Life is easier when you're doing what you want

Why am I here?

Haru found himself eating lunch at the school’s courtyard today. The azure sky made him sleepy along with a cool breeze. The sun bombarded them but all was well under the shade of trees. Well, almost all.

In front of Haru was Ayako’s circle. The table was basically divided by gender as the boys sat on the left side and the girls on the right side.

Ayako was telling them the truth of her confession and rejection.

“Well, I got rejected.”

Seta and Noguchi basically looked shocked while Iwamoto looked unfazed as usual and Adachi smilingly nodded.

Simultaneously, they all geared their heads towards Takata as if looking for a confirmation. “It’s true. I rejected her.”

They then explained what happened on that cold night of last year’s Christmas Eve.

After telling the story of her rejection, Ayako received two hugs on her side.

“Why didn’t you immediately tell us what happened!?” Noguchi shouted as tears started rolling down on her cheeks. “I would have consoled you and treat you to so many desserts!”

“Yeah, you should have told us. We’re your friends, and we don’t want you to suffer alone…” Umi’s voice broke for a moment.

“I’m really sorry, you two. I guess I just wanted some space...”

Haru also found it hard to understand why she didn’t tell her friends, especially her girl friends, what had happened. But maybe it was really as simple as needing to get away from it all. Haru had read once that everyone had their own way of grieving their loved ones. Maybe it was also the same with rejection and this was her way of coping.

“I understand that but at the same time, I feel like a useless friend.” Noguchi slumped over. “You were there to cheer for me when I had volleyball tournaments yet I couldn’t be there for you…”

Now, it was Ayako’s turn to hug her friends. “Well, look at the bright side, you can now treat me for some dessert!”

As the girls had their moments, the boys had more of a casual conversation.

“So, you really rejected her, huh? Well, can’t say I didn’t see that coming.” Adachi said. He then sighed. “Another childhood friend rejected…”

Takata awkwardly smiled. “Well, I can’t lie to her.”

“He’s right, Fumio. It’s like making me eat your food when I really don’t want it.”

“What was that, you monkey!?”

“That’s right! Why did you have to reject her, Sora?” Noguchi pointed all over Ayako’s body. “Look at this face! It’s so beautiful, hundreds of men have confessed to her! Look at this body! It’s hundred times way better than models! And her personality! If you place Fuyuki in a room full of sad people, their frown will turn upside down as soon as they talk to her!” It was clear there were anger in her eyes. She probably didn’t like seeing Ayako hurting like that.

“It’s fine, Yume. We’ve already talked last night. While it’s sad that I got rejected, I am lucky enough to still be friends with him. That confession was also a gamble. We could have drifted apart and become strangers to each other. That’s the thing I don’t want to happen.”

“But…”

“Yume,” Seta chided.” Those two already made their decisions. There’s nothing we can do about that. Let’s just focus on making Fuyu happy, okay?”

“Fine…” Like a sulking kid, Noguchi sat down.

“I’d appreciate it if you guys keep this on the dark. I think this will just be troublesome if people know about it.”

Haru shuddered at the thought if people found out Ayako got rejected. He was pretty sure Takata would be killed.

“Well, you have our word.” Adachi said. He then looked towards Haru. “You heard the lady, Shiraishi.”

Before Haru could say anything, Ayako spoke up first. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about Haru. He’s actually the first one to know I got rejected.”

Ayako told the story of how Haru basically watched and eavesdropped while she was getting rejected.

“Hey, why are you making it sound like I’m a stalker?”

“Hehe, maybe you are one.” She mischievously smiled.

And with that, Ayako and Takata’s situation was revealed and resolved. Although there still was some awkwardness left between the two, Haru was sure that they’d be back to normal with time.

Afterwards, the group started to eat and goof around. With Ayako being occupied by the two girls while the other boys occasionally joining in, Haru found himself being left alone. He was fine with it, though. After all, he was an outsider.

Time to leave, I guess. But before Haru could he was going to the toilet, Ayako spoke first.

“Then how about we all go out somewhere? We really haven’t hangout as a group for like almost two months now. What do you guys say?”

“I’m down!” Noguchi raised her hand enthusiastically while the others also nodded in agreement. “I want to go to an amusement park!”

“An amusement park, huh? I’m down for it!”

“Well, you guys have plan on Saturday? It might be the only time I’ll be free since there are some upcoming events.” Takata said. The only event Haru could think of was Valentine’s Day, and he wasn’t looking forward to it.

Everybody seemed to have no other plans, so they decided to go out on Saturday. When he looked at Ayako, she smiled towards him as if there was something more than just playing around in the amusement park.

Well, it’s not like I’m coming.

