Sparks Fly

[Fuukami I. Iryna]

Date: May 6, 2003
Time: 12:00 PM

Ah, oh no, lunchtime has come! There's a special sale of meat buns in the cafeteria today! I have to buy lots of them.

Right after the bell, I dash out of my classroom, down the stairs through a long corridor to the already crowded cafeteria. The meat bun stand looks like some kind of a black hole, sucking people in. What a bummer. Are meat buns that popular with the students, or the commoners just desire something they can only get once, maybe twice, in a lifetime? Argh, how annoying. When Iryna-chan wants something, she'll get it!

My small body becomes useful once again (although I'd rather not to admit it). After shoving through the enormous crowd, I manage to reach the counter, raise my petite arm and shout: "Five meat buns, please." I pay the vendor, then hurry out of that barbaric place. Phew, finally, another achievement for Iryna-chan!

Now, where should I sit? I roam around the cafeteria with my eyes moving back and forth like a pendulum, seeking a free seat. Then suddenly, somebody bumped into me.

"Hey, watch it." I jumped back by reflex. Then I realize God is trying to make a fool out of me this time. That girl, whose ponytail cannot be mistaken, carrying a bowl of what looks like katsudon, is the one I hate the most on Earth.

Aizawa Shouko!

[Aizawa Shou]

Elbowing a senior student rather roughly in the ribs for squashing her between him, and a another senior, a female, Shou, kept her left hand raised up, with a bowl of katsudon balanced precariously on her slender fingers. She had missed out on some rather delicious-looking yakisoba, so to compensate, she picked her next favorite dish on the menu, a hot, steaming bowl of katsudon. As per usual, the cafeteria was a feeding frenzy. Shou barged her way past the more aggressive food hunters, firmly establishing herself as the apex predator with a stern look from her chestnut eyes.

"Mattaku! Why don't those incompetent idiots in the student council do something about these unruly lines?" She huffed to herself, clutching the bowl close to her body, the warm sensation of her food heating her collar. Squeezing out between two students barring her way, she found space to breathe. Or, at least she would have, had she not collided with yet another angry bottom feeder from the back of the lines.

"Hey, watch it!"

Shou could barely contain herself. But she did. The one girl capable of coming close to her level of skill in figure-skating, and one smaller than her at that. Fuukami Iryna. The rich girl. Something of an anomaly among the figure skaters, being the only one people could consider to be "rich". Stiffening up, Shou composed herself. She knew her skill was simply better than Iryna's, and that irked the diminutive little girl something terrible. Though today, Shou didn't feel like rubbing anything in, or gloating.

"Fuukami-san." She said plainly, holding her bowl closer to her, as the bottom of the bowl pressed against her bosom. She could feel the venomous glare Iryna gave her. Why shouldn't she simply accept that there were going to be people in the world better than her?

"I'm sorry about bumping into you." She added quickly, looking over to her friends sitting, gossiping. Only one was also part of the figure-skating circuit, though she was in a rank below both Shou and Iryna. They were still friends regardless.

"I'll be going now. See you at practice."

[Fuukami I. Iryna]

Sorry about bumping into me? So Ms. Always-Someone-Better can say sorry too, eh? Well she better be. I nearly dropped my precious meat buns because of her, and just her presence alone already ticks me off enough.

"See you at practice". Oh, sure. I am SO looking forward to that. So very much. Thanks for reminding me.

I tried to cough out the most natural response possible: "Alright, see you then". That line came out through my clenched teeth.

I take a deep breath, and plaster the cutesy smile on my face again. That girl... Why does she have to exist anyway? As some kind of trial I must overcome? I have worn myself out practicing jumps and maneuvers, refining my skills, and yet... It's like trying to reach a finishing line that keeps moving farther away from me. Still, one day, I will show her who's the best, and she will acknowledge that she cannot win forever.

Back to the problem at hand. The tables have been filled up very quickly. I tried to find a seat on this side, but to no avail. So I have to go to another side.

It's like finding a needle in a haystack. Then a small table at the far corner comes into view, and there's still some space left. After dashing towards the table like trying to get a 10000 yen note dropped on the street, I suddenly realize an inconvenient truth: if I sit there, THAT girl will be right on the opposite side.

Seems like I have no choice. I reach the table, sit down, and munch on the first meat bun, pretending Ms Born-Winner is not there.

[Aizawa Shou]

"Great."

Shou muttered under her breath. It looked to be that her timely escape from her rival was not so timely after all. Barely a few meters in front of the girl and her friends, Iryna had plopped herself down on one of the rare, vacant seats at the tables. As she sat, chewing away at her meat buns, the junior could feel the cold, harsh thoughts stabbing at her.

She'd been skating like she was since she was a child, and loved it enough to pour every last scrap of effort she could muster into it .The fruits of her labor were telling. Winning, above another tiny girl who wanted to win badly. Shou was one of the best at their competitive level. perhaps not in all of Japan, but at the very least in town. Her friends knew it. She knew it. Though more importantly, Iryna knew it. On Shou's side of the table, two of her friends whispered among themselves about something or other, whilst some of the well-off students sneered at their wealthier kohai, or in some cases, their wealthier senpai.

"Ugh, it's the rich girl again. What does she want coming over here?"

"Shh! Her father will fire your father!"

"Maybe she should go to the billionaire schools in America!"

