sukina hito wa dare desu ka?

 

~ who's the one that you like? ~

 

Manato yawns & stretches, ambling towards the bus stop. Walking ahead of him, Yui turns around "Didn't get enough sleep?" Manato replies "Yeah, I guess." "That's tough, mugging for college entrance exams. Wait, didn't you say you were going to give it a miss this year?" "That was my initial plan but I thought I'd give it a try anyway." "I know. You're going to apply for the same university as Haruka." "That's a little out of my league though." "You'll be fine. The power of love is great," smiles Yui. Manato gives her a glance "Love, huh." "Ah, there's something I need to apologize to you for." "What?" "I blurted out to Haruka that you spent the night out." "Oh." "But it was all your fault. I thought you were with Haruka."  "Forget it already." "Did you apologize to her?" "Well, she didn't exactly get mad at me." "Really?" Manato looks at her & Yui moans "That's boring." "What's that? So you just think all this is fun after all." Yui laughs "Well, in any case, I'm glad things worked out okay." "That goes without saying." "Says who?! If someone I liked did that, I would go crazy." Manato looks at her amused "Is that so? You don't look the sort." "Why?" "Well, compared to Haruka, I didn't think you were the type to mind this sort of thing." "Of course I do! I'd like his love & body both to be mine," Yui tells him, taking his hand. Manato hesitates "His body....does that mean he can't sleep around?" "Of course! Definitely!" Yui playfully pushes Manato. Manato asks "If you find out you'll hate him?" "I won't hate him but he can't," Yui pushes Manato playfully again into the bushes & runs off. Manato grins, looking at her.

 

"Ah, it's Haruka-chan!" Haruka already at the bus stop, turns around & greets Yui "Ah, good morning." Yui waves back "Morning." Manato reaches Yui & Haruka, after a moment's hesitation, greets him "Morning." Manato replies amicably "Good morning." Yui teases "That's great, being romantic first thing in the morning." Manato watches Yui run up to Haruka pensively.

 

 

at that moment, I certainly didn't feel that way..... 

 

 

As Manato walks up to Haruka & Yui, he recalls Yui telling him the previous night "There's someone I like," & his own stunned response "Eh?" 

 

 

who is he? 

who is he?

that was all I was thinking about....

 

 

Yui asks "Manato, what time it now?" Manato reaches into his coat & takes out his cell phone to look at the time but Haruka answers "It's about 7.57 I guess." "I see." Manato soberly looks at his hand, thinking.

 

 

that's why I will never forget you

 

 

Yui hears the bus sound its horn & smiles "It's here! It's on time today." Manato turns to look.

 

 

fighting desperately to hide the feelings I felt for you......

 

 

Out on the track & field one morning, Manato & Saeki are limbering up with their other classmates. The coach blows the whistle & the boys gather on the track "Saeki, are you sure you can run?" Saeki nods "Yes." "If you don't feel well then stop right away." "I will." Manato looks at Saeki but doesn't say anything. The coach yells "Ready, go!" & the boys start running around the track. On the other side of the field, Taeko grabs Haruka "Look! Saeki's running too!" Haruka looks at the jogging pack of guys in surprise. Seeing Manato lagging behind, Taeko comments a little derisively "Erie's last already." Haruka mutters "Shut up." Manato gives her a grin as he shuffles by & Haruka mouths "Hang in there," to him. 

 

Among the leaders of the pack, Saeki suddenly spurts ahead, causing the coach to shout in worry "Hey Saeki! Don't over do it!" The girls watch in amazement & Taeko says "Saeki's really good! But doesn't he have a heart problem?" Haruka replies "I don't know." Saeki continues running fast & Manato glances at him. Suddenly, Saeki grabs his chest & stumbles to the ground. Hearing the commotion, Manato turns to look & runs towards Saeki. The boys & the coach gather around him, not knowing what to do "Saeki! Should we call an ambulance?! Somebody, go get the stretcher from the infirmary!" Saeki grimaces in pain.

