The Springtime of Love

It had been one hell of a day. My eyelids were getting heavy and I was completely worn out. Maybe exhaustion was taking its toll on me, or maybe I was getting old. I felt sore all over. Only the thought that I was still in my workplace and I needed to go home and cook kept me from falling into deep slumber right then and there.

'Guess I should head home now, it's this late. Neil must've already left' I thought and giggled.

That roommate of mine, was really something. Always smiling. And not to mention the fact that he had been my partner in crime-solving for almost 3 years now. At first we were just roommates working the same job but gradually we became best of buds and now they call us the 'Detective Duo'. Why, we work at the Metropolitan Task Force in Yokohama District.

Anyways, I grabbed my keys and got up. My legs felt numb but ignoring that, I went ahead to lock the door after me.

The cool breeze hit my face sending a warm feeling through my entire self and I relaxed, making my way towards the car park. But before I could go there, I was greeted with yet another warmth. Wait..um..maybe not.

Crap! He looked pissed.

" Hey...um Neil... well what are you doing here? Did you wait for me? "

" Care to explain? " he began with an overly sweetened voice that was actually frightening. But it was more of a regular thing now. Slowly converting the extra sweetness into a pissed voice he continued " For heaven's sake Sam, stop overworking yourself. Do you wanna collapse once again during an important mission? Why won't you take care of your body? And besides....." and there goes his rambling.

He may tend to act really overprotective, but he's actually a very nice guy. Silky black hair, slender arms and legs and a pretty face with a good persona, that pretty much summed him up. Oh, and the neat cloths that always wrapped his petite figure. And as for me, I am his best buddy Sam, 30, male. I'm taller than him and I'm really not 'neat' about my cloths.

But that aside, I had to calm him down so that he stopped scolding me as if I were a nine year old. And so I decided to use the best trick up my sleeve. I walked towards him and with an unnoticeable smirk and placed my index finger over his lips. Then leaning closer, bringing my lips near his right ear, I whispered '' Now now Neil, if you keep worrying about me all the time then how are you supposed to get a girlfriend ? ~ "

And that's all it took. Face flushed red, eyes squeezed tight as he stuttered '' I-I... Se-senior...! "

I pulled back and laughed at his cuteness. He really was shy and blushed so easily. " Sorry sorry, let's go back now. It's late enough."

I led the way to my car and he followed. No words spoken.

We got into the car and were heading towards our apartment. The silence between us was starting to get awkward when Neil decided to break the silence " So what about you... it's already been a year since you and Lisa..." he trailed off.

I flinched at her name and braked suddenly. I really didn't want to talk about my previous girlfriend who left me for outrageous reasons. Just her name made me uneasy or maybe I wasn't over her yet. And maybe Neil noticed the sudden change in my behavior, that he spoke almost immediately " I-I..I am sorry, I didn't mean to bring back old memories..."

I smiled in assurance. He nodded and looked out of the window.

But once again, silence. Awkward silence.

He continued looking out of the window and I did not like how quiet it had gotten. I was about to spout something when he turned to look at me with the softest gaze I ever saw " The spring is beautiful "

My heart skipped a beat. It was just so sweet for him to act all cutesy. " Yeah.." I gulped and continued driving.

Suddenly a thought came across me and I braked. " The spring Festival! " I looked at Neil and grinned widely " Let's go together! "

" Eh..? "

The night of the festival ~

" Hey are you sure abut this..? I mean coming here with me? "

" Why, of course I am! Let's go inside " I cheered, as we stood before the central park, where this year's spring festival was being held.

The park was packed. This day always drew in all the attention. The setting was perfect, the efforts of all the people were shining through the decor. The splendid flowers, warm breeze, and sweet fragrance of spring.

" So what should we do now? " Neil asked, quite uncomfortable by the crowd.

Noticing that I smirked " Seriously dude, you're an officer and you're actually afraid of a crowd? "

" It's not that! " he flushed.

'So cute.'

" So..? "

" L-Look a-at all the people here, they're all couples...you shouldn't have brought me here "

I wasn't expecting to hear that. But when he finished and looked at me with those big, almost- teary eyes, I chuckled. Then ruffling his hair lightly I pulled him into a side hug, rubbing my cheek against his head " Geez, you're really adorable. It's okay you know. I don't mind mind bringing a friend here. Oh but if you wanted to come here someone else...'' I pouted lightly during the last line.

" W-What....what are you saying! And get away! " he blushed, being conscious about his surroundings.

I giggled. His reactions were really funny.

