You're like a cherry blossom, blooming in the brilliant spring. But I, as a selfish man, want to see it last for the whole human life.

***

"Ali..."

"Yes?"

"I want to sleep."

As usual, on their days off, they would slow down, stop their feet and relax in the midst of the busy society. They were having a movie marathon in the cozy room and curled up on the warm couch with Harie sitting between his thighs and Suna's arms around her waist.

But Suna seemed lost in thought, maybe he hadn't slept well or had a bad dream.

Harie patted her lap and turned to look at him.

"Ali."

He called her but didn't say anything else, just gently took her right hand, placed a light kiss on it. She could feel, she admired each callus on both his hands. The hands are large, rough yet somehow soft and lovely. If there was nobody remembering each of his effort, she would.

"Why do you think it is?"

"What are you talking about?" She asked, confused.

"I never thought I could love somebody this much."

"..." She was in a daze and couldn't respond. Is he in a bad mood? It's not like that. He isn't in a good mood either. "Rintarou, what's wrong?"

"Hm? Ah, sorry. Nothing."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

His voice was quieter. He rested his head on her shoulder, closing eyes, not sure if he was tired.

...

She felt her shoulder grow damp, and he furrowed his brows as his tears fell.

Your voice is too small, I can't hear it. If you don't speak up, you will carry that scar in your heart.

Her hand delved into his hair, carefully stroking it. Her free hand grabbed the remote and turned off the scene.

"Sorry, I'm a little emotional."

"You're gonna hide it, from me, aren't you?"

"You don't have to-"

"Rintarou, it will eat away at us, and... break again."

"Ali...!"

He got uncomfortable, burrying his face in the crook of her neck. They sat in silence for a while before he spoke again. He had always tried to push aside his own feelings, especially in front of her. She doesn't like it.

"I'm sorry..."

"For what?"

"For raising my voice."

"You didn't. I'm sorry for what I said."

She's afraid she hurt him a lot. Why is he apologizing her when he was just a bit harsh at the end of the sentence? He should have, perhaps, but she doesn't want to. She doesn't know anything more... She just feels... her heart aches.

"Ali."

"Hm?"

It was low and much hoarse.

"You didn't hear it?"

"Your heartbeat?"

"No. I love you."

"I love you too. Even now, and always."

After she spoke, he shifted, lying down on her lap. His body curved a bit for warmth and safety.

He loves lying on her lap. It's soft and comfortable. Her hand always runs through his scalp, adoring each strand. He wants to lie there for a bit longer. Just a bit... longer.

***

"Ali-chan, how's everything going? You and Suna-san?"

"Um... after our breakup, he's... more clingy? He's acting like I'm his mom and he's only three years old... And he didn't say so many sweet things like he's doing..." I swear I'm still not used to it!

"Is that why you were blushing earlier?"

"...Yeah."

...

"Okay, I'll pick you up after work."

"Thanks. Have a good day."

"...You forgot it..."

"Forgot what?"

She looked at his pout and didn't know what she had done, until he pointed to his lips.

"You're too tall." An perfect excuse.

"Well, then..."

With a gentle lift, he held her against him, cradled easily on his arm. She had to hold onto his shoulder for balance.

"..." You must be joking.

"Now you're on top."

She wished she'd kissed him normally before all this happened.

After that, he put her back on the ground, slowly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while never breaking the eye contact. Just like he was drinking deeply in her mysterious eyes.

"Take care of yourself."

Each of his gesture is driving her crazy. He's such a jerk, isn't he?

Before he completely disappeared from her sight, she spoke up one last time.

"Rintarou, do you hear it?"

"Hear what?"

"I love you!"

...

Back to Harie's conversation with her colleague - Kiyoko Fujita.

"I don't know... sometimes it's like we're still the same as before, but so much has changed as well."

"Mhm-hmm? How about his career?"

"Yeah, he's still outstanding. And he wants me to watch him play more."

"You've already done that."

She smiled.

"By the way, how about you Kiyoko-chan? Are you still following him?"

"...Mhm, I am."

***

When I was in my first year of high school, obviously, I knew who he was. I guess every girl in my school knew him. They admired him for his talent and good looking appearance, cheering him on at every match.

I also heard that his team was very strong and well-known in the prefecture. But it wasn't like I had some interest in him, I knew nothing about volleyball. But that day, like the god led me there or somehow, I ended up at one of his matches in the gymnasium.

And I was stunned.

Off the court, he was like a refreshing and playful guy. But when he stepped onto the court, I was surprisingly scared. How could he change the vibe and atmosphere so easily? The way he became so serious, focused and devoted his everything to volleyball made me take one step back.

That's when I really saw who this person was.

He's bad, right? He kept unintentionally attracting me, making me look at him every time he turned into that incredible captain. He has made me not able to think about anyone else.

And then, he moved to Argentina. I've had no chance to meet him again.

Tooru Oikawa is a name I'll never forget, not for the rest of my life.

But, Tooru once said that Kiyoko Fujita is a strong and amazing girl, he trusted me. Yes, I'm a strong girl, who stands up from rains and storms, the girl who can reap the wind and pick up the sky. So I can say that I'm trying hard just because of a simple sentence: I miss you.