The Story of You and Me - Book 1

Lesson3: Unrequited (prt1)

At Nakahara's mansion, everyone gathers in celebration of Keisuke's 16th birthday. Keisuke's family doesn't only know how to earn money but also how to spend it, their wealth is reflected by the opulent party.

"Kei-kun, why are you outside here all alone? Are you alright?" – Saki asked Keisuke who is sitting on one of the benches in the garden.

"I came out here to take some fresh air" – Keisuke said while holding a glass of juice.

"You look upset, is there something that matters?"

"That idiot Hideya, he said he will come, and yet he is not here. When I see him on Monday I'm gonna give him a what for" – Keisuke whispered "I can't believe that I'm actually disappointed because he didn't come as he promised"

"Hey, Are you listening to me?"

"I'm sorry Saki, I'm not feeling well" - he said as he let out a heavy sigh.

"Have you stayed up all night studying again?" – Saki said as she sat down beside Keisuke and touches his forehead "You don't seem to have a fever"

"N-no" – Keisuke stands up.

"By the way, I have this, a gift for you. I hope you will like it" – Saki as she handed over a small box wrapped in blue paper.

"Thank you, is it okay for me to open it now?"

"Sure"

Keisuke opens the gift and was surprised to see a small handmade frame with a picture of him, Saki, and Shohei when they were little. The box also includes cookies.

"I don't know what else to give you" - Saki said knowing that Keisuke almost has all the material things that anyone could ever want "So I decided to make my gift for you by hand, I'm sorry if they don't look that good but I really tried my best when making them" – Saki said as she blushes.

Keisuke stares at the gift "Saki, I-I don't know what to say"

"You don't like it?"

"No no no, I really like it actually I love it! Thank you!" – Keisuke smiled. He takes a bite in one of the cookies "It tastes good!"

"Really? Thank goodness" – Saki said "Kei-kun, also there's something I want to tell you"

"What is it?"

At first, she hesitate to say a word to his childhood friend but later Saki gathers all her courage and said "I-I lov- I love you!"

At the exact same time, Hideya just got in and saw them so he decided to hide and watch what is going on "So she did take my advice" - Hideya whispered.

Shocked by what Saki told him Keisuke wasn't able to respond right away, he stares at his childhood friend who at that time is shaking after confessing her feelings.

"Uhm"

She continues by saying "I love you ever since we were little, Kei-kun will you be my boyfriend?" 

When Hideya heard it his face unconsciously frowns "Maybe I'll return later" – he said as he suddenly feels something is aching. Is it his head? His stomach? His chest? He can't identify, he just want to get out there as soon as possible.

Keisuke has a vague knowledge of Saki's feelings but he didn't expect that she will actually say those words to him and doesn't know what to say in response. He stands there doing and saying nothing while holding the box of cookies and the picture frame.

"Keisuke Nakahara, will you be my boyfriend?" – Saki repeated.

The young ginger slowly takes away his eyes from Saki and gently said "I'm sorry Saki but I can't, you are a precious friend to me but I don't feel the same love"