anyways, there was no point in arguing with him, and there was nothing to question. In his mind, Aiya wanted to protest and argue, just to hear more of Maruki’s caring, straightforward words, but he refused.


Maruki kept a close eye on Aiya, his lips parted slightly with the passion to say more but he decided to remain silent and keep his mouth shut. Maruki’s dark round eyes leaded him to turn and follow Aiya quietly. Their last class was Science, not Maruki’s favorite subject, but it was Aiya’s. He loved it, something about the theories and experiments made him fall in love with it at a young age.


The two boys ignored the banters and mumbles as they lead themselves to the second building. With only seconds to spare, they had made it into their seats before the second bell rang. Sitting in the back quietly, Maruki’s arms were folded across his chest. Aiya sat next to him, propped up properly and neat. His soft eyes glanced over every once in a while to Maruki cutely. Maruki was so serious, staring at the front of the classroom, waiting for the teacher.


The sensei tapped her papers back into an organized pile before setting them back on the table at the entrance of the classroom. She cleared her throat to begin her opening speech.
“Welcome to First year Science everyone. I hope you all had an enjoyable summer, but as of now, there will be little room for fun and games.” Sensei spoke as she took her spot at the small desk at the front of the class “This is science everyone, meaning there will be new material everyday, home study issued three times a week, and experiments every Thursday.” The sensei explained the basics of the layout for the semester in one sentence.


Maruki kept his eyes down, staring at the surface of the desk, his arms still folded across his small chest. He planned on staying silent as long as he possibly could. So far, the class was going smoothly, role call was done, requiring only his name. The first pretest was finished with ease, and the experimental pairing was finished, he obviously chose Aiya for his partner.


The last bell rang, class was out already, and the freedom to retreat early was at hand. Maruki had waited for everyone to leave the room before he even decided to get up. Seeing Maruki wait, Aiya chose to as well, not wanting to leave alone. Aiya’s eyes were locked on Maruki, he unconsciously bit his bottom lip in thought, wondering what Maruki was thinking to make him want to stay behind.


Sensei was gathering all her material together before she was to return to Teacher’s Office. With their immobility, she hardly noticed the two sitting there
“Oh, boys. Is something concerning you?” sensei asked moving towards their desks


Maruki was intelligent, bright, friendly, and in the eyes of his peers, he was also good looking. With all that, it was not hard to see, that Maruki was also very emotional. Without looking at his sensei, he pushed himself up and walked out of the classroom quickly. Though he left Aiya sitting in the classroom alone, he waited for him downstairs at the main entrance of the building.


Aiya bowed to the sensei that was stunned to see a student dart out of the room so quickly. Aiya left the building so see Maruki leaning against the stonewall railing to the stairs. Ai moved down the stairs slowly, next to Maruki. He looked over silently, not sure of what to say.


Though Aiya decided not to speak, Maruki did. Without looking at his best friend, Maruki spoke with a quiver in his voice.
“You still have feelings for her, don’t you Aidou?” looking over his shoulder to the other, Maruki sighed softly


Aiya froze once again, Maruki always knew how to make him breathless.
“Aidou? He repeated softly “you haven’t called me that for years” Ai whimpered softly. It was a short period of time, that the nickname lasted, but it meant the world to Aiya. Only him and Maruki knew the meaning behind it. “Ai” written in Kanji, and “Dou” Spelled in Hiragana.
Moments of silence passed between the two, Aiya then nodded in shame to Maruki, biting his lip softly
“I do, Maa chan” Aiya had feeling for Miyuki ever since she transferred to their school in mid-elementary school. Aiya stared at Maruki for a moment, Maruki didn’t say anything at all, leading him to the thought that he was mad.
“Maruki, please don’t be mad” walking around him to face him, Aiya sighed softly


Maruki kept his eyes off of Aiya for only a moment, focusing on the grass that blew gently in the small breeze. His round, almost sad eyes raised to meet Aiya’s.
“It’s not that I’m mad at you, Aidou” after a short pause, Maruki suddenly hugged Aiya, holding him tightly “you are my best friend, and I cant stand seeing a pretty girl hurt people, especially you, because they see it as entertainment.” Sadness of harsh past memories was flooding Maruki’s mind. Ai’s birthday party, the school hiking trip, summer camp, the grocery store incident, Maruki may not have been there for all of Ai’s embarrassing moments, all caused by Miyuki, but he did know about them. Remembrances of these vivid memories were painful sometimes.


