Previously:

"Allow me," he said confidently. "Hi, my name is Ryuu." He tossed his silver bangs and winked at Miyamizu, who simply looked confused. "Would you like to go out with me?" The classroom descended into pandemonium as a girl fainted, two more began screaming, three began to sob, and at least seven guys yelled in horror.

Taki facepalmed.

"I actually cannot believe this."

oOoOoOoOo

Mitsuha stared in confusion at her insane classmates. If she had heard correctly and wasn't hearing impaired, a group of gorgeous seniors had walked in, invited her to lunch, and one BREATHTAKINGLY hot guy had asked her out. In FRONT of her CLASS. SHE HAD NO IDEA WHO HE WAS.

She watched in stupefied shock as he winked at her. Silently agreeing with one guy facepalming out the corner of her eye, she cleared her throat. "Um."

The class shut up and turned as one. Absolute silence reigned.

"I'm flattered by your offer," she said, then paused. Every person hung on her word. It was a creepily exhilarating feeling. "But," she could've sworn that she saw money exchange hands, "I won't be able to have lunch with you guys. I'm really sorry but since it's my first time in Tokyo, I'd like to stay in the school during my first day. And Ryuu-senpai," he smiled in satisfaction. "I'm so sorry, and it's for the same reason. I'm new to this school, city, and you, so I have to say…" She twisted her hands nervously, "...no."

"You're joking," someone said in the back.

"Yeah," Ryuu chuckled awkwardly. "Right?"

She blinked at him. "No."

oOoOoOo

The seniors walked out, postures much less confident than they had been before. Before setting foot out the door, Ryuu winked at Miyamizu again, tapping two fingers against his forehead in a salute. "You're a gem, Miyamizu! I'll be waiting!" They all collectively released a breath as the door slid shut, then turned to their neighbors while opening their mouths.

And the bell rang to conclude what would become known as one of the most epic tales of Taki's grade.

oOoOoOo

"Hey, Miyamizu!" a girl with coffee-colored hair called out. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

The other girl pulled on her shoe, nodding cautiously. "Sure?"

She beamed happily, "My name's Asumi. I was wondering if you'd like to join the idol club!" She pointed to a brightly colored poster nearby.

"...what."

"Oh weelll it's more like a cheerleading squad, but we're working on becoming independent," Asumi said, wilting noticeably.

Mitsuha waved her hands frantically. "Wait, that's not what I meant! I mean, that sounds pretty interesting?"

"Yeah!" the other perked up. "You have a dancer's body, your voice seems nice enough, and everyone likes you! You're perfect for the job!"

Mitsuha coughed. "Um, it's kind of my first week."

"Ah, it's not a problem. We usually practice at the school, and if we perform you'll be traveling with us. There's four of us besides you, so that'll be perfect! I'm a junior, by the way, and the recruiter."

"A junior?!" She couldn't keep out the shock in her voice. "I mean, oh wow, you must have a lot of experience. What about the others?" She picked up her bag and leaned against the wall. Several people eyed her as they passed.

"It may or may not be our first year," Asumi admitted. "We haven't been able to come up with anything passable so far, too. Cheerleading is more of an American thing. Gotta go now, see you at the atrium at three on Tuesday! Bye!" She ran off.

Mitsuha sighed. Swinging her bag around, she glanced around the entrance. It was mostly empty, with only a few left talking quietly. Do I even join? She seems nice enough, and modern dancing can't be as bad as my shrine duties. She began to walk to the doors when someone crashed into her.

She winced in pain as her elbow hit the wall awkwardly, and they tumbled to the floor in an undignified heap. Her face was pressed against someone else's sweater. A faint scent of toffee and lemon caused her to blush, and she scrambled up and away from the boy.

"Sorry," he said, seeming slightly panicked. "I wasn't looking where I was going and-oh, it's you. Miyamizu?" He scratched his head, embarrassed. "Sorry."

"It's okay," she said, smoothing her skirt self-consciously. "I wasn't looking either." They awkwardly stared at each other. She noticed that his eyes were a startling shade of blue, not unlike a lake by the sea.

"Sorry if this seems weird, but have we met before?" the boy asked.

"I don't know," Mitsuha replied quietly. "What's your name?" She chose to ignore the pang of deja-vu as she met his gaze.

"Taki Tachibana. I must have mixed you up with someone else," he smiled warmly, shaking off what seemed to be a moment of melancholy. "By the way, Ryuu-senpai seemed pretty put off this morning." He read her expression and held up a hand. "Oops, ignore that, didn't mean to pry."

"It's okay," Mitsuha sighed, picking up her bag. "That was a painful experience."

"Really?" Taki regarded her interestedly. "More than half the girls in the district are madly in love with that guy."

"I'm new," she said defensively.

"That's all the more reason to accept. If you dated a popular senior, you'd be set for the rest of the year," Taki pointed out.

"I don't know him!" the girl protested, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "And I cannot believe that I am actually arguing about my relationship choices with you."

"Oh," he looked vaguely amused. "Well, then." He glanced at his watch and his eyes widened in horror. "Damn I have to get to a meeting, see you later!" He set off at full sprint down the hallway, swerving dangerously close to the remaining students in the hallway.

Mitsuha couldn't help her smile. That Tachibana has way too many sides to him.

AN: wOW 6 favs and 13 follows?! *cheers* Thank you to Codename-SN, who reviewed, and everyone who faved or followed! Taki and Mitsuha met this chapter, and I promise you that a lot more is going to happen! Next update will be April 16, 2017. Until next time!