That Mid Spring Feeling [Yakaze Sasa]

[Fujihara Ageha]

Time: 1:00 PM
Date: April 25^th, 2003

---

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

Suffering from a mild bout of hayfever was not how Fujihara wanted to spend the middle of spring, busy in the hustle and bustle of school life. The searing temperatures were asymptomatic of what she expected to be a regular Hikarizaka spring, but the pollen in the air plus the unrelenting heat made this time of the year almost intolerable. Alas, there were just some things people needed to grow accustomed to, including the increasingly harsh weather. Thankfully, it was just inching to that school holiday sweet spot, where school had kind of begun while maintaining a spotty enough schedule to pretend that break never really ended quite yet.

And now, finally, with a warm disposition, a gentle breeze, sunny and clear skies, she ventured out into the park to try and find some place to read. Out of all the places she could read, this was one of her favorites, second to none other than her own cozy little nook for a bedroom. Fujihara was more than content than to clutch onto a light blue book called Bocchan by Soseki Natsume. It was a clever little novel, with lots of humorous tidbits, but she had only just got to the park. She rested tranquilly in the shade of an imposing, ancient, dark oak tree with her legs stretched on the ground, placed upon a queen sized picnic blanket colored a pleasant lime green -- bold in the sunlight yet not blindingly so.

Intent amber brown irises fluttered like butterflies migrating from one wisteria meadow to another wisteria meadow, both lost within long and straight strands of matching verdant locks, which Fujihara then brushed aside to gaze at fresh, crisp cream-colored pages, filled to the brim with beautifully printed black ink still not yet dried. Tucking her hair behind her ears, she resumed reading without a care. Of course, she knew quite selfishly how neglectful and absentminded she was. What if someone accidentally tripped over her legs? While it was very plausible and something that had to be avoided, a soft reassurance slothfully voiced itself in her head, Come on now, your legs are not long enough for it to happen.

Slowly, the internal monologue sapped from her relaxation and enjoyment, and Fujihara sighed. Yet, what if someone ventured far too close to her? she wished to argue back. Yet, even then, she was far too late, far too careless, already capable of feeling someone brushing past her and over her legs, limbs interlocking for what could only be described as a brief moment before a muted thud permeated throughout the air as the unfortunate person tumbled into the soft grass. Thank goodness there was a light shower before hand, softening the ground and glistening the dark jade grass blades with dew drops. Putting away her book, Fujihara wobbly stood up and looked over to the person who had just tripped over her legs and offered a hand.

Wincing, she felt as if her words could not do the poor thing enough justice as she said, "Please forgive me... Are you alright? Do you need help? Were you not hurt too badly?" Oh, dear God, please make sure she didn't make a random stranger hate her because of her folly.

[Yakaze Sasa]

Today was a very sunny day, sunny to the point of when the heat almsot is unbearable, atleast Sasa concidered it to be like that. With nothing better to do in a day like this, he had gone out for some training like people reguarly do on days like this. It was like most other days, boring and stale. On his way home, he figured that he could cross the park. He knew that it would take a bit more time, but he figured that it would be worth it. As he walked through the park, thought just popped up to his head, like for example how many people actually were at the park, event though he knew that there were many people out all day long, he still couldn't quite grip it. When walking through the park, just minding his own buisniess, the sun had started blinding him with its ray of sunlight and it felt like they almost were aiming exactly at him and noone else, so as most people do, he raised his hand covering his eyes to block the sun away while walking. 

Suddenly he felt something touching him, which wasen't the sun or the wind and just seconds later, he noticed how gravity was grabbing on to him, dragging him to the ground. This caught him by suprise and he quickly looked around him to see what just had occured. He ntoiced a girl, about the same age as him offering him help up. quickly figuring out what had happened, he grabbed her hand and got up on his feets. Up on his feet, he started brushing himself off and looking if he had no injuries. 

He looked up to the girl, which seemed concerned. His thoughts where quickly confirmed as she apologized to him. Sasa gave her a vague smile. He was completely alright, he even found it a bit fun that she acted like he could have had any serious injury, as it was quite a small fall. 

"I'm all good, don't worry about it. I suppose you should be more careful of where you sit though." He said as he scratched his cheek. And after a couple of seconds thinking, "And i guess i should be more careful of where i walk" He said as he watched the girl trying to figure out who she was. He had some vague memory that he might had seen her before, but couldn't figure out where exactly.

