Chapter 1: Noriko’s Letter

“There’s a letter for you, Yoshitoki.”, Ryoko Anno, the superintendant of the Charity House handed 15-year old Yoshitoki Kuninobu a folded letter. Ryoko closed the door to Yoshitoki, and his roommate, Shuya’s room of the Orphanage.

Yoshitoki saw his name was written neatly on the front and he opened it.

Yoshitoki,

First off, how are you? You haven’t been at school lately, and that worries me. Are you okay? Did something happen? Things haven’t been the same without you. Mr. Hayashida misses you, our classmates miss you, Shuya misses you, and more than anyone…I miss you. I miss seeing your cheerful, friendly smile. I miss hanging out with both you and Shuya. And, I really would like to see you for the class trip tomorrow.

Your friend,

Noriko

Yoshitoki read the letter several times. Noriko missed him. She wanted him to come back to school.

He couldn’t stop smiling, and his cheeks were warm, due to the bright red blush appearing on his cheeks.

Ever since he first met Noriko in 7th grade at Shiroiwa Junior High School, he had the biggest crush on her. However, he never got up the courage to tell her.

Yoshitoki smiled, remembering how he met Noriko.

It was the first day of 7th grade. Yoshitoki and his classmates of Class B all were new to Shiroiwa Junior High School (grades 7-12).

It was lunchtime, and he was sitting by himself. Yoshitoki sighed, eating some of his rice and then taking a long sip of his tea.

“Can I sit with you?”, He looked up, seeing a girl from his class standing at the side of the lunch table, holding her lunch.

Yoshitoki gazed at her, so amazed by her beauty he was breathless. He was broken out of his daze when he heard the girl call out his name twice.

“S-Sure.”, the girl smiled, sitting beside him. “I’m Nakagawa. Noriko Nakagawa.”, she held out her hand to him.

“K-Kuninobu, Y-Yoshitoki Kuninobu.”, He took her hand and shook it gently. She smiled at him.

“I’m sure we’ll become great friends, Yoshitoki.”, and from then on, he knew…he loved Noriko Nakagawa.

Yoshitoki laid down onto the top bunk bed of his room. He soon fell asleep, holding the letter in his hand.

“Shuya, is Yoshitoki okay?”, Noriko walked beside Shuya Nanahara as they were on their way to the Orphanage from school.

“He’s been going through stuff lately. I’m sure he’ll be okay though.” The two stopped in front of the Orphanage.

“Can I come in? I really would like to talk to him.”, Shuya nodded, and led her inside.

Shuya opened the door to his and Yoshitoki’s room, and saw Yoshitoki was soundly sleeping. “He’s asleep.”, Shuya spoke quietly enough to not wake him up.

“Oh…well, it looks like he got my letter. So, it’s okay. I’ll let him sleep.”, Noriko slowly made her way up the ladder to the top bunk and lightly kissed Yoshitoki on the forehead.

She made her way back to the floor of their bedroom, and waved goodbye to Shuya.

Later that day, Yoshitoki awoke from his slumber. “You’re finally awake, Yoshitoki.”

Yoshitoki smiled. “How was school today?”, Shuya shrugged.

“Same old, same old. Mr. Hayashida, and the class misses you though. Especially Noriko.”

Yoshitoki blushed, hearing her name. “Hey, Shuya, do you like someone?”

“Me? Well, no, actually.”, Shuya looked at Yoshitoki. “Why? Do you like someone?”

“Yeah…I actually love her.”, Shuya’s curiousity was sparked now. “Who?”

“Noriko. She’s so sweet. She wrote me a letter, asking me to come back to school. And, I think I’m going to come back. Tomorrow.”

“The one from our class?”, Yoshitoki nodded, his blush deepening, and a smile forming through his lips.

“Maybe you should tell her you like her tomorrow. It’d be something for you to say when you come back to school.”

Yoshitoki’s smile vanished. “I could never tell her. Our friendship would be ruined. She doesn’t return my feelings.”

Shuya gave Yoshitoki a comforting smile. “Don’t say that. You won’t know how she feels until you tell her, so don’t give up.”

“Thanks, Shuya. I can’t wait to see her tomorrow at school. And, for you, me, and her to all hang-out like we used to.”

“Yeah. It’ll be great.”

How’d you guys like it? Please review, if you review I’ll update faster.

WingedAngel93