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]

[On the other hand, she's a little peeved and pleased that the attention's on her.]

Hey, what are you trying to say? I'm not the one on the bottom of the food chain here...

[unconfirmed]

[No point in denying that since he doesn't care.]

So you should have enough guys to pick from that you could find one that would make you happy.

[bilocation]

[--no, never mind, she doesn't want this attention at all.]

Are you kidding me? Half of them can't say their own names right.

[unconfirmed]

[He can't help laughing.]

A lot of them were angry at me. A no one getting the famous B-ko's attention. Well, there are popular boys but none that match you anyway. They're all in another quadrant compared to you.

1/2

[bilocation]

[Ah. Wait. Had the rumors gotten that bad? Was that what A-ya had been hinting at when he said the attention had been bothering him? Her class was full of stupid jocks, anyway, and stupid jocks had a tendency to do stupid things-- no, she's not focusing on that. That's already been taken care of. It's not important! She doesn't care if he was harassed. He deserved to be harassed with the way he treated people, like they were some sort of rumor-spreading tools?!

... but at the same time, what's he implying by saying that no popular boy could match her? It's the sort of straightforward compliment she'd expect from D-ne, not A-ya. Yet there's this unpleasant feeling growing in her chest, making her face heat.

What did he expect?? She was the most popular girl at school. Of course he'd get picked on! He brought it on himself... but for some reason, it's almost... flattering?

B-ko doesn't get it. She doesn't get it at all.]

[bilocation]

[None of that shows, however, save for a slight flush. Her mask is solid.]

Was that an attempt to flirt with me? Besides, you should know that hanging out with me is bound to get you into trouble with your status.

[unconfirmed]

[That mask spares her any of A-ya's thoughts on it. The flush is enough to amuse him. What did he say to earn that? Is it just an expression of pride at her hard won status? Though it didn't sound like flirting to him. Was it similar?]

Even if I don't like attention, it still isn't hard to go by unnoticed. I have a lot of practice. Again, you managed to concoct a rumour and spread it through sheer strength of will, without any art but just raw determination...

[Added, with a slight wave of his hand:] Anyway, that wasn't flirting. It was an observation. My observations about you aren't wrong. You're truly interesting, a rarity in this dull, routine world. That's right, things are a little less washed out because of someone as fun as you.

[bilocation]

[B-ko's heard variations of those lines countless times before. 'You're special. You're fun. You're amazing.' Her friends, no matter where she moved, parroted those compliments over and over again. And that's what she wanted to hear. If they gave her those meaningless praises it meant that the image she sought to present was perfect.

She was perfect.

It's still strange. The way he tells her these things make a strange rush of heat rise to the tips of her ears. Everything about him suggests that it isn't sincere-- no, that's not quite right. The way he presents it makes it seem like an objective fact, even if that smile of his mocks her for it. People only gave her praise when she performed the right way. That was how an imposter lived.

A-ya wasn't supposed to compliment her when she shouted at him. A-ya wasn't supposed to accept her so openly. He wasn't supposed to be so interested in her.

But he did. And he was.]

... shut up.

[She elbows his side. There's a dizzy ringing in her head, resounding like a bell. It makes it hard to think straight.] I don't know what I expected. I figured a guy who gets off on rumors would have a tendency to exaggerate.

[unconfirmed]

[He grunts, covering his now throbbing side. Well, he should have seen that coming. It's how she always reacts to him: violently.

Though, he really doesn't understand what it means. She doesn't shove around D-ne or C-ta. Is it supposed to be some sign of closeness?

Ah. Why did he jump to that conclusion? Simply because of the way they spend time together doesn't mean anything. There's no reason for him to think of them as 'close' even if they share a similar passion for this hobby.

So, why did he wonder that...?

Rubbing his side, A-ya shakes his head.]

When it comes to analysing a person, objectivity is important. Compared to my previous mundane days before taking an interest in you, these ones are more remarkable.

[That's all there is to it. This boring everyday life is just a little less so because of B-ko's strange character. That's all, isn't it?

Either to push the topic away from this or to accomplish something unknown to him, he adds more before she can speak or hit him again.]

I created that rumour I told you just now, about the suicide couples. I made it up on the way here for you.

[bilocation]

[A-ya spreads rumors about her constantly. It's almost like a regular routine: rumor, realization, anger, repeat. What's with that, anyway? He liked seeing her mad, was that what made his days so remarkable? If that's the case, then maybe...

The thought embarrasses her too much to finish it.]

... I figured it was. [He normally wouldn't tell her right off the bat, or tell her at all. He knew how rumors worked, and it was best if they didn't have a source to trace back to. Essentially, he was smothering this one early by telling her that it was him.

B-ko huffs.]

For me? Didn't you just want to see me squirm over a creepy story?

[unconfirmed]

Not exactly. I thought you would enjoy it.

[Well, isn't that true? But when he thinks about it, crafting a rumour just to ruin it was a little stupid. Next time, he'll spread it first and she can hear it that way. Wouldn't it be fun for her to be the one to approach him and excitedly tell him some rumour she heard?

He'd have to be careful. She knows his signature marks well. But he can do it.

Doing all that just so she can tell him a rumour he already knows...? But, she'd enjoy it. That alone...

...is a very strange thought.]

Though, your reactions are my favourite part.

[bilocation]

[The more time she spends with him, the less she understands him.]

You mean when I shout at you and shake you? Weirdo.

[unconfirmed]

It's stranger for you to enjoy doing it to me.

[bilocation]

Wh-Who says I enjoy it?!

[unconfirmed]

It's pretty obvious you do. It's that called sadism? Well, I suppose if that's what appeals to you, I won't judge it.

[Oh look he's smirking.]

[bilocation]

[Even though it proves his point, she's grabbing him by the collar to shake him to-- to prove that she's not a sadist!!!]

What's with that look on your face?! If you spread that around as a rumor, I-I'll--!

[unconfirmed]

[His eyes widen like usual but he manages to keep that same expression, even though he has to brace himself.]

What? What would you do, I wonder? 'B-ko is actually into some very strange things.'

[bilocation]

Shut up! I'll sock you in the stomach!!! [SHAKES HARDER BECAUSE THAT SOLVES IT RIGHT?]

[unconfirmed]

[Oh my god he's too weak for this he's going to get whiplash.]

It's not like I care what you're into so you don't have to do it to me.

[bilocation]

[She stops shaking because. She's just proving his point isn't she?! What a jerk. A goddamn jerk she really shouldn't have invited him over in the first place?!]

Who says I'm doing anything for you?

[unconfirmed]

[A-ya happens to be rubbing his head from all that shaking, so it's hard to see what expression he has when he speaks.]

...I wonder why you invited me here then. Didn't you say I owe you?

[bilocation]

[... that's right. She told him to come here because she wanted to get something from him. But after he riled her up like that, she isn't sure if she wants to go ahead with it. B-ko squares her shoulders, folds her arms across her chest.]

You do. I wanted you remember that.

[unconfirmed]

[He tips his head slightly, watching her closely.]

I remember. I have a debt to B-ko's work. So...?

[bilocation]

[It's so stupid. It's just A-ya.]

I don't like you. [As if that answers everything, she slides a little closer, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes.]

[unconfirmed]

[A-ya blinks once. That's a strange move. 'I don't like you' followed by moving close and looking at him like that?]

We're not friends.