We ended up making it to the school slightly ahead of schedule, but as we approached we noticed that Yua and Reiji were already waiting by the gate.

“Look Rei-Rei, they're here! I'm so excited!” Yua announced while tugging at Reiji’s shoulder.

“Y-Yeah but please stop shaking me around and please don't call me Rei-Rei, you know I hate that nickname.” Reiji muttered.

“Good afternoon! How are you guys?” I politely asked as Byte and I finally made our way to the school gate.

“We’re great! We’re glad that you didn't show us up!” Yua announced as she grinned.

“Did you think we wouldn't come?” Byte questioned.

“N-no it's not that, it's just we wouldn't have been surprised since people have done that kinda thing to us before.” Reiji explained.

“That's awful” I commented in a sad tone as I looked down at my shoes.

Both Yua and Reiji went silent for a few moments and looked as if they were lost in thought, and I didnt say anything myself. The tension was pretty palpable and I was looking for a way to end the awkward moment but I couldn't think of anything to say.

“It's alright” the words cut through the silence. “I'm your friend and so is Erika and we are here for you both” Byte stated in his stoic tone.

At that second Yua morphed back into her happy attitude and announced “You're right who needs em, we got all we need right here!” as she pumped one of her fists into the air. Reiji, standing right beside her broke into a half smile as he looked over at the girl who just looked incredibly depressed and was now happy and cheering like a cheerleader. For a second there I even could've sworn I saw a grin brush across Byte’s face, but I chalked it up to my imagination.

“So what are our plans for the day?” I asked as I looked over to Yua.

“Hmmmm I was thinking we could do something super girly, but I suppose that wouldn't work since we have two boys with us for today, huh Rei-Rei?” Yua teased as she pulled at Reiji's cheeks while he squirmed to get away from her. The idea of doing something ‘super girly’ didn't exactly sound fantastic to me so I'm glad that Reiji and Byte are here for the day.

As Reiji finally got himself away from the teasing mitts of Yua he said “Lets have Biito and Erika pick something to do” as he guarded his face from further probing.

As I thought about what would be fun to do I noticed that I was really starting to sweat. Although the summer would be coming to an end soon it was evident that we were not quite there yet. “It's kinda hot today, why don't we get some ice cream?” I asked as I wiped a bead of sweat from my brow.

It seemed that everyone was in agreement. As we started to discuss which parlor we would visit someone's curiosity brought the conversation to a grinding halt.

“What is an ice cream” Byte asked as he looked at me.

My jaw hit the ground like a ton of bricks. ‘How did he not know what ice cream was? Better question, why exactly would he wait till this exact moment to ask that question? I hope this does not raise any eyebrows…’ I thought to myself.

“You don't know what ice cream is?” Reiji asked.

“Yeah, you don't?” Yua asked as she popped up right behind Reiji.

“No, please excuse my ignorance” Byte replied as he bowed his head.

At that moment I was shaking like a leaf and sweating bullets. ‘Please don't ask him why he doesn't know please don't ask him why he doesn't know please don't ask him why he doesn't know’ I kept saying over and over again in my head.

“Biito, my guy, you are missing out! We need to get you some!” Yua said as she grabbed Bytes arm and began to walk away. The shock was written across my face, but I was also glad that nothing further happened.

We decided on an ice cream parlor that was a good bit away from the school, but it wouldn't have been a problem as long as we left with enough time to make it home before it started to get dark.

“Ahhhhh, all these flavors sound so yummy!” Yua declared as she shoved her nose into the menu.

“I'm a creature of habit, so I'm gonna get the flavor I always get, Peanut Butter Fudge” Reiji said without even bothering to look at the menu.

“That really does sound good, I think I'm going to get mint chocolate, it's my favorite!” I replied as I smiled.

I happened to look over at Byte who was studying the paper menu like it was material for an upcoming exam that he was convinced he was going to flunk. I scootched my chair over to him to ask what kind he was planning on getting, when he discreetly grabbed me and pulled me closer, turning my face beet red.

“I don't know what any of these are supposed to mean” he whispered as he looked into my eyes.

“Then just pick one, you're making a scene!” I whispered back in an exaggerated tone.

“Aweee look Reiji, look how close they are sitting, I bet they are dating and they just haven't gone public with it yet!” Yua announced in a lovey-dovey voice.

“Haha nooo we were just talking about which kind Biito should get, right Biito?” I asked as I smiled a fake smile at him.

“This is probably not the best time to reveal this, but i'm running low on power” Byte whispered back to me.

“WHAT” I barely whispered back. At that moment I wanted to scream, If I pat his head right now, they are either going to think that Byte and I are really dating or they are going to think we have something weird going on. But on the other hand if his battery dies right here and now, who knows what'll happen. So I reluctantly patted his head a few times, while Yua and Reiji looked at me like I was some kind of crazy person.

“Good choice choosing the vanilla” I said while laughing fakely and patting his head, trying to cover my behind.

Yua snickered before saying “I knew you two were dating!”

“WE ARE NOT” I fired back.

Byte ended up loving the vanilla ice cream and decided that it was one of his new favorite things. We decided after we were done eating to walk around the city for a bit and just chat, which ran on longer than we expected. We ended up walking back to the school gate to say our goodbyes before we went our separate ways for the day, and as Byte and I began the walk back to my house, it started to get dark.