Ai was shocked by Maruki’s sudden actions, his heart filled, plainly obvious words brought a tear to Ai’s eye, and left a hard bump in his throat.
“Maruki, please.” It was something he knew Maruki didn’t want to remember, he was like a big brother, though he was younger than him. He always looked out for him and cared for him like an older brother should.
“she is just so beautiful” he whimpered softly into Maruki’s shoulder, tear soaking into his uniform


Maruki let go of Aiya quickly, sighing softly. His glassed over eyes looked down
“there are going to be many more girls, Aidou, nicer girls” a heart filled, friend to friend talk about girls would be in the near future, Maruki could see it.
“you need to understand that” being too serious sometimes was an occurrence for Maruki, he would to anything to keep Aiya from Dating Miyuki if it ever lead to that.
“she still hates you, she only wants to be around you now because you matured so quickly over the summer.” Maruki’s eyes narrowed, staring at Aiya.
“she wants to be around you because you look good, not because she likes you” it was easily written all over Maruki’s face that he was trying to keep himself from crying.


Ai didn’t like seeing Maru like this, he patted his shoulder lightly a couple of times
“Let’s forget about this, okay?” Ai didn’t want to see a single tear fall from Maruki’s eyes. Aiya puffed out his cheeks and crossed his eyes. Over all, he looked rather goofy. Maruki couldn’t help but smile. With a little sniffle, Maruki nodded in agreement. Releasing the air from his cheeks, Aiya smiled at Maruki
“That’s good. Maru. That’s what I like to see.” Ai poked Maruki’s cheeks softly, and pulled his lips higher in a wider smile.




Maruki and Aiya headed on their way home, the same homes they have lived in for many years past. Like everyday after school, they always walked each other home. Aiya’s home was first, which was good for Maruki, he could always make sure that Aiya got home safely. The large green field lay ahead of the school soccer field, both boys made quiet synchronized steps over the soft green grass. Each bundle of green blades made a soft crunch with each step they took.


The walk was silent, for neither Aiya nor Maruki wished not to say anymore, in fear the other would get mad. Both knew that they wished to say more about Miyuki, but now was not the time. They had come up to Aiya’s small one floor home and stopped at the gates.
“See you tomorrow?” After a small hesitation, and an awkward stare, Maruki slipped a hand into his pants pocket. His eyes soon fell to the ground in feeling the awkwardness grow.


Aiya smiled and kneeled down slightly, to be right in Maruki’s face, looking up at him, his dark eyes were happy again.
“Be prepared, you know what will happen again tomorrow Maa chan” Aiya joked, hoping to see a smile again


Maruki sighed softly and playfully slapped Aiya’s shoulder lightly. Being teased like that, in a time like this did not add up well for Maruki.
“Just go inside Aidou” Maruki winked happily and headed off home again, waving cutely to his friend.
On his way home, only a few meters away from Aiya’s gate, Maruki spotted something in the corner of his eye, making him second glance this scene. Sitting across the street from Aiya’s house, on a bus bench was a girl. With the first glance, Maruki recognized who it was, making him stop in his tracks.
Looking in both directions before darting across the residential street, he stopped off to the side of the girl.


Bright bulb eyes stared blankly ahead. With a single blink, the girl looked up at Maruki sweetly. A small smirk played on the girls glossed lips.
“Good evening Kaore kun” sly remarks from a mysterious girl. With her hands folded neatly across her lap, she was definitely up to something.


Maruki would not give this girl another chance, even if his life counted on it. His round coffee coloured eyes narrowed darkly, sending a hateful glare in her direction.
“What are you doing here Miyuki?” when talking to Miyuki in private, Maruki was nothing but cold and stern to her, as well as most of the other classmates. Hatred laced this boy’s heart when it came to this girl, hurting one that is like his family is unforgiveable.


Miyuki danced around the question, dancing was what she did best, ignoring a subject long enough to get what she wanted. Miyuki giggled like a little schoolgirl, tilting her head in a playful manner.
“I was going to ask you the same thing Maruki” with using the same cold tone as Maruki, Miyuki stood trying to intimidate the young boy. “Always