(A/N) How does everyone (who actually reads this) feel about.. y'know... "touchy feely lovey-dovey scenes"? Like if future chapters included "romantic contact" between two characters, what are the limitations of comfort and excitement here?

Also I've finished all of my busy stuff so I promise to update more now :D

School had ended early after the incident, and it was now Thursday. Ayato didn't really have anything planned for the day, seeing as he spent the rest of his evening listening to Kokona's schemes and ideas. After warning her time and time again not to act too quickly on the information he had given her, he was pleased to see that rumors had already spread like a wildfire overnight.

He'd barely managed to walk through the doors and he was already hearing whispers about how Osana was the main culprit behind it all.

"Of course!" Ayato heard Junzo announcing in the halls. "The killer was just another victim!"

He overheard another group of students talking about how they heard that she sold panty shots and dated older men for money. He even got told a story of how she was apparently a transferred delinquent who got kicked out of her old school for murder.

Ayato sat outside, watching Taro read by the fountain, when he felt a small tap on his shoulder. He glanced behind him.

Kokona stared at him with doey eyes and a winey expression. "I swear I only told like.. three people. I don't know how this happened! Are you mad?"

Ayato shrugged. "I'm fine. But what about Osana? Does she know you started all of this?"

"Eep! Don't say it like that," Kokona looked around. "I actually haven't seen her today. Do you think she skipped school because everyone found out?"

"Well you did post it online." Ayato said.

Kokona winced. "Anonymously."

"Either way, you managed to convince the whole school that she's some kind of cruel monster. Congratulations."

"Don't be like that," Kokona sat down next to him. "What are you doing anyways?"

"Are you changing the subject?"

She smiled, "Yep."

Kokona followed Ayato's gaze over to the fountain. "That's Taro, right?"

"Correct."

"Weren't you watching him just now?" She asked.

"I was." Ayato felt no need to deny it.

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"...That's weird," she concluded, "you're weird Ayato."

"Surely not the weirdest, though." He said.

Kokona shrugged. "You're right, I've seen weirder. What are you doing after school?"

"Why do you need to know?"

"Well…" Kokona began. "I was talking to a friend that heard from a friend who heard from a teacher who was talking to the staff who heard from the counselor who heard from another student tha-"

"Alright," Ayato sighed, "just skip to the important part."

"There's supposed to be some sort of party hosted by the drama and cooking club tonight!" Kokona bounced with excitement. "The claim that it's for fundraising purposes and such, but everyone knows better than that."

"What's your point?"

"My point is, I want you to come with me. I mean, after everything that just happened we should take this opportunity to, y'know, relax our minds and stuff." Kokona said.

Ayato didn't hesitate to respond. "No."

"What? Why not?" She whined.

"That sounds like a waste of time. Go alone."

"It'll be fuuun."

"I'm not going."

"There will be foood."

"Still not going."

"And gamess."

"Stop that."

"And cool peoplllee."

"Kokona, no."

She frowned, sticking her tongue in his direction. "You're no fun."

"I'm aware."

They sat in silence for a moment, before Kokona suddenly looked up at him, a devilish smile on her face. "I heard that Taro was going to be there."

"Kokon-" Ayato paused. "T..Taro's going?"

She nodded, getting back onto her feet. "Come back to the school gates around seven, we'll meet there."

And with that she headed back to the building, leaving Ayato alone once more.

"A party.."

Ayato had never been to a party before. Small mandatory birthdays, sure, but a real life, large-scale social event? No.

He wondered who was going to be there, and how he was going to avoid them all. He wondered if senpai would bring Osana, and how he was going to deal with it. Mostly, he wondered why that martial arts guy was watching him from afar.

Ayato stared back at him, long enough for Budo to realize that he had been caught. He stood flustered for a moment before quickly approaching.

"Uh- Hi! Hey! It may have looked like I was staring at, and or stalking you but I assure you if you let me explain-"

"What are you doing?" Ayato asked.

"Nothing much- I mean obviously I was doing something but um.. Hey Ayato! How've you been?"

"...Decent."

Budo smiled nervously. "Really? That's good."

Ayato concluded that everyone here was a nuisance. If he could sit alone in peace and admire his beloved from afar, what was the point of even staying out here anymore? Ayato stood, grabbing his belongings. "I'm going to go to class now."

"Ah wh- you're leaving?" Budo dove his hand into his pocket and presented Ayato with a long piece of fabric. "Here! Uh.. j-join the Martial Arts Club!"

Before Ayato could respond, Budo hurried back into the building, not daring to look back even once.

…

"What the hell..?" Ayato muttered.