"What jerks! They make me so mad!"

The yell travelled a great distance from my cell. I swiftly lowered the volume. Without regard that my upper body was splayed against the wooden table beneath me—and that customers of this establishment were gawking at my display—I returned it to my ear with a sigh just as loud.

"This never used to happen when you were here, Rin-Rin. Since you're actually taller than me, you made me feel normal."

Considering Mt. Foodji, a well-known family restaurant, was quite the distance from Hoshizaki Private Academy I'd made it my occasional hangout spot after school. I typically ordered myself whatever caught my fancy and lounged around until sunset or whenever I felt like going home. Fortunately for me, today was one of the few days Rin-Rin had time off work to listen to me rant.

"Don't listen to them, Shii. Tall or not, you're the prettiest girl known to man! They're idiots if they can't appreciate that."

Static sounded on his end of the call, along with faint murmurs in the background. I moved my head to the side, resting my ear on the flat surface of the table. I swayed my half-empty cup with a frown. "Does being pretty even matter if I'm too tall for them to look at?"

A beat of silence elapsed. For a moment, I worried if our long-distance call had been disconnected. Then, in a tone laced with conviction, he firmly said, "Shii's really, really, really pretty. The prettiest! And height's got nothing on it."

I cracked a hopeless smile, knowing he'd gritted his teeth to stress his letters and make a point.

"How can I take you seriously if you say it like that?"

"I try my hardest to cheer you up and you're laughing at me?"

I chuckled some. "Sorry."

Why did talking to him never fail to lift my spirits? Not that I expected any less from someone who'd grown up with me and therefore had me figured out better than my own family.

More static erupted. Then, shutter sounds and erratic voices intensified. Also. . . bird caws?

My eyebrows furrowed. "Are you at a shoot right now?"

"Yup, in Okinawa," he responded and suddenly shouted, "Ooh, save me a snow cone, Hama!"

Okinawa? Snow cones? He really was enjoying himself, getting to travel the world, away from this stuffy city life.

"They want to take pictures of me surfing."

"Like, in the ocean? Are you sure that's safe? You're a horrible swimmer."

"Wow. You have such little faith in me it hurts. I practiced lots and lots, you know."

"So you can do a front crawl now? Back?"
​
"Don't be silly, Shii. If I fall into the water, I'm a goner."

I keeled over.

He snickered.

"Then, what'd you practice?"

"Balancing on a board." I could hear him smiling. "Common sense indicates a ninety-nine percent chance I'll wipe out. I'm betting on the last one percent I won't. That said, if push comes to shove and something does go awry, my manager can call the paramedics."

I ejected an exasperated sigh.

Seriously, he'd never change.

"On a more important note."

"So you drowning isn't important?"

"Compared to cheering you up, not in the slightest."

"Well, gee. I'm honoured."

His bright, sunshine-like laughter filtered through the receiver. "See, your sarcasm is perfect. Be proud of that. Besides, I already promised you a long time ago that I would always— Hey, Hama! I wanted chocolate syrup on mine!"

Rin-Rin's voice faded into the backdrop as he squabbled with whoever this 'Hama' individual was. Following a satisfied exhale, he murmured about being revived beneath the blistering sun. He'd forgotten about completing his sentence.

The shovelling of ice, his boisterous fawning—it got to me soon enough.

"Thanks for showing off."

"You're most welcome," he teased. "I'll treat you to some when I get back."

"It's fine. I know you won't visit for a while." I lolled my head to the other side, puffing, "Enjoy being the hottest new idol in Japan while I struggle getting through the hellhole that is high school."

"Sorry, Shii. If only I was there for you. I'm supposed to be."

His apology was so soft and subdued I missed it.

"Rin-Rin?"

"I'll call when I can." I imagined his silly smile stabbing into his cheeks. "Cheer up, all right?"

Beeps resounded, prickling my ear. That was strange. Then again, Rin Mizota was that. We were the same age, but his childlike spontaneity and lightheartedness hadn't changed from when we were kids. Granted, it was because he was one of the only things in my life that remained stagnant, he was the easiest to talk to about anything.

My phone emitted a ding! signalling a newfound notification.

It was a photo of the cheeky devil himself. The sun lofted high in the clear sky, a scenic view of the ocean behind him. Wet strands of his black hair slicked messily back and out of the way of his piercing honeyed irises. He was shirtless, beaming widely from ear to ear as he flaunted his half-eaten snow cone. In the distance stood another shirtless boy. I deemed it was the 'Hama' he mentioned earlier. Either way, they were stunning sights. If I didn't know any better, I'd argue I was staring at a photoshopped image.

