I lay my head down slightly and listen to Sensei's lecture, day and day he talks about the same old things, Sensei Nakamura is so old school...Oh well, there's always lunch time and soon the bell will ring and I can spend some time, drowning out my thoughts with my friends.

***

Riiinnnggg... and with that the lunch bell sounded.
We all gathered around Aya's desk,
"You know the one reason I hate winter?—take a guess" Yume asked.

"Because it's cold?" Asked Aya.

"No, because we can't sit on the roof anymore, when it's winter there's either snow on the roof or it's too cold to be up there, the one place where you can feel less cramped/claustrophobic and just feel the wind and lunch, it just isn't fair" Said Yume.

"I think you'll get over it" I said.

"I hope so..." Said Yume.

"How have you been, Kenji?" Asked Yume.

"Oh, me? yeah I been alright, could be better though" He said.

"Tsk, that's what you always say, couldn't you give me a decent answer for once, always so caught up in your video games" She said.

"What about you Aya, what do you do in your spare time?" I asked.

"Oh, I"m curious too" Said Yume.

Kenji's eyes lit up towards Aya as she began to speak: "I like to sing, I love music and, I want to be a shrine maiden" She said with a smile.

"A shrine maiden?—no way" Said Kenji.

"Huh, is there something wrong with that, Kenji?>" Asked Aya.

"NO, not at all, actually that's pretty cool, what kinda music do you like listening too?" Kenji asked.

"I like j-pop, k-pop, r&b and some rock & roll" SHe said.

"I can show you where the shrine is if you want to be a shrine maiden, there's one nearby" Sakurai Shrine" Said Kenji.

"Sure, what about after school?—I walk home with Keito so the three of us can go together!" She sounded excited.

"Have fun" Said Yume feeling left out of the picture.

"SO you sing huh, are you any good?" I asked.

"Mhm, you'll have to hear me sing to judge that" Said Aya.

"Oh okay, that makes sense" I said.

We started to eat our bentos and continued talking until the bell for next period rang.Another long lecture and note taking, then I went to club and hung out there a bit and excused myself to meet Aya and Kenji.It seems I got here earlier than them, huh oh well.

I turned around and—in front of my eyes, was... Mina.She stood there with a smile bending over slightly with her arms behind her back.

"What's the matter Keito?, happy to see me?" She said.

This can't be happening... am I seeing things now?!

"I'm glad you waited for me after school, I always hated it when you went home first" Said Mina.

Tears flowed down my eyes.

"Why are you crying, are you sad about something?, big bro?" She asked.

I wanted to give her a comforting hug but I knew that I'd go right through her.

"No, just happy?" I said not caring if anyone heard me speaking to air, I doubt they could see Mina too.

I turned my head and seen Kenji and Aya coming to meet me.

We begin to walk to the school gates.

"Keito, how was school today, I hope you're not going to complain a whole lot on the way home" SHe said.

"IS something the matter?" Aya caught my awkward movements.

"UH, ah, no nothing, why?" I said.

"Totally suspicious" Said Kenji.

"Shut up" I said as I pointed in rage at Kenji.

We began to walk to the direction of the Sakurai Shrine.

"Hey big bro, this isn't the way home, where are we going?" Asked Mina.

I wanted to say something but I knew I'd look like a crazy person.

We reached the shrine and Aya talked to a bunch of priests and met a bunch of girls who were already shrine priestesses.

"When will we go home, I'm hungry" Said Mina.

"Soon" I said.

Aya got outfitted in one of the shrine maiden outfits and I have to say it definitely suited her, the shrine maiden outfits were specially designed for fashion and elegance.

I made my way back home after saying goodbye,

"Why can't you stay a big longer?" Asked Kenji.

Aya looked a little disappointed, she probably didn't want to be left all alone with Kenji and I don't blame her.

"Sorry have to get home, something came up," I say as I check my cellphone to make it look like I wasn't lying.

"Gotta go, see ya at school tomorrow" I said.

"There's no school tomorrow" Said Kenji.

"OH right, thanks" I said.

Geez, I can't even think strai—

"So, are we going home now or—?"

"You startled me, Mina, don't do that.... yes we're going home now" I said.