"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Igarashi collapsed to his knees, ruefully clasping his hand and the scissors he had formed with his fingers.

Beaming, I lifted my rock. "Better luck next time."

"Best out of three," he said.

"Nope. Pass the ice cream to its rightful owner."

Begrudgingly, he dug into the plastic bag. He surfaced the refreshment both of us were in disagreement about.

"Sena, what's wrong with your tastebuds?" he complained, frowning at the item he was left with—chocolate-covered cucumber chips. "Why do you always grab the weirdest flavours?"

My ice cream wasn't the better alternative. However, I'd rather my chances with this yakisoba-candy flavouring over whatever snack abominations Sena had snagged from the convenience store.

"Isn't it fun trying new things?" was Sena's only defence whilst nibbling on pickled-mango biscuits.

Igarashi and I shared a monotoned look.

"We're never sending you to buy refreshments again," we chorused.

"Hey," said our drummer, Yunoki, with an excited edge to his voice. "These spicy watermelon cookies aren't bad. The aftertaste is kinda refreshing."

"Seriously?" Igarashi demanded. "Pass me one."

They segued into nonchalant chitchat. As they did, I wedged myself onto the nearby desk. I unfurled the ice cream seal and took a whiff.

Yup. This was definitely yakisoba. I felt bad for my stomach, but I was famished.

Since our concert was around the corner, we were practicing around the clock. Occupying this room after school and occasional mornings had become a daily occurrence. Taking breaks, passing the time with idle conversation had also become the norm. By and by, I'd grown accustomed to hanging around these guys.

"Well, that was. . . something," I said after finishing the tiny pint. "I'm gonna head to the washroom and rinse my mouth."

Sena, the only one to hear me, saluted me off. Igarashi and Yunoki were too occupied comparing and contrasting their snacks, going so far as to try them in combination to attest to their aversion.

I slipped outside the room, sliding the door shut behind me. As I crossed through the familiar halls, I paid a glance out the window, and the torrential rainfall hitting the glass.

It'd rained a lot recently. Hopefully, it wasn't a bad omen.

We sounded good—I was confident in that. Having said that, it didn't release my nerves entirely. Every night, I imagined the worst-case scenarios, like tripping, or forgetting the lyrics, or being booed. That day of the Music Festival, I was running on anger and mainly adrenaline, so one could argue I wasn't in my right mind. Now, though, the logical part of my mind barraged me with negative thoughts.

"Why the long face?"

I flinched. Finding a grinning Igarashi was the last thing I expected. He'd followed me.

"According to others, it's because I'm tall. My body parts had no choice but to compensate."

"Sarcasm." He crossed his arms behind his head. "Should've expected that."

"Fortunately, I don't have to hold back against you."

"Then, I won't either. You're getting cold feet, aren't you?"

Like always, he saw right through me. "Stop using your alien powers to read my mind."

He sillily laughed. "Instead of dwelling on dumb concerns, you should smile like an idiot. Like you always do. Come on."

"I will not."

"Where's that cute, irresistible, angelic smile? Bring it out. I want to see it."

"Leave me alone."

"Why? I'm trying to cheer you up."

"Cheer me up like a normal person, then. 'Cute, irresistible, angelic smile,' my butt." I pouted. "Stop needlessly embarrassing me."

"You sound pretty happy."

"Am not."

"Really? I bet you're grinning like an idiot right now."

Truthfully, an unintentional grin had poked its way into my cheeks. I shielded the lower half of my face from him. "Am not."

I knew in an instant he could see through my lie. I heard his smile through his voice. "You're impossible, Kisaragi."

I could say the same about him.

"Kisa!"

The call steered my focus forward.

Banri infiltrated my vicinity in an instant, definite stars in his eyes.

"I finished with my Beautician Boyz duties as fast as I could. In order to see you. You're as radiant as ever, my goddess."

I clasped my warmed cheeks. "Calling me a goddess doesn't flatter me at all, you."

Igarashi bitterly stared him down. "Get a hobby."

"Is somebody with you, Kisa? I could've sworn I heard something but I'm afraid I can't actually see them."

