“Se- senpai, I really…really like you. Would you like to go out with me?” A light female voice caught in Kaito’s ear. 

Today is his picket schedule to clean the class; the girls who are on the same schedule as him are too scared to throw the trash in the dumpster at the back of their school building since it’s pretty late. The sun almost set and no student should wander around at this hour.

Kaito’s original plan was also to get his share done quickly - not because he’s scared - not that he wants to admit it. In his defence, he always has a bad feeling about the area behind their school. The dense saplings soared through the sky, blocking the sun from going in. Even the ground is barely exposed from the thick shrubbery; Black pine, the headmaster’s bonsai collection and overgrown mosses. Basically, a traditional Japanese garden that lacks maintenance. At least the rock footpath is in good shape and the little pond where the beautiful koi fishes live makes the backyard school worth maintaining. 

The whistles of the wind blowing between the branches, the shady tree canopy, and the cicada’s song in summer give the garden a unique charm; some of the students think this garden is a mysterious and serene place. But, for Kaito, the little garden behind the school always gives him a creep.

He can never understand why some people think this quiet place where a Kappa can suddenly appear behind the bush - is a good place for confession.

Just like this one.

/Oh crap! someone in the middle of confessing/ 

Kaito stops his pace and decides to press his back on the wall, hiding. He doesn’t mean to eavesdrop, but he is in an awkward situation where he can step in and ruin the girl’s golden moment or he can kindly leave and wait for another minute before throwing away the trash.

/Ah dammit! I don’t want to be here when it is completely dark/ 

Once again, not because he’s scared. But, for safety reasons, that’s it. Kaito doesn’t intend to pretend as a considerate friend and give whoever that potential couple out there a sweet moment which has nothing to do with him. Not when he's single himself. 

Kaito decides to stay.

/Ah screw them! It’s not my fault! Who told them to confess in a public place?/

Truthfully, the curiosity already consumes him; whoever is behind the wall probably will be the next couple or if the plan goes wrong, the girl would be miserably rejected; either way, it is still worth watching.

There is its own excitement and satisfaction in seeing someone else’s misery. Just imagining the girl’s face when she’s getting rejected already arouses quiet laughter from Kaito.

/That’s right. Let’s see how this turn out after you trouble me from doing my picket/

Kaito respects the girl’s courage to confess first even though she's lacking in wit - Who the hell confesses near the dumpster among the scrubs? Kaito can’t hold himself from sneering. But then he shakes his head; She must have already tried everything to bring whoever that jerk is on a date, but she obviously failed and desperately has to confess in this shitty place. Kaito nods proudly with his own hypothesis.

If it were him, he will - for sure - reject her because of her decision of confession location alone. Yet if she turns out to be his type though, Kaito will probably consider forgiving her and giving her another chance.

“Why do you like me?” The boy behind the wall answers and Kaito can’t help but feel familiar with the voice, a youthful - typically a young boy in puberty’s voice he usually hears on a daily basis. Quite a distinctive one with its silvery tone and softly-spoken manner.

But who?

Regardless, Kaito rolls his eyes subconsciously; That boy really has no mercy, making the girl have to explain her feelings right before his face. He bet that girl barely stands without getting clammy hands right now. She must have been practising reciting her confession without stammering all night long. Now that boy should prolong her misery by prying on her reason. Is that necessary?

The girl falls into silence for several seconds; it is quiet except for the liquid purl from the koi pond near the two of them as if the koi feel the thick tension between them and have to keep swimming over it.

“Umm..” the girls start “You’re cute, and I like your face,” She takes a pause before suddenly panicking “AH! but I don’t like you just because of your face, don’t get me wrong” She murmurs confidence has left her somewhere “You’re smart, you’re passionate about swimming, and you’re kind to all the people. You’re so perfect Senpai how can I not like you” she sounds frustrated, can’t give a right word to describe her feeling perfectly.

