Thank you for the reviews. I appreciated it. Keep them coming! I might not be able to update soon but...I'm working on it. I have school soon. And i am in High School so...it bittersweet. Hahaha!! I wanted to cry on this chapter. I want you to feel...what i felt. So, why don't you play some songs while reading this. And may i suggest, love songs.

Thank you for tuning in to this story. Thanks for the reviews.

Enjoy another great chapter from me, B!

Love you all!

High School Sweethearts

Written by:

13ISMYNUMBER

Chapter 16

I'm just the Perfect Best Friend

"To love someone doesn't mean to commit with that person. Sometimes, you just have to be satisfied with whatever connection you have with that special one."

Kokoro Yome

Koko stared at his ceiling for almost 10 minutes ever since he woke up. He has to face another dreadful day at Alice Academy. He has to face another boring session in History class. And another hour of nose bleeding in Math class…but then after those, he'll make it through.

After those dreadful moments in that day, he'll see her again. And smile unconsciously…and love her secretly because he's her best friend. He's just her best friend.

You weren't supposed to fall in love with your best friend. But this is High School, every eccentric and absurd thing that happens to you is natural because it's High School. Wherein, status matter; so-called friends backstab you; one or two friends are loyal; and if you're not talked about, you're no one. This is High School. It only comes once in a lifetime and yet it is the shortest period in your life and the wildest and scariest part of it, too. And yet, when it passes by already, you miss it.

Koko finally stood up and grabbed his towel from his chair and headed for the bathroom to prepare himself. He has to face school whether he likes it or not. He only has two choices, he drags himself to school or his bodyguards do that for him.

After taking a shower, he dressed up in his uniform. He did some boys stuff and went down stairs to be greeted with food in the dining table. He was used to this…having breakfast alone was something you have to get used to already when you're Kokoro Yome.

His mom was always jumping from one country to another; she only calls when she's in a new place. His dad was never home, he had businesses to do. And Koko was used to that. He has to be okay with that. He has no choice. And so, he just tries to go through every night alone…alone.

They only come home when it's Christmas and stays until New Year comes, after that it's gonna be another lonely and alone year for Kokoro Yome. The last time his parents where here for his birthday was when he turned thirteen, an important age because that's when you can finally say you're a teen. But that was three years ago…three long damn years for Kokoro Yome.

Everyday of his life he will wake up with one thing in his head, 'Life's unfair' but by the end of the day, he doesn't really have a choice but to suck it in. That was how he goes by in his everyday life…but when she came, everything changed. Now, when he wakes up he will just say, "Another boring session in History class, and another hour of nose bleeding in Math class…but then after those, I'll make it through. But after those dreadful moments in that day, I'll see her again. And smile unconsciously…and love her secretly because I'm her best friend. I'm just her best friend."

And after that, after another long day, he'll end up saying, "I'm just her best friend…and I just have to be okay with that."

Koko sat down on the chair and stared at his food. He heaved a sigh and stood up again, grabbed his bag and headed for the door. He was skipping breakfast and no one's gonna stop him.

That was the best part of living alone in a mansion with only maids, drivers, and a butler, who all live with you. No one tells you what to do. You do what you want, when you want and how you want it. End of story.

He entered his car and started his engine. He fastens his seat belt and took off. He was heading for school to face another day with boring and nose bleeding classes…with her.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Kitsuname held his bag in one of his shoulders. He walked lazily down the stairs to head for the kitchen to eat his breakfast.

Kitsuname, unlike Koko, was not an only child, he has an older brother who is currently in Brazil, studying. His dad is working day and night in New York while his mom accompanies him. They only gather as a family when there is a special occasion. And he got used to that already.

He was heading for the kitchen when he heard people talking. He thought it was just the maids, day dreaming about him, as usual. But when he finally made out the words, it was about him, yes, but not about his hotness, but about him and his brother. And the weirdest thing happened to him; he thought he heard his brother laugh with Anna.

He slowly pushed open the door of the kitchen and saw that his imagination wasn't playing with him. His eyes widen when he saw Anna cooking and laughing with his…

"Brother?! What the hell are you doing here?!" Kitsuname shouted as he dropped his bag on the floor unconsciously.

"Well, it's nice to see you too, Kits." His older brother said as he leaned on the counter next to where Anna was cooking.

