Youth is but a fleeting period of ignorance where trivial things like crushes, friendships and social status mean everything. Once we pass from our youth, we are faced with the cold reality that is the real world and all the implications it harbors.

This is something I came to terms with long ago. I learned very early that youth is but a lie and nothing is truly genuine. Friendships will deteriorate and inevitably crumble. Our so called "best friends" will cease to be anything more than meaningless memories, and very few will continue their friendships. The people you meet are likely to forget you, just as you are likely to forget them.

This I know.

But even so, on my time of graduation, I too was afflicted with the pains of parting and the issue of goodbyes. It was with a heavy heart that I bade farewell to my fellow service club members with empty promises of continued communication. I knew that it would be a long time, if ever at all, before I would again speak with Yukino Yukinoshita, who was studying abroad. I knew that it would be difficult to maintain communication with Yui Yuigahama, who would be studying at a nursing school two prefectures away. Despite the emptiness of youth, I had treasured these friendships and was pained to see them go. But, I had moved on. I was ready to continue with my life.

So why, exactly, am I sitting at a cafe waiting for Yuigahama?!

"Hikki! Yahallo!"

Yuigahama walks up to my table, wearing a wide smile. She's donned a beige coat with a black skirt, reminiscent of our days in high school. The only thing that's different is that her hair is a light shade of brown.

"Yo, Yuigahama. It's been awhile."

She sets her purse down and proceeds to sit across from me, giggling the whole time- ever since when was giggling in my vocabulary?

"I know, right? It's been, like, a few months you know!"

I can tell time, Yuigahama! I'm not an idiot!

"Is that so? Well I guess it is nice to see you again regardless."

She earnestly nods her head in agreement. "So, what have you been up to Hikki?"

Well, not much, but I won't get off that easy, will I?

She continues, "How's school? Where are you living? On a dorm or at home? The dorm I'm living at is like, super nice, you know? There's some really nice people and-"

She rambles on and on. That's just like her. She's so excited that she forgot let me answer.

But this is fine. This way, I don't have to tell her how boring my life has been!

"-And the classes are like, hard, but like, not too hard, you know? And the teacher is hard but, like super nice-"

It gives me some small happiness to see that Yuigahama hasn't changed at all. Despite having only been apart for a month, it truly was nice to see her again. Perhaps this nostalgic feeling isn't all that bad.

"Oi, Hikki... Are you even listening to me?"

Oh, crap!

"Uh..."

She begins to pout but the waiter walks up. Thank you, waiter! Expertly timed!

"Hello, customers, are you ready to place your order?"

Yuigahama completely forgets her frustration and fumbles for her menu, realizing that she hasn't taken the time to decide on her order.

"Uh... Um... Eh... I'll have this!" she says while pointing at the menu. She sets her menu down, her face red and flustered.

"Ah, I'll have a latte, extra cream and sugar."

The waiter writes it down on his pad. "Certainly! That will be out shortly."

Some people question my decision for extra cream and sugar. But it tastes just like MAX coffee! And there's no better way to rejuvenate in the middle of the day than with MAX coffee. Actually, I should have just bought a can from the vending machine outside! I'm sorry, wallet!

Yuigahama, calming down a little, looks up to face me. "Anyways! Hikki, what's happened since graduation?"

I pretend to think, searching for an excuse to cover up my uneventful youth.

"Well... Not much. I've managed to stay in Chiba by attending university here, and I guess not much has really changed since I still stay at home."

She smiles and giggles a little. "Ehehe! Hikki, that's just like you!"

The waiter seems to materialize out of thin air, setting down a steaming coffee in front of me and.. is that a parfait?!

As the waiter leaves, I confront Yuigahama. "Why did you order a parfait at 1 in the afternoon?"

Yuigahama blushes and looks down. "I mean... like... it looked tasty...you know?"

As if to emphasize her point, she spoons a bite to her mouth, and her eyes light up. "This is like, super tasty, you know! It's like, super good! Hikki! Try some!"

And before I know it, Yuigahama is holding a spoon of ice cream to my lips.

"Uh... Yuigahama?"

She jumps a little, startled, I assume, by her own actions. "Ahaha..." She nervously laughs. "Sorry about that... That was probably, like, pretty weird, huh?"

