ELEVEN YEARS AGO: DECEMBER 6TH, CLASSROOM A, MIDORIMA PRESCHOOL

"Misaki-chan, what did I tell you about picking fights?"

Thirty-five-year-old Enomoto Eri had been a preschool teacher for several years now, but she had never taught someone like Shirayama Misaki before. The young girl looked like any other girl her age, with her bright smiles and innocent eyes. But she had quickly become the designated leader among the class after managing to befriend everyone within a week, and Eri could always count on her to quell any problems that would arise in her classroom.

However, she had also learned that Misaki had a protective streak a mile wide and was not afraid to pick fights with anyone who dared to harm those under her care, even if the ones responsible were older and stronger than her.

Which brought the teacher to the situation at hand.

The girl had taken a liking to one of her classmates, a quiet boy named Kagami Yukio who preferred to sit and read. At first, Eri was afraid that she would have had to give Misaki a talk about bothering those who didn't want to be bothered, but Yukio had accepted the other without any complaints and the two had become inseparable, with Yukio tagging along to whatever Misaki had planned for the day. In fact, he had a bit of a calming effect on the girl, often stopping her from going too far in her antics, and it had been weeks since the last time Eri had to tend to Misaki's bruises.

Until today.

"That I was to stop or else Sensei will call my parents again," the brunette answered in a tone as if she was reciting from memory, hands resting on her lap. Eri had learned to not expect her to sound ashamed or anything of the like after the third time she had had to have this conversation.

"Then why did Fubuki-kun have that black eye?" she asked patiently.

"He took Yu-chan's book." She had said it matter-of-factly, as if it was the most obvious reason in the world.

Eri sighed before turning to the boy next to the girl. "Is that true, Yukio-kun?"

"Yes, Enomoto-sensei."

Letting out another heavy sigh, she wished she could have a drink. "That is not a good reason, Misaki-chan. Please don't fight again."

"Hai, Sensei."

"Go and wait for your parents," she told them tiredly, waving them away.

—

PRESENT DAY: APRIL 15TH, ROOFTOP, KUROKAWA HIGH SCHOOL

He leaned against the fence, arms crossed with eyes closed. The sun was warm against his face, making him feel drowsy. He hoped that the person who wrote the letter would come soon, as she was already a few minutes late.

His eyes opened at the sound of footsteps and the door creaked open to reveal a girl with long black hair and a purple headband. The red tie informed him that she was a first year, which explained why she had written him the love letter in the first place. But still, confessing on the second week of school...

"Mochida Miyuri-san?" he asked, remaining where he was.

"A-a-ah...y-yes," she stammered, face already red. "I apologize for being late, Kagami-senpai, but I had to meet with Sensei before—"

"It's okay," he interrupted, glancing at his watch for the time. "I'll make this quick, Mochida-san. I am not interested in dating you, and I believe it best if you get over this crush and move on quickly."

He didn't even stop to comfort her as he walked past to go downstairs. He knew his words were painfully blunt, but it was best to crush their hopes before they grew. As he reached the lockers, he noticed there was someone waiting next to his.

"You're late, Yu-chan," his childhood friend informed, pouting.

"Sorry," he said, tugging on a lock of her hair. She let out a yelp before glaring at him. "The girl was late."

"Who was it this time?" Misaki asked, massaging her head.

"A first year. Mochida Miyuri. Here." He handed her the crumpled up note and went back to changing his shoes.

"Her handwriting is cute," the brunette commented, smiling. She then frowned. "Did you make her cry?"

"I don't know. I left after rejecting her," he replied flatly, shutting his locker and shouldering his bag. "Are we going anywhere else before heading to my place?"

"Straight to your place. And you need to stop making them cry, Yu-chan!" she exclaimed, hurrying after him as they left the building. "You're a man, right? Treat girls better!"

"She has only been to this school for two weeks and she already believed she was in love with me when she didn't know anything about me," he said with a frown. "Girls need to be less frivolous with their declarations of love."

"Mou~ Yu-chan!" Misaki gripped his shirt, tugging on it. "That doesn't mean you should leave them crying afterwards!"

He shrugged, taking out his bike lock key and then kneeling down to unlock it. "It means they will get over me quicker."

She huffed, crossing her arms. "Honestly, I don't know why I still am friends with you."

"Because I am the only one who can deal with you," he answered, already on his bike. "Climb on."

"Hai, hai~" She sat on the backseat, gripping her bag to her tightly. "Ready!"

It took some effort to build up momentum, but they were soon riding smoothly on the streets. He had hoped that the silence meant the subject was dropped, but sadly, that wasn't so.