 

In the infirmary, Saeki starts laughing & Manato stares at him in wonder. Saeki grins "It wasn't a bad performance, don't you think?" Manato takes a seat by the bed "Performance?" Saeki explains "Well, my attendance record is really bad, especially for Phys Ed. But if I put in an appeal 'I did try', then the teachers would let me off." "But are you really alright?" Saeki nods "You're the only one I'm telling this to. I'm actually the epitome of good health itself. Well, maybe lack of exercise lately so my heart really was pounding just now." "But...." "A doctor friend of my father's wrote a fake medical report for me." "Why?" "Why I did that? Because I wanted to stay in this school, even if it meant repeating a year or two." "Oh." Manato gets up & goes to the window, opening it to let the breeze in. Saeki continues "Well, in any case I'll clear Phys Ed & I'll be able to score high marks for the exams. Actually I'm pretty good at Phys Ed, especially since I'm an adult already & can do really well. Ah, I still haven't told you. I heard from Shiho. Seems that everything went smoothly." Manato looks at him, stammering for words. Saeki says "Congratulations." Manato mumbles "What congratulations....it's nothing to celebrate...." "So how did it feel?" "Ah....kind of hard to put into words....." "That's sex for you. Anyway she was glad you weren't the persistent type." "Persistent?" "Yeah, for her body. It's normal to think that pleasure is the by-product of people's warmth." "That's kind of deep." "Oh?" "Well, is there someone that you like?" "What do you think?" "Hm, well if you do, then it would be someone older than you." "You're pretty good." "I guessed right?!" "Wrong!" The bell chimes & Saeki tells him "Thanks for coming by." Manato gets up "You're not coming?" Saeki lies back down in bed & pulls the covers over himself "If I'm going to pretend to be ill then I'm going to sleep the rest of the day." Manato nods politely "Then I'll get going," drawing the white curtains around the bed, leaving Saeki alone, muttering to himself "Persistence huh....."

 

Happily, Yui runs to the music room. Seeing it empty, Yui tilts her head "Hey?" Peeping into Saeki's classroom & not seeing him at his desk, Yui calls out to Taeko "Excuse me." "Ah, if you're looking for Irie, he's probably gone to buy lunch." "Is Saeki-senpai not here today?" "It seems he's not feeling well."

 

Up on the roof, Haruka holds out a bento (packed meal) to Manato "Here. I forgot to tell you about it this morning. I made a bento for you, if you don't mind, take it." Manato takes it "Thanks. But...." "I'll be in the classroom. I know that you won't like it if news gets out about us." "Well, yeah." "I'll make these for you whenever I have time. Ah, I wonder if Yui-chan will get upset." "She won't, she'll probably ask you to make her share too." "It would be great if that's the case." "Without a doubt, that's what she would do." "Then when you're done, leave the box in my shoe locker." Haruka runs off & Manato belated mumbles "Ah, ok." Left alone on the roof top, Manato grimaces "I'm suppose to eat up here? It's freezing!" 

 

Coming down the stairs, Haruka sees someone running off down the corridor "Yui-chan?" Curiosity getting the better of her, Haruka follows.

 

In the infirmary, Yui stares at Saeki "Sleeping? You're asleep so it's ok, isn't it." Yui leans over & kisses Saeki lightly on his lips. A gust of wind blows through the open window & the curtains flutter open. Haruka, standing by the door, stares in astonishment.

 

In class as one of the girls read a text monotonously aloud, Yui glances at Saeki's empty desk. Lost in his thoughts, Manato twiddles a pencil with his fingers, not paying attention.

 

With a smile on her face, Yui plays with her pink colored bell. "Ah, you're awake!" Sleepily, Saeki asks "How long you been here?" "Since lunch." "Hasn't the 5th lesson started already?" "Doesn't matter." "What do you mean?" "Even if I'm not around, the 5th period lesson will start anyway." "That again?" Saeki stretches, looking at her. Sitting up, he says "Shall I make a guess?" "Hm?" "What kind of bread you had for lunch." Yui nods "Uhm." Saeki pretends to think & then looks at her "Melon bread." "How did you know?" "Because I can taste it on my lips." Yui grins sheepishly & Saeki mutters "Really!" Yui looks at him "But then the prince woke up." "With a kiss from the princess?" "Yes, to wake him up from a bad dream." Saeki tilts his head in amusement "A-hm?" Yui does the same "A-hm?" Saeki finally grins, giving in to her, falling back into bed.

