The morning sun began to rise, bringing light throughout the misty grounds of the boarding school as light broke over the distant mountains, illuminating the sandstone building with it's smooth stone plaque that spelt out 'Shining Star Dormitory'. Eventually, this small amount of light gave birth to a sunny morning as once silent dormitories began to show life. Small sounds of rustling and rattling as well as the sharp yet calm clinging of pans was heard throughout the dorm as Kaen stood by the stove, spatula in hand as eggs simmered in the pan in front of him. It was his turn to cook this morning.
Yuuki tiredly slumped her way down the stairs, wearing her school uniform and producing a yawn of sleepiness as she rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning Kaen.." She spoke tiredly.
"Oh, m-morning." Kaen replied, as if slightly shocked. He now sighed, *So it really wasn't a dream, huh? I seriously have to be the luckiest guy alive to have the chance to live with Hirukitan, but if she thinks I'm obsessive, that lucky streak may run its course…*
He continued to cook in silence for a moment before clenching his fist with a confident smile as he looked victoriously to the ceiling.
*Alright!* He thought happily *From this point on, no more Hirukitan related things, only the here and now with Yuuki!*
He now looked to her curiously, causing her to notice. "Hm?" She questioned, "Is something wrong?"
"A-Ah" he replied, "Not really. I just noticed you weren't wearing your glasses today."
"Oh, that?" She questioned, "I normally wear contacts throughout the day. I just happened to forget them yesterday."
"O-Oh, that so?" Kaen questioned with surprise.
Their conversation was now changed due to a small black kitten that rubbed itself against Yuuki's leg, soon trotting its way over to a small bowl of milk and food at the corner of the dining room.
"Eh?" Yuuki questioned with a small amount of joyful shock in her tone, causing Kaen's gaze to shift her way with curiosity. She took her seat at the table, laying her eyes on a small black kitten who cheerfully enjoyed her breakfast.
"Whose cat is this?" Yuuki questioned curiously.
"Oh," Kaen replied, looking to the small black cat and back to Yuuki as he rubbed the back of his head. "You could say she belongs to all of us but I'm the one who took her in. I like to consider her our dorm mascot. Pets aren't allowed on campus though so make sure you don't let any of the teachers know."
Yuuki nodded, "I see, she's adorable."
"Isn't she?" Kaen replied with a smile.
The small black kitten now gave a meow, stretching it's body before hopping into Yuuki's lap where it curled itself into a ball and closed its eyes. Yuuki stared on in confusion as her hands stayed afloat in the air with light shock. Kaen laughed, "Well there's a surprise. Usually she takes a bit to warm up to people, she must really like you."
"R-Really?" Yuuki replied with surprise, nervously reaching between the kitten's ears to pet it. The kitten purred happily, causing a light blush to form on Yuuki's face as she smiled warmly, her fingers lightly running in between the cat's ears and down it's back.
"Her fur is so fluffy and warm.. It feels nice.."
Kaen smiled, his hands resting on his hips as if declaring a victory, "Yup, that's Shining Star Domitory's very own mascot for ya!"
Yuuki's cheerful gaze now shifted from the kitten to Kaen, "What is her name?"
Kaen now chuckled confidently, forgetting his previous declaration, "I think you'll like it. It's a very fun play on words after all."
"Really?" Yuuki questioned with traces of excitement and curiosity in her voice, "What is it?"
"Hiruk-" Kaen now caught himself, remembering his previous promise made to himself. *Crap* he thought, *I can't tell her that it's Hirukitten! That's embarrassing, what if she thinks I'm weird?!*
Kaen now scratched his right cheek nervously with his index finger, "W-Well um.. It's uh.." He searched frantically for his words in his head, but to no avail. Yuuki continued staring on with curiosity and excitement in her eyes. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard tapping their way down the stairs.
*An out!* Kaen thought, turning to meet the source of the footsteps in an attempt to escape the conversation.
Good morning you two." Romio yawned, approaching the table with a slouched posture as his school uniform loosely clothed his body.
The small kitten now lightly sprung to its feet, poking its head out from over the edge of Yuuki's lap in an attempt to catch Romio's attention. "Good morning Hirukitten." He smiled, bending down and lifting his hand up to where his palm faced the small feline. The kitten now gave a cheerful meow, lifting its small right paw, connecting it to the palm of his hand. Two more pairs of footsteps were now heard coming down the stairs, revealing both Azusa and Miku who tiredly made their way to the table where Yuuki and Romio sat. Miku's eyes now perked open at the sight of the small kitten, causing her to trot over joyfully as she bent down to Hirukitten's level.
