“Love is for everyone.  It’s a statement that’s been reiterated for a long time with varying remarks from whoever is asked.  Some wholeheartedly agree with that statement and claim that love is a fundamental part of life.  There is a person for everyone.  Others wholeheartedly disagree with that statement and claim that love is an option and isn’t necessarily needed.  You can live your life alone and still be happy.  You have reached the conclusion of this CD, please buy Part 2 of…”

I took my headphones off and put them back on the rack.  Various CD’s circled the rack as if they were attending a concert for a popular artist.  As my hearing became free, I heard other noises around the building.  There were sounds of people socializing, others tapping their feet to the rhythm of the music, and the noise of the scanner checking out CDs.  I looked down at the CD screen to see what I was listening to:  “Ways of the Heart Part 1.”  Part 1 felt like one of those unskippable ads that played before you were able to watch the actual video.

“Haruki, did you find something you like?” asked a male who popped out of the corner. He was tall with long, black hair but not long enough to cover his eyes.  He wore black glasses and had clear, light skin.

“No, I was just strolling around and listening to whatever I could find.”

“Ways of the Heart Part 1,” he mumbled to himself.  “Well, looks like someone might be in love.”

“In love?  Did you find someone you like, Jin?” I asked.  He’s always been more of the playboy type, so this caught me by surprise.

“Not me, you idiot,” Jin let out a sigh.  “The CD screen said that the last CD you played was Ways of the Heart Part 1.”

“Oh yeah.  I honestly thought it was a rap album about love, but then they told me to buy Part 2 at the end, and that’s when I realized it wasn’t.”

“I don’t know if I should be annoyed that you thought it was a rap album, or that it took you until the end to realize that it wasn’t a rap album,” Jin started walking towards the cash register.

“I still enjoyed it!  It was talking about how love is for everyone, but I don’t think it’s true,” I started recalling everything that was being mentioned from the CD.

“And why don’t you think that statement is true?” 

“Well, I’ve never been in love,” I replied instantly.

“And why do you think that?”

“The CD gave very detailed guidelines on how to know if you’ve been in love, and I don’t relate to any of them,” I answered immediately.  “I don’t think people like how I look.”

“You’re tall and athletic which comes from your time playing basketball back in high school.  You have a good sense of fashion and know what matches with what.  If anything, it’s your blonde hair that might make you intimidating, but we both know that has never been the case.”

“Wow!  I’m glad for those compliments, but I hope you know that I don’t roll that way,” I put my hand over my mouth.  I was hit with a karate chop over my head.

“How many years have we known each other?” Jin asked.

“Since we were in elementary school.”

At this point, we already reached the register.  The cashier was patiently waiting for us to give her our items.

“Do you know how many girls have liked you?”

“Liked me?”  I asked confusingly.  “None.”

“In elementary school, why did Ayuri ask you to wait for her by the bus stop?” Jin handed the cashier his CD.

“She needed help going up the bus stairs, so she asked to hold my hand.” 

The cashier couldn’t help but let out a little giggle.

“In middle school, what did Misaki leave in your shoe locker?” Jin asked.

“A declaration of war,” I started thinking about the letter that was in my locker.  “That letter asked me to meet her at the back of the school.”

The cashier tried to maintain her giggle, but it was clear that she was about to crack.

“During freshman year, what did Touka give to you on Valentine’s Day?” Jin asked.

“She gave me some chocolates, but then she started crying when everyone except for me gave her something on March 14th.”

The cashier at this point couldn’t handle her giggling and started laughing.

We both took a look at her, and she immediately stopped laughing as she put the CD in a plastic bag.

“Let me tell you the truth about those things that have happened.”  

“Truth?” I asked.