It's been a couple weeks since Komuro Takashi and Busujima have become friends. Alongside Takagi Saya, the three have become known as a trio of friends. The school's rumor mill continues to try and guess how Komuro and Takagi became friends with Busujima. The three go to class, do their homework, and hangout whenever they can. Takashi and Saeko have gotten closer, talking to each other about their days. Recently students have been given breaks from classes to prepare for their midterm exams. Saya, the proud genius she is, has decided that studying together would help more than studying alone.

"Midterms are coming up idiot! Out of the three of us, you are the only one that has a cause for concern", Saya said exasperated. The three were sitting in the library in the furthest corner from the entrance near the window.

Saeko spoke up smiling at Takashi, "He's made it this far, so I trust he will do fine. Though it doesn't hurt to study more". She then opened a book on mathematics and passed it to him. He smiled back at her, her faith in him making him far happier than he was before. The two stared at each other as if communicating to each other with just their eyes.

Smiling at how happy her childhood friend was, Saya opened her own book on science to study. She was pleasantly surprised at how far Takashi has come from his depressed thoughts on his bitch of an ex-girlfriend. She was angry at Rei for how callously she treated him despite his concerns. Saeko on the other hand was different, she was very open with her and Takashi about what was bothering her. She was easier to talk to as well. It was a seemingly small but very important difference. With Rei, it felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells around her. It felt Saeko and Rei were complete opposites.

"A fat otaku like you doesn't belong in a prestigious school like this!", a loud and annoying voice broke Saya out of her thoughts. Looking around she saw Tsunoda, a yellow-haired track student known as the school's worst bully, standing over a short overweight teen with dark shoulder length hair. The sound of two chairs scraping against the ground turned her attention to Takashi and Saeko. The two stood up and made their way towards the commotion. Saya quickly stood up and joined them in their approach.

"You're the one who doesn't belong here Tsunoda-san. You show no compassion or empathy for anyone. Your only concern is yourself, such a man doesn't have any pride or honor", Saeko's cold voice rang out across the library bringing the bullies attention towards the approaching group of three. He looked at her shocked at the sudden interference before opening his mouth to retaliate.

Saya cut him off sharply, "She's right, only pathetic cowards pick on those who can't fight back. Leave! After all that's the only thing you're good for". Her insults only made him angrier. Tsunoda clenched his fist and gritted his teeth while staring at the group. Tsonoda eventually kicked the student on the ground once more before stomping away.

Takashi was quick to help the bullied student up, "Are you alright?".

The student was quick to bow and introduce himself, "I'm Hirano Kohta". He smiled at the three shyly. "I'm alright, his kicks don't hurt as much as he thinks".

"I'm Komuro Takashi, these are my closest friends Busujima Saeko and Takagi Saya", The three bowed back to him in greeting. "We were here to study if you would like to join us?".

Hirano seemed to consider Takashi's proposal before agreeing. The group of four returned to the table near the window. Takashi and Saeko sat side-by-side next to the window while Hirano and Saya sat across from the two. Saya picked up her book once more while Saeko and Takashi went back to sharing the math book. Hirano surprisingly brought out a book that wasn't on anything school related.

"So guns are your passion Hirano-san?", Saya stated once she got a better look at the contents of said book.

Nodding happily, Hirano with a very excited voice stated, "Yep! Ever since I was young I really liked learning about guns. In fact I went to the United States for a month and was trained by US military contractor Blackwater USA".

"How did you do Hirano-san?", Takashi asked. Surprising both Hirano and Saya, the two turned to see Takashi and Saeko staring at them in interest.

"I did very well with guns", He proudly stated. Though his proud look turned sheepish, "Though the physical training was the exact opposite. Anyway we should get back to studying for midterms no?".

That being said the four read their books and exchanged them for different subjects throughout the rest of the school day. Saeko and Takashi went over math before exchanging that book for Saya's science book, while Hirano put away his book on guns to grab a language arts book. Every hour or so they would exchange books once more. This continued until the end of the day. The group grabbed their things and returned all the books they borrowed before leaving the school library. Arriving at the gate and saying their farewells to each other they went their separate ways. Saya leaving in a car that was sent by her rich parents, Hirano walked home, while Takashi accompanied Saeko home.

This is nice, thought Saeko, thinking about how many friends she made these past few weeks, especially the boy next to her. She never thought that people would like her for her personality. She sighed happily, leaning her head on Takashi's shoulder as they walked down the street. She felt Takashi stiffen for a moment before relaxing. Saeko smiled and nuzzled her head slightly more into his shoulder. It's really unbelievable how intensely she felt for this boy despite meeting him nearly a month earlier. His kindness made her feel all warm inside, his easy going attitude making her laugh all the time. The fire in eyes when someone insults his friends leaves her breathless and the desire to see him that determined clouds her mind. She chuckled slightly at her thoughts, she really has developed an infatuation with him hasn't she?

"What's so amusing?", Takashi's voice snapped her out of her own head. She looked up slightly to see him staring down at her with amusement dancing in his brown eyes. His hair ruffled in the wind and the street lights illuminated him, allowing her to see him more clearly. He was smiling at her, clearly interested in whatever she had to say.

