The next day in class, everyone starting talking about Renji and Nozumu. Even Chizuru was.

' Ryu! Please tell me why did they broke up! How ? What happened ? When did they broke up ? '

Once again, I got flooded by a thousand never-ending questions from Chizuru. I did not know what to say so I just kept quiet. But I did told her about the truth or dare incident.

' What the, how could Nozumu do that ?! Renji must be very sad! '
I nodded my head slightly.

I turned behind and looked at Renji. He's so much worst than me. Renji had 38 Chizuru(s) surrounding him asking about the break-up incident. At least I was far more better than him, one Chizuru is enough, seriously. I turned to look beside me. Chizuru was not there! She became one of the 39 now, trying to squeeze her way through the crowd, getting Renji's attention.

I heaved a sigh, ' It's just a break up and everyone treats it like the world is ending. '

Even Chizuru was so interested in the break up. I was left alone there. And anyway, it's pretty obvious too. Come on, what was I to Renji, he was obviously far more better than me, in everything.

' Brrrr brrrr, ' My phone started vibrating. I looked at the screen, it was Grandma.
' Ryu! Your parents met in an accident! Please come over to Koniyoha Hospital now!

'The phone line went dead... my eyes widen in shock. I quickly grabbed my bag and ran out of the classroom. I didn’t even bother telling Chizuru, even if I did, I don’t think she would even bother about me. Renji was more important to her afterall. On the way there, I thought a lot.

‘How could this happened? I have so much things to say to them. I still have so much things I want to prove to them. I have not studied hard and work to earn money and support them. I-‘
I broke down and cried. What will happen if I just lost them like that. I couldn’t get rid of this uneasy feeling in my heart. I told the taxi driver to drive faster.

I reached the hospital, and I saw Grandma. And it really did happened, I- lost them. She was in tears. She was crying. Great tears began oozing out of my eyes, and rolling down my cheeks. ' How could this happen? I didn’t get the chance to see them for the last time.. ' I said in a voice barely above a whisper. I leaned against the wall, hugged my own knees, overwhelmed by my own misery. Grandma began to hug me.

' Ryu.. your parents are--are--are dead. I'm so sorry. By the time they were admitted here, it was too late. They lost too much blood and now .. '

What am I then ? An orphan ? I'm only left with Grandma. Nobody else. When I was brought into this world, Dad, Mum & Grandma were the only ones that took care of me. I had no more other relatives. Grandma was not very healthy too. She had diabetes, and had not much time to live on. It was only a matter of time before I lose Grandma too..

I moved over to Grandma's place, which was nearer to my High School. Dad and Mum's assets were given to me and Grandma, mainly because we were the only kins they had. Whenever I went back home, the house was so much more quiet as compared to the past. That big house was so empty, only Grandma and I were living in it. Last time, Mum was always at home. Each time I reached home, no matter how early or late, she would always greet me, ' Welcome back, son. How is your day today ? '

The next day of school, was abysmal. I didn't even had the mood to study. I just sat there, with my head on the table. Not listening to what Sensei was teaching. Chizuru did not feel right. She knew something was up with me, but I guessed she did not dare to ask.

' Yes Chizuru ? For the past 1 hour and 30minutes, you've been staring at me, not paying attention. '

" Ryu, you too, not paying attention. What happened? "
' Nothing, no point telling you either. 'And for the whole day in school, I did not pay attention, I just stared into space. And Chizuru, looking at me for the whole day too.

Grandma passed away gradually. And true enough, I'm all alone. I cried for many days and nights, losing my only kin I had left in this world. I was so disheartened by the mournful truth. It felt like the end of the world. The agony was almost more than I could bear. But I still held on, remembering Grandma’s last words. ‘Heaven is a place nearby, so I won’t be so far away. Ryu, you have to continue with your own life. Everyone will die, and my time it's up.’ With that Grandma smiled and passed away.

Times were hard for me but I did not give up. But one day, I broke down and cried, after school at the usual bench, with Chizuru beside me.

' Now I'm left with nobody. I'm all alone now.
'' You are not alone, Ryu. I'm here, remember. You've been that day at the rooftop. And I'll be there for you too. ' She patted me on the back.
' Really ? ' I asked her , with my really really wet eyes because of my tears. 'She nodded her head slowly.
' That's what you said. Please do not leave me, ' I hugged her tightly, never wanting to let go.

But she did not kept her promise.. I should have expected that in the first place. I shouldn’t have carried so much hope, too much hope then even now when I thought of it, it hurts..