shout out your love! now, hero!

[bilocation]

[It wasn't entirely for his sake that she did it. After all, she did have an image to upkeep, and any unwanted attention was bound to hurt both of them. 'Dating.' Right. That's not what this is.

Whatever it is.

After shaking off the last of her friends, B-ko rounded the corner and snapped open her cellphone.]

I told you I'd do it. You owe me for this one.

[The sky was darkening. She made up some excuse to her parents that she'd be out late, studying. She didn't feel like going home quite yet. Not until she shook him down on this.]

Comments

[bilocation]

[This is so dumb??]

Of course it irritates me! You're the sort of person most people wouldn't like.

[unconfirmed]

I don't really get it either but whatever lights your fire.

[bilocation]

[For someone surprisingly smart and observant, A-ya can be remarkably stupid.]

... you really don't get it?

[unconfirmed]

[He blinks.] ...Not really.

[bilocation]

Even though you just said it?

[unconfirmed]

[Wait what...]

...Because I paid attention to you? I guess that would make it more reasonable why you like someone like me.

[bilocation]

[Siiiigh.] Wow. Are you always this slow?

[unconfirmed]

What part did I miss?

[bilocation]

... forget it.

[unconfirmed]

[Ah... Did he screw up something?]

...Are you mad again?

[bilocation]

[It's not a big deal anyway? No. It's really not. B-ko stands up and flips open her cell phone.]

I'm always mad at you.

[unconfirmed]

[Oh, she's really mad. A-ya looks down and fidgets just a little in his lap. If he's objective, he can probably see it easier, even if he doesn't like applying it to them yet.

He mumbles:] ...Because you wanted someone to like you for you.

[bilocation]

[B-ko looks up.

... he's a ridiculous person. A-ya always seemed aloof and certain. But when it came down to things like this, he takes a while to reach the conclusion, doesn't he?

He shouldn't look so sorry, even though it makes some of that irritation in her heart go away. It doesn't suit him a bit.]

Yeah? And?

[unconfirmed]

And I did. That is, I do. [He still feels like she's mad at him so he might as well try being as objective as he can about it.] I already said days are more interesting because of you.

[bilocation]

There. You have the answer you should've gotten in the first place. I like you because of that. [She half-mumbles the last sentence, rushing it out. But it makes her relieved to hear that. He does like her for her. She relaxes.]

... I need to go home. My parents are bugging me. [Even as she says that, she turns back to him.]

Where's your house, anyway?

[unconfirmed]

[He doesn't stand up just yet, a little confused. Did she forgive him? Ah, putting it like that irritates him just a bit, because it means he really does want her happy. He can understand why she gets mad at him.

But he shakes his head and returns to his usual apathy, giving a nod to his left.]

It's that way.

[bilocation]

['See you later then,' that's what she should say. But leaving like that would be mean, wouldn't it? He doesn't look hurt like he was a minute ago, but maybe he's covering it up.]

Mine's that way. [She falls silent. Then, steeling her nerves, she grabs hold of his hand.] You can walk me out.

[unconfirmed]

[A-ya looks at their hands for a moment before holding hers just a little tighter. He stands and nods, starting to walk her out. So, she definitely forgave him. Then shouldn't he do something for her?

He stops them before they exit the station. Doing this outside would be mean, right? She works hard to keep her perfect appearance and any slips would be stressful. Fun as they are, he shouldn't do that right now.

This will get simpler to accept with time, won't it?]

B-ko, I had a fun night.

[After a beat of hesitation, he leans in and kisses her, eyes shut this time.]

[bilocation]

[She doesn't mind if he holds her hands tightly. Or how he smirks. Or that direct way of his when he talks, even though he doesn't get the connection between them and his own feelings. He's a lot stranger than she thought. And a lot softer, too. For someone who enjoyed spreading rumors... he wasn't as bad as she made him out to be with her wild reactions.

B-ko blinks when he stops at the exit, tilting her head to see if something was wrong. As such, when he kisses her, it catches her off-guard. A muffled sound of surprise escapes her, but she closes her eyes, too, when she glances around and sees nobody. It was nicer to kiss him than to be angry at him. Since she had been angry... she can smooth it over by trying to make this a good one.

'A fun night.' A-ya said he didn't like the world because it was boring. Uniform. If he had fun, then it meant that it didn't turn out as badly as it could've. For some reason, the thought makes her a little giddy. Despite herself, B-ko smiles a little but quickly hides it when they break it off.]

Good. Because you still need to work off the rest of your debt.

[unconfirmed]

[Even if she hid it, he felt it briefly. He really does make her happy, huh? It's a strange thought. The only other person who seems happy around him is C-ta. His personality is off-putting and difficult, but if someone smiles because of it...

That feeling isn't so bad. He can write it down on the way home and sort it out later. No, not sort. Accept. Ah, what a hassle...]

You're going to keep me in debt. What a scam. [But he smiles, just a little.]

I'll see you at school. Oh and don't let any women carrying groceries stop you. If one does, tell her 'The door is unlocked, isn't it'! Well, see you.

[With a grin, he waves and turns away, already pulling out his cell phone.]

[bilocation]

--huh? [It's been so long since she felt out of sorts like this. When she realizes what he said, she stamps her foot.] W-Wait, you can't leave me with just that! That isn't fair, A-ya!

[But he's leaving already?! Leaving her with that juicy beginning?! She shouldn't have kissed him!] Well, it's... it's not like I wanted to hear it anyway!

[unconfirmed]

[He just waves behind him without looking back. He's sure to get an earful tomorrow but that will be fun, too. It's something to look forward to.]

Just don't hold her groceries. Night, B-ko.

[bilocation]

Why you--! [Even if she won't admit it, it's fun arguing with him. But walking home alone with a scary story like that...!

With a frustrated noise she storms out, making sure to throw an angry text ('I'll kill you tomorrow ＞＜!!') just for good measure.

... in the end, though, she wound up running all the way home.

What a dick.

She can't believe she likes him.]