 

By the shoe lockers, Manato looks around surreptitiously & gingerly opens Haruka's locker. Haruka suddenly appears "How was it?" Startled, Manato backs the locker door shut "You scared me! So you're here." Haruka grins "I saw you from behind so came after you." Manato holds out the box to her "Thanks." "Great." "It was delicious, really." "Is that so? My younger brother said that I'll make a good wife. He said he wanted to marry me." Changing his shoes, Manato replies jokingly "No way." "Yeah, we're blood related." "Yeah." "Oh, then in your case, it'd be okay for you & Yui-chan." Manato grins "Gimme a break," & walks out the main entrance. Haruka follows behind "Sorry, I just got a little jealous that's all. You guys get to spend all your time together under the same roof. Even in the mornings you guys look very intimate." "That's got nothing to do with me. Yui's got someone she likes." "You know about it?" "I know about it? You too?" Haruka ponders, nodding "Uhm, well yeah...." Manato asks "Who is he?" Haruka looks surprised "Eh?" Manato stares at her & after a momentary pause, says "Never mind," & starts walking. Haruka asks "So you don't know who he is?" Manato turns around "It's got nothing to do with me." "But...." "She asked me to cheer her on." "I see." "I told her to hang in there." Nonchalantly, Manato turns around & walks off.

 

In his room pouring over his notes, Manato corrects his own exercises "Correct, correct....hey, I'm not bad.....uhm?" Puzzling over his mistakes, he suddenly hears Yui's voice "I can't, I can't. I don't know how to do this," & then Haruka's voice "Then you do this." Yui replies "Then I'll start on this."

 

Manato comes downstairs & opens the door into the living room, seeing Haruka cooking in the kitchen "Sawamura!" "Ah, you must be hungry. Sorry, wait just bit more." "I didn't mean that." Yui explains "I met her at the supermarket again by chance so asked her if she could by our house & cook for us as well." Manato nods "I see," sitting by the couch. Haruka's brother Satoru, playing with the computer game, greets him "Hello." Noticing him for the first time, Manato replies "Hi." Yui tells him "Haruka's making curry, try it, it's really delicious." "Really?" Haruka tells him "Don't expect too much, it's just ordinary curry." Manato looks at her "But then again....that apron suits you." Haruka glances at the apron before shyly replying "Eh? Ah, there's not need for you to flatter me." "I'm not," assures Manato. Yui gets up & shows off her pink apron "What about me? How do I look in an apron?" Manato looks at her & teases "You....never mind." Yui pouts "Bu...bu...bu..." Manato laughs & tells Haruka "Let me know when you're done." "I will." Yui mimics "Let me know when you're done, I will. Hey Manato, you sound like newlyweds!" Manato turns around & points at her "You shut up." Yui mutters "What are you feeling shy for?" Manato opens the door & walks out as Yui says to Haruka "Don't you think Manato's cute when he's feeling bashful?" "Uhm," replies Haruka. As Manato walks up the stairs, Yui calls out teasingly "Hey, someone says you're cute, dear husband! Hey, are you listening?" Manato ignores her & continues up the stairs.

 

