We're "Just Friends", Right? [Pregame Kiibouma]

Chapter 28: Going Out Part 1

Another day had begun. After the end of lunch yesterday, the day had been slow, and boring.

Kiibo put his hat on, and sighed. "I'm going to confess today. But... I wonder if the roof is really the best place to do it. Maybe I should invite Kokichi somewhere...?" Kiibo wondered. He headed downstairs, and walked to school faster than usual.

Kokichi got ready like always. He thought about Kiibo again. "I wonder why he's been acting so weird... it must be a robot thing." Kokichi headed outside. "I'll ask him about it later." Kokichi started walking to school.

Soon enough, Kokichi and Kiibo arrived. Kiibo saw Kokichi standing alone. "This is my chance." Kiibo walked over to him. "Good morning, Kokichi." Kiibo greeted. "Oh, g-good morning." Kokichi greeted back. "So... I was wondering... would you want to... go somewhere with me today after school? Like the mall?" Kiibo asked. "I'll ask him there."

"Oh, s-sure. Could Maki c-come?" Kokichi asked. "She was sick yesterday, so we didn't get to hang out." Kokichi remembered. Kiibo felt his heart sink. "Maki...? I was kind of hoping it could be just us...." Kiibo glanced at Kokichi's face, which seemed disappointed now. "But I guess she could...." Kiibo added. Kokichi gave Kiibo a reassuring smile. "Th-thanks."

Maki had arrived, and Kokichi waved at her, gesturing for Maki to go over there. Maki did so. "What's up, Kokichi?" She asked. "D-Do you w-want to come with m-me and Kiibo to the mall after school t-today?" Kokichi asked. "Oh, sure. I'd like that." Maki said cheerfully. "I was hoping she'd decline...." Kiibo thought.

Again, the school day was slow and uninteresting. Kiibo had hoped to be able to confess during lunch, but one of his teachers had wanted to chat during that period. What rotten luck. Kiibo didn't dare tell Kokichi at any other point of the day, since anyone could be listening. He didn't want to embarrass himself. Soon enough, school was over.

Kokichi headed out of the school, and waited for Maki and Kiibo to come. Maki came quickly. "Heya, Kokichi! I'm all ready to go!" She said cheerfully. "H-Hi, Maki." Kokichi greeted. Maki looked around. "Hey, where's Kiibo?" She asked. "He should b-be c-coming soon." Kokichi responded.

Kiibo was getting his things together. "This isn't going as planned. I want to tell him... maybe if I do, and get this all over with, I won't feel 'love' anymore." Kiibo thought. He hoped that was the case, as love seemed really confusing. "I guess I should go now. They'd definitely think me bailing after suggesting the whole thing would be strange. Besides, I enjoy Maki's company. I should be glad she's coming along." Kiibo thought. He grabbed the rest of his things, and started walking out of the building.

"Oh! There he is." Maki said. Kokichi turned towards the entrance. Kiibo was walking out of the building, and Kokichi could tell that something was wrong. "He looks frustrated. I think... he's a bit hard to read. I'll ask him if we get a chance alone." Kokichi thought. "Alright! Let's go!" Maki exclaimed as soon as Kiibo got there. "K-Kiibo, are you ready to g-go?" Kokichi asked. "Yeah." Kiibo replied unenthusiastically.  He didn't mean to sound so bored, but it was too late to correct himself. Maki didn't seem to notice, as she was too excited about going to the mall. Kokichi wore a concerned expression for a moment, but then decided to give Kiibo a warm smile. "Alright th-then, let's go!" Kokichi announced excitedly, and held Kiibo's hand. They started walking to the mall.

As they walked, Kiibo stared at his and Kokichi's hands. Kiibo smiled slightly, and intertwined his fingers with Kokichi's. "So, what're we going to do when we get there?" Maki asked.  "Kiibo's th-the one who invited us, s-so what do y-you want to do, K-Kiibo?" Kokichi asked, letting go of Kiibo's hand. "Ah... I don't really care what we do." Kiibo responded. He felt a little disappointed that Kokichi had let go of his hand. "That sounds like something Shuichi would think... I need to quit acting like this." Kiibo scolded himself. "Well, you must have had something in mind, or why even suggest we go?" Maki said. "I can't tell her the real reason."

"I really just wanted to go somewhere...." Kiibo responded. "W-Well, I'm getting a bit h-hungry, s-so maybe we c-could get something to eat f-first?" Kokichi suggested. "Oh, good idea! There's a food court in the mall." Maki said. She started running. "C'mon! Let's hurry!" She shouted. "O-oh!" Kokichi started running as well, following her. Kiibo followed too, going much slower than the others.

They arrived at the mall, and immediately started towards the food court. "There's a lot of people here." Kiibo noted. Kokichi looked around. There were, in fact, a lot of people in the mall. "Y-yeah. Maybe there's a s-sale?" They headed up the stairs to the second floor, and finally got to the food court. "Here we are... and look! The pizza place isn't that busy." Maki said. Kiibo sat at a table. "We'll be right back, ok Kiibo?" Maki said. Kiibo nodded. Maki grabbed Kokichi's arm and pulled him to the pizza place.

《________End of Chapter 28________》

Words: 899

[Thank you for reading. Vote if you enjoyed. I'm gonna miss uploading these chapters! We're almost done. Just a couple more.....]