"Good morning Hirukitten!" Miku said cheerfully, leaning her face closer to the kitten in front of her. The kitten meowed yet again, giving it's own cat-like smile as it touched the tip of Miku's nose with it's own. Miku then trotted happily over towards her seat, leaving only Azusa left to greet the small black feline.
"A-Ah, good morning Hirukitten." She said, producing the best smile she could with traces of nervousness. The kitten now sharply turned her head, giving no meow in response as if to ignore Azusa.
"Why does she hate me..?" Azusa questioned tearfully, seating herself at the table. The sound of a muffled giggle now broke Azusa from her tearful trance, attracting the attention of the others around the table as well as all their heads turned to Yuuki.
"W-What's so funny?!" Azusa questioned with a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment.
Yuuki continued to giggle, breaking into laughter as small tears of joy formed in her eyes. She then wiped her eyes, trying to calm herself as her joyful smile stayed glued to her face. "I'm sorry.." She spoke in between laughs, "I'm not laughing at you Akamine-san!"
"Eh?" Azusa questioned in response. "Then what is it?"
"It's Hirukitten.." Yuuki replied, drying her small tears of laughter once more as she looked to Kaen with a warm smile, "It's a sweet name.. I… I like it."
Kaen's face now turned a bright shade of red as he stared into Yuuki's smiling expression, causing his gaze to avert down as he continued to cook the eggs with embarrassment.
Azusa now rested her head in the palm of her hand as her arm stood upright on the table. "Hm?" She questioned curiously. "You think Kaen's dorky name he made is 'sweet'? It's based off of yours you know."
Yuuki nodded, her cheerful smile now resting on the kitten in her lap as she pet it between the ears. "But you have to admit, it's kind of clever isn't it?" Azusa now smiled nervously, her gaze shifting to one of a deadpan expression as she looked to Kaen. "If that's what you want to believe." she muttered.
Her gaze produced a nervous smile from Kaen, *I feel like I'm being judged intensely right now…*
Kaen now shook off his feeling, bringing in plates of eggs, bacon and sausage as well as some freshly browned toast from the kitchen. He placed one plate in front of each person, seating himself last where they all clapped their hands together.
"Thanks for the food." They spoke in unison, soon digging into their breakfast in front of them with faces of happiness. Eventually, they were able to finish, leaning back in their chairs with smiles as Yuuki rose from her chair and gave a bow.
"Um, everyone?" She questioned, "Could I ask a favor of you all?"
"Oh?" Miku questioned excitedly, "What? What?"
"Is something wrong, Hirasawa-san?" Romio replied curiously.
A small blush now formed on Yuuki's face, "Oh well, It's just… P-Please don't let anyone know about me being Hirukitan. I need you to keep it a secret and do not tell anyone."
"H-Hey," Azusa replied, her hands flailing as she felt slightly embarrassed at Yuuki's sincerity. "You don't have to bow you know."
Yuuki now fixed her posture, "O-Oh.."
Azusa's head now rested in her hand once more, "Not that we would tell anybody either way, but why is it that you want to keep it a secret? You'd be quite popular, you know."
"Yuuki's eyes now wavered with nervousness, her mind seemingly set on something internally as she wrung her hands out of anxiety.. "The truth is.." She started, "There is someone here I want to meet but I.. I don't want our first meeting to be with Hirukitan. I want them to see me for how I really am so… Please.. Help me..!" A moment of silence passed between those at the table.
Azusa smiled warmly. "What do you say you lousy bunch of delinquents? Think you can keep a secret for her?"
Romio returned a smile of his own, "Of course."
Miku nodded with a warm smile, "Consider your secret safe with us."
Kaen too now formed a smile of his own, "You got it."
Seeing their various gestures of happiness caused a warm smile to form on Yuuki's face.
"Everyone.." She spoke with a light gasp, "Thank you so much!"
Their smiles held strong, looking to her with friendly compassion. Eventually, the dorm started to pick up in activity as it's members began to prepare themselves for school, brushing their teeth and freshening up to start the day. With this, the day brisked by from this point on with each individual passing time in their classes until the ending bell sounded throughout the school.
"Hey," A black haired girl spoke cheerfully with her friends, "Do you all have any plans for the weekend?"