Left alone, Haruka asks "Yui-chan?" "Hm?" "Were you at the infirmary today?" "Hm? Ah, uhm. Why?" "I saw you so I was just wondering if you weren't feeling well or something." "Don't tell me you saw that 'moment'?" "Well, sort of. The curtains were drawn shut." "How embarrassing." "I left right away." "I see." "It was probably Saeki from our class, wasn't it?" "Yes." "When did it start?" "It's not when it started." "That's true too, you just transferred here." "I'm just lucky." "Lucky?" "That I met someone really nice," explains Yui. Haruka looks away muttering "I wonder if he's really that nice...." "Eh?" "Actually I know something." "Know something?" "If it were someone else I wouldn't have bothered but because you're Irie-kun's younger sister, I thought I should warn you." "What?" "He's going around with someone." Yui smiles "I know." Haruka looks at her in surprise "Eh?" "He told me that he has someone he likes, someone he loves." "& then?" "That doesn't change anything. It's got nothing to do with my feelings for him." "Nothing to do...?" "Well, not exactly. I'm just talking big. But it can't be helped." "So you're not giving up?" "I'm not. I'll keep trying." "How?" "I am full of love. I believe that one day he will return my strong feelings for him." "Strong feelings?" "I'm willing to do anything for him." "You like him that much?" "I like him that much." "I see." "Manato told me to hang in there. Haruka too, will you...." "It's sensei. The one he loves is our form teacher. That's why...." Yui's expression darkens "I see." "Eh?" "So she's an adult." Mixed emotions engulf Yui.

 

Manato helps an alcohol intoxicated Yui into her room "When did she drink so much?" Haruka, getting the covers off Yui's bed, replies "I think it's the wine we found. She was really enjoying it." Putting Yui to bed, Haruka says "Well, I guess I should get going. My brother's waiting too." "Alight. It was delicious, lunch & dinner both." "Are you still going to study later?" "Yes, just a bit more." "Then, hang in there. Goodnight." "Goodnight." Haruka walks out & after a moment, Manato heads for the door, turning out Yui's bedroom light. Suddenly, he hears Yui say "What were you doing?" Manato turns around in surprise to see Yui sit up in bed "& here I thought you would at least kiss her." Manato turns the light back on "Aren't you supposed to be drunk?" "Half drunk. The other half I was eavesdropping." Manato mutters "Mind your own business." "Hey, if you get married to Haruka, I'll become her younger sister, right?" Manato replies with a smile "I'm not even thinking about marriage." "I said if." Manato reluctantly agrees "Uhm." Smiling, Yui says "If that happens I'll be really happy." Manato stares at her, heart sinking "You will?" Yui nods "Uhm." Manato, returns to his room in low spirits. Drawing the curtains aside, he looks out to see Haruka's blue curtains drawn. It opens & Haruka appears, mouthing "Goodnight." Manato nods. When Haruka draws her curtains shut, Manato stares at it glumly, letting out a big sigh.

 

The next morning, Manato walks among the sea of students heading for school, the expression on his face gloomy.

 

In the music room, Saeki's playing his melancholy piece on the piano. Hearing the sound of the door open, he says without looking up "Good morning. The bells gone off already. You should be skipping classes like me....." Looking up, Saeki suddenly stops playing, seeing Haruka at the doorway. Saeki grins sheepishly "This is embarrassing, I've mistaken you for someone else." Haruka walks in "You thought I was Yui-chan?" "You're a friend of hers?" "She's my neighbor." "I see. She's an interesting girl, don't you think?" Peeved, Haruka says "Is that what you think of her?" "What do you mean?" "Well, feelings of love or...." "Ah, so that's what you mean." "If you're half playing with her then stop." "Playing with her? More like she's playing with me!" "You're already going out with someone!" "I find your reaction rather strange." "I'm not talking about me right now." "Yes, yes. But what do you want me to do? She's still coming after me even though I've told her that I'm going out with someone." "You could give her the cold shoulder." "I see. But I can't do that." "Why not?" "Hmmm, there might something wrong with me too but I don't completely dislike her either. Besides, she's really cute." "What?!" "She's only your neighbor, why do you care? If she were your own sister I could understand." "He's my boyfriend's sister." "Eh?" "She's Irie-kun's younger sister." "Really?" "He doesn't know anything. He's concentrating on his exams right now so I haven't told him." "But I don't think he would get mad. The both of us get along surprisingly well. I see. Rather than not liking the fact that I go out with Yui, you don't like the fact that I get along well with him. Am I wrong?" Haruka glares at him without saying anything. Saeki smiles "You hate me that much? I like you well enough," putting his hand on her shoulder. Haruka pushes his hand away "Stop it!" "Alright," replies Saeki, making his way to the door. Haruka warns "In any case, leave Yui-chan alone. She's still an innocent kid." Saeki pauses in his tracks & turns around "Which means you're an adult? So you've got the experience already?" Haruka looks away, not replying. Saeki continues "He said so. That his girlfriend wasn't a virgin anymore so he wanted to lose his too." Haruka says affronted "What are you saying?!" Saeki looks at her "I actually thought that you were still a virgin." Haruka struggles to find an answer "I..." The bell sounds & Saeki says "The bell's gone off," & walks out the door. Left alone, Haruka struggles with the fact that she isn't the girl Manato likes.