"Bastard! Say that to my face!"

"I might be able to if you grew a foot or six."

Igarashi erupted like a volcano. Tuning him out, Banri took my hand.

"More importantly, Kisa. Your concert's next week, right? Please let me style you an outfit. I'll do your beauty justice."

"Are you sure have time? I heard you were busy."

"We are busy." He was tugged from the collar from behind. "Banri, stop troubling her."

The sight of Upperclassman Miyake stunned me.

"G-good afternoon," I said.

He flashed me a small smile. "You don't have to be so formal. Talk to me the same way you do this numbskull."

"I can't! You're an upperclassman!"

"As far as I'm concerned, so is he."

I stiffened. But, Upperclassman Miyake was in his third year. And Banri was. . . well, Banri.

"It's reached my ears your first official concert is coming up," he continued, now addressing both Igarashi and me. "Congratulations. You sounded spectacular at the Music Festival. Likewise, I'm sure you'll reach great heights in no time."

Igarashi and I fluttered our eyelashes accordingly.

He was so mature.

Upperclassman Issei was mature, too, but not to this level.

"Thank you!" we cried simultaneously, breaking into respective bows.

He sweatdropped. "I just said not to be formal. . ."

"How can they not, when you sound exactly like an old man." Juro Ando, another member of the BB entered the scene with a gentle smile.

Takaya Watanuki was beside him, silently observing the situation with his eyes.

"I do?" Upperclassman Miyake stroked his chin. "I was only trying to be supportive."

"You're. . . Kisaragi, right?" Upperclassman Ando said. "All the others do nowadays is talk on and on about you. You've done so much for them."

Upperclassman Watanuki signed to Upperclassman Ando, and after a brief period, addressed us.

"Taka says Banri, in particular, can learn to shut up about you," he sheepishly laughed.

"Me? Shut up? About Kisa?" Banri demanded as if the notion was blasphemous. "Takaya, are you suggesting Kisa isn't worthy to talk about? I can't let that slide. We're taking this outside."

Banri yanked him by the arm, and irrespective of Upperclassman Watanuki's thrashing, he dragged him to the nearest exit and out of sight.

"See. He's so protective of you," Upperclassman Ando drawled. "Then again, I guess that proves how much he cares about you."

Chuckling, I nodded. "I know. He can be stifling, but, I find it touching and unbearably cute."

"I find it annoying," Igarashi spat.

Both upperclassmen shared amused looks.

"Our group has gotten livelier since the day we met," Upperclassman Miyake said. "Banri puts in unbelievable effort to reach his dream. Issei's making strides toward his goal while diligently keeping up with his BB duties. Hachiko is, well, springing from the ceilings, markedly about his 'special friend.' Even Narumi's perked up; putting in the effort to get closer to us all, albeit clumsily. It may not seem like much but you've truly done a lot for them. For that, Kisaragi—from the bottom of my heart—thank you."

Indescribable warmth pooled into my chest.

Upperclassman Ando slapped his back. "What are you, their dad?"

"'Dad'? I-I didn't mean to. . ."

"Then, as the group's unofficial mother, and on behalf of Takaya, the eldest son. . ." Beaming broadly, Upperclassman Ando fixed his sea-blue eyes to me. "A great thanks as well, Kisaragi."

I'd never formally engaged with the remaining BB members; only heard casual stories here and there. However, these two, and surely Upperclassman Watanuki, cherished the members like a found family. Nevertheless, their praise and compliments weren't necessary. Because. . .

"They're the ones who've done a lot for me," I professed.

I remembered clearly those days I was constantly alone. When it felt like the world itself was against me, when my biggest belief was that my height was the harbinger of my miserable high school career. Now, my days were unbelievably euphoric and fulfilling. How tall I was didn't matter for squat. It never did.

I felt nothing but stupid looking back on my old thoughts. Then again, the reason I'd reached the point where I could was because of the people I met, and the experiences I had.

All of them. . . Every single one of them. . . I . . .

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

"To Shiina!"