Her brown haired friend shook her head, "No, did you want to go out somewhere?"
"Where would we go though?" Another girl with short navy blue hair questioned in response.
"Hmm." the brown haired girl replied, "How about the mall maybe?"
"Ehh? But it's so far away.." The girls continued to chatter on about plans, leaving Kaen lost in thought.
"Kaen?" Yuuki questioned, "Is everything alright?"
"O-Oh," he replied, snapping from his trance, "Y-Yeah, just got a little lost in thought I guess."
Yuuki now smiled, turning her attention to what the girls were talking about. "A mall, huh? That sounds like a lot of fun."
"Hm? Have you never been?" Kaen replied curiously, "I assumed they would have a lot in Tokyo."
She nodded, "Yes, there is but.." She now rubbed the back of her head nervously, "I've never had the chance to go to any before, let alone with friends."
Kaen now looked up, as if searching through his brain as he brought his right index finger to the right side of his cheek. "Ah, I see. I imagine it would be hard to go there without getting recognized, huh?"
Yuuki now nodded, her eyes fixed on the girls from before with a slight expression of longing on her face.
"You know," Kaen said, catching Yuuki's attention as he averted his gaze while rubbing the back of his head, "If you want, we could always go sometime. We could even pull Azusa and the others along with us for the day if you're interested."
"R-Really?" Yuuki questioned curiously with traces of shock in her voice. "Do you mean it?"
"Y-Yeah.. We would just have to set a day and time. It's been a while since we have set foot in town anyway, it could be a fun trip."
Yuuki now smiled happily, "Spending more time with everyone sounds really nice. Should we ask them later tonight at dinner?"
Kaen now faced her with a smile, "Yeah, we'll run it by them then."
And eventually they did just that as the sun began to sink over the distant horizon. The group of delinquents sat there at the table, hearing out Yuuki and Kaen's request with curiosity.
"The mall, huh?" Azusa questioned, bringing her finger to her cheek, "You've really never been to one?"
Yuuki shook her head, "I never really had the chance to openly go before.. So," She now pressed each of her fingers together, her hands making a triangular shape as she avoided eye contact, "I thought it would be a nice chance to get to know you all."
"I have no objections." Romio answered, folding his arms with a smile on his face "It could pan out to be a fun experience for all of us. I have some shopping to do anyway."
"It sounds like a lot of fun!" Miku expressed excitedly, throwing her hands to the sky with joy. "Let's go."
Hearing the commotion caused a smile to form on Azusa's face. "Sounds like it's already decided then." She now looked to Yuuki and Kaen, "Have you two decided when we're doing this?"
Kaen rubbed the back of his head with a nervous smile, "Nah, we were still working out the details. What sounds good?"
Azusa now brought her finger to her chin once more, "How about this Saturday? I'm free then if you all are." She looked around the table for answers, each person giving a nod of agreeance.
Yuuki now put her hands together with a warm smile, "So this Saturday then? I'm so excited!"
Azusa smiled hopelessly, "It's just a mall ya know."
With that, the group began to clean up their plates, leaving Kaen to do the dishes as it was his duty for the night. He eventually finished, doing just as the others as he prepared himself for bed and fell asleep, awaking to yet another morning. The group grew restless with excitement as the days passed, getting more and more hyped up for their trip together. Eventually, the day came, seeing the group off on a train that coasted hastily across its tracks that laid across the coast from the small island where the school resided to where the mainland was. These tracks were held up by a thick smooth stone slate, with strong stone pillars below for support.
Azusa leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes as she took a sip from a small cup containing coffee, "Whose idea was it to go this early..?" She complained, "I'm so tired I can hardly stand it."
"Aw, come on Azu-chan, it's only eleven o' clock right now." Miku smiled jokingly, "I'm sure you were just so excited that you couldn't sleep."
Hearing her words caused Azusa to smile warmly, looking to Yuuki who slept in her seat, her head leaning on Kaen's shoulder. "Seems I'm not the only one." Azusa joked.
Romio now showed a smile of his own, "She must have really been looking forward to today."
"I'll say." Azusa replied, giggling at Yuuki's peaceful appearance.
Miku now looked to Kaen who avoided eye contact with a small blush, "In any case, this is probably a dream come true for Ka-chan, huh?"
"E-Eh?" He replied curiously, looking to Miku. "Why is that?"
