Impending Devotion

Chapter Two

As I reached the rooftop, I spotted Takabayashi who was having lunch here as well. So, I just decided to go talk to him and eat with him. "Hey Takabayahsi-kun! Mind if I joined you?"

He faces me and it looked like he didn't expect me to have lunch on the rooftop, alone even. "Even if I'm nearly done with my lunch, go ahead." he smiles.

As he finished his meal and kept his things, he pulls out a book to read. I just watched him do so as I still try to finish my own lunch. "You're always reading books, aren't you Takabayashi?  " I suddenly say.

"Well, it's an activity which I enjoy the most..." he comments.

"You should make some friends." I say as I look at him worriedly.

I just don't like seeing some good people being alone. I mean, Takabayashi could be a very good conversation starter, or a great friend to put your trust in! It's just sad seeing him like nobody ever knew he existed.

"It's okay... You're the one who always talks to me, Hanazawa."

"Well, you're always alone, after all..."

He snickers as he then places a bookmark in between the pages and closes his book to talk to me properly, "Does everyone go around to talk to people who are alone?"

"I wouldn't say that. But..." I sigh dejectedly, but then notice something about his book, "Oh! That brings back memories! So that series already has that many volumes now?!"

"What?" he cocks a brow at me in confusion.

I pointed to his book, "I also liked this series in Junior High, although I haven't read as much as I used to since I started high school..."

"So you were a book worm even though you don't look that smart?" he teased.

"Hey!" I pout, " I'll give you some recommendations another time."

"Okay... Tell me all about them..." Takabayashi places his chin on the palm of his hand and props it on his knee like he's eager to listen, "I want to know more about what kinds of things you like, Hanazawa..."

It kind of made me giddy to share my likes to Takabayashi. But most especially because we were talking about books. But then, something else caught my attention as I looked closely at his face.

Huh? I never realized that this guy is actually really good-looking...

"Wow! Are these glasses just for show?" I say as I unconsciously grab his glasses.

"Yeah, so?"

"So?! Really! That's amazing! You really look cool!" I compliment him enthusiastically, "Why do you hide your face when you're so good-looking? It's such a waste to wear glasses and keep your head down. You'd be popular right away Takabayashi-kun!"

"I thought as much."

He thought as much?

"If you're the one saying that, then I guess I'll try putting in a little effort. I'll stop trying out various methods too. There's something I want no matter what, after all..." he mumbles as he takes the glasses away from me and puts them back on again.

"Huh? What are you talking about Takabayashi-kun?"

"Nothing, really..." he shrugs and just smiles at me.

"Hehehe... You're a weird guy Takabayashi-kun... But, you're really cool..."

"Thank you..."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

After classes ended for the day, Oshiro brought me to the rooftop to discuss something... I grew nervous, thinking that he might actually confess to me or something. I then start to blush at my own thoughts.

"Hanazawa-san?" he asks me with his back turned as he gazes at the sunset.

"Y-Yes Oshiro-k-kun?!" I stutter.

"I want to ask something of you..."

"Wh-What is it?"

"You see..." he faces me and scratches the back of his neck nervously.

Gulp...

"Do you know Koizumi Hinako?"

What?

"You mean that talented violinist in the third year?"

"Yeah... Her..." Oshiro had a shy look on his face. I didn't like where this was going...

"What about Koizumi-senpai?" I didn't even want to know the answer, but I asked.

"Well... I was thinking if you'd help me get her attention or something?"

"So... In other words... You like her?"

He scratched his head, feeling embarrassed, "Yeah... I-Is it that obvious?"

"Well, it is, considering on how you're acting right now." I tease him, even though I was falling apart on the inside.

"Well, yeah... I-I was hoping to make her my girlfriend... Would you help me make this plan a success?" he asks me with a sincere smile that I wish he'd only show to me and not to any other girl.

"I'd love to help~!" I smile brightly at him.

Why her? Why not me?

"Alright! Thanks Hanazawa! I knew I could count on you! You're the best gal friend a guy could ever have!" he ran in to give me a big hug.

I want to stay in this warm embrace. I never want to let go. I want it to be me that he'd confess to, to be his girlfriend. But I was clearly friend-zoned...

"Awe... That's too much... I just love my friends..." I laugh at him, but I was really hurting right now.

Actually... I love you, Oshiro-kun... But, I guess that it's too late for that now, huh?

He then explained the plan, and I listened and didn't dare to show any signs of sadness. But actually, instead of staying, I just wanted him to leave me already so I can cry my eyes out. This was just too much for me to handle.

Going home, I went to the park near my house and sat on the swing, trying to take up everything that happened today. Of course, what happened with Oshiro affected me deeply. My heart was broken and shattered into billions of tiny little pieces...

I had a hard time recovering, so I sat for hours on that swing in the dark empty park. I just felt so lifeless and so heavy that I even thought about not going to school anymore. But I thought twice about what to really do, and made myself understand that not attending school just because of a broken heart would be really stupid of me.

As long as I have my other friends, I'm alright. I don't need Oshiro or a boyfriend to feel loved. Besides! Friendship is the greatest gift of all! Yeah!

After gaining back my lost self-confidence, I decided to walk back home...

Friendship is better than romantic love after all!