GOOD END - The clock may have stopped working, but time goes on.

Hiroyuki climbed up the first flight of stairs of Niwa Mura High's clubroom building. On the first floor, he recalled the time he was carrying a lot of stuff while looking for Yuuna. He remembered the non-stop heavy breathing and fatigue he had gone through just to look for someone who apparently was just a floor beneath his initial starting point.

He realized how much effort he had spent just to hand over a single bag. If he had just thought things through logically and planned things properly, he would have easily found her without giving himself a tour around the school.

He then again thought that even if he had found her earlier, he would just end up waiting for Yuuna even longer. All in all, he was glad that he spent the time looking for her rather than waiting for her.

Nevertheless, it wasn't the fondest of memories.

Hiroyuki then climbed up the next flight of stairs of Niwa Mura High's clubroom building. On the second floor, he recalled the time he was waiting for Yuuna on the benches alongside the hallway. He remembered the panic and uneasiness while waiting for her and thinking about what to say to her.

At that time when they finally had the chance to talk again, Hiroyuki realized how much of an idiot he looked like when he dropped all of his things on the floor. He realized how much of an embarrassment he must have looked like in front of his crush.

For a 16-year-old boy, it was all about showing off, looking cool in front of the girl rather than letting her see the weakest side of him. Hiroyuki however, did not regret his actions despite knowing he could have done better in many aspects.

Nevertheless, it wasn't the fondest of memories.

Hiroyuki then climbed up the next flight of stairs of Niwa Mura High's clubroom building. On the third floor, he recalled the time he was walking alongside Yuuna towards the student council room. He recalled how none of them spoke a word about the confession as they were too focused on what to say to the student council to receive their forgiveness.

Hiroyuki who was still reminiscing the recent event slowly walked towards the lone door in the middle of the hallway. Of course, what else could it be other than the door to the student council room.

It was way past dinner time but the room was hungry for the single light source that was shining in from the street lights of the school field. The light was shining onto the door as if it was an RPG game where behind this door was a legendary item, ready to be grabbed.

As for Hiroyuki, he stood right in front of the door recalling the time he and Yuuna once did the same. They too were once nervous to open the door. Hiroyuki could even remember how he once was panicking a little but was quickly comforted by his crush despite being as equally uneasy as him.

However, the Hiroyuki today was as calm as the school field that was once bustling with chaotic cheer…

Because Hiroyuki wanted what was beyond the door to be the fondest of memories.

Hiroyuki heard a short ringtone coming from his phone. He pulled it out from his pocket and noticed that he was on the page of the student council social account's latest post. He then noticed that the post currently has 649 likes.

He recalled that the school had 600 students and if each student has their own personal account, along with the other accounts that were meant for teachers, clubs and even the headmaster, it would make up a total of around 650 accounts in the E-Garden app.

Realizing how big the situation had spiralled into that could even involve all the school's personnel and social groups, Hiroyuki could not possibly imagine who or what was playing the strings behind his back. However, he was about to let it slide because it would become a good memory for his future.

As he confirmed the message that had come from Nobuo who sent a simple good luck message, he did his part and liked the latest post of Niwa Mura High's student council account.

And with that...

He opened the door.

650/650

"Kazama-senpai, you kept me waiting."

Of course, it was the treasurer of the student council who was waiting for him. She was still in her sports uniform. Despite it being all dirtied and was once drenched in sweat and sand, she kept it on.

Perhaps to let Hiroyuki know that her day hadn't ended.

Of course, Hiroyuki was still in his sports uniform too. Not for the same reason but he was willing to make it his reason.

Hiroyuki walked towards Yuuna and stood beside her who was standing by the panel of windows that was facing the entrance of the school. The view, as extravagant as it may seem, was filled with banners and trash made by the event.

Hiroyuki realized that the cleaning still had a long way to go and thought that it would be best to head back after he's done with his little get-together with Yuuna. Nevertheless, it made for a romantic mood with dramatic lights for what's to come.

"My bad… I had an earful from the rest and had to take a minute and two to understand what you meant."

"Well, that's very much like you, I suppose."

Yuuna giggled as she made fun of Hiroyuki. Instead of shying away like he always would, laughed alongside her. Once it was over, Yuuna broke out from the silence and said her piece.

"I had a lot of fun, Kazama-senpai."

"Well, Sports' Day was always like this. Though I guess this year was a lot different than last year's. Kazue changed a lot of rules and fought for them just so he could have his fun."

As Hiroyuki recalled the 'Bo-taoshi' event, he quickly complained about what happened.

"Which reminds me… That was very reckless of you, how you would succumb to Nobuo's plans. How would you know that I would be the one charging forward? What if it was someone else? You might be injured. You got to take better care of yourself."

"Well," Yuuna said as she shied away a bit. "That wasn't entirely Nobuo's plan. I had a part in it."

"What?" Hiroyuki questioned in surprise.