"And you are not the only one who can deal with me!" she exclaimed suddenly. He could hear the pout and it made him smile. "It's the other way around, you know!"

"Understood," he stated, amused.

"Good! And I'll be making crepes today."

He was looking forward to that. "Banana and chocolate?"

"Only because I love you~" she sang happily, leaning back against him.

"See? Proving me correct that girls are frivolous in their love declarations."

"YU-CHAN!"

—

"Tadaima," he said, knowing that no one was home at the moment.

"Ojama shimasu," Misaki said with a slight bow before taking off her shoes to wear the slippers that were set aside for her. They were fluffy brown bunny slippers his mother had bought for her, after she saw them at the store and was reminded of the energetic girl.

"You know that you're practically family now," he told her, halfway up the stairs. "You don't have to say that anymore."

"It's habit!" she argued. "Here, take my stuff up and I'll get started on the crepes."

He took her bag and continued his way to his room. Setting both bookbags down on the wooden chest at the foot of his bed, he pulled his tie loose and took off his sweater vest, tossing them on the bed. Turning on his laptop, he began stripping his socks, pants, and shirt. He was only in his sweatpants when Misaki came up with two plates—one of the crepe paper and the other of fruits—and a can of whipped cream and a can of chocolate syrup. She was barely fazed by his state of undress as she set the things down on the desk.

"Here you go," she said, loosening her tie. "I'm going to grab two plates and some utensils for us to use."

"I'll start eating first then," he said, taking one of the banana slices. "Itadakimasu."

"Don't eat it all!" she yelled as she hurried out the room.

Smiling, he looked through his files to find that movie he had downloaded yesterday. It was an action movie that had come out a year or two ago that Misaki had expressed an interest in watching after hearing about it yesterday; he had immediately downloaded it a few minutes after. Taking a strawberry, he chewed on it as he opened the file and paused it right as it started to play.

"I told you to stop eating the fruits," Misaki scolded, setting the things down and pulling the other chair to sit down on. "You're such a child sometimes. If our schoolmates could see the cool, tall, and attractive Kagami Yukio now, they definitely wouldn't want to date you."

"Good thing they think I'm dating you," he stated, grabbing a few banana slices to put on his crepe.

"It's not a good thing!" she complained, squeezing some chocolate syrup over her strawberries. "How am I supposed to get a boyfriend if every guy our year and above thinks I'm taken?!"

"There's always boys in other schools," he pointed out, taking the chocolate syrup to pour on his crepe.

She sighed as she wrapped her crepe and took a bite. "It's harder to date boys from other schools. It seems I am destined to be single."

He didn't really want to think about her dating—he had overheard enough guys in his class complaining about how their girlfriends took up so much of their free time—and decided to play the movie. "Here, maybe this will cheer you up a little."

She blinked at the screen before squealing excitedly when she recognized the title. "Yu-chan!"

"Yes?"

She poked his (still bare) stomach with a grin. "You're the best, Yu-chan."

He smacked her finger away, but had an amused smile on his lips. "I'll go get some drinks. What do you want?"

"Your father's lemonade~"

"Alright." He finished up his crepe and went down to the kitchen to grab two cups and the new pitcher of pink lemonade his father had made yesterday when he was told Misaki would be coming over; he had even made it sweeter for her. Suddenly, the phone rang and he set the pitcher down to answer it.

"Moshi moshi. Kagami residence. This is Yukio."

"Yukkun~ Good, you're home already. Is Micchan with you?"

"Yes."

"Is she staying for dinner?"

"I don't know yet."

"Ah, well, I will be late from my shoot and your father is busy with catering for a politician's fundraising party, so don't wait up! Ask Micchan to cook something for you, okay? Oh! Or you can go over to her place for dinner. Maybe sleep over as well."

"I understand, Okaa-san." He shifted the mugs in his hand. "I'll let you know when I ask Misa."

"It's still too weird hearing you call Micchan 'Misa'! Yukkun, go back to calling her 'Micchan' like your mom and dad!"

"Jaa ne, Okaa-san," he said flatly, hanging up. Shaking his head, he picked up the pitcher and went to his room. Misaki was deep into the movie, taking bites of her crepe mechanically. He set the mugs down and poured the lemonade into hers first. "Misa."

"Huh? Oh, thanks, Yu-chan," she said before returning back to the movie, sipping from her mug.

Sitting back down, he made himself a crepe with banana and kiwi and joined her in watching the movie. An hour and a half later, the credits rolled and they had finished the crepes, sipping on the lemonade contently. He glanced at the time and grabbed the cans as she cleaned up the plates.

