"Every change is a ripple, trapped in this little pond..."


"Hey, Ruri-chan?"

"Hm?"

"Why do you wear your hair long?"

Talk about out of left field.

It was April 11th, Day Two with Chitoge Kirisaki. More importantly, it was the second day our little group of friends dedicated to searching for Raku's pendant. They'd split off into two groups again, the boys in one, the three girls in the other. Ruri had swim team after school, and Kosaki was on class duty, so the two girls could only help out at lunch… It was slow-going. With five sets of hands, they'd covered about half the campus already. Where the hell was this thing?

"Where did that come from?" Ruri asked, not turning her attention from the weeds, "Are you just making small talk?"

"Sort of…" Kosaki moved her bangs aside, "I wanted to grow mine out after middle school, but now I'm having second thoughts… My hair's at the point where I could either let it grow, or cut it back, and it wouldn't be a major change. I'm just worried what could happen if I don't take that chance…"

Ruri looked up. "You? Worrying? Shocker."

A quick glance told the girl that Kirisaki was out of earshot.

"...Okay, so what's this really about?" the shorter girl asked quietly, "You're not exactly subtle with your anecdotes."

Kosaki fidgeted. "Oh… it's a bit of a long story… which is why I tried the… uh, 'anecdote'... first…"

"Uh-huh…" Ruri looked over at her best friend, "Lunch ends in fifteen minutes. I'm listening."

The clouds dimmed the sky, and the breeze picked up… as if the backdrop of a play was shifting between scenes. Ruri sent another glance toward the blonde transfer student, oblivious to their talk, stepping through the grass without a care. Good, because Ruri had a creeping feeling this was about that.

"The key I always carry around…" the class rep fingered her necklace unconsciously, "...the one from ten years ago. Ichijou-kun showed me his pendant, the one with the keyhole… He told me that he was the boy from back then."

Ruri nodded, having listened in on that particular confession. Not even feigning ignorance, she let the girl continue.

"At first, I was so happy… so… overjoyed…" she said, standing up, "I'd found him. Finally, after so many years… And he asked me to be his friend! He even let me call him by his first name! I was in heaven!"

Ruri wanted to be happy for her, but she knew she wasn't finished yet.

"But now that I've had time to think… I feel so lost…" her voice wavered, "Being close to Ichijou-kun is something I've wanted for so long, and now that we are, I…" she traced little circles in the earth with her shoe. "I'm not sure what I want anymore."

"So you're at a crossroads," Ruri summed up, "You can either be his 'friend'... or continue pursuing him, as you always have."

Kosaki bit her lower lip. "I… I really don't know what I want to do now. I'm so grateful to have found him… but now that my mind is clear… I hesitate whenever I call him 'Raku'. I've started conversations with him, but they're not the same as before. He still makes me feel so warm and relaxed… but it's not…"

She struggled to find the words. "Things are different now. I don't know if it's a good or bad different."

"Well that's easy," Ruri said simply, "Would you rather Ichijou-kun have never told you who he was?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Haven't you always wanted to be with him? Do you regret agreeing to be friends?"

"R-Ruri, what are you saying? I'd never regret that!"

The girl stood up too, taking off her glasses to wipe them. "And there you go. Things have changed, but you don't find the changes themselves to be unwelcome. This is just more of you worrying over nothing."

She always seemed too clumsy for the type, but Kosaki was a bit of a perfectionist. Not the kind that'd berate others for lackluster contributions to a group project— she was far too passive for that. No, her blend of perfectionism led to worrying, self-doubt, and... more worrying. The girl had a love for small details, and an even greater love for when they all fell in place: such was her fondness for decoration. But it led to overthinking. Lots of it. Something Ruri was very familiar with, having known the girl for years.

"You're scared. And that's natural," Ruri ran her fingers through her friend's hair, "You two have been static for so long, and suddenly everything's moving. It's okay to be afraid."