" Okay then, let's get some ice cream "

I was a devotee of chocolate and he vanilla. We ordered two cones. The stall was just in front of the fountain. It was beautifully decorated for the occasion, spectacularly pretty.

Through the corner of my eye, I noticed Neil's face light up with an expression I've never seen before. He looked really happy as he licked the ice cream.

For a second, I was stunned, mesmerized even. Seriously, what the hell! I mean sure, Neil was cute and the glistening light made his face sparkle but still 'He's my best buddy'

And that's when he turned his head a little and sent me cute glance with a slight smile grazing his slightly parted lips " It's beautiful, isn't it? "

My cheeks burned hot and I gulped. My stomach flipped. It was weird but I was glad that I noticed the little cream he got on his right cheek.

I smiled and said " Yeah it is, and btw you got cream on your face "

I unconsciously reached out and gently wiped it off his cheek with my thumb and licked it, closing my eyes, as if savoring the taste.

" Mmh, that flavor's nice too "

Neil was quiet. I looked at him and saw crimson. He was beet red. What had happened now, I wondered.

" Neil..? "

He didn't reply. He raised his head and his eyes were all glossy.

He mumbled something that I didn't quite catch. " um...what...? " I asked confused, reaching out.

He slapped my hand away, looking away, tears threatening to spill, blurting " why...why do you keep doing this again and again..!? I..I can't take it anymore! "

And then he ran.

What the hell had happened. Everything was so perfect till now, then what gives?

Something tightened inside my chest. I didn't know what but I did know what I had to do now. Go after him, of course.

It was spring, wasn't it? So why was I felling cold. Or rather, the cold felt specifically bitter. It was Neil. He smiled happily with some random girl, I've never seen before. Anger boiled inside me. For some reason, I felt really uneasy.

I walked over, knowing for sure that he was angry at me for some reason and on seeing me, he's gonna run away again. But instead, he smiled upon noticing me " She said, the tulips are very fresh here. Wanna get some? "

The first question, who was she and what did she do to make him feel better again and why the hell was Neil so comfortable with her? And on top of that, why on earth was he giving her that precious smile only meant for me? Wait...I mean... he shouldn't smile at random people. And the way he smiled at her, somehow pissed me off.

But I quickly responded " Yeah sure! "

And then, lightly grabbing his arm, I pulled him along with me, making sure we were far away from the girl. Releasing him later, I sighed in relief.

" Hey, why did you do that? " He began. I did see that coming though. " I mean, leave Emily alone? "

" Emily? "

" She's a friend. We met after a long time today "

'Just a friend, huh?' I wondered but dared not ask about it. And why did I even care?

" Anyways, let's go to the flowers " He asked, excitedly.

I giggled. God, he was really the sweetest thing. My cheeks burned up again at the thought.

He smiled and led the way. I followed.

Experiencing this weird fluttery feeling for the first time and the tingling sensation that burned inside my heart, whenever I saw his smile, I felt that something was definitely wrong with me.

All these weird thoughts flooded my head and I got so absorbed in them that I accidentally blurted out " You know what, you'll look really cute in a tiara. "

He stopped and turning all red again, looked back " W-What..? "

I looked back at him and we stared at each other for a few seconds. Not that it didn't feel like a lifetime, but I realized that I had said that out loud.

My cheeks flushed red and I waved my arms frantically " T-That's n-not what I meant...I mean..."

" W-Would you stop having weird fantasies! " he puffed out his cheeks, that were tinted red. " well, never mind! You're always doing it anyway "

He resumed walking and I mentally slapped myself.

Seriously, what was I thinking.

The flower shop wasn't all that crowded. People might have been busy with all the games and food stalls. But spring definitely brings the word 'flower' in your heads. I particularly didn't like them and there was the fact that I just embarrassed Neil and I knew I had to apologize.

Neil was checking out the flowers and I had my back turned towards him when I began " Hey, about what I said earlier..."

I turned around to look at him but instead, I was left completely stunned.

'So pretty' the words echoed inside my head over and over.

He wasn't even paying attention to me. He had a variety of flowers wrapped within his arms as he observed the other flowers. The calm moonlight that lit up everything around, made his face glow up. I felt getting hotter again, my cheeks burned and my mouth was hung agape.

'Had he always been this beautiful?'

My heart wouldn't stop pounding and I knew I was blushing like crazy. My voice choked. Everything around seemed to have slowed down.

He turned to look at me and I quickly averted my gaze. He didn't catch me staring, did he? I thought.