"My parents won't be coming back for dinner," he informed as they headed to the kitchen.

"Eh? Should I cook you something?" she asked, setting the dishes in the sink.

He put the cans back in the cupboard. "Okaa-san said I can go over to your place if I wish."

She shook her head. "I'm alone at home too. Kaa-san is in Kyoto and Tou-san is on a business trip in England."

"Do you want to sleep over?" He knew that she disliked being alone.

"Can I?"

"It wouldn't be the first time," he stated.

She smiled brightly at him. "Thanks, Yu-chan. So, what would you like for dinner?"

He shrugged. "Whatever you want. We should get started on homework, however."

"Do we have to?" she asked with a groan. Regardless, she was already following him back up. He tossed her bag at her once she entered and took out his things.

"What do you want to get started on first?" he asked, amused by how she flopped onto his bed.

"History, since there's going to be a quiz next Wednesday," she replied with a heavy sigh. She sat up to take off her vest, tossing it on the floor. "Why is it so warm~?"

"It's April," he answered, flipping through his notes. "It will only get warmer."

She groaned some more as she took out her textbook and notebook. "I hate the heat."

He remembered that one time they went to the beach and she refused to leave the shade of the shaved ice shop. "I'm well aware of that."

"Shut up," she said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Let's just finish this quickly so I can cook dinner."

"Alright, Misa," he said with a chuckle. "Now, why was the Heiwa period given that name?"

"WHY ARE YOU GIVING ME SUCH AN EASY QUESTION, YU-CHAN!?"

—

You got the wrong number, I'm sorry you got the wro—

"Etto... Moshi moshi. Misaki."

"Were you sleeping, Micchan?"

"Yeah. What is it, Kaa-san?" She got out of her futon and glanced at the bed, relieved to see that Yukio hadn't woken up from the noise.

"Nothing, nothing. Just checking up on you. Are you home?"

"No, I'm at Yu-chan's place." She yawned and went to stand in the hallway, holding the phone with her shoulder to stretch her arms. "Hirota-san and Kaya-san aren't home from work yet."

"Oh, I see~"

"Kaa-san~" she whined softly, leaning against the wall. "Stop that!"

"Micchan, you're so much fun to tease. What did you eat for dinner?"

"I made chicken curry." She yawned again. "Are you almost home yet?"

"Not for another day, I'm afraid. You can stay at Yukkun's house longer. I'll call you when I am at the airport, okay?"

"Hai, Kaa-san," she said with a smile.

"I will see you later, my little blossom~"

"Jaa ne," and she hung up. She went back inside the room, placing her phone by her pillow, and was halfway back under the covers when she heard Yukio shift. She looked up to see her best friend extending a hand out from under his blankets. "Uh... Yu-chan?"

"Get over here," he mumbled, waving his hand for her to come closer. He was staring at her with sleepy eyes.

She blinked, confused. "What?"

"Misa, get into bed with me," he ordered, sounding annoyed he had to repeat himself.

"Okay, okay," she said, climbing into his bed quickly as to pacify him. "Are you even fully awake?"

"Shut up," he muttered, wrapping his arms around her to pull her closer. "Sleep."

It really shouldn't affect her, since they had slept together in the same bed before. Only, that was before junior high and they hadn't done it since they entered Murasaki Junior High for their first year. She groaned into her pillow, feeling her face turn red.

'I don't think I'm going to get any sleep tonight...' she thought as she drifted off.

—

To Be Continued

2: Protectiveness

ELEVEN YEARS AGO: DECEMBER 19TH, COURTYARD, MIDORIMA PRESCHOOL

"Micchan," he said, tugging on her hand to get her attention as they walked out of their school. "Okaa-san said I can stay over tonight."

She cheered. "Kaa-san said we're having nabe since Tou-san had a promotion and Ani passed his entrance exam. Are you coming straight to my home?"

"Yes," he replied with a nod. "My things are already at your house."

"Great!" she chirped. "Oh, there's Kaa-san!"

The woman waved at them from the entrance gate, standing in front of a sleek black car. Shirayama Satsuki was a beautiful woman who had been a model since she was in junior high school. She adored her children and considered Yukio as one of her own, spoiling them with toys and sweets whenever she could.

"Micchan~" the woman squealed, quickly picking her daughter up once she was near. She hugged her tightly. "I've missed you, my little blossom."

"Kaa-san!" the girl exclaimed, laughing. "You saw me this morning!"

"Oh, I know, but that's far too long for me to be away from my blossom," the model commented, tapping Misaki on the nose. She then turned to Yukio who had bowed as a greeting.

"Hello, Satsuki-san," he mumbled.

