"Ryou, don't look now," Ai says, propping her cheek on her hand. She points to the classroom door, wearing a bemused smirk. "Someone's looking for you. It's not that hard to tell what with her shooting laser beams at the back of your head."

Removing himself from his lax position in his seat, Ryouta lets out an imperceptible sigh. Ai is the only one to witness it. Must not let the crown fall. "Who is it?"

"It's a tiny girl with the craziest hair," she says, squinting her eyes. Disapproval is written all over her face. "Your girls are getting more daring, Ryou—seriously, seeking you out at lunchtime?"

"I'll be right back, Ai-tan." He resists the urge to groan as he makes his way to the girl. She has a pocket-sized reporter's notebook in her hand, a pen in the other, and a high-end camera slung over her shoulder. There's a glint in her eyes that startle Ryouta—not daunting, but intense.

"Hey," he says, articulating smoothness into the monosyllable. He buries his hands into the pockets of his pants. "How can I help you?"

"Kise-senpai," she says, bowing. "I'm sorry to interrupt your break. May I have a word with you outside?"

Ryouta shoots Ai a glance over his shoulder before following his underclassman into the hallway. A frown is snug on her lips.

Despite his exasperation, Ryouta can't help but admire the untamed blonde curls that frame the girl's face, refusing to be contained by an elastic hair tie. It's so unlike Ai's long, warm brown, not a single strand out of place, combed a thousand times by his careful fingers. Ryou, don't, it hurts, she says, but inclines her head to his touch anyway, unconsciously purring out approval. Like a cat. Ryouta hides his smile. Ai-neko. Neko-Ai. Nekai?

"I'm Hanashi Kiyoko," the girl says now. Her smile is brimming with assertion. "I'm with the school paper. Tachibana-sensei just gave our editor-in-chief the green light to have a Valentine's Day special article covering several known Kaijo High couples and we'd like—"

"And you'd like to interview Ai-tan and me?" Ryouta laughs, but all in good nature. "I'm sorry Hanashi-san, as much as I would like to participate, Ai-tan and I…we're not really a couple. We're just friends."

But he can't deny being mistaken like this sets something alight in him. A pleasant misunderstanding.

Hanashi's eyes go wide, her mouth agape. "Really? But we all thought…Oh god, Kise-senpai, on behalf of the school paper, no, the entire school, I apologize! I never realized…"

Ryouta smiles. Has everyone really regarded them like that? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Dating? In love? "Nah, it's okay, Hanashi-san. No harm done."

Hanashi bows again, this time in farewell. "Well, I guess this means I have to go. Do you know any second year couples we can interview Kise-senpai? Most of them are third years."

He thinks for a moment. He doesn't really fill his idle time involving himself in school gossip. "Not really, Hanashi-san. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Kise-senpai. Thanks anyway."

As she walks away, Ryouta takes a moment to admire the beauty of thawing winter through the window. The copses of trees on the schoolyard don silver and green, and the juxtaposition makes the darker hue stand out, gleaming like shiny emeralds. Overhead, the sky has yet to allow the sun her time. The desaturated clouds that cage her in remind him of gray eyes and thick eyelashes.

There are things you regret forever. And there are things you regret now, then remember with amused fondness afterwards.

With a grin, Ryouta breaks off into a jog—to the direction Hanashi has gone. I hope you'll still love me. He rounds a corner and finds her, right outside Class 3-3, and clasps her shoulders with both of his hands. "Hanashi-san," he says, urgency riddled in his tone.

"Oh, Kise-senpai," she says in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"I have the stupidest idea for your article. You're going to love it. Meet me at The Flamingo after six."

"The Flamingo? What's that? I haven't heard of it before."

"Google it." Ryouta removes his hands, suddenly overcome with pride for himself.

Hanashi is quick to fish out her phone. She taps the name on the search bar, and what she finds elicits a gasp from her. "But this is over in Tokyo! This is going to cost me an entire week's money!"

But Ryouta is already slinking back to his classroom. He waves his hand. "Guess that means you have one on me!"

When he comes back, Ai raises an eyebrow at him. She crosses her arms over chest. "You seem incredibly happy. Should I ask why?"

"I have a date after practice," he lies, sliding into his seat beside her. He searches for any change in expression on her face.

"That quick?" There isn't.

"Eh, she was so persistent." His heart sinks into his stomach. "I have nothing else to do, anyway. Might as well."

"Hmmm." Ai purses her lips. "Please reassure me that I won't have to deal with an accosting, soon-to-be-jealous-girlfriend?"

"No promises." Ryouta chuckles, but there's no mirth in his eyes. He looks away before Ai can find out.