kakeru's mouth with his hands, but Kakeru proves to be swifter than he thought.

They ended up running towards the classroom, where Suwa's reputation ends up in tatters. 'What a mess.' Suwa thought to himself. Somehow, he hopes that Kakeru wasn't serious about saying yes to Ueda-senpai. Because he was completely sure that Ueda-senpai will confess to Kakeru today. The letter hasn't been proven wrong yet.

"Suwa, go buy me some juice." said Azusa.

"Buy it yourself." answered Suwa.

"It will only take you a couple steps to get it. You're nearer to the classroom door than me." said Azusa.

"I want some too." Takako added.

This was soon joined by Hagita and Kakeru.

"What? This is unfair. Let's decide by rock, paper and scissors." said Suwa.

The matched ended with Kakeru having to buy the juices. Great, serve him right for that commotion that he caused this morning.

"Naho, what do you want?" asked Kakeru.

"Oh… Um… I'm fine." said Naho

"Really? You're not thirsty after gym?"

"Umm… Anything is fine."

"Really? Even red bean soup?"

Naho looked as if she was caught cheating in exam. Which is to say, extremely flustered.

"Just 'Anything' only is not fine, ok?" said Kakeru.

"Orange juice then…" answered Naho.

"Got it!" said Kakeru with a smile. He then proceeds towards the vending machine.

Seeing the interaction of Naho and Kakeru, Suwa ended up smiling too. Somehow, it wasn't as painful as before. He wonders if his heart had secretly and slowly let go of the crush he had since his middle school?

When he first read the letter from the future, it was hard for him to let go his love for Naho. But, being friends with Kakeru, he knows that if he ended up letting Kakeru die, he would wallow in sadness and self-blame for a long time. Maybe if he did not have the knowledge of the letter, it would be possible to let go of Kakeru's death (if that happened). But, with the knowledge of the letter, this was not possible. Thus, he ended up with the conclusion of letting go his love for Naho. Maybe, logical conclusions of the mind can change one's feelings?

"Look at Kakeru. Carrying those drinks." said Azusa suddenly. She was standing at the window.

Suwa went to the window. Haha, it was funny to see Kakeru attempting to balance all six different drinks. If it was all cans, it might have been easier for him. But they ordered different drinks with different packaging. Ah, it seems that Kakeru dropped the coke.

"You're ok with carrying all the drinks?" asked Azusa.

"Sorry that I dropped the coke. But, no problem." said Kakeru.

They continue to watch Kakeru efforts to carry the drinks. It was definitely heavy

Suddenly, Kakeru stopped. It seems that someone was calling him. Poor him. Stopped by someone while having to carry those drinks.

It turned out to be Ueda-senpai. Kakeru and Ueda-senpai ended up talking, but they couldn't hear them from the classroom as they were mostly whispering, plus the fact that the classroom was on the second floor. Without shouting, it would not be possible.

"Looks like a confession." said Azusa.

"Ah, Suwa gonna be jealous." said Takako.

"Hey, I told you that nonsense was all Kakeru's fault." said Suwa.

"I gonna ask him later." said Azusa

Well, it was definitely the confession. He just missed the thing he was trying to prevent. He should have bought the drinks for everyone instead of coming up with the rock, paper, scissors game. If only he knew.

When Kakeru came back to the class, Azusa excitedly asked him "Was that a confession?"

"Yeah. Su-Wa aren't you jealous?" said Kakeru.

"Hey, your joke is long expired." retorted Suwa.

"How unfair. To be confessed by a beauty." said Hagita.

"You have your Azusa." said Suwa and Kakeru at the same time.

"What?" answered Hagita and Azusa at the same time.

"You two are just proving their point." added Takako. All of them started laughing, except Hagita and Azusa who was glaring at them.

"So, what was your answer to Ueda-senpai?" asked Azusa.

"Trying to change the subject, eh?" said Takako.