He glanced her up and down, trying to remember untill finally saying "Do i know you?"




/OOC/ My spelling was stolen from the illuminati, don't question it, i'm doing my best T_T

[Fujihara Ageha]

Please don't worry, Kevin, you did a wonderful job.

---

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

"Perhaps... Your face seems familiar as well," Fujihara mused in thought.

Letting out a sigh, she checked to see if his pants were dirtied from a polite distance. It did not seem tarnished in the slightest. She couldn't help but chuckle, seeing that she had overreacted over this. "However, I'm glad you're alright." And then the mysterious boy, about her age, yet slightly older, reminded her about being more careful and that he needed to be more careful too.

Silently, she found it impossible to dispute his claims, not that she would ever find any cause for them to be false. Fujihara then, with a soft and thoughtful smile in harmony with his distant and impossible to understand one, introduced herself, bowing lightly, in the case that he were older than her.

The first year scratched her head as she pondered over how to exchange pleasantries with this young, white haired man, handsome yet disconcerting. Should she apologize again? Maybe she should just continue on exuberantly like nothing happened. He did seem amused. Equally, she could just walk away and ignore him, clamping down in a timid and constraining shell, even though it was never the right thing to do. In the end, as if it were a dream, the green haired girl said, I believe that I do know you, but just barely, if I'm not mistaken. You're a classmate, or at least someone from my school.

"My name is... Fujihara Ageha, and I'm quite pleased to finally be able to introduce myself to you properly." Eyes gazing at him in thought, she wore a benign and sweet smile that melted sublimely into the sunlight, straight hair swaying in the breeze. She could almost imagine the times when she walked beside and brushed against him and all the other anonymous passersby she never would truly know. Yes, it was how her connections bloomed. From strangers to acquaintances, at a standstill for months only to completely transform within a day.

Letting his hand go gracefully, Fujihara stood beside him and looked him over, comparing him to anyone she knew was a compatible match. Only, she just knew the young man's face and its inscrutable smile, understanding that there was no person quite like him, unique with his elegant yet rough hands. Her soft voice could have almost blended in with the wind, if only she were not standing next to him. "To make it up, perhaps you could share this shade with me if you'd like," suggested the one whom had caused him to stumble and fall. "And if you don't mind, maybe you could even tell me your name too?"

A peal of bells-- good natured laughter-- concealed underneath a playful smile and gleaming golden eyes, emerged from the younger girl.

[Yakaze Sasa]

It was almost as the time stood still as the girl spoke to him, he hadn't really payed much attention to her or anything around her. He was just stuck in his own thoughts. He catched a few glimses of what she where saying, untill she finally mentioned school. He let out a small sigh when she mentioned it, how obvious it was, how couldn't he figure that out. He looked at the girl, with the unique and truly amazing hair color, how couldn't he remembered someone who looked like that. It was noone from his class, he knew that much, so it wouldn't be totally unacceptable to not know her.


He looked her in the eyes as she introduced herself, as anyone with decent courtesy would naturally do, she also semed to have bowed to him, which he knew were the common thing to do if you meet someone older, but Sasa just shook his head slowly as he watched the girl who just finished introduce herself.


"You don't have to do such gestures for me" he said in a very monotone voice.

Its not like Sasa had anything against people doing such gestures, but he couldn't really find any reason for the girl to do, not in the current situation they are in anyway. He noticed that they were still holding hands, which felt a bit weird. Not weird in the way that he disliked it, but he had some sort of bad feeling about it. The girlwas looking quite cute, so it had nothing to do with her looks, nor her manners as they were very good. he just couldn't shake the feeling that they were kinda holding hands, which mostly only couples or close people do with eachother. 

But suddenly, she let go of his hand which made him look down briefly. He calmed him down, but at the same time it was nice to hold her hand. It was noticeable that Sasa was struggling with internal feelings regarding the situation, even through he tried to not make any sort of gesture which would reveal it.

Momentarily after, she caught his interest with a question.

"You don't have to do this, but if you don't mind i guess i could sit down for a while." 

But this wasen't all she wanted, she also asked for his name, which is what most people would've done. Sasa just nodded towards the girl as he moved to sit down where the girl previously had been.

"I'm Sasa, and the pleasure is mine" he said as he smiled towards the seemingly happy girl. 

