My Dearest Bench Friend [HSJ One-Shot Story]

My Dearest Bench Friend [HSJ One-Shot Story]

(Requested by: Dyan Patricia Ponce Pamatmat)

Yamada Ryosuke X Seiko Sato

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I’m Seiko Sato, currently in my last year in senior high school. I still remember everything that happened. Even though the incident happened years ago, I still remember everything. I remember my first love, my bench friend, Yamada Ryosuke.

As I was walking going to my school, I caught sight of the bench under the Sakura Tree. This bench is very memorable to me since this is where we met.

Flashback:

When I was still in middle school, I was always bullied. I don’t know what the exact reason was. I was nice to these people, but they weren’t nice to me. It was already dismissal time. I ran onto that bench under the Sakura Tree to cry. I never cried in front of the bullies. I never cried at home. I wanted to appear strong, but I wasn’t indeed. The truth is I am really weak.

I kept on crying and crying. Suddenly, someone tapped my back. I was startled. I immediately stood up and put the ‘do you want a fight’ expression.

He gently said, “I’m not going to hurt you. Here, wipe your tears with this handkerchief.”

I received the handkerchief from him. It was very soft. I gently wiped my tears.

He asked me, “Why were you crying? Did someone hurt you?”

I narrated everything: my everyday experiences of bullying and how I dreaded to go to school.

He said, “You must fight back. Be strong.”

With tears in my eyes, I said, “It’s hard…”

He looked at his watch and said, “Gomene, but I have to go home now. What’s your name?”

I replied to him, “Seiko, Sato Seiko desu! Anata?”

He said, “Yamada Ryosuke, yoroshiku.”

He walked away after that. I exclaimed, “Ne, Yamada-san, your handkerchief!”

He replied to me, “You can keep it.”

I asked him, “Am I going to see you tomorrow?”

Looking at me, he said, “Yes, I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow, here in this bench…”

Everyday in school, I wasn’t afraid of the bullies anymore. Yamada-kun’s words made me strong. I didn’t let the bullies hurt me.

When school was over, I was very excited to leave. I wanted to see Yamada-kun. I wanted to hear his voice, his jokes, and his laugh.

One day, I asked him, “Yamada-kun, what school do you go to?”

Crossing his legs, he said, “I’m home-schooled. I am really sickly and my body can’t manage to go to school everyday. I’m quite envious of you. I want to live a normal life too…”

I felt sorry for Yamada-kun. I thought of something that would make him happy. I think he has less friends and no one gave him nicknames, so I decided to give him one.

I said, “Ne, Yamada-kun, from now on, can I call you Yama-chan?”

He released a very wide grin. He replied, “Hai. From now on, I’ll call you Sei-chan ne?”

We were both happy. We received our very first nicknames. I didn’t really have many friends in school, and everyone just calls me Sato-san.

We continued on like that for years. Everyday, he would wait for me on the bench. We went together during festivals, we go boating together, and we do almost everything together. Yama-chan was my best friend. He said he liked strawberries so much. We knew all about each other.

As we grew up, my feelings for Yama-chan changed. I don’t want to destroy our friendship that’s why I kept quiet about my feelings.

During my last year in junior high, I never thought that it would be the last time I’m going to see Yama-chan. As what I would do everyday, I will go directly to the bench and see him. Instead of seeing his beautiful eyes and radiant smile, I saw an envelope. It was addressed to me. The letter was from Yama-chan. I directly opened it and started to read.

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To Seiko Sato,

Sei-chan, I am sorry for not telling you this. I know it would really hurt if I say it in front of you. I can’t do it. I’m really weak, both physically and emotionally. Gomene Sei-chan.

I’m going to America and pursue my studies there. I never wanted to, but my father forced me. I really want to stay, but I can’t do anything.

Sei-chan, please don’t be mad at me. Enclosed in this envelope is a golden heart locket. Please don’t open it until I come back. Just wait for me. Let’s open it together.

You know, I want to say this but I don’t have the courage. I just want to say that I love you more than a friend. I loved you starting the first day I saw you. Do you reciprocate my feelings? Whatever you answer will be, I will humbly accept it. Please tell me what it is when I come back.

Please wait for me, in this same bench, under the Sakura Tree, Sei-chan. Watashi wa anata ga suki desu.

