A month passed easily. Because of Kuro's persistence, Michiko eventually gave up and ate with the Human Resources Club. She formed a good relationship with everyone in the club and started to talk more. She became especially close to Kuro who walks home together with her almost everyday and mostly hung out with him on days they were let off early from school.
"Who wants to do the relay?" The class representatives asked.
The students raised their hands to the two class representatives.
After spending twenty minutes of discussing and choosing the sports, Michiko was, placed in the cheering club.
"Amami-san, what costume do you want to wear?" The female class representative, Sonohara asked.
"Anything's fine."
"Cheerleader costume!" The boys shouted from afar.
"That's so cliche!" The girls giggled.
Ever since Michiko became "friends" with Kuro and the others, people started mustering up the courage to talk to her again. She was less cold and talked more as well. The rumours were starting to die down, much to some people's dismay.
After school, Michiko went to the club room to do some homework and study since the library was closed today. Inside, was Nekota, reading her manga alone. The boys apparently were helping out to volleyball team in their practice.
"Nekota-san, can I ask you something?" Michiko looked up from her notes and met eyes with the pink haired girl.
"Hm! What is it?" The otaku looked up from her manga.
"How did you get to know everyone?"
"Bokuto and the others?"
Michiko nodded, "I went to the same middle school as Bokuto, since I'm a huge otaku and fujoushi, I can't make any friends in class. So when I heard he was making a 'club' and needed another person, I volunteered. Sakuragaoka doesn't have any manga club so.." She chuckled sheepishly.
"I see."
"Why?"
"No, I was just wondering."
"I'm really glad Michiko-chan's here. Although they're really nice, having a girl friend is different." Nekota smiled.
"Friend..?"
"Ah- sorry if I got ahead of myself. I really do hope we can be friends, Michiko-chan." Nekota smiled nervously.
Michiko's eyes widened slightly, "Hm."
Kuro was walking down the street, making his way back home. He had to come home late because of class duties. On his way, he saw a familiar back from afar at the riverbank, sitting down on the field of grass.
"Oi Ama-" He stopped when he saw her eyes that shone with loneliness and sadness.
He walked towards the girl, she turned at the sound of footsteps. He sat down beside her, "Waiting for me?" He flashed her a small grin.
"Yeah right." She hugged her knees.
Kuro didn't ask her anything and she didn't say anything. The two sat beside each other, with him making small conversations.
It was indeed a breezy day.
But Michiko felt warmer than usual.
"Wanna eat dinner?"
"Isn't your family waiting for you?"
"Huh? No, I live alone too. I thought I told you." He said.
"Oh, no you didn't."
"My dad had to move to Yokohama for work, and my mom went with him. They're planning to sell the house sometime next year so I'm kinda looking for an apartment now." He explained.
"I see. That's why your bentos are always so simple."
Tetsurou sweat-dropped, "Yeah I guess."
She stood up, "I want katsudon."
"Sure, I know a good place." Kuro grinned.
The two arrived at a small restaurant, there were only several other people inside.
"Their katsudon is really good." He told.
They took a seat and ordered. Kuro stared at her, she tried to avert her eyes, feeling uncomfortable.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just it's been awhile since I ate dinner with someone." He grinned.
"Same here." She said.
They spent a peaceful dinner together, with a comforting atmosphere from the restaurant which enveloped them.
️️️️
"What's this?" Michiko and Yaku stared at the paper Nekota was holding up.
"Manga Event! I was wondering if we can all go together?" Nekota's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"We don't know these stuff though." Yaku said.
"I know, that's not why I'm inviting you, actually..."
The other two boys entered the room, "Good timing!" Nekota pulled them both in and started explaining about the event.
"So in short, you want us to go to help you get all the mangas and doujinshis?" Kuro asked.
"Hm! I'd go by myself if I could but my grandma is visiting, my mom said I have to come home before five." Nekota told.
"So can you guys please help me? It'll be faster with everyone's help."
"Well, I'm free that day." Bokuto shrugged.
"Yeah, sure we'll help." Kuro and Yaku agreed.
