"Teppei-tan.... I ... I.. Please go out with me!"

Yes. That's what I would like to say... But instead, what I had said is pathetically stupid.

"....._____-chan....?....".. There. Can I be more stupid? All I managed to choke out is her name.

I just can't say yes. I mean... Am I good for her? She's beautiful, not that smart but sweet, and she's a kind girl. I think....

"...I'm sorry, _____-chan. I'm not yet ready with that.... I would like to focus my thoughts in the Basketball Club."

I'll confess once I am sure I deserve you. Please wait.

~~~~~

....Hah... She did not wait.. I guess she prefers someone popular now.

....But... I still love her. So much. That fact will never change. And I plan to tell her that on the day of the match....

But then again, the plan failed since she's not coming to cheer me up. I felt my heart break into pieces. I have slipped my chance, not just once but twice. I'm so pathetic and the only thing I can do is act as if nothing is wrong.

...................

"TEPPEI! REBOUND!"

"Huh? Wha--!?" I asked as Kagami-kun stormed pass by me into the other side of the court.

Riko suddenly blew her whistle. "TEPPEI! For goodness sake! Why aren't you paying attention!?"

...I scratched the back of my head and laughed a little. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, haha. I guess I'm just excited for the match...?"

I need to get a grip on myself...

The door of the gym suddenly opened loudly.. I looked at its direction to find ____-chan, completely out of breath and sweating.

"______-chan?"

"Why did you not tell me you have a match?" she asked, staring straight at my eyes.

....How can I tell you my feelings....

"WHY!?"

DAMN IT! I don't want to be a burden to your happiness!!

"....It's the same, anyway. It's not like you'll pick the match over the concert." ...but I cannot tell that. I know that she'll feel bad if that was my reason.

....Her hand flew hard to my cheek, its sound resonating in the whole court.

"WHAT THE HELL MADE YOU THINK THAT!? FOR THE LOVE OF--! TEPPEI!I! AM! YOUR! BESTFRIEND! HOW CAN I DO THAT TO YOU!??? I CAN SKIP HUNDREDS OF CONCERTS JUST FOR YOU... OKAY!?"

R-really...? .... I feel so touched with those words... But.. I'm not as strong as you are, _____-chan. I can't convey my feelings like you always do.. I stared behind her, where Junpei is standing.

"Tell her, you idiot!", he mouthed.

.....I can't.. I can't do it.

..."YOU KNOW WHAT!? NEVERMIND. I'LL GO TO THE CONCERT JUST LIKE YOU PREDICTED!" ....She was crying and I can't reach for her and comfort her. "I MEAN, WHO WANTS TO WATCH THEIR BESTFRIEND IN A MATCH THAT BASICALLY PASSES A BALL BACK AND FORTH."... She's lying.. Her shoulders are stiff and she has that mannerism whenever she lies.

Then she kicked me.. Hard... "TEPPEI-TAN, YOU IDIOT! I HATE YOU!" and she ran out the court.

My leg.. It hurts..

I knelt down, frustrated with my leg.. and my courage that is so microscopic.

"TEPPEI, YOU IDIOT!" both Riko and Junpei shouted, hitting me with their overpowered fists.

I know.. I know that I'm an idiot.. More reason for me not to deserve ____-chan, right?

..................

We won in the match even though I was in a daze the whole game.. There are times where there's a rebound and I'll manage to get it because I'll hear a familiar voice that is cheering for me.

....That voice really sounds like her.. I imagine her holding a banner that does not really like one. It gives me strength even though I know it's not her.. She's probably having fun in the concert.

...I still need to meet a girl.. She said that she wants to tell me something...

"Teppei-kun! My name is Yumi! I need to tell you something...!" she said.

I smiled. "What is it?"

"....I....I... Please go out with me!"

H-huh...? This is unexpected...

I looked at her in the eyes... Those determined eyes... It made me remember the confession of ____-chan a year ago....

...That's right... I rejected her that time... That's why.. she moved on. It was not her fault she moved on.. It's me.. If only I have said 'Yes' that time...

But I can't turn back to time.. What is done is done.. All I need to do is start a new chapter in my life and Yumi-san might help me..

"Sure." I answered and smiled.

She smiled back.. I feel so sorry for using her.. But I hope that I will reciprocate her feelings soon..

Suddenly, there was a loud clattering.. ? I turned to the noise... to find a dumbfounded ____-chan... Tears were falling from her eyes... Why?

"Hmm..? Teppei-kun?" Yumi called out.

"I--uhh.. " she stuttered and quickly knelt down to picked up her things.

".....______....chan..." I called out.

She laughed while sniffing... I feel sorry for her.

"Cong....Congratulations w...with the win... and your new....".... so she heard it..

I wanted to hug her.. But I can't do that now.. Not when... I already.. have.. somebody else..

She thrusted a bag in my hands.

"Excuse me!" she bowed before running away..

This is... a cake...? .. A Congratulations Cake.... So she watched the match.. Sacrificing her happiness.

"_____-CHAN!"

Is it too late... Or do I still have a chance.....?

--------------

(Bakamono: I am so sorry! I was in a vacation with family that's why I have no time to write! Anyway!! I accept first FIVE REQUESTSSSS and publish them all in one day!!! Yeyeyeyey. Hope you give me five! See ya!)