Cherry blossom trees line my path, the wind stirring up the pink blossoms. I walk absently, with no definite destination. But i knew i was on the right track. I close my eyes and listen to the wind. A soft tinkling melody reaches me and i knew she was near.

Her melody. A soft sound that fills me with peace and longing. I could feel her presence already, a gentle feeling, enveloping me in its warmth. I finally open my eyes.

I walk then gradually run. As i reach the end of the path, i see her. She smiles at me and i envelope her in a final embrace.

Shuichi POV

For fifteen years, I led a meaningless life. My life was a bore. It had no meaning, no purpose. I was born to do nothing and i don’t know anything. My father is a rich man and provided us extravagantly. I live in a mansion; I have more money than i could spend, and i am better off than everybody else. But that mansion is always empty, its long halls deserted, rooms vacant.

I walked to school every day, wanting to experience normal things. But i felt that it’s not enough. Emptiness engulfs me, like a tidal wave. I don’t want this to continue forevermore; such loneliness is enough to make me insane.

Loneliness is like a disease.. do you suffer it too?

I pause. Whose voice was that i heard in my mind? What a curious question.. is that person also like me?

Yes, I answer back,

Nothing.

I sigh. I must be very lonely to answer questions inside my head. But i knew that it was not just my subconscious; its someone else entirely. I sigh again and walk along. A group of girls stop in front of me, all of them blushing furiously.

“Tadase-san, may we walk with you?” they ask. Funny, they’re not calling me Prince or anything today.

“I’m sorry, but i would like to enjoy my solitude this early morning.” I said, bowing a little, just to exaggerate my ‘Prince” title and to get them off me.

They giggle and run away, waving at me. I smile a bit at them then resume walking. Peace. I don’t think i have that.

The sounds of running footsteps behind me jerk me back to reality. Then a pink flurry crashes into me. We both fall onto the hard asphalt ground.

“That hurt.” I said, rubbing my head. I stood up and saw the girl I crashed with lying on the ground beside me.

She stirred, her long pink hair trailing on the ground. I help her stand up and hand her her bag. She’s very cute, with her long pink hair and those luminous brown eyes. She stood up dazedly and seemed near tears.

“Gomenasai.”she muttered, her head bowed. Her voice was very soft and gentle. It struck a familiar chord in me; I just didn’t know what.

“It’s all right.” I said. She nodded. Slowly, her shoulders started to shake. I realized that she was crying. She fell on her knees as big fat tears flowed from her eyes.

“Why, do I have to be such a nuisance to everyone?” she choked. I felt a tugging at my heartstrings. I knelt down beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Do you think that just because you bumped into me, you’re already a nuisance?” I said.

Arisa POV

“Do you think that just because you bumped into me, you’re already a nuisance?”

I look up at him, his handsome face illuminated by the sunlight. He gently brushed away my tears, a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.

“That’s not a very good reason to consider yourself one.” he said. I stood up and shrugged my bag onto my shoulders. Somehow, that remark of his comforted me a little.

“C’mon, we’re gonna be late.” he called out to me. I hurry up beside him, feeling a sudden wave of peace.