 

At the hospital, Manato struggles with filling a vase full of flowers with water. Mizawa, still in bed, looks at Yui "Really? You're taking care of everything at home?" Yui replies "Yes I am, aren't I Papa?" Irie smiles "Yes, her cooking's not bad too. The curry last night was like what you'd find in a restaurant!" Yui looks away sheepishly muttering "That was....." The door slides open & Manato enters with the flower vase in hand. Mizawa sees him "Sorry, Manato-kun." "It's alright. Can I put it here?" Manato asks, pointing to the table. Mizawa nods gratefully "Yes, thanks. It's beautiful!" Yui chirps "I picked them. Anemone flowers," running over & picking up the vase full of red flowers. Manato gripes "It took you an hour to decide." Yui explains "I was talking with them. I asked, 'who would make Mom feel better?'" Manato looks at her "Talking with the flowers?" "Yes, & then these flowers said they would." Mizawa assures them "According to the test results yesterday, the doctors said that I could probably come home next week, right dear?" looking at her husband. Irie nods "Uhm." Yui bounces up teasingly "Papa, I heard from the nurses that you have you lunch here too." Irie & Mizawa laugh embarrassed. Yui adds "You're all so cute when you're feeling bashful!" Manato says "Well, I'm glad it's nothing serious, uhm...." Yui elbows Manato & hesitatingly, Manato adds "...Mom." Mizawa puts her hands to her mouth in surprise, looking at Irie who appears equally shocked "Manato!" Yui grins "Manato said it for the first time! Ah, let's hear him say it one more time!" Playfully pushing & shoving Manato, Yui grumbles at him "Say it once more! Come on!" Manato, looking embarrassed, tries to fend Yui off as she tells their amused parents "Wait a minute, I'll get him to say it," & then orders Manato "Say it!" 

 

Being seen off by his father in the lobby, Manato asks "Are you going to be late again tonight?" Irie replies "Yes. I also have work to do." Yui says "It's tough on you, this labor of love." Irie laughs, embarrassed "It's nothing." The elevator arrives & Irie hurriedly says "See you," & heads off towards the elevator. As Yui & Manato turn to go, Irie calls out "Ah, Manato!" Turning back to look, they see Irie by the elevator door looking back at them. With a tone of gratefulness in his voice, Irie tells his son "Thanks." Caught by surprise, Manato says "Eh? Ah, what I said just now? Yui said that I had too." Irie nods "Alright, bye."

 

Walking along a busy lane, Manato comments "It's weird." Yui asks curiously "What is?" Nothing, just that Dad said 'thank you' to me." "Ah, when people feel happy, they'll often say 'thank you'." "I wonder." "On the other hand, those that are feeling miserable will only say 'Idiot! Stop messing around!' Don't you think so?" Yui turns to look at Manato beside her but finds him missing "Eh?" Turning back, she finds a guy grabbing Manato by his collar, yelling "You think just a 'Sorry' will solve this?!! Idiot!!" Yui runs up "What happened?!" Manato stammers "Ah, I was passing by when his bike fell...." The guy yells "You bumped into it!!" Manato cringes "I was just...." A few more punks walk out of the amusement center "What's going on?" Yui tells him off "You shouldn't have parked your bike here in the first place!" Manato warns "Yui!"