"Kiharu. . . ! This is a party to celebrate the upcoming concert of the entire band!"

"Oh, right." Kiharu tossed up her cup in a toast. "To our literal queen and icon, Shiina, and Background Characters A, B, and C!"

"Someone get this girl out of here," Igarashi snapped.

Tsumugi and Upperclassman Miyake, Ando, and Watanuki did the honours escorting Kiharu out of the limelight.

Yunoki pointed to himself. "Am I 'Character A'?"

"You're 'C' if anything," Sena argued. "And I'm 'B' because I at least made an appearance in earlier chapters."

"Is that how it works? I still have a chance to redeem myself later, don't I? I can totally become someone's favourite character, right?"

"Nobody cares about us enough to waste the time."

Tears streamed down his cheeks. "I. . . I'll sue the writer."

Via the ever so cute and petite Tsumugi's request, we had decided to throw a small get-together to both congratulate our band's tiny successes and to spend time together. Kiharu implied since we hadn't had the opportunity to do so lately, it'd be fun. My family members were all out—bowling, as per Chie's request for quality bonding time—so one way or another, it was being held at my house. It was by no means spacious originally, but with everyone gathered in one place, it was especially congested. For some reason, however, it was my heart itself that was the most full.

"Kisaragi."

As I was watching what unfolded before my eyes, my reaction to the whisper was delayed. Upperclassman Issei beckoned me out of the main room and into the much quieter kitchen.

"Are you having a good time?" I asked once alone.

"I should be asking you that," he responded, his smile gentle as always. "Believe it or not, you're the one we wanted to cheer up most."

Surprise rippled through me. "Did Igarashi tell you?"

"He didn't have to. I'm sure he himself is nervous about what the future holds, too. It's during times of doubt your thoughts tend to run out of control. Knowing you, I had a feeling that was the case."

I leaned against the counter. "It's not that I don't believe we can make it—I do. It's more of a self-conscious belief that I'm not good enough yet. I never planned to pursue music; I found comfort in keeping whatever I studied as strictly that: an occasional pastime. But now that I am taking literal steps towards something concrete, it's all too nerve-wracking. I can't help but see the worst. . . If being in a band is really what I want. If I, myself, can do it. . ."

"Well, I don't think there's a proper answer for that. You'll have doubts no matter how far you go; how many steps you take."

My shoulders drooped. "How do you manage to do it, Upperclassman Issei? You can keep trying and trying for your goal even in the face of failure. Don't you ever have those worries too?"

"I do." His tone was light. "I mean, I've failed so much since I was little. Most in my shoes would've given up by now and done something more practical. I said there's no definitive answer to allay all doubts, but, there is one surefire charm to push you through despite them."

"Do you. . . mean that promise you made your little sister?"

I gandered up at him. He'd taken the spot directly in front of me.

His lips tilted slightly in response. "Of course, Inoha is a factor. Growing up, after receiving so many rejections and scorn from others, I clung to acting because I hold those memories close. But only recently have I started loving acting so much more. Nowadays, it's so fun I can't help it. I barely have time for doubts. All because of you."

My heart caught. "M-me?"

"You support my dream like it's your own. Whenever I get discouraged, you're there to silence those thoughts. You let me practice my lines on you and are patient no matter how badly I mess up. You even accompany me on auditions I end up flunking, time and time again." As he spoke, his warm stare sent tingles up my spine. "You're the charm that keeps me going. The precious reason I can keep trying."

I couldn't formulate a response.

"That's why, if you'll grant me the honour, I'll be your charm too," he said. "If you don't believe you can do it, I'll believe in you until you can. If you have doubts that you're not good enough, I'll help you silence them one by one. If it's nerve-wracking to take those steps, I'll take them with you. Just as you've supported me, I'll support you too. Then, one day, we'll take the world by storm doing what we love most. It may take a while, but it will happen. For sure."

"Upperclassman. . . Issei." Touched beyond comparison, tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

"Let us take up arms and emerge victorious." He flashed his fist, grin bright. "That sound good, Kisaragi?"

