They all learned something new about Syo. He is extremely emotional and sentimental. Who would have thought.

Yuko was in the infirmary, and when Takiyo, Ren and Arisu had come back to class, they told him and pretty much the whole class what had happened. When Yuko finally did come back to class, she was immediately ambushed, but Syo got to her first. He threw his arms around her, bawling.

"Yuko! Are you okay?! You're not hurt, right?! Nothing broken?!" Syo examined Yuko's confused face, then broke out in tears again and gave her a hug again. "Yukooooooo! I'm sorry I wasn't there to help!!"

"Um..." Yuko patted his back awkwardly. "Calm down, Syo-kun. I'm all good... Can you let go of me now?"

"Un..." Syo pulled away, sniffing. The whole class stood in shock in reaction to Syo's emotional display, especially since some people still thought he was a heartless emo. They overcame it, then they all attacked Yuko.

"Are you okay, Nishikawa-san?!"

"It was so scary!"

"You could have died!"

"Nishikawa-san!!"

Yuko was overwhelmed, and she didn't know what to do with all the unwanted attention. Finally, Sayua called out. "Okay, guys, give her some space!"

Yuko felt thankful for that, and everyone backed away. She looked around and all of them, and wanted to thank them for their concern. Still, seeing the big crowd unnerved her.

"Th-thank you..." she mumbled. Then she remembered how she hadn't thanked Syo, and turned to him, feeling guilty. But he had already taken the joint thank-you. Then she remembered she hadn't thanked Takiyo, Ren and Arisu. She quickly turned to them, but Ren gave her a reassuring smile and waved it off.

Yuko looked down at her feet, and gave a small smile. "Really, thank you everyone." she mumbled.

BAM!

The classroom was thrown open, and Saburo stood at the doorway. He looked around, and then his eyes landed on Yuko. He swooped down upon her and gave her a bear hug, and class 2-A whistled appreciatively.

"I heard you got out of the infirmary." he said quietly.

Yuko gave a nervous laugh, trying to hide the redness in her face. "It sounds like I just got out of the hospital."

Saburo talked with Yuko for a while, ensuring that she was fine, and then left. The moment he left, Michi arrived, eyes pouring, with Yoichi at her shoulder.

"Yuko-chan!" she cried. "I heard you got out of the infirmary!"

"Oh dear..." Yuko sighed, as the cycle repeated itself.

Takiyo watched from a considerable distance. He suddenly turned to tell Arisu something, but then realised she was busy talking with Hikari and Erika. He turned to Ren instead, but Ren was talking with some of his friends from another class. He glanced at Syo, who was busy composing himself while his friends laughed themselves silly at him.

In these situations, he usually had the company of Yuko. But now there she was, in the company of someone else.

Takiyo looked back down. He didn't say anything.

***

Before they knew it, they were on winter vacation. Takiyo found himself lying across the couch, reading.

"Takiyo, are you done with your homework?" Mrs. Hamasaki asked, bringing the washing inside. Takiyo nodded and turned a page. Mrs. Hamasaki put down the basket, and Takiyo sat up, giving her room. She sat down and began folding the clothes.

"Are you doing anything on Christmas, Takiyo?" Mrs. Hamasaki asked as she worked.

"Hm?" Takiyo looked up at her.

"I mean, with your friends." Mrs. Hamasaki said brightly.

Takiyo looked back down. "Not that I know of."

"Eh? You should be doing something." Mrs. Hamasaki insisted.

"They have other friends too." Takiyo said dismissively, turning another page.

"Your father has a Christmas party at his workplace." Mrs. Hamasaki said.

"I know. And I don't want to come."

"Well, there isn't much for a 17-year-old boy." Mrs. Hamasaki agreed. "But I'm going. What will you do? Surely you won't be alone on Christmas?"

"There isn't any need for you to worry, Ka-san." Takiyo said, slamming his book shut.

"Takiyo?" Mrs. Hamasaki stopped what she was doing. "Are you alone again?"

Takiyo didn't reply, got up, and went upstairs.

"Takiyo!" Mrs. Hamasaki called, standing up.

No reply. Just a door closing. Mrs. Hamasaki sank back into the sofa, clutching a T-shirt. She was convinced her son wouldn't be alone on Christmas for once. He never really did anything with her and Mr. Hamasaki. He would just insist on being alone, locked up in his room. She thought he was going to go out and have fun. He had friends, right?

Then why did he look so lonely again?

***

It was Christmas Eve. Takiyo was in his room. He couldn't stand his mother's persistent questions of whether he was alone or not, and if he was doing something on Christmas. Tonight was his father's Christmas party, and his mother was becoming extremely anxious. He couldn't stand the way she was looking at him anymore. He didn't want to say anything.

He looked through his messages. Ren had a party with his track and field club. Syo had a party with the soccer club. Arisu was having a sleepover with Hikari and Erika. Yuko was going on her first date with Saburo.