 

In a deserted underpass, the three guys corner Manato & Yui, threatening Manato "Pay up!" Manato mutters "Pay up?" "Hurry up! Take your money out!!" When Manato slowly reaches for his wallet, Yui frowns "Manato! There's no need to give them money!" The guys grab his wallet "Give it!" Opening it to find only a measly note, they growl "Is this all you have?!!" "That's not going to be enough!" Manato gives a weak smile "But that's all I have right now." Shoving him against the wall, they yell "You're taking us for fools?!!" Yui, riled, takes her bag & whacks the guy on the head "Stop it you idiot!!!" "You looking for death?!" Yui goes flying onto the ground as the guys snigger. Manato fearfully tells them "Stop!" However, one of them strides up to Yui, grabbing a fistful of her hair "If you take a closer look, she's pretty cute. How about some fun?!" Timidly, Manato pleads "Stop it already!" One of them kicks him in the gut "Shut up!" Slowly, Manato reaches into his coat pocket "Hey!" The guys turning around, snigger as they see what Manato's holding out, pointing at them "What's that?! A ball pen?!" "You think you're going to change into Ultraman?" One of them pulls out a knife "Normally one uses this!" Manato bravely holds out the pen "Looks like you don't know the power of this pen!" Worriedly, Yui says "Manato!" However, Manato presses on urgently "This is the tool of the academia, that's to say, it is used to aid the memory. I have recorded all your faces in my memory!" "So what?" "It doesn't matter what your future holds for all of you, what kind of work you'll do, who you marry. I will remember you. I will find you one day; & take revenge. By hook or by crook, no matter how many years it takes, it won't make a difference to me. I will destroy whatever happiness you have!!" A look of apprehension appear on the expressions of the guys, as if half believing Manato's unflinching threat. Enraged, Manato yells at them "Don't you dare touch Yui!!! I won't let you off!!!" Yui stares at Manato in shock. Looking around, Yui yells "Ah, a policeman!" The guys turn to look & Yui quickly shoves one of them. They fall over like dominos & quickly, Yui yells "Manato! Run!" Manato quickly grabs his bag & starts running after Yui, as the guys trip & stumble in their rush to go after them. Coming to a landing, Yui points out to the different stairways "You go there! I'll go this way!" Running off, Manato takes a quick glance back to see Yui heading off in the opposite direction with the guys coming after them.

 

(-= CJ =- baka ja nai no, Manato. A ball pen?!)

 

Panting, Manato finds himself in a playground & takes a seat at the bottom of a slide "Did Yui run off okay I wonder..." Trying to catch his breath, Manato suddenly hears someone call out "Hey!" Looking up, he sees two of the punks & gets up but find another one in his face. Without a word, the three of them surround Manato, looking intimidating.

 

Putting one foot in front of the other, Manato arrives home. With his hair standing up on its ends & bruises covering his face, Manato enters the front door "I'm home." Haruka comes out to greet him "Welcome back! What happened to you?!" Taking off his shoes, Manato tiredly mumbles "Sawamura, you're here."

 

On the floor with Yui looking on, Haruka cleans up the bruises on Manato's face. When Manato flinches, Haruka quickly apologizes "Sorry, does it hurt?" Manato shakes his head & Yui grins "So you didn't make your escape!" Manato scowls "What are you laughing at?" Yui continues "You run too slowly, Manato," moving to the sofa. Manato retorts "It wasn't that! To make sure they didn't catch you, I actually went back." Yui replies, not quite believing him "Really?" "Of course! I held out both arms & told them 'You've got to get through me first!'" Yui laughs "What's that? A period drama?" "Excuse me?! Just looking at me you'd think that I was the one getting totally trashed but I gave it to them good too." Yui nods "I see." "I've got a lot of things in my bag, I wonder if those guys are all right. It's a little worrying." Yui plays along "Of course. & then what happened?" Manato talks big "Then I pulled out an Aikido stunt, without even touching them they all went flying." Yui adds "You're really so strong! & then what happened?" Manato's expression darkens "Forget it already." Haruka tells him "You should visit the doctor tomorrow." "I'm really alright," replies Manato, getting to his feet. "I'm not done yet..." Haruka starts but Manato changes the subject "What did you make for dinner today? Smells good." "Rolled cabbage." With a nod "Oh," Manato turns & heads out of the living room. Yui calls out "I won't ever forget, Manato." Pausing at the doorway, Manato turns around "What?" Yui stands up & poses "Don't you dare touch Yui! I won't let you off!" Manato stares at her without a word. Yui smiles "You were really cool." Manato replies quietly "Was not," & closing the door, goes upstairs. Yui adds "Thank you" to his departing figure & sits back down on the sofa, talking to Satoru who's playing with the computer game. Haruka, cleaning up, looks decidedly uneasy at the exchange between Yui & Manato.