"Hello there, Yukkun," she said with a grin. "How was school? I heard a certain someone got into another fight."

"Fubuki asked for it!" Misaki protested with a pout. "He took Yu-chan's candy."

"Oh my silly blossom," Satsuki said with a laugh. "You cannot protect Yukkun forever."

"I can and I will!"

Yukio frowned. His mother had told him the same thing, and he didn't like that very much. Did it mean she would leave him? "I want to protect Micchan too." Because protecting her meant they would have to be together.

The model merely laughed, ushering the children into the car. Really, these two were so adorable. She couldn't wait until they grew up.

—

PRESENT DAY: APRIL 25TH, CLASS 2-A, KUROKAWA HIGH SCHOOL

"As you know, the cultural festival is coming up in June, so we need an idea on what we will be doing." Himura-sensei clapped her hands together, smiling. "Does anyone have any ideas?"

"Cosplay cafe!"

"No, let's do a play!"

"Haunted house!"

"Butler cafe!"

"Cross-dressing cafe!"

"Sweet shop!"

"Alright, alright," Himura-sensei said with a laugh as she wrote all the suggestions down on the board. "Let's cast a vote, alright? Everyone write down what they want on a piece of paper and I'll come around to collect them. You have to vote for something, okay?"

Yukio wondered what Misaki's class was doing as he handed his teacher his vote. For the hundredth time in the past few weeks, he wished she was with him. At least he wouldn't be so bored during homeroom.

"Alright! It seems Class 2-A will be doing..." She paused for dramatic effect. "A cross-dressing cafe!"

There was a mix of cheers and groans. He covered his face with his palm and sighed. He was already dreading his parents' and Misaki's reactions.

—

The roof was their usual lunch time hang out, and it was there he had (reluctantly) told Misaki what his class would be doing for the school's cultural festival.

"No way!" she exclaimed, grinning. "You, as a girl? Hell yeah. I need to set aside some time to visit you during your shift."

"Shut up," he grumbled, poking at his bento. "What's your class doing?"

"A play. One of my classmates, Fuyukawa Kyoko-chan, is in the drama club so everyone decided the drama club and the class could combine for this. She's been put in charge of the script." She took a bite from her shrimp tenpura. "She promised us it was going to have romance and tragedy and action."

"Have you assigned roles?"

"That'll happen when Kyoko-chan finishes the script. Her deadline is May 6th."

He hummed, sipping his water. "I see. Are you going to try to be the main character?"

"I wouldn't mind," she said with a smile. "If it'll make you feel better, Sensei decided to have the girls play the boy roles and the boys play the girl roles."

He smirked. "So you might be a boy?"

"No," she growled, glaring at him. "I know what you're thinking."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he lied, still smirking. They both were thinking back to Misaki's tomboy era, which was from first grade to the second year of junior high. She had looked like a boy, with her short hair and boyish clothes, and her rough speech did nothing to disprove it. She had done a complete makeover during the fall of their second year at Murasaki Junior High, although he didn't know the reason behind it—it was one of the few things she kept secret from him.

She huffed before her lips curved to a sly grin. "Well, I will definitely be buying some pictures from the photography club this year, if I get to see you in a dress, Yu-chan."

Rolling his eyes, he finished his bento and packed everything away. "Well, that won't be happening for a while anyway. I'm more interested in our class trip."

Her face lit up. "Oh yeah! I wonder where our year will be going."

"The previous year, they got to go to Hokkaido, right?"

"At least it was doing the summer," she said with a laugh as she ate the last of her rice. "I think we'll be going to Kyoto and Nara."

He leaned forward to wipe the grain of rice from her face, amused by her embarrassed expression. "Did you already discuss this during your student council meetings?"

"I overheard Date-kaichou bring it up briefly with Ayakawa-sensei," she informed, opening her juicebox. She took a sip before continuing, "But that's all I know about the trip."

"Hm." He checked his watch, noting that there was five more minutes left. "You have a meeting today, right?"

"Yeah," she confirmed, pouting. "We have to talk about the upcoming cultural festival, and since I'm the vice-president, I have to attend. But there's basketball practice, right?"

"It's not like I need to practice," he grumbled, leaning against the chain fence. He hated going, especially if Misaki wasn't going to be there. He hadn't even wanted to join, but school policy stated every student must join one club and Misaki had urged him to join the basketball team, seeing how he had been on their junior high team (although that too had been because Misaki was the manager and he didn't like not being there to protect her from the boys).

He really didn't like how Misaki was in so many clubs this year; she had resumed being the boys' basketball manager and being in the swim club, but she was elected as the student body vice-president (she'd said it would look good on her applications) and had apparently decided that wasn't enough so she also joined the cooking club as well.

