Chapter 01

                                    

                                          
"Believe me, Toge Inumaki likes you." Erza, my red-haired friend-and also my only friend-whispered in my ears. 
My forehead creased in annoyance. Why does everyone say that? I don't even know who that man is, personally. I only know that he's the Student Council President, according to the words of the people around me.
But whoever he is, I sure as hell am not delighted of hearing that same phrase over and over again since the start of this school year.
"As far as I know, what you're saying is a rumor. And even if it is, I don't care, Erza. I have no time for that." I told her, sounding uninteresred.
She frowned. "How could you be so indifferent?! He's the Student Council President and he's one of the most handsome human being!" 
I rolled my eyes. She's now the 99th person to tell me that.
I didn't really know what was up with these people, because so what? So what if he's handsome? So what if he leads the Student Council and he likes me?
Why would I even care about that?
I don't like him and I don't want to like him, the end. That should be it. Why are they reacting like I am turning down a very significant opportunity?
"I am indifferent because I don't think that he's worthy of my time, Erza. So please, stop. I've been hearing that same phrase for three whole months now. Again, stop. "
She pouted. "Fine. But you're really crazy."
"Just because I didn't end up liking someone that everyone likes doesn't mean I'm crazy."
"But," she gave me a knowing smile. "You've seen his pictures, right?"
"Our classmates shove them to my face everyday, so unfortunately, yes."
She giggled. "Then at least admit it to me... he's handsome, ain't he?"
I automatically shook my head as I whore a bored expression. "Looks decent, but not my type."
She gasped. "You're really crazy! How could you not appreciate a god-like creature?!" 
"I appreciate it, reason why I told you he looks decent." I replied, getting more and more annoyed each second. 
"Decent is an insult for a man as good-looking as him, Y/N!" She rebutted.
I rolled my eyes and stopped walking to face her fully. "Erza, you just can't-" 
I got cut off by Erza's loud squeal. My forehead immediately creased when I saw how wide her eyes went. She was looking at someone behind me, I think. 
After seconds, I raised a brow and was about to check for whoever the person she's looking at behind me, but Erza was quick enough to stop me from doing that. 
"Don't!" She whispered, panicking. 
"Why the hell not, Erza?" 
"Because he's right behind you!" She almost screamed.
My forehead creased more. "He? Who's he?"
"Toge Inumaki, Y/N! He's standing behind you! And... and he's holding a bouquet of red roses!"
My face fell. 
So if I turned around, I would see the face of the man whose name I always hear whenever I step inside the premises of this school. I almost scoffed. What a day.
But I turned around, anyway. 
And there, I saw him. Toge Inumaki.
He was sporting a plain look, but his eyes were staring directly at mine. And the moment I stared back, he swallowed. 
So this is him, huh? I looked at him from head to toe. He was wearing his school uniform and I. D. and his shoes looked like they were just newly bought because of how shiny he is. 
If there's one way I could describe him, I'd say that he's neat. 
And fine! Handsome. Just a bit. 
I didn't know why, but I felt his nervousness even though he was so good at hiding it. He almost looked like he didn't bother standing here after all. 
But I knew he was. His eyes gave it away. They told me how nervous he was, standing here, despite the emotionless look. So, to intimidate him more, I raised a brow. 
"You're in the way," Were the words that first came out of my mouth. 
He swallowed for the second time. "Uh, I..."
I crossed my arms and waited, tapping my fingers on my left arm as I did.
"What?" I urged when it had been a few minutes and he still wasn't saying anything. 
When I felt Erza's subtle pinch on my arm, I immediately glanced at her and glared. She glared back, as if throwing me a warning look. And I knew that look.
She was trying to warn me not to be rude.
But I am not rude, am I? No, never. I do believe that I am always kind.
"Y/N," I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard Toge speak again. It made avert my eyes from Erza to him. And now, I saw the determination in his eyes.
"I like you, Y/N." He said, his tone firm.
I swallowed. 
Say it, Y/N. Say the things you're supposed to say. You've done this a lot of times already, it can't be that hard, right? So say it. It won't hurt him.
Gathering all the resolve I could possibly gather, I heaved a deep sigh, and parted my lips to speak. Do it, Y/N. Break his heart. 
So... I did. 
"Thank you, but I don't like you. So please, get out of my sight." I said as I stared directly into his eyes. 
He blinked. Then nodded once. This time, I could no longer read his eyes. It was now emotionless too. It seems like he put his guard up again, not showing any signs of pain. 
And then, just like that, he left. 
That day was the first time I have seen him in person, and I knew that that was also the last day I would ever see him. 



-CONSTANTLY, 
CONSISTENTLY-