"Damn, that's good!"

Jeez, Yosuke-senpai can be such a slob. But I have to admit, these eggs are pretty amazing. Man, senpai's a great cook.

The seven of us are sitting in a circle on the roof of Yasogami High School, eating boxed lunches that Souji prepared last night. Sometimes I wonder how that guy always has so much time on his hands. Chie, Yukiko, and Rise are involved in an increasingly vulgar game of 'Would You Rather?', while Yosuke and Souji offer commentary.

Naoto is sitting and eating quietly, her position mostly obscured by an excited Rise. Every so often Rise will lean back and I can catch a glimpse of the silent girl.

God, she's beautiful.

Or pretty. I guess. Handsome?

Nah, those words aren't right. Naoto is... different. Special. No matter how hard I try, I can never come up with the right words to describe her. Radiant? Unique?

How can I ever tell her how I feel when I can't even find the words to tell myself?

"You're awfully quiet, Kanji," says Yosuke.

"Huh?"

"Is something wrong?" Rise asks.

"Nah, I'm just hungry. These eggs are awesome, senpai!"

"It was no problem," says Souji.

"I think it's Naoto's turn!" Rise exclaims. Are they really still playing that stupid game? "Let's see... would you rather... kiss Souji-senpai... or... kiss Kanji?" she shouts.

"Huh?" I gasp. I can feel my heart skip a beat.

Naoto grimaces. "I have no interest in that sort of thing," she says.

"That's not fair, Naoto, you have to piiiiiiiiiiiick!" Rise whines.

Naoto gives a small smile. "If you insist on forcing me to choose, I suppose I would choose Kanji. Choosing Souji would result in too many broken hearts."

What? Me?

Rise laughs. "True, true! What do you think of that, Kanji?"

"Uh... I... okay?" I respond, flabbergasted.

Naoto instantly blushes. "Please, this is a foolish game. Leave me out of it."

"Ha ha, okay. Yosuke! Would you rather..."

I don't hear the rest of Rise's next challenge. Naoto picked me. Maybe by default, but I still feel like I'm floating on cloud nine.

Someday, I'll tell her. I'll tell her that the most beautiful girls in school are lifeless compared to her. I'll tell her that I'll always accept her, shadow and all. I'll tell her that learning her true gender didn't change my feelings in the slightest. Someday, I'll tell her.

I'll tell her as soon as I find the words.