While acting all embarrassed, she moves the spoon back to her own mouth and gulps down another bite.

"Anyways, Yuigahama. When did you change your hair color?"

She runs a hand through her hair, as if suddenly remembering that, indeed, it was a different color. "Oh, this? I got it to kind of like, you know, show that I was more grown and stuff, I guess."

I can't help but be skeptical. "Hmmmmmmm? Is that so?"

She pouts a little. "Fine, it's because they wouldn't have let me into the nursing school if I didn't have a more proper hair color. At least, that's what I thought, you know?"

Hm? That's quite sly of you, Yuigahama! Kind of reminds me of someone I know...

"Well, I think it looks good on you, so don't worry about it too much."

Wait, what?! Since when did giving compliments become so natural for me! I could totally be like a Casanova if I wanted to! See, Komachi! Your brother isn't completely hopeless!

Yuigahama, on the other hand, appears quite surprised. "Eh? I mean... eh? Um... Th-thanks, Hikki." And on the last note, she shows me one of the widest smiles I've ever seen her make.

What is this warm feeling? Is it nostalgia? It's so... peaceful. I guess that this little excursion isn't all that bad...

Once we pay and step outside, I begin to make my way towards my home. I'm done with classes, so now I can go home and read! What a sweet life I live...

But as I turn, I feel a slight tug on my sleeve. Yuigahama looks at me from behind. "Um... Hikki? When I want to see you again, could I, like, call you again?"

It's a bit tiresome, and she can be bothersome, but I suppose this feeling of calm and nostalgia isn't bad...

"Yeah, I guess. If you want to. I don't see why not."

She surprises me with a quick hug from behind, lost in her own excitement. Why are you so excited, anyways?! That surprised me, Yuigahama! But, realizing where she was, she quickly pulled back.

"Ah! Sorry, Hikki! I just go excited! But... Um... Thanks! See you later!"

And as she hurriedly makes her way to her station, I could swear that I hear her humming.

But now! It's time to return home!

As I stop outside my door, I can hear that Komachi has already returned from shopping. Her voice is quite apparent, although muffled, from the outside.

Wait... Her voice?! Who's she talking to? Who's in our house right now?!

Being the good brother I am, I listen in to see what she's saying. It's not weird, it's for her own good. Yep, that's definitely it. I'm not being creepy at all. Nope.

To my own surprise, I can make out what is being said.

Komachi's voice comes through again. "Ah! Senpai! Not in there! You can't put it in there!"

Hahhhhhhhh?! Who dares to go at my sister like that!

I barge through the door, ready to pummel whoever hurt my innocent sister. Instead, I see Komachi, sitting alone on the couch, looking towards the kitchen. What's going on?

"Oh? Welcome back, Onii-chan. Sorry I didn't tell you I'd be having a guest over."

Just who exactly is this guest?

"Oh? Komachi, you have a brother? You should have told me!" Wait... This voice seems all too familiar...

Steps come from the kitchen, until a girl holding a plate emerges. When she sees me, the plate falls and breaks in half.

Komachi angrily lectrues her, "Senpai! That was an expensive plate! That's why you can't put it in the dishwasher or it'll break!"

But I can barely hear her. In fact, she may as well have said nothing. Why? I suppose I am too fixated on the girl in front of me.

Because standing in front of me is none other than my sly underclassman, Iroha Isshiki.

A/N This is my first time writing a story here using established characters so I apologize if there's any glaring OOC moments. It's actually a lot harder than I thought to get into the right character and mindset to try and write this. Hopefully I did a good job and I hope that somebody will be able to enjoy this. More fluff to come later on. Hope you guys liked it! By the way, for those of you who are wondering, this story WILL have a ship, but the ship I go with is going to be a secret. If you want a character specific ship, don't worry. While this will be my main series, I plan on publishing a set of stories for EVERY ship. That way everyone will be happy. If one of these ships appeals to you, stay tuned! HikkixYui HikkixYukino HikkixIroha HikkixYumiko HikkixSensei HikkixEbina HikkixKawasaki. Let me know if I missed one and I'll gladly work on it!