RIN-RIN ☆
I thought seeing my face would make you smile. You're welcome!
By the way, the one stuffing his face behind me is Hamazaki. My snow cone guy.
Okay, he's an idol too but he jogged all the way across the beach to get me this snow cone. He's the best! ☆

"Sheesh! Rin Mizota is hot!"

My heart leapt to my throat.

Hauling my torso upward, my gaze flickered over my shoulder. Once assured nobody had indeed snuck up on me to oversee our conversation, I directed my focus towards the source. Two middle school girls at the adjacent table, giggling as they ogled their cell screens.

"He has such pretty eyes."

"And a handsome face," agreed the other. "Did you see his appearance on last night's talk show?"

"A good ten times! He's energetic and full of life! And his singing. . ."

Realistically, it made sense Rin-Rin had fans. Testimony to his upbeat personality, and compared to the brainless apes at my school, he was infinitely more dignified. And charming.

I stood nowhere near an equal. If only I had a boyfriend. Someone who could effortlessly put a smile on my face. Who'd love me for the lanky giant I was.

My standards weren't too unreasonable. The guy had to be nice, considerate, loving. . . Taller than me. Definitely taller than me. Plus, they had to spoil me incessantly as if I was their whole world. Making me laugh on my worst days was a must. Oh, and they had to be a fan of affectionate gestures, like hugs. I liked hugs. Appearance-wise, their good looks had to rival Kano's from Mortal Mania. . .

I found myself grinning like an idiot at the fantasy.

Okay, maybe my standards were a little too high. In my defence, I was sixteen and never once had a legitimate crush. The love that encompassed my life existed solely for my ride-or-die band Mortal Mania, my biological mom and dad, my kid sister, and also Rin-Rin. But those were all platonic. Except maybe my love for Mortal Mania. That band was my life source, and Kano, the lead singer, was my heart's kryptonite.

Was I doomed to die forever alone? A lonely beanstalk who'd be ridiculed for the rest of her sprouting days?

Even if all the guys in my grade were nasty jerks who deserved to be pummelled senseless, somewhere out there, the right guy for me existed. He did. I couldn't lose faith yet.

It was a matter of when he'd appear in my life. Maybe not for another year or two. Or six. . . But it was fine. I read somewhere that you ran into your soulmate sometime before the age of twenty-one.
Who would my soulmate even be?

Someone as hot as Kano from Mortal Mania I hoped?

"—cuse me."

I flinched awake. This time, the voice originated from much closer. Carefully, I craned my neck towards the source. He was tall—taller than I expected. Donned in a thin coat, he possessed neat mahogany hair and smooth brown eyes. Not to mention a sharp jawline and cheekbones complementing his warm ivory coloured skin tone.

My cheeks burned with sudden heat. Bluntly put, he was hot.

He rose a cup to my ray of vision. "Do you think it's possible for you to watch my drink while I go to the washroom?"

Was this guy actually talking to me? Why? Wait. He said he wanted me to watch his drink for him? But. . . "Are you sure you want a girl you don't know watching it?" My mouth moved before I could help myself—a habit I knew derived from being nervous. "Isn't it kind of a horrible idea— N-not that I'm saying you can't trust me! I'm not saying that at all!"

Dammit! I totally ruined this moment! Stupid mouth.

I braced myself for him to nod and take his leave—run away before my idiocy rubbed off of him—but the boy only emitted a timid laugh.

"Actually," he said, "I heard you mention Mortal Mania under your breath and assumed you were harmless."

He wasn't turned-off. . . I brightened, more so when his words registered in my mind. "You're a fan of Mortal Mania?"

"You like them?" he asked in return.

The question bounced around my mind. A cute boy who actually liked Mortal Mania was actually talking to me?

"I love them," I exploded, starry-eyed. "Who's your favourite member? No, favourite song? Oh, sorry. You said you wanted to go to the washroom, right? Leave your drink to me and go! I'll guard it with my life."

I eased his warm cup onto the table and saluted for emphasis.

He beamed. "You're quite funny. Thank you."

With a bob of the head, he ambled to the back of the shop. I watched him go, carefully placing a hand over my chest. Funny. . . He thought I was funny. . . The only thing people found remotely humorous about me was my height. But judging by his bashful laugh, that wasn't the case, right?

Could this be. . . No. This was all too sudden. I couldn't be creepy. I had to behave normally.

Although it felt like ages of me telling my subconscious to stop getting my hopes up, the boy returned. He lifted his drink again and dropped into a polite bow.

"Thank you so much."

"It's fine," I replied, avoiding to trip over my tongue. My eyes fell to his chest, specifically, the star crest slapped onto his blue blazer. Jaw-slacked I hopped onto my toes. "No way! You go to Hoshizaki Private Academy?"

Startled, the boy followed my gaze to his blazer then nodded. "I do. Why?"

He went to my school. . . ? "I go there too," I said, now grappling for words. "What year?"

Seeming to catch onto my delight—and possibly recognizing my school uniform—the boy somewhat relaxed. "First."

My mouth dropped. "M-me too!"

Was this even possible? Being in the same school was great enough as it was, but it turned out he was my age, too? Should I take this as a sign? But. . .

"Are you possibly. . ." Not expecting the boy to speak, I hastily looked up. Scratching the side of his cheek, he continued slowly, "Shiina Kisaragi?"

My heart jumped against my ribcage. "You. . . know me?"

"Not necessarily," he said, a flicker of relief tickling his upcoming smile. "But I always hear rumours about the tall girl in the class over. You're famous."

It was then I realized I was up on my feet, ways above the ground. Another blush blazed my cheeks. He'd heard about me?

"Oh," he said suddenly, waving his hand, "before you worry, it's not like I seriously believed them and thought you were an actual beanstalk or anything. I promise!"

Judging by how pale his complexion became, he most likely recognized adding that last bit didn't help his case. I shrugged it aside. Sure if he was a first year student it'd make sense to hear all those rumours. But for someone as sweet-seeming as him to have gained those kinds of misconceptions about me really hit hard.

His lips upturned uneasily. He gestured to take a seat on the opposite end of the booth. I bobbed my head, falling into my own chair as well.

"Sorry," he said, veering his gaze for a moment. "Maybe. . . I believed them a bit."

He guiltily hung his head. My mouth quirked upwards from watching him awkwardly cower.

"Don't worry about it," I reassured him. "Those rumours are everywhere. I can't exactly blame you for listening to them."

He adjusted his posture, relief morphing his countenance. At least he was honest about it. This kind of situation was better than having him whisper behind my back.

"May I ask how tall you are?"

A part of me hesitated. The insecure, vulnerable side.

This time, it was me who couldn't bring myself to look at him. "Five foot nine."

"Wow, you're super tall!"

He didn't have to shout. . . Nevertheless, he was glistening. My off-steady heartbeat kicked off yet again. What did that expression mean? I'd never seen it before.

Awe. . . No, there was no way that could be it. Then, disbelief? As I scanned him over, it was to the least of my expectations to watch him break out into a proper smile—one less sheepish than before.

"You know, after the physical examinations today, they told me I grew another four centimetres."

Again, I was stunned into silence for a good while. "Th-they told me that too!"

"Really?" he demanded. "Well, I'm six foot one meaning I'm taller than you at least."

"Taller. . ." I echoed, eyelids peeling back. He was. . . taller than me?

No, not just height. He was nice, considerate and good-looking. He seemed to know Mortal Mania, my favourite band, too.

He also said that he was in the class over didn't he? If there was someone this kindhearted all this time, how come I never had the opportunity to meet him before?

My mouth flapped wordlessly as I struggled to get a coherent sentence out. Until realization dawned on me.

Wait.

Placing my hands on the table, I leaned forward. "What's your—"

A sudden ring erupted.

The boy fumbled for his pocket to retrieve his phone. With one look at it, he gasped and lurched to his feet.

"I didn't realize it'd gotten this late. I've gotta get going." Gripping his coffee cup in hand, he spared me a final glance and wave over his shoulder. "It was nice meeting you, Kisaragi. Thanks for watching my drink for me!"

He made a beeline for the door at that, leaving behind a quiet that was tough to stifle.

I didn't get his name. . .

Then again, if he attended my school there the chance I'd see him tomorrow. For the first time in six months, I'd see someone who was actually nice to me. . .

A broad grin stretched back to my ears. I was incapable of hiding my excitement.

Maybe I was blowing everything out of proportion. Just because I grew four centimetres didn't mean my chance at finding love was completely gone. There were still amazing people like him out there.

Was I stupid for thinking he was interested in someone like me—probably. But who even cared. From tomorrow onward, I was going to do my best to get closer to him.

Though, I guess before that, I needed to first figure out what his name was. And also his class.

My pursuit of love wasn't going to end so easily.