Chuckling at the familiar phrase, I nodded, mimicked his gesture and connected my knuckle to his.

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

I spotted Naru fluttering around the drink table.

Poking my head around, I spotted what had transfixed his attention; the drink in his cup.

"Why is it. . . green?" he muttered to himself, eyebrows pinched tight.

"What's wrong?" I drawled, hopping to his side.

"K-Kisaragi?" He flinched, evidently alarmed by my appearance. "N-nothing."

"You don't like melon soda?"

Strangely enough, he gained a look in his eye. "Melon. . . soda? This is?"

Stunned, I questioned, "You've never had before?"

He didn't try to deny it. "I have heard of melon bread, but I wasn't aware there was a soda alternative. I see. So that's why it's green."

I couldn't suppress a laugh.

He recoiled all anew, red engulfing his cheeks. "Wh-what? Did I say something strange?"

"Sorry. I was thinking how cute that was."

"C-c-c—"

He couldn't even say it. His next instinct was to pout.

"Stop making fun of me."

"I'm not, I'm not. I genuinely found it endearing," I protested. "Have you heard of melon tea, then?"

"Of course," he responded. "I'm not that out of touch."

"But you've never tried it before, right? Melon bread too?"

He couldn't counter.

I tittered under my breath. "Then, we should definitely go get some together."

"Huh?!" His pitch was unnaturally high.

"I think they'd be worth trying," I said, honestly. "You don't want to?"

"Th-that's not really. . ." he squeaked, nervously darting his gaze. "G-go together, as in, alone?"

"We could invite someone else, but I did mean that initially, yeah."

"B-b-but then. . . date. . ."

He was hardly audible. I was sure his eyes were spinning.

"Naru, are you okay?" I frowned. "If, um, you don't want to go with me, you can say so."

"THAT'S NOT—"

I jumped.

Flushed, he attempted again. "That's not. . . it. If you ask if I want to or not, I want to. But, but, we're a boy and girl. And going out on a day off, alone, is. . ."

His implication made my heart jump.

My entire face burned. "O-oh! I—"

Did it sound like I was asking him on a date? I mean, it wasn't my intention. I hadn't ever thought of him in that way either.

I pressed my palms to my cheeks, willing they cool my imminent blush. Not that a bashful Naru was any better.

"Me! Me! I'll come!" Hachi leaped in between us, beaming from ear to ear. "It's fine if I come too, right? I want melon bread! I love melon bread!"

His appearance was the burst of sunshine necessary to settle my nerves.

Hachi gripped my shoulders, practically hopping up and down. "I can come, can't I? Pretty please? I'll do anything!"

I forced a smile. Hachi's inability to read a mood would never change. Nevertheless, me and my heart had to thank him a bit, at least this time.

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

"Tsumugi." I snagged her sleeve. She was with Kiharu, who was currently talking the ears off Background Characters B and C.

"What's the matter, Shiina?" she asked, doe-eyed.

I scanned the room fervently. Koshiba possessively clinging to Igarashi who was keeping the third year Beautician Boyz company alongside Banri. Hachi, Upperclassman Issei, and Naru idling at the back of the room.

My face soured.

"I can't find Kamakiri," I tentatively replied. "Did he leave?"

"Kamakiri showed up?" Kiharu who eased into the conversation looked nothing but confused.

I furrowed my brows. "You're the one who invited him."

"Did I? And he actually showed up? Whatta softie." She took another gulp of what I hoped to be soda and slurred, "So, where is he?"

Tsumugi and I deadpanned.

"The last time I saw him was when he first arrived," Tsumugi said. "He could've slipped out, but I don't think so. Maybe he's in the bathroom?"

"Hellooo."

"Okay, thanks," I said. "I'll search around a bit more."

"Um. . . why're you guys ignorin' me?"

Without addressing a sullen Kiharu, I waved at Tsumugi and wandered around. He had to be here somewhere. If not where everyone else was congregated. . .

I made for the staircase. Unsurprisingly, there the guy was, seated at the topmost step, face buried in a book.

Propping my palms on my hips, I tilted my head. "Have you been here this entire time?"