Kitsuname stomped to where Anna is and stood between the gap of his brother and Anna. He then said with clenched fists, "I didn't say I was glad to see you. On the contrary, I wasn't even near to being glad to seeing you."

His older brother pretended to be hurt as he clutched his chest and said with a hurt voice, "Why is that? Is it because little Anna here took my place in your heart? Is your heart to small that you must take someone out when someone new comes in?"

Kitsuname pushed him away and said, "Sadly, you were taken out of my heart a long time ago." He glared at his brother and said, "You never answered my question, what are you doing here?!"

His brother heaved a sigh and said with a grin, "My school had an exchange program and it was a pure coincidence that they chose this country." He paused and looked at Kitsuname with a smirk, "I'll be here for a while. I'll be studying at an exclusive boy's school."

It was Kistuname's turn to smirk and said, "That's perfect. That way, girls will be safe with a pervert like you."

Kitsuname turned the stove off and held Anna's hand lightly. He looked at her and then at his brother. His eyes on his brother narrowed as he tightened his hold on Anna's hand. He ripped his eyes off of his brother and walked away, dragging Anna with him.

He was heading for the door. He reached for the knob and opened the door with a bam when his brother said in a playful voice and filled with confidence, "If I'm a pervert, then so are you."

"Kim," He said not turning to look at his brother, "I'm a player not a pervert. I may play with girl's heart but I don't do one night stands with them." Kitsuname said with so much venom. With that he dragged Anna into his room.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Kitsuname pushed Anna to his room and sat her down on his bed. He paced back and forth with his hand on his forehead. Anna just watched him in his tense moment. She bit her lip and tried to think of a way to make him talk her. She wanted to know what's wrong.

She finally thought of something and said with a small voice she naturally used, "I made you breakfast down stairs, it might get cold so, I'll get it for you."

Anna stood up and was heading for the door when Kitsuname appeared in front of her and sat her again on the bed. He kneeled in front of her with his hands on both sides of her thigh, clutching the bed cover. Anna just stared at him, waiting for him to talk this time.

Kitsuname breathed and said in a calm demeanour, "What did you make me?"

Anna face lit a little up as she said with a small yet enthusiastic voice, "Blueberry Pancakes. Kim said you liked blueberries."

Kitsuname narrowed his eyes and said, "Kim said that?"

Anna just nodded with a smile at Kitsuname, which calmed a little Kitsuname. He heaved a sigh and said, "Don't trust him."

Anna blinked her eyes for a couple of times. Her smile vanished and turned into a pout as she said with sincerity, "Why is that? He seemed really nice."

"Because," Kitsuname said, "Because I'm allergic to blueberries."

Anna looked down slowly the moment she heard this. The moment she heard this, she realized she almost poisoned her boyfriend. She was ready to cry. She started to sniff.

"Hey, hey," Kitsuname said with full of love as he lifted the girl's head, "Why are you crying? Don't cry, princess."

"It's just that…I almost poisoned you!" Anna said between sniffs. She let the tears flow down from her angelic face. She then hugged Kitsuname tightly around the neck unexpectedly that Kitsuname almost fell on the floor.

Kitsuname held his laugh. He wasn't trying to make her realize that she almost poisoned him…he was trying to tell her that Kim lied to her. Instead of laughing, he just smiled his irresistible smile as he rubbed the back of Anna to calm her.

He removed her arms around his neck. That smile of his still visible in his Casanova face. He looked at her and wiped her tears away with his thumb and said huskily, "Princess, I'm not blaming you. You didn't know. My main point was to tell you that Kim lied to you. You shouldn't trust him."

Anna wiped the rest of her tears away with the back of her hand and nodded with a smile. Kitsuname kept his smile on his face. Anna blinked a few times and stared at Kitsuname's face. She then gave him a peck on the lips. Kitsuname was shock. It was too sudden for him to react so fast.

Anna stood up and started dragging Kitsuname down the stairs, "Then let me make you another breakfast, so that I could make it up to you!"

Kistuname looked at his watch and halted which caused Anna to almost fall. If it wasn't for Kitsuname, who kept her in balance, she might have rolled down. Kitsuname then looked at Anna from his watch and said, "It's time for school. You could just come here during dinner and make it up to me."

Kitsuname walked ahead of her and dragged her down. They headed for the door and then the car.

Anna was shoved inside Kitsuname's sports car. She watched as Kitsuname started the engine before saying, "Why dinner? Why not breakfast tomorrow?"

