Now what? I stood, facing Inui, and the last bus before school got out in six hours. I should say something, right?

“Ah that reminds me, Ricchan says she's sorry about yesterday. And that she wants to hang out again.” oh that's right, I did something mean to her too.

“Yeah” I started. “I want to see her again too… to thank her and stuff.”

“So, do you like Ricchan?” I thought we’d been over this.

“Huh? I told you, it’s not like that.”

“Then what about me, do you like me?” my face flushed.

“Uh…” How the hell can he just… say that? I looked to the ground.

“... No, I don't like you” We got off at the same stop.

“Hey tobari, I really want you to though, I want you to fall for me. What do I have to do to make that happen?”

“Excuse me?” so blatant. “You’re really asking me this?”

“Well who else am I supposed to ask?” I don’t know, Ricchan? Anyone but me! Is This guy serious? Not only does he have a rotten personality, he’s also got a couple screws loose.

“Oh! There’s this movie i’ve been dying to see! Let’s watch it together! Come dressed as a girl too.” Why did he…

“Are you trying to blackmail me again?”

“I told you I wasn't gonna do that anymore, just… come if you want to.” we turned to our different exits at the station.

“Like I would” I mumbled to myself.

“Give me a call if you change your mind or something.” Inui yelled. I sighed… what was that?

That night, I stayed up late. He likes me? Well, he says he likes me… I noticed text notifications from Inui.

“Tobari” it read “meet me outside the theatre at 6” again, why? I thought to myself.

“Come dressed as a girl.” Just thinking about it is weird. Maybe, I was just jealous of the “girl” me? If that's true… this is so stupid. I feel like, I’m falling in love with Inui. And I guess I’m not thrilled about it.

That morning, I texted Inui back.

“Fine, i’ll go.”

He insisted that we go to a theatre downtown, he said it was because he was worried people from class could see us and he doesn’t want me to get hurt. 5 pm rolled around and I was finishing up my makeup. I may have gotten lost at the end but Ricchan did teach me a couple things.

I’m a contradiction, I’m not quite sure what my feelings yet, but i’m going to find out what they are today. I glanced at myself in the mirror once more, yep, cute as always. As I put on my glasses, I remembered what Inui said so long ago “fake glasses again?” “They don’t suit you at all.” I guess he was right, I guess I just wore them because it helped me convince myself It wasn't me. And that sounded like an unhealthy way to bottle things up. I set the glasses on my bedside table and headed out the door. To be honest there’s still a part of me that thinks Inui is still doing this for laughs, mostly because he’s a clueless asshole who doesn’t care about other people's feelings. But still, I left the house.

I met him at the theatre at 5:50. He perked up when he saw me.

“Hey, no glasses today? I was so right, they didn’t fit you at all” He was right, without them too, I felt more like me. Today, I’m going to find out what his true feelings are.

“Oh shut up”

During the movie I glanced at Inui, he caught me off guard when he glanced back.

“Hey”

“What” I whispered back.

“I just noticed, --” He pointed to a couple a few rows in front of us. “Aren’t those two from our class?” Shit. seriously? This theatre is so far out... I blushed and squirmed in my seat, here of all places? I glance back to Inui to see him hiding a grin.

“Just kidding, u should've seen your face! Did you really think it was them?” Jesus Christ.

“You’re so loud!” I whisper in response, to beating down by that fake sighting to be energetic. At least he’s getting a kick out of this.

After the movie, we walked to the train station.

“You never see those kinds y’know? I really liked the camera angles.”

“Should I go home now?” Really, that's all I have to say to him?

“C’mon don't say it like that! You make it sound like I forced you to come.” It was already dark outside. But this time, I was out her at my own will, I just kept denying that.

“It’s already late… and so cold. Let’s just go home.” I play with my ear and blush. Inui glanced at the two girls passing by. Yeah,of course.

“Oh! The bus!-” Inui grabbed my hand. “C’mon!”

“A- wai-.. W-wait!” I yelled, Inui stopped and looked back with a surprised look as I started tearing up.

“If you like girls, why don’t you find yourself a real one to do this with?” I looked down.

“Enough already. If you’re just doing this for laughs… just leave me alone.” Inui leaned in to wipe the tears from my eyes.

“Your makeups running”

“Why can’t you just tell me straight already” I sobbed.

“Huh? Tell you straight? You don't understand unless I say it? So that's why you got your panties in a twist. A little self-centered don’t ya think?” Oh shut up. “Look, It doesn’t matter if you’re a guy, or a girl. I like you, because of who you are. I think...” You think? “Have a little faith will ya? I said I liked you? Do you understand now? Should I say it again?” Inui gasped. “How about this then!” He hugged me, more like grabbed hold of me.

“Stoppit, let go! I can’t believe you!”

“Hey, actions speak louder than words!”

“I get it! I get it, so…” I said, he laughed and let go. “I get it”

“Really? But y’know it’s freezing so I think we should huddle together for warmth.”

“Auhg I’m not cold.” I was blushing hard. I knew this already, that this is who he is.

“Hey, so, do you like me? You do don’t you. I bet you do.”

“Y-you suck!”

“Yup”

“You’re bipolar, selfish-”

“mmhmm “

“And you never shut up.”

“Oh yeah… and?”

And I’m just as bad.

In the end, it took me awhile to convey my appreciation.

“S-so, actions speak louder than words right?”

“Yup”

“O-on second thought, maybe I am a little cold… I think...”

“Yeah?” Inui hugged me.

Inui always forced my hand from the very beginning. But that's not the only reason That I went along on his whims. I think, somewhere deep down, I could be more honest with myself when I was with him.

“Hey Inui”

“Yeah?”

“So... Where to next?”