Author Note: Ken's thoughts in italics, Ryuko's in bold

"Will not be late. Cannot be late. REFUSE TO BE LATE!"

...It was a No-Late day if you haven't already figured out. I live pretty far away so I always miss the tram, meaning I always gotta jog to school, but on those oh so special days it's a full on sprint.

"MOVE FASTER ME! YOU GOTTA WANT IT ME! GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR ME!"

I almost made it without a hitch, almost. I turned a corner expecting to see the gate to the school, but instead there was nothing but blackness as I fell to the ground. As I regained my sight I looked up to see the face of a very large and very unhappy gentleman, his outfit stained with some unknown liquid. He took a quick glance and his uniform and then looked back at me with even more displeasure if it were possible.

"Look what you just did," He said.

"Hehe I-I see," I responded.

"I happen to like this uniform, and now some midget has gone and ruined it."

"Y-Yes and I am deeply s-s-sorry."

"You're gonna pay you know that right," He said as he cracked his knuckles.

"I know."

I closed my eyes and awaited the feeling of fist to face, but I only heard it. I opened my eyes to investigate this phenomenon and discovered the large man to be no where in sight.

In his place, was her.

She stood tall with a tiny smirk on her face, the sun was at her back enveloping her and giving her a otherworldy glow. For a moment I believed she was an angel descended from heaven coming in my time of need. That idea made me speechless. As well as the fact that she was the beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I was smitten in an instant.

"Better hurry dude, you're gonna late," She said.

Her strong voice swam into my ears and sent chills all through my body. My only thought was wanting more than anything for her to softly call my name, but eventually her words truly registered and I remembered that I was on the clock. I shot up and resumed my mad dash.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH!" I said as I ran off.

Throughout the rest of the day and every day after Ryuko Matoi was the only thing on my mind.

Ken's story now finished he looked at Mako to gauge her reaction. His friends thought it weird for him to be waxing poetic about a girl he just saw, so he was intrigued about what an outside opinion would be.

For the third time today he forgot who he was talking to.

Mako was on the verge tears barely supporting her own weight, sniffling like crazy.

"So...so...so BEAUTIFUL!"

Mako proceeded to roll on the ground in a fit of loud and happy cries, adding in a couple of bounces for good measure.

"What's up with her this time?" A new voice from behind said.

"I'm...not really sure how to explain it," Ken answered.

"That's what I thought."

Ken turned to look at the third-party member only to almost lose his lunch with the revelation that the new member was none other than Ryuko.

Ryuko rubbed her chin in thought as she looked at his face. It took several seconds for realization to dawn on her face.

"Oh hey! Aren't you that one guy that almost got decked in the face for bumping into some large dude?" She asked.

She remembers me. Well, a very vague idea of me, but she remembers me.

"Haha yeah. Ken Yamada," He said as he rubbed his neck in embarrassment and extended his free hand out.

Wow, a handshake. Someone with legitimate manners.

"Ryuko Matoi, though I bet you already knew that," She said as she met him half way.

Strong, yet gentle hands.

Pretty good handshake, just the right amount of hold.

"Thanks again for what you did back then, really I mean it."

"No prob."

Modest

Sincere

"I've been wanting an excuse to punch that guy for a while."

"Why if you don't mind me asking?"

"He was one of those crazed fanboys who always claims their undying love for me."

"Oh, one of those guys. On behalf of the male race. I humbly apologize."

Those bastards don't know when to quit.

Hehe shorty's got a tongue.

"Well I guess I accept ambassador-san."

"Haha."

"Hehehe."

I was scared to death to talk to her at first, but now that fear is all gone. It's like she's somehow sucking all that fear away. I'm so comfortable around her. Chalk that up as another thing to love about her.

Finally, a normal guy I can actually talk to.

"NEW FRIEND!" Mako screamed as she pulled to two into a bear hug.

"Yep, can't explain her," Ken flatly stated.

"You get used to it," Rykuo said.

"And you'll have plenty of time to because your totally gonna be hanging out with us from now on," Mako said.

"R-Really?" Ken said in disbelief.

"Totally," Ryuko told him.

"Be warned though, being Ryuko's friend is no easy task," Mako said in a menacing manner.

"I think I'll be fine," Ken said

I'd walked through hell for Ryuko.

Jumping out of the hug Mako began to walk to her class, Ryuko following her. Before leaving Mako turned and gave Ken a knowing wink, Ryuko giving him a smile and a wave.

When the two were finally out of sight, Ken let the gravity of the situation finally sink in.

"I just befriended Ryuko Matoi, and I did it so easily. Tale that Jin! And Shinji to a lesser extent."