"If things are moving fast, then don't rush into it," she twirled the lock of hair that framed the girl's face, "Slow down. There's nothing wrong with that. He won't be mad at you. It's perfectly fine."

She ran a thumb over her cheek. "Just take it at your own pace, Kosaki."

The promised-girl's eyes found themselves wet with unshed tears. Blinking them away, she smiled genuinely at her friend, pulling her into a hug.

"...Thank you, Ruri-chan. You always know just what to say."

Her friend smiled back, though it was obscured by her friend's body against hers.

"You could also just shove his face into your chest like you're doing now. I know he'd appreciate it."

"R-Ruri!"


"You've been getting along pretty well with the new girl, huh?"

I threw a strange look his way. "No more than anyone else has. Weird thing to say."

Lunch had passed, and after music class we had Physical Education— our last period until school let out. The boys had just finished a run, and while we were technically done for the day, Shuu and I took the chance to lie out against the cool grass, in our tracksuits. The breeze was really nice, and the view of the girls doing gymnastics in the distance was kind of relaxing. It's probably why Shuu chose this spot, now that I think about it.

I'll take what downtime I can get though. With no locket in sight, it looked like I was spending another day in the dirt... in the literal sense. Not the 'Chitoge socked me in the gut and left me in the dirt' way. But I guess that's the literal sense too?

"Ehh, I wouldn't say that. Not at all!" he wagged his finger at me, "She talks to you way more than Onodera-san or Ruri-chan. Even the other girls in class! They might talk to her a lot, but she doesn't really seem to initiate… like she does with you, I mean."

"So what? I'm the first person she ran into. It's not that bizarre," I denied, "Besides, we're childhood friends. Even if she doesn't remember."

I noticed his lack of reaction there. What, was he forgetting to act like he didn't eavesdrop on my confession?

"People are starting to talk," he chided, "The fact that you asked Onodera to meet you in private is big. Add that to the whole first-names thing, and… well, conclusions were jumped to."

"Now you're tight with the new girl, and you're dragging her off on little escapades," he listed, "On top of that, you're taking Onodera with you. It doesn't paint you in the best light." He wiped off his glasses. "I'm running damage control, but people like to believe in the extravagant... more than common sense and reason, anyway."

I was a little surprised. "I... figured you'd let those rumors spread. You always seem to tease me about it anyway."

"Your love life, sure, but this is different. More people involved. Don't want Ms. Kirisaki's reputation to tank before she's been here two days," he looked up at the clouds, "Good news is, almost all rumors 'bout her are positive. Same with Onodera. You on the other hand, people consider scum of the earth. Go you."

I sighed. Raku Ichijou, hated and misunderstood by his peers? What else was new?

"But enough about that, let's talk business!" his mood swung, and he plastered on a goofy grin, "What do you think? About Kirisaki, I mean~"

I looked over at the pull-up bars, where the girl looked ready to take her turn. "She's nice. Nervous, and a little socially-awkward, but she means well. She's got a really bright, cheery personality once you get to know her."

The girl swung around the bars from zero to sixty, quickly building momentum, doing a triple twist-flip in the air, and sticking the landing. There were cheers.

"...also extremely athletic," I sweatdropped, "Her grades are on another level, but she stinks at anything based in precision…"

"C'mon, that's not what I mean and you know it!" Shuu hit my shoulder with the back of his hand, "What do you think of her? On like, scale of one-to-ten."

Oh, we were talking bodies? Pfft. Boys.

"I'd give her a seven or eight," I admitted, "She's plenty attractive, sure, but she's not really my type. Reminds me too much of my home life."

"The boys are giving her a perfect ten~" he said with a dopey grin, "She's a foreigner, so that's an immediate 'yes'... Then you got those legs, that butt, and her… Do you think they're a C? I think they're a C."

I sighed inwardly. No class.

If you were wondering though, Chitoge was a C— a mid C. Kosaki was a high B, Ruri and Paula were a high A, Haru was a mid B, Yui and Fuu were a mid C, Marika was a low E, Tsugumi was a high—

Ahem.

