"You."
Kokoroyomi looked up. It wasn't everyday that he was addressed in such a cold manner, given that he was pretty well known and liked for his friendliness and cheerful demeanor. When he saw who the voice was associated with, Koko did a double take.
"Hot—"
"Imai to you."
"Imai! Deigning to speak to me today! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Koko had meant it as a joke, but in his heart he knew that she probably did feel as if talking to him had required a lowering of self. And in some part, Koko meant what he had said genuinely. It was a pleasure, even though she was speaking ve-ery abruptly, because after all — Hotaru Imai was Sumire Shouda's best friend.
Sumire Shouda? She was only Koko's crush since the first year of high school (though he was pretty sure she remained unaware to this day of his existence). Even in high school, Sumire was incredibly popular — at first for her beauty, and the beauties that were her close friends, and then soon for rejecting every suitor who confessed. She immediately distanced herself from people who she suspected were beginning to develop feelings for her. This, however, only added to her appeal and allure in the minds' of the boys at school.
Koko, for his part, had fallen in love with Sumire ever since they had an accidental encounter before the high school's opening ceremony. He had been walking to school, feeling impassive even though his new uniform was infinitely better looking than the ones he had to wear in middle school. Suddenly, someone physically rammed into him, causing them both to stumble and fall. Annoyed, Koko picked himself up and glanced over at the offender, a slender girl of medium height with permed hair who was dusting herself off like he had just done.
When she noticed his eyes on her, she smiled guilelessly. "Sorry about that," she simpered.
Koko wasn't fooled by her innocent girl act. But he didn't really care enough to call her out on her bullshit. "Yeah, no problem." He started walking off.
"Wait!"
He turned. The girl skipped to his side. "C'mon, let's go to school together. I saw by your uniform you're going to Alice High. Are you excited? I am. I'm super excited! And nervous, I guess, because it's super rigorous. My parents were so excited when I was accepted, you wouldn't believe. Because it's a ladder school, yanno, and now I won't have to take university entrance exams. What about you?"
Koko could not believe the luck of him to be stuck walking next to this chatterbox, who, admittedly was pretty, but could not take a hint for her life. "What about me what?"
"Were your parents excited to enroll you in Ali?"
"I live with my aunt Serina. She was proud, I guess."
"Ooh! I'm Sumire, by the way! Sumire Shouda!" 'Sumire Shouda' positively twinkled. Thankfully, she didn't ask anything like 'why do you live with your aunt' or 'where are your parents'. "What's your name?"
"Kokoroyomi."
"Can I call you Koko?"
No. Leave me alone. Koko internally rolled his eyes to heaven. "Of course."
"Okay, well, Koko." Suddenly, 'Sumire Shouda' stopped. He stopped a few paces ahead of her and turned back.
She smiled. "Koko, you have a scary face! You need to smile! Smile more!"
Koko laughed. Genuinely. It had been a long time since laughter had erupted from his throat like that, which was why it sounded creaky like water flowing through a long abandoned, rusty tap, but this was the funniest thing he had heard in a long time. As the residue of his mirth faded, he asked "Why?"
She thought about it. "Well, people like me will probably leave you alone. See, I get frustrated by random things. And one of them—" she pointed at him "— is that expressionless face. Smile! You'll make friends, I'll have a good life knowing there's one less thing to worry over, I'll leave you alone. It's a vin-vin!"
"Win-win, you mean." Koko muttered.
"Exactly!" Sumire twinkled again. "Now, I have to turn around and pick up my friend — she's late again. But remember what I said, Koko!" With a parting wave, she sprinted away. "Remember!"
Koko wondered if—
"Are you listening."
Drawn back to the present, Koko gulped. Hotaru Imai was staring at him with those steely unnerving eyes of hers. "Uh..."