1 Chapter 1

Takeuchi Takeru. The hottest guy in the school. All the girls love him for some odd reason. Me, on the other hand, I hate him. Why? Well, that's easy.

Takeuchi is the biggest jerk in the whole world. One time during middle school, I needed to use the restroom. However, due to all of the girl's bathrooms already being cleaned, I had to use the downstairs boy's restroom. Right when I was about to enter, Takeuchi passed right by me. He then occupied the whole restroom with 16 stalls inside. He locked the door so I couldn't get in. Such a jerk, right?!

"Why are you glaring at Takeuchi, Sakura?" My friend, Fuka, asked.

"Because I hate him."

"But why?"

"He took up the restroom so that I wouldn't be able to use it." I answered in an angry tone.

"So childish." Fuka shook her head. "Anyway, we need to get ready for P.E., so go change."

"Alright."

***

Today was a hot day. I could have been considered the hottest day in summer.

"Come on. I know you can throw harder than that, Tachibana!" The physical education teacher yelled at me.

Most days, I'm either throwing the ball too hard or soft. Today seemed to be a soft day.

I looked over to my left and saw Takeuchi sitting under a tree. I wondered why. Usually in shoujo mangas the most popular boys like to show off their physical abilities. However, he was just sitting there.

"That's enough P.E. for today. It's too hot out here. Don't want anyone fainting now." The P.E. teacher wiped his head with a cloth.

I walked over to Takeuchi. I thought it would've been better if I gave him my handkerchief. It was really hot.

"Takeuchi." I mumbled.

He the looked up at me with an angry look. "What do you want?"

"Geez, you don't have to be so mean about it. I was just going to give you my handkerchief because you seem hot." I scoffed at him.

"I don't need you--" Takeuchi quickly stood up but lost balance. He then grabbed onto the tree as to not fall.

"Are you alright?" I asked out of concern.

Takeuchi didn't answer me. He just stood there panting. I knew something wasn't right.

"I think yo--" Right before I could finish my sentence, Takeuchi collapsed. "Takeuchi!"

I quickly carried him on my back and brought him to the infirmary. I never knew I had that much power until that day.

"He is fine. It seems like he just collapsed due to overheating." The nurse informed me. "He just needs some rest and a lot of liquids."

"Thank you nurse." I sighed with relief. This was the first time a person had actually passed out in front of me. I wonder if he was really alright.

"Is he alright?!" A woman came barging into the infirmary.

The woman then ran up to Takeuchi and looked at him closely. Then she sighed with relief.

After checking on Takeuchi, she then turned her head towards me. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you the girl who brought Takeuchi here?"

"Yes." I stiffened up. What was the reason for her asking me?

"May I speak with you? Privately?"

"With me?" I then looked down at Takeuchi, who seemed to be sleeping. "Uh...sure."

"Thank you. Please come with me."

***

"I'm sorry for the trouble my son has caused you." The woman apologized in the hallway, outside of the infirmary.

"No, no. No trouble at all." I waved my hands.

"That's good. It may not seem like it, but overheating isn't the main reason Takeru had passed out."

"What?"

"You see, my son has cancer."

My heart dropped when I heard that word. "Cancer...?"

"Yes. He has been going through some treatment, however. He is still sickly. That is why, may I ask you a favor?"

"Yes?"

"Do you mind being Takeru's friend?"

"Huh?"

"I know it's a weird favor, but you see, ever since my son found out he was diagnosed with Leukemia, he hasn't made any friends. I was wondering if you could help break the ice for him and become his friend."

This was a strange offer, but I could tell this woman cared for her son. She was sweating. It looked like she ran to school once she heard about Takeuchi. I suppose, for the best, I could become is friend.

"I can become his friend." I smiled. "Leave it to me."

Takeuchi's mom then grabbed my forearms and began to cry. "Thank...thank you so much!"

This was the right thing to do right?