Everyone turned to Michiko, she flinched slightly and nodded, "Okay."
"Yeay! Thank you so much, guys! I'll treat you guys next time!"
"Oh! Oh! Great!" Bokuto grinned widely.
And so, Saturday morning, exactly at 5 a.m. they all gathered in the train station.
"Aren't we too early?" Yaku asked as he shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. It was September and the weather was starting to get cold.
"No! We should arrive there by seven to make it!"
"What..?" Yaku sweat-dropped.
"Today, I will definitely get everything!" Nekota proclaimed, eyes burning with confidence.
"I respect your love for manga, I, Bokuto Koutarou will help you!" He smiled widely.
"Bokuto!" Her eyes sparkled.
"Where are they?" Yaku looked around.
"I can't wait to see Michiko-chan in her usual clothes! She's a bijin after all! I wonder what's her style? Boyish? Lollita? Can't wait!" Nekota excitedly said.
Michiko and Kuro arrived, two out of three of them had the same expression when they saw the late ones. Kuro sighed and chuckled, "I had the same reaction."
Michiko's hair was tied up into a ponytail and slipped in her black cap, she was wearing a simple white t-shirt and black skinny jeans, with black shoes. She also threw a dark brown cardigan over her.
"Everyone's earlier than the agreed time." Michiko said.
"Yeah, we live close to this station." Yaku said.
"Michiko-chan..your clothes..lollita..dress.." Nekota crept over her with tears.
The brunette sweat-dropped at the reactions.
"Oi, what's wrong?" Bokuto asked the pink haired girl.
"I didn't expect this style either." Kuro spoke.
Michiko sighed, "We're going somewhere crowded. It'll be a hassle so I wore something that won't stand out."
"Ah- I see your point." Yaku and Kuro agreed as they imagined several scenarios of Michiko getting hit on, getting stalked etc.
"I don't see what the big fuss is about. I like her style." Bokuto straightforwardly, sincerely said.
Michiko's eyes widened slightly, "Thanks.." She looked away with a tint of pink shading her cheeks.
Kuro always found it amusing how the so-called Yuki Onna is actually shy and gets embarrassed easily. You'd expect her to be used to compliments, but the brunette would turn pink at any compliment given to her aside from looks, be it actions, work or abilities.
He had found out facts about her that he didn't expect. For instance, Michiko was quite dense and tended to forget bringing things. She had a smartphone but isn't addicted to it like most teens nowadays. She loves bread and milk tea, she can't stand the smell of fish. And many more. Although she's always expressionless, Kuro could see from her eyes that she was just like any other girl, except that she must've experienced something that made her the way she is now.
The first train of the day arrived and they got on it, it was full, much to everyone's, excluding Nekota, surprise.
"What's up with all these people?!" Bokuto asked with a half shout half whisper.
"People who are going to the event!" Nekota proudly said.
"Wow. That's amazing." Yaku commented.
"Have you had breakfast?" Kuro asked Michiko.
"No, I can't eat in the morning."
"Oh."
They arrived at the venue, which was a huge exhibition centre. There were probably over thousands of people there and it was only six thirty. They started lining up.
"Woah, people stayed overnight for this?" Kuro sweat-dropped.
"Of course! Don't underestimate otakus!" Nekota declared.
"I'm not I'm not." Kuro raised his hands in defence and grinned.
"When does the event actually start?" Yaku asked.
Nekota's eyes darted away, "Eleven." She muttered in a small voice.
"What?!" The boys looked at her in shock.
They stood in line for the next four hours and when they got in the hall, they were already exhausted. Nekota gave them each a map and instructions on what to buy.
"Let's meet at the entrance in two hours!" Nekota said before sprinting in.
The other four split up and went to get the mangas and doujinshis Nekota listed. Michiko finished slightly before two hours and waited outside the entrance with several heavy paper bags.
*I'm hungry.* She looked around but there weren't any convenience store or even fast food restaurants.
She sighed and checked her phone, *I don't have any of their numbers.* She realised.
A back bumped onto hers, "Sorry." Michiko turned.