"Just thinking about how quickly my life has changed from the loneliness that enveloped my world. Now though it seems that the times of light and laughter seem to never stop", She replied honestly. He laughed deeply, she could feel the way his body moved when he did. After he stopped, Takashi smiled more brightly than before leaving her with an incredibly warm feeling in her heart.

Takashi moved to gather her in his arms and she replied in kind. This feeling of happiness is something he hasn't felt in a long while. When Rei refused to confide in him and eventually left him for Igou, he felt a lot of negative emotions. Anger, sadness, and despair. Eventually he just felt hollow, he skipped class, barely talked to anyone and spent his days trapped in his own mind. Saya eventually got through to him, her harsh words made him snap out of his own self pity. He realized that he still had a future to look forward to, he just needed to find out what he wanted for himself. Instead of skipping class all the time, he skipped occasionally to think about what he wanted to do or be. The day that Saeko burst through the door on the school's roof changed everything. He realized how much of a fool he was before hanging on to the past. The hours they talked on that roof made him happier than he had felt in a long time. The weeks leading up to this moment under the lights gave him a clear answer to a lot of questions he had.

It was about a week ago he came to the conclusion that he was infatuated with Saeko. Everytime she smiled at him made his heart skip a beat. Even hearing her voice caused him more happiness than he ever thought possible. Being around Saeko filled his hollow heart with more positive emotions than he could ever name. His infatuation with her was far more deeper and more intense than what he felt for Rei. Even now as he hugged her, his life feels far more complete than before. A sudden realization struck Takashi. This is my future, he thought. Being beside this incredible woman is what he wants to do. He wants to support and be by her side to help whenever she needs it. Her voice suddenly caught his attention, stopping any further thoughts.

"Hey Takashi-kun, I just realized I need to get some groceries", Saeko stated, parting sadly from their embrace.

"Need any help with them?", Takashi replied quickly, desperate to stay within her presence.

Saeko smiled and nodded before grabbing his hand, she began dragging him further down the street away from the usual path to her home to a still open grocery store. Takashi was quick to speed up to match her pace. Before either knew it they were both smiling happily just being in contact with each other. Up ahead was the grocery store, they both slowed to slow walk. They both entered the store, Takashi made sure to grab a basket before Saeko led him to multiple shelves and handed him multiple things. It was quite repetitive, Saeko finding what she needed then handing him them to put in the basket. Eventually it seemed that Saeko grabbed everything she needed before they both went to check out. Due to it being so late there wasn't a single person in line.

The cashier smiled at them both before scanning every item in the basket. Saeko could reach into her bag to pay, Takashi quickly handed the cashier the amount owed. All Saeko could do was stare at him in complete shock while the cashier placed the items in bags. Takashi winked at the shocked girl while grabbing the bags and leading her outside. The cold air hit them on the way out, snapping Saeko out of her shock.

"You didn't have to pay", Saeko finally replied.

Takashi smiled at her, "Maybe not, but I wanted to".

Saeko shook her head in mock exasperation. On the inside she was deeply amused and thankful. She then surprised him by hugging tightly. He slowly put the groceries down and hugged her back. Here she was acting without thinking, she desired him close and acted upon it. His hand suddenly started stroking her hair. It was a surprisingly nice feeling. The feeling of him being close…her eyes shot open quickly. She pulled back suddenly, "I forgot to grab something. Stay here, I'll go grab. This time I'm buying it, it's only fair after you bought the rest of the groceries. Wait here Takashi".

Takashi was shocked at her sudden actions before he smiled and nodded at her. She smiled back before heading back into the grocery store to grab whatever she forgot. Takashi picked up the bags before moving the outside wall in front of the store and set them down while he stood there.

As he stood there he began thinking about Saeko. The way she suddenly hugged him surprised him, it felt nice to be hugged by her. At that point he couldn't hold back the urge to stroke her beautiful and exotic hair. Her hair was soft and smelled of the products she put in them. He couldn't quite put his finger on what her hair smelled like but it was very nice.

Takashi was pulled from his distracting thoughts by someone grabbing him by the throat. He pulled his attention to who grabbed and was surprised to see three rough looking older men. They looked as if they hadn't taken care of themselves in years. The one that grabbed him had messy black hair that reached his shoulders and was looking at Takashi with his green eyes. He had a lot of tears in his clothes. The way he carried himself suggested he was the leader. The one on the right was bald with blue eyes. He also had a lot of dirt on him and tears in his clothes. The last man on the left looked smaller and younger than the others. He had brown hair with blue eyes, however he didn't have nearly as much tears in his clothes.

"You better hand over your money and groceries boy!", the man holding him by the throat spitted out at him. He tightened his grip on Takashi's throat while sneering at him in contempt as if he had a bone to pick with Takashi.

Takashi attempted to speak but only choking sounds could be heard. He desperately tried clawing at the hand holding throat to get the man to stop choking him. His clawing did nothing but cause the man to smirk at him. Takashi then tried to kick at him, catching the man in the legs but didn't cause him to budge. Takashi's vision began to blur and darken with his last thoughts being of Saeko.