"Kurusu-kun," I started. "I really don't think this is necessary! If you want to stay home and -"

"No, it's my pleasure," he said, giving me a half-hearted grin. I blushed ever so slightly, hiding my face in the folds of my windbreaker.

He's probably just saying that, I thought to myself. Who would want to walk someone to the station in this weather? The rain only intensified and the wind ripped at my jacket, howling like an unfed-Morgana.

We walked together in silence, me sticking close to him, but only because he had the umbrella. Even still, I welcomed the chance to get close. I looked up at him out of the corner of my eye. His glasses were blurred with raindrops and his hair was matted to his forehead. So much for using the umbrella correctly.

His breathing was steady, his gaze looking only forward. I felt burdensome, like he felt as if he had to walk a girl with the personality of a paper bag back to the train station. He was probably thinking of going home and sleeping or getting ready for school or something. Even thinking of those was probably more interesting than me.

As we neared the train station, he folded the umbrella and stepped into the building with me.

"You don't really need to come any farther, you've already done enough," I said, giving him my most reassuring smile.

"Sure," he said, using his undershirt to wipe the water droplets from his glasses. "I just wanted to make sure you boarded safely."

"Oh, uh, thanks," I blushed. Everything this guy did flustered me, made me blush. He could probably get food poisoning right here, right now and I'd still find him so charming. "Really, thanks."

He smiled and nodded. His smile was so warm. If it had a flavor, it'd probably be an English muffin, toasted golden and with a hint of butter. I didn't feel so cold from the rain anymore. "Get home safe, okay?" he said, before turning and leaving the station.

The whole ride home I couldn't stop thinking about that smile. Who knew I was such a sucker for those kinds of things? My face still felt flushed and my heart thumped rapidly in my chest. I pulled out my phone to text Ann. I was starting to believe that I wouldn't be able to keep this to myself. And I sure didn't want to accidentally spill the beans and tell Kurusu just how I felt about him. I'd rather confide in someone else.

We made plans for tomorrow morning.

Ann forked an oversized piece of crepe into her mouth, chewing loudly. "So you just couldn't resist me? You had to see me today too?" She teased.

"Oh, yeah, definitely," I sighed, poking at my breakfast.

Thinking about telling even Ann about my supposed crush on Akira Kurusu made me nervous. What if she burst out laughing because I was falling for a guy with a criminal record? What if she thought he was totally lame and thinks it's embarrassing that I would even like a guy like him? Even worse, what if she told him?! I felt as if I were taking a huge risk by revealing my innermost secrets to her.

"So what's up?" She said, mouthful of food.

"I just wanted your input on something, I guess," I answered. "It's really nothing important."
"Oooh, girl talk?" She leaned forward, aqua eyes on me, waiting for my next words. Ann was a sucker for those 'girl talks' as she called them. She liked talking about boys and clothing and girly things, and it seemed she was grateful to have a female companion to engage with.

"Sure," I sighed, feeling my heart race. Was I really going to do this? I felt my face flush. "I just… well… I think I might like a boy. But it's stupid, it doesn't really matter - "

"A boy?" Ann squealed. "What! You? Makoto Niijima, likes a boy? I always thought you were too busy with college coming up and books and reading and being smart! Who is it?" She pressed. Her overreaction to my simple statement made me have my regrets. I wanted to sink into the booth, to become one with the booth.

"S-stop," I stuttered. "Not so loud, Ann. I'm already embarrassed enough as it is. Please don't make this a big deal." I felt a bead of sweat run down my forehead.

"Uh, sorry, I didn't mean to be so loud," she said, tossing a golden blonde strand of hair over her shoulder. "I got excited."

Yeah you did, I thought to myself. If I didn't confide in Ann then who else would I go to? My sister who works in law enforcement? Yeah, no. She would never go for her younger sister dating a boy on probation. Ryuji? No, I would definitely not tell anything of importance to that guy. Yusuke would probably draw a picture of Kurusu for me or something and tell me to hang it in my room and admire it from afar. Actually, that might not be such a bad idea…

"But who is it," Ann lowered her voice, gazing at me intently.

I felt my heart race. My secret would be out within seconds. This could make or break everything ever.

"Uh…" I mumbled, trying to stall for time. "It's… well… I'm embarrassed to say."

"Embarrassed?" Ann inquired. "Is it Ryuji?!"

"No way in hell, Ann!" I was offended she'd ever think that of me. "No way! He's all brawns and no brains and not at all compatible with me! No!"

Ann laughed, grinning at me before taking another forkful of food.

"You're so funny when you get all worked up, Makoto!" She said, chewing away on a crepe.

"I-I can't help it," I stammered. "Especially when you make ridiculous comments like that!" I wiped my sweaty palms on a napkin. If I was this nervous telling Ann who I was crushing on, imagine how nervous I'd be if I actually told Kurusu how I felt. If. I was a wreck.

"I won't press, Makoto, but you did call up a breakfast just to talk to me about this," she teased, giving me a warm smile. "I've got your back. I won't go telling Ryuji you like him."

"Again, it's not Ryuji!" I was flustered. I knew Ann was teasing me, but it made me even more nervous to confess to her.

"Is it me?" She inquired. I couldn't tell if she was teasing or not.

"No," I sighed.

The two of us sat in silence for several moments. I pretended to be very fixated on my coffee, not daring to look up at Ann. My secret was going to have to come out eventually. My heart was racing, and I felt butterflies in my stomach. All of these college prep courses couldn't prepare me for any lessons in love. I suppose those were things were learned on your own, through experience. No one can really teach you these things.

"It's Kurusu-kun," I blurted out, not daring to meet Ann's gaze. I breathed quickly, feeling my heart racing. Ann didn't answer for a very long time.

Hey gang! I've written a lot of this garbage in a small amount of time, but I'd like to space it out a little. I would also like to make these chapters a bit longer ORZ

Thank you to the guys n gals who have read some of this already and thought 'hey, this is kinda neat. Maybe I'll stick around'. I think you guys are kinda neat too.

Ya'll should stick around because I CAN and I WILL put some romance-y, sexy, cutesy stuff in here some time! I want to build up to it though.

Thanks guys, mwah!