He looked around himself and accidently saw the book lying on the ground, which caught his eye. He realized quickly that the girls focus had been on the book, and that's why she had been so reckless sitting here. It was a nice spot for sure, so he wouldn't blame her, but Sasa thought twice about how he would sit, to not do the same mistake.

"Is that your book?" He said with a curious  tone in his voice, as his eyes once again moved towards the girl.

[Fujihara Ageha]

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

As Sasa answered her question, the first year beamed at him and replied, "Yes. It's Botchan, by Natsume Soseki. You might have heard about him from one of your Japanese Literature classes."

The heat made the entire pre-summer atmosphere hazy, even for Fujihara, as she struggled to bear and grin in spite of the mercury-boiling temperatures so she could pay proper attention to the boy a few years her senior. He was difficult to read, but she didn't want to be too curious and make him feel uncomfortable. Quietly, she shuffled around to look at the aforementioned novel: her compact edition of Botchan, which was light blue and thin, with soft covers. On the front there was an image of a grasshopper atop one of those zori sandals. A black bookmark rested on top of the page that heralded Chapter Two's beginning.

The fifteen year old smiled as she picked it up and clutched it tenderly in her hands before sitting down in the Lotus position, legs crossed together, sitting next to him in the shade of the old oak tree, which seemed to tether the two of them down to Earth in spite of the blistering warmth that threatened to bake them.

"Sasa-kun... A-Ah, I mean, senpai. Pardon me, please." she shyly said after his introduction. Once she tried out how it sounded, surprise preyed upon Fujihara's being, but it was of the happy sort.

For some reason, she liked how his name rolled off of her tongue, but before she could become chagrined with embarrassment, amber brown irises met his brilliant sapphire ones. He was very unique, from his snow white hair to his inexplicable disposition and to his ice blue eyes. They were so captivating yet frightening at the same time, Fujihara almost felt like she was ensnared in a spell. Mentally, she shook herself free before slightly opening her lips in a "O" shape as she observed his wooden face and monotone. Why was he reacting in such a way? Don't tell me... Is it because we held hands?

Gazing at him intently for a moment in thought, the green haired girl contemplated her actions. It was rather presumptuous of her to hold his hand for such a prolonged amount of time but certainly she meant nothing forward by it. Though, if she were to be honest, their hands, soft against one another, felt comfortable and almost as if they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.

But her mind would not dare to tread forward, beyond what her sensibilities allowed; it seemed that even Sasa was burdened with discomfort, and she sullenly looked down alongside him, glancing at her book yet not paying much attention to it.

In fact, Ageha found herself at a loss as to how to respond, her slight form trembling.

Once he took up on her offer though, she calmed down significantly, while an evident smile spread across her face as she delicately met his eyes once more.

Even though it was obvious he was as conflicted as Fujihara, she only gave it a silent nod of acknowledgement and a raised brow, assuming that he did not want to air it out in the open no matter how clear his dilemna was.

Peacefully, she relaxed against the tree's bark, sinking contentedly into the queen sized pastel yellow blanket that she shared with the boy. It felt odd, being in such close proximity with a male student outside of school.

Despite her expectations, it didn't feel wrong. Perhaps it was because he was rather nice for such a distant person, and maybe it could be because he was admittedly quite handsome, but saying such statements would only further the illusion that the two were a couple. Who was to say that the two of them sitting together wasn't equally as implicative either too, though?

Nevertheless, Fujihara did not intend to entertain such thoughts. The tree's shade was meant to shelter all of mankind who managed to find it, and that was it. Regardless, with a sly streak, she slipped a few glances at the boy beside her furtively, trying to learn about him in a manner that did not keep him from being at ease.

[Yakaze Sasa]

He searched through his memory to see if he could recognize the book or the author, as if he had some sort of archive inside his brain which sorted it out. But there was nothing in there, which would help him to find what he was looking for, it's not that big of a shocker. Afterall, Sasa was not the best listener, or rather good at school in general so it make sense that he wouldn't remember a book.

he just shrugged as the girl finished her sentence And continued to close his eyes, sitting there in the shadow. Even though the wind breezed past them both, cooling them down, it felt like the sun just kept shining at them, and never seemed to go away, not even for a second behind a cloud. He listened to the sounds of footsteps in the park, he heard people talking around him and generally just enjoying the sunny day. 


