2nd August

It was a Monday morning, the students were still making their way into school. Three days had passed since Yuki last saw Naomi. During this time, she had been absent, and they also had a weekend holiday. Yuki felt a tinge of irritation towards her due to what he considered a prank. He had been trying to tolerate her behaviour, but that incident had triggered his anger. However, along with the anger, he also felt guilty and concerned about Naomi. “Was it wrong for me to shout at her like that?” He thought.

As students entered the classroom with smiles, Naomi was among them. She glanced at Yuki, but he deliberately avoided eye contact, choosing to occupy himself with his own seat.

The classes proceeded as usual, and Yuki occasionally stole glances at Naomi. She seemed unfazed by the situation and focused on the teacher's lessons. “Did I offend her?... Well, it doesn't really matter to me. We're not even friends or anything.”

✳ ✳ ✳

During the lunch break, Yuki perched on the usual ledge of the school terrace, his nose buried deep in a well-worn fantasy novel. The fantastical world within the pages blurred together as he devoured the next chapter, oblivious to the real world around him. A shadow fell across the open book, jolting him back to reality with a gasp. He flinched, nearly dropping the paperback, and looked up to see Naomi hovering over him.

A sly grin played on her lips, but her eyes held a depth that sent a shiver down Yuki's spine. A wave of irritation washed over him, quickly followed by a pang of guilt for his earlier outburst on the rooftop.

“Yo,” she greeted casually, tilting her head slightly. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Yuki sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken emotions. He closed the book with a soft thud, the sound echoing in the sudden silence between them. Naomi stood before him, her usual carefree demeanour masking a tension that crackled in the air.

“Hey,” he mumbled back, unsure how to react. “The prodigal daughter returns, huh?”

Naomi's smile faltered for a brief moment, then returned, a touch strained. “Yeah, not like some jerk yelled at me or something.” She said, her voice laced with a playful jab.

“Well,” Yuki started, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, “you gonna say anything about it?”

Naomi hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features as she unconsciously played with her hair. “Uh... that whole thing... no, not really…”

“Oh really?” Yuki raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity battling with his lingering annoyance. “I thought you might've been... well, angry.”

Naomi snorted, a touch too loud. “Angry? You think someone as dull as cornflakes can make me angry? Please. Don't flatter yourself.”

Despite her attempt at sarcasm, a flicker of relief washed over Yuki. Maybe she wasn't mad after all. But then, Naomi's quick dismissal and the nervous fidgeting with her hair made a knot of curiosity tighten in his stomach. What was she hiding?

“Uh... good then, I guess.” Yuki mumbled, unsure how to proceed with the awkward tension hanging between them.

“That's it?” Naomi asked, a playful glint returning to her eyes.

“Yeah, that's it.” Yuki confirmed hesitantly.

Naomi leaned in conspiratorially. “Don't you have any burning questions for me, detective?” she teased.

Yuki gave her a mock glare, trying to lighten the mood. “So you want a full interrogation, huh?"

ゴ 　ｺﾞ　ゴ 　ｺﾞ　ゴ

“Actually, the thing is…” she started, then hesitated, her voice trailing off.

“Hm?” Yuki raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion.

Naomi sighed dramatically, her playful facade faltering for a moment. “Well, never mind. Forget it. It's nothing important.”

“Come on, Naomi,” Yuki pressed, leaning forward with genuine interest. “If something's bothering you, spill it. I'm all ears.”

Naomi hesitated again, her gaze flickering away from him. “No, seriously, it's nothing.”

“Alright, fine,” Yuki conceded with a shrug, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “But remember, my legendary detective skills are always at your service, should you need them.” He puffed out his chest in a mock-heroic pose, earning a snort of laughter from Naomi.

The awkward silence stretched for a few more moments before Naomi, unable to bear the tension any longer, perked up with a playful smile.

“Alright, alright, Mr. Detective,” she conceded, her voice laced with amusement. “Let's lighten the mood, shall we? Tell me, what do you dream of becoming when you grow up, Mr. Daydreamer?”

Yuki grinned mischievously and replied, “I wanna touch some boobs”

Naomi burst into laughter. "Oh, really?”

“Yeah, no shit.” Yuki exclaimed.

Naomi couldn't help but blush, a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "Well, you've got some ambitious goals, don't you? Well I think I can help with that."

