The sounds of sirens can be heard loudly.
Saeki sat there, wide-eyed and gasping. His chest tightened.
Close to you
Everywhere Saeki Kojirou went, can be seen close by. Her closeness and full attention made Saeki feel at ease. He had gone out with many girls in the past, a majority of which had asked him. All were exceptionally beautiful but very clingy or not clingy enough. was different. She may not have been beautiful in the eyes of others but she was beautiful in her own way. Her closeness to him was enough for him to feel comfortable and not awkward.
Sitting near the tennis courts, waited for her boyfriend, clutching the ring on her necklace. She was always there. Her eyes and full attention was always on him. She used to be in many extracurricular activities such as cross-country, art and drama. Why did she quit? Saeki.
-----
"Saeki Kojirou. You seem like a wanted man. Now, please answer the question that is frequently asked: What type of girls do you like?"
"The type that will stick with me."
Whispers could be heard all around the room. Kurokawa Miharu walked up to 's desk with a group following her. She was one of the most popular girls in school and made it very clear that she was after Saeki.
"Na~ -san... It seems as though your boyfriend likes girls that will stick with him. Be close to him. Can you possibly do that? I know you are very busy with your clubs and activities. Doesn't Saeki feel lonely? Maybe you should end it off early as to not hurt Kojirou-san in the future."
Miharu smirked as she flipped her hair.
Smiling, looked up as she clutched the ring on her necklace.
“I’ll sacrifice anything to be close to him.”
-----
Since then, she gave up many things just to be with him. Maybe it was insecurity that made Kojirou have the feeling that someone always needed to be with him. He looked over to his side and saw smiling and looking forward. He felt selfish.
" , you don't have to be with me all the time."
"It's alright, Saeki. I like being with you."
He couldn't tell her 'no'. It wouldn't have felt right if she wasn't close to him.
"Hey, it my birthday tomorrow... Would you, you know, like to go out?"
smiled and nodded.
Dropping her off in front of her home, he bid her farewell and headed off home, hoping for tomorrow to arrive sooner.
walked to her room. She opened a drawer and took out a box wrapped with a tan colored ribbon. Still smiling, she held it close as she clutched onto the silver ring on her necklace.
'I hope this bring me closer to you.'
-----
Walking through the busy street, the couple was basking in each others company.
"Want to get something to eat?"
"Sure! But wait!"
Going through her bag, she searched for the box.
"I'll go see if that restaurant is not full, ok?"
"Sure."
Rustling through her bag, she finally managed to find the box with the tan colored ribbon.
Smiling, she looked up. Her eyes widened.
"Saeki!"
The next moment, Saeki was on the ground.
The sounds of sirens can be heard loudly.
Saeki sat there, wide-eyed and gasping. His chest tightened.
The sight in front of him made his heart stopped.
had saved him.
The pavement was covered with blood and glass.
Looking down, he saw the box with the tan ribbon.
-----
The ride home from 's funeral was a quiet one.
A box with a tan ribbon fell out of his pocket and onto his lap.
Pulling off the ribbon, he opened the box. Inside the box were a card and her necklace.
Taking the necklace with the silver ring, he watched as it glimmered against the sunlight.
Reading the card, he wept silently.
'I'd sacrifice anything to be close to you.'
------
Written by Annie