Wow, it sure is quiet here, I think to myself, yawning at the orange and red-dyed river bank. Who knew that water could look so pretty depending on the time of day?

I look around absently at my surroundings. It was quaint, and there were plenty of trees and bushes to take your attention away from the houses in the area. Since coming to Kitauji, I've passed by this river bank a lot, but I never really took the time to come here by myself. Well, I came here with stupid Shuichi once to talk about Taki-sensei, but does that really count? No, I don't think it does. Plus, while we were talking…

Kousaka-san came by. She scolded us for bad-mouthing him, and I couldn't shake that impending feeling of regret for the rest of the night, including the days after. I just, I can't help but always feel like I'm doing something wrong when it comes to her! I don't know what it is, and it's just so frustrating! I mean, why is it that I can't even bring myself to talk with her easily? She's a classmate, a classmate that I sort of had a weird falling-out with in middle school, but…

Was that really a falling-out? I mean, we never talked much before, and it just so happens that I was next to her while she was crying about our placement, so.. What the heck is it then, that makes me so nervous!?

I pout inwardly, bringing my knees to my chest. I'm sitting on a slight hill right now, so anyone that happened to be lower on the hill of the river could probably see underneath my skirt, but I don't think there's anyone here. It's really lonely, even right after school. I'm trying to contemplate the answer of the question that's always running through my head, but I get distracted by the soft feel of the grass, and the gentle breeze that tickles my cheek. I let out a breath and look up at the violet-tinged sky. It.. It really is a nice day, I sort of wish, that maybe, I could spend it with—

"Oumae-san."

A jolt runs through me as I spin around to find the source of the voice. No.. There's that feeling of impending regret again. That feeling of unrivaled nervousness and the feeling that I'm going to mess up everything I say.. There's only one person could call out to me as a statement rather than a question—!

"K-Kousaka-san!?"

Aaaand there she is. Standing at the top of the grassy knoll, the wind fluttering through her skirt, drawing my eyes to her—

I struggle to bring my eyes back up to hers. "I didn't notice you there, ahaha…" Oh god. I'm awkward I'm awkward I'm awkward.

But she replies earnestly. "I just got here. No need to worry." She looks around momentarily and walks a little ways down the hill, and I'm still watching her intently as she sits down next to me. "Are you here by yourself?"

"Yeah. I thought it was a nice place to think, so I just sort of ended up here." I wait for an answer that never comes. What is it with her and not answering me!?

We're not doing anything. We're not even doing anything and I can feel my heart race by her presence alone. She's looking toward the bridge that overlooks the river, up at the trees that hang over the passage.. It looks like she's enjoying the view which is freaking great because all I'm worried about is how to talk to her. This nervous feeling is weighing down on me, and I'm sure she doesn't even notice the tension and I just, I have to say something before I explode.

"I, um, I'm glad we ended up at the same school."

. . . SIGH.

But she looks at me with a face I've never seen her make before. It's one of surprise, but a.. A really calm type of surprise? Her eyes widened slightly, but they don't tell me shocked.

They tell me relief.

Against the orange glow of the sunset reflecting on the river, her eyes are shining brilliantly and I don't think I could pull away for that one moment, even if I wanted to.

Her eyes make me happy.

She smiles and turns her attention back to the bridge, bringing her hand up to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. I feel really embarrassed, and I wanted to say something—

Until I felt contact on my left pinky.

At this point I sincerely hope it's a bug or animal or something because the only other option would lead me into cardiac arrest. But, as the blush I wore for a while reddens, I shift my eyes down to find that she has her own pinky over mine.

It's.. It's such a small gesture, but this was Kousaka-san we were talking about. For all I know, she could hate me! But instead, as I try to focus past my heart beating out of my ears, our hands stay like that for a long time.

And boy, was it torture.

But it was over soon enough. Before I could form any sort of feasible thought as to.. Well, why, this happened, she stood up and brushed her skirt free of any grass.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Oumae-san. Please get home safely."

I hate to see her go, but I reluctantly tell her, "Y-You too. See you tomorrow." And I watch her leave, the feeling of regret subsiding within me.

Once she was gone, I bring my pinky up closer to my face to inspect it. Like she was going to somehow leave a mark or something. I bite my lip and bury my face into my hands, groaning and shaking my head.

"Wh—.. What was that all about!?"

a/n: expect kousaka to be a lil shit in this series of drabbles. like, i have a gut feeling like she's secretly just a lil shit.