“Huh? What the hell, you can’t be serious.” Yuki hollered.

“These are D cups.” Naomi said with a smirk.

“Eh? Okay, so here I go.” Yuki exclaimed while acting up his arm.

“Aye! I was joking!” Naomi shrieked, playfully feigning shock.

“So was I.” Yuki snickered, unable to contain his amusement.

“Haha, so you can crack a joke now and then, huh?” Naomi teased, grinning mischievously.

“That's not it, you know. I have comedic genius hidden within me.” Yuki retorted, striking a mock superhero pose.

“Haha, sure d00d.” Naomi replied, using exaggerated internet slang.

Yuki's curiosity piqued. “What do you dream of doing in life, Naomi?”

Her smile faltered for a brief moment, then returned, a touch wistful. “That's not really up to me, you see.”

Yuki's brow furrowed in surprise. “Not up to you? That sounds...well, a little sad.”

Naomi shrugged, her smile unwavering. “Maybe. But I'm happy with my life, truly.”

Yuki studied her, his gaze softening. “If you're happy, then that's all that matters, I guess.”

A mischievous glint sparked in Naomi's eyes. “Hey, do you ever feel like just running away from it all?”

Yuki chuckled, a hint of longing in his voice. “Honestly? All the time.”

Naomi's smile widened. “Would you run away with me?”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Yuki sputtered, momentarily flustered. “Wait, what? No, that's, uh, illegal!”

Naomi burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement. “Illegal? That's your excuse? You're too funny, Yuki!”

Yuki sighed, shaking his head with a smile. “Okay, okay, you win. It's a lame excuse. I guess I am a bit pathetic.”

A playful glint entered Naomi's eyes. “Maybe a little. But hey, that's what dreams are for, right?”

The bell rang, signalling the end of the break. Students shuffled back to their classes, Naomi leading the way with a light skip in her step. Yuki followed at a slower pace, a thoughtful frown etching on his face.

✳ ✳ ✳

The school bell clanged, signalling freedom. Yuki and Naomi fell into step beside each other, their first walk home together filled with comfortable chatter.

Yuki, still curious about Naomi's earlier comment, brought it up again. “So, what did you mean by not being able to choose your own path?”

Naomi hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features. “It's...complicated. Others decided my direction, and now I have to follow it.”

“So, a different choice could have meant a different life?” Yuki pressed, trying to see things from her perspective.

Naomi shrugged, a hint of defiance in her smile. “Maybe. But I don't regret it. Like I said, I'm happy.”

Yuki studied her, a thoughtful crease forming between his brows. “There's a certain ease to not having tough choices, I guess.”

A mischievous glint sparked in Naomi's eyes. “That's your takeaway? It's not like my whole life is scripted. Just the big stuff, like decisions while growing up and all that.”

“Ah, so you do have some freedom then. That's good.” Yuki admitted, relieved by the clarification.

Naomi's smile turned sly. “Speaking of choices, you never answered my question.”

Yuki feigned innocence. “Question? What question?”

"The one from the rooftop, silly," Naomi said, raising an eyebrow.

Yuki scratched his head playfully. "Oof, memory's a bit fuzzy. Remind me."

A mischievous grin stretched across Naomi's face. "Would you run away with me?"

Yuki's eyes widened. "Wait, you were serious about that?"

"Absolutely!" Naomi declared, her voice leaving no room for doubt.

"But you just said you're happy," Yuki pointed out, confused by her mixed signals.

Naomi shrugged. "Doesn't mean I can't dream of escape, right? Just a little itch I gotta scratch sometimes."

Yuki chuckled, shaking his head. "You're a strange one, Naomi."

"No stranger than you, believe me," Naomi countered with a playful wink.

Their banter continued, a comfortable rhythm settling between them. Suddenly, Naomi changed the subject. "Hey, ever want to visit my place?"

Yuki hesitated, a flicker of wariness crossing his features. "Uh, maybe not this time."

"Why not? Friends get to know each other's homes, right?" Naomi teased.

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't want to get kidnapped or anything," Yuki joked, feigning suspicion. "Besides, since when are we friends?"

"Since you said yes to coming with me, silly," Naomi replied with a sly smile.

"Hmm, maybe..." Yuki conceded, a playful smile replacing his concern.

