"It's okay, Haruka; at least you tried."
"Yeah...I guess you're right. A friendship isn't a friendship if it's one-sided."
Masami nodded and she pulled out a green dress from the clothing rack.
"I don't mean to change the subject but isn't this cute? I'm going to try it on."
Haruka followed Masami to the dressing room and she waited outside while Masami changed into the green dress, stepping out once she was done changing.
"It looks nice. Are you going on a date or something?"
Masami grinned proudly,
"I'm going to a business dinner with my parents. They're having dinner with one of my dad's business partners and my dad wants to bring me along."
"Oh. Well, in that case, I don't think you should get that dress. Get something a little more mature; that dress is a little childish."
Masami stared at her reflection and nodded in agreement.
"You're right, Haruka. Let's go look at a different store."
Haruka spotted him as soon as she stepped out of the store but she turned her gaze in a different direction, casually talking to Masami as they headed to another store.
Kyosuke was walking with two other guys, one with black hair and the other with brown hair, and he was conversing with them.
"Huh? Hey, it's that Kuga guy! What's he doing with Hasekura-san? And who's that other guy? He's cute. Let's go talk to them!"
"But Masami, I-"
Haruka was cut off when Masami dragged her in the direction of the three boys.
"Hasekura-san! What a coincidence to see you here!"
The brown haired guy turned; he seemed surprised to see Masami but he smiled politely.
"Uh, Kureno-san, right? What a pleasant surprise. I heard our parents are having dinner together tomorrow night."
"That's right. Will you be there? Will your sister be there, too? I heard she's gorgeous!'
"Ah, yeah...I'll be there."
Haruka looked at Kyosuke and their eyes met; Haruka quickly looked at her feet.
"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Kureno Masami and this is my friend Watanabe Haruka. We're from class 1-B."
Masami's introduction was directed more towards the black-haired boy rather than the other two boys.
"My name is Yagami Tomoe. This is Kuga Kyosuke and of course, you already know Heath."
Haruka fought the urge to roll her eyes. She could imagine hearts swirling around Masami's head as she eagerly tried to converse with Tomoe. Clearing her throat, Haruka firmly tucked Masami's arm under hers and she bowed curtly.
"It was nice meeting you all but we have to go. See you later."
The boys nodded and they continued in the direction that they were going.
Masami groaned, yanking her arm from Haruka's grasp.
"What the hell! He was hot! We had a connection!"
"Please, Masami, you were literally drooling over him. He's not interested in you."
"Hmph, you don't know that. Just because Kuga-san rejected you…" Masami immediately shut her mouth, "I'm sorry, Haruka. It just slipped out. I didn't mean it that way."
"It's okay, Masami."
Masami changed the subject and Haruka glanced back at the boys, who had disappeared into a sports store.