Kitsuname didn't glance at Anna's direction but said simply, "I don't like you being around the house when I'm not around when my brother is there. Who knows what he could do perverted to you?"

Anna then smiled in understanding. She finally felt relieved. Kitsuname does care for her. She finally felt safe around him. She finally proved that Kitsuname can do anything for her…even if it means changing and making sure that she was away from his perverted brother. She was happy…she may not be in love with Kitsuname as he is with her, but she did like him very, very much.

And soon…who knows…she might be in love with him just as he is with her.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

The girls went out of their cars and pushed their sunglasses back to their head. They strutted off and headed for the doors when…

"Hey, where's Nonoko?"

Mikan turned her head and so did the rest. They saw that the question came from Yuu. Sumire rolled her eyes. Misaki lifted her hands and pretended that she was admiring her nails. Hotaru just raised a brow. Mikan was the only one who had the guts to talk.

"Oh, she's not coming to school today."

"And why's that?" Yuu said casually.

Misaki then stepped up and said, "So, where's Kitsuname?" She said that, obviously trying to change the topic.

"Sweetie, I suggest you stay out of this. Obviously, you're keeping something from us." Tsubasa said as she dragged Misaki and headed for the doors of Alice Academy.

Sumire rolled her eyes once again and groaned before saying in an irritated voice, "Way to go, Captain Obvious!"

Hotaru wasn't planning on talking. If they want to find out so badly, they figure it out themselves. It wasn't her secret to tell, so, she just looked at Ruka with a smirk and said, "Today's the last day, bunnyboy. You better get ready because you aren't gonna get me to be your date on Yoichi's party."

Ruka chuckled as he grabbed her books and said before dragging her to their class together, "Time is on my side, Ice Queen. Besides, I'm Ruka Nogi, I can do anything."

Sumire and Mikan were the only ones left. Sumire wasn't gonna spill anything, so there's no point in staying. "Come on, Koko, we have English together. We better get going."

Koko looked at his friends and just shrugged as he went beside Sumire and started to walk with heading to English class together.

Mikan was left all alone. She saw this coming. When it comes to keeping secrets, every man is out for himself. She heaved a sigh after turning her head to Yuu. She was watching Sumire walk away with a talkative Koko at her side. She looked at Yuu and cleared her throat, "I am not telling you anything. I'm not in the position. If you want to figure it out, do it on your own, don't drag us."

Yuu clenched his hands into fists as he said through gritted teeth, "She's keeping something from me again, isn't she?"

Mikan held a calm face. She didn't flinch on the tone of Yuu. "Maybe, maybe not, who knows right?" She started, "But she did tell me to tell you that she's sorry."

"For what?"

"She's not sure if she's going tomorrow at Yoichi's party. She wanted me to tell you this with pure sincerity just the way she said it to me. Sadly, I'm not in the mood."

Yuu felt like he was dumped as he said, "Another lie." He paused, "She just really loves seeing me suffer. She wasn't really planning on going with me tomorrow, was she?!"

Mikan narrowed her eyes. Did he just tell her that he didn't believe what she just said? Mikan gritted her teeth together. She closed her eyes and counted one to three to calm herself. She then opened them and was ready to slap him when Natsume, who was standing behind Yuu the whole time and just listening to them, stood between them and stopped Mikan with a hand on her shoulder and on her hand. He looked at her eyes with sincerity to stop her. Mikan took her hand from Natsume but didn't move away from him.

She then looked at Yuu again and said with so much venom, "First, she wanted to go with you. She wanted to go with you that we ended up almost all night deciding on what she should wear! Second, she would've stayed if she could! Lastly, she couldn't afford to lie to someone like you because she knew you trusted her so much!"

Mikan turned around and paused to say, "Right now, I could say, she deserves someone better than you." With that she strutted off.

Natsume looked back at Yuu with disappointed eyes. He looked at Mikan then backed to Yuu. He finally decided to go to Mikan who needed his comfort and presence the most. He ran after her.

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Ruka and Hotaru were both having Math class for their first period. They were already in the middle of the class. Ruka took the back seat while Hotaru was in the front row. He chuckled. Everything will fall to its place.

He started to write some words down on a piece of paper. He folded it and passed it to the next desk. People kept on passing the piece of paper after reading. All of them with either wide eyes, hanging jaws or simply breathless after seeing what they read.

