Chapter 2:

Two old sweethearts

Fell apart…

Somewhere long ago..

After 4 years…

Mai knew that they are going to graduate from grade school soon and they had to choose what middle school they are going to attend. After school, she quickly went home only to be greeted by her parents – arranging and packing their things. "Mom? Dad? What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes filled with confusion. "Oh, welcome back, Mai." Her dad sent her a sorrowful smile. "I'm sorry if we didn't tell you earlier but we'd have to move because of your father's job." The younger female heard those words rang into her ears, her eyes widening even more.

"H-How about school!? A-And when are we going to leave? Why are you packin—" Mai was cut off by her mother's frown. This is so unfair. How is she supposed to tell Kenya about this..? Kenya was still sad about the fact that Yuushi's moving also.. and now, she's going to do the same to him? No. She can't tell him. She can't leave him.. they promised to attend the same middle school together and spend their life together.. forever.

"We'll be leaving tomorrow morning. I already have the permission from your school since it's done already, you're just waiting for the graduation. You don't have to attend it." Her father said and Mai felt the heavy feeling in her chest, her eyes tearing up slightly as she ran out of the house. She closed her eyes tight as she ran, clenching her fists in anger. Mai sped up.. wait, where is she going anyway? Even she, herself, doesn't know. She just wanted to get away from everything. Panting, she continued running with a fast pace when her foot lost its balance. She gritted her teeth as she waited for the painful ground.. and once again, it didn't hit her.

"Really, such a klutz." Opening her tightly closed eyes, she looked up at the person who caught her. It was him.. again. This time, his now handsome – almost matured countenance was fully shown to her. His lithe lips smiling gently at her. Her lips trembled as she hugged him, bursting out into tears. "Ken-chan!" She cried.

Kenya's eyes widened slightly but it soon softened, patting the girl's head. "Not just a klutz but a crybaby also." He chuckled. Upon hearing those words, she tightened her hug to him.. oh how she would miss him. "I have something to tell you." The boy said, gazing softly at her. "Me too.." She replied, wiping her tears.

"So who's first?" Kenya asked, grinning slightly.

"You." Mai giggled slightly as she held his hand.

Suddenly, Kenya looked down – feeling how his cheeks heated up a bit. "I know we've been friends ever since we were kids. Time sure passed by fast, huh? Look at you, I can see you're a girl now." Kenya teased her, earning a pout from the female. He couldn't help but chuckle from her reaction. "Now.. we are going to graduate and enter middle school.. I..I think it's the right time to say it now." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I like you." He said, looking into her eyes for her to see how serious he is right now. With that look, Mai knew what he meant exactly.

Her mouth fell slightly agape in surprise, not expecting that he'll confess to her right now. Why now? Dammit. She was supposed to feel happy to know what Kenya felt about her because she feels just the same for him but why… why at such a wrong time? Her mind tried to process Kenya's words and her parents' words. Since when the world has been this cruel to her? She didn't have anything.. she only had her best friend that she loved more than that. However.. is she really going to lose him? Mai felt how her tears form from the side of her eyes. She stood up and let go of his hand, back facing him and feeling beads of tears roll down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry… I.. don't feel the same." With that, she ran without looking back. She didn't want to hear anything from him. She didn't want to see how his face looks right now. She could feel how her heart started breaking into pieces as she cried.

Without saying anything… she left the next morning.

End of chapter 2.