"I told her that I would let her know during the next break time." answered Kakeru to no one in particular, since Azusa was busy chasing Takako.

But, two persons were noting that down. Suwa wondered if there is a way to stop Kakeru from accepting the confession of Ueda-senpai.

"Suwa, I have something to talk with you about." said Kakeru when class ended.

"Ok, I have something to say too." Suwa quietly pumped his fist. He was looking for a way to talk to Kakeru about Ueda-senpai's confession too.

They walked out of the classroom towards a quiet part of the corridor.

"So, what did you want to say?" asked Suwa.

"Ok, this is serious. Do you like Ueda-senpai?" asked Kakeru.

"No, I don't." answered Suwa. That was a surprising question.

"I see. Ok. How about you? What did you want to say?" said Kakeru.

"Don't accept Ueda-senpai's confession." Suwa decided to just say it. He couldn't think of any tricks, after all.

"Why not?"

"You don't like her, do you? You just like her face. Her personality doesn't suit you."

"How do you know that? You know her that well? Or what? Just gossips? Actually, did you know that she was going to confess to me? That's why you say all that and asked me weird questions in the morning."

"… … No… I… didn't know." answered Suwa.

But the damage was done. From Kakeru's face, it was clear that Kakeru knew that he was lying.

"I see. Then, I have a cleaning duty to do. You go eat lunch first." said Kakeru before leaving.

Suwa didn't know what to do. He failed today.

Suwa ran back to the classroom after he finished his lunch. Blame his hungry stomach. But, in his heart, he knew he was too late to stop Kakeru. Kakeru must have answered the confession.

"Ah, Suwa! Kakeru just accepted Ueda-senpai's confession. They are going out! Aren't they cute?"" said Azusa.

"What's with that face, Suwa? Don't tell me you like Ueda-senpai for real?" asked Takako.

"Hahahaha. No, such thing. Just a bit tired." answered Suwa.

"I'm going home." said Naho suddenly before rushing out.

The news might have hurt Naho too. Naho likes Kakeru, after all. Well, if the letter was to be believed. But her reaction is probably indicative enough.

He might just as well comfort Naho. Even though, he didn't manage to stop Kakeru and Ueda-senpai from going out.

He chased Naho to the corridor.

"You okay?" asked Suwa.

"I'm fine…" answered Naho. However, she didn't turn to look at him. She was clearly not fine.

"You're not. You like Kakeru, don't you?" He held her hand as he asked the question.

Naho turned and faced him. Her face answered everything.

For some reason, Suwa's head was seething with anger. At Kakeru.

It has been two weeks since the day when Kakeru started going out with Ueda-senpai. The Golden Week holiday started the next day, so he wasn't able to meet him as they didn't have school. All Suwa could do was message Kakeru, which was ignored by him for the first few days. After that, the replies resumed, but it was mostly short. Ostensibly, it was due to the fact that he was out with Ueda-senpai, so he couldn't really reply the message, but Suwa suspected that Kakeru was angry with him actually.

He didn't make much of an effort anyway, as during those first few days he was also partially angry with Kakeru. He expected Kakeru to be a much better person. Going out with Ueda-senpai just because of her face. That was really shallow of him. There were other things too. He thought Kakeru would treat Naho well, instead Kakeru just decided to go out with Ueda-senpai, without thinking of Naho feelings. He should have realised Naho's feelings for him, as she even made lunch for him often. During those few days, he was just angry with Kakeru.

He couldn't stay that way for so long though. Even his brain started to defend Kakeru, suggesting that Kakeru might have been rather dense about people's feelings. He was in the wrong too, so he didn't really have the right to be angry. He ended up having his holiday occupied with all these thoughts, which made him really tired. In the end, he decided that he might just as well attempt to make-up with Kakeru, and wait for him to break-up with Ueda-senpai.