Ruka chuckled once again as he watched everyone else's reactions. He planned it well. The moment the note reaches the last desk, which was Hotaru's, Jinno already got the paper with monstrous eyes.

"I'm giving you all 10 seconds to tell me who wrote this note." Jinno said while glaring at his students.

Ruka smiled with satisfaction readable on his handsome face as he watched the ticking clock. Ten seconds had passed and yet no one admitted it. Jinno opened the note and read silently before saying, "Ms. Imai!"

Hotaru looked at him lazily. She stood up to show that she heard her name. She waited for Jinno to say something.

"I want you to read what you wrote!" Jinno shouted giving the note to Hotaru.

Hotaru was shocked, she never wrote any note. It just so happens that the note was on her table. She grabbed the note and read it silently then aloud, "I like Ruka Nogi so much that I said yes to him. H.I."

Ruka smirked. This was part of his plan and Jinno was doing his part perfectly.

"I didn't write this." Hotaru said in a cold demeanour. She stared at Jinno then at the note.

"Then why is the note on your table, with your initials on it?" Jinno asked furiously.

"I don't know! It must be some trick! It came from the back row!" Hotaru retorted.

"Why on Earth will the note come from the back row? If they love passing notes, it must be sent to the back, that way you wouldn't get caught!" Jinno pointed out in the same tone.

Hotaru dropped her jaw and narrowed her eyes. She then said, "I didn't make the note."

"Imai! Detention!" Jinno shouted. Hotaru slumped back on the seat, controlling her anger. Oh, man did she hate whoever wrote that note!

The bell rang and everyone headed for the door. Hotaru slowly grabbed her books and bag. Ruka passed by her table and said, "Detention sounds fun, huh?"

Hotaru didn't look back. But she knows to whom the voice belonged to. She remembered what the note says and finally figured it out. She snapped back to look at him and glared, "You!" She said while pointing at his chest. Ruka just stared at her with an innocent smile.

"You're the one who wrote it!" Hotaru accused.

"Me?" Ruka said while pointing at himself, "Where's your proof?"

"You're the only one who has the guts to write his name down and say that someone likes you! You're the only one who wanted to go with me and be my date tomorrow!"

Ruka breathed in and out and smirked at her. He lowered his head to her height and whispered huskily, "And you're the smart ass who got detention because of me." Ruka pulled away and headed for the door. He was a feet away from the door as he said, "I must say, I really am thankful. But then again, you deserved it for saying no to me yesterday at your gym class right in front of everybody." With that Ruka walked off with a smirk.

Strike One!

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Mikan was in front of her locker, placing her unneeded books and replacing them with the needed ones. She closed her locker slowly and turned, only to see…

"Natsume."

Natsume raised a brow at her and said, "Yeah?"

Mikan bit her tongue. She was supposed to be saying that. Wasn't he supposed to be telling her something? And what happened, last time she checked, they were in a cool off mode!

Mikan sighed and said, "What are you doing here?"

Natsume looked at her like she said something completely insane. He then muttered, "I'm here to walk you to class, as always."

Mikan scratched her back and said, "But…but…but what about yesterday? Don't tell me you ran down the street, got hit by the car, got amnesia and can stand in just a matter of hours, 'cause I am not buyin' it."

Natsume rolled his eyes. He pursed his lips into a thin line, thinking of a way to explain things to her. "Let's just forget it."

"You can't, we can't just forget it." Mikan said, "Natsume you said you love me, and I can't return that love, doesn't that bother you even one bit?"

Natsume ran a hand through his hair and said through gritted teeth, "It does! It bothered me every minute! But what can I do? What can you do about it?"

Mikan was silenced. She looked down.

"Nothing." Natsume answered for her. Natsume closed his eyes and calmed himself, "And I'm okay with that."

Mikan looked at him with sad eyes, "I'm sorry."

"I wanna keep you. I wanna be with you…and maybe, you're right…maybe, we're not really meant to be. But right now, right now is what matters, right?" Natsume said huskily.

Mikan forced a smile and nodded a little.

Natsume hugged her tight and said against her hair, "And if it means, living with no assurance that you love me too is what I must go through. That's okay with me."

Mikan pulled away and looked at him and said after sighing, "I really, really like you Natsume. I hope you believe that. You mean a lot to me. Right now, I can't afford to lose you."

"Then make me stay with you." Natsume whispered.

Mikan tilted her head to the side and said desperately, "How?"

