Next day at school a certain blonde was missing from the math class. Kanata noticed her absence the first thing as he entered his class.

'She must be ditching this class as usual' he thought. 'I bet she's at the court right now busy shooting baskets like always'. A ghost of smile crept over his face as he flashbacked to the day they first met.

He usually never bothered himself with newcomers so he didn't know of Miyu's arrival but that day almost every guy on campus had been talking about a new girl. He hadn't seen her yet but he felt as if he already knew her all thanks to the commotion she had created. She acquired popularity right away because of her astronaut parents. 'Why is everyone being an idiot? Haven't they met any girl before he thought?' By the end of the day he was up with a severe headache and a very strong desire to get home ASAP. He was in the parking area moving towards his car when he saw someone standing alone. He was about to ignore assuming that she was someone from his fan club, perhaps waiting for him to confess her feelings as usual. But something made him stop and look at her and he saw the most beautiful girl he had seen in a long time. She was wiping the sweat off her forehead with back of her hand & then fanned herself. She was hot - literally because it was really humid - in her knee length skirt & tousled shirt. She seemed tired & bored but the sight of her was riveting. Sunrays from evening sun highlighted her silhouette making her look impossibly beautiful. Her sight kept him rooted to his spot as he drank her in while she stood in the middle of the road. Suddenly he heard a bike roaring and saw it heading straight towards her. Panicking he called out to her but she didn't listen, she had earphones plugged in. He ran to her as fast as he could and pulled her away right in time as the bike missed her merely by inches. She looked startled & her eyes grew wide with shock. They were deep brown almost black. If it was not for the light reflecting from them it was hard to tell the difference. They were beautiful & he was lost into them for that moment. Realizing he was staring at her for longer than intended he yelled instead to hide his embarrassment. Though he was mad at her for being reckless but perhaps he had over reacted, that biker wouldn't have knocked her but then she had earphones on so who knows. He noticed the emotions passing on her face. It was like a slideshow first shock, then gratitude, then confusion and at last the one that made her look cutest, anger.

He was smiling at the memory when a gentle tap on his back brought him back to his class & saw Santa giving him are-you-alright look. 'Did I just experience a flashback? Damn it, I never do flashbacks. I remember every detail of her as if it happened yesterday but I don't even remember the first word I said to Santa. But then we are childhood friends after all so how can I possibly remember that right' he tried to convince himself and failed terribly.

'I need to get her off my mind'. Kanata tried to busy himself with the ongoing class but his mind was at war with peace at the moment. Once again he found himself staring at Miyu's empty seat. Her absence made him feel hollow within. Maybe it was because yesterday he had watched her cry or rather made her cry his mind corrected. On impulse he stood up.

"Is there anything you want Saionji?" his teacher asked.

"Sorry, but I don't feel well. Can I go out?" he asked.

Everybody in the class including his teacher gaped at him in disbelief since he was someone (perhaps only one) who had enough guts, given his academic excellence and being son of school's chief trustee, to walk out in the middle of any class at free will. He wasn't popular for asking permissions. Surprised by his behaviour his teacher nodded, looking utterly speechless.

'Overreaction would be an understatement' Kanata thought judging the reactions he received from everyone including Santa who gave him an understanding look that somehow unnerved him.

'Looks like you've already done some serious damage to my personality Miyu. Since when did I become so courteous?'

He nodded at his teacher & walked out of the class. He didn't bother with rushing anywhere his legs knew where he needed to be. Perhaps he was fooling himself maybe Miyu wasn't in school today after all. He didn't want to face the truth this early when he had whole day ahead of him. He had had trouble sleeping last night as he kept seeing her face every time he closed his eyes. Her eyes filled with tears troubled him too much making him restless.

As Kanata walked down to the empty court he knew he was right. Miyu was not in school and it didn't help much to think that he was the reason why. Her absence made him feel worse, much more than how he had felt yesterday. Yesterday had made it among the list of worst days of his life and the worst day ever since he transferred here. He summoned a basketball and started playing all alone. He didn't bother about the classes anymore, putting his focus solely on channelling his anger into his game.

A sleepyhead woke up almost at noon. She didn't get much sleep yesterday so she woke late. Yesterday was clearly not the happiest day in the history of her life. In fact it was almost the crappiest day she ever had. Her mind wandered to that evening and she shook her head trying not to further her gloom by thinking about that day. She had skipped school and knew her friends would cover for her. She made her way to the kitchen first. She was famished. She had had nothing since yesterday morning. She prepared some sandwiches and orange juice.

After eating she felt a lot better. "No wonder they say food can make everything seem better" she said. She poured herself another glass of orange juice and sat on the couch in her living room. Why should I leave Heiomachi she thought? I never asked them to bring me here and now they can't possibly ask me so selfishly to move back. After more than half a year they can't expect me to leave when I finally love it here. I've great friends I've never had such friends before and this place is so beautiful. Nothing is wrong with this place apart from one thing, Kanata Saionji. Thinking about him she felt anger boiling her blood and she sipped on her juice to cool herself. He wasn't worth her thoughts and she would never give him the satisfaction that he was a reason enough to leave. Her friends and school were far more valuable to her than that one rival to be left behind.