He flipped a page. "That a problem?"

My mouth flatlined. Anxiously, I climbed up to be closer.

"Kamakiri, um. Are you not happy to be here?"

He lowered his novel as if he couldn't believe his ears. "I chose to come myself. Therefore, me being unhappy is pointless."

He plugged his gaze back onto the page.

"I'd have liked it if it was quieter, though. Crowds are annoying, and loud, and tiring."

Yet he was still here. . . True, Kamakiri was not the social type. He was introverted in a lot of ways. Which was why it stumped me.

"Why did you come, then?"

"What do you mean why? That friend of yours said you'd bawl if I didn't."

Kiharu. . . !

"I-I would not!" I denied, reddening.

"Even if not tears, you'd be sad, right?"

My belly flipped. I defensively squared my shoulders. "I mean, if everyone was here and you weren't, I would be. . . a bit. . ."

There was a gruelling pause.

"Do you like spending time with me that much?"

"If I didn't, I wouldn't visit you as often as I do," I replied. "Sure, hanging out with the others is livelier. But, truthfully, I'm not used to crowds. I only hung out with my childhood friend growing up so being around so many people is hard to get used to. So, whenever I do go to that room, kill time with you, it's. . . comfortable. We don't do much but I like it. I know it's the opposite for you—that I'm a constant bother."

I forced a laugh.

He reached for my wrist, shutting me right up.

"If I thought you were a bother, I wouldn't spend time with you."

My heart skipped a beat.

His grip tightened. "Do you. . . have to go back?"

I couldn't quite see his expression, but, I'd understood his silent request. Unexpected giddiness flourished within me.

I plopped onto the stair directly below him. "Not for a while."

Possibly because I'd given an immediate answer, or that I unintentionally grinned, he goggled at me longer than necessary. Then, said, "You're seriously like a dog."

My jaw collapsed.

"I am not!"

Amusement cracked his typically indifferent face. Clutching his book, he picked up where he left off.

"Don't wag your tail for anyone but me."

"W-wag my tail? I'm human! Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the one who asked me to stay!"

"When did I ask that?"

"Just now!"

I puffed my cheeks. He was so dishonest.

Yet, this was the first time he'd ever expressed his willingness to bide the time with me.

It'd taken a while, but finally, it felt like I understood Daisuke Kamakiri a tiny bit better.

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

The party dismantled around 8 PM. Koshiba, Kiharu, Tsumugi and Upperclassman Miyake, Ando, and Watanuki departed first. Background Characters B and C said their goodbyes also before turning in for the night. The others idled in the living room. I'd dragged Kamakiri downstairs after much struggle, to which Hachi glomped him in a hug. Apparently, they were friends? Hachi insisted on the notion but Kamakiri's reactions gave the exact opposite impression.

All laidback conversation was brought to a halt when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I declared, taking my leave from the group to approach the doorway.

Maybe someone had forgotten something. Could've been my family members, too.

The face I saw when I pulled open the door stole all the oxygen from my lungs.

I had to be dreaming.

I had to.

Because. . .

"Rin-Rin?"

Saying it didn't feel real.

His ear-splitting grin grounded me to reality in an instant.

"R-Rin. . ." I sputtered, tears welling in my eyes.

Igarashi, who sauntered over to investigate, blinked slowly. "Who—"

"Shii!" he shouted, barrelling toward me with extended arms.

Before I knew it, I was in his embrace. His warm, comforting hug that filled me with nothing but nostalgia.

"Rin-Rin," I said when he withdrew, craning my neck to meet his dazzling face, "what are you—"

My words were cut off. Not intentionally, of course, but because Rin-Rin's lips overlapped mine in a passionate kiss that left me limp.

Gasps consumed the room. I was too shell-shocked to process the state of those gathered. I couldn't move—think.

Most likely after realizing my shock, Rin-Rin retreated. He grinned broadly as he cupped my cheek with his hand then rested his forehead against mine.

"I missed you so much, Shii," he whispered, sincerity pooling through his tone. "I'm back!"

__________

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