The final bell rings, signaling the end of another school day. Students pour into the hallways, their chatter filling the air. As usual, you gather your things quietly and head for the exit, weaving through the crowd with your typical low-profile demeanor. You push through the main school gate, ready to begin your usual walk home.

Just as you step onto the sidewalk, a figure darts in front of you, blocking your path. It's Kaori. Her chestnut brown hair sways with the movement and her peach cardigan is tied loosely around her shoulders. She's slightly out of breath, as if she ran to catch you, and a shy, hopeful grin plays on her lips.

"Ah! Wait up!" She clasps her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels. Her chocolate brown eyes are bright and a little nervous. "Do you... do you have free time right now? Like, after school?"

You simply nod, your expression as neutral as ever. Kaori's grin widens, becoming impossibly bright. She claps her hands together softly. "Really? That's great! So, um... since you're free... do you wanna go play? Not like a—not like a date or anything! Just... as friends! With friends! Yeah." She adds the last part quickly, her cheeks flushing a deep rosy pink.

She looks down, scuffing the toe of her loafer against the pavement. After a moment of silence from you, she peeks back up at you, her expression a mixture of hope and anxiety. When you accept, her face lights up with pure joy.

"Yatta! Okay! Let's go to the arcade! It'll be fun, I promise!"

Twenty minutes later, you're bathed in the neon glow of the local arcade. The air is filled with the cacophony of electronic sounds and game music.

Kaori is fiercely concentrating on a Tekken match, her tongue poking out slightly from the corner of her mouth. Her character falls to the ground in defeat. Again.

"Agh! No way! How did you do that?!" This makes ten losses in a row. She slumps back against the machine, puffing out her cheeks in a pout.

She turns to face you, crossing her arms over her chest. Her expression is one of utterly cute, mock fury. "You're too good at this! It's not fair! Are you even having fun just crushing me over and over?" She tries to maintain her angry facade, but a small, impressed smile breaks through her pout as she lightly punches your arm.