Everybody had something to do. They weren't alone. Ren, Arisu and Syo were never alone, they had other friends. But now, Yuko had someone for herself too. Everybody suddenly felt relieved, and were exploiting it.

Whenever two people start to go out together, they become each other's first priority. Everybody was focused on the new happy couple, nobody would bother about the friends of the person. The friends just become background characters.

He wasn't going to lie to himself. He was hoping to be having fun with them on Christmas. He was hoping to not be alone. He missed them. He wanted to be with them.

He felt stupid. He was never qualified to call himself alone. This empty feeling, it wasn't something he had felt before. He never felt this longing before, this absolute abandonment. He was paying the price for his underestimation of friends. Everybody was always right. You needed friends.

The last few days leading up to the winter vacation, he has been feeling that. Ever since that incident, Saburo had been holding Yuko rather close, and they spent a considerable amount of time together.

He tossed his phone aside. This just proves he doesn't learn from his mistakes. That entire promise was a mistake. He was abandoned again? Once again, he let someone important to him slip away because of love. But love always wins.

It seems as though making friends was a mistake. He was returning to his old thought process. Friendship can hurt you too. He turned over, and smiled to himself.

I can't believe those idiots are making me feel like this. My head hurts.

There was a rap on his door. At this point, his mother had figured out that Takiyo was going to be alone on Christmas as usual. It hurt her so badly to see her son drowning in solitude once again. Mr. Hamasaki put a hand on her shoulder as she knocked.

"Takiyo?" she called through the door. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us? I heard from your father, turns out one of his higher-ups has a daughter around your age. So you would have something to do, right?" She sounded a little hopeful, but all hope was instantly shattered.

"Yes, Ka-san. I'm sure. Just go already, you're running late." Takiyo replied. "Enjoy yourself."

Mrs. Hamasaki clenched her fist.

"Riko..." Mr. Hamasaki said solemnly. "He just wants to be alone."

Mrs. Hamasaki looked at with sad eyes. "Tatsua..."

"Let's go..." Mr. Hamasaki said pointlessly. He was always the parent who understood when to leave his child alone, while Mrs. Hamasaki was the kind of parent who knows when her child isn't happy. Mr. Hamasaki steered her away.

"We're going, Takiyo!" he called.

"Bye, To-san. Ka-san. Have fun." Takiyo called back.

He heard the front door close, and turned back over. He was pushing everyone away again. Even his own mother. He was so stupid. Was he that forgettable? He reached his hand out in front of him, but only grabbed thin air.

You let go...I'm drowning again...

History was repeating itself.

***

"Ayyy Ren!! Good to see you came this year!" One of the people from track and field said.

A friend from junior high chimed in, "Yeah, he didn't come in the second and third year of junior high either!"

Ren laughed nervously. "I was able to free up a little."

"Took you long enough!" And they all started laughing. Ren laughed with them. Then he suddenly remembered something. He flipped his phone open, and went through his messages. As he did so, his eyes widened.

Hey. What is that idiot Takiyo doing on Christmas? He didn't tell us.

"Hey, Ren! We won't let you get away this time!"

"Yes, sure, sure!" Ren called back, stowing his phone away and pulling up a smile.

Seriously, what is he doing?

***

"Arisu, what's up?" Hikari asked, walking with her knees to Arisu, who was sitting cross-legged while hugging her pillow, staring into the distance. She looked up when Hikari addressed her.

"No, nothing." Arisu shook her head. "I was just wondering, what is Takin doing on Christmas? Everybody is doing something. Maybe I should have invited him..."

"Have you lost your mind?!" Erika yelled, also crawling over. "This is a sleepover. A girl's sleepover. You can't just invite some boy in."

"I know, but it's not some boy..." Arisu said in a low voice, eyebrows furrowed. "It's Takin..."

Hikari patted her shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sure he's found something to do, like hang out with his family or something."

Arisu looked at her, and smiled. "Yeah, okay."

***

"Captain's looking serious!"

"Hey captain, you have that scary face again."

"What?" Syo looked around at his teammates.

"What's up?" one boy asked, grinning.

"Nothing," Syo said, shaking his head. "I was wondering about Takiyo. He's a lonely guy, so since we all were busy, I'm hoping he isn't being depressed or anything."

Everyone looked at him blankly, and Syo realised who he was talking to. He grinned. "Don't show me those clueless faces, a**holes. You're lucky you're not on the field, or your heads are gonna roll, not the ball!"

"Yessir!!"

***

"...Yuko?"

Yuko shook her head. "I'm forgetting something."

"What?" Saburo asked.

She though for some time, trying to remember. Yuko shrugged it off. "No, never mind. Come on, let's have fun!!"

Was it important?

***

"You're really an idiot, aren't you Takiyo?" he muttered to himself.

I don't want to drown... Please don't let go...

I was fighting against drowning.

Drowning in solitude.