I tapped my pencil down on my notebook.

We have one week left until the end of school. It's been a while since the festival.

Ever since then, I've talked to Noriko but not as much as we used to.

I've actually been talking to Hitomi a lot. She comes over to my house and we go up to my room and listen to her gigantic collection of cds. She talks, I listen and overall, we have a good time.

I also find myself thinking about Hitomi more often. Or to be more precise - what she told me at the festival.

"You're important! "

Important.... To who?

Images flashed through my head.

"You cared for me when no one else did Kouta. "

Mikasa.

"Thanks for saving me. "

Miki.

"You're a good buddy, you know that?"

Rin.

"Kouta, you're too kind... "

Noriko.

"You accepted me. "

Hitomi.

I'm important to them.

I feel so stupid.
I just wanted to think I wasn't wanted.

But I am.

And the thought of that makes me smile.