"Kiss me." Natsume demanded.

He didn't wait for her to respond as he lowered himself and closed their gap. He reached out to her lips and landed his lips on hers. She closed her eyes and so did he. He placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. He let her hands disappear into his hair. His mint taste is like a drug to her, once you started you can't stop.

He bit her lower lip begging for entrance and she obliged. She opened her mouth slightly and let his tongue enter. She played along with his tongue. He explored her mouth not leaving one part untouched. Her strawberry taste is addicting that you can't say no. It's tempting…a temptation that you will willingly take.

They parted for air. Mikan opened her eyes and smiled at him. Natsume looked at her and hugged her tight once again.

'Right now, that kiss is the only thing that I'm holding onto…that kiss is the only thing that will keep me going. Take that away from me…and you're taking Mikan as well. I want her…I need her…forever.'

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Ruka sat beside Hotaru in their Literature class. He smiled an irresistible smile and got his book on the desk. Hotaru didn't spare him a glanced but narrowed her eyes on the book she was currently reading.

Ruka didn't say a word but thought about his next plan thoroughly. He chuckled and started to go through the pages of his book. The moment the teacher entered, Ruka raised a hand and said, "Ms. Yamaka."

Ms. Yamaka turned around to see Ruka raising a hand. She then said, "Yes, Mr. Nogi?"

Ruka placed his hand down on his desk and raised a brow. "Why don't we have a little game?" Ruka suggested.

"A game?" Ms. Yamaka repeated.

Ruka nodded then said smoothly, "Boys vs. Girls. The topic is all about famous writers today, right? So, let's play a game of how well we know writers from the past up to the present."

Ms. Yamaka nodded her head, showing her interest this time.

Ruka smirked then continued, "Then, we could play a game, wherein everybody will write a quote or a saying from any book and write the writer right after the quote. We'll put it in a box.

One person will start, and pick out a paper, pick an opposite gender to say who wrote the quote and read it to the class. If he or she got it correct, she gets the chance to pick the next paper and the one who will answer. And the game goes on."

Hotaru looked at Ruka then said, critically, "How about if you don't know the answer?"

Ruka chuckled then said, "Easy, you have to do a dare."

"Who will give the dare?" Hotaru asked.

"The one who picked you to answer, of course." Ruka said.

Hotaru nodded then silenced herself and went back to her book. Ms. Yamaka clapped her hands to get their attention. "Okay then, we'll play the game. What are the rules, Mr. Nogi?"

Ruka stood up and faced the class and announced, "One, the quotes must only come from writers that we already talked about. Two, if you are dared, you can't say no or not do the dare, it's a must. Three, you can't play twice, if you already answered and had the chance to pick the next one, that's it, you're safe."

Ms. Yamaka brought out a box from under her desk and said, "Well then, let's make this a little exciting. This will be your pop quiz. If you got the answer correct and you answered right away, you get a hundred; if you stuttered but got it correctly, a ninety-five; if you changed your answer after another, a ninety. But if you answered incorrectly and did the dare perfectly as said, you get an eighty-five. And if you have second thoughts on doing the dare, you get an eighty. But here's another tricky situation, if the one you picked got the right answer, you are deducted by 10 points from your score. So if you get 90, you will just get 80, if that happens. Will that be okay?" Ms. Yamaka said with so much enthusiasm, evident in her voice.

The class cheered and shouted. Everybody got a piece of paper and started writing quotes. Some boys had a hard time but many girls are already done. This is what makes Literature exciting, all you have to do is act passionate, and you get a hundred. An easy A.

Hotaru placed her pen down and folded her paper. Ruka looked at her for a minute as she stood up and headed for the box in the teacher's desk. Ruka smirked, this must be his day. She's playing her part very well.

Everybody placed their papers inside the box. Ms. Yamaka scrambled the papers with a hard shake and placed it down on her desk again. She leaned her back at her desk and stared at her student. She then sighed and said, "Ms. Koizomi."

Luna stood up from her seat with a smile. She headed up in front and placed her hand inside the box. The class waited for a couple of minutes until a paper was on Luna's hand. She unfolded it and smirked. She looked around until her eyes landed on someone from the back row. Good thing Ruka was in front with Hotaru today, or he'll sure be dead along with his plan.

"I pick…" Luna trailed off and said in a shout, "Yuu Tobita."

