I walk down the hall with my friends Thoma and Gorou as we make our way to study hall. "I heard there's a new student today." Thoma says enthusiastically, "Great, it's always good to make new friends." Gorou says happily.

"Maybe they will want to hang out with us." I nod and smile at them, "I really hope so. It'd be nice to spend some time with some other people once in while." Thoma and Gorou both pout, "Hey! We're a great company!"

I loop my arms through both of theirs, "I'm sure you are." They both start arguing but I zone out as I notice someone unfamiliar, they must be the new kid.

Thoma and Gorou stop and look to where I'm looking, They give me a weary look. Gorou speaks up, "I don't know...he seems kinda..weird."

Thoma interjects, "He gives me the creeps." I pout and pull both of their ears down so they can both hear me, "Be nice you two! I'm sure he's just trying to make a first impression!"

They both mumble, "Some first impression..."

I confidently walk up to him and extend my hand, "Hello! My name is (y/n)"

He turns around and smiles enthusiastically, "Nice to meet you! I'm Hu Tao. Say," He lowers his voice and slouches down slightly to my level so I can hear him, "I plan on going to a funeral but I have no one to go with, would you like to come? You are officially my new best friend!"

He pulls me into a hug and I tense up, he seemstoo happy to want to go to a funeral. "Uhm, no thanks but thank you for the invite? Maybe we can hang out and do something else...something more cheery...? Something not as sad?"

"Oh right! My apologies, I forgot that the funeral viewing doesn't happen until we've hung out a few more times!" I look at him dumbfounded.

"I don't think you understand-"

He cuts me off and pulls on my arm, "Show me around! I've designated you as my guide. Nice ta meetcha!"

It's been several months since Hu Tao's been at our school and let me just say, he's a handful. A bit of an oddball. Apparently, he wants to work in a morgue. Sometimes he can get a bit carried away talking about dead people and I have to pull him away.

Once he told me that when I die he will do his best to make my casquet the most beautiful. I-I don't know how to respond to that. Thank you, I guess?

"Tao, for the last time, I've already told you, you can't just say things like that! It makes people really uncomfortable, especially since you're so enthusiastic about it! Some students are afraid of you!"

He pouts, "But it doesn't make sense! It should be reassuring for Barbara that I will take good care of her after she dies!"

"You idiot!" I smack him in the back of the head and he pouts. I grab his hand and we take the bus home together. We always hang out at my house because I'm afraid to see his. We usually hang out with Gorou and Thoma but they had after-school sports to do so I'm stuck with Hu Tao. He insisted we hang out together.

After dropping off our stuff at home, we get on a bus and make our way to the theatre. He insisted on watching a horror film even though he knows I don't like them. "It'll be fine! I'll protect you from any spirits!"

He smiles and wraps his arm around my shoulder as we walk into the building.

During the movie at an intense scene, he decides it would be funny to jump scare me. As I'm holding onto him, already scared, he pulls a prank on me and I scream before the jump scare actually happens.

He tries to cover his laugh while the other patrons tell us to be quiet. I'm so embarrassed I cover my face and smack his arm and whisper, "That's not funny!" That just makes him laugh harder as he wipes tears out of his eye.

A few moments later the movie ends and I walk out ahead of him, mad at him. "Oh come on,(y/n), that was funny!"

I continue furiously walking to the bus station and sit down, "Not for me! I was really scared and I'm so embarrassed!" I look away upset as we wait for the bus.

I suddenly feel arms around me as he rests his chin on my forehead, "I promise I won't do it again okay? I just wanted to have a laugh. I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable."

I sigh and tilt my head up at him, I accidentally brush my lips against his as I suddenly realize the proximity of our faces. He blushes but then deepens the kiss, I hesitate at first but then relax into it.

"Don't do it again."

He smirks against my lips, "I promise."

"I mean it."

He just smiles and gives my lips one more light peck, "Changed my mind, no promises."

"Tao!"