Was This Really the End?

Even though Nanako hadn't mentioned Jun from the start of their reunion dinner, she was still curious. Himari had told her about the surprise phone call from Jun last night.

It seemed like, Jun managed to get Himari's phone number after persuading the class monitor. The phone number was listed in a document a few days ago.

Himari was horrified. How could Nanako think like that?

Although her friend was worried about her, she didn't have to think that far.

"Kazuya wants to meet me, saying he has something to tell me," Himari told her the truth, "He's here already so, I'm going home with him."

This time, Nanako was surprised before a mischievous grin was plastered on her face.

"Oh, I see... Okay, go on now. Have fun~"

Himari shot her a glare. She slung the long strap of her bag over the shoulder. After making sure she didn't forget something, Himari waved goodbye at the people with who she had a better relationship.

"You're going home now?" The class monitor asked.

Himari nodded with a smile, "I have something to do. Thank you for inviting me."

"Ah, the night is still young? Couldn't you postpone that matter?" said the class monitor despondently.

After the event in this hotel, they planned to go karaoke-ing in the nearby KTV. Since tomorrow was the start of Golden Week, they didn't have to worry about waking up late in the morning.

The only ones who were going home early were the few ones who had gotten married.

"Sorry," Himari gave him an apologetic smile, "I already promise someone."

"Well, it's nothing we can do then. Alright, be careful on your way home," The class monitor finally relented.

"Hehe, thank you."

Himari turned around on her heels, getting ready to leave when a loud voice abruptly echoed in the room.

"Why do you go home so fast? We're just started playing!"

Himari felt an urge to roll her eyes. She glanced behind her shoulders, staring at Tomoko who, once again, trying to make things difficult for her.

"While you're so free, I have other better things to do," retorted Himari.

Her response made some of them coughed awkwardly while the others laughed.

Tomoko's face was flushed red. Himari ignored her. She smiled and waved goodbye to the others before she walked out of the private room.

As her figure left the room, Jun abruptly stood up, making some of their friends look at him.

"Don't tell me you want to go chase after her, Jun? She didn't even bother to look at you," Tomoko scoffed.

"You two have broken up. Don't think about her anymore. I think she really has someone else now," Another one of his friends chimed in.

"Jun, let's keep playing?" whispered Kikyo from his side. She gently tugged on his long sleeve, "It's rare for all of us to gather together."

Jun swallowed his words. As he saw that Himari never paid him any attention right from the start, he didn't know what should he do next.

Was this really the end?

Outside the room, Himari was walking down the hallway. Her mind wandered as she thought of what would Kazuya tell her tonight.

Was it really an urgent matter?

It not, he wouldn't suddenly ask to see her tonight without prior notice.

While she was walking, a tall figure of a man entered the hallway from the intersection leading to the elevators. Himari was surprised when she saw it was actually Kazuya.

"Didn't you say you would wait downstairs?" Himari laughed while quickening her speed.

Kazuya took larger strides to get to her faster. They met in the middle.

He answered with a smirk, "Moving around helps me to digest better."

Himari shook her head in helplessness. As time went by, she found that sometimes this man could be funny and lame at the same time.

"How's your wound? Does it get better?" Kazuya quietly looked at her in the light yellow dress.

Enchanting.

Like daffodils.

"The scabs haven't fallen off on their own," Himari ran her fingers over the bangs that concealed the scabbed wound from being seen. She laughed softly, "I have to diligently apply the scar removal cream after this."

Kazuya's eyes were sharp as he intently looked at the wound on one side of her forehead. He moved his hands as the urge to brush her bangs aside suddenly rose within him. Yet, he hesitated before he awkwardly let his hands dangled by his sides.

"Don't pick at the scabs. Else, it would take longer for your wound to heal," He said after a while.

Himari broke into laughter, "Are you treating me like Chiharu? I bet she would be restless whenever she's injured."

"It happens all the time," Kazuya sighed, "I have to use cute plasters to avoid her from picking on the scabs."