Love,

Yamada Ryosuke

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I looked inside the envelope. A big heart locket was on it. Tears were flowing out from my eyes. I don’t know what emotion I should feel. I was happy, mad, and sad at the same time. It was a complicated feeling.

I sat down on the bench and shouted at the top of my lungs, with tears still flowing out from my eyes, “BAKA YAMA-CHAN!!!”

I still keep his promise until now. The golden heart locket still remained unopened. I wonder when Yama-chan will come back. He never called me or sent me a letter all these years.

But I still believe in him. I may sound very stupid, but I’m still waiting for him. Three years had passed since he left, yet here I am, still waiting for his return.

Everyday, I still go to the bench and just sit there. Yama-chan’s memories are still very alive to me.

One day, a foreign exchange student arrived. Teacher said that he was from America. As the person entered, I discovered that he was Yama-chan!

I was quite nervous. Today is the day that I will reply to him. Today is the day I’ll tell him that I loved him too.

Throughout the day, Yama-chan didn’t approach me or talk to me. It felt very odd. Naturally, he would put his arms on my back as the both of us walk together. He would tell me jokes and maybe, tell stories about America. I felt really sad.

Dismissal time came. I ran towards him and said, “Yama-chan, welcome back!”

He just stared at me and asked, “Who are you?”

My body couldn’t move. He was gone for only three years and now, he doesn’t even know who I am?

I didn’t say anything in return. I cried and ran. I went to the bench and still cried.

I decided to forget about Yama-chan. To help me forget about him, I decided to continue my school in Kyushu and live there. My parents keep on convincing me to live with them there. I think that today is the time to do that.

I left the golden locket on the bench and decided to leave a letter for Yama-chan, in case he sees this.

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Dear Yama-chan,

I don’t know why you forgot all about me, but whatever it is, I’ll accept. In case you see this letter, enclosed to this envelope is the golden heart locket you gave me. I kept the promise of not opening it, and I know it will remain unopened forever.

I’m moving to Kyushu tomorrow. Goodbye, Yama-chan.

Seiko Sato.

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After writing the letter, I left the bench with tears in my eyes. I told my grandmother that I’ll be going to Kyushu to live with my parents. It was a sad farewell for us too.

I started to pack my things. Tomorrow, I’ll leave and go to Kyushu.

I also told my teachers about it. My classmates gave me farewell gifts. Yama-chan didn’t do anything.

I went home and stared at the bench for the very last time. The golden locket and the letter were still there. He didn’t come after all.

I went home and slept. It was already 8 PM.

Morning came, the day of my departure.

I waited for the bus to take me to the train station. The bus arrived and I went inside.

I was looking outside the window, looking at my hometown for the very last time.

Suddenly, someone was running outside. He was Yama-chan! I was surprised. He was saying something. I was thinking whether to continue to go to Kyushu or get off the bus and talk to him. He fell down and I felt pity on him. I decided to get off the bus in the end.

He was on the floor, panting. I said, “What do you want?”

He stood up and said, “I’m sorry, Seiko. I was such a fool.”

I asked him, “What do you mean?”

Yama-chan started to narrate the things that happened to him in America. He had partial amnesia.

When he was strolling, he sat on the bench and saw the golden locket. His head ached badly and he remembered me.

I felt embarrassed of acting very selfish.

He asked me, “What would your answer be?”

I said, “Suki desu.”

He reached out something from his pocket. He brought out the golden heart locket I left on the bench. He told me to open it and said, “It won’t remain unopened forever, Sei-chan.”

And guess what’s inside it? It was a ring.

Yama-chan asked, “Will you marry me?”

I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I’ll think about it. Ha-ha, joudan baka! I’ll marry you after I graduate.”

Yama-chan hugged me. Then, he touched my chin and leaned in closer to my face. He touched his lips against mine.

He asked, “Strawberry flavored eh? It tastes great. You prepared very well for this day, Sei-chan…”

I can’t do anything but blush. My dearest bench friend, whom I truly loved, is right here in front of me, proposing.

We walked holding hands as he carried my luggage bag…

THE END.

How was it minna? Please give me your opinions. ^_^

Dyan-san, I hope you liked it!