"Go," she demanded, poking him with her foot. "You miss too many, and by the time you're finished, my meeting would have ended too. I need you to give some papers to the coach, anyway."

"Alright, alright," he said, getting up as the bell rang. "I want popsicles when we're finished."

"Understood." She smiled at him, still sitting on the floor. "You're so easy to please, Yu-chan."

"Shut up, Misa," he muttered, pulling her up.

—

"You're dismissed."

At the coach's words, he hurried to the locker room, eager to shower and then change so he could meet up with Misaki. The water felt nice, especially after all the laps he had to do as penalty for missing the last three practices. He supposed he was fortunate that his coach needed him on the team.

"Hey, Kagami-kun."

He stopped toweling his hair to see Tendou Kazunari, the team's easygoing captain, waving at him from his locker a few steps away. He stared for a few seconds before going back to drying his hair. "Hm."

The older boy was too used to his personality to be offended. "Are you dating Misaki-chan?"

He really didn't want to have this conversation with his teammate. "No."

"Whaaaa?!" Kida Yuusuke, the team's energetic shooter, came into the conversation, looking despaired. "You're not!? But you two are always together!"

"We're childhood friends," he corrected tiredly, changing shirts. "Why do you ask, Tendou?"

"Ah..." Tendou scratched his neck sheepishly. "I was wondering if I should confess, that's all."

...

...what.

He turned to him with narrowed eyes. "What?"

"Eeeeek! Yukio-kun has a scary face!" Kida exclaimed, hiding before their calm defensive player, Kikuchi Ginji. But even Kikuchi looked nervous as he toweled his hair, subtly shuffling a little bit away.

Tendou sweatdropped, looking as if he wanted to step back; to his credit, he didn't. "Well, she's my type, and I haven't said anything because I assumed she was dating you. But...if you're not dating..."

"Hm." He finished changing and shut his locker. "Do what you want."

He walked away, pulling out his phone as he overheard his teammates talk behind him.

"Is that permission? DID YUKIO-KUN JUST GIVE YOU PERMISSION, KAZUNARI-BUCHOU?"

"I think that was permission, Kida, buchou."

"Thank you for that, Kikuchi-kun. And Kida-kun, didn't I tell you to show your senpai respect? Do you want laps?"

"NO, TENDOU-SENPAI-BUCHOU!"

Amused by his teammates' antics, he smirked as he messaged Misaki.

To: Misa (6:02pm)

Where are you?

From: Misa (6:02pm)

Entrance outside!

Indeed, she was leaning against one of the pillars, thumb moving quickly over her phone's keypad. Probably messaging someone. When he walked out of the building, she looked up immediately. Her face lit up and she typed something quickly before stuffing her phone in her pocket.

"How was practice?" she asked, taking her usual spot beside him as they walked to where his bike was.

"Boring," he informed. "Tendou likes you."

"Eh?!" Her eyes were wide in shock. "Tendou-senpai?!"

"Hm." He unlocked his bike and climbed on. He then studied her face. "Do you like him?"

"Uh, I..." Her cheeks were flushed as she fidgeted with her bag.

"So you do," he said flatly. There had been no sign that Misaki liked the easygoing captain, but he supposed he shouldn't be that surprised. Tendou was quite popular with the girls at school, and he was considerate and friendly with everyone. Yukio wondered if he would have to have a Talk with the older boy; even if he was his senpai, there was no way he was going to have Misaki that easily—it was Yukio's duty as her childhood friend, after all.

"That's not true!" she denied loudly. "C-can...can we just go get the popsicles and head back to your place?"

He glanced at her before shrugging. "Okay." If Misaki said so, then it was true; the other would never lie to him—she had a terrible poker face, anyway. "Get on already, Misa."

She stared at him for a few seconds before smiling and climbed on the back, wrapping her arms around his waist. "So, the usual flavor?"

"Yes."

"Are we going to get anything else from the store?"

"Milk. Otou-san said we needed some more."

"Does that mean he's back from his trip?"

"He got back last night. That's why I had to go."

She hummed against his back, causing vibrations to go up his spine. He jerked from the sensation, causing her to lift her head up. "Yu-chan...?"

"No—" He cleared his throat. "Nothing."

"Oh, was it my humming? Sorry," she said with a sheepish laugh.

He shook his head, not surprised that she knew what had caused his discomfort. She always seemed to know exactly what was on his mind, while he...well, he only knew what was on hers sometimes. "Don't worry about it, Misa."