But her perks of graduating from US were better. I'll get to attend more prestigious school than now. Heiomachi is a small town after all and it can never be compared with a metropolis. I'll have better opportunities there. All I've ever wanted is an independent life, a stable career and I've fair chances to have one if I graduate from there. I definitely can't compromise with my future. She sat on that couch for forever. At the end she got up having decided and headed to her room.

"What's eating you Kanata. Why aren't you attending classes today? You didn't even showed up in computer class and that's your favourite. Why are you wearing out yourself like this? I am not talking to this ball or that basket. I'm asking you something and I expect an answer" Santa shouted at him.

He was acting strange since morning not talking to anyone, not even him. He didn't even eat anything and he had practically spent his whole day in the basketball court. But now school was about to end yet Kanata hadn't uttered a word nor stopped playing.

"Is there something bothering you?" he tried again hoping Kanata would say something. Kanata froze in middle of his leap shot. Miyu's angry face came to his mind from yesterday when she had asked him the same question.

Difference being that Santa cared for him whereas she hates him.

'Damn it! Why can't I stop thinking about her?' He closed his eyes in frustration. When he opened them he saw Miyu. He blinked several times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating but she was definitely there talking with Ms. Mizuno her homeroom teacher. He kept staring at her hoping she would turn towards him. She looked serious as if she was discussing a very important matter with her teacher.

She wasn't in their regular school uniform instead she was wearing a loose fitting grey hood full sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers. She had let her hairs down as if to guard her probably from me he thought. Only she could manage to look cool and hot at same time despite of her cross dressing.

She turned towards him and a strange calm overwhelmed him surprising him by how much she affected him, how much control she had over him. And this is when both of them are opposite poles. He was starting to fear this attraction. 'I can't get attached to her. I can't afford to lose another person'. Ever since his mother died he had kept his distance from everyone. Even Santa, who was closest to him, who knew him more than anyone, even his own negligent father, didn't have such effect on him as her. He dreaded this invisible bond between him & her tugging at his heart all the time. 'I need to get a grip on myself and move on. I need to let her go. I just can't go there again'.

"Hey Nanami, am I delirious or is that Miyu" Aya pointed to Miyu who was walking towards them, waving.

"Yup that's her alright but why is she at school now. I just hope everything's okay" Nanami replied and they walked or rather ran to her.

Miyu hugged her friends, she had missed them terribly. She felt like she was meeting them after a long break instead of yesterday.

"Miyu is everything okay. Are you okay?" Nanami asked.

She was moved by how much they cared for her and she suddenly felt happy "yup everything's good. I came to talk to Mizuno sensei about my transfer" she replied. "What!" they exclaimed in unison.

"You can't be leaving Miyu. Agreed Saionji is a mean cold hearted jerk but you can't leave solely based on that. What about us?" Nanami asked.

"We're gonna miss you Miyu. I never thought we would be saying farewell so soon. You really are a dear friend &…" Aya stopped mid sentence when Miyu hugged her.

She smiled at them, tears glistening in her eyes. "No it's not that. I'm not leaving you guys. I considered it once but then I thought of you people and the school. I really have great friends here and this place feels like home. I can't leave you guys not so soon at least"

Nanami hugged her tight & Miyu noticed tears in her eyes. That was quite unexpected since she was not a bit sentimental. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" she complained. With that she was back to normal, flash of emotion gone in a moment.

"I'm glad you decided to stay, Miyu. What is the plan, I mean what are you gonna do now" Aya asked her.

"Well to begin with, I need to convince my parents to let me stay. That shouldn't be a problem since I've practically spent most of my life without them anyway" she said grinning at them.

She had made the right choice she could feel it her bones. 'And I need to stay away from Saionji'. His insulting words still rang in her ears and she couldn't do anything to stop them. 'I'll busy myself with music just so I don't kill him'.

But thinking of him made her think back to the way he had looked at her earlier when she was with Ms. Mizuno. He had almost convinced her that he regretted every word he said with that one look, his eyes burning with emotions she couldn't understand. Judging by the way he looked, all drenched in sweat, face red as a tomato he must playing for hours. But despite of his tired appearance he looked relieved almost calm. Her plan was to ignore him but she couldn't help it as her eyes darted to the court & found him looking in her direction. She turned her back to him determined not to look back ever.

how was it? terrible?okay?bad? let me know!

sneek peek into next chapter

"Why don't you suggest someplace Miyu? You've been awfully quiet lately" Christene asked her. Everyone staring at her made her anxious and she noticed that even Kanata had slightly leaned forward to listen.

"I don't know,I mean any place would be fun as long as all of us are together. So how about someplace detached from the chaos of city someplace with forests nearby and if there's a beach then it will add to the fun"

"Nice idea but I don't know of any such place" Aya said.

"Me neither" Mizuki said nor did anyone else as they shook their heads.

They were all silent thinking what to do next "I own a beach house on the outskirts. It is a good place for a trip. I can have it ready if you guys are interested" Kanata offered silently. Everyone stared at him since he rarely helped anyone he was as detached as humans could be.

"In that case you'll have to join us in the trip. It's your place and no one will enjoy it if you don't come along, we'll all feel awkward using your place with you not around" Miyu suggested.