(Makoto's PoV)

"So it's not a date?" Kirigiri asked.

"It's not a date! How many times do I have to tell you?!" I cried, a bit embarrassed.

I have been talking with Kirigiri for a while and I brought up that I was going to hang out with Fujisaki tomorrow.

"Sorry for assuming but your tone felt a bit...how do I say this? Dreamy? Distracted? Distance? Wispy? Something among those feelings when you were talking about you hanging out with Fujisaki," Kirigiri explained, shutting her book.

"Those aren't even on the same level!" I cried.

I lean back on my chair that I was currently sitting on.

"Hey can I ask you a question?" I asked.

"You may," Kirigiri replied.

"It's regarding soulmates. Can you have feelings towards someone even if they aren't your soulmate?" I asked.

"That's a weird question," Kirigiri noted.

"I just want to know. That's all," I said.

Kirigiri thought about it for a bit.

Eventually...

"I believe it's possible. I recall some instances where someone would gain feelings towards someone who isn't their soulmate. There are some cases where that person would get their heartbroken or their string shifts," she explained.

"Their string shifts?" I asked, tilting my head to one side confused.

"It's rare but not unknown. There has been a lot of recordings where someone's string shifts," Kirigiri said.

"Ah, I see," I said.

"Hey where's Aoi?" Kirigiri asked.

"Outside, eating a doughnut. She texted me about how she finally found her soulmate," I explained.

"Looks like love is in the air," Kirigiri teased, giving a faint smile.

"Pfft, yeah right," I rolled my eyes.

"So what are you planning on doing when you hang out with Fujisaki?" Kirigiri asked.

"That I have no clue. I don't even know what she likes and what to talk about," I said.

"Then try to find out her interests and build off from there to see what to talk about," Kirigiri explained, picking up a different book.

"Her interests?" I asked.

"You got to start somewhere," Kirigiri flipped a page in her book.

I stood up immediately at this.

"You're right. I have to start somewhere. I'll go ask Owada, he'll know!" I said and ran off to find him.

It took a while to look for him but I eventually found him in his dorm. It looked like he was reflecting on something hard.

"Hey uh Owada, can I speak with you for a bit?" I asked.

"Hmm? Oh sure dude," he said, getting up from his bed where he was sitting on.

"So I'm hanging out with Fujisaki tomorrow and I want to know what she likes. Like her interests," I explained.

Owada's brow furrowed when the word 'she' but relaxed as quickly as he could that someone would have been super observant to notice it.

"Chihiro mainly did indoor things as a child such as reading, baking and programming. She really likes adventure books so try bringing up an interesting series that appeals to her. You could talk to her about programs that she did or rather is planning on doing," he explained.

"Adventure books? I may know a series or two. Thanks, that was easier than I thought," I said.

I waved goodbye and was just about to leave but Owada stopped me.

"Hey I know you're a good dude and all but I have to give you a small warning. Just don't try to hurt hi- her I mean. Chihiro has been through a lot and was the most happiest with her parents and my gang. She does seem to be opening up and becoming stronger though so I'm not super worried but I'm just warning you," he explained.

"I- ok," I said, softly.

I shortly left after that.

Not the best response but how was I supposed to respond to that?

I closed the door to my dorm and sat down on my bed, reflecting what I just heard.

It seems like Fujisaki was affected by something in her childhood. But what was it exactly? I wondered.

I didn't want to push for information until Fujisaki was comfortable with sharing that information with me but that didn't stop me from being curious and wondering these things.

I lay on my back, arms behind my head, staring at the ceiling.

What's this feeling? Why do I feel so lightheaded?

Most people are probably going to scream at me and say that it's love but nobody falls in love in a week especially since those two (maybe more) people haven't talked to each other as much. Unless it's like love at first sight.

Well, I thought as I rolled onto my side, guess I'll go through this tomorrow and see if I can figure this out by then.

I felt a small buzz from my phone and grabbed it from my pocket to see who was it from.

It was from Komaru.

Chat with EggSister 🥚

EggSister

Ok but like Toko is so cute

Me

Komaru, why are you telling me this?

EggSister

Uhh whoops

I meant to sent that to Yuta

Sorry

Me

So hit it off well with Fukawa?

EggSister

Yep

It went surprisingly well

Me

That's good

I was worried that there would be a misunderstanding between you two

EggSister

Yeah

So are you free tomorrow after school?

Me

Sorry no

I'm hanging out with a classmate of mine

EggSister

Ohoho, who?

Me

You probably don't know her but her name is Chihiro Fujisaki

EggSister

Nice

So you are just hanging out or is it a date 👀

Me

KOMARU!!!!

IT'S NOT A DATE!

EggSister

Ok ok I was just joking

I just find it funny that we both came out as bi at the same time when we were in middle school

Me

Yeah and how I was freaking out that our parents wouldn't accept us but they did

EggSister

Yeah we sure were lucky (haha pun :3)

I'll be leaving you alone now. Bye bye big brother 👋

Me

Bye sis

I turned off my phone and carefully tossed it onto my nightstand.

I got back onto my back and stared at the ceiling. I was at peace in my own little world.

But then conflicting thoughts crawled onto my brain, polluting it.

It was mainly what I was thinking beforehand.

I shook my head to wave them off.

Hopefully the next day would be calmer and I can figure this out. I'll ask Aoi for some advice after I hang out with Fujisaki.

A/N: a little shorter shorter this time.

Yeah this took a while but I finally updated this so yeah

Cya in the next one -Flare