"If you say so~" and she rested her head on his back again. "Can I stay over tonight?"

"Did you ask your parents?"

"Kaa-san said it was okay, and Tou-san had wanted me to give your parents something."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. That explained the other bag she was carrying. "What?"

"Souvenirs from his trip to America," she answered. "Something about a recipe for Hirota-san and a new dress for Kaya-san."

"Don't I get anything?" he asked, amused.

"Sorry, Yu-chan."

"How cruel of Kouichi-san. I guess he still holds a grudge against me for that time."

Misaki giggled. "Well, you did nearly burn the house down."

He snorted. "No, I didn't. I just accidentally pressed forty minutes instead of four minutes for the microwave. It was no way close to burning the house down."

"Yu-chan, there was smoke coming from it. The fire alarm was going crazy."

If only he wasn't cycling so he could tug on her hair. "Be quiet, Misa."

She just laughed.

—

To Be Continued

3: Foreshadowing

NINE YEARS AGO: JUNE 5TH, BEDROOM, SHIRAYAMA HOUSE

"Micchan, wake up. Micchan."

Someone was shaking her and she slowly opened her eyes to see her mother standing over her. Once she noticed she was awake, she smiled.

"Kaa...san?" she mumbled as she rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Micchan, they found Yukkun and his mother."

She immediately sat up, suddenly feeling wide awake. "R-really?"

Her mother nodded as she ran her hand through her hair. "Kaya just called me. They're at the hospital right now. I thought I should tell you."

"Can I see him?" she asked, gripping the sheets tightly.

"Maybe tomorrow, my little blossom. For now, you must rest. What would Yukkun say if he saw you haven't been taking care of yourself?"

She thought back to all the times he got worried whenever she would do dangerous things like climb trees and walk on the monkey bars, and pouted. "He'll scold me."

Her mother chuckled. "That's right. Now, go back to sleep so you can wake up early tomorrow to see him, okay?"

She wanted to go see him now—it'd been a month since her best friend went missing—but she knew better than to argue. "Okay, Kaa-san."

—

PRESENT DAY: APRIL 26TH, CLASS 2-A, KUROKAWA HIGH SCHOOL

Yukio tapped his fingers on his desk as he waited for homeroom to begin. Himura-sensei was going to assign roles today, and he prayed that he would be stuck with cooking the food instead of waiting on the customers. At least that way, no one would be able to see him in a dress. However, judging from the fact that the class would need to be able to attract people, as one of the most popular guys in school (and one of the most attractive, as Misaki once said), he might be assigned to be a waiter.

"I wonder if I could threaten the photography club to delete all pictures they will take of me..." he muttered to himself.

"That wouldn't be good, Yukio-kun." He looked up to see Fubuki Renji, an old classmate from junior high, grinning down at him. "I think a lot of people would pay to see you in a dress. They'll lose profit."

He rolled his eyes. "Should I send a copy to your girlfriend?"

The other laughed, looking like he wanted to smack his back in good humor but afraid of what the response would be if he really did that. At least he understood the boundaries. "Hanako said she's coming, so I don't think that's needed. Is Misaki-chan going to be stopping by? Heard her class is doing a play with the drama club."

"She said she wouldn't miss it for the world," Yukio replied. "And her class play has a cross-dressing theme too."

"Misaki-chan as a boy?" Shirota Kotoha, vice-president of the photography club, leaned over from her seat beside him. "It'll be like junior high again! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures for you, Yukio-kun."

"We're not dating," he stated flatly. "But thank you."

"You two should be," Shirota commented, pouting. "It's quite obvious Misaki-chan and you are perfect for each other."

"Better ask her out before someone comes and takes her~" Fubuki sang, laughing as he went back to his seat once the bell rang.

"Stop teasing Kagami-kun, guys," the class representative, Kasabe Orihime, scolded with a frown as she arranged the flowers in the vase on the teacher's desk.

"Are you jealous, Orihime-chan?" asked Shirota, smirking.

Kasabe blushed before scowling and returning to her seat. Himura-sensei entered just then, looking as happy as she normally did. Several students scrambled to their seats in a hurry, not expecting her to come so soon since their homeroom teacher was always five minutes late.

The class rep hurried to stand up to fulfill her duty. "Stand!"

"Bow!"

"Ohayou gozaimasu, Himura-sensei!"

"Sit!"

"Ohayou," Himura-sensei greeted with a wide smile. "Now! Today, we will be assigning roles to everyone. Obviously, we will need some to cook, some to wait on the customers, and some to advertise. Do we have any volunteers for cooking?"

