Shout out to ZeroDays and heluvabltr1 for your reviews! I'm glad your liking Kaori and her story so far!

=0=

"Good luck, Kaori-chan!" my friend waved to me.

"See ya, Hoshi-chan!" I waved back to him.

I left my school immediately after the last class, parting ways with my gay guy friend, Hoshi. It was pretty apparent he was gay too. Black emo styled hair with the edges dyed pink and a lot of artistic eye makeup. Despite his flamboyant fashion sense, he was my only friend and I cherished him greatly. Besides, gay guy friends are the best! That morning, I had told him about my encounter with the Nekoma boy, and he was completely engrossed by my tale. Hoshi swore we were perfect for each other, but I only scoffed at him. I just owed him some money, it wasn't like I slept with him!

Anyways, I found my way to Nekoma High which actually wasn't very far from my own school. It even looked pretty similar, but then again, most schools looked alike. There wasn't anyone by the gates like I had thought there would be. Maybe I got there too late. Looking around nervously, I considered just giving up and going home.

"Kenma, make this quick, we've got to get back to practice,"

I flinched at the sound of a boy's voice. It sounded close. Soon, I saw the speaker: a tall Nekoma student with messy black hair that made him look like he had just rolled out of bed. When he saw me, he blinked in confusion, probably wondering what a girl from another school was doing there. Not to mention he was kind of intimidating since he was so much taller than me!

"Is this her?" he asked supposedly no one.

From behind him, sheepishly stepped the boy from last night. So, his name was Kenma. This time, he was wearing a sports jersey with shorts and kneepads. I never would have picked him for the sporty type! After all, I found him in a video game store! I didn't think someone so obsessed with video games would be into sports. Kenma didn't seem to recognize me at first as he hid behind his bulky friend. But when I pulled out a wad of yen, he suddenly recognized me. I don't blame him. He met me when I was in geek mode, so it was probably weird to see me in my preppy school uniform.

"What's this all about?" Kenma's tall friend asked.

As I handed Kenma his yen, I explained, "I just owe him money, that's all,"

The pudding head muttered "thanks" as he carefully took it from my hand.

"Nah, I should be the one thanking you!" I smiled sweetly, "I actually had a lot of fun last night,"

"HUH?!"

Kenma and I whirled up at the tall guy's sudden outburst.

"W-what the hell is that supposed to mean?!" the tall guy gawked as he looked back and forth between us, his face as red as a beet.

He grabbed Kenma by the shoulders and started shaking him back and forth.

"What haven't you been telling me?!" he panicked.

When Kenma got free of his friend's grasp, he looked all dizzy from being shaken around. Meanwhile, I was slowly backing away, even more scared of the bed head guy now! Why was he acting like this anyway!?

Wait…I tried to think the scenario over in my head. All he knows is that I'm some random girl who just paid Kenma and said I had a lot of fun last…

My thoughts died in my head as I realized why he was freaking out. I facepalmed for saying something so stupid, not to mention my face turning an identical shade to the tall friend.

"I-it's not like that!" I piped up.

Kenma and the tall friend turned to me, Kenma looking totally lost and his friend completely flabbergasted.

"He…he just bought a-a video game for me last night!" I tried to explain while waving perverted thoughts out of my head.

Kenma's friend looked at him for assurance, and Kenma nodded.

"Sorry I explained it like that," I scratched the back of my neck.

"Okay," his friend sighed in relief, "I'm glad that's all this is about. Come on, let's get back to practice,"

Kenma's friend started back towards the school, and Kenma gave me a wave.

"Bye," he smiled shyly before running off to catch up with his tall friend.

"Bye!" I called with a smile of my own.

Once the two boys were out of my sight, Kenma broke his composure and let his face turn red as well. He could not believe that gamer girl said it like that! Kuro would never stop teasing him about this!

"So what really happened last night?" Kuroo mused.

"I-I just b-bought her a-a game!" Kenma exclaimed.

Kuro wasn't used to his friend being so flustered like this. He was usually so distant and uncaring, so he figured he might as well milk this moment.

"What kind of game?" he continued to tease him.

"A video game!" Kenma shot back.

"Uh-huh, is that what they're calling it these days?" Kuro chuckled.

"Grrr…" Kenma fumed, "Nothing like that happened, I doubt I'll ever see her again anyway,"

"Alright, alright," Kuro relented, "I'm just messing with you,"

Still, Kenma looked a little sad when he said he probably wouldn't see her again.

=0=

The rest of my half day I spent in a little pillow fort I made in my room. I snuggled in and picked up where I left off in Fire Emblem If. I was playing the Byakuya version first because Sakura is just too adorable not to have as a little sister. Technically it didn't matter which side I picked, because I could still marry Deere either way. After a few hours of strategic battling, a knock came at my door before it swung wide open.