Don't judge me please. This was all in the databooks.

"Basically, it comes down to the fact that she's only half-Japanese," I mused, "That's where the hair, eyes, and body type come from. Again, not my type. Traditional Japanese tastes are more my thing."

There was a concept in Japanese Culture called 'Yamato Nadeshiko', perhaps aptly described as 'the perfect, idealized Japanese woman'. It was a really archaic, and kind of creepy concept? Fair skin, slim figure, 'submissive' attitude… That last one makes me shiver a bit. I'm just glad the world is becoming more progressive, and we can recognize how weird this is.

I guess as far as appearance goes, I get it. It was fine to have a type. Kosaki happened to fall into that category. The 'perfect wife'...

"Yeah, so you've said before…" Shuu looked at me, "You're... being very forthcoming with this information. Usually I have to prod you for a good ten minutes or so to get anything out of you. It's like pulling teeth."

I shrugged, "I guess you could say I've been different lately. Just don't question it."

"Don't have to tell me twice," he chuckled, "While you're at it, tell me about Onodera."

I flushed a bit and looked away. "What's there to say? She's nice. Kind-hearted. Sweet. A good person. She's cute and has a nice body, but that's not really why I'm into her."

Shuu raised an eyebrow. "Oho~? Does this have to do with your status? Childhood friends, was it?"

There it was. I rubbed the back of my neck. "So you were listening in…" I ran a hand through my hair, "It's partly that. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. But it's so much more than just…"

"A nostalgia boner?"

My eye twitched. "...Sure. That."

He grinned. "Weeeellll, it's a good thing Kirisaki ain't your type!" he sat up, "A ton of guys wanna ask her out. She's crazy popular, man."

"Who she goes out with isn't my business," I stretched out, getting the feeling back in my legs, "They better not hurt her though."

Oh, who am I kidding? If all the guys see in her is a hot bod, she'll be the one hurting them. See if anyone pulls that crap once the fists start flying.

"I'm not kidding when I say she's crazy popular, dude," he looked at me, "Have you heard of 'The Seven Heroines of Bonyari'?"

I briefly imagined Chitoge in a witch's hat. "I've heard of it, but I'm not sure exactly what it is. I figure it's pretty self-explanatory?"

"They're already calling her a candidate! Kirisaki! On her second day of school!" he flopped back on the ground, "People are saying she's a shoo-in to replace Gotou-senpai when she graduates next year. Just 'cause she's a foreigner! You believe that!?"

Ah. Roxanne-Kyouko Gotou (not to be confused with our teacher, Kyouko Hihara) was a second-year. She was a foreigner, like Chitoge, from America, like Chitoge, and from California… unlike Chitoge. Chitoge was from North Carolina, I think. She was also half-Japanese, born to an American mother and a Japanese father. Roxanne always scored scarily low on exams though. But apparently she was insanely hot.

"They say this year of freshman show a lot of promise!" Shuu continued, "Onodera is set to replace Saegusa-senpai too! Talk about a 'next generation'!"

Hikari Saegusa was also a second-year, and the president of the gardening club. Her country background left a personality and demeanor not too far off from Kosaki's. She was a tad more clumsy, if you could believe that.

And yes, I had heard of these girls before. They were in the databooks too, I think.

"They're calling them, 'The Ones Who Surpass Their Seniors'," he made air quotes, "Or, 'Gekokujou' for short. They already made a name! Kirisaki's transfer is a huge deal!"

Buddy, you have no idea.

"Gekokujou, huh?" I looked over at Chitoge and Kosaki chatting, as the girls finished their exercise, "Fitting name. I like it."

The Ones Who Surpass Their Seniors.

To 'surpass' those that came before. To begin from the same position as their predecessor… and to outshine them. To do better, in any way you can.

Idly, I raised an open palm to the sky… and wrapped a fist around the sun.

I guess I'm a Gekokujou too.


"Something's been bothering me."

