Kotoko has gotten even worse! She talks about Naoki on the phone. It seems that after her friends visited, Kotoko has gotten less reserved and more annoying.

Her friends are easy to hate as well, mainly because they're just as stupid as Kotoko is. Yuuki supposes it makes sense; there is no way Kotoko would be friends with someone smarter than her.

Like Naoki. There is no reason that Kotoko should even entertain the idea of any relationship with Naoki.

So then, why is Kotoko blabbering about him over the phone?

He tries to ignore it, but he can't sleep with someone squealing in the middle of the night. She's never spoken this long on the phone before, and especially never about Naoki. Truthfully, Yuuki had thought it was supposed to be a secret, the fact that Kotoko is staying at their house.

Apparently not. The more the merrier, Mama had said, squealing as she let almost everyone in Kotoko's class into their house. Yuuki was appalled, had locked himself in his room for the remainder of the evening.

Imagine! Strangers overtaking your own home!

Kotoko is just terrible at keeping secrets, Yuuki supposes, but that is not an explanation for her current behavior. He can hear her muffled laughter right now actually, as he lays on his mattress, dark red blanket up to his chin.

It is really strange. Yuuki wonders whether or not he should tell Naoki that Kotoko has a very large crush on him.

Yuuki has figured it out, had known it for a while now, actually.

Perhaps Naoki is already aware of Kotoko's feelings. Most likely. Kotoko isn't exactly…subtle with her feelings, now that Yuuki reconsiders everything.

Of course, it's only because Naoki is amazing at everything. Naoki is super smart, good-looking, tall, and good at everything. Of course people would like him, even in that like-like crush-y way.

It is only natural, to be expected.

Still.

Kotoko?

In Yuuki's mind, she is even more stupid now, thinking that someone like Naoki would reciprocate her feelings. It is hilarious the longer he thinks about it; he cannot even begin to fathom her thought process, if there was any.

Yuuki finds out that Kotoko speaks about Naoki a lot, especially to those two annoying girls. Her friends must really have no life if they are content with this, are content with entertaining Kotoko's stupid fanatical antics.

Still. Yuuki cannot lie to himself. It is annoying as it is…interesting. He is just curious.

So, whenever she starts giggling over the phone, Yuuki instinctively strains his ears, starts listening in. She doesn't talk about Naoki often, no, but the few times that she has, Yuuki has learnt to expect a slew of loud giggling as an indicator.

Tonight is one of those nights, it seems. When does Stupid Kotoko go to sleep? It is quite late, and they both have school tomorrow.

Yuuki should also be fast asleep, like Naoki is. He can hear Naoki's even breathing even now. Naoki has been asleep for a while now.

Yuuki sighs.

He can't help it, his bed is right next to her wall. It's not his fault she's so loud. It's not his fault at all. Yuuki is just trying to sleep. Annoying Kotoko is the one making everything difficult.

Tonight, Yuuki finds out that Kotoko really does like Naoki. Strongly. She doesn't even use the word 'like' when she talks about her feelings for him anymore; she says love.

"I love him," she's saying, and her voice is surprisingly loud. It's like a declaration. She is so passionate about all the wrong things.

How is she not embarrassed?

Yuuki himself is embarrassed for her. It is mortifying to listen to Kotoko talk about his brother like this, especially when she thinks the thin wall between their rooms is a sufficient border.

It is, evidently, not.

At least when Kotoko is around Yuuki, she hides her feelings for Naoki. Sure, she does a terrible job of it, but then again, Kotoko is bad at everything.

This all might prove useful, however. She thinks she's being sneaky, but in reality, Yuuki already knows all the things she's said about Naoki.

He vows to devise a plan. A revenge plan, of some sorts. It will be fun.

For now, however, Yuuki will continue to listen in. He's too tired to come up with a plan.

"I really do…him…but he's always…even when I…he keeps behaving differently."

Yuuki can only hear bits of the conversation. He needs to hear more.

Yuuki holds his breath, closes his eyes. He can't see the flicker of Naoki's alarm clock anymore. It is good. The brain cannot completely focus on two things at once, especially when it comes to one's sensory issues.

Yuuki finds it easier to focus this way, with only his ears.

"It's like it's not…it's just going nowhere," she sighs, heavily. "He keeps changing."

Naoki? Changing? Absurd. Naoki would never change for Kotoko. This is who Naoki has always been. Perhaps Kotoko is misinterpreting his behavior. That is most likely it. Kotoko cannot read social clues. Only Kotoko would be stupid enough to believe that Naoki's (rightfully) rude behavior actually results in his 'attraction' to her.

Mama thinks the same way, believes in the same theory. Yuuki sighs.

"No, he doesn't… he's always mean…I give up."

Yuuki flips away from the wall, shuffling underneath his covers when he hears Kotoko's room door open suddenly. He gasps into his pillow, exhaling and inhaling. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath for that long, wonders if he's being too loud.

Yuuki lifts his head up from his pillow, ignoring the way the loud scratchy noises of his movements bother his ears. He's got to check if Naoki's awake, so he peeks his head up a little bit, squints in the dark room.

Yuuki can just barely make out Naoki's outline, curled in his own bed.

Good. Naoki has not moved from his previous position. Naoki is asleep.

Yuuki lays back down on his pillow, relieved. All is well.

His heart pounds heavily against his chest, beating faster than usual.

Is Kotoko really going to give up on Naoki?