As his silence were interupted, the girl yet again seemed to treat him like he were special. He gave out a sigh, while still having his eyes closed. The girl were so sweet, and really didn't want to offend him, he understood this, but he also felt like she didn't treat him like an equal when she were acting like this towards him.

"Please, just call me by my name. Don't show any sort of gesture and don't call me by title. I understand why you do it, and i appreciate it, but just act normally to me. Here, if we meet in school or simply anywhere. Alright?" 

He now tilted his head to the side and looked at the girl who just sat down next to him on the blanket which was relativly small, yet big enough for them both to sit on. he looked at the girl, who seemed to be uncomfortable also about the current situation, the reason why was unknown though, maybe for the same reason as he were. Maybe she was afraid that people would see them as something more then they actually were.

With both of them just sitting peacefully, leaning towards the tree togheter, it almost got entirely quiet around them, almost like everyone in the park had left, or atleast this is how sasa felt, maybe it was just relaxtion that created this atmosphere for him.

It was a long time since he sat down with someone like this and to be honest, it felt quite nice. He looked at the girl sitting next to him, wondering what she were thinking. her hair swayed in the wind and the sun which once in a while peeked through the leafes, making her skin almost look glowing. It was a pretty girl for sure, her hair was so unqie, that it was beutiful just out of that simple fact. 

After a whiles silence, he looked at the girl.

"What are you thinking about?"

[Fujihara Ageha]

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

When Ageha did find herself cracking open the book, she tenderly seized the black bookmark and rested it in between her thighs before returning to where she left off. To her pleasant surprise, she found that Botchan, the protagonist too was suffering from the blistering heat -- only, for Botchan, it was man-made heat from an unwanted hotel room he was forced to stay in, next to a staircase. The hotel was called Yamashiro-ya.

Closing her eyes after finishing the passage, Fujihara rested for a moment and reclined on the blanket, the sun allowed her to view each and every perfectly inked word clearly. The sky barely had any clouds in it, so looking up was also easy on the eyes if she avoided the sun's glare. The grass was still wet with morning dew, so footsteps were soft and subdued and the high schoolers seemed to be close to the other park visitors, yet not too close.

The moment of silence was startled away by Sasa's abrupt request, but the freshwoman shook her head and decided to entertain it. Formality was not necessarily putting up false airs, and she supposed it applied all the same to the opposite. Thus, she took care to try and treat him the way he wanted to be treated.

However, if they gave off the wrong idea, it could not be helped. Nonetheless, there was a more pressing problem. She did not understand what kind of relationship they had at the moment because of it, but Ageha dismissed in hopes of not distressing him any further.

"I was thinking that I should call you Sasa because I'm terrible at coming up with nicknames," she responded with a gentleness and warmth that should only belong to someone who knew him and cared about him for years; it was all she really knew other than courtesy since her friends were not too close and she addressed them by -kun and -chan, so she settled for no honorifics. It felt terribly rude; Fujihara hardly knew him and yet she was calling him informally what was either a nickname or his given name.

Well, all that mattered is that such a form of address was the only one that put him at ease and thus she would use it from now on. However, she begged the gods to allow her to steal at least one moment of victory. For a moment, the green haired girl smiled at him as if she were a partner in crime, but then suddenly, all her courage faltered and vanished as she opened her mouth to speak. "B-But since you so insist, I would also prefer it if you call me Ageha then. A fair trade-off, as equals then, right...?"

After their trading of words, the heat seemed to be less noticeable, as where the sounds of nature and people around them. The lush greenery was still a gorgeous sight and nothing escaped from the two of them just yet, but she couldn't help but think it were as if they were the only people in the world.

It was funny how a normal bout of small talk expanded to a longer conversation, but it was not out of the ordinary. In fact, this very conversation probably was not out of the ordinary. Fujihara herself could imagine the countless friendships born between various of people who decided to break the mold, and that was not a bad thing at all, if she was able to turn to her side and find Sasa smiling back at her.

If she didn't know any better, she would say such a perfect smile made her heart skip a beat. Just one, she'd add reluctantly even though the world knew better.

Sighing, she asked herself why strangers had to be so confusing sometimes. For such a mysterious boy, he already made this mundane moment into something to cherish dearly.

[Yakaze Sasa]

He looked looked at the girl, who had decided to call him by his real name. She said it in such a way, like she wasen't really sure about if she should do it or not, atleast thats how Sasa interpreted it. He had a weird and some sort of worrying feeling inside of him, that he gave his first name to her and then asked her to use that instead, he wouldn't want to give her any false signals of sorts. But then again, he prefered that over the use of titles and gestures.