“Shiraishi, you’re relatively new to this city, right? Do you know where that place is?” Seta asked.

“Huh?” Haru had only been in the city for around six months, and he was surprised Seta knew that. Obviously, he could go to that amusement park easily especially with the help of modern technology.

But another thing that surprised him was as if she was asking if he would come.

“Yeah, I can easily go there. But why are you asking?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Aren’t you coming?” Ayako asked.

“Huh? Of course, I’m not coming. This is your thing.”

Haru wasn’t part of their group in the first place. Even if he were, he’d rather spend the weekends playing with his little sister.

Ayako looked at him with an annoyance on her face. She then came close to him, placed her head near her ear, and whispered, “I told you you’re my wingman, right? I’ve got a plan and I need your help. Please, it’s gonna be hard by myself…” She then pressed her hands together as if begging for his help.

“F-Fine…”

Ayako smiled happily as she returned back to her seat victorious.

“Wow, you cave in easily. No wonder Fuyu likes to keep you around.”

“S-Shut up…”

The only reason Haru caved in was because of pressure he felt. Being whispered by Ayako made him feel all kind of stuff and with everyone looking at him, he had no choice but to accept so he could end his suffering.

“Well, it’s decided then. We’ll meet up at the entrance of the park on Saturday morning. Any objections?”

Haru slowly raised his hand but immediately stopped as Ayako’s gaze at him felt like more trouble would come to him.

I’m sorry, Hiroko. Looks like I’m not gonna spend Saturday with you.

*******

The higher ups are considering something new for Valentine’s Day.” Tachibana-sensei announced. “Each class will do their own event for Valentine’s Day, and I need two representatives to join the other classes to talk about what to do.”

Everybody groaned at the idea of being a representative. “I know, I know, this is really a hassle, but it is what it is.” Tachibana-sensei was laid back as usual.

“But sensei,” one of the girls in front started. “I can’t be a representative; our club is focusing on the tournament that’s coming soon.” As soon as she finished saying those, others followed suit. Well, it was true. Clubs were very busy at this time of the year, especially the sports clubs.

Tachibana-sensei mulled and scanned the room for a moment. “Who are the people who didn’t join any club? Please raise your hand.”

Haru’s fellow club members, The Go Home Club, raised their hands. He didn’t want to raise his hand, but Tachibana-sensei knew that he didn’t join any club, evident by him looking at Haru. He must have seen him always going home early.

Scanning the room, it seemed majority of his classmate joined a club or had extracurricular activities. Surprisingly, there were only few students who didn’t join a club. Even more surprising was the girl in front of him raising her hand.

There’s no way I’ll get pick, right? Haru didn’t look Tachibana in the eye, fearing he might get called out.

“Sensei, I volunteer!” Ayako announced.

“A volunteer, that’s better. Come up here in front.” Tachibana-sensei beckoned. “We need one more. Preferably, a boy.”

“I volunteer!”

“I volunteer!”

“I volunteer!”

After he spoke, almost all the boys in the classroom raised their hands. Even the one who mentioned they were busy with their clubs also wanted to volunteer.

Such was the power of one of the most beautiful girls in the school. Haru was pretty sure at this point that if she asked any of the boys for something, even if it was downright impossible, they’d happily obliged.

“Well, Ayako, the stage is yours. Choose who gets to be your partner.”

“Why’d you have to put pressure on me, Sensei…”

Being chosen by Ayako would be a double-edged sword. On one side, you’d get death stares from jealous boys, and on the other side, you’d be spending time with Ayako. Both deadly for the average boy.

As Ayako looked around the room, her eyes landed on the furthest boy at the back.

Please, don’t do this. Aaaaand she already made up her mind.

With a wide grin, Ayako pointed at Haru. “Sensei, I choose Haru to be my partner!”

The spotlight had featured him again as everyone turned their head to look at him. Most, if not, all of the boys faces looked at him with jealousy. One of them even broke a pencil as he looked at Haru.

I’m seriously gonna smack this girl.

“Not bad, Ayako.” Tachibana-sensei nodded. “Come up here, Shiraishi.”

“Sensei, please choose another. There are literally ten guys who are raising their hands.”

Tachibana-sensei smile for some reason. “Well, this is unexpected. Never thought the day would come someone would reject Ayako.”

“It’s fine, sensei. I understand if he doesn’t want to be my partner…” she lowered her head and sniffed loudly. Even from the perspectiveo f Haru, she looked like she was crying.

It was clearly a bait, but the rest of the boys took it. They looked at Haru as if they wanted to hurt him badly.

“Who are you to make Fuyuki cry, huh?”

“Are you rejecting Fuyki, huh?”

