Harem of Side Characters [Rewrite]

Ryoko Nishikawa - Important to Me

"Hey-hey!" While sitting in a familiar cafe, I am suddenly brought out of my deep thinking by a rather cheerful voice.

"Ryoko. Nice to see you." I greet her.

"What are you up to this fine day?" She asks.

"...I'm not really doing anything, I'm just staring out a window."

"Awesome. But what if I told you there are more exciting things to do rather than staring out windows?"

"...I'd...agree? Where are you going with this?"

"Nishi and Miki are off doing their own thing and I've got nothing going on for the next few hours. So, I'm asking you to hang out with me so I don't get lonely." Okay, that's pretty cute.

"Well, I don't have a reason to refuse." Her eyes light up at my reply.

"Score! Let's go right now then!" She cheers. In a flash, she grabs my hand and we're on our way out of the cafe. That was fast...

As she drags me towards...wherever she's taking me, she starts up some of her usual banter.

"You know, I'm holding your hand like this and you don't seem at all flustered."

"I suppose. I guess by now I feel very comfortable around you that these kinds of things don't bother me. Is that odd?" I tilt my head slightly.

"Hmm...Nah, it probably means you see me as a friend. You're not getting all flustered because we have a sweet bromance going on!" She sticks her tongue out at me.

"A bromance implies that you are a male." Thank you, internet-sensei for your wealth of knowledge.

"Homance then. Homie romance."

"Homance makes you sound like a slut." She playfully glares at me.

"The hell you want from me, man? It's not my fault you're not attracted to me."

"I am very much attracted to you, Ryoko."

"If you're so attracted to me, how come you've never asked me for my number? That's like, step one of picking people up isn't it?"

"Oh, it's because I already have it."

"...You have my number already?"

"Yeah, Yamamura gave it to me quite a while ago."

"That's so weird!" She yells.

"Why? I mean, it's not like I went out of my way to get it or anything. It just sort of happened."

"No! It's weird that you've never sent me a "hey, what's up?" or anything! I was just joking at first, but I guess you really aren't attracted to me at all!"

"Well, are you attracted to me?"

"...I cannot confirm that question!"

-----

Ryoko and I make our way towards the recreational area of the ship where there's what I would describe as an arcade, a place that I am not too familiar with. Mostly because I don't have any experience with these kinds of things and don't want to embarrass myself in public.

"Here we are! There's a bunch of games and stuff we can try out here. Over to your left there's also a place that sells alcoholic beverages that we are not yet old enough to consume, yet will probably consume anyway for funny skits." She indicates each location with a wave of her hand.

"I think I will pass on the drinks..."

"You sure? I'm kind of interested in what a drunken Kiyotaka is like."