Author's Note: Just a disclaimer, this chapter takes place right after the previous one, where Ayano meets Osano. I think I'll try to create situations where Ayano meets a new rival each day, ten consecutive days total from now on.

[Ayano Aishi x Amao Odayaka]

*Ding* 7:00 am - (Osano) Hey Yan-chan, are you up yet?

*Ding* 7:05 am - (Osano) You said you wanted to walk to school together, but you forgot to mention what time you wanted me to show up at your house, dummy.

*Ding* 7:10 am - (Osano) Don't get the wrong idea! I didn't wake up super early just for you, this just happens to be the time I naturally wake up at.

*Ding* 7:15 am - (Osano) Did you fall asleep reading manga again? Jeez, you're hopeless.

*Ding* 7:25 am - (Osano) Okay if you don't answer by 7:45 I'm going to break down your front door!

*Ding* 7:30 am - (Osano) Wait, did you give me a wrong address? If you did you better have not done it on purpose, Baka! If you aren't out in 15 minutes, I'm leaving without you! :(

That was the text that got her moving. She didn't give him the wrong address, she wasn't that evil. And she would've answered back at least once by now, it's just that she got a little bit sidetracked along the way. Several times in fact. Plus, he was right, she had fallen asleep while reading manga, one that she had gotten with Osano himself, but that's neither here nor there. Ayano still isn't going to admit that to him.

For the first two texts, she had been fast asleep. It was the third one that woke her up, however, deciding to rest her eyes for a moment was not the best idea, dozing off once more. By the fifth text, she was fully awake, dressed, and fed, sitting on her bed reading the brand-new manga she had bought while hanging out with Osano yesterday. She thought it would be amusing to see him at her front door, yelling up a storm. But when she had read the most recent text, she felt a bit bad, to be honest. She didn't want her only friend to be upset with her, she didn't know what she would have done if that was the case, which was a totally foreign feeling for her.

He might have been bluffing, but she didn't want to take the risk, so grabbing her phone she responded to his text whilst walking out of her house.

7:32 - (Ayano) I'm coming out right now. I'm sorry for making you wait, I'll try to make it up to you.

Just as he was reading the newest text from Ayano, Osano looked up to the sound of a door opening.

"Hey, let's get going, we don't want to be late," Yan-chan said apathetically.

Osano felt himself grow irritated with her at her seemingly emotionless response, he wasn't certain, but he just had to know.

"Were you ignoring me on purpose?!" He nearly screamed.

The school girl sighed. "Yes, I thought it would be funny, but now I see that I have genuinely distressed you, I won't do it again. I'll set an alarm so I can prevent both of us from being late from now on. I really am sorry Osano." She repented.

Osano felt taken aback for a few moments. He was shocked at how blunt and honest this girl was. He was not expecting her to admit that she was wrong so easily. The schoolboy found himself wanting to be near her, despite her almost dismissive nature at times. It confused him very much. No matter what she did, it seemed to further endear him to her. One thing was for certain, she was different in many ways, and he liked it a lot.

"Well fine! That's the first good idea you've had today."

The shorter girl smiled at him, making him blush. "So does that mean you forgive me Osano-Kun?" Ayano reiterated hopefully.

"Er..yeah whatever, let's just hurry up, we're going to be late because you're so slow!" He chastised.

"But Osano, we're walking at the same pace. If I'm slow doesn't that mean you are as well?" She innocently asked.

"Shut up Yan-chan!"

After school...

3:45 pm - (Osano) So why did you have to stay after school again?

3:46 pm - (Ayano) I told you, I'm going to check out the Cooking Club, I was thinking about joining.

3:46 pm - (Osano) Really? I didn't know you wanted to join a club.

3:47 pm - (Ayano) Well it's not absolute. I'm not only checking out the Cooking Club, but it's also just the first one on the list of clubs. I doubt I'll end up picking it, those frilly aprons don't suit me anyway.

3:47 pm - (Osano) I think you would look good in anything Yan-chan.

Yan-chan felt skeptical, yet happy. Would he say something like that and not mean it?

3:47 pm - (Ayano) Oh, you really think that Osano?

She waited a few minutes without any response, and just when she was about to put her phone away, he answered.

4:00 pm - (Osano) Don't look into it too much, alright? It doesn't mean anything! I have to go okay, I'll see you tomorrow.

Ayano thought about texting back, but she didn't want to bother him. Also, she wanted to make sure the leader of the Cooking Club, Amao Odayaka, was still at school. The truth was, she wasn't interested in joining the Cooking Club, or any club for that matter. She wanted to make it up to Osano for making him mad this morning. And to thank him properly for giving her a bento the day before by returning the favor. She thought about making a homemade meal, but since she didn't have any money to buy ingredients or a job to make the money, her next best option was to use the cooking club's.

She had heard rumors about how friendly the leader was, usually from girls who gushed about his smile as he handed out his delicious octodogs during lunch. So she hoped that he would help her make something delicious for Osano, or at least let her use the kitchen. He never traveled up to the roof to hand out his finger foods, so she had never tried his cooking, but he was the leader, so she safely assumed he was a good chef.

Walking up to the door, checking the sign above it just to be certain that she had the right room, and entered.