He rushed towards me with the flowers " Not just the tulips, the bluebells are awesome too! "

" Y-Yeah.." I stuttered.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't question much about it.

Since we had been walking for a long time, we decided to sit at an empty bench near the lake.

And what was worse, the silence fell again. Or rather, the awkward silence.

I wanted to break the silence to calm my nerves and prevent the 'instincts' take over me and remove the awkwardness. But Neil was the one who did it. He started, a little nervous though " H-Hey Sam...there's something I've been meaning to tell you, f-for a long time now.." I was confused once again. Why did he look so sad and what was up with the bittersweet smile.

" Well I know it may make things worse but I just....." he continued, but was cut off by the voice from the announcement.

" The fireworks will begin shortly " it said.

Ignoring that, I wanted to ask Neil to continue but he got up suddenly and looked at me with bright eyes. " I know the best place for fireworks. The perfect place. Let's go there! "

And before I knew it, I was being pulled along with him, he held my hand tightly, our fingers intertwined. But I didn't mind it at all. It felt so natural, holding hands that is. That weird feeling returned again. It wasn't actually weird. I knew what that was but I was too afraid to admit. But even so I wanted to cherish that moment forever. It felt so damn perfect, like nothing else mattered anymore.

But my happiness short-lived. We arrived the spot. The ground was a little higher and there wasn't too many people. It was good for watching fireworks.

We sat down and made ourselves comfortable.

A little later, the fireworks finally began.

" So pretty " he mumbled under his breath as he stared at the infinite sky that lightened up with the sparks of the crackers. Whereas my eyes were glued to him. " uh-huh "

A year ago, spring ~

" Don't leave me! I really love you! " I screamed at the top of my lungs.

" But I don't. Not anymore. I'm so fed up. You're always hanging out with that 'friend' of yours. What was his name again? Yeah, Neil. Honestly, are you sure you two are not a thing? "

" We're just friends. I really lo....."

" Goodbye Sam. "

Back to the present ~

I looked up at the sky and smiled wryly at the old memories. God, Lisa!

" I'm over it, you know..."

Neil looked at me, confused " What do you mean...? "

I stared into his deep brown eyes and said " I got over Lisa, I just wanted to let you know..."

" oh... "

" And now, I think I found 'the one.' This time for real..."

Neil froze for a second and with a hint of sadness apparent in his voice, he said "Th-that's great! She really must be an awesome person..."

" Actually...it's a 'he' "

Neil's eyes shot up and he looked at the sky once again " A 'he' huh..? "

" It doesn't matter, does it? He makes me happy and that's all. I mean, you don't actually choose who you fall in love with, now can you? "

 He stayed quiet. I didn't notice his glossy eyes and continued " I never realized it until now. I've been in love with him for so long now, maybe even before I met Lisa. The real type of love. "

After a short silence, Neil finally spoke " I wonder who he is, who was able to melt that playboy heart of yours "

And I really don't know what came over me that I leaned in, dangerously close to him. " It can be you too, you know " I spoke, in a serious tone. Our noses almost touching.I traced my hand against his cheek. He stared wide-eyed for a second, tears about to spill as he blushed crimson. I observed him but realizing what I just did, I pulled back. " S-sorry...I-I wasn't...thinking straight..."

" again...you did it again..."

And I knew I had ruined it " a-actually...I.." I began but I was immediately shut by a pair of soft lips against me. It took a minute to register what was happening. Neil kissed me...He was really....

" Just once, just...let me feel it for once..please..." and then he resumed. Without further thoughts, I kissed back. It felt like a dream. The scent of vanilla and the freshness of the flowers, it had to be a dream, but it wasn't.

Slowly he pulled back and we both breathed heavily.

" N-Neil..? "

" You're an idiot! Can't you tell already? I like you, like really like you...for so long now but you never realized... I know that you like someone else and I still........"

I didn't catch anything other that the words 'I like you'. He liked me too. So it was mutual...?

My eyes glossed over as I pulled him into a tight hug. " Me too "

He flinched and stared at me, a small hope shining on his eyes. " What..? "

" I like you too. Sorry for making you wait so long..."

A few tears trailed down his cheeks and he buried his head into my chest. I wrapped my arms tightly around him and closed my eyes.

'I'll never ever let you go"

That day etched into my heart forever. I realized that our hearts can flutter over the littlest things. Everything became significant. The park itself became an unforgettable destination for me, as I found love that spring. The spring festival that made me leave behind all the bittersweet memories, bound our hearts together for all eternity.

And while we walked back, hand in hand, a strange thought struck me 'The red tulips were the prettiest this year!'