Yukio raised his hand, as did five others. Himura-sensei frowned, humming thoughtfully. "Hmm...well, I think we only need two or three cooking, so Kagami-kun, Miyazaki-san, and Makube-san can prepare the food."

There were several sounds of disappointment coming from some of the girls as they had wanted to see him in a dress. Yukio only mentally sighed in relief. Misaki would be disappointed as well, but his pride as a male was on the line and that was a higher priority than Misaki's happiness.

At the moment, at least. There had been that time he braved the humiliation of buying a few BL games when she had been sick... The stares and light giggles he had gotten as he looked for the games was something he didn't want to experience ever again.

"Mou~ Sensei, can't we have Kagami-kun be a waiter?" the girl who sat diagonal from him complained. It was Shirota's best friend and partner-in-crime, Tsuda Ayame. "He would bring in so many customers!"

"Yeah, everybody knows that Yukio-kun will be a major attraction," Fubuki agreed with a grin. He didn't even flinch at Yukio's glare, having been too used to it since elementary school.

Himura-sensei looked contemplative, which filled him with dread. "That is true... But Kagami-kun is good at cooking..."

"Maybe he can advertise for us outside," Shirota suggested with a bright smile. "And if needed, he can cook!"

Their teacher looked at him hesitantly. "Will you be alright with that, Kagami-kun?"

"I can't wait to see you in a dress!"

He glanced at the expectant faces all around him before turning to Himura-sensei, leaning back against his chair and crossing his arms. "As long as you don't give me the shift on Sunday at 2pm."

Cheers erupted around and he hoped he didn't regret this decision.

—

"Who do you keep messaging?"

Misaki blinked, looking up from her ice-cream float. "What?"

Yukio nodded to her bag, which occupied the chair next to her. "Your phone just rang for a message. Who are you messaging?"

She smiled, the spoon still in her mouth. "You know the ringtone for my messages?"

"Of course I do. I hear it all the time, and you don't change it." He stabbed a piece of takoyaki. "So who is it?"

"Just someone I met online in a game we play," she replied, scooping a bite of ice-cream.

"You're not going to reply?"

"Nope! I'm enjoying my float here." She grinned. "So, apparently, Fuyukawa-san decided I'm going to be one of the main characters in the play she's writing."

"Did she tell you anything else about the play?"

"Not really. Said she wanted it to be a surprise. She's already halfway finished with it. She's quite into it." She giggled, shaking her head. "Said she hadn't had inspiration like this in a while. I think it's just because of the deadline."

"That isn't until a little over a week from now," he pointed out, eyebrow raised.

She shrugged. "I don't know how the artistic types work. I just want to be a chef one day. Think Hirota-san will be free soon?"

"I think he's available this Saturday at seven if you want to come over after basketball practice," he answered, sipping his iced coffee.

She groaned, leaning back on the chair. "I'm so swamped with work. Gotta prepare for the interstate tournament for both basketball and swimming. At least Honda-senpai said I can be excused from what the cooking club is doing for the festival, and Aoba-buchou said I could skip as many practices as needed as long as I had a good reason, and Date-kaichou said he can take care of my share of the work even though he has his other duties to do. Urghhhhhhh!"

"I told you not to join so many clubs." He took the spoon from her fingers and scooped himself a large bite of her drink. She pouted but didn't say anything about it. "It was bound to pile up eventually."

"Shut up, Yu-chan," she said, still pouting. "You're too easy-going."

"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even join the basketball team anyway," he said with a shrug. "I don't really care."

She shook her head. "How will you ever find a girlfriend, Yu-chan?"

"Guess you'll have to take care of me forever," he stated, smirking.

She poked his forehead. "No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"You know you will."

She opened her mouth to protest before closing it, looking away. Was that a hint of red in her cheeks? "No, I won't, Yu-chan. One of these days, you'll finally find that girl who will be with you despite all your flaws." She then looked thoughtful. "Or boy. I don't discriminate."

Raising an eyebrow, he flicked her forehead, earning an "ow!" in response. "Don't be stupid. It's obviously you who will find a nice boy to whisk you away. But he will have to get through me first. And your parents. And mine. But mainly me. Can't let just anyone have my childhood friend now, can I?"

Yup, she was definitely blushing now. "Yu-channnnn~"

He smirked as he sipped his drink. "It's the truth and you know it, Misa."

"That doesn't mean—"

"Shirayama-san." They both looked up to see Date Jirou, student council president and captain of the archery club, standing by their table. Beside him was the very exasperated-looking student council secretary, Takeguchi Takumi. "What a surprise to see you here."

Misaki smiled brightly at him. "Date-kaichou, are you here for their renown desserts?"

