Ever since I was a kid I have always enjoyed the company of girls older than me. It was because I grew up as an only child to parents who were busy and had no one to play with. The nanny who took care of me always brought her little brother along with her and I felt jealous that I had no sister to care for the way she cared for her brother. Maybe I was trying to seek sisterly affection from them.

But it wasn't the same for Hinata Yamakoko, the girl who lived next to my apartment. She always played with me when she was free and I didn't want her to be a sister to me. It was love. Thinking back I must be crazy, what does a nine years old boy know about love. Although I was not sure it was love, I even confessed to her a day before she moved.

"I love you Hinata Yamakoko, and I promise that when I grow up I will marry you." The foolish nine years old shouted, standing in her porch. Well, she laughed and walked away.

"Hey Raichi, quit spacing out." Rio, one of my very good friends said slapping my back.

"Ouch man.!" I looked at him, furrowing my brows.

"Raizo." Riku called.

"Hmm."

"Have you been listening to our conversation?"

"Umm..... see am really sorry." I said scratching the back of my head.

"Seriously, you need to quit spacing out." Juro said munching his bread.

"Yeah, yeah, am really sorry." I said smiling. Just then, Mizuki Yoshida walked into the class with her group, some other girls behind them.

"Oh, here's the Princess." Rio said smiling. "I wish I could go out with her, I just love her....."

Mizuki Yoshida, hiw will I put this, 'My second crush. Well, who in Nagasa high won't have a crush on her though mine's for another reason altogether. The girls flock around her and the boys act so stupid, well, not like I can stoop to their level but she's pretty cute, I'll give her that.

"Hey hey, did you see what happened between Yama-san and Ishii-san in the reality show during the weekend?" One of Yoshidas' friends, Rika asked.

"Oh, yeah can't miss it for the world." Yoshida said as they giggled.

"Raichi, I swear you are one lucky bastard." Rio said looking at Yoshida.

"Hmm, I don't see anything to be so lucky about, she's just in class." I said looking out of the window. "And shouldn't you be going back to your classes, it's almost the first period you know."

"Yeah yeah, Rio, Juro, let's get going." Riku said jumping down from my table.

"See you at gym class!" Juro shouted as they walked out of the class.

"Good grief, these guys should learn to stay in their classes when they get to school." I rested my head on my arm facing the window.

Classes went on as usual, not like I expected anything different. Before I knew it, the bell for lunch was rung.

"Yo!!! Raichi, let's head up!" Riku called from the front door.

"I'll be there." I said grabbing my bento box and getting up from my seat. Riku had already gone to the rooftop where the four of us stay for lunch. As I walked out of the class, with my head bowed, I hit someone by mistake making my lunch waste on the person.

*Argggghhh!!!!! I made sure to garnish today's lunch with the money my dad sent for this . Why??* And that's when I received a slap.

"Hugh!!!!!" The whole class gasped as I looked up at the person who hit me. It was Rika and she had a face that looked so insulting.

*Huh? Shouldn't I be the one annoyed. My lunch.......... is gone, she was the one who walked into me.* I thought looking at the person I bumped into, it was Yoshida and she looked quite annoyed. *But still, I don't think I deserved the slap. If they wanted an apology, I would have given them that even without them asking. Well, it's just me, not like am so important......*

"Hey, don't just stand there looking at us, you need to apologise!" Gina, another of Yoshidas friends shouted.

I looked up at them and everyone in class looked really pissed off. Some guys were threatening to hit me why the others planned on surrounding me after school.

"I'll just go wash up.." Yoshida said smiling.

*Huh? Is she trying to make the crowd more annoyed with me, cause it most certainly is working.*

"Well, it was a mistake, am sorry for not seeing you there." And with that I walk out of the class.

"Oh, that bastard! Who does he think he is!!" I heard someone scream in the class.

*Well, if anyone has a score to settle with me, he should come up and say so. I'll deal with him my way.*

"Hey, what the hell is wrong with you!" Rika asked running towards me and blocking my way.

"Um...... am really not in the mood for this, I'll apologise to her later okay, the class is just too loud for that, and it looks like you guys are making her really uncomfortable." I said looking away.

"You....."

"Hey, am really sorry if I made her sad or whatever, it wasn't my intention, you just hit me out of nowhere, I couldn't apologise then... you should understand." And with that, I walked out, cause o really didn't know what else to say.

It was time for gym class, it seemed like I was now a target for bullying, fans of Yoshida, I guess.

"Hey man," Juro called putting his arm around my neck and holding me tight.

"Oh, you lucky bastard." Riku called walking towards me.

"I heard you bumped into Mizuki Yoshida, you really are a lucky one, I wish I was the one who bumped into her." Rio said smiling and looking dreamily.

"Huh?"

"You! You are really lucky man, I also wish I was the one receiving that slap, I would have asked for more." Riku said.

*These guys are sick.* I thought looking irritated.

"Something is really wrong with you three. Am heading to the gym." I said putting on my shorts and walking out.

"Raichi!" They kept lamenting as we walked to the gym.