Her nose was almost instantly bombarded by a myriad of pleasant aromas. Fresh strawberries, sweet frosting, and the rich, prominent scent of cheesecake.

The room she was in was divided into two, with a doorway on the side of the entrance wall. On one side there was a table with six chairs in total, presumably for the club leader and the other members, and a bookshelf, probably filled with cookbooks for various recipes. The other half held a quaint kitchen, bubblegum pink tile littering the floor, as well as other kitchen appliances in that same pink hue decorating the club room.

In the center of it all, was a brown-haired boy wearing a mint green apron, washing a small basket of strawberries in the small countersink.

He apparently heard the door open and said without turning around, "Oh! Perfect timing, would you help me decorate this cheesecake?"

"I believe you have the wrong person. I am not a part of this club. I'm looking for Amao Odayaka, do you happen to be him?"

He turned around to face her then, a slightly confuddled look on his delicate features at having mistaken her for someone else.

"Of course, you aren't Saki. Well since you aren't a club member, what are you doing here?" He stated, a serene upturn of his lips on his face.

"I was wondering if you could help me out with something." Ayano spoke, trying not to sound too optimistic.

He studied her for a moment, looking so at ease all the while.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Amao softly pronounced, making her frown. She was sure he would say yes. Before she could ask why he declined, he added, "without knowing your name. If I'm going to be doing you a favor, I think it's best we be at least that familiar with each other." He laughed.

She thought it was weird that he made the choice to wait a few seconds to answer, having her breath hitch in anticipation. Taking care as to not sigh with relief in front of him, Ayano told him her name. "Ayano Aishi."

His eyes twinkled. "It's very nice to meet you Ayano. Now that we know each other by name, what can I do for you?" He asked kindly.

"I was hoping you could let me use your club room so that I can cook something for my friend. I figured that you wouldn't be too busy after school, so you wouldn't need it. But you clearly have something that needs to be done, so I'll just go now."

She meant to leave, but he gazed at her with his bright, light green eyes, tilting his head as he considered her proposal; Despite how approachable his demeanor was, she couldn't help but feel on edge with the way he kept delaying his responses. It made him predictable, but also unpredictable at the same time. Sure, he didn't know her, but a simple 'yes' or 'no' would suffice for an answer to her question, wouldn't it?

"Alright, I don't see why not. On one condition." He agreed.

Another deal? Ayano got the impression that this boy was a bargainer. One that got what he wanted a majority of the time.

"You stay here and help me decorate this cheesecake, in the end, I'll let you take a piece to give to your friend. Additionally, I get to spend more time with you and get to know you better, how does that sound?" Amao continued.

That last part puzzled her a bit. He wanted to get to know her? Hm, he most likely said that to every new person he met, perhaps it was just in his charismatic nature, he was very popular after all.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Splendid! Let's get started right away!"

The brunette continued to surprise her as he walked up and grabbed her hand, leading her over to the kitchen's island.

"You can put this frosting into a piping bag while I finish up slicing the strawberries."

Okay, that's not too hard. Ayano thought as she looked at the bowl of white frosting.

To put it shortly, Ayano could not have been more wrong. Turns out, the bowl was much heavier than it looked, and the piping bag wouldn't say open long enough for her to pour the frosting in there. She attempted to use a spoon to make pouring it easier but ended up dropping it in the bowl. Internally groaning, she fished it out in agitation. Ayano subconsciously wiped a lock of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail.

As Amao finished rinsing out the fruit, he turned his head and noticed that she was having trouble, and went over to help her.

"Here, I'll help you."

He turned away from the sink, standing behind her, and held up his arm, holding the bowl.

She ignored the way her face heated up as the close proximity.

He held the bowl steady as she carefully poured the frosting in it.

"Thanks..." Ayano whispered.

He didn't respond, so she twisted her neck to look at him. He was smiling, but gazing at her while doing so. She returned his calming stare, ironically feeling the opposite.

"You have some frosting on your cheek."

The taller boy reached out and wiped away the confection with his thumb, simultaneously holding the side of her jaw. Instinctively, he started to caress her cheekbones.

Surely the icing is gone now? Why is he continuing to touch me?

"Is there anything else?" She asked softly.

"A little bit..." Amao spoke, as dulcet as ever. "Right...Here." Instead of gesturing to it with his fingers, he signaled with his eyes; looking down at her lips.

Regardless of her dubious approval of this treatment, Ayano saw no logical reason to move away. She had to get rid of that frosting somehow right? And this nice smelling boy was offering to do it for her. She concluded that he was a gentleman, through her short, but thorough analysis.

They seemed to be moving closer together, as his long, brown eyelashes appeared to be even more defined. From the way things were progressing, getting rid of the icing with his mouth was the route being taken.

It was an unconventional way to remove the frosting, but finding a new, inventive way of doing something was surely a positive thing.

Both of them leaned in, but before their lips could meet...

"Sorry I'm late Amao-san! I ran into someone who wanted to tag along!"

Author's Note: Sorry that the majority of the first half of this chapter is Ayano x Osano interaction, it's necessary exposition okay? I had to make sure the build-up paid off for the second part, where the Amao moments would come in XD

I also apologize for ending it on a cliffhanger. I kind of got carried away. I did not mean for Amao and Ayano to become so friendly so fast :/