Takeru's POV:

After seeing my neighbor friend Yumika dance gracefully at the arcade, it's time to treat her with something that will energize her.

"Good afternoon! Come on in!"

I pass into a nearby restaurant...some waitress at the door greet us first thing upon entering.

"Takeru, you should be in the line for me."

"Hu-huh?! Wha-why me?!" I feel a bit distressed in Yumika's directive.

"Well...how will start a new life here in the city if you can't place an order in the restaurant. Come on, I won't be that bad! Hehehe!"

Before I could refute back, Yumika giggled and already placed an order to relay to the counter.

"Alrighty, I will have fried chicken with gravy, rice and rinks, okie? I'll leave to you what you want to eat."

Yumika then gave me the money and immediately walks away to find a place where you could eat later.

I stared at the menu in front of the counter. Something in that menu has caught my attention...it's a spicy hotdog in a bun. I didn't hear the word "spicy" back in my town...nor I didn't know what a spicy food taste like. Perhaps I would like to try it.

"Hello and welcome, sir. What would you like to order?" A attendant in the counter asks me.

"Oh! I would like to order two meals of fried chicken, rice, softdrinks and sundae...as well as an order of spicy hotdog in a bun."

Immediately after placing some orders, I hand over the payment to the counter attendant.

"Thanks for ordering! Please come again!"

In a few moments, a rack containing my orders have arrived. After getting chopsticks and small knife to cut the chicken to small parts, I bring our food to the table, where Yumika is waiting for me.

Yumika's POV:

"The people here's very nice." Takeru tells me. "They patiently wait for their turn to order. In my town, oftentimes they lost their patience and they have no time to think about...since they claim that they have no time at all."

"Well...I told you that city life is different than your town, right?" I winked at him...and then I noticed something. "Wait! Is that a sundae?! Yaay! That's my favorite! I didn't know that you have a sweet tooth! Thank you, Takeru-kun! Hehehe!"

Activating my own sweet tooth, I quickly indulged myself to the small cup of sundae as my appetizer...ehehehe...and I finished it in less than a minute...much to the astonishment of my neighbor friend.

"Thanks for the food!"

We enjoyed the meal...just enough to refill my energy to keep Takeru in company in the afternoon.

Within moments, we almost finished our scrumptious lunch...except for a hotdog sandwich left in Takeru...

"Oh, Takeru-kun. May I ask what is that left in your tray?" I ask him anyway. "Is that a hotdog sandwich?"

"Why, yes. Do you want to eat this with me?"

"Really? Okie. Thanks! Hehehe!"

We decided to split the hotdog sandwich into two so we could enjoy this delicious food...

I took some bites...and then I felt something in my mouth...something stinging...my tongue then begins to feel hot...and hotter...and hotter...until...

"EEEEEEK!!! It's hot! It's hot! Wa-water, please? EEEEEEK!!!"

I scrambled to get something to cool down...I tried to drink my glass of softdrink...but it didn't work...then I saw Takeru's sundae, still untouched. I shouldn't mess with this since I have finished eating mine...but my mouth is too hot to endure! I really have no choice...but to dig in...

"...munch...munch..." I was only supposed to eat the half of Takeru's ice cream but...it's not enough to take on the spiciness of the meal...

"...munch...munch...munch...huh?" Little did I noticed...that I've already scooped up all what is left of his sundae.

"Oh! Geez! I'm so sorry!!!" My face blushed as I apologize to him. "I di-didn't meant to ru-ruin your lunch but I just can't take it!"

But instead of feel pity, comfort me and forgive me for what I've done, Takeru just laughed at me! As if he's making fun of me and mock me! He was able to brave that spicy hotdog sandwich, leaving me suffering...

"HMM!!! Takeru-kuuun!!! HMPH!!!" I pouted and turned my back on him.

"Huh? Yumi-chan? Why are you angry at me?"

"Hmph! You're not considerate about me! You're not sensitive! You just left me to burn my tongue with that stupid order of yours!" Then, I suddenly say some fiery words at him. "I thought that you're my friend?!"

Takeru went silent after that...and then...

"...sniff...sniff..." He begins to sob, as if he was just scolded by his mother.

"Oh! No! No! No! Please don't cry! I didn't meant to say that!" My mood quickly changed as I rush to his aid.

"Re-really?"

"Yes. Takeru. But...why didn't you tell me that your hotdog sandwich is spicy, you sneaky friend?" Then, I patted his head to cheer him up.

"Umm...for me, you're a tough girl...I know that you can handle the spice...I don't even know how what that spicy flavor is...but I was wrong..."

I take a deep sigh upon hearing this...I feel ashamed for scolding him...knowing that he's just getting started with his life here in the city...but look at me...perhaps I'm like one of those who bullies Takeru back in his town.

"I'm really sorry for what I've said, Takeru. Perhaps the spicy food makes me said those flared words..." I smile to cheer him up. "I'm sorry also because I really don't like spicy food...you should've been given more sweet stuff...I have a sweet tooth, you know? Hehehe!"

"Well, you finished two sundaes, including mine."

"Hehehe! My bad!" I scratched my head in embarrassment. "Okay, to make it up to you, I'll take you to a nearby theme park. You can take any ride that you want. I promise that I will not be angry whatever you choose. Is that a deal?"

"Yes, Yumi-chan. It's a deal."

Takeru then takes me out of the restaurant...and into the place we agreed upon.

Suddenly, deep inside...I started to form feelings on Takeru. I know it's just a week since I started to befriend my neighbor friend grown up from town...but I started to get know him...even he would be my rival in Hoshizora Academy...he is so kind to me...

I think that the strange feeling that I have on the first time we've met...is not just random feeling or a coincidence.

He's more than a friend for me...

I feel crush on him...