A boy and a girl together under the moonlight were walking down the residence. Unlike the city, the area there had no light source except from the street lamps and the light coming from houses here and there.
The two of them had been real quiet since then, one was untalkative while the other one was dozing off worrying about the upcoming exam. The awkwardness had been going until some times now.
"Hey, say something. That's quite a grumpy face you make." Kazuya was the first to break the silence.
"Eh? Ah sorry I'm thinking about the exam... If I don't get a better result my parents won't provide me monthly funds anymore..."
"I see. No wonder you're so serious. It almost scared me."
"What? The idea of me studying? You're the same as Miyu. You don't even know me that much yet you still think of me like that."
"It is kinda obvious tho. The way you act and dress says it all."
"How stereotypical..."
The atmosphere turned awkward again. For some reasons Hikari couldn't keep up the conversation like she always did. She had no idea what had come to her to be unable to talk to him straight in the face.
"Kazuya-" She stuck. She just realised that she always called him by his given name instead of Minamoto. 'People call their given name after they became best friend, right?' 'He and I wasn't even know each other for so long yet I dare to call by his real name.'
"What?"
"Is it okay for me to call you Kazuya?"
"Suit yourself."
"Then you can call me Hikari. We're friend, right?"
"We've spent time together for quite some times, if we're not friend then what are we?"
Kazuya said as clearance to her wonder. For him being friends didn't need a mutual agreement from both parties, as long as they were hanging out together and treating each other kindly he already considered them as friend, even Tanaka Keisuke was considered as a friend to him.
"Then it's decided!" she smiled happily.
"Say Hikari, am I the second friend you've made?"
"Eh? Uhh..."
"Figured...we're already in 2nd year yet your only friend is Takahashi-san." Kazuya talk with a mocking smile.
"I don't want to hear that from an antisocial like you."
"I'm being quiet by choice. You on the other hand probably being avoided for your rough persona."
"...Miyu also said the same thing..." Her face turned gloom. Seemingly his words pierced her in the inside.
'Oh no I think I'm being a bit overboard.' He felt a bit of a guilt.
"I'm not one to talk but I suggest you to try talking with everyone in class."
"No, the rumor of me has spreaded, I doubt anyone would ever want to talk to me." She became even gloomier thinking she had no hope in befriending everyone.
"Then don't live up to the rumor."
"Huh?" Hikari was perplexed as to what's the meaning behind his words.
"You just have to treat everyone kindly. If you keep isolating yourself then the rumor won't be cleared up."
"You have a point... but how?"
"You have Takahashi-san."
"Your point?"
"She's got a big influence. Why not take the advantage?"
"Well... I..." Hikari reminded of so many events in the past where she always turned down invitations from Miyu whenever it's involving others.
"Fine... I'll try my best..." She eventually gave up on her ego.
"Oh you're pretty obedient." Kazuya brought his hand onto Hikari's head and softly patted her. He felt like a proud dad who take care of his daughter.
"EHHHHHH?!!" Hikari was surprised, shocked and confused at the same time. She blushed so hard she felt the heat ran through her face.
"What are you doing?!" She repelled his hand and backed off a little. She then approached him and got him cornered at the wall, under the shower of a street lamp.
'Is this what they called kabe-don? But this feels funny as she was a bit shorter than I am. Anyway she looks pissed.' Kazuya had no clue what brought her in anger.
"You're pretty cocky, Kazuya. You thought you're free to play with me like that?" Her intonation suggested that she was infuriated. She had a mixed feeling of pleasure and anger due to his act that seemed belittling her.
'Now she looks more of a delinquent.' Kazuya thought. As to not worsen the matter, he gave up upon her.
"I apologize." He raised both hands as if a criminal was begging a mercy from policemen.
"You too." She stared directly into his eyes.
"What?"
"Start making friends."
"Come again?"
Hikari let him off the wall. She looked down and let out a big sigh of disappointment.
"Jeez you're one to talk. You have no right to advise me when you're in the same shoes."
"...."
"Let's make a contest, in a month whoever make 5 friends first win. The loser will do anything the winner wants." Hikari suggested as she pointed her index finger to Kazuya's forehead.
"Then if I win, will you be my girlfriend?" He casually said that with a poker face, no seriousness and whatsoever.
"Heh I'll not fall for the same trick twice. You're saying that to make me lose my composure."
"Dammit.." The teasing was a failure, we'll get em next time.
"Ah my house is nearby. Hurry up!" Hikari led the way leaving Kazuya 50 meters behind. She took a quick step ahead solely because she didn't want him to see how red her face was at the moment. Although it was merely a bluff, she still felt embarassed.
****
They reached the destination. A huge apartment consist of many rooms was ahead of them. It was not as luxury however it was enough to assure your living. They stepped inside the building, every corner was clean and the flower pots along the corridor were well taken care of.
They took an elevator to reach the 3rd floor where Hikari's room was. Along their walk there were noone in sight just like the scene of a horror movie, peace and quiet.
"Must be pretty boring living here."
"You bet."
Kazuya broke the awkwardness in the elevator. None of them had said anything ever since their arrival here.
*DING
The elevator slowly opened, revealing bit by bit to the other side. A long hallway consist of rooms lined up side by side were in view.
"My room was just nearby. You don't need to accompany me to the front door."
"I have to make sure you aren't kidnapped during your way on your room."
"What do you think I am? A child? Jeez suit yourself."
After a short walk, they finally reached the room, however a person was seen standing in front of the door. A woman in a suit who was believed to be in her mid 20s, sharp eyes and elegantly long black hair whilst all of her other features were similar to the girl next to Kazuya was standing there patiently as if waiting for someone.
Hikari seemed rather unpleasant by her appearance.
"S-sis...?"
'Ah shit, I don't like where this is going.' Kazuya smelled a troublesome occurence might happen in the future but it was too late to avoid now.