Once again, Himari's laugh echoed in the hallway. She could already picture the scene.

Then, they headed to the elevator together.

"Have fun at the reunion?" Kazuya lowered his gaze to her.

"Pretty good, even though there are some people that I'd rather not meet again," Himari shrugged as she was being truthful.

Both of them walked side by side, heading to the elevators. There was still a tiny gap between them but, they appeared so close to the passers-by.

Kazuya kept his eyes on her face. The corners of his lips hooked up as he looked at her from a taller point of view.

Her eyelashes looked like two small fans fluttering every time she blinked, casting faint shadows under her eyes.

"Is your..."

"Ah! What do you want to tell me about? Something important?"

Himari's sudden realization drowned Kazuya's quiet voice. Tilting up her chin, she curiously looked at the man beside her.

Kazuya drew a faint smile, "Well, it's not really important but, I kind of want you to know about it."

Himari got more confused, "Know about what?"

Kazuya stifled a smile. He laughed quietly, "Don't worry. It's not something urgent. Do you fancy a talk while walking under the twinkling cherry blossom trees? If I'm not mistaken, 'Sakura Under the Lights' is a new attraction nearby here."

"Do you mean the lights show?"

"Yes."

'Sakura Under the Lights' involved a street with blooming cherry blossoms on either side of the street. Various small lights in different shape bulbs adorned each of the trees, illuminating the entire street with the lights.

It was kind of similar to Kaiyo River Park at nightfall.

"Okay, let's go there," Himari agreed without asking more.

Kazuya's eyes were tender as he saw the anticipation in her smile.

They stopped in front of the elevator. Kazuya reached out a hand to push the button. They patiently stood waiting for the elevator to arrive.

"Himari!"

The loud voice reverberated in the hallway, startling both Himari and Kazuya. They turned around only to find a man who was panting slightly behind them.

Himari was instantly surprised.

"...Jun?"

Why did he suddenly appear here? Didn't he was busy being flocked by the other classmates?

Kazuya shifted his gaze from Himari who was frowning to the man who called out her name. Doubt filled his heart as an assumption flashed in his mind.

Was this the ex-boyfriend that she mentioned before?

The one that she said she broke up in this hotel?

"Himari, let's talk," Jun walked forward.

His gaze was fixated on Himari without even acknowledging the tall man beside her. Jun reached out a hand, wanting to grab her wrist before the tall man took a step toward and shielded Himari against him.

Jun narrowed his eyes. His gaze was sharp, "Move aside."

Kazuya ignored him. He took a glance at Himari behind his shoulders, "Do you want to talk to him?"

Himari pursed her lips, contemplating over the two choices; either to agree or not.

In the end, she gave Kazuya a light nod.

"Just a moment."

Kazuya complied with her decision. He stepped aside from concealing her from the man. But, Kazuya still stood close to her as if he was afraid that man would do something untoward to the lady in the yellow dress.

Jun was displeased when he saw the man was still with Himari but he swallowed down his bitterness.

With his eyes on her, he spoke, "Can't we have a talk between us?"

"If it's about getting back together, I think I've made myself clear last night," Himari answered without blinking her eyes.

Jun's eyes darted to the man next to Himari. Even though he didn't know who was this man, he knew this man was the same one photographed with Himari in Nanako's photos.

What was their true relationship? Was it really like how the others perceived?

No!

He refused to believe that!

He had come back.

Why couldn't they start all over again?

Even until now, he still remembered the first time he really noticed her in high school.

The girl was quiet and never liked to put people's eyes on her.

At that time, he had just finished playing with his classmates on the basketball court. He saw her after passing the field to go to the class building.

She was sitting on a bench under a tree, silently working on her homework. Her long hair gathered into a high ponytail, the dark locks rested on one of her shoulders.

She looked really well-behaved yet withdrawn from the world.

Since that time, little by little, he began to take more notice of her.

Until he mustered up all of his courage to confess to her.