1.3 Something More

Izumi shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Something was undeniably on his mind but he couldn't figure what it is.

He was sitting on his regular spot at the café, drinking a nice cup of warm, green tea with a good book beside him. Why was he so frustrated, then?

Koizumi-chan was on the counter, helping a customer. Well, not just any customer. It was the school's very own resident playboy, Jéan.

Izumi could recognize that face anywhere.

He was clearly flirting with Koizumi, getting her to giggle at some joke they shared. Izumi almost crushed his cup in silent anger, only to realize that he can't.

Putting down his now-cold cup of green tea, he stormed away from the café.

Wasn't he enough? Was his presence a bore to Koizumi-chan? Was he a worthless friend who couldn't find time to actually chat with her outside of the café?

Izumi blamed himself for participating in too much academic events that took too much of his time. He was starting to regret it, having scarce time to spend with her. They no longer accompanied each other to their dorms, or spent time together reading books under the shade of a tree. He no longer helped her during Maths class because he was busy.

Izumi didn't even go to the library anymore.

He busied himself with things that didn't really interest him because he was feeling so conflicted inside.

He remembered how happy she was when she recieved the note and how she always cheered him up when he was down in the dumps. They would get ice-cream together and sit on the grass, talking about trivial things.

The lime-eyed individual only realized by now that his world revolved around her.

He always loved it whenever her eyes lit up as they met, or how her plump pink lips curved into a sugary smile every time he did something sweet and considerate for her, when she always had an extra skip in her step at lunchtime.

All these little details of Koizumi swirled around Izumi's head as he seriously contemplated his feelings for her and how they came about.

It was hard to find an empty spot in both of their schedules but he managed. Having memorized her schedule by heart, he decided to leave his last poem for her on her desk.

He carefully went up the metal steps that were glinting under the dim light bulbs that lead to the school's rooftop.

Opening the door slowly, the vast expanse of the rooftop came into view. He went outside and leaned against the gray railing, fiddling with his thumbs. He rehearsed the speech in his head.

Not long after, as Izumi predicted, sounds of gentle footsteps bounded up the staircase, and his heartbeat palpitated, sounds ringing in his ears.

The creak of the door resounded within, and as he saw Koizumi's long chocolate locks swaying about, he prepared himself for the worst.

She stepped outside, her brown orbs swimming in anticipation. They slightly widened in shock when she saw Izumi leaning on the rooftop railing. Taking careful steps, she approached him.

"Koizumi-chan. I've been waiting for you," Izumi had to mentally pat his back for not sounding stupid. Though his non-verbal actions gave it all away. He was blushing, looking down at his feet.

"Y-you wanted to see me?"

"I...I-I," he took a deep, shuddering breath. "I need to tell you something."

A lump formed at his throat.

Looking into her eyes, his demeanor suddenly changed. 'I can do this,' he said to himself. The shy and gentle look in his eyes was immediately replaced with one of an assertive, determined expression. Koizumi was a little taken aback.

He started, "Ever since I met you, my world started to change. I used to keep to myself a lot, spending time alone in the library."

That, indeed was true. Koizumi was a bright beacon that shone light into his dark, little, bookish life. She brought joy to him in many ways he couldn't imagine and color to his soul. His past self wouldn't see himself in this very situation, which was only illustrated in books. She was the best thing that had ever happened in his life and he wasn't willing to let her go, for anyone and everyone, for that matter. He was determined to make her his.

"I really thought that living in my head was better than talking to other people, but you changed all of that."

Seeing as Koizumi was speechless at the moment, he took it as his cue to continue.

"You asked how I was everyday and slowly, I opened my world to you. I realized that spending time with you was more interesting than any story I could read."

Deciding to finish it once and for all, he gave her a heartfelt smile that truly made her little heart soar.

"I like you, Koizumi. Won't you let me write my own story with you?"

Behind the scenes:

"I see a future couple in loove! They must be meant to be!" Ai says excitingly, prepping up his signature bow and arrow, ready to shoot. Reiji, fresh from the science lab, halts Ai from shooting at the pair.

"I can hardly see the chemistry they have it's so unnerving." Their resident Cupid pouts. "Reiji, you're just jealous that you don't have any chemistry together like they do!"

Suddenly, Touya steps in between the two of them. "Shush! I'm trying to concentrate on painting the scene of them together! The sunset is highlighting their silhouettes, making them stand out and contrast perfectly with its bright, warm colors...- "

"Do you want some cake to cheer you up, Rei-chan? It might make your bitterness go away!"

"Shut up, all of you. I'm not bitter!" Truth is, Reiji was pissed that he wasn't able to conduct his latest experiment on Baa today. He was too quick for his own good.

Ren rubs his eyes tiredly, wanting to get away from the scene.

"Can I leave now? Why am I even here? I could be sleeping right now."

"Maybe you'd like some cake too, Renren!"

The next day:

Rumors of Izumi's confession had spread throughout the entire school.

Izumi endured all the high-fives, the congratulations, and the pats he's recieved on the back, exasperated over his mind.

Burrowing his head into the desk, not bothering to look up as a teacher walked in, he hoped for the best.

A/N: Yay, I'm finished with Izumi's part already! When I'm feeling like it, I would post some bonus chapters featuring Izumi and Koizumi during their 'friend' days. Next up is Yuu's part! C: