"Might wanna be careful there, Igarashi. I'll accidentally step on you."

"Go wreak havoc on innocent citizens another day, Godzilla."

Our malice-filled stare down ensued first thing in the morning. Either of us could've jumped the other at any given second. Sure it was my fault for instigating this, but damn, all it took was one look at his ingratiating face to consume me with all the hatred I possessed for this boy.

"Shiina! Somebody's at the door for you."

I hardly refrained from yanking out strands of Igarashi's hair. Peering over the heads of my loitering classmates, I located the source. Tsumugi's miniature frame hovered by the classroom entrance. She beckoned me near with the wave of her hand. My eyebrows ascended.

At the door? For me? Was it a teacher?

A chair skidded across the floor. Igarashi plummeted into his seat. "Good," he spat. "Don't come back."

I glowered.

He stuck out his tongue.

Fuming, I stomped my way toward the doorway. He had the worst personality!

Tsumugi's chalky complexion was evidence of my pooling animosity.

I hurriedly rid all traces of it.

"So?" I asked. "Who's here to see me—"

"There you are, Kisaragi!"

My breath hitched in my throat.

I jerked left in an instant, only to have my heart knocked off beat. Looming over me from a reasonable height, the boy of soft eyes and hair grinned widely. One glimpse was enough to warm my skin.

"You're. . ."

"Daisuke Kamakiri," he said, smile growing as if from the relief that I'd remembered him. "I didn't properly introduce myself, right? But I asked around this morning and thought if I came over to your class I'd run into you. Thank goodness I found you."

Tsumugi curtly bobbed her head to excuse herself, and although the boy promptly thanked her, I was honestly too out of it to process their exchange. I had made the decision to find him today, but he was already one step ahead. He'd asked around for me and went to the extent of calling me out? He said his family name was Kamakiri, right?

A subconscious smile took the form of my lips. Who'd have thought yesterday really wasn't a dream? I mean, the situation was so idyllic I convinced myself my mind had concocted most of it. And yet. . . And yet. . . Here he was before me now. . .

My cheeks swelled in newfound warmth. It was scorching enough to give me the notice I was blushing. My face was always quick to flush so I'd gotten used to the sensation.

"Wh-what do you need?" I asked him once I could muster my voice.

Fortunately, Kamakiri didn't find my stutter or blatant blush off-putting. "I actually wanted to ask if you were free tomorrow."

My pulse quickened. "You mean. . . after school?"

"Yup," he said, as coolly as ever. Considering he had his bag strung over his winter uniform, he slipped it off his shoulder and dug inside. He surfaced matching black slips and excitedly held them up for me to see. "My older brother scored two free Mortal Mania tickets from a draw he entered, but he can't attend because he has an exam today. I remember you telling me that you liked the band so I thought you could go instead. Do you want to—"

"Mortal Mania?!" I half-screeched. If my eyes could turn into hearts, that was just how fast I swelled in joy. Beaming from ear to ear, I bobbed my head. "I'll go! Let me go! I'm so going!"

Opposite to the offhanded stares of my classmates, Kamakiri laughed, pearly teeth visible. "That's a relief. I wouldn't know what to do if you turned me down."

Watching him chuckle so freely allowed me to digest exactly how embarrassing I was being. Flushing hard, I ducked my head. Fortunately, as he was taller than me, it was pretty easy to hide my face. Mortal Mania was one thing. . . but this would count as a date, right? My first ever date, and at a Mortal Mania concert to boot?

There was no way this could be happening. It was only yesterday it felt as if my entire life had fallen apart, and yet upon meeting him. . .

"Here you go," Kamakiri said, snapping me from my thoughts.

He plopped the tickets onto my outstretched palms.

I barely missed him turn around.

Stunned, I stared at my hands and at the two tickets resting within them. Then, blinking once, twice, I reluctantly picked up my head. "Um. . . why are you giving me both of them?"

"You said you'd go, didn't you?" Kamakiri merely replied, pausing to glance over his shoulder. Securing his bag, he waved. "Just bring one of your friends with you. Thanks, Kisaragi. You're the best!"

With another heart-stopping smile, Kamakiri exited and made his way toward his homeroom class down the hall.

"Did she get turned down?"

"Friend-zoned without a second thought."

"Talk about awkward."

My face scorched with insurmountable heat. I couldn't bear to turn from the open doorway and face my classmates. All I wanted was to bash my forehead against the wall—do anything to knock my brain back to its senses and put me out of my misery.

I was an idiot, getting my hopes up like that. We met yesterday. Obviously this wasn't a fairy tale where he'd sweep me off my feet and carry me on his white steed into the sunset.

Why did I let my fantasies get ahead of me? And in front of my classmates to boot.

Where was a hole to crawl into when you needed one?

By the time I'd made it back to my desk, casting my head in shame, a particular somebody was snickering like mad.

Head buried into his elbow, free hand smacking the surface of his desk, he cackled in between wheezing gasps of air.

Exasperation wounded within me. Popping a nerve, I snapped, "Who are you laughing at?"

"N-not y-you." Igarashi guffawed harder, slapping his desk with more force. "N-not you at a-all."

This guy irritated me so much!

"So?" Igarashi's sudden inquiry caught me off guard. Wiping at his eyes to rid them of tears, he stifled an upcoming chuckle. "Do you even have a friend to take with you?"

"Of course I do," I said.

"Really now?"

"Yes, really! Unlike you, I'm very popular."

He slammed his fist onto his desk, erupting in another fit of snickers.

"Stop laughing, you jerk!"

Bolting to my feet, I resisted the urge to smack him a billion times over. Like a predator to its prey, I zeroed in on Tsumugi at the far end of the class chatting with Kiharu. Whether it be the anger in me or not I swallowed all my nerves and stomped my way over.

I whacked the tickets onto Tsumugi's desk as hard as I could, jolting the two of them from their conversation.

"Which one of you want to come to a Mortal Mania concert? Speak now or forever hold your regret."

"Excuse you?" Kiharu demanded, furrowing her eyebrows. "Who do ya' think ya' are, hussy? And what are ya' asking us for exactly?"

I stiffened, the blood in my veins shifting to ice. I was starting to lose my confidence.

"I-I was saying. . ." Both girls stared at me, Kiharu more intensely than a baffled Tsumugi. I could feel my fingers begin to tremble over the tickets as I ducked my head. "I was trying to. . . um. . ."

My voice trailed off, which I pinned on my quivering jaw. The eyes of nearby students were now vividly gnawing through me. Their whispers weren't any better.

What was I doing? Igarashi got me all riled up, sure, but it wasn't like the three of us were anywhere near close. I hated the realization as much as the next person. That I really didn't have any friends at this school.

Clenching the tickets in my hands, I swallowed back the lump in my throat. If I stayed here any longer or met their eyes, I really would tear up. I was such an idiot.

"N-never mind," I mumbled. "I-I don't know what I was thinking, coming here. . ."

"Is everything all right?" Tsumugi asked, doe-eyes wide. "We heard you and Igarashi arguing."

"They're always arguing," Kiharu responded via scoff. "It's all they ever do. Like they're executing some weak comedy sketch."

"Kiharu," Tsumugi chastised.

"It's. . . fine." Plastering on a smile, I retrieved the ticket and turned around. "Sorry for bothering you."

Avoiding all eyes, I steadied my breathing and returned to my desk. Igarashi was watching me. Though, this time, it wasn't accompanied by amusement. Honestly, I was grateful. If he started laughing again I really would crack.

Biting my lower lip, I reluctantly collapsed into my seat. Igarashi didn't say anything to me, not that he needed to. What he witnessed was self-explanatory. Slipping out my cell, I pinned my gaze on my most recent text.

RIN-RIN ☆
Daily update: I just finished a live concert. The fans that came out were all amazing, per usual. I can't stop grinning!
o(≧◡≦)o
I wish you could've seen me perform too. Remind me to throw you a personal concert when I visit Sendai again. Anything for my favourite girl.

My eyes wandered to the image he attached. He was backstage of some venue, smiling with a peace-sign. He had a headpiece on and a towel wrapped around his flashy stage outfit. And although sweaty, he was evidently enjoying himself.

That sounds amazing, Rin-Rin. Congrats! :D

I sent it with a minuscule sigh. Then again, the reason he left Sendai in the first place was because he scored a gig in a musical. Ever since, he made steady progress in the idol industry. He was following his dreams. Considering his bright personality, I doubt he had any trouble making friends. Every day must've been a blast for him.

Then there was me. Since he left half a year ago, I hadn't had any luck fitting in at school. And all my so-called 'friends' who'd abandoned me as soon as Rin-Rin left Sendai only rejoined my side as soon as he became famous. Those fake laughs and smiles were the main reason I begged my dad to let me go to a high school far from my middle school. I wanted to get away from those two-faced people and any attachment to Rin-Rin's fame.

Sure Hoshizaki Academy wasn't ideal, but being hated and teased here was far better than being shown fake affection.

Shutting my cell, I dropped my chin on my folded arms. My vision landed on the clock at the front of the room. Ten minutes until homeroom started, huh?

"Since when were you close with Kamakiri?"

"Since when do you care?"

Igarashi scoffed. "If you didn't want to answer the question, just say so."

I puffed my cheek. Another heavy quiet lapsed over us.

"Aren't you going to ask me to go with you?"

This time, I twitched. I could no longer ignore this Satanic reincarnation beside me.

"Huh?" I said as I placed a hand to my forehead. "I could've sworn I heard someone talking to me. Where are they. . . ?"

"You. . . !" Igarashi growled.

I lifted my head from my squinting to catch him scowling.

"I was trying to be nice and offer you my company."

"Yours?" I said, face morphing from disgust. "Why would I purposefully make my life a living hell by bringing you along? Are you an idiot?"

"You're the idiot!"

"How?"

"You're planning on wasting a free Mortal Mania ticket and go alone for some stupid pride. That spells idiot out for me!"

I flinched."Th-that. . . What I do is none of your business! You just stay at home and drink your stupid milk."

"I'll do that even if you didn't tell me to. Damn, you're annoying."

"As if I care what an ugly midget has to say about me."

The charged tension in the air lasted maybe several seconds. Then, my thoughts began to wander. It wasn't like him to beat around the bush like this. He didn't like me as much as I didn't like him, right? Then why suggest something as crazy as that? He couldn't have been sincere about it. Unless. . .

"Do you. . . like Mortal Mania?"

I couldn't believe the question ever left my mouth.

"Huh?" Igarashi replied. "Why do you care? I thought you said you'd rather die alone than bring me along?"

Mortification washed over me like a wave. I knew this would happen!

"I did not say that." Fumbling for words, I glared daggers at him. "And who said I'm trying to invite you? I was trying to ask if—if Koshiba would be interested."

"Keiko?" He emitted an airy laugh. "Don't try it. She hates rock music. And you."

"Wow, thanks for sugar coating the obvious."

"You're welcome." He jutted his chin. "I don't blame her. You have the worst personality."

"I do? You're the one who—"

"I like them."

My eyebrows rose slowly, and for a good amount of time, my voice caught in my throat. "Huh?" I eventually asked.

"Mortal Mania," he said, resting his chin on his palm. "I like them."

If my eyes could bulge from their sockets, I bet that was what they'd be doing. My heart had even stalled a beat from the shock. Nonetheless, Igarashi sat there, without correcting himself. He meant it.

My mouth flubbed for words. "Wh-why?"

"Are you seriously asking me why? I thought you were a fan?"

"Oh, you're right."

Silence hung over us for the second time. I tried scanning over his face to in case this was a lucid dream. Only, he didn't flinch at all. He was serious. I'd never met anyone in my life who proudly declared that. Let alone Igarashi—the boy I wanted to strangle on a daily basis. Then, the reason he asked to come in such a roundabout way was because he genuinely liked their music? How was I supposed to let this sink in?

I primmed my lips. Deep down, I knew I didn't have to say anything. Even if he liked the band I swore to love until death didn't mean I had to suddenly change my perception of him. His preferences aside, he was a jerk through and through.

Despite repeating that to myself, Igarashi broke the stilted quiet before long.

"Did you hear their latest song?"

"Why do you even have to ask?" I gushed. "I had it on repeat since last night."

I braced myself for the insult I knew was coming.

Instead of spitting another contemptuous remark, however, he grinned.

"You too? I already have all the lyrics memorized. Forwards and backwards."

"Same! I watched the MV a thousand and one times! Wasn't it so epic?"

"Right?"

Straightaway, the two of us broke out into a shared laugh, enough for our identical smiles to grow larger.

"Are Igarashi and Kisaragi getting along?"

"No way. Where?"

All at once, we recoiled.

Were we. . . bonding? I was, with him. . . ?

"Don't look at me with that creepy face."

My jaw fell.

Disgust returned to Igarashi's face.

"Creepy?" I echoed, a new surge of exasperation hitting me full force. "A-and here I was this close to reconsider bringing you along!"

He turned the other cheek. "I didn't ask to come."

"Then don't!"

We returned to glaring at one another. Slowly but surely, the intrigued glances of our classmates trickled away upon realizing it was a false alarm.

See, I was right. We might have liked the same band but there was no dismissing his rotten personality.

Was this my karma for being so tall? Regardless, I was assured of one thing: Toru Igarashi wasn't getting that ticket.

No matter what.