As he was pondering over this while nodding as a reply to the girl, he overheard her saying that he should call her by her first name also.  It kinda startled something inside of him. So at this brief moment where the two people coincidentally had met, they had already held hands and is now already calling eachother by firstname. He knew that he had caused this, so he had to deal with this.


"Sure, it sounds fair." he quietly mumbled to the girl, which he would be impressed if she heard him.

He felt like this was getting really personal and almost had a panic attack. Sure it was a hidden panic attack, like one of those you could get before you're supposed to take a test in school, or whenever someone would scold you. His heart were beating faster and his body just wanted to run away from there. But he also wanted to stay there, he knew that he had to face his demons. He knew that he couldn't live the rest of his life alone, avoiding getting to know people.

Looking over at the girl, he could see that she wasen't discomfortable, or atleast not in the manner that she wanted to escape from him, atleast thats not how it looked from where he saw it.

Yet again, silence had appeared over them both. It seemed like both of them had some trouble talking to one and another, so Sasa decided to take the conversation in his own hands. 

"So... What's your favorite subject in school? My favorite part is when i get to leave" he said with a light chuckle, as he looked up through the leaves in the sky.

Sure it wasen't much of conversation, but atleast it was something. 

[Fujihara Ageha]

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

She heard him mumble in what seemed to be an affirmative tone and tried to give him a calming smile. "If you say so, but if you'd rather call me Fujihara, feel free to."

Returning the look he had given her, Fujihara's feelings felt as if they were pressing down on her chest cavity, which filled with trepidation and uncertainty. Getting used to his preferences would be difficult and strange but not impossible, however, and she had full faith she could do it. Still, it would probably be best if she tried to not outwardly show her concern. Besides, Sasa, as unorthodox as he was, seemed like a kind and caring boy whom she could trust.

If there was anything Ageha was certain about, it was that he had meant no harm or ill intent, and that he was pretty smart. He understood that she was allowing him to do the same for her, but to even them out. Although, it was not quite hard to imagine he too felt uncomfortable. Perhaps he was used to responding in a way that was more traditional while yet asking to be treated honestly.

Yes, it felt awkward to some extent, but she did not want to run away or anything. In fact, it was not a painful or uncomfortable situation at all. It just was different. Fujihara determined that because he was taking care to not show any of his discomfort, it would be fair to do the same to avoid burdening him. Except, for her, there was no discomfort to begin with since she was slowly growing accustomed to his frank ways, and the tidbit of adrenaline she was felt was born out of a newfound freedom.

The wind swayed gently past them, letting out a quick yet airy whoosh! and tickled the tips of their faces as the green haired girl fought to appropriate a topic of conversation for them to share.

Alas, it seemed that she took too long, and Sasa had claimed the torch for himself, making small talk while looking generally mysterious and difficult to read. His blue eyes reflected hers like chaste arctic seas.

And all the tension was broken thanks to the boy next to her. "To be honest, I don't really know. I'm not at school very often myself," she admitted. "Not because I'm playing hooky or anything, but there's definitely a lot of people who want to, at least. It's just that I'm out ill a lot. Don't worry; it gives you a lot of time to write a story or play video games. Basically, it's like prison but more fun."

Indeed, she was never a humorous kind of girl, but at least that was a start, a weak one albeit.

[Yakaze Sasa]

As she told him, what was supposed to be humorous, Sasa gave smiled towards her just to acknowledge the joke she had made. He figured that she wasen't the type of person who would joke a whole lot, so he felt happy about that she did her best towards lightning the mood up from what she just had said. After he smiled at her, he shrugged it of, as he was interested in why the girl had been home a lot. The only problem he had with this was that it felt quite personal and maybe it's not something he should ask her.

He debated with himself in silence if he should ask or not. He came to the cunclusion that it couldn't hurt to ask, maybe it wasen't private at all. He looked at the girl, with a serious but yet relaxed expression.

"May i ask why you've been home a lot?"

This also explained why he wouldn't had remembered her, cause he didn't see her that much. Atleast that's what he told himself to not feel as dumb on how he could have forgoten her looks. Sasa was eagerly waiting for a reply from the girl, as he kept eye contact, or atleast tried the best as he could.

