A/N:

This is a series of Satsuki Shishio's POV as he ponders about Suzume Yosano, a highschool girl he fell in love with but was forced to leave alone due to the inappropriate circumstances of being her Homeroom teacher.

For the moment I am picking up random objects and turning them into somber topics for dear Satsuki Shishio. He has such a lot of things going on his mind right now, and I kind of feel like everything on his house reminds him of Suzume. How pathetic is that? But I still find it somewhat endearing.

Do check out this manga if you happen to just stumble upon my work. I may be putting some spoilers here, so be warned!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.

Music Box

Bright, sparkly and old fashioned. It's gold, green and yellow colors beckoned to me. I could not resist picking it up.

A small exquisite-looking music box sitting on the 4th shelf of a glass display a few feet away from me. It caught my eye instantly, and before I knew it, I was picking it up and holding it for a closer inspection.

The box is made of enamel, with yellow roses painted on the sides, ivy leaves decorated with green crystal. I flicked the brass lock open and a small girl bedecked in a green flowing dress, her arms poised outward stared back at me.

Such a beautifully made porcelain figure.

The music box cranked a melodious sound, and I could not help but smile.

Chun-chun will love this!

My smile faltered. What the hell was I thinking?

Reluctantly, my hand lowered. About to place the box down and close the lid, instead, I smelled freesias and apple blossoms.

I whirled about, half-expecting to find her standing behind me. Instead, I saw a girl about her height, walked past me.

Suzume Yosano may not be cursing me for hurting her, but fate sure has a way of reminding me just how much damaged I had done to a young girl's heart. I even see her when I'm not supposed to.

The girl I followed with my eyes turned slightly, and I recognized her profile.

It is really her. My jaw dropped.

Suzume Yosano looked incredibly pretty with her hair combed to shiny perfection, eyes dolled up and expertly curled. A hint of blush on her cheeks, a trace of pink on her lips.

Her friend probably made her up, I thought as my eyes ate their fill of her.

Did she not notice me in the shop? Am I no longer visible to her?

I shouldn't be here. I was just browsing around the shop looking for a gift on a Saturday afternoon. I did not realize that the shop I went into is popular on high school students.

Suzume moved away and disappeared around the corner. I made a gesture of following her, but decided against it. Eventhough I am not officially a professor during the weekends, I still need to get a grip on myself not to pounce on her. I have her reputation to think of. And mine.

"Sir? Are you buying that?"

The query startled me, and I looked down to see the music box I was admiring rests on my hands as I stand in front of the counter.

My face reddened in embarrassment. I nodded sheepishly, placing the box carefully and pulling out my wallet, prepared to pull out a wad of my precious money.

Surprisingly, the box is on sale. My brow knotted together unable to believe my eyes.

It cost even less than I anticipated. In fact it was quite cheap for such an exquisite box.

Are they insane? The box should have cost a lot more! I cringed inwardly, counting my change as the woman wrapped the box with protective bubble sheet before placing it inside a white cardboard box.

"For a gift?" she fluttered expectantly.

"Yes." I blurted out.

The woman needs no further information. She placed the white cardboard box inside a pretty purple and black wrapping paper before expertly tying it with a lacy white ribbon.

I stumbled out of the shop, somewhat still astonished by my fortunate [or is it unfortunate?] find. I was even bracing myself for the call from the assistant to tell me they made a mistake on the price of the box.

But they never did.

I peered down at the wrapped present and sighed.

When I looked up, my eyes instantly met hers.

Suzume Yosano is looking at me directly. I found myself holding my breath. My heart racing like mad.

She turned away when someone called her name, quickly disappearing into the crowd of shoppers.

Our eye contact was brief. It was over in a second. My racing heart slowed down to its usual dull ache.

I wish.. I thought fervently. I wish things would have been different.

Clutching the paper bag, I turned away in the opposite direction, defeated and crushed. The prospect of shopping and keeping my mind off her is no longer feasible.

A/N: Let me know what you think.