"Kaori-chaaan!" Hoshi sang.

I pulled my headphones off and peeked up at him from under my pillow fort. He smirked at me before diving in with me and messing up all the pillows.

I rolled my eyes playfully before saving and quitting.

"How was Fine Arts club?" I asked as I tucked my 3DS into my bag.

"Good, but how was it with Nekoma Boy?" he winked.

I responded by shoving a pillow in my face to hide my blush, "Uuuugh! It was so embarrassing!"

"What happened?" he sighed, expecting the worst.

I ripped the pillow off my face and cringed, "I gave him the money and said 'I had fun last night' right in front of his friend! Why did I say it like that?! Now his friend must think I'm a creepy sexual predator!"

Hoshi just starting laughing his ass off at me, rolling around in my fort like he owned it! I only shoved my head back into the pillow to hide my flustered face.

"I'm sorry, Hoshi!" he guffawed, "That's just so funny!"

Finally, he calmed himself down after his laughing fit and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, it could have been worse," he shrugged.

I looked up at him from my pillow.

"You could have tripped and landed on his crotch,"

I couldn't help but start laughing too. Where Hoshi came up with THAT, I have no clue! Still, it cheered me up and made me grateful that my encounter wasn't as sexually awkward as that.

"Come on, let's do some evening shopping!" Hoshi trilled before hopping out of my fort and dragging me with him.

"Fine," I whined.

If I had my way, I would still be in my little den playing Fire Emblem. Hoshi was always there to make sure I interacted with the outside world. If it weren't for him, I'd be even more of a recluse than I am now! He took me to his favorite stores, picking out nail polish for the both of us and debating with himself whether or not he needed a scarf. I dragged him away before he could decide. He was taking too long. By the time we were walking home, the sun was setting on the horizon. We passed by my usual game store, and I stopped to stare at it.

Maybe I'll see him if I go in there. I mean, it's not like I want to see him, but…

"Hm? Kaori-chan, what is it?" Hoshi asked.

"Do you want a new game?" I answered with a question.

"Uh…not really…" he began.

"Great, that's excuse enough," I quipped before grabbing his hand and dragging him into the little game store.

Once we were inside, I started looking around for him.

"Is this about that Neko-mmf!" Hoshi started to whisper before I shoved a hand against his mouth.

"His name is Kenma, and yes it is!" I hissed.

I continued to drag him to the 3DS aisle and found Kenma right where I thought I would. He was looking at the empty shelf where Fire Emblem If used to sit. I figured he'd come back to see if they restocked. Poor guy. I felt a little sorry for him, especially with his adorable kitten face.

Get a hold of yourself, idiot! I mentally scolded myself.

"Hey, Kenma," I greeted him as I approached.

He looked surprised to see me there, and was even curiously eyeing Hoshi.

"Uh…hey," he replied, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm helping Hoshi here pick out a game," I gestured to my flamboyant friend.

"Hello!" Hoshi trilled.

After that, there was a pause in the conversation and I was about to signal Hoshi for help.

"I still don't know your name," Kenma mumbled.

"Oh, right," I chuckled nervously, "Guess it's only fair you know my name. I'm Minami Kaori, and I sorta know your name…"

"Kozume Kenma," he answered.

"Got it," I nodded before turning the vacant shelf, "So, it usually takes them a week to restock. So…"

Kenma just stared on at me with those big kitty eyes, making my face feel warm.

"Did you want to play the previous version me?" I blurted out, "I-I mean Awakening of course,"

The pudding head looked down at his feet with a confused look on his face and was about to speak up when my anxious voice kept going.

"Just to kill time of course! U-until you get your hands on the new one!" I let my words fall out like stumbling feet.

"Ok…"

"You can come over to my house! Here, I'll write down the address!" I frantically dug through my bag for a sticky note.

"As long as you don't live too far away," he muttered.

It almost didn't seem fair how flustered I was and how calm he was!

"You'll love it at Kaori-chan's house!" Hoshi leaned on me as I fished around for a pen, "She makes the best pillow forts, plus she has a sweet candy stash!"

I was too busy writing my address down to notice, but Kenma gave Hoshi an odd look. A mixture of suspicion and curiosity.

"Here," I held out the sticky note, "There's my address and phone number. Are you free to come over tomorrow at 12?"

He nodded as he took the piece of paper and studied carefully. To avoid any further awkwardness, I started pushing Hoshi away.

"Alright, let's find you a game to play," I huffed as I shoved him towards the back of the store.

We left Kenma there, staring down at the note with a pensive look in his eyes before tucking it into his pocket and leaving.