"Before the actual day, I asked Nobuo to help me with my androphobia. Nobuo and Kazue then met up one day and hatched a plan for it to happen. So regardless of who was the winner, they made sure that it was the day I would overcome my fear. And what happened just now, was the result of that meeting they had. Though, I didn't know what was the plan until the incident happened but I was prepared for anything."

Hiroyuki was still shocked by the answer he was given. But even a realistic boy such as him knew that what she had just said was something believable. As it was a plan devised from the minds of those two meddlers. Hiroyuki could only sigh.

"Though I felt like my fear of men had already subsided the moment I took part in the 'Bo-taoshi'. The girls were very friendly and the boys were very supportive. As I was in that field, my heart could only pound in excitement and eventually I had forgotten about the fear. You running into me was just the cherry on top, the end to my character development."

"Didn't know you had it in you to say those words."

"It was something Nobuo once told me. I guess a bit of his ethics rubbed into me."

"Well, I guess it was the same for me," Hiroyuki said as he shared her sentiment. "I guess it's to be expected given they know about our situation."

Yuuna however, turned and looked at Hiroyuki dead in the face in confusion. Hiroyuki didn't know what had got into her as he thought he had said something wrong. Yuuna then turned that confusion into laughter.

Hiroyuki was dumbfounded and didn't know how to react. As for Yuuna, she had finally understood and read the atmosphere perfectly. Yuuna then explained to Hiroyuki why she was laughing.

"Kazama-senpai, everyone knew."

"Eh?"

"Our meetings and relationship was no secret even if we didn't outright talk about it. We were the talk of the school and thanks to E-Garden, the words went as far as to the ears of our teachers."

"I… I honestly didn't know that."

"I guess you really are dense, huh?"

Hiroyuki finally understood how the post that was made by the student council account was able to attract the attention of the whole school. It wasn't that because someone was pulling the string, it was because it had already been the talk of the school and everyone knew about them.

Hiroyuki could only hide in shame as he covered his face with his hands as he blushed.

Yuuna who saw Hiroyuki's blushing face couldn't help but blush herself. It was her first time seeing such an expression coming out of Hiroyuki after all. It was then she learned that there was much she didn't know about Hiroyuki.

However, on that day, she wanted to know everything about him.

"But that's not what I meant when I said I had a lot of fun," Yuuna said as she levelled her head to Hiroyuki's face. "I had a lot of fun when I'm with you, Kazama-senpai."

Hiroyuki uncovered his face as he turned to look at Yuuna's eyes who was right in front of him. She was very close, close enough to have their noses touch. However, before he could say another word, Yuuna confessed her true feelings.

"My life turned upside down the moment I joined the student council. When I walked in I wasn't expecting it to be as lively as it is. And especially thanks to you, I learned that not all boys are as scary and strict as my father. But instead, I learned that some boys can be as crazy as Kazue, as gentle as Yusuke, as playful as Jin…"

Yuuna walked away as she took a few steps back. As soon as Yuuna stopped, Hiroyuki was reminded by the distance. It was the exact distance that Yuuna would always be at during the tour around the school.

"As fun as you."

She was at three arms reach.

"That day when you confessed to me, I had an argument with my father. I told him my true feelings as I said I want to be able to not just be a studious girl but also learn to have fun. It was the first time I had ever raised my voice against my father. However, he didn't hit me or anything, instead, he learned that he was also at fault. My father realized that he was so focused on his business that he failed to stop and spend time with his family. He had realized that his family was crumbling beneath his feet while he was so busy with his future."

Yuuna took a step forward. She was at two arms reach.

"My father eventually apologized and promised to bring me out for dinner after the day after the Sports' Day. He also said that I should choose to live the life that makes me happy. He also said that he was willing to meet the person that made me this way."

Yuuna took a step forward. She was at an arms reach.

"So, I choose you. Because you made me happy. Because you made me the person I am today. You thought me that men aren't scary. You thought me what fun was like."

Yuuna took a step forward. She was in Hiroyuki's arms.

She was in tears of joy.

"I felt as if time had slowed down when I'm with you. You thought me, a 15-year-old girl, how to live like a real 15-year-old girl. To have fun, to do crazy things, to make friends… to fall in love."

Hiroyuki who heard her confession could only shed tears as he continued to enjoy the moment. Hiroyuki then recalled all the support his friends had given him and all the lessons he learned throughout his time at the student council. He could only summarize them in a single sentence.

"Time didn't slow down for us. It kept turning as usual. We just used it to our fullest."

"That sounded so dumb, Kazama-senpai."

"Really? I thought it sounded really cool."

"No… You're dumb, Hiroyuki."

As she finally called Hiroyuki by his first name, they both started laughing again like a couple of kids that just learned how to ride a bike for the first time.

At this point, she hadn't stopped tearing. She gently pushed Hiroyuki, signifying him that she was fine now. She then took a step back, maintaining eye contact while still having him in her arms. She then gave the largest smile she had ever shown to Hiroyuki and told him the magic words.

"Remember that time when I said I will return your kindness when you guided me around school? I am going to return that favour now."

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END