He noticed how some people had looked at them as they passed and Sasa could already imagine what they thought about it. But even so, he just couldn't care. This girl had definitely caught his interested, if that's good or bad is something he haven't figured out quite yet, but he had a feeling that it would be a mixed result of the two. Even though he was aware about this, he just couldn't make himself leave her here.

It was a long time since Sasa had a real friend, not that he was excited to maybe get one, but it still was something back in his head telling him to not give this up as it felt like they two connected somehow. 

[Fujihara Ageha]

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

For a brief, flickering moment, as if a flame almost went out, Fujihara's smile became slightly subdued, but she pushed back some astray hairs behind her right ear as she struggled to think of a response to him. She had answered such a question so many times, but a reply never came easily to her.

The first year supposed it was fate.

"Well," she started, "I get ill easily quite a lot so I have to stay home to recover. Weak immune system and all. I have it a lot better than others with my condition. Most of the time I'm just out around breaks. Like just about now, but this is probably my luckiest year."

And with that, she sniffled as if that slight hay fever she was suffering from had finally decided to rear its ugly head. Unless if Sasa too had allergies though, he wouldn't get it, thankfully.

Sighing, she continued to prevent a bout of silence. "It really is, since I've met lots of nice people and made friends with them. Some people weren't so nice this year, but I suppose... since time goes by quite quickly, people change completely before your very eyes. Sometimes I can't help but long to know someone I could see every day, if just only to not be constantly whiplashed by the changes this rapidly transforming world has to offer." Pursing her full lips together, the green haired girl paused thoughtfully, losing herself in her thoughts.

Far too late after her spiel, she just realized what she had just let out and outstretched palms to cover her mouth. Knowing it was futile, however, Ageha simply stopped herself. "E-Ehehehe, please don't mind that. I was getting carried away with my thoughts. I'm really sorry about that." Oh, dear... She really hoped she didn't freak out the other boy and drive him away. That was the least what she wanted to do, but sometimes going on tangents like that could possibly put him off.

[Yakaze Sasa]

he kept looking at the girl as she started speaking, trying to really take in every word she said. He could almost himself feel like he identified  with the context of what she meant, only that he had been the one changing. He wouldn't consider himself a bad guy in any way or form, but maybe a long the road of him being more emotionally away, he might have hurt someone, or simply just raised thoughts in peoples heads that shouldn't be there. He quickly shook this thoughts of his mind, as the girl suddenly apologized to him for.... He did not actually get quite why she did apologize, she think he would get offended or dislike the fact that she was emotional with the subject? Whether she thought so or not, that was completely not the case.

"I'm happy for you... That you feel that it's gotten better at least, you're a good person from what i can tell." He said While looking at her.

Looking away facing the sky, he also let out a big sigh.

"I don't know if i've said this or not, but i will do it now anyway, do not apologize to me for such things. If i were to be offended or bored from what you said, i'd simply tell you."

he was more impressed then anything with what the girl had said, she really did tell him how she felt about the subject, or at least that's how he received it. Not many people can do such a thing in such a short notice of time, but this girl did. 

As he kept looking towars the sky, and as the wind were swaying his hair back and forth, he had a troubled face. He had a displeasing of something which he quite didin't know the reason for, but even so, it was still there.

After a moments of silence, when you could only hear the the people around them walking, the wind running through the trees, he broke the silence.

"I think i understand what you mean, sorta. I've also missed quite some time in the school. Completely different reasons though."

//OOC// I did my best to reply, feels good to write something atleast! Thank you for being so patient with me, and i do hope my text make some sort of sense!

[Fujihara Ageha]

Aaaah, I'm so sorry for taking so long!

---

Tag ; Yakaze Sasa

At first she was calm, crossing her ankles as she leaned back and pressed herself in the softness of the blanket. The bright, warm, light of the sun in the clear sky, the dewdrops-kissed grass beneath them, and birdsongs wavering through the air served to remind the freshwoman that she was indeed surrounded by nature, but the excited chatter of children a bit further away also made her aware they were in the park. It was for a good sake then since it felt like a sublime dream to Ageha. She really didn't want to have to pinch herself in order to wake herself from such a tranquil and soothing atmosphere. Her eyes fluttered before they wandered over to meet Sasa's crimson eyes yet again, smiling slightly.