Kosaki looked over at the girl who'd spoken. "What is it, Ruri-chan?"

It was after school now, and the classroom was empty. Onodera was on class duty with Itano, but the boy had gone off alone to deliver some paperwork to the office. Ruri had swim team, but decided to hang back after the bell had rung. Practice didn't start for another half-hour, so she was helping Kosaki sweep the floor.

"Like you said earlier: now that the initial shock has worn off, I'm starting to think more clearly about what happened…" Ruri leaned against her broom, "And something doesn't add up."

Kosaki stopped sweeping too. "What is it?"

"...Why did he tell you this?" she pondered, "Not that you didn't have a right to know, but why? Why now? If he had known you were his childhood friend all this time, why did he choose now of all times to tell you? He's known you for three years."

"Oh…" Kosaki hummed, "Maybe he thought I remembered, when I didn't? It's probably just a misunderstanding."

"...For three years? I doubt it," she countered, "...Although, he's not exactly forward when it comes to stuff like this… He's had a crush on you for three years, and he never made a single move..."

Ruri looked pointedly at her best friend. "You're not much better, there."

The girl deflated. "R-Ruri, please…"

"Wait, what did you say? A crush? Three years?"

The girl blinked. Was she serious? "Your birthday's June 15th, right? You weren't born yesterday?"

Ignoring the jab, Kosaki looked up at the ceiling and sighed airily. "Haa… You know, you don't have to make up things to make me feel better. I know Raku doesn't have a crush on me."

Ruri looked like she wanted to strangle her friend for her naivete. She refrained though.

"He must've realized I didn't remember a while ago… probably during middle school," Onodera thought aloud, "And he told me now because Chitoge-chan was transferring in. That's all it is."

"But it's so sweet…" she sighed happily again, "He knows her so well, even after ten years apart. He described her so vividly, it was like he saw her yesterday!"

Oh?

"That's strange," Ruri muttered, "You told me Kirisaki doesn't remember him. That means she hasn't seen him since then, right?"

"Huh? Oh… I guess so," Kosaki tapped her chin in thought, "But maybe she just hasn't changed? It's not too weird."

Ruri sighed. "Your faith in Ichijou is absolute…"

"B-But!" Kosaki waved her hands, "I… I know he's been acting different. He says he knows it too. I think it's that honesty that keeps me from worrying."

So he knows he's changed? Interesting.

"...It's worth keeping in mind," Ruri got back to sweeping, "I'm not saying he's on thin ice or anything, but asking 'why?' every now and then couldn't hurt."

"It's not like the changes are bad either," her glasses fell down her nose a bit, at the angle of her head, "You're friends now. You're finally past the 'acquaintance' phase, and it only took you a thousand days. Congrats."

Kosaki pouted. "I'm glad we're closer… We can see each other more often this way. He even got a job in my store, so I'll see him on the weekends now. Mom likes him too! A little too much, actually..."

. . .

"Ichijou goes to your house on the weekends?"

"Well, he hasn't started yet, but—"

The glasses-wearing swimmer pinned Kosaki to the wall in a blur. The brooms clattered to the floor, forgotten.

"...And you forgot to mention this why?"

"I-I-I told you I wasn't sure!" Onodera fidgeted, knowing what was coming next, "I didn't know if I wanted to date or be friends! So, please don't! Spare meeeee—!"

That answer wasn't enough to stop the tickling that followed. Ruri was the type, apparently. Kosaki had fallen over in laughter, and Ruri pursued, her hands snaked under the girl's shirt for better contact.

…!

The door slid open to reveal Itano, who dropped the empty folder in surprise. The two girls stared up at him from their new position on the floor, caught like a deer in the headlights.

"...Sorry to intrude."

He promptly shut the door.

A new rumor spread around campus. That for the boys, Raku Ichijou was the least of their problems... and for the girls, to never be alone in a room with Ruri Miyamoto.

Of course, Shuu let that one spread like wildfire.