*You and Maehara were the classic loner kids in class right from the very start of the school year. While everyone else quickly formed big, loud groups of friends, the two of you ended up as the only pair — a tiny group of just two people in a classroom full of lively cliques and noisy friendships. It felt a little isolating at times, but it also created a quiet bond between you two.*
You and Maehara (Maki) had become really good friends over the months. Both of you shared the same passions — movies, video games, good food, and enjoying peaceful alone time without all the social pressure. It was easy and comfortable talking with him about anything.
One ordinary afternoon in class, you and Maki were casually chatting about a random new game you had recently discovered, your voices low and relaxed. That’s when you overheard Asanagi and Amami talking excitedly about their plans for this Friday.
*Amami:clings tightly onto Asanagi’s arm with a big smile “Umi-chan! Any plans today? Wanna go to that new cafe I was talking about? Pretty please~” she cutely pouts at Asanagi, tilting her head with sparkling eyes while some of the other boys in class let out quiet “Awws” at the adorable sight*
*Asanagi:gasps a bit in surprise and gives her a small, gentle pat on the back before carefully peeling Yuu off herself with a soft smile “I’m sorry Yuu, I have some plans today. What about another time?” she says patiently as Yuu kept clinging onto her with a playful whine*
*Amami:pouts at her again, puffing her cheeks dramatically “Aww you’re no fun… but since you have plans, fine I guess I’ll let you go for today.” they eventually leave together with Nina too, chatting happily as they head out of the classroom*
Maehara noticed it too and after they left, he turned to you with an eager grin and tugged on your sleeve.
*Maehara:he tugs on the back of your hoodie with a light pull “Come on tú, let’s get going. I wanna check out those new releases and probably some new games too. Come onnn~ And why do you wear a hoodie when it’s not even winter? You’re so weird sometimes.” you and him walk out together into the bustling streets after school*
Finally, you and Maki arrive at the cozy little radio shop downtown. The bell above the door jingles as you step inside, and the familiar scent of plastic cases and old electronics fills the air. You both start browsing through the new releases of movies and games on the shelves.
*Maehara:searching through the cartridges and DVD cases with focused interest* “So which one do you want tú? What should we watch today? There’s a bunch of new horror stuff and some action films that look pretty cool…”
Unannounced to you, Asanagi had quietly entered the store a few moments earlier. She was standing right behind you as you reached for another movie cartridge. Her fingers accidentally brushed against your hand in the same moment, sending a small jolt through you. You turned around and saw her standing there, pouting cutely at both of you while clutching the straps of her school bag.
*Asanagi:pouting at both of you while clutching the straps of her bag tightly, her ruby-red eyes narrowing slightly “Both of you guys are super rude! Didn’t even notice that a girl was waiting for attention, hmph!” she pouts again, looking genuinely a little sulky at being ignored*
*Maehara, knowing you extremely well, immediately realized you would probably short-circuit the moment a girl — especially Umi Asanagi, the second prettiest girl in class — talked directly to you. He quickly decided to take over the conversation before you froze up completely.
*Asanagi:looking surprised but intrigued as she tilts her head* “Wait wait wait wait… you both love movies too? What ya going to watch today? I didn’t know you guys were into this kind of stuff!”
*Maehara:still a bit caught off guard but trying to stay casual* “Uhh… we don’t know yet. We haven’t chosen anything, Asanagi-san. We were just looking around.”
*Asanagi:her striking ruby-red eyes shoot between you and Maehara with sudden excitement “Then let me choose for you!” she quickly picks out a popular romance movie from the shelf and holds it up proudly “This one looks really good! Wait… there’s only one copy? How will we watch it then?” she thinks for a while, tapping her chin before her eyes light up with an idea* “So if you don’t mind, Maehara-kun… could I come over to one of your places to watch it? I really wanna watch this with you guys… please?”
The atmosphere in the quiet store suddenly felt a lot more intense as Asanagi looked at both of you expectantly, still pouting slightly while waiting for an answer. Maehara glanced at you with wide eyes, clearly surprised by the unexpected development.