The first day after the Golden Week holiday, he decided to do morning wake-up call for Kakeru as usual. As usual, he was greeted with the sleepy Kakeru voice. He was glad that Kakeru didn't tell him to stop with the morning calls. Meeting him at school for the morning practice, he tried to start a conversation, but it was awkward. Kakeru's usual teasing and pulling his leg wasn't there. He never knew he would start missing being "bullied" by Kakeru.

They didn't have much chance to talk to each other, since Ueda-senpai would appear and drag Kakeru away whenever it was break time. Every time that happened, he would see Naho's face falling. That went on for two weeks.

With his friendship with Kakeru in tatters, it would be impossible for him to help Naho and Kakeru get closer. So, first, he needed to repair it, Suwa thought to himself. Suwa judge that two weeks should have been long enough for Kakeru's anger to subside. Kakeru was already responding slightly positively to him. Of course, it wasn't as good as before.

So, today, he decided that he needed to apologise to Kakeru. He needed to do that before Ueda-senpai catches Kakeru. Just after the soccer morning practice finished, Suwa approached Kakeru and told him that he had something to say and to meet him outside the changing room.

"So, what do you want to say, Suwa?" asked Kakeru.

"I'm sorry, Kakeru." said Suwa.

"For what? I don't remember you doing anything wrong."

The coldness in the conversation was creeping in. It seems Kakeru was determined to sweep what has happened under the carpet. It has been like this for two weeks. But, Suwa was determined. Without properly clearing this, their friendship will just be a farce.

"Lying to you about Ueda-senpai confession. I knew that she was going to confess to you."

There was a silence for a while.

"You're forgiven, Suwa." Kakeru said that with a smile that Suwa has not seen for the last two weeks. A genuine one.

Suwa smiled too.

"Hey, Suwa. I'm sorry too."

"Why?" Suwa was surprised by this sudden apology. This was not what he was expecting.

"For being a passive-aggressive jerk towards you. For not hearing your advice about not dating Ueda-senpai. For… well, everything."

"What even… Why are you even apologising for these… You're weren't wrong. I was for lying to you. I deserved that."

"Haha. Suwa, you're really the kindest. I don't even know what luck I have for having you as my friend."

"You're embarrassing me." Suwa cheeks were getting red. This was getting weird. He thought he would be getting a scolding, not getting an apology and a praise at the same time.

"That's your fault for being so praiseworthy."

"What… Kakeru, you are creeping me out. Who changed the cruel Kakeru who would bully me with this kind Kakeru?" The atmosphere was getting cringy by the moment, so Suwa decided it was best to crack a joke.

"Not funny, Suwa. I have always been kind."

"OMG. Kakeru's back. The self-centred one."

"Ouch! That's painful, Suwa."

"You were looking for it."

"Yeah, I was." replied Kakeru. Suwa started at Kakeru incredulously. This was a new kind of Kakeru. Sort of fragile and cute. It was probably impossible to change the mood to their usual comedic one. Not today, at least. Might as well just change the topic then.

"So…. How's your relationship with Ueda-senpai?"

"Thinking of breaking up with her."

"Really?"

"I said right, I should have listen to your advice. No. Not just thinking. I am going to break up with her. She is just so annoying, just complaining about life in Masumoto to me. How it isn't like Tokyo. And dragging me around for shopping and showing off to her friends. What am I? A trophy?"

"Woah woah, Kakeru. So aggressive all of a sudden."

"Of course. She doesn't even listen to me. I cannot talk to other girls if I am dating her? I cannot spend time with my friends? You were right about how we are not compatible. Actually, I am just curious if she asked me out so that she can tell other people how she got a handsome guy. Don't you think so?"

"Are you saying you are handsome?"

"Yes, I am."

"Someone being narcissistic."

"Then if I say that you are handsome too, would that work? I'm not narcissistic then. Just have a low standard of what is handsome."

"KAKERU!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Their friendship was back to the usual self. Still, Kakeru didn't ask how he knew about Ueda-senpai confession. Did he forget?