Miku's hands now met her face, her expression resembling that of a fan girl with a dopey smile. "Aw don't play dumb, a beautiful girl is resting on your shoulder right now and an idol at that. You lucky boy."
"Luck doesn't have anything to do with it." Azusa scoffed, looking to him with a deadpan expression, "I was wondering why you were so adamant on sitting beside Yuuki despite how nervous you two can get. You figured something like this would happen didn't you, you perverted dog?"
Kaen now whistled a nervous tune, averting his eyes away so as to ignore her questioning.
Azusa sighed, "You're so hopeless, it's almost painful." Her words cut Kaen like a knife, jabbing into his heart and causing his head to sink. Miku now patted his head, as if Kaen had been a downhearted puppy, causing the group to burst out in laughter before Azusa began to rummage in her bag, "I know just what this calls for." She said joyfully, pulling out a small black camera as she lined its lenses up to Kaen and Yuuki. Kaen's gaze still was averted as he brought his free arm up to rub the back of his head nervously.
"What are you talking ab-" He commented, being cut off by the sound of a small click. He now looked to Azusa who inspected a picture that was now stored on her camera with a warm smile on her face. "I think that will be our first."
"Our first?" The three beside her questioned curiously in unison.
Azusa nodded, "Our first entry to a new idea I've been thinking up. We won't be in high school forever you know. I think when Yuuki joined our dorm, it made me realize something. It made me think of how lively we have gotten recently.. Talking together.. laughing together.. Of course we did those things before but now it just.. feels different. She's only been with us for a little bit and we're already starting to grow closer.. So I want to capture every moment I can with this camera. And maybe someday, we can turn it into something nice…"
Romio adjusted his glasses with a warm heartfelt smile, "I think it's a wonderful idea, Azusa."
A light blush now crossed her cheeks as she averted her gaze away from Romio, causing his expression to shift to one of confusion as he frantically wondered what he did wrong in his head. Kaen and Miku could only smile playfully as Romio and Azusa started their embarrassed banter.
With this, Yuuki's eyes now slowly opened, causing her to tiredly blink them as the sun shone in her view. She rubbed her eyes, trying to adjust as her gaze now met Kaen who looked to her.
"S-Sorry," he said with a nervously smile, "did we wake you..?"
"Ka..en..?" She questioned. She now came to the realization that she was on his arm, causing her to jump back in her seat as her hands frantically waved in front of her, "I'm s-sorry, I didn't mean to..!-"
"N-No, you're good. It's no problem at all."
"Eh?" Azusa questioned, Her finger still hooking Romio's cheeks as she pulled them with a lightly embarrassed expression, soon letting go. "You're awake?"
Yuuki nodded, "I'm sorry I fell asleep. I didn't get much sleep last night.." She now looked out the window, gazing at the beautiful view with a smile, "It's really nice out today, isn't it?" Kaen and Miku now looked out the window for a moment, looking to one another with smiles.
"If you think it's nice out.." He commented, leaning over her as he and Miku unlocked the top knobs of the window, grabbing it by the bottom. "Then why not experience it in full?!" Miku questioned. With this tag team of a question, the two pulled up on the window, causing the sound of rattling to cross the groups ears as a gust of cool air blew in from the now open window. Miku now poked her head out.
"H-Hey.." Azusa tried to interrupt out of worry as Romio stopped her with a warming smile.
"Yuuki-Chan!" Miku beckoned happily, calling Yuuki to do the same. Yuuki now raised up in her seat, hesitantly poking her head out with Miku's as her eyes widened with joyful shock. Yuuki gasped at the flaring of her senses. The light of the gleaming sun, the cool air now brushing her hair in a variety of directions and the smell of the ocean. She smiled, seemingly in her own little world as the others smiled happily while the cool wind brisked by their faces. Eventually, Miku and Yuuki returned to their seats with smiles, leaving the window open as the wind kissed their cheerful faces. Their joyful banter continued on until eventually, the group reached the nearest station, making their way to the mall where Yuuki stared in awe at the large modern structure. The mall's material was that of a smooth stone with large clear windows peering into the first and second floors. People siffend in and out of the large structure as the group now looked at it with curiosity.
"Have they expanded?" Azusa questioned. "It seems a little bigger than before, doesn't it?"
Miku cupped her hand up and down, "I'm sure you just don't remember it well. It's been a while since we last came here you know."
"Hmm, maybe.." She replied with a distrustful quint of her eyes.
