"That's busujima-senpai."

"H-Huh?" I snap out of my daze and turn to look at a grinning Takashi. I cast him an annoyed look, my eyebrow rising as I watch him go through a series of decidedly distasteful gestures. He then elbows me in the rib, making me splutter, and hitches his thumb in the direction of the gorgeous, tall girl (woman?) strolling through the school gardens with a content smile. She was holding a long bag of some sort, and I quietly pondered on what it could be.

"Busujima Saeko." He said. "You. Like her. Go." He made a shooing motion with his hands and prodded me in her general direction.

"What for?!" I feel panic rising within me and would've ran for my life, had Takashi not suddenly stomped on my foot. I yowl in pain, drawing several weird looks from nearby students, including the Senpai I was observing. Yes, observing. Is it really so hard to believe that people can watch others without sexual intentions? Well…maybe my case wouldn't have been that hard to argue, had I not been a high schooler who were infamous for having large sexual appetites. But honestly speaking, I had absolutely no game when it came to stuff like this, so I wasn't counting on getting any dates with girls –or boys– during my entire high school career…or possibly in this lifetime.

"You're insane." I hiss, smacking Takashi's arm. "I am not going– stop looking at her idiot!"

"Nope." He told me cheekily, blatantly staring at her with a large, shit eating grin. "Since you don't want to go to her, I'll make her come to you."

This guy was really insane. Now I know why Miyamoto-san always had such a hard time with him, her boyfriend was off his perpetual rocker. I don't know why he thought this was a good idea, considering that I hadn't even spoken to her at all throughout my two years at this school. I didn't dare to turn behind, because I was afraid that I would be accidentally triggering some sort of chain reaction by acknowledging what Takashi was doing.

"This is insane. I'm leaving before this gets ugly." I deadpan. Spinning on my heel, I turn around to flee the scene and unfortunately, come face to face with one Busujima Saeko, the most popular girl in the school and the captain of the Kendo team. I jerk back in surprise, and would have fallen back if Takashi (goddamn this meddling nincompoop) had not suddenly steadied me by placing his hand on my back.

"Good afternoon, Busujima senpai." He greets. I echo his words, although abit more quietly. Great kami above, I just wanted to get out of here before I made a fool of myself and I wanted out now! But like always, the world just ignores my plight and continues revolving, ignorant to my pleas of help and injustice. Damn.

"Good afternoon." She smiles politely, her brilliant purple hair cascading down her neck like an endless, beautiful waterfall. As she and Takashi exchange pleasantries, I begin to creep backwards. With his back turned, my friend is undoubtedly unable to see me, and as I coil myself to sprint away, Busujima-senpai catches my gaze and suddenly addresses me. I wince, trying to look dignified (but obviously failing) as if I had not been caught trying to escape a normal social interaction between students.

"So," She starts the conversation and I try to smile politely but I think it comes out more like a grimace. I can see Takashi trying his hardest not to fall over from laughter, and I resist the urge to smack him in the face. This is all his fault and I was planning to kill him once this whole…thing was over. "I heard from Komuro-kun that you are interested in taking up Kendo?"

My mind scrambles for a reply and I inwardly groan at what Takashi had told her to get her to talk to me. How pathetic can I get? "Er-r I'm not sure what he told you, but–" I said and grab his collar, dragging the boy forward with all the strength I can muster. "I'm not looking to take up any extracurricular activities at the moment. Sorry." I answer with honesty, and I can tell that Takashi didn't expect me to, because he's looking at me with these betrayed eyes which are cursing me for wasting his effort at getting a pretty girl to talk to me. He would make a great wingman, but I don't think that even his help can save this lost cause right here.

She seems amused by this reply and looks to my friend admonishingly, and this time, it is I who squashes down a grin when he has to explain himself. Hah, take that Komuro. Next time you'll learn not to mess with all this. What the heck was this, even I didn't know.

"Sorry for lying to you Busujima senpai." He said in embarrassment, scratching the back of his head and looking at everywhere but her.

She grins, and I swear I have to look away before I melt into a puddle where I stand. "Apology accepted."

"I didn't think that he would tell you the truth. Sheesh. You totally passed up the chance to ask her on a date." He addresses me with a scowl, though I can tell that he doesn't really mean it.

"Lies begets more lies." I reply winningly. "And sides' she wouldn't accept, so no." As soon as that leaves my mouth, I freeze. Oh no. Oh no he didn't. I look between Busujima senpai's surprised but flattered look and Takashi's smirking one. Great kami, I really did want to punch his smug face now. I bit back a groan when I feel my face flushing rapidly. I had just unknowingly confessed to one of the most popular girls in school so yep, you can tell how stupid I was feeling right now.

"I-I, you –you asshole!"

"You're welcome." He said, looking like he'd accomplished the most difficult feat ever. The boy had just put me in a shooting range, painted a large target on my fuckin' forehead, and gave the go ahead.

I swiftly turn to apologize to her, stuttering some apology out like a bumbling idiot (while cursing myself and Takashi) when she surprises me by shushing me with one slender finger. I pause, trying not to swallow because she was genuinely smiling at me and I couldn't feel my legs. No I'm not joking, I really can't feel my legs. I'm actually leaning against one of the plants now, trying desperately to hang on for my dear life.

"When Komuro-kun predicted that you'd say it, I would admit that I was quite sceptical." She told me, her eyes shining with mirth as I struggled not to blush and possibly set myself on fire. "But you've proven it otherwise." Her hands glide over the bag slung over her shoulder, probably her bokken, before coming to rest on my shoulder. My mind short-circuited, and I was left slack jawed when she winked at me (I was absolutely sure that this was some kind of fever dream) and tucked a card into my pocket.

"If you ever change your mind, the Kendo club is always open to students." She said with a small smile, the delicate curl of her lips making her seem more beautiful than she already is. I can see some guys peering over here, and it doesn't take a mind reader to know what they're currently thinking of right now. "I'll be seeing you then." Bowing, she turns to leave, disappearing out of the gardens like she hadn't just participated in the most awkward one-sided conversation slash confession of her life.

Some force of nature made me slip my hand in my pocket, and I fish out the small starched card which she had slipped into my pocket just now. I can feel Takashi watching me as I hold up the card to the light and read of a string of numbers. A string of numbers. Numbers. Below them is a neatly written name, S-A-E-K-O in thin cursive handwriting.

I let the implication to sink in and promptly turn to face a grinning Takeshi Komuro. He snorts and elbows me again, though the shit eating smirk never leaves his face.

"You're welcome." He crows.