A/N: Second Chapter is here! Sorry it took me over 2 weeks to write such a short chapter...

More speculation here, the first reff(?) from the song/PV, hope it's good enough.

Thanks again to the beta previously mentioned in chapter 1. I really appreciate it.

Now, on with the story...

'Perfect Score.'

' Again.' On this piece of paper lays a 100 score written on it. An usual sight that I have gotten sick just by looking at it. 'It almost feels like I've already seen this scene a hundred times before.' Let me repeat, I only excel at academics. I can't do physical stuff, nor do I have any talents for anything else besides my intelligence. 'Sure, 168 IQ, but I'm just an ordinary human if I were without it. Which means I am…'

Replaceable.

It might sound stupid, but that is the one thing that I keep reminding myself of, regardless of how much trouble a certain girl would give me if she knows about it. 'When did I start thinking of other people? Especially her.' As I ponder on that thought, I found mself having left the classroom with my test paper still between my fingers. Having nothing to do, I wandered aimlessly around school.

(Scene Change)

and before I knew it, I was already standing on the rooftop. 'I wonder what am I doing here…' Instinctively, I gripped the fence surrounding the rooftop, and a single thought crossed my mind.

Suicide.

'Ridiculous. As if I'll ever do it.' But deep inside, I thought that the idea doesn't sound too bad. Actually intrigued by the idea, I felt disgusted with myself. Suddenly, I thought about how Ayano would get mad at me for even thinking of such things. 'Something's definitely wrong with me. Why did I think of her for a second time today?'

Come to think of it, it has been about a month since I met her. During that time, some things has changed. Me and Ayano, I didn't know when it happened, but now we refer to each other by our first names. And another thing, I started to realize how much of a bright girl she is, even though I sometimes feel uneasy when I see her smile. Returning to my previous thought, I glanced at my test paper, and spontaneously ripped it to shreds with my two hands. As I watched the pieces falling, I muttered something.

"Even if I died right now, someone would replace me."

"Baka!" 'That voice… is that Ay-' My thoughts were cut off as a familiar red scarf was being wrapped around my neck, forcing me to stumble backwards slightly. When I turned around, I was met by Ayano's smile.

"What are you doing here? Heck, how did you know I was here?" I inquired, hoping she didn't hear what I was muttering earlier, and she smirked at that.

"Do I need a reason to be here? And to answer that second question, It's a secret!" I sighed. Tateyama Ayano, the most cheerful girl in the whole world.

"Why are you always like this?"

"Don't say that. I came here to cheer you up, you know?"

Cheer me up? Sure, I may look down, but I'm always like that. But being the unsociable boy that I am, I tried to deny her advances. "And do I look like I need it?" Immediately after that, I let out a soft grunt as she karate-chopped the top of my head.

"Then what's with you saying that "replaceable" thing?!" She heard it after all.

"That's… just a spur-of-the-moment thing, I guess?" I had hoped she would believe me, but it doesn't look like it considering the face she's making right now.

"I don't believe you. Really, Shintaro-kun should stop being so down all the time. It worries me." She worries about me? I felt very guilty after hearing that. She's the very first person to ever worry about me, aside from my little sister.

"Sorry I made you worry. But I'm fine, really."

"Come on, Shintaro-kun. You can tell me. I'm your friend, right?" How could she see through people like that, I would never know?

'Friends, huh…' Again, I sighed. Knowing her, I knew this would happen sooner or later anyway.

"I suppose you are, Ayano-san. Let's find a place to sit, and take your scarf off me first." Contrary to what I expected, she pulled the other end of the scarf and began to wrap it around her neck.

"It's warmer this way, isn't it?"

"But… don't you think it's a bit embarassing?" looking at the situation, most people who see us would think that we are lovers or something. Yet she doesn't seem to care about it one bit.

"Aww, are you embarrassed, Shintaro-kun? It's not like anyone would come here anyway." She said, with a big grin on her face. There's just no end to arguing with her.

"Whatever, let's just sit." With that, we took a seat at the nearby bench. After we sat, there was a long silence between us. And I, being uncomfortable with the silence, spoke first.

"Ayano-san, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it, Shintaro-kun?"

"Why are you so nice to me? Even though all I ever do is pushing you away." I know the thing that I'm saying is not like me, but if it's her, maybe…

"Because I'm your friend, simple as that. Besides, it's not like I have many friends. I'm stupid remember?"

"But you're kind. No one ever cared about me as much as you do."

"I… have always distanced myself from other people. Maybe because I always see the world for all it is, or because I think it's easier that way. I never really cared about that. But somehow, you're different."

"Different how?"

"I don't know, it's something I can't really describe, but you genuinely cares for me, with no strings attached. And you even considered me friends, even when I always tried to avoid you."

"I'm flattered, Shintaro-kun. but why did you say that you were replaceable earlier?" She asked the question that I wanted to avoid the most.

"Do I have to answer that?"

"Yes, please. I want to know Shintaro-kun more, and I'm very bothered because you said things like that."

"Okay, then… I don't really know why, I already said it was a spontaneous thing. But if I were to put it to words, it's because I feel that I am only good for my brains. I always felt sick with these repeating days, and I don't have many people who would care for me. I know it's silly, but it got me thinking, maybe it would be okay if I disappeared. Right after I muttered that, you-" I was cut off as she placed her index finger on my lips.

"If you knew it was foolish, why did you even think about it? Even though it may be few, but someone will be sad if you were gone…"

"Like who?"

"Your friend right here. And didn't you say that you have a little sister? I'm sure she would too."

Silence. I didn't say anything, intrigued by her "speech"

"Don't forget that you have people who cares for you, like i-" She was visibly surprised when she saw me chuckle, then broke into loud laughter.

"W-What's so funny?!" As she said that, her face was turning bright red, and she looked rather cute when she's embarassed.

"Gomen, gomen. It's just that… this talk sounds very much like suicide counseling, if anything at all." It's been forever since i laughed this much.

"Hmph! And here I am, getting so serious to help you!" She looks so much like a kitten when she's pouting.

"Heh, you really are a funny person, Ayano-san." She's still sulking now, with her face turned away from me.

"Don't be mad, I'm just joking. Anyway, thank you for even listening to me. I really appreciate it."

"Baka! That's what friends are for." She leans on me as she said it. 'Friends, huh...' i thought again. on the rooftop alone, leaning on each other, wearing the same scarf, is just a friend? not that i mind at all.

"Ayano-san?"

"What is it?"

"Let me stay like this, just for a little longer." I can't even believe those words were coming from my mouth.

"Mm" She nodded, and i actually felt happy she did. Since then, i began to wonder, could i still consider Ayano as a friend?

Maybe that was the time when i started to get closer than necessary with her. At that time, i thought
'Even if it's just a little, I began to genuinely enjoy her company. Maybe this isn't so bad at all'

Oh, how I wish for those days to last forever.

End of Chapter 2.