“Get your ass up there before we drag your ass up there!”

“Fine, fine!”

With the threat of the entire class, Haru went to the podium. There, she found Ayako grinned and raise her hand into a V.

“Alright everyone, this is your two new representatives for the Valentine’s Day event. Make sure to follow their orders as they are also your leaders in the said event.”

Tachibana-sensei yawned. “Now go on and talk about what you want to do for Valentine’s Day.”

“You heard sensei! Haru, you man the blackboard and I’ll man the podium. Let's do our best, okay?” Ayako smiled.

“We’re going to take three suggestions on what you guys want to do on Valentine’s Day!” Ayako announced. “Well, let me start it with this one: A wedding photo booth!” she said with a smug face.

Wedding photo booth? Haru wrote the word down on the blackboard.

“I’ve never heard of that.”

“It’s just as what the name implies. We’ll setup a booth where the students will get to wear wedding dress and suits.”

Tachibana-sensei eyed curiously. “I’ll allow it.”

“Are there any more suggestions?”

One hand from the back was raised. It was Takata. “I’d recommend something like a cupid’s café. The girls and boys will wear angel-like costumes and we serve them with some Valentine’s Day theme foods.”

“All right. Write that down, Haru.” Ayako commanded. “Anything else?”

Nobody else raised their hand.

“Alright, now time to vote. Just raise your hand if that’s what you want. Only one vote per person, okay?”

In the end, the café won the most votes. It made sense, too, as doing a café had been tried and tested while Ayako’s suggestion was different from the norm.

“Alright, that should be enough. There’s a general meeting later for the Valentine’s Day event, so I will be expecting you two there.”

“Sensei, I’ll do my best!” Ayako announced.

“Sensei, do I not get any say in this?”

“It’s futile, Shiraishi. Think of this as a learning experience. The meeting will be later after class. I’ll be there, too, so don’t worry, I’ll suffer with you.” The class chuckled at what he said. Tachibana-sensei then picked up his stuff and quickly exited the classroom as the bell rang.

“So, I guess we’re going together later, huh?” she smiled excitedly.

“What are you so happy about?”

“Well, this is my opportunity to get them together. It's why I volunteer in the first place. I’ll plan something out for those two!” Ayako was talking about Seta and Takai as those t wo had mutual feelings.

“Are you really sure you want those two to become an item?”

“ I'd be lying if I say I'm completely fine with them being a couple but I'd rather support him, you know? Besides, Umi is a great person, and so is Sora. They’ll make a great couple.” Ayako smiled but I could see her wistful eyes suggesting otherwise.

Well, if she cried so much for him, I guess it won’t be that fast for her to move on.

“Anyway, I’ll be eating with Umi and Yume, so see you later!” Ayako left the classroom.

Good. Nothing beats eating in peace.

***

By the time the meeting was done, it was already close to night. Everyone was there including the third-years and the teachers.

The first thing they talked about was the rules and regulation of the Valentine’s Day event. The said event was strictly only for the students at this school. Everyone could wear the clothes they want to wear if they followed proper dress codes.

For the main event, students were to prepare any activities that would make the event lively. Of course, the theme would be about Valentine’s Day or love. They would show what they want to do so as not to overlap with other classes' ideas.

The most popular suggestion was a maid cafe style. It was really easy because you only need tables, few decorations and waiter/waitress. Not only that, but you could also generate some profit if the café became popular. The labor would come from the students, so there weren’t really any expenses that needed to be paid.

“So, we’re really doing a cupid café, huh?” Ayako said as they walked together in the halls of the school.

“Well, it should be easy enough. Besides, our cupid café will be a hit with you being there.”

“Huh?” Ayako tilted her head. “What does that have to do with me?”

“Well, don’t play dumb. You’re pretty. I’m sure people will come just to see you in a cupid costume.”

Ayako stopped walking. There was a tinge of red in her cheeks. “Didn’t know you think of me as pretty.” Ayako grinned as if teasing him.

“I-It’s not my opinion, it’s just a fact. You must be real pretty to have a hundred of men confess their love to you.”

Ayako looked at him, amused. “Then do you think I’m pretty?”

Haru pondered the answer for a moment. She was pretty but he couldn’t just tell her that otherwise she’d just tease him like earlier. But telling her she wasn’t pretty seemed like a harsh thing to say to a girl.

“You’re the second most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

“Let me guess, first is your little sister.”

Haru nodded happily.

“Well, I expected as much. Even I agree I can’t compare to Hiroko’s cuteness.”

"I'm glad you know you're place." 

“Well, I’ll see you on Saturday, I guess. You better be there, you hear me?” Ayako said before running away.