 

Sitting on the roof top alone, Manato eats his lunch pensively. Suddenly he hears Saeki's voice "What's happened to his face? That's what everyone's been asking me all morning." Manato looks up "Hi." Nonchalantly smoking a cigarette, Saeki asks "Got in a fight?" "I just fell." "Fell? More like fell & went tumbling down?" "Yeah, well, kind of like went tumbling a fair bit." Saeki smiles & then says "Hey..." Manato looks at him, waiting but Saeki suddenly changes his mind "Forget it." "What is it? Don't start & then stop half way?" "Will you apologize to your girlfriend for me?" "My girlfriend?" "I kind of said something I shouldn't have & made her mad. Well, she takes things a little too seriously, doesn't she?" "You're talking about Sawamura?" "Yeah." "She's not exactly my girlfriend." "There's no need to hide from me anymore." Manato turns away, not replying & Saeki asks "Eh? You mean she's not?" Manato replies "She's not. Well, I've been on a date with her before but..." "Then the girl you were talking about is someone else? That girl with the 'experience', & so you also wanted to......" "Ah, she isn't my girlfriend either." "What do you mean?" "It's just my own feelings." "Unrequited love?" "Unbelievably strong feelings....yeah I guess so." "Have you told her?" "No. Seems that she's got someone she likes already." "I see." "I even told her to 'hang in there' & all that." "That's tough." "It's a really indescribable feeling. She's so artless. It's almost like a refreshing balm to the loneliness I feel." "You're giving up?" "Yeah, I guess. Besides, I have to concentrate on my exams." "But if you do that, she....I mean Sawamura, won't she be feeling upset?" "How do you know?" "Well, that's the way it is. Together with the exams, the second choice." "I don't have any intentions of doing that. I feel it's a waste for Sawamura to be with me." "My apologies. It was a bad analogy." Manato nods with an amicable smile. Saeki adds "But 'your first choice'...I mean, that girl you're in love with, what is she like? I'd like to meet her." Manato stares pensively into space, lost in his thoughts.

 

In the counselor's room, Yui sits waiting with a serious countenance. The door slides open & she looks up. Mariko enters "I'm sorry, I had to take a phone call. You are?" "I'm Irie Yui from class 2A." "Irie? By any chance you're Irie's younger sister?" "Yes." Understanding dawns on Mariko & she takes a seat across the table from Yui "So you're here to talk about your brother? I was wondering since you're not from my class." "I'm not here to talk about my brother." "Oh?" "It's regarding Saeki-senpai." Mariko stares at her stunned. Yui adds "I like senpai very much." Mariko quietly asks "And?" "But all senpai thinks of is you." Mariko assures her "If you're here to ask about my feelings for him then there's no need to worry. I don't have that sort of feelings towards him. I'm going to get married this spring to my fiancé. It's the truth, so...." "Why? Is that person better than senpai?" Mariko smiles weakly "How do I answer that....well, to me....yes...." "Then promise me. Promise me that you won't go back to senpai." "I won't...." "Ever." After a pause, Mariko nods with a smile "Alright." Hearing that, a smile appears on Yui's face & she gets to her feet "Thank you!" Mariko sighs "It's great to be young & innocent." Yui tells her "You're wrong. It has nothing to do with being young. It's because I like him very very much." Sliding the door open, Yui goes out, leaving Mariko with a sad look on her face.

 

Opening his shoe locker, Manato finds another blue letter addressed to him. Standing by the lockers, Manato stares at it motionless.

