The air is quiet around Kurihara-san and I as we silently make our way to Sapporo Factory, a huge shopping mall nearby. I feel my hear beating out of my chest while thinking of some way to spark a conversation, c'mon anything!

I look over to Kurihara-san who glances at me and smiles. I smile back, my heart is actually about to burst out of my chest! I'm forgetting all about the voices and my head pains when I'm with her. The longer I can stay with her the better for my health I feel...

"Say Kurihara-san has Kenji always been there for you?" I cautiously ask while bracing myself.

"Oh Kenji-kun huh? Hmm.. we have been friends since I can remember and he was always top of his sport teams as well. I would say he is an important person to me, why do you ask?". She turns and looks at me.

"Ehh is that so..I don't like him even though I just met him. You know he can be condescending right?". I try my best to bring me up while bringing *him* down.

She looks confused and then looks forward again. "Ah so you met that part of him... you know I've always known Kenji-kun has liked me but I've never said anything to him because I was afraid of losing a dear friend. He does have his ugly sides but don't we all?" I stare at the side of her face pondering what said.

"I don't think it's possible for you to have an ugly side Kurihara-san---I-I mean you're such a nice person to everyone and the whole school likes you. I could see how people don't like me much since I just don't like people in general..but you're different...". I let my words trail off.

Her mouth arcs down a little, "I wouldn't put so much faith in me Hiragi-kun, I'm thankful you think of me like that though". She puts on a slight smile again.

"N-No problem at all! Ah here is Sapporo Factory!" The complex with multiple levels and endless shops towers before us.

"Wow, I haven't been here in years it's changed so much. Thanks for inviting me today Hiragi-kun!" She turns to me and smiles, I almost fall down from the impact.

--

--

"Ahhh so many people here today!". She stares wide-eyed like a kid who just bought their first manga.

"Yeah sure does seem packed, well it is a Saturday so it makes sense. Where do you want to go first?". I ask while looking around at all the possibilities. Today is the perfect chance to see what Kurihara-san likes, I have no idea on what girls are into so it's perfect for reconnaissance.

"Hiragi-kun are you okay? Why are you giggling to yourself?".

"E-Ehh oh I was just thinking of all the good mall food here. Are you hungry how about ramen??". I quickly and clumsily change the subject because I'm sure I looked like a maniac. We decide to head to a nearby ramen shop inside the mall while stopping along a few stores on the way. I've always heard shopping with girls was stressful and tiring but for some reason I'm flowing with energy. This is for sure a good break from all the stress going on lately.

"Well ready to go eat I'm starving now!". I rub my stomach thinking about the wonderful bowl of goodness that awaits me.

"Sure let's go I don't want to wear you out with all my shopping, I mean you invited me here today."

"No no it's no problem..."--someone catches my eye about 50 meters away. Was..that Detective Kizata, the guy who brought me in for questioning not too long ago? I'm getting goosebumps now that I think back on it.

"What's wrong Hiragi-kun?" She looks at me with a puzzled look.

"Yeah over there I just thought---" No one is there now. Am I really losing my mind for real? Did I imagine him standing there because I'm somehow paranoid? What the hell I'm innocent does he really think I'm responsible for what happened to Taki?!

"..ragi-kun? Hiragiii-kun are you okay?" I come back to my senses and Kurihara-san is worriedly looking at me.

"Ah I'm sorry I just thought I saw someone I knew, but it must have been my imagination sorry!" I bow slightly and she quickly waves her hands saying it's okay. Now is not the time for me to act all haywire Yuta!

I want to die right now acting like a fool in front of the girl I like in possibly the only date-like setting! Just stay calm... I take some mental deep breaths to ease my mind right now. Let's just focus on eating ramen right now that's why we are doing, not going insane.

"Alright let's go eat now!". I force a smile but she doesn't seem to notice as we head to the nearby ramen shop.

---

---

"Mmmahh! That ramen really hit the spot after a busy day". I stretch my arms to the ceiling with a content sigh.

"It really did this place was actually really good." Kurihara-san responds to me and smiles. Ahh this a nice feeling, being at a peace with not a care in the world. I guess that's how she makes me feel. I wonder what she thinks though...

Well I guess all good things must come to an end. I really hope we can do something like this again soon. My head has been feeling a lot better ever since I've been with her.

"Is there any other place you want to go to? I mean we could stop for desert or watch the water by the bridge---I mean I didn't mean as a date or anything but since we are already out here y'know? hahaha". After I attempt to wring more time out with her she looks like she's thinking. Oh god is this a bad sign that she's hesitating?!

"Actually that sounds nice, I was trying to see how much time I had before I had to be home, but we can do something for a bit if you want".

Yessss I win again! If only Kasuno was here to see my right now he would probably be slapping me on the back congratulating me for not being an anti-social anymore. Well at least trying to.

"How about we go to Crepe Escape? It's that new crepe shop that just opened up by the bridge so we will have a good view of the river as well". I confidently talk about my crepe and local cuisine knowledge, even though we just passed by it so that's how I know it exists.

We walk side-by-side like a couple, I would like to be one but I'm not sure how she would like it yet.. I need to find out! But first, I won't spoil today and just enjoy some crepes by the water.

We leave the mall and head for the crepe shop, it's a bustling day with tons of people walking about probably because it's Saturday. The weekends aren't really anything special to me since I don't do anything, just like the weekdays.

--

--

"I had a lot of fun today thank you for inviting me!" Kurihara-san bows to me which kind of throws me off guard. She really is too nice I can't handle it...

"No I should be thanking you for coming out of the blue, but I'm glad you had fun at least with someone like me". I nervously look towards the sky avoiding eye contact like some coward. I can't ruin something this good by showing my weak side...

"Well I have to go home now since my grandparents are coming into town, I'll see you at school Hiragi-kun!" She bows slightly again before we part ways. This was a nice way to get my mind off of all of the things going on recently.

If only I knew what was about to transpire.