1 A Fateful Encounter

Hi, the name's Kaori Akari. I would have never guessed that I would finally fall in love with someone. I never fell for anyone really during my elementary and middle school days. Just had those short crushes. But that all changed today.

"Crap! I'm late for school! Jeez, I forgot to set my alarm clock last night. If I run as fast as I can, I might be able to get there on time."

I was running like a dog chasing after a cat. I didn't stop at all. I turned left, right down the street dodging trash cans and people. As I took a left, however, I ran right into someone. I didn't have time to apologize or even ask for their name. The only thing I saw of him was metal earrings shaped like snowflakes. In the end, however, I didn't make it to school on time. One of the hall monitors caught me and sent me to the principal's office. My punishment for being late, cleaning the pool.

"Akari, why were you so late to school today!" -Hina

"Yeah, your not the type to come to school late." -Yui

Hina and Yui, my two best friends. We've been together since the third grade. We're basically sisters at this point. Hina is very athletic and can do any sport you give her. Yui is a very quiet person but is very smart. And I, Kaori Akari, have an aggressive personality. We're total opposites but for some reason, get along pretty well.

"Well, I was running as fast as I could to school, but I ran into some guy on a left turn." -Akari

"What does he look like, is he cute, what's his name?!" -Hina and Yui

"I don't know. I just ran into him and bolted off. I couldn't afford to be late for school." -Akari

"But you were late in the end." -Hina

"The only thing that I remember from him was that he was wearing snowflake earrings." -Akari

"That's kinda random." -Hina

"Maybe he just likes snowflakes!" -Yui

"How close to school were you when you ran into that guy?" -Hina

"I think I just had to take a left and I would be at school." -Akari

"Then most likely, he also goes to this school." -Yui

"Yeah! Just look at every single guy's ear and you could find the guy you ran into." -Hina

"Wait, why would I try and find him?!" -Akari

"Because you have to say sorry to him since you ran into him and most likely made him late for school as well! He could also be some hottie that you'd fall for and even want to kiss!" -Hina

"Eww, gross! You know I would never fall for someone." -Akari

Hina was right, however. I should at least say sorry to him.

School continued I was wondering how I could find the guy I ran into. Hina suggested waiting in front of the boy's bathroom and look to see who was wearing those earrings. Of course, I didn't do that. Yui suggested that I should ask people if they know someone who wore snowflake earrings. I thought about it but thought that might make me look like a stalker. I just gave up and decided not to find him.

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"Akari wanna come to the soccer field with me! There's a game today and I'm planning on winning it!" -Hina

"Can't. Have to clean the pool remember." -Akari

"Alright, see you tomorrow then! Yui, let's get going before the other players do. I wanna get a warm-up in before the game." -Hina

"Wait, why me!" -Yui

And off Hina and Yui went.

Cleaning the pool sucks. It was dirty and filled with trash students leave behind during lunch. I had to empty the pool and start scrubbing all by myself. While I was scrubbing, a man walked in. Turns out he was the school idol, Watanabe Astuki! He had golden blond hair, was tall, and had good looks. I thought it was kind of strange seeing him here. Usually, he goes to the arcade with his friends after school. I decided to ask him.

"Hey, Prince, what brings you here." -Akari

"Hey, I was late today for school and they told me I had to clean the pool." -Atsuki

I thought that maybe he was the guy I ran into. I had to make sure it was him. I looked at his ears. He was wearing the same snowflake earrings like the ones I saw this morning!

"Oh wait! That's why you look familiar. You're the girl that ran into me today" -Atsuki

"I'm so sorry! I was in a rush and wasn't watching where I was going!" -Akari

"Oh, no it's fine. It was my fault for leaving my house late." -Atsuki

I was so surprised that the person I ran into was the school idol Watanabe Astuki. I didn't know what to do or day. I just stood there blushing.

"Hey, let's finish cleaning the pool together. I kinda wanna get some food after this. I ran so fast, I dropped my lunch somewhere on the way." -Astuki

"Okay!" -Akari

Astuki and I grabbed the brooms and started cleaning. It took us two hours to clean the entire pool. I was so tired that I couldn't stand anymore and sat against the wall. I glanced at Astuki. He was putting away the equipment. I thought I should formally say sorry to him.

"Hey, Wata-" -Akari

"Call me Astuki." -Atsuki

What! He wants me to call him by his first name!

"By the way, what's your name? I forgot to ask when we were talking." -Atsuki

"Kaori Akari" - Akari

"Then, I'll call you Akari from now on."

I blushed immediately. Watanabe Astuki, the school idol, just called me by my first name!

"A-a-astuki! -Akari

"Yeah" -Atsuki

"I am really sorry about today and I will find a way to make it up to you!"

"I told you already, don't sweat it. It was my fault in the first place." -Astuki

"But I have to do something for the person I caused trouble for!" -Akari

"Then, can you come with me to get food? Eating alone is kinda sad" -Atsuki

"I-If that's all you want then fine, I will go with you." Akari

"Awesome! I know the best noodle shop in all of Tokyo. Let's go!"

Astuki and I left school and went to the noodle shop he was talking about. Atsuki was right, this was the best noodle shop I have ever eaten at. I ordered a normal bowl of ramen and it tasted as a five-star chef cooked it. After we ate, Atsuki said that he had to hurry home because his dad called. We said bye and went home. When I got home, I walked upstairs, shut my room closed. I sat down in my bed and closed my eyes. I couldn't take in everything that just happened. Astuki was a kind guy and had a very charming charisma. I can't believe Hina was right. The guy I ran into today was a hottie that I would fall for. This was the first time I've fully fallen for someone. I couldn't tell what was going on inside me. What was this feeling? It was like no other. I felt warm and fuzzy, like sitting in front of a warm fire with a cotton blanket wrapped around me. The feeling wouldn't go away. That night I fell asleep knowing that today was a day like no other. I wished today never ended. Thanks to that fateful encounter, this could be one wild ride.