Yume:Dream

Dream Arc | 1.3

Dream Arc - Chapter Three
Curious Over Her

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Sasaki Tsukasa

Another day at school as usual.
As I sat on my table, my classmates surrounded me. I heard them brag about what cool stuff they have and what plans they have for the weekend.

I secretly rolled my eyes at them.
They sounded foolish.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Yume. Spacing out and resting her chin on her palm as always. However, she brought a book today. She was three desks away from me so I couldn't really read the title.

Stay...what?

The only word I managed to get was 'Stay'. There were two words for the title and the author's name on the bottom of the cover. As she relieved out a sigh, Yume closed her book and shoved the book into her drawer before she trailed off outside, going somewhere.

Unconsciously, I stood up and followed her. My classmates stepped back, giving me curious looks. I dismissed them and hurried to the door before I was stopped by a certain girl.

Brunette and short (both height and hair, honestly speaking). A tiny ponytail and twinkling chocolate eyes.

"Koizumi-san.."

This girl is Koizumi Manaka, one of my friends. She gave me puppy-like eyes and smiled ear to ear. I glanced over and saw Yume climbing the stairs to the roof.

Damn, I'll never catch up to her.

"Where are you going, Tsuka-kun?" She asked in a cute tone, as if she were my little sister.

Ironically, I'm the only child.

Koizumi-san was the only who calls me Tsuka-kun in school and outside. Even just by looking at her behavior and the way she talks to me, I can tell she likes me (I'm not bragging). By like, I mean, she's into me. Maybe too much.

She raised a brow when I didn't respond to her. I gulped and split my mouth open, finding the best words to say to her.

"I-I gotta go."

I hit her shoulder by accident and rush to the stairs. She didn't call out to me and I'm guessing she slipped into class right after I left.

The door to the roof opened, a strong breeze blew on me. I managed to stay on the ground without falling back.

Yume stood in the center of the flat roof. Her hand on the air as she gazed up at the clouds. It looked like she was reaching out to it, trying to grab hold of it.

Her hair was blown by the wind in a beautiful way. She didn't seem to care, since her eyes were fixed to the sky.

She curled her hand into a clench like she couldn't reach to it. She pulled her hand and head down and we finally met eye contact. Embarrassed, I averted my gaze.

"Your face is red," Yume said blankly.

"I-I know!" I said, turning my back on her.

While I was thinking on what to say, I suddenly remembered what happened last night at the convenience store.

"I don't even have a family."

Those words caught me off guard. I was completely speechless and I merely stare at her. She smiled, both apologetically and nervously.

She looked down to the wet ground before she lifted her eyes on me.

"I have to go now," she said. She turned her back and left me all alone under the rain. The last thing I saw before she left was a sad and regretful look that I've never seen before.

When I turned my back, she stood in front of me, all blank and curious. I almost jumped back, she surprised me there.

She raised a brow as she crossed her arms on her chest like a teacher who's expecting her student to submit their homework.

"So, you followed me." She said, unsatisfied or angry (since they did sound the same to me).

"I...I was just worried about you," I said. It wasn't entirely a lie, I was worried about her. But Yume doesn't seem to be happy. A frown formed on her lips and she shrugged.

"Thanks, I guess." She said, dismissively. "Anyway, don't try to get involve with me."

This time, I raised a brow. I crossed my arms, trying to imitate the way she's doing it.

"Why not?" I demanded, slightly annoyed. It might sound foolish for me to say this, but all my life, I've been treated like a king by all my friends.

Their business is my business, is what I like to say.

She gave me a cold smile. "Have your parents ever told you to stay out of someone's business?"

I froze and I don't know why. I stood and unable to say anything. I averted my eyes away as my mouth opened. I didn't say a word, much less a sentence.

When I raised my head to look at her again, she was gone. I turned to the stairs and she was going down the stairs.

Not long after, the school bell rang, signalling that lunch has ended.

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