One day, when Hayabusa was just hanging around the abandoned classroom where all the delinquents were gathering at, he heard one of the Year Ones talk amongst themselves.
".. come on," one of them said to the other. "We all know that Aina-chan is the prettiest in 1-2."
"Well, yeah," the other agreed. "But she's heads over heels for Sakamoto. She's not, though. She's actually really cute-"
"She isn't as petite nor have boobs like Aina-chan's!"
"Yeah but there's just something so fascinating and exotic about a little shrine maiden!"
That caught the attention of Hayabusa.
The Year One continued blabbering. "Katagi's so cute and easy-going – I bet if I ask her out she'll agree-"
"Oi," Hayabusa interjected, clapping a hand to his shoulder.
The Year Ones jump. 'When did he get here?! Wasn't he just in his corner-'
"Yasuda," he continued. "Don't you have things to do and places to be? I bet Maruyama is dying to ask you to run some errands. In fact, you'll be so busy that you won't have time to be running around and asking girls out, will you?"
"Yes senpai! I mean no senpai! I mean yes I will run my errands for Maruyama-senpai! I won't have time, not at all senpai!" the Year One said frantically, bowing quickly before scampering away.
Hayabusa snorted, going back to his corner and drinking his carton of juice.
Atsushi snickered at the two as they ran to carry out errands. "Looks like someone pissed Hayabusa-senpai off."
"What made him so angry?" Yasuda asked in a whisper, scared that Hayabusa would suddenly appear again.
Atsushi guffawed, clutching his sides. "Oh man! What rock have you been living under? Don't you know that Katagi has a crush on Hayabusa-senpai?"
"Huh?!" Yasuda's eyes widened. "No I didn't! … But why is senpai angry at me for wanting to ask her out if she is the one who has a crush on him?"
Atsushi sighed. "So young, so foolish." (But he was actually hiding the fact that he didn't understand why either.)
To be honest, everything started because of Atsushi.
It started the day after Hayabusa fought with Sakamoto at the riverbed all those months ago. He was with the other delinquents in 'their' classroom as usual, leaning against the wall at the corner, quietly taking a sip of his drink.
One of the Year Ones – Atsushi – was talking to the other delinquents animatedly.
"… Hayabusa-senpai is just so cool! So cool that one of my classmates even have a crush on him!"
That did not catch his attention. He continued drinking his juice.
"When all the girls were charging at him, Katagi swooped in and helped him! She threw a broom at him, and of course, since Hayabusa-senpai is so talented and such an amazing fighter he-"
Now that caught his attention.
"Katagi?" he asked. "The shrine maiden?"
(The girl only told him that she was 'Midori Miho' when they met again at her shrine. He didn't know her full name.)
Atsushi nodded excitedly, pleased that senpai finally noticed him. "Yes, Katagi Midori! I'm telling you, senpai, you're so cool that even shrine maidens fall at your feet!"
"… Huh." Was all Hayabusa said before he went back to sipping his drink.
During class, when he was losing concentration, he felt his thoughts drift to the green haired girl in Sakamoto's class. He was already intrigued by her – and to some extent even grateful to her – but to hear that she harbored a crush on him puzzled him even more. She was calm and his short interaction with her did not allow him to figure out if she really did like him as Atsushi said so.
That was the start of it all.
Along the way of them spending time with each other and being in each other's company, he no longer cared if she really did like him as Atsushi claimed she did (for the record, he still does not know if that is true). He found himself valuing her company and treating her as… a friend.
From that day on, all the delinquents made sure they steered clear of Katagi Midori's way, or risk to face the wrath of Hayabusa.
"Valentine's Day is coming!" Midori heard Aina squealed one day in class. "Aina-chan is so excited! I can't wait for after school – I am going to buy the biggest and best chocolate for Sakamoto-kun!"
"Count me in!" Tanaka said. Yagi nodded.
The rest of the girls in class overheard, and made plans to too get chocolates.
Midori thought about the souvenir chocolate she has for sale in the shrine. 'I think I can give that to my male friends. I know; I'll give those to Sakamoto and Kubota for always coming to the shrine.'
