A Regular Day

 One week. No Hana.

No idea where the photos ended up. Great.

My eyes closed as I sat under the blazing sun, dressed in a white shirt and shorts—your typical gym clothes.

Wait... what if someone put a bounty on me and sent her after me? Maybe the rumors are true.

* "Do you believe everything you hear?"

Or not.

What if she took an interest in me after reading the diary?

Yeah, keep dreaming. Delusion is the solution.

I shook my head. Before I could continue—

Someone jumped on me from behind.

" Masato-kun, GoOd MoRnIng."

The other problem: Haruto Kurosawa.

"Greet me like a normal person, monkey."

"It's hot.. Let me cool down."

He wiped sweat off his forehead.

"Get off. You're soaking wet."

"Okayyyyyyyy, such a boreee."

His shoulders slumped as he got off and sat beside me.

"What's up with you and Aoi Hana? Got a degradation kink or something?"

"Huh?! Nooooo."

"So you like being dominated..tehehe, A....masochist."

"Keep your fantasies to yourself."

" Fantasies? I have photographic evidence."

He pulled out his phone and scrolled to the picture, a smug grin spreading across his face.

" See? The cliché start of an enemies-to-lovers type of story."

" Delete that photo."

"Nuh-Uhh. You both look so cute."

"Gonna blackmail me now?"

"I'm the type of guy who'd do anything for his goals."

"So you're a piece of trash."

"Piece of trash? You think so low of me...."

He clutched his chest, pretending to be deeply wounded, even leaning his head on my shoulder—professional-level acting.

" Stop with your absurd act—"

He's distracted. I can delete the photo.

My hand crept toward his, fingers poised to snatch the phone.

A little... more.

He jerked his arm away at the last second, leaving me grabbing air.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Masato-kun. So close, my life was almost yours."

"Over-actor. Were you in the drama club, or did they drop you as a baby?"

He leaned in.

" Hehheehe....curious about me? I was on the basketball team, we even made regionals.

I tried again, but his arm slipped away. Instead, my hand landed on his chest.

"Masato-kun, you naughty boyyyy."

He fumbled with his collar, his gaze flickering downward.

" WHAT?"

I looked up. Two girls gasped.

"Masato-kun and Kurosawa-kun? Oh my—"

Their voices bellowed across the ground.

"—Wait...are they—"

Whispers spread like wildfire.

"Congratulations, Masato-kun."

Girls began surrounding us.

My ears burned red

"I'M NOT GAYYYY."

My voice echoed across the school.

A whistle blew. A large shadow blocked the sun.

"What's all the commotion?"

The P.E teacher stepped in.

"Masato and Kurosawa—ten laps. Now."

"But I—"

"No buts. Start running. The rest of you—five laps."

"Huh! Why us?!"

They protested in unison.

Everyone snickered as Haruto and I started running side by side.

I glanced down at the sandy ground. A strange warmth spread through my chest.

"You really had to shout? Masato-kun."

"If you had deleted the photo, we wouldn't be here."

"You're just an embarrassed kid under that 'don't-approach-me' vibe."

" Just delete the pic."

"On one condition. Let me call yaa Haruki from now on."

"....Fine. just delete it."

"There."

He smirked as he deleted it.

Better than having him roam around with that pic.

Lunch. Please be better.

We got back just in time.

Lunch on the roof. Perfect.

As I opened the door,  a strong breeze greeted me. The roof was enclosed with metal fencing.

I sat down, leaning against it, and took out my lunch

Before I could take a bite, the door opened.

The same cascading brown hair. Sharp chiseled eyes. Slim build.

"Aoi Hana—!"

I covered my mouth.

She looked up.

Her slumped posture straightened instantly.

Lunch is gonna be interesting today.

"Great. I gotta deal with Mr I'll write that down in my diary?" She asked with her usual gruff voice.

"I? What are you doing here?"

"I was here first. Leave."

"Ain't happening."

"You. Me. And another round of tango."

"You like my body that much?"

I placed a hand on my chest.

"Keep dreaming."

"Or are you interested in me? Reading my personal diary... even keeping pictures?"

" Only an idiot leaves his diary out and expects mercy."

"...Can we just eat in peace?"

She paused, then suddenly leaned in, pinning me against the fence. Her face inches away from mine. Our eyes met.

"Try anything funny and I'll knock your teeth out."

She sat down beside me.

Like hell I'll try something with herrr.

 My fingers fidgeted as I gripped my chopsticks. I adjusted my collar again. I shifted away.

She grabbed me.

" Sit still."

I froze upright.

Everything slowed. I stole glances at her as she ate quietly

Then—

"Haruki, can I ask you something?"

Her gaze shifted.

"Hmm."

"Do you like eating here?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Her eyes gleamed. I took a slow breath and answered.

"Eating out here feels....free. Like the birds flying. The breeze, the quiet—no one watching.

" Not bad. Even fools can use brains."

"Says the girl who uses her fists more than her brain."

She raised her fist.

"Say that again," she warned

I shook my head quietly.

"Aoi san—"

" It's Hana, never use my family name."

"Hana-san, why do you eat here?"

"The people down there annoy me—"

Figures

".....And I don't wanna get lost under this blue sky."

I blinked rapidly

" Lost? Under the blue sky?"

" I wanna stay in touch with reality."

Silence.

" I...don—"

I cleared my throat.

"Running with gangs doesn't really keep you grounded."

" Shut up, you wouldn't understand. A kid who still keeps a diary."

"So you're a shy teenager under all that delinquent act."

A faint blush appeared on her face, vanishing as quickly as it occurred.

Before the conversation could continue, she stood up and said

"Lunch is over, I'm leaving."

"But the bell hasn't rung yet."

She paused for a second before walking away.

She wasn't all threats and fists. Even delinquents can be cute.

Not long after the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

Returning to the classroom, I was met with the grim look of Haruto.

"Where did you vanish during lunch?"

"On the roof."

"Woah really. Were you alone or was there someon—"

"There was no one, and I mean it — no one."

He smirked and said nothing more.

That should be it for today. I've hit my social limits.

It wasn't. Rest of the day went by as usual.

Haruto and others left.

I took out my diary, dictating today's events.

Today feels like a safe day to write.

After a while, I went down to my locker. Changing my shoes.

At that moment, a loud, resounding sound came from the gymnasium.

What the hell was that? Should I check it out? What if someone's hurt?

Every time! Every time I sit down to write my diary. Destiny tells me to pack it up and be ready.

I rushed over to the gymnasium on instinct.

I twisted the doorknob.

It's unlocked.

I entered.

inside—dark. Only sunlight filtered through the roof.

A girl with a basketball in her hands stood beside a broken hoop.

" Are... you.... okay?"

My breath ragged.

She turned. Her emerald eyes glimmered under the light.

Her only answer was—

"Who are you?"