Where Love Begins & Ends

Chapter One

Where does love actually begin? If you were to walk up to anyone the most likely answer you'd hear from a person as cliché as it is, would be that love begins at first sight, or perhaps even at a first kiss. But the real question is where it can lead us; the ups and downs of the roller coaster that it takes each of us on. The changes it causes in our personality, the way we act or think. Some loves and relationships both romantic and platonic end up becoming far more memorable than others. However, this story begins with a simple party and a young girl whom craves the rare fruit of popularity that is blessed upon only a few hundred in society that she was currently surrounded by.

Yuki Henkasuru was the epitome of a normal middle school girl. The soft waves of her long dark hair and equally ever curious dark gaze were all so common despite how she was currently sticking out like a sore thumb amongst the brightly dyed blondes and uniquely colored individuals at this little fall break party she was casually invited to by a person she considered a friend. Her heart desired to be accepted by these boys and girls whom had piercings in place that the strict school dress code wouldn't allow if spotted by a teacher. In fact these people around her were pushing the limit with the exotic colors they were sporting. The party itself wasn't wild in the slightest, it was at most ten people not including Yuki and mostly even in male to female ratio of people from her grade.

Girls and guys gathered around a recently placed out kotatsu table as the weather had begun to get chilly, and though some girls practically had to sit in some guys laps everyone was comfortable, eating pizza and chatting about one thing or another, some asking about a rumor they heard from the high school. She made herself as small as possible at the table not wanting to take up much space.

Her friend turned to her and spoke so calmly, "Did you know girls in high school are popular by dating older guys? Like guys who are already working and out of university. How cool is that?" she asked as Yuki responded surprised to hear such a thing.

"What? No way... why would anyone want to date someone so much older than them?" she asked as her blonde dyed friend shrugged.

"Dunno... but if it's a guy I really like... then I don't care what age they are..." She said as one guy agreed with her expressing how he'd give anything to be with a high school hottie and her enlarge breasts all because he was too tired of pancakes. He immediately received a punch to his arm by his presumed girlfriend making him state that he was only just joking about his statement.

The front door could be heard being opened, voices coming from the hallway as one guy ordered other guests to remove their shoes as he walked into the living space seeing the group of middle schoolers. Yuki stared at this vision of youth and success, his soft brown hair cut high and tight and his eyes bespectacled with vintage box framed glasses. The boy whom was just being punched tilted his head back to see who had returned home.

"Ah hey bro. Want some pizza?" he asked as a few other faces poked their heads in. Even if he didn't accept the offering his friends clearly did as they made their way inside. Yuki's blonde haired companion immediately spoke up.

"Hi there, it's nice to meet you. What's your name?" She asked as the male entered in taking a seat amongst the group he was much too old for, however he was grabbing a slice as he stated his name so calmly, "Hattori. Urushido, Hattori." He said as he glanced next to Yuki whom he had taken a seat by almost absentmindedly.

"Ah! So you're Sousuke's older brother..." she leaned across the table as Hattori nodded taking a bite of the pizza and calmly chewing it as everyone was starting to socialize with the elders of the group.

"What's your name?" he asked looking at Yuki once his mouth was free of pizza.

"Oh, I'm Rena." Her blonde haired friend spoke as he smiled, "Thank you for telling me, but that question was for her." He pointed to Yuki catching her off guard before asking the question again. "So what's your name?" he asked again.