The Story We Realize With You

Always One Step Ahead

"I already told Shuka, so please promise me neither of you will tell anyone else!"

Haah, I went and told two more people...

We were on our way back to the hotel, and boy, was I spacing out...

Making me lose my train of thought, I was stopped in my tracks from a little box being shoved in my face. I glanced to Leo.

"What is this?"

"Open it and find out," he answered, smirking. I chuckled, taking the box. I opened it to reveal a silver bracelet with a glimmering "K" initial. And it was lined with gems of my birthstone, garnet. I gasped, and looked to my friend.

"How did you—"

"Nanaka bought it for me." He showed his left wrist to me. On it, he had a golden bracelet, with his initial, "L" on it. "I figured this was a better alternative to the scrunchies," he added with a smirk. I laughed out loud, while playfully shoving him. I heard a ping from my phone. I pulled it out from my pocket, unlocked it, and noticed a few LINE notifications.

Aida_Rikyako: Kurisu-chan, go for it!

Komiya_Arisha: Faito dayo, Kurisu-chan!

I peered my eyes forward, to see Arisa-san and Rikyako smirking. I rolled my eyes playfully before pursing my lips. I glanced down at Leo's left hand. We've linked arms before, but... I blew a breath, before hesitantly taking his hand. He glanced to me, furrowing his brow.

"This could be fine... once in a while, right?" I mumbled, looking away from him. I smiled softly, before winking. He chuckled, before gripping my hand. My smile widened, and I stepped just a bit closer to him. I smiled as his laughed melded with mine.

"Yeah... this is nice," he said softly. There was a slight awkward silence before we shared quick glances at each other. Then, I suddenly felt Leo's lips quickly peck my cheek. I squealed, letting go of his hand, and bringing my right hand up to my cheek. I looked at him as he smirked. And, then, I remember...

"Whoo~!" I hear from around us. I look over to Suwawa and King, who send winks over to us. Aikyan, Ainya and Shukashuu smirked. Aiai and An-chan laughed. I finally look over to Rikyako and Arisa-san, who were giggling like schoolgirls. My face could not have been more red at that moment.

"Y-You idiot!" I said, shoving Leo. He chuckled. "Did you forget that they were here?!" He playfully avoided my eyes.

"Maybe..." He gave a side glance, and smirked down at me. I pouted before pursing my lips. Hearing that chuckle roll off his lips, somehow irritated me. Yet, at the same time... I don't hate it.

That night, back at the apartment, I was pulled into the third-years' room. We had a few snacks, all while the girls (mostly Arisa-san and Ainya) were squealing over Leo and I. I rolled my eyes.

"C'mon, it's not like we're dating, alright?"

"Well, you might as well be," Suwawa said, munching on some Pocky.

"Eh- Suwawa! I thought you were on my side!" I accused, pouting. She chuckled.

"Well, what happened earlier, happened all on its own." Arisa-san and Ainya nodded. "Leo-kun made his move." She stared into my eyes. "So, why don't you make yours?" I slouched.

"Haah, even if you say that, I... I wouldn't know how." Suwawa brought a finger up to lips, thinking.

"Hmm... Ah!" She snapped her fingers, and glanced to Arisa-san. "Arisa."

"Mm?"

"Do you remember that segment from UraRaji?" Arisa-san furrowed her brow. Ainya looked especially confused. "The one that we were in," Suwawa added, pointing to herself and Arisa-san.

A segment that Arisa-san and Suwawa were in...? It can't be the third-years, so that leaves... AZALEA. Wait...

"Ahh!" Arisa-san exclaimed. "That one, right?" I raised my eyebrows, before Arisa-san came over to the couch, and slid her arm over my shoulders. Suwawa mimicked her actions on my left side. I glanced from the two of them. Arisa-san brought her right hand, forming what appeared to be a "C". Suwawa, once again, mimicked her, with her left hand.

*"Koi no yorokobi..."

"Sakasemasu!"* They brought their hands in front of me, forming... a heart. I gave them both a look.

"You two..." I sighed. "I don't believe this, you're not seriously thinking—"

"I think we did pretty good with that segment!" Suwawa commented, Arisa-san nodding.

"You only did that 'Love Advice Segment' twice in the entire month that you took over UraRaji!"

"I still think it went pretty well!" Arisa-san defended. I slumped in the couch, sighing heavily. "Alright, look. You don't have to take our advice, but... who else can you go to, really? Rachel-san?" I pursed my lips, groaning. She turned to Ainya. "Aina, help us out here, will you?" Ainya grinned.

"Anything for our friend, Kurisu-chan!" she squealed, going over to scoot beside Arisa-san. I crossed my arms over my chest, before groaning.

"Nnnggh...! Alright, fine!" I shouted, giving in. The three girls chuckled. "I'll play along."

"Good."

"So..." Arisa-san leaned in closer to me. "Tell us all about it. Start from the beginning.

I pursed my lips and breathed in through my nostrils before letting my shoulder drop, sighing heavily.

"Alright, so..."

After letting everything out in the open to them, I decided I would spend the night in their room.

I grabbed a futon, and placed it on the floor of Arisa-san's room.

"I had an inkling that this was the sleeping arrangement for you three." She chuckled, before settling into her bed.

"Well, Aina and Suwawa... I mean, let's face it, they're inseparable."

"You're not wrong about that," I said, laughing.

"So, do you think it'll go like we planned?" she asked, referring to my talk with the three of them tonight. I settled into the futon before staring at the ceiling.

"Mmm... I wonder..."

"Well, just know that if he rejects you, fan or not, he's gonna have to hear from me!" I stifled a giggle before looking up at her. She gave a chuckle. Just then, my phone pinged. I got a text. From Leo.

Hey, sorry if I was so sudden today. I can understand why you wouldn't wanna be around me at the moment. But... I wanna talk to you about something in the morning. Can you meet me at the café in Harajuku, around 10am? I'll be waiting. Thanks.

My heart pounded out of chest as I read his message.

"Something the matter?"

"Ah, nope!" I lied, pressing my phone to my chest. Arisa-san furrowed her brow, before shrugging.

"I'm turning off the lights."

"Okay," I whispered. "Good night, Arisa-san."

"Good night."