Romio smiled, stepping up to the front of the group as he turned to meet the gazes of his friends. "Should we get going?" he questioned.
They all nodded in agreeance, stepping through the doors as a gasp of excitement escaped Yuuki's mouth. The well designed long and roomy walk ways pushed out in front of them, splitting into three separate paths to the north, east, and west. Signs lined the shopfronts in the mall as colorful lights and various products could be seen through the crystal clear glass. Small plants and ferns were planted in stone rectangular structures placed in the middle of the long walk way to divide it into two large walk ways.
Yuuki now stepped to the front of the group, giving a smile of excitement as she placed her hands behind her. "Where should we go first?" She asked. "There's so much to do!"
Azusa smiled helplessly, "What are you, a kid?"
Miku now raised her hand, "We could always go clothes shopping. I really want to pick up some more cute outfits while we're here."
"Ehh?" Azusa questioned curiously, "But you have so many already…"
"Do I?" She replied.
Yuuki now put her hands together, "I would love to do some clothes shopping."
"Alright then," Azusa replied with a small sigh, her smile from before unfading. "Where do you two think we should go?"
Miku took Azusa by the hand, pointing to a nearby shop and pulling her to it excitedly as the group followed behind them. Once inside, the group seemed to split into pairs all except for Miku who searched tirelessly with excitement across the store, bouncing in between the groups with cheerful words. Kaen and Yuuki took a look around, coming across a variety of outfits that seemed to fit Yuuki's taste. Her mouth gaped at the sight of the various colors and style of each outfit, looking to them with excitement as she questioned how well they would fit her.
"Yuuki-chan! Yuuki-chan!" Miku chanted, practically bouncing up and down with excitement as she neared the silver haired girl.
"M-Miku?" She replied with small traces of surprise, "Did you find something?"
Miku nodded, her smile wide and joyful "Come with me." She now took Yuuki by the hand, pulling her over to one of the changing rooms where she and Miku disappeared behind the beige curtains. Romio and Azusa now gathered around Kaen who stood at the front of the changing room with curiosity in his face.
A small shy yelp was now heard from the changing room as some rustling took place.
"W-W-Wait Miku-chan," Yuuki's muffled voice spoke anxiously, "should you really be.. In here..?"
Miku giggled, singing a small cheerful tune as the rustling of clothes took place behind the curtain, "Aww, what's the problem Yuuki-chan? We're both girls, it's alright, you don't have to be so nervous~." The rustling continued as Miku coached her from the inside on what to put on.
"E-Eh?" Yuuki questioned worriedly amidst the changing.
"Hmm.." Miku replied, "You have such a nice figure Yuuki-chan. So lucky. I wish I had curves like you do.."
Kaen's eyes now widened with shock as he directed his ear towards their conversation. He now inched closer, hoping to pick up the rest only to stop at the sound of Azusa's agitated sigh. She closed her eyes as her brows slanted down with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "Take one more step towards that door and you'll wish you didn't..." She spoke firmly, her fist raised at the ready.
Kaen's head sunk in disappointment, "Y-Yes ma'am…" He replied, stepping back as his gaze averted and his hands rested on the back of his head.
Eventually, the curtain came sliding open as Miku held her arms out as a gesture to Yuuki.
"Tadaa~!" She exclaimed, presenting Yuuki who now wore a long white sundress that stopped just above her knees with small silver frills at the bottom. The dress had no sleeves and was instead held up by two white straps across one shoulder each. She too had a beige straw like sun hat on to match the outfits with a white band going around the hat's base. A gasp escaped the mouths of the three in front of them.
"W-What do you think..?" Yuuki questioned, grasping the front of her dress nervously as a small blush crossed her cheeks.
Romio pushed up his glasses, "You shine like a moon in the night, absolutely beautiful."
"Watch it Romio…" Azusa replied with irritation in her voice, causing him to jump back out of fear.
Kaen on the other hand was speechless as he continued to stare.
Yuuki's hands clenched up out of nervousness as she averted her gaze, "Please don't stare so much.. It's embarrassing.."
"O-Oh, sorry!" He replied anxiously, flailing his hands with a slightly blushed expression, "I wasn't trying to stare." He now rubbed the back of his head, averting his gaze, "I think.. You look really good."
"Oh, I.. s-see." She replied, looking down nervously.
Miku now rushed to her side once more, carrying clothes in her arms as she excitedly pulled Yuuki back into the changing room. "Come on! Come on!" Miku beckoned, "I have some more I think you'll like."
