On my way to school one morning, I almost became a magical girl. Again.

I was running late so I took a shortcut through an old temple. As I was running for my life, I saw a puppy almost falling into a river. I saved the little guy, wrapped his injured leg with my handkerchief, then started running. Unfortunately, the puppy had other plans. He led me through the temple and brought me to an old house in the middle of the lake.

I went inside and a beautiful woman was waiting for me. She sat gracefully in the middle of the room, stroking snow colored foxes with blue flames on the tip of their tails.

"You have saved our precious pup," she said. "We shall bestow upon you divine powers– "

"No thank you, ma'am. I just don't want to be late for school so... Can I go now?"

The woman looked baffled. I mean, you just don't turn down divine powers, right?

"Of course. We will send you to this school, quickly."

And poof, I was in the locker area just as the bell rang.

Later that day, in P.E. class, I almost ate a soccer ball. I was just sitting on the grass with some of my classmates when a blur of black and white came hurtling towards my face. The guy who kicked the ball was from another class so I didn't recognize him. He offered to take me to the infirmary when he saw blood drip from my nose.

"I'm really sorry!" He lowered his head. "My name is Kou, from class 2-D,"

"Yui Sugawara, 2-A."

"Nice to meet you, and sorry again. Would you like a drink?"

Kou is a nice guy. Apparently, he was on the soccer team and they have a match against another school next week. Maybe I should go watch with the gang.

"Yuicchi!" Shouted Dai-chan when we got back. "What happened?"

"Nothing," I said while a tissue was visibly stuck up in my nostril.

Soccer is a fun sport. You get to kick balls.

When we were walking home, I was flanked by Yoemon and Daichan. Wow, I feel so safe.

"Senpai!" Rika called from behind Yoemon. "Can I hold your hand? Yoemon-senpai is scary."

I held her hand while we walked. I noticed some dark aura emanating from my bodyguards. I took a quick glance at them and I saw that they were glaring at Rika.

During the weekend, I went over to Dai-chan's place because I needed help for my math homework. He had straight A's in math even when we were kids. I knocked on the door of their current apartment, Dai-chan opened the door-one hand on the knob, the other scratching his stomach.

"Good morning, Yuicchi." He yawned. "It's so early, what brings you here?"

"Dude it's already well after one pm, what do you mean it's early? Anyway, help me with maths," I replied.

I went inside and sat on the floor, using the sofa as a backrest. He brought me a glass of juice and sat beside me. Blood rushed to my face when he snuggled his head on my shoulder. I felt obliged to pet his head, he's like an oversized dog (omg so cute).

A few minutes into doing the assignment, I heard Dai-chan's stomach grumble. Right, he still hasn't eaten yet.

"Dai-chan, let me borrow your kitchen,"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure." I stood up and went to the kitchen. The dishes were clean and arranged but the trash can was full of bento boxes from the convenience store. Like, about a month's worth already. I checked the fridge and all he had was milk, juice, water, bread, and eggs.

I pointed at Dai-chan. "You're unhealthy. Come with me."

We bought rice, meat, vegetables and other ingredients from the nearest grocery. Incidentally, we met Sakura buying groceries, too. She said her grandma was off to their hometown and she will be alone for a week.

"So," I said. "Did Arima visit you yet?" I made the Le Lenny face* and she blushed.

"Actually, he's coming over today, that's why I'm buying a lot. D-Don't get me wrong, he's only helping me with my assignments!" She said nervously.

"Same. We'll go now." Dai-chan said in a monotone and dragged me home.

I made enough curry to last for his lunch tomorrow. While I was cooking, Dai-chan sat on the dining area, staring at me. I would gladly applaud anyone who wouldn't feel awkward.

It was already dark outside so I collected my things and when I was facing the door, I felt hands around me. On my chest particularly.

"Dai-chan, what do you think you're doing?"

"Yuicchi, you haven't grown any since we were kids."

I punched him hard on the knee pits and went home. I have grown some.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a home to go back to. My parents left a note on the door saying they'll be back tomorrow morning. I don't have a spare key. I would go to Sakura's house but she's alone with Arima right now. I don't know where Yoemon or Rika lives, either.

Needless to say, I went back to Dai-chan's apartment. He opened the door while hugging the wall.

"I'm staying over." I announced. "My parents aren't home."

"Okay. But first help me," his knees buckled and he collapsed on the floor.

"Ah! I'm sorry, did I punch you too hard earlier?"

"Nah, it's my fault. I deserved it. So," he rested his hand on the wall when he got up. "Do you want dinner, a bath, or–"

I pinched his nose. "Don't. Even. Think. About. It."

We ate dinner and he let me use the bath first while he prepared the room I would use. There was a shirt and pajamas waiting outside the bathroom.

After he took a bath, I waited in the room with my arms tucked in the pajamas, which I wore up to my chest because it was long.

"Dai-chan," I said, with a menacing look on my face.

"Yuicchi, you look creepy, stop that!"

"Run!" I chased him around the apartment looking like that. Dai-chan, you wimp.

• • • • •

*Le Lenny face: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)