It had gotten late returning home. When me and Trichia rang the doorbell, it was already 9 o'clock.

"I'm home." Trichia shouted.

(Huh?)

I looked at Trichia but she didn't show any reaction.

(I can't let her be the only one, now can I?)

"I'm hooome~" I shouted louder than Trichia and even stretched it a bit. Then I looked at Trichia and gave a competitive smile.

Unfortunately, she didn't understand my intentions and just tilted her head.

"Haah.." I heaved a sigh and patted her head.

(She'll get used to it soon enough.)

I felt like I changed a lot due to that experience in the virtual environment. Among all the changes, the most I felt was that I became more optimistic.

Then the door opened and mom came out. She seemed angry. Yuko had already called and told her that we were at his place. But a mother's a mother. She's bound to be worried about her children.

"Get in quick, the food's gotten cold." That was all she said.

I could feel the kindness behind her angry tone. I hugged my mother, probably the first time in many years and went in. Mom just stood at the door, baffled. I went inside and my sister was reading a book on the sofa. I gave her a hug too. From the looks of it, even my sister could not comprehend what was happening.

"Sorry mom, I'm not hungry. I ate at Yuko's. I'm going to my room to study."

I shouted and went upstairs to my room. In the corner of my eyes, I could see sister and mom whispering something to each other with an intense atmosphere. I ignored it and went into my room. I had left Trichia downstairs for mom to satiate her curiosity. I lay down on my bed and just stared at the ceiling.

"I had fun today."

I recalled today's events.

(Wouldn't be bad to do something like that once in a while.)

I got up from the bed and did a bit of exercise. All my sleepiness flew away as the blood circulation in my body increased. After that I studied for 2 hours before retiring to bed.

Next day, I went to school in high spirits. Mom and sister were looking at me with scrutinising eyes all morning and whispering something among themselves but I just had a hearty laugh at their weird behaviour and didn't mind it too much. I took on the job of escorting Trichia to class, so when I went to school I first went to Tricia's class. I saw her friends again whom I met yesterday and we shared some small talk. I didn't remember their names, but thankfully the need to use them didn't come up in the conversation. I know what you must be thinking. Trichia doesn't consider them friends, so I shouldn't call them as such. But I feel its only a matter of time before Trichia opens up to everyone around her.

Having parted with Trichia, I was heading towards my class with great determination.

(I'll definitely apologise today!)

But when I entered the class, the person I needed wasn't there. I went to my desk, put down my bag and waited. I talked to various classmates but my attention was fixed at the classroom door. Then suddenly the door opened and everything became quite.

" " "Good morning, sir." " "

It was our homeroom teacher. All those talking in groups quickly dispersed and everyone got back on their seats but THAT desk was still empty. THAT person was still missing. But I didn't have to dispair for too long as the door opened and a person appeared. THAT person appeared.

"You're late , Ms Chroma"

"Sorry sir."

"Its alright. Take your seat."

Pauli quietly headed towards her desk.

"She's heere~." Said my best friend, Yuko from the desk behind me in a voice only I could hear.

But what a twisted fate it was, that I was delayed in my mission again. Unfortunately, I had to wait for another suitable time.

The day kept getting by and by and it felt harder to apologise to someone, than to go against 50 guys by myself. But the new me wasn't one to give up easily. Half the day had already gone by and my classmates were packing their bags to head to their homes.

(I've waited too long.)

I decided this was where I had to make my stand. She was already turning to leave but I hurried and blocked her path.

"Pauli."

I called out her name. She looked up at me.

"Wuhoo! Is he finally going to confess?"

"What, really?

"Rota and Pauli?"

"Kyaaaa~"

*whistling*

My friends in the class started spouting nonsense. Others also got caught up in their pace. Girls shouted and guys whistled but I ignored them and focused on my goal.

(Dont worry. Its just 3 simple words. "I am sorry". No big deal.)

"I love you."

(Haha. That's it! That wasn't so hard, was it?)

Suddenly the whole class went quite.

"Holy shit. He actually did it!" Someone said.

"No kidding." Someone else followed.

And I just realised what had actually happened.

(WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!?????)

-----------------------------------------------------

And this marks the end of volume 1.

Like the cliffhanger? (*evil laugh*) ;)