They now disappeared once more, resuming the sound of rustling clothes. She revealed herself multiple times, each instance wearing something new and stylish from a frilly black lolita styled dress to a fractionally loosened magenta colored blouse that was tucked under a white strip that ran around her waist, holding together the top to the matching magenta skirt at the bottom. After a while of these scenarios, Miku did some shopping of her own in the store, eventually allowing the group to leave as sounds of the bustling mall now became more clear. They began walking down the strip of carpet with Miku and Yuuki carrying bags of newly bought clothes, idly chatting with smiles before Azusa put her finger to her chin.
"Oh, that's right." She claimed, "her eyes adjusting upwards as if looking through her mind, "Romio, didn't you say that you wanted to do some shopping while we were here?"
Romio sighed with disappointment, throwing his hands up sluggishly. "Yeah but I haven't seen anything worth investing in yet.."
"Oh, that so?" Azusa replied.
Suddenly Romio's eyes lit up with excitement, looking off just ahead. "Problem solved." He said with a confident grin. He now walked a bit ahead of the group, kneeling at a girl who had accidentally dropped some items from a bag she was holding. She had short brown hair with matching light brown eyes, wearing a pink dress with black leggings that disappeared under it.
"Hey there." He said, helping her pick up her items, "What's a beautiful girl like you doing carrying all of this by herself?" He smiled happily, "If you'd like, I would be more than happy to help you." He then began to flirt with her, causing the others to look on with a deadpan expression as the girl blushed and smiled bashfully.
"Oi…" Azusa questioned, "Just what kind of 'shopping' did he come here for anyway?"
"Who knows…" Kaen sighed.
The girl eventually rose to her feet, handing Romio a piece of paper and giving him a small bow before she happily trotted off in the opposite direction. He now made his way back to the group, looking to them curiously as if oblivious to their disgraced stares. Romio now noticed as he slipped the piece of paper in his back pocket.
"What's wrong?" Romio questioned curiously.
"Romi-kun is a real piece of scum, huh~?" Miku questioned, almost singing a little tune with her words.
"S-Scum?!" Romio retorted with surprise in his voice.
"Ah yes yes," Azusa concurred, "True scum. The lowest of the low.."
Kaen and Yuuki could only smile nervously as Romio looked to them for support, trying to negate their insults but to no avail. Eventually the group made their way around the mall, laughing at the expense of Romio's reputation and moved on to yet another topic of discussion with time. They then ran across an arcade within the mall, causing them to stop as they looked to each other.
"Should we go in?" Kaen questioned, "It's been a while, but I doubt it has changed too much."
"It sounds like a lot of fun." Yuuki replied cheerfully, "I don't think I have ever been to an arcade before."
"Really?" Azusa questioned. "What exactly have you been too?"
Yuuki could only produce a nervous laugh as Miku took both her and Azusa by the arm. "Come on!" She said happily, pulling them along through the doors "Let's go!"
Kaen and Romio then looked to one another, trading smiles as Miku's energy once again fed their own, walking into the dark room of neon colorations as it's bustling ambience crossed their ears. The group spent hours in this arcade, occasionally crossing by one another with loads of tickets swallowing Yuuki and Miku as they pressed on to redeem their efforts for prizes. Kaen too was swamped with tickets as he carried both he and Azusa's rewards for the games they played while Romio kept his tickets nice and orderly in a stack. Kaen and Azusa eventually met up in front of a dance game, studying it curiously as Azusa broke the silence between the two.
"Hey, Kaen." Azusa smiled confidently as she gestured towards the dancing game where one matches their feet with the arrows on the screen, "Care for a little competition?"
Kaen smiled cockily, "Oh you're on, but I'm not going easy on you."
"Bring it then." she replied as the two took to their own individual sides while Miku and the others gathered around. The song then started as the two began matching their feet to the designated arrow.
"Wow," Yuuki said, admiring them. "They're really good at this, huh?"
"You think so?" Romio questioned with a nervous smile as he pointed to their scores.
Yuuki now laid eyes on their score, producing a giggle as Romio and Miku joined in with their own laughter.
Their song eventually ended as Azusa and Kaen stepped down, evaluating their scores and causing Kaen's back to slump over in defeat.
"Looks like I win again." Azusa spoke playfully, giving a peace sign with her fingers with a cocky smile on her face, "Looks like someone is buying my lunch."