If possible, he wanted to continue their conversation. But, Ueda-senpai appeared to capture him. As usual.

"Bye, Suwa! Hear my good news later, ok?" said Kakeru before being dragged away. Good news. Suwa can't wait.

Thoug, he sorts of wonders, isn't Kakeru curious about how he knew that Ueda-senpai was going to confess to him? Or did he just forget to ask him?

"Guys! I broke up with Ueda-senpai!" said Kakeru during break time.

"Great! I missed you… Ueda-senpai has always been dragging you away." said Azusa

"Good riddance to her." said Takako

"Kakeru. We can be friends again." said Hagita with a serious tone.

"You were just jealous that Kakeru can attract good looking girls, no?" said Azusa to Hagita.

"No, such thing. I can do that too." replied Hagita.

"The only one you can attract is probably Azusa." said Takako.

"Are you saying I am not pretty, Takako?" said Azusa

"Yes, she is." said Hagita.

"Why are you taking her side? You realised that she was dissing you too?" said Azusa.

Their comedic argument was interrupted by Kakeru's laughter. "Hahaha… This is so funny. Guys, I really missed this. Ahahahaha… I can't stop…"

"Actually, weren't you all supporting Kakeru to date Ueda-senpai?" asked Suwa.

"I did not." said Hagita.

"Nobody asked you, Hagita." said Azusa. "I was at first. But then she started dragging Kakeru from us all the time. I missed you, Kakeru. We should hang out more."

"When I realised she was a bitch, then…" added Takako.

"Well, congratulations, Kakeru." said Suwa.

"Yeap, good job." said Azusa, Takako and Hagita together.

Suwa noticed that Naho have not said a word though. "Naho, any words?"

"Well, I guess it's good since you are happier, Kakeru." said Naho. Honestly though, Naho looked even happier from Suwa's point of view.

"I am, thanks." said Kakeru.

"Yeah! We should celebrate. Should we get bread from my house?" said Azusa.

Everyone nodded and said yes.

"This is so damn weird. Everyone here is celebrating my break-up." said Kakeru.

"Well, we didn't like her. Neither did you, right? We noticed how you looked depressed whenever the break time comes." said Takako.

"Yeah! How can a girlfriend that likes to separate her boyfriend from his friends be ever good? That is a recipe for manipulation." said Azusa.

"We could celebrate the fact that we are all single." added Hagita.

The scene soon settle into the usual chaos, whereby Hagita and Azusa argued, Takako occasionally added fire to their argument, while the rest laughed at the sight.

It was about 10 in the night when Suwa suddenly received a text message. These days he could guess who it might be. His exchanges of messages with Kakeru has been increasing since he first knew him, albeit the huge drop in volume during the last two weeks.

True enough, it was Kakeru. Unlike the usual though, it was particularly long.

Thanks for everything, Suwa. I was really happy when you spoke to me today morning. Without that, I would just have been stuck in limbo, worrying about my friendship with you, and with the others. I wouldn't have chosen to break-up with Ueda-senpai so soon. It would probably drag on for a month or two, this problematic relationship. You were the catalyst that push me to end it.

The talk with Naho went well. I apologise to her, as I should of course. Ueda-senpai was bullying her, and she being such a kind soul, was avoiding me out of respect for Ueda-senpai. It was all because of me, of course. Somehow, I managed to get to make lunch for me again. HAHA. I think I should buy something for her as a gift. Would you mind following me to get her a gift?

Anyways, thanks once again.

Suwa was glad that his friendship with Kakeru seems to be back to normal. After they had their bread celebration, Kakeru went to talk with Naho privately. So, it seems that they were back to normal? Their relationship was improving. He wondered when Naho and Kakeru might start dating?

At Kakeru's room, a sound tells Kakeru that he had just received a message. Kakeru checked the message, and smiled lightly.

Sure, Kakeru. How about next Sunday? And, you're welcome, Kakeru.