Atsushi Otani is no idiot. Despite what everyone says, he's actually pretty kind and intelligent. But for some reason he just couldn't seem to see his friend, Risa Koizumi, as more then friends like she hoped he would.
He had told her that...and she was heart-broken. Risa decided to wait and hope one day that he could return her feelings. But before that could happen...
The teacher stood at the front of the classroom and began to take attendance. "Tanaka...?" "H-here!" Came the shy young black-haired girl's reply. "Hanshin...?" "Stop calling me that!!!!!!" Screamed Otani. He didn't like the nicknames that gorilla of a teacher made for him and koizumi. He named them "All Hanshin Kyojin" after the famous Japanese comedy duo which consisted of a really short guy, Hanshin, and a really tall guy, Kyojin.
"Oh, I completely forgot about Kotani-Chan." The teacher said matter-of-factually. "Class, we have a new student joining us today...come in Kotani-Chan!"
The sliding door to the classroom opened to reveal a young girl. "Thank you, sensei." She said in her sweet, calm voice. "Hello, I'm Reira Kotani." She smiled brightly. Otani turned around and saw her for the first time. "Where should I sit?" She asked the teacher innocently. All the guys in the classroom began shouting "OVER HERE!" and Reira blushed. "Oh...um well..." She stuttered. Otani thought this would be a great opportunity and was about to mention the empty seat behind him when Risa yelled, "Hey, Kotani come sit over here!"
"Okay!" She beamed. Reira sat on the opposite side of Risa, next to the window. "I'm Kotani, Kotani Reira." She whispered. "I'm Koizumi, Koizumi Risa." Risa whispered back. "Want to be my friend?" Reira asked. "Sure." Risa said brightly. Across the room, Otani stared at the evil jumbo gal that took away the cute girl. "Amazon..." He said under his breath. "What was that?!" Risa shot back loudly. The students all turned around and immediately started laughing.
"All right that's it for today!" The teacher announced, and students began getting out of their seats. Otani went over to Reira's desk and grinned. "Oh, hello." She said with her cute smile. Otani's face turned a deep crimson. "Hi there...um...i'm Otani but you can call me Atsushi-kun if you'd like." " 'kay I'm Reira." Risa looked in disbelief at that little midget, her little midget was flirting with the new girl! That jerk! "Hey, Otani, don't you have basketball practice now?" She asked, trying to get him away from Reira. "Yeah, that's right." He said plainly. Reira's face suddenly turned from cute and shy to fierce and determined. "Basketball, huh? Can I come watch?" She asked. "Oh, um sure. You like basketball?" "Totally! It's like my favorite sport ever!" She yelled, standing up. "Whoa!" Risa screeched. "You're a tall girl too!" Otani looked at Reira's height...she wasn't all that much taller than him...probably just a few inches. "How tall are you?" Risa asked happily. "I'm 5.6"." She answered cutely. "How tall are you Risa-Chan?" She asked. "Me? I'm 5.8"."Risa said. "Cool!" The girls giggled.
"So, are you coming to watch me play, Reira-Chan?" Otani asked annoyed. "Yup. I love basketball! Let's go!" She cheered. "Coming, Risa-Chan?" Reira asked. "Um...sure." Risa replied. "No way! I didn't invite you!" Otani yelled. "Mabey not but Reira did so I'm going!" Risa stamped her foot. "Wow you guys sure like to argue...are you going out with each other?" Reira asked innocently. "No Way!" Otani yelled. Risa simply turned away. "Never mind...Reira...I'm tired. I think I'll just go home now..." Risa said with pain in her voice. "Are you sure?" "Yes, go have fun I'll see you tomorrow." She stated. " 'kay..." She said quietly after a while. Otani simply stared at the two of them. "Alright, Reira-Chan. Let's go." He said taking her hand. "Um..OK...bye, Risa!"Reira shouted as she was turning the corner. "See you later!" Risa replied, waving.
Risa stood alone in the hallway...thinking about what Otani said. "No Way!" kept playing in her mind. Risa got her things and began to walk home...crying.