*Perverts.*

Many things did happen during gym class. I was hit by a ball many times, and I kept tripping cause of constant pushing, not like it bothered me.

"Hey, Raizo, why are you being idle." The gym instructor asked looking as stern as usual.

"Sensei, it seems like he's trying to avoid attending gym activities." Someone from my class said grinning at me.

"Raizo Yamaguchi, don't distract the class again, okay." The teacher said.

"Yes sir, thanks alot." I said smiling as he nodded leaving me alone.

"Tchh, he's always lucky with teachers." Someone said looking at me with hatred.

*Ha.....I just wish this will end soon, I don't want to attract any more attention than I want.* I thought juggling the ball that someone kicked to my face. I looked at the person and smiled. He made me get more attention.

"Jeez, I really hate that Yamaguchi guy, what does he think he is." Someone said as I changed my shoe.

"Haaa, home, atleast I'll be there alone." I said carrying my bag over my shoulder.

"Raichi," Riku called putting his hands over my shoulder.

"Sup' Raizo." Juro said, he and Rio walking towards me.

"Hey guys." I said smiling.

"I guess you plan on going home already." Rio said.

"Uh-huh." I said.

"Let's take you, we want to join you." Juro said.

"Huh? Why? You guys have club activities to attend to." I said.

"Well... the thing is that some of the guys in your class are out for you. They plan on ambushing you when you leave the school." Rio said.

"Yeah, let's go with you, with is there you won't be beaten." Riku said.

*Well, they really are caring.*

"Don't worry about that, I can take care of them on my own. Go back to your clubs am not a kid." I said smiling. "Bye."

"Make sure you come to school tomorrow with good health." Juro said as I smiled and waved them goodbye.

"Hey, Rai-chi." Riku called slapping my back.

"Riku, the hell?" I asked angrily which made him grin.

"Sup' Raizo." Juro called as we walked into the school compound.

"Hey, Rai did you do yesterday's homework?" Riku asked scratching the back of his head.

"Yup, but you aren't getting it." I said smiling.

Actually, I overslept the previous day. I woke up very late at night and that was when I did the homework, he doesn't expect me to give it to him freely.

"Your lunch is on me then, I'll buy you lunch so please." He pleaded.

"Who told you I didn't........" Just then, I remembered I wasn't with food in school. "Um..... you know you can't bribe me with food. I'll just give it to you cause you are my friend." I said looking away and smiling to myself.

"So you don't need the...."

"You most certainly would buy me lunch." I said as they laughed.

As I thought, I wasn't getting much attention as I was the previous day. Classes went on as usual and I was as quiet as usual.

"Raichi, what do you say we go to an arcade today?" Riku asked, his chopsticks between his lips.

"Huh? Why'd you bring that up now?" I asked enjoying the food he bought for me.

"Well, we haven't spent much time together since we entered the second year." Juro said.

"Hmm, it's just that, you guys have club activities and so on." I said placing my chopsticks on my plate.

"Well, yeah, we get it, but just for today..... and other days." Rio said.

"Yeah, infact, why don't you join a club too?" Juro asked.

Well, yeah, am not in any club, that's cause I love playing games and there's no gaming club in school.

"Yeah, you could join the arts....."

"Shut the fuck up Rio. Am not interested in any club." I said munching my omurice. "But, you know. Am really happy that you guys wanna hang out. I'll just wait for you guys to end your activities, then we'll to the arcade." I said smiling.

"Cool."

"Raizo Yamaguchi." Miss Nana Nagasa called when I got into the staff room.

"Good day ma." I greeted, bowing slightly.

"I heard you aren't in any clubs." She said looking up at me.

*Damn those bastards.* I thought clenching my fist.

"Yes ma." I said smiling.

"Do you have any reason?" She asked as I nodded disapprovingly. "Then, I need you to submit your form before next week. The form for the club you'll be joining." She said before dismissing me.

"Ha, the hell is this." I lamented dragging my feet in the hallway.

"Ow, am really sorry." Yoshida said as I looked up at her. We had bumped into each other.

"Oh, it's nothing. I actually wanted to apologise for yesterday." I said scratching the back of my head.

"Hmm, for yesterday, why are you apologising?" She asked.

"Oh, silly me." I said smiling.

*She wouldn't even bother remembering my name, why would she remember someone like me.* I thought.

"Well, I should be apologising, I made Rika hit you. It was my fault that the food got wasted." She said as I looked up at her.

"No, please don't." I said as she bowed her head.

"No, I really am." She said looking up at me.

"You shouldn't bother about someone like me." I said smiling.

"Don't say that Yamaguchi!" She shouted startling me.

"Um...am really sorry." I apologized not knowing her reason for flaring.

"No, I am, please excuse me." She said running away.

"Well, that was something." I said looking at my left. I felt someone was standing there watching me.

*Hhmm, stalkers.* I thought walking out and acting like I didn't notice him. *Maybe I'll try investigating his case.*

"Hahaha." Juro laughed at the way my face was.

"I don't get why this is so funny." I said angrily.