Yuu stood up, looks like he's still in a bad mood. He looked at Luna with narrowed eyes. Luna just smiled back at him and looked down at her paper.

""The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned."" Yuu heaved a sigh and stared at her with no emotion as he answered nonchalantly, "Easy, William Somerset Maugham." Luna cheered and jumped and said, "Correct!" She then pouted, "But I get a deduction."

Yuu glared at her and said in an irritated tone, "Not my fault that I'm a genius!" Luna sat down with a frown and Yuu walked up in front of the class with an irritated look. He pushed his hand in the box, read the quote silently and then coughed. He looked at the class then said, "I pick Britany." Britany stood up and looked at Yuu, ready for whatever she will receive from Yuu Tobita.

""You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction.""

Britany placed a finger on her chin and opened her mouth to answer but no voice came out. She started to snap her fingers and say, "I know this one…I heard it before, but where?!"

Ms. Yamaka looked at her watched and said, "I gave you 20 seconds and still no answer. Sorry." She looked at Yuu, "Mr. Tobita, and your dare if you may."

Yuu thought for a moment then said with narrowed eyes and said, "Okay, you tell this to the class, 'I'm a starfish, but why?' then I'll tell you why. Then you say, 'Yuu's right, girls like me really are a starfish.' Okay?"

Britany nodded with a small smile.

Ruka, Kitsuname and Tsubasa, who are in the same class as Yuu, chuckled, knowing what Yuu really meant by this. They would have shouted, 'Oh, Britany, you are gonna be so drowned in embarrassment!'

Britany said in a high-pitched voice, "I'm a starfish, but why?"

Yuu smirked and said with so much sarcasm, "Because starfishes are beautiful creatures of the see and yet… they are the dumbest creatures around. Don't you see, you're just like one, perfect body and hair, but when you ask a question, no one's there." Yuu started to walk to his seat not taking his eyes of off Britany.

Britany was red in embarrassment as everybody laughed. Did Yuu Tobita just call her dumb? Ouch!

Yuu stopped at the side of her desk and said loud enough for everyone to hear, "The answer was George Lorimer, in case you never figured out." He walked again but halted and spun around, "With those brains of yours how the hell will you beat Sumire? By the way, starfishes are lovely to stair at…but they get boring eventually."

"Mr. Tobita! That is enough!" Ms. Yamaka shouted.

"I was just playing the game, ma'am." Yuu said with sarcasm and raised both of his hands, showing that he didn't mean any harm.

The teacher narrowed her eyes and said, "Sit or get detention, your choice."

Yuu just smirked then chuckled, "I'll sit…but I will never take back what I said." Yuu spun around again and headed for his seat with a grin on his face. Who said bullying wasn't fun? Especially when you're bullying a bully!?

High School Sweethearts by 13 is my number

Koko was having his free period with Sumire in the library. She was reading in one of the tables when Koko sat down right in front of her.

Sumire looked up to see who it was, when she saw it was Koko, she looked down again. Koko smiled a little and started to read as well. Then silence came between them.

Koko turned to another page when he heard a book close right in front of him. He looked up to see Sumire looking at him. Koko closed his book as well and muttered in a whisper, "Is there a problem?"

Sumire looked around first before leaning forward and whispering back, "I'm just really curious of who your friend was, the one that you were asking advice for?"

Koko bit his lower lip and showed a sour face before answering, "I-I…He's…He's..well..uhm…he's name is…Ubin."

"Ubin?" Sumire whispered a little louder. 'What a weird name!'

Koko nodded hastily. Sumire heaved a sigh and whispered in a normal tone, "Where did you meet him?"

"Uhm…in another country…He called me up…and told me about the girl he likes." Koko said, trying his best to make up a story on the spot.

Sumire nodded. She then smiled a little then said, "So, what happened?"

"Uhm…he hasn't told her yet…about…what he feels for her."

"Does the girl feel the same way too?" Sumire asked.

Koko pursed his lips together. "He doesn't know that's one of the reasons why he hasn't told her yet."

Sumire pouted and placed her head on her palm and said, "Well…what are the other reasons?"

"Actually," Koko said as he leaned a little closer, "He only has two reasons. One is that he's not sure of what she feels for him. And the second one it that, he's afraid he might lose the only connection he has for her, they're friendship."

Sumire pulled away and rested back. She sighed and showed an irritated face, "Well, tell that Ubin that, if I was him, I would take a risk and get a spine! That way, when I grow old, I wouldn't be regretting anything."