Kaito pinches his nose bridge, pondering who’s the boy with those descriptions. Is there anyone who can be that flawless? It's almost unfair if that kind of guy exists, no wonder a guy like Kaito got the last list in girls’ choice, he even has been single since he enrolled in high school.

Damn, life is indeed easier if he got the look and brain; Kaito bemoans inwardly.

 If those girls’ descriptions are accurate then Kaito grows more curious, who’s that perfect heartless jerk out there?

“I’m so sorry, but I can’t accept your feeling” The boy answers with a flat voice like he’s just a robot that is already programmed to say that rejection automatically or maybe- maybe he already knows he would reject her since the beginning. Then what’s the point of asking her such a trivial question?

Kaito’s curiosity is at its peak. He knows he shouldn’t stick his nose in someone else's business but tries to convince himself that he won’t do more than just know who they are; it won’t harm anyone right?

right?

Kaito takes out his cell phone from his pocket and pushes the screen away from his body to aim the screen facing to the other side of the wall, he wants to see the people behind it by using his phone screen reflection.

Kaito can’t see the girl since she has her back on him. Kaito squinted his eyes to take a better look at the boy’s face; spotless skin with Olive under tone,  plump cherry lips, silky hair with light colour, and round eyes that look droopy from the compassionate face he makes. It’s his class president; Ren Hasegawa.

Of fucking course!

Ren has every right to reject every girl. None of them would meet his standard, to be honest. He deserves to be cocky, nobody doesn’t know about him. All Juniors, even most of the alumni know him, some unsurprisingly secretly admired him. He’s the precise personification of perfection itself; Calling him a genius is underrated, Kaito doubts that a kid still needs to go to school after getting straight A's in every subject. As being a genius is not enough, he still kindly helps other classmates who have difficulty in their studies. Forget about all his bright academic career; Ren is also part of the school swimming team, he’s the ace of the group, having a big contribution with all trophies and medals in the hallway. Teacher’s pet and School’s darling- practically everyone’s best friend.

A small smirk forms on Kaito’s lips; /girl you should know your place/

Whoever dates Ren Hasegawa won’t live peacefully here since he basically belongs to everyone and if someone dares to demand exclusivity from the untouchable Ren Hasegawa- that would be really greedy.

“Can I ask you why you can’t accept my feeling?” the girl asks in a quivering voice yet a faint tone of anticipation is still there; she’s not given up yet. Whatever Ren’s answer is, she undoubtedly will do anything to meet Ren’s expectations. “Am I not good enough? Is there another girl you like?” She’s really on the verge of crying.

The sun orbs have disappeared, leaving the stain of oranges and faint purple over the horizon. Kaito focuses on a dark silhouette on his dark phone screen just to see Ren’s face clouded with guilt; he’s a good guy. His face is just enough to answer her that she has no chance at this point, but the kind Ren Hasegawa would never have the heart to say it out loud.

“If I tell you the reason, would you promise me with your life that you won’t tell anyone - not a single soul?” Ren pleas, his voice soft - almost sounds like a beg rather than a favour.

Kaito’s heart makes a loud thump before sinking to his stomach, giving nauseating guilt, swirling like a whirlpool. He suddenly realizes Ren may be going to tell her his secret. He shouldn’t be there; whatever secret Ren would say won’t give him anything more than a burden he has to save forever. Kaito hates complicated things, knowing someone else’s secret that has nothing to do with him will just trouble him; and more than anything this is the flawless Ren Hasegawa they’re talking about.

This is not funny anymore.

Kaito shoves back his phone into his pocket and is ready to leave. He will just leave the trash bag there and let the school janitor clean it. This is not happening every day, anyway. It’s already late and he should get ready for his part-time job.

“Yui, I tell you this because I know you well and I trust you…” Kaito just has a chance to turn his body, His feet don’t take any step yet when he hears Ren's voice echoing, drifting along with the chilly spring breeze. Crisp but clear. “Yui, I like boys”