 

In the music room, Yui & Saeki sing a children's song with Saeki on the piano. Saeki stares at her "Your tone was off!" Yui grins "You too!" "Yes. I'm hopeless at singing. In grade school at a concert, I was tone deaf & sang off key so got a lashing. " "From everyone?" "Yeah, got my butt kicked." "Those bullies!" "Yeah! I was a pathetic sight. After that I couldn't talk for three years." Really?" "No, Il'm kidding." "What! You liar!" "Yeah!" Yui suddenly changes the subject "I met with sensei." "Hm?" "The sensei that you like." Surprised, Saeki nods. Yui adds "She said that she's getting married." "Yes." "Even then, I wheedled something out of her." "What?" "I asked her to promise that she wouldn't go back to you." Saeki stares at her, trying to hide his feelings & acting nonchalant, says "& then?" "She said she would." "I see." "I'm sorry." "No, it's alright. But normally, shouldn't you not tell me these things?" ""Why?" "Why? Well, aren't you afraid that I will think you a horrible girl knowing that you did that behind my back?" "Do you?" Saeki stares at her & grins, shaking his head. With a smile, Yui replies "That's what I thought!" "How come?" "I was thinking that you're beginning to like me a little." "You...." "Am I wrong?" "You're pretty sharp!" Yui starts cheering "Yeah!" Saeki does the same, Yui's playfulness infectious.

 

Running, Manato makes his way to the fountain by the station to find Haruka waiting for him sitting on the benches inside the fountain. Manato holds out the letter "What's wrong? Writing me another letter?" Haruka asks "Do your wounds still hurt?" "No, thanks to you." "That's good." "So what's up?" Haruka stares at him "I like the color blue." Not understanding Haruka, Manato goes "Eh?" Haruka explains "The color blue is like the sky & the sky, they go on forever." "Uhm." "Gives a feeling of eternity." "I see." "That's how I want to feel too. If I ever find someone I like, I'll think only of him. Always. But if....but if I know that that person likes someone else, I feel really uneasy." "I understand." "No you don't!" Upset, Haruka turns away from Manato "You don't understand my feelings at all!" Haruka starts to cry & Manato looks on in shock "Haruka!" In tears, Haruka continues "I'm sorry, what's wrong with me? I've become just like my own mother. Just like knowing that Dad's having an affair outside with someone else! But....if you don't tell me, I'll feel really uneasy." Manato asks "What is it?" Haruka turns around & looks at him "Who is...the one that you like?" Manato freezes. Exchanging stares that seem to go on forever, Manato swallows & finally finds his voice "Of course...." Dropping his bag onto the ground, Manato wades into the water with his shoes on & walks over to Haruka "It's you! Sawamura! Of course it's you! If it isn't, then going to the movies, kissing....." Haruka reaches out & puts her arms around his shoulders. Manato continues "....I couldn't have done that." Finally Haruka says "I'm sorry, bothering you just before your exams." Manato smiles "Yeah, really."

 

(-= CJ =- usotsuki Manato! Not only lying to Haruka but to himself too. Nani kakkou-tsuken'no?!)
 

Manato holds up his wet shoes against the heater to dry. On the sofa, Yui's playing with the computer games. With a feeling of resignation, Manato mutters "I guess there's that sort of a life too." "What sort?" "That there's a little bit of happiness even in ordinary lives." "Do you think that's interesting?" "It might not be interesting, but there's no worries either." "I don't think I'd like that." Manato turns around & gives her a nod of understanding "Uhm." Yui smiles "Even if it's just for one second, I want to feel utter happiness in this world." Manato nods & turns back, staring pensively at the heater.

 

 

that was the moment, for the first time since I met you

a feeling of calm flowed through inside me

that's why I will never ever forget you.

 

 

Manato says "That's what I thought you'd say." Yui smiles, looking at him "Really?" "Because you like passionate colors." Reaching out, Manato turns off the heater & slowly gets to his feet. Putting his hands into his pocket, Manato heads for the door & quietly walks up the stairs.

 

 

& then resignation hit me all at once

together with shreds of loneliness....