A/N: Definitely much earlier in their interactions with each other than the previous one, but I have a particular fondness for this story.
Disclaimer: Only the plot, my friends, only the plot.
He still was not quite sure he enjoyed it. Somehow Daisuke was a never-ending fount of excuses and somehow Satoshi never had the perfect reason to turn his friend down.
It had started when Riku and Daisuke would hang out with Risa and go around town as a little trio. Risa would often slink off to let the two lovebirds enjoy themselves, but the couple were guilt-ridden over the sacrifice of the social butterfly of Azumano.
He did not question why he was selected. Of Daisuke's friends, there were few that could be considered apposite chaperons. Takeshi Saehara, for instance, would either forget Risa entirely when he caught sight of something remotely newsworthy or perhaps even take a picture of one of her clumsy moments and embarrass her in front of the whole school. No, he did not question why he was always the one called upon to join them, but he did wonder if it was anything besides a nuisance.
After all, it was an undisputed fact that Risa Harada was a chatterbox, a giggler, and an idiot.
But the chatterbox happened to be terribly quiet ever since her sister and Daisuke had gone off together to find some snacks, leaving Risa and Satoshi to stroll through the mall alone.
He refrained from sighing. While he was not interested in learning about anyone around him, for their sake as well as his own, it was probably unhealthy for such a talkative girl to keep her mouth shut for so long. It might have long-last effects. It might, heaven forbid, diminish her thinking capabilities due to so much nonsense trapped inside her brain without outlet.
"What's wrong?"
"... Nothing."
Liar.
Not that he cared. She had the right to choose if she wanted to talk about her problems or not. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his eyes trailing over the crowds. A couple of ogling girls blushed and looked away. A sigh swelled in his throat, but he did not let it out.
"Oh!"
Her excited cry made him stop and turn around, but he found himself alone. Quickly scanning the area, he mumbled in annoyance, "Blast her for being so fast..."
He spotted her kneeling in front of a store window, gazing in rapture at a book on display, her hands pressed against the glass. Walking to her side, he tried to smother the smirk on his face. Of all the books in the window, it made sense that she had noticed a children's book.
"I used to read that book all the time when I was little! I haven't seen it in ages. I'm buying it. I'm going to buy—oh! I didn't bring my purse... Why didn't I bring my purse?" she said as he stopped beside her, staring down critically at the flower-covered book.
She looked up at him, a huge grin plastered on her face. "I've never seen any copy but mine before. It brings back such great memories!"
Her smile was back.
He grunted, reaching into his back pocket. Somehow she always managed to forget her purse and he always ended up paying for things.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he scarcely restrained himself from shaking his head. She probably planned it that way.
Still, if that was all it took to keep that warm, familiar smile on her face, it was worth it.