Naomi pressed on. "So, are you coming over or not?"

"Nah, I think I'll pass," Yuki replied, drawing out the suspense.

Naomi's smile widened. "Really?"

"Yeah, definitely," Yuki confirmed.

"Absolutely sure?" Naomi persisted, feigning disappointment.

"Positive," Yuki said with a finality that made Naomi erupt in laughter.

"Alright, alright, you win," Naomi conceded playfully. "But that was your last chance, you know."

"No worries," Yuki said nonchalantly.

Suddenly, a mischievous glint entered Naomi's eyes. "Well, in that case, kidnapping it is!"

Yuki raised an eyebrow playfully. "You can't kidnap me."

"Oh, and why not?" Naomi challenged him with a smirk.

"Because I have a secret technique," Yuki declared, his voice thick with mock seriousness.

Naomi's curiosity was piqued. "A secret technique, huh? Tell me more."

"It's a last resort, for when things get out of control." Yuki explained, building up the suspense.

Naomi leaned in, barely containing her eagerness. "Alright, spill it!"

Yuki grinned. "The ultimate escape manoeuvre - The Secret Joestar Technique of..." He paused dramatically, then blurted out, "Running Away!"

With a shout, Yuki bolted down the sidewalk, leaving Naomi behind in a cloud of dust. Instead of chasing him, she simply smiled at his spirited escape.

It started raining.

ザァザァー

Yuki, seeking shelter from the rain, hurriedly took cover under a tree. As he sat there, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, and he became as alert as a squirrel sensing danger. Out of nowhere, a hand landed on Yuki's shoulder, causing him to spin around in terror. To his surprise, it was Naomi standing there.

“Hey! Why are you so freaked out? It's just me” Naomi exclaimed, puzzled by Yuki's reaction.

“That's precisely why!” Yuki replied, still recovering from the shock.

Naomi paused for a moment, trying to comprehend his words, before bursting into laughter like a popped balloon.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN I LOOK LIKE ANNABELLE OR SOMETHING?” she exclaimed, mock-offended.

“She would have been less creepy.” Yuki jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS CREEPY'? I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!” Naomi playfully threatened, feigning anger.

“Chill! Chill! It was just a joke.” Yuki pleaded, realising he had touched a sensitive nerve.

“Hmph! I ain't talking to you.” Naomi huffed, crossing her arms.

“Oi oi oi oi, wait! It was just a joke. You don't need to take it so seriously.” Yuki apologised, desperately trying to make amends.

“I don't know! Get drenched in this rain!” Naomi retorted, pretending to be upset.

“Oi, wait.” Yuki called out, hoping to salvage the situation.

“What is it?” Naomi asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Uh... never mind... it's nothing.” Yuki muttered, realising it wasn't the right time to bring up his thoughts.

Naomi raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his sudden change in demeanour. “Your house is quite far from here, isn't it?”

“Yeah, it is, but you don't need to bother.” Yuki replied, concerned about inconveniencing her.

“My house is right around the corner. It would be better if you took a shower there. You're already half-drenched, and you'll catch a cold.” Naomi insisted, showing her caring side.

“Well, I'm quite immune to col—” Yuki began, only to be interrupted by Naomi.

“Stop being so dense and just agree already.” she commanded, determined to take care of him.

“At least let me finish my sentence. I was saying that I'll come as I have no other choice.” Yuki clarified, conceding to her persistence.

“Fine, let's go.” Naomi said, extending a hand to help the fallen Yuki up from the ground. As Naomi extended her hand, a flicker of something unreadable crossed her features. Yuki couldn't quite place it, but it sent a shiver down his spine. He brushed it off, focusing on the downpour and his damp clothes.

“Alright, alright.” he conceded, taking her hand with a hint of hesitation. “Lead the way, but promise me this won't turn into some horror movie situation.”

Naomi's smile faltered for a brief moment before returning, a touch too wide. “Horror movies? Don't be silly. Besides,” she added, her voice dropping to a whisper, “who do you think would be the monster in that scenario?”

A strange sense of unease settled in Yuki's stomach, but the rain was relentless, and his options were limited. With a deep breath, he followed Naomi, his gaze drawn to the dark, imposing silhouette of her house in the distance.

<4 - It's a Mad Mad WorldーEpisode 1 - Fin>