"You should really join the arts club, since you know how to draw and all." Rio said.

"You guys!!" I screamed as we walked out of school.

"Just forget that for now, we are off to the arcade." Juro said smiling as I followed them pouting.

As we walked out, I saw Yoshida walking out of school with her friends. My eyes caught one corner of the school and I saw a guy standing there with a camera, I guess he was taking pictures of her.

*That must be the stalker. Would he follow her home?* I thought as Juro dragged me with him.

"Hey!!" By the time I turned, the stalker had already gone.

*Dammit.*

We took the same path that Yoshida and her friends took, that was just a coincidence. As we walked and talked, I felt someone following us.

*The stalker is still on us. I need to get him.* I thought walking slowly.

"Hey Raichi, don't make us leave you behind." Rio said.

"Um, guys. I think I left something in class, go on without me." I said walking out.

*The stalker might be dangerous.* I thought walking out while looking at my sides. Just then, I saw a fat guy wearing a cap and sunglasses walk past me. "That's him.* I thought as I turned I dragged him into a corner and threw him yo the floor.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked looking scared.

"I should be asking you that." I said, my clenched fist raised.

"Am.. am really sorry. My boss asked me to do this. Please spare me." He said with his hands raised.

"Huh? Your boss."

*Is he a Yakuza boss or what, and what does Yoshida have to do with him.*

"Well, my boss wanted her to join a......" He couldn't continue and then I noticed someone behind me.

"Um, Yamaguchi, what are you doing?"

I looked up and saw Yoshida standing behind me.

"Oh, Miss Yoshida." The stalker called slipping away from me.

"Mr. Ittō." She called looking surprised.

*Heh? They know each other.* I thought surprised. *I guess I made a fool of myself.*

"Miss, please. The boss is begging that you return to the company." He said.

"I told him that I don't want to return, don't you guys get it. I might come back after high school but for now no." She said looking away.

*Seems like she forgot that am here. I'll just sneak out.* I thought about to walk out.

"What were you guys doing?" She asked looking at me as I froze.

"Um..... well." I started while scratching the back of my head. "Am really sorry. I didn't know you guys knew each other. I thought he was a stalker." I said bowing my head.

*Jeez, what do I take myself for, we aren't close or anything, I bet I look like a creep.* I thought. When I noticed she wasn't responding, I looked up at her and saw her blushing.

"So cute." Was what slipped out of my mouth and her face became redder which made mine red. "Am really sorry." I said looking away.

"W-well, thanks for caring." She said as I nodded.

"Mh-hm." I said as I began to walk away.

"W-wait.. Yamaguchi." She called before I fled.

 The next day, I got to school, I remembered to bring my lunch.

"Hey man." Riku called, his hand over my shoulder.

*Same old stuff.* I thought rolling my eye.

Class began normally, I planned on watching the clubs as they did their stuff. I wasn't listening during class, well it's normal. I get really sleepy when I start listening.

 School was over before I knew it and it was time for me to go look for a club.

"Hey Rai-chi, come on, the clubs won't come find you here." Riku said grinning.

"Get out Riku." I said packing some books into my bag and getting up.

"The first club we'll be going to is this." He said showing me the volleyball team.

"Hmm." I looked at Riku as he looked at the girls, smiling.

"Um...shouldn't you be showing me the boys volleyball team?" I asked as he nodded disapprovingly.

"The boys team are no fun." He said.

"So do you intend on making me join the female team?" I asked.

"Look at you pervert." He said still staring. "If that was possible I would have joined them a long time ago." He said grinning.

"Let's leave." I said dragging him with me.

"No, I can't, look, Yoshida is there." He said making me turn and see her.

By the time I turned, she was jumping to hit the ball. She really looked cool. The whistle blew startling me.

"Point."

"Whoa, let's rest a bit." Rika said as Yoshida nodded and then looked my way. I was startled at first but then I became calm when she smiled at me.

"Did you see, she smiled at me, I can finally die." Riku said smiling.

"Hah, I have nothing to say to you." I said and finally dragged him out.

Next, we went to the drama club and then arts and so on.

"So which would you join?" Riku asked, it looked like he was also getting tired.

"None, they are all boring. I think I'll join the soccer team." I said smiling to myself.

"WHAT? You know they won't let you play. You'll just stay and maybe work for them." Riku said.

"Um...well, I just don't know what to do." I said as I looked away. "It's hard man."

"Yeah, but you have to join a club, you can actually join the soccer team, I'll speak to the team captain and ask him to ask the coach to let you play once." Riku said.

"Yeah, I just remembered you play soccer." I said as he laughed.

"Then let's go meet them." He said as we walked to the field.

"Hey, Riku, you are late." Jiro, the captain said looking at us. "Seems like you brought a friend."

"Yeah, this is Raizo Yamaguchi, he's a friend of mine and he wanted to join the soccer team." Riku said making Jiro turn to me.

"Well, since we aren't having any match today or weeks from now, why don't you show us what you've got." He said grinning.

*Well, not like I came to play with you guys, just want to be in a club* I thought as they threw the ball in my direction.