Then she thought of Hayabusa-senpai and involuntarily smiled. 'Senpai loves sweets. What a good reason to give him some! But wait… won't it be as good as confessing to him if I gave him chocolates?'
She mulled over that for a bit. She did not want him to know that she liked like him; he was smart and handsome and charming and cool, she was just a little girl tied to her shrine – and she was his kouhai no less. She was quite sure he never thought of her as 'girlfriend' material, despite them going a few dates.
'But senpai loves sweets,' she argued with herself.
She came to a decision – she'll make him some chocolates instead!
With that in mind, she resolved to finish her shrine maiden duties earlier that day and get busy making chocolates.
Valentines' Day rolled about and Midori got to school early, clutching a box with handmade chocolates inside. It had taken her a lot of practice and after a whooping total of seven failed batches, she finally made a batch of presentable chocolates that she deemed worthy to be given to her beloved senpai.
She hung about the locker area, and once she saw Hayabusa-senpai's signature blond ponytail, she sprung forward, ready to wish him a happy Valentines' and pass him her chocolates.
She faltered in her steps once she saw the multitude of girls – attractive girls – milling around him, thrusting boxes after boxes of lavishly wrapped expensive chocolates. They were all bobbling around him, hiding him from her view.
She looked down at her box of handmade chocolates, feeling it to be pathetic compared to theirs. She thought of their beauty and while people always do make it a point to comment on how 'cute' the Midori Miho is, she felt like a child compared to them. She thought of her senpai; charismatic, smart, and an all-around desirable person.
Midori turned her heel and walked away quickly, eager to retreat in the safety of her class.
She didn't look at where she was going and nearly ran into Sakamoto. She hastily apologized to him, passing to him some chocolates readily sold at her shrine's souvenir shop before making her way to class.
Sakamoto looked at her disappearing from view and at Hayabusa surrounded by adoring girls before adjusting his glasses.
Lunchtime rolled about and Hayabusa was feeling vexed. It was Valentines' Day and he hadn't even seen the Midori Miho for the whole day, much less received any chocolates from her.
Resolving to put his vexation to ease, he set off to class 1-2. When he entered and found Midori's table empty, he went straight to Sakamoto's table.
"Yo, Sakamoto. Have you seen the Midori Miho-"
He stopped abruptly when his gaze landed on a particular chocolate amidst the mountain of chocolates on Sakamoto's desk. The particular chocolate was wrapped with paper that he had seen before in the Midori Jinja's souvenir shop, and had a red Omamori charm attached to it.
The Midori Miho gave chocolates to Sakamoto, but not him?! He felt it like a blow to his gut.
Sakamoto didn't say anything for a moment. He adjusted his glasses before quietly saying, "… Katagi-san gave Kubota and I chocolates from the shrine's souvenir shop. I saw her carrying a box of handmade chocolates. But the question is, senpai, did you see her over the boxes of chocolates you received from other girls?"
Hayabusa had an epiphany, feeling a second blow to his gut.
He smirked. "Well then, thank you, Sakamoto."
With that, he took off to the roof.
Midori sighed, looking at the box of chocolates she placed on her lap. It was break time and she decided to go to the roof.
'Well, no point in letting these go to waste,' she thought to herself, opening the box and popping one into her mouth. 'Hmm, not bad at all,' she thought to herself while chewing the piece of chocolate.
"It's not very nice of you to be eating chocolate meant for someone else," a familiar voice spoke.
She glanced up, meeting Hayabusa-senpai's sharp blue eyes.
"Senpai!" she exclaimed, rising to her feet while gathering the box of chocolates in her hand.
His gaze fell to the box. "Are these for me?"
"Yes… but," she sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand. "I didn't think you'd be interested, especially after receiving so many luxurious ones…."
His eyes softened. "Just so you know, I prefer handmade chocolates over any store-bought ones any other day."
There was a certain glint in his eyes as a smirk graced his features. "Let's try your chocolate, Midori Miho."
Just as Midori was about to pass him the box, he took a step closer to her, taking hold of her face in his hand. He tilted her chin up, and just like that, he gently kissed her. Her eyes closed, and she relished in the moment, placing her free hand on his shoulder as his other arm wrapped around her back.
Hayabusa smirked after they broke apart. "Not bad. Sweet, the way I like it."