Koko laughed a breathy laugh. He breathed in and out before saying, "But what if you're the girl, what will you do if your friend says that he likes you?"

"You mean like what if you liked me and then you told me about it?" Sumire asked as she looked up and thought of an answer, thus, giving a chance to Koko to hide his blush.

Sumire looked at Koko, whose blush vanished, and said nonchalantly, "That depends, if I like him back, then…we'll be together and I don't have to hide what I feel anymore." She looked down at the table and said in a sad tone, "But if…I don't like him back, then…I wouldn't be shallow and break our friendship just because he likes me."

Koko looked at her with a sad look and said, "Wouldn't that be hard? If it was me who purposed to you, will you stay as my friend?"

Sumire looked up with a smile, "Sure, it will be hard but then…it will be better, right? At least I know someone will always be there for me…not just a friend…but somebody who loves me more than just that."

Koko looked down with a disappointed look. Right now, he seemed to feel that Sumire doesn't feel the same way for him…because if she does, shouldn't she feel insecure about the topic or even stutter?

Sumire then smiled and turned into a happy mood, "But then again, I wouldn't do that…I mean, I wouldn't use you and cover up the wounds in my heart." She looked at Koko in the eyes and said in outmost sincerity, "Love isn't a bandage to cover up wounds."

Koko heaved a sigh and tried to pull a smile, "I thought you don't believe in love?"

An airy laugh escaped in Sumire's lips. "I believe in love…just as boys believe in superheroes. I believe in prince charming…and beautiful castles…but not in happy ending. I believe in love…but not for our age.

"Love is something that only comes once in a life time…just like high school. It's the most bitter part and yet the sweetest one to endure. It's bittersweet." Sumire bit her lip and stood up. She grabbed her book from the table and turned to return the book to the shelf.

Koko stood up as well and grabbed her wrist. Sumire turned to look at him with those emerald eyes. Koko was gonna say what he feels for her. He's gonna admit that he likes her…he's ready to show that he's a man with a spine in his back. He's gonna show her that happy endings exist…

But not now.

Koko looked at her hand that he was holding then to her lips, nose then eyes. He gulped and said, "Ubin said that…he doesn't want to lose her. He also said that...if this is the only way he could get close to her and be her knight in shining armour, if it means being the best friend who endures the pain of an untold love…then…it will all be worth it," Koko closed their gap as he took a step forward and whispered, "She's worth it."

This was what he wanted to say to her. If only she knew what he felt, that he's Ubin, that she's the girl that Ubin likes...and these are the unspoken words...of a best friend, a secret lover. But no, it will be wrong...he will not lose their friendship. Not now, not ever.

Sumire's breathing stopped. Koko was too close. She felt her knees weaken. No…this can't be…she can't be thinking this…

'Koko is not showing affection! I'm his best friend! He can't be telling me…that…he's Ubin, right? God! Men are complicated!' Sumire shouted at herself, trying to convince herself fully.

Koko slid his hand from her wrist to her hand and brought it up to his chest. He held it in his chest letting her feel his heartbeat. He then muttered under his breath, "Best friends…just best friends." He then turned to look up at her as he said in the gentlest voice that he had never used before except for her, "To love someone doesn't mean to commit with that person. Sometimes, you just have to be satisfied with whatever connection you have with that special one."

Hey! You might be wondering to why Yuu was different in this chapter and he seemed like a jerk...it's because he hates this day because Nonoko wasn't there and he's bothered to why she left without telling him. In the next few chapters...i will tell you the reason why she left and a few secrets will be revealed.

In this story, not only does the story revolve around them but also how the past destroys their present.

Sorry for the late update, i had no inspiration to write.

The kissing scene, i never wrote kissing scenes before. And i was really...uhm...having an awkward moment writing one. So tell me...how it went. Was it good...or bad? If it was bad...i'll try to make it better...if it was good enough...then i will enhance my writing skills even more in the next chapters of this story. This story is pretty long. I already got the plot figured out.

Please review and tell me how it went. I really would like to know. I placed my heart on this chapter because...i felt what Koko felt. I fell for my best friend...and well...i ended up getting hurt. But don't worry...i have Koko's lines in my head and Sumire's retorts too!

Can't wait to get to the best part. haha!!! To the climax.

Please leave your reviews!!

Stay Safe:D