"I don't recall ever making that deal..." Kaen sighed with disappointment.
Miku now took Yuuki by the hand, leading her to the machine, "Come on Yuuki, let's try too!"
"M-Miku, I'm not so sure about this..-" Yuuki replied as Miku managed to drag her to her own tile.
Miku continued to smile happily. "Don't sweat the small things Yuuki-Chan, let's just have fun with it."
Yuuki gave a hesitant nod as the song began to play, taking a deep breath as her eyes now fully focused themselves on the screen. Kaen looked to Yuuki's serious expression, lost with curiosity in her seemingly anxious gaze. The arrows came down as their feet began moving. With every step, Yuuki scored a perfect amount of points while Miku struggled to keep up. A smile now crossed Yuuki's face as if her results brought her a sense of relief. In an instant however, she began to mess up, missing some arrows as her movements became more sloppy and slow.
Eventually the song stopped, causing the two to step down from the machine. "Yuuki-chan beat me after all.." Miku sighed, "I thought I had a chance at least."
Romio's right hand now rested on his hip as he pushed his glasses up with his left. "What did you expect?" He questioned with a hopeless smile, "She's an idol after all, she does this kind of stuff for a living."
Their lively cheerful banter continued on as Yuuki stayed silent, her head sinking with disappointment within her expression as Kaen silently watched. He waited for her to say something, resulting in nothing but her silence.
"Hirasawa-san?" Azusa questioned. "Is everything alright?"
Azusa's words now snapped Yuuki from her trance, "Oh, Y-Yes," She replied with a nervous smile, "I'm alright." She now put her hands together looking to the group with what seemed to be a forced smile, "What should we do next?"
"I'm hungry." Miku replied, "Can we go get something to eat?"
"I agree," Romio said, pushing his glasses up, "I could definitely go for something to eat right now." The group then agreed, making their way to the food court where they all sat down with a burger each as well as some fries, talking and chatting until they finished their meals. Yuuki and Kaen were now taking the trash over to the cans by the pearly white pillar.
"Hey, Hirasawa-san?" he questioned.
"Hm?" She replied, "Is something wrong?"
He rubbed the back of his head, "Oh uh, no, not really. I just.. wanted to check on you… Are you alright? Back at the arcade, you seemed kind of off. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
"O-Oh, please don't mind that. It was nothing, I promise." She now forced a small smile, attempting to hide whatever feelings lie in her mind. "I'm really sorry to have worried you Kaen. Thank you for checking on me though.."
"L-Listen," He said avoiding eye contact, "I may not be the most reliable or the most easy to talk to but.. I understand what it's like to take something big on all by yourself... I won't pry into your personal life but I.. I want you to know that if you ever need anything.. Even if you just need someone to talk to.. I'll be there for you so…"
There was a moment of silence between the two as he continued to nervously stroke the hair on the back of his head.
"Thank you Kaen." Yuuki replied, housing a warm smile on her face, "I may take you up on that some time."
He nodded, "Y-Yeah, no problem."
They then returned to the group, where everyone finished their meals, tossing their trash in the can once finished as they all decided to call it a day. They walked throughout the mall, making their way back towards the entrance they had arrived in. On the way, they passed a small electronic rectangular shaped terminal with a picture of Yuuki's idol persona on it, spreading news of her hiatus. Yuuki glanced to the side, noticing it, only to avert her gaze with a small sense of shame on her face. The group then continued on, finally reaching the exit where they walked out of the giant structure, laying eyes on the red and orange colored sky as the distant sun dipped behind the cluster of tall buildings in the distance. They eventually made it to the station where they got on their train that was headed back to the boarding school's island.
Kaen stared out the window as the train hastily slid across its tracks.
"Kaen?" Azusa questioned, "You've been oddly quiet for a while now. Is everything alright?"
He smiled nervously, "Yeah, I think I'm just a little tired."
"That so?" She replied curiously.
Romio sat beside Kaen with a smile, "he isn't the only one." he said, shifting his eyes over to Miku who rested peacefully on Azusa's right shoulder with a warm smile on her face.
Romio and Azusa continued to chat idly with smiles, speaking on the highlights of the day with joy in their tones.
Kaen now directed his eyes towards Yuuki who slept quietly on Azusa's left shoulder, soon turning once again to the red sky where he looked to the boundless horizon as the sun disappeared behind the vast ocean below them.
*So even Yuuki… Has her share of problems, huh..?*