*Bell Ringing*

The sounds of students running down the hallway can be heard from the opposite corner of the building. The last snow from the winter has melted and the weather is becoming more and more colourful, so does the students' life.

All of them have been tired from the exams past few weeks but the closing ceremony that they all have been waiting for, is getting near. It's the start of spring. The birds are singing cheerfully, and the sky is bright clear. However, there is one boy who cannot enjoy this beautiful weather and life.

*Sigh*

"Hey, Haru. What's wrong man?"

"I am fine."

"What?? Haru doesn't like Haru, huh? Hahaha!"

*(Haru means Spring in Japanese.)

His friends made a joke and laughing it off. Haru doesn't seem to be offended by this since it's understandable for him to see everyone at school is enthusiastic about this time.

Haru cannot wrap around his head. His mind is full of beautiful cherry blossoms. Sakura. It was three years ago, when he met Sakura for the first time at this school. There weren't any dramatic encounters like the movies. It's just like a flower petal falling down from a tree. It was fast but it was slow. It still feels like his whole world was stopped.

I have been interested in her since then. I did not want to change this one-sided feelings. Of course, I want to upgrade our relationship but there has always been one chance that you will reject me. That's why, I lied to myself and suffocated myself with these feelings. But this time is the turning point now. We all are graduating and we may walk the different routes. We might not see each other again. This thoughts kept me awake for few days now. So I need keep myself together, and have to do something.

While Haru was daydreaming, his friends looked at him with worried eyes, wondering what is wrong with him. Haru has a cool personal, butbut when people get closer to him, they can feel his warmness and kindness with their whole hearts. This quiet boy is making his extroverted friends anxious.

The class ended quickly since it's just a review session. Haru could not fully focus on his studies even though he always has been, as a decent top student. He was gazing at the tree with the cherry blossom which can be seen clearly from his window seat, and humming some melodies in his head while thinking of her.

"Haru, shall we go grab some drinks at the food stall?"

"Great idea. Where is it?"

"It's near the river bank."

Haru and his close friend, Leo headed to the food stall in the late afternoon. It's crowded with young people and almost looked like a festival. Haru and his friend grabbed some refreshments and rested on the river bank.

"You've been out these days. What's happened?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Right! What? Who made your heart broken like that?"

Haru's friend, Leo teased slightly as his friend is known to be so introverted that people regarded him as an asexual.

"....."

The silence from Haru broke the shocking news to Leo. He could not believe his eyes seeing his friend making that desperate expression.

"Are you for real?"

"Yeah. Do you want to lend me your ears?"

Finally Haru expressed his feelings that he has treasured and nutured, into words for the first time. The sun was setting so the sky of the colour was orange. The whole experience felt nostalgic.

Haru left out a long sigh.

"I felt relieved Leo. Thank you. That's all enough for me....."

Leo grabbed his shoulders tightly.

"What do you mean by that? Are you not confessing to her?"

"I have never talked to her, Leo. I will definitely be rejected. "

"So what?"

Leo's words made Haru sad. He felt betrayed by his trusted friend.

"Are you scared of rejection? You should be more anxious about the regrets that your future self will have to carry for your whole life?"

"......"

Haru can't say any words. His head is full of anxiety.

".....but how? I am not even sure I can make a normal conversation with her."

"Then turn your feelings into a song. A song just for her. A melody that you would sing only for her. I believe in you as a former music club member. "

After the conversation with Leo, Haru worked hard to compose, edit and sing. It was easy for him to make a song as music has been more meaningful these three years. Haru voluntarily resigned from the music club because of his tight schedule but he always plays the piano whenever he gets free time thinking of her.

Few weeks later

The day of closing ceremony has arrived. The tree at the centre of the school building is more elegant as the school staffs did some gardening for this day.

Haru stopped and looked at the flower blossom for a few minutes. Once he decided to leave, he felt a deja vu. It was the opening ceremony, at the same place, at the same time and with the same girl.

The long hair was dancing with the spring breeze so was her school skirt. The smile on her face was sweet like honey. It was the time when Haru fell in love with the first sight.

"Sakura."

The girl heard Haru's voice and approached him with the same smile. But she cut her hair short. Haru did not complain because he is in love with all of her looks and personality.

"My name is Sakura too, it's interesting right?"

"Yeah, ....... yeah."

Haru stumbled his own words. He needed to leave an impression. For an introvert, he is doing a good job.

"What's your name?"

"I'm Haru."

"Haru. The spring, Haru?"

"Right!"

"Wow. We could be a great match though. It's pity! It was nice meeting you."

The girl decided to leave the place as the ceremony has already been started and there aren't any students left in the school yard.

Haru took a deep breath and he was fully aware of the fact that he shouldn't let this opportunity fall out as this can be the last one.

"We can still be, Sakura."

"Hmm. Yeah. You're right!"

Haru has to say everything that needs to be said quickly since the girl is in hurry.

"Sakura, please give me a minute. I will be real quick. This is important. I want to say something. "

The girl is not stupid. She can grasp things by women instincts. She quickly maintains her pose and gives him a sign. She doesn't want to be rude and hurt this unknown man. She has done this to many men, so she is not awkward anymore.

Haru loosened his tension and looked straight into her eyes.

"I have known you for the past three years, Sakura. We met here, I don't think you remember that. It's totally fine. But from that day, you have been in my mind. I thought it was just a spark, but it grows brighter and brighter. I felt happy when we encountered in the hallway, cafeteria, library or even in the streets some time. For these three years, I was happy, excited and looking forward because of you. Thank you for making me feel like this. But if I may, I also want to repay these feelings by staying beside you and walking down the same path with you whenever or whatever you are, happy or sad. So can you please go out with me?"

Sakura was touched by his sincere personality. However, it was not easy for her to accept all of these as it's heavy for her.

"Umm.... Haru?"

"Wait!" Haru said quickly.

"You don't need to give an answer right now. I believe it's too much for you. I am thankful for just listening to me attentively. These are my genuine feelings and I made a song just for you. Please listen to this and contact me if you have a feedback."

Hard handed the memory stick to Sakura and walked away quickly.

"Hmm.... a feedback?"

Sakura was dumbfounded at the same time amused by Haru's shyness. She did receive a lot of confessions before but never met who's this considerate, kind and cute. Haru did leave a deep impression to Sakura.

Haru rushed to the toilet and sitting on the floor, buried his face between his legs.

Haru wanted to dig a hole and disappeared. However, he did a very good confession because of his hour-long rehearsals.

It was a very beautiful day. The weather was nice, everyone was wearing a sweet smsuccessfullyg at the camera. The academic year 1996 was successfully graduated. The girl at the right corner of the photo was looking at the boy at the opposite end, with a smile full of honey.