His lips curved up slightly as he raised the box in his hand. "Naturally." He then glanced shortly at Yukio who was looking back at him coolly. "My apologies, Shirayama-san. Did I interrupt your date?"

She shook her head, blushing. "We're not dating, kaichou."

"Ah, I see." Sparing him another weird look, Date then nodded. "Well, I shall be going then."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Date-kaichou."

"Until then, Shirayama-san."

Takeguchi rolled his eyes as he leaned in close to the president as they walked by Yukio, who was able to hear a bit of what the secretary was whispering.

"That was completely unnecessary, Jirou—"

"Yu-chan." He returned his attention back to the girl before him. She was giving him a concerned look. "Are you okay? You're clenching your hands."

He looked down and saw that what she said was true. He opened his palms and winced at the fingernail marks. He hadn't even felt that. "I was just thinking about something."

Like how he didn't like Date Jirou. At all.

She looked suspicious still, but didn't question it. Instead, she smiled and and reached into her school bag, pulling out a transparent bag of what appeared to be cookies. "Here you go. I tried out a recipe for lemon cookies so..."

He examined it suspiciously. "It's not poisonous, right?"

She pouted. "Of course not."

"I'll know tonight when I'm doing homework," he remarked, putting it in his book-bag. "When do you have to return home?"

She glanced at her phone. "In an hour."

Swallowing the takoyaki, he finished his coffee and stood up, grabbing his bag with him. "We going then?"

She nodded, copying his movements. "Yup. Are you giving me a ride?"

"Can't have your majesty damage her delicate feet now, can we?" he teased with a smirk as he walked out.

"YU-CHAN, YOU'RE A JERK!"

—

[Tsukuyomi has entered the chatroom]

Mori: ah, it's tsuki!

- you're on later than usual

Botan: tsucchan, we missed you!

Tsukuyomi: sorry, family stuff

Mori: don't mind, don't mind

- you just missed botan's story

Tsukuyomi: oh?

Botan: i was telling mori-kun about how i like my best friend

- and asking what i should do

Tsukuyomi: does he like you back?

Botan: i dunno

- it seems like he does, but it's hard to tell with him

- :(

Tsukuyomi: ah

- um, maybe you should just tell him?

Botan: i can't just do that! D:

Mori: wwwwww

- tsuki, you're so amusing

Botan: what if me confessing changes everything?!

Tsukuyomi: how long have you two known each other?

Botan: uh

- since elementary school

Mori: i still say you should write a love letter

- saying to meet on the roof after school

- wwww

Botan: THAT'S TOO CLICHE, MORI-KUN!

- and he gets too many love letters telling him to meet after school for a confession

- i don't want to be lumped together with them

- uh, tsucchan?

Mori: oh dear, where did she go?

Tsukuyomi: sorry, i had to do something

- and you don't have to say anything to him

- but given that you two have known each other for so long, confessing might not change anything

Botan: i wish i can have your confidence, tsucchan :(

Tsukuyomi: you just have to believe, botan-chan

Botan: okay!

- i'll tell him tomorrow then :)

Mori: wwww

- how convenient that we finished with this right when i must leave

Botan: awwww

- night, mori-kun

Tsukuyomi: good night, mori-kun

Mori: talk to you later~

[Mori has left the chatroom]

Botan: i should go sleep too

- school tomorrow :(

Tsukuyomi: haha, i do as well

- good night, botan-chan

Botan: night, tsucchan!

[Botan has left the chatroom]

[Kazuya has entered the chatroom]

Tsukuyomi: oh, kazuya-kun

Kazuya: hello

Tsukuyomi: you just missed botan-chan and mori-kun

Kazuya: ah, really?

- that is a shame

- are you leaving for bed as well?

Tsukuyomi: yes

Kazuya: maybe tomorrow then

- i had wished to talk to mori about something

- but i got caught up in my work, and only just got home

Tsukuyomi: the life of an idol is hard, isn't it

Kazuya: indeed it is, tsuki

Tsukuyomi: well, i need to go now

- i'll talk to you tomorrow

Kazuya: i will message you

Tsukuyomi: good night, kazuya-kun

Kazuya: good night

[Tsukuyomi has left the chatroom]

—

Misaki leaned back against her bed as she set her laptop on the bedside table, staring up at the ceiling.

"Yu-chan..."

Taking a deep breath, she got under the covers and closed her eyes, ready to sleep.

'Maybe I should confess tomorrow too...'

—

To Be Continued

Note: Japanese equivalent of "lol" is a bunch of w's together. The w came from "warau", which means to laugh. Sometimes, they would write the kanji out instead.