"Aaah, thank you, Sasa," she murmured in reply, lowering her face to hide a slight pink tint on her cheeks. Such commendation was not warranted for her, especially since they had just met. "I hope that I'll be able to go to school again soon so I can see you again. Surely, I'm well enough for that, right?"

She hoped that she wasn't asking for too much, but these were things nobody really knew about until they actually happened. And then she heard his next words about her to not worry about whether he was offended or bored.

"Eh? Wait a second.... Now, I'm confused." The green haired girl slightly tilted her head to the left, large amber brown eyes blinking at him. What could he possibly mean by that? It was not that she thought he was bored or offended, personally...

It was merely that she had been rambling on and on again. Pontification without letting the other conversation partner have his turn to speak would simply be extremely rude. He might not be too bothered, but personally, Fujihara Ageha believed he needed to be treated with not only honesty but dignity too.

For a moment, she had thought of letting out a small laugh, to break and clear all the silence away, but that was not a viable option, and why bother perturb Mother Nature anyway? Besides, sincethe moment she saw the troubled look in his eyes and frown, Ageha began to internally fret.

What could possibly be wrong? Quietly, the soft thuds of footsteps grew fainter and fainter, far away from them as she mused what could have possibly bothered him.

"You've missed school as well?" she inquired in a low voice. Hopefully he did not mind her questions. "How come?" But Yakaze Sasa did not have to answer her questions, and that was her only hope that he did not become more uncomfortable than he already was.

[Yakaze Sasa]

"See me at school...."

He quietly said to himself, while he was trying to keep a straight face. On the outside, perhaps he could fool people. But if they ever were to come inside his head and would be able to listen to the thoughts that went through his mind, they would quickly realize that this was something he was not very familiar with anymore, And that scared him.

Even though... He thought it would be nice to actually not always be alone. Sure it was relaxing to be alone, and you wouldn't have to take anyone else in to concideration... But still..

"Since we go to the same school and you now recognize me, i imagine it'd be hard to not see each other again."

And to the other question she asked him, he had no good anwser for. It was not for him to know if she were capeable of going to school. She probably knew this also, but were looking for some sort of confirmation from him.

He looked at her, and tried to meet her eyes.

"You're capable of doing anything, if you have your mind set on it."

Then she spoke out again... Claiming that she were confused over what he had said. His right eyebrown lifted and he looked questioning on the girl, not having a clue on what she were talking about. Why would she be confused?

"Confused...? Regarding what?"

he said while he gave her a minute to reply.

"You've missed school as well?"

She later said, and quickly added another question regarding the same topic to him. He looked around himself, trying to avoid looking at the girl herself. he really didn'twanna talk about any reasons of why he had skipped classes.

"Simple. I missed school cause i did not show up for class."

He said, almost sounding a bit arrogant, or irritated.

[Fujihara Ageha]

“See me at school…”

For a moment, the other boy’s quiet tones (she was close enough to hear) made Ageha shiver slightly. It sent chills down her back. His face was inscrutable, very hard to read indeed. Neutral yet coldly so. While it made her wonder and dread all the upcoming things at the same time, she did not fear. She did not fear because she could not afford to do so.

In her own personal opinion, they were past this vacancy between for quite a long time. In one mere moment, which the girl recalled most vividly, they had crossed that threshold swiftly. And now they would never ever go back.

Trying on a delicate smile, she nodded. “Yeah. It might be hard to catch you since we don’t share any classes though.”

“So when we find each other once more again, we could have another good talk. Today was been rather pleasant,” replied Fujihara. “so there really is no harm that could come of it.”

And after giving him some time to reply to one of her other statements. He seemed astute and analytical, but perhaps the rhetorical sentence was an unfamiliar device to him. Still, his response did manage to make her crack another smile.

Calmly, she returned his gaze and lost herself in their conversation. Everything else, the rest of the park, became background noise.

Yet soon after his encouraging words came an expression of confusion.

"Confused...? Regarding what?"

“Well, er, I was confused in general. It’s hard to keep track of this conversation.” She laughed gently to hide her slight discomfort. It had been a while since she had talked with another person for such a length.

His annoyed tone of voice made Ageha cringe internally, but she did her best to keep a composed disposition. It was all she could do in order to make sure that she didn’t hurt too sensitive a nerve. It was only fair. If she wanted to be a good friend to Sasa.

“Oh, I see…” the green haired girl commented vaguely, trying to avoid perturbing him further.