Shou didn't mind if people talked about her. She'd easily be able to retaliate, and people were smart enough not to say such things to her face, lest they invite a verbal lashing from the girl. She took issue with the way these students held her in contempt, simply because of her parents' wealth. Jealousy was understandable, but this was outright discrimination.

"You people should be ashamed of yourselves. I bet not one of you here has to worry about money. Think about that next time you criticize other people for simply sitting down." She snapped, pounding down on the table with a fist, making plates rattle with the impact. She herself lived comfortably with her family until she moved in with Koji's brother Jun. It stood to reason that she would act against hypocrites.

Iryna, poisonous glaring and haughty as she was, performed excellent during practice sessions, and Shou had to admit her respect for the girl's skill. It was rather difficult to figure skate the smaller you were due to differences in the center of mass. Shou truly had a rival in Iryna, and she welcomed the challenge, for friendly competition kept them both sharp. Shou could not, however, shake the feeling that Iryna's idea of competition, was not very friendly at all. If she truly were jealous about the whole thing, then she would either have to get better, enough to beat Shou, or accept the fact that Shou was better.

"Shou-chan, that was nice of you." One of Shou's friends observed, looking upon her as if she'd just forgiven a criminal for stealing. Shou shrugged off the comment. She didn't hate Iryna, nor feel anything negative. She was simply a little perturbed by her ironclad will toward their rivalry.

[Fuukami I. Iryna]

Oh, great.

I try to focus all of my senses on the meat buns in hand. However, aside from the brunette in front of me, there are sounds like flies buzzing around me.

What do they want now? Me being sorry for my father's wealth, which he has worked his hardest for? And what is wrong about me going to this school anyway? It is the best high school in town, and I got more than enough points in the entrance exam. They must know that there are things that I have achieved on my own, by my sweat and tears, not my father's money. I feel like a stock character in an anime: a girl who is popular with the boys, but repulsed by the girls instead.

Then something unexpected happens. My archenemy, who looks really pissed off, slams the table and... defend me, as if she's my attorney. Aizawa Shouko, my sworn rival, stands for me. I was totally stunned. I'm not sure whether I should be sarcastic or appreciative to that. But at least, she took care of the buzzing for me.

"Thank you". Somehow my mouth and tongue have minds of their own, and those two words slip out.

Aizawa Shouko, I don't need your sympathy. But I have to admit, you are more worthy of a rival than I thought. You acknowledge me for who I am, and always play fair. This will make my triumph over you even more delightful. But now, I have to finish these buns first. Rivalries and stuff can wait.

[Aizawa Shou]

"Why are you helping her Shou-chan? I thought you hated each other." Came another question, aimed at the serious-looking brunette, who merely ate, brows down low, eyes shut as if to say she was refusing to dignify that question with an answer. Her long-standing rival didn't need another friend, and certainly not one as crude as she. Continuing to eat away at her steaming hot bowl of katsudon, she relished this one moment of peace. Today was going to be one of those days. Something interesting always seemed to be happening at this school. She reached one hand into her bag at the floor, fumbling around a little.

"Chizuko. Here." Shou started, sliding a notebook to the girl on her right. It was her math notebook. Anything to move away from the uncertain air between Iryna and the students around her. Her eyes shot open the moment Iryna thanked her. It was something she hadn't quite expected to hear from the little girl. Something Shou thought Iryna would never utter, especially never to her, being her rival.

Her cold stare drifted across the few who had spoken out against Iryna. Shou herself came from a relatively well-off family, and had very little to worry about in terms of finance. Shou's college fund was all there. Almost every single person in this large room came from well-off families, with select few honor students, or scholarship students. Private education was expensive, and Hikarizaka was the best school in the city. Sipping at a bottle of lemonade, Shou looked up, across to Fuukami, and nodded a simple acknowledgment of her thanks. At least there was some degree of respect between them, despite their heated rivalry.

"Don't mention it." Shou finally coughed out. An understanding at the very least. Perhaps now she could enjoy her lunch without anyone causing trouble. This school was full of troublemakers. Okazaki, Sunohara, a few soccer club jerks, though the names Okazaki and Sunohara were synonymous with trouble. Even if Shou found the latter of the two boys cute. She wondered if a girl like Iryna had a boyfriend. With her personality, and cute features, it was hard to see how she couldn't. She could use her wily charms to get men to do her bidding. After all, there were men out there with lolita complexes. Perhaps if they weren't rivals, she could teach her how to use her own charms to win the heart of a good-looking boy.

[Densetsu Karu]

Due to falling asleep in class, he had unfortunately arrived in the cafeteria much later than everybody else did, ensuring that there were barely any seats for him to take. Add to that that he kept bumping into annoying people who wouldn't sit down and you have the perfect recipe for a pissed-off Karu. Despite his growing impatience, he had to move slowly and carefully in his search for a place to sit; he really didn't need to spill his fresh, piping hot udon on himself.

Finally, after some time of collisions and searching, he found a spot to sit. A single spot, surrounded by a group of girls. Karu avoided looking at them, pretending that they weren't there. It seemed like the air around the table was full of tension, something he didn't want to get involved in. He just wanted to eat his lunch and then leave.

However, then he realized that he had sat down right beside Aizawa Shou, his upperclassman. When he had met her nearly two weeks ago, she was distracted and gullible to the extreme. He had played the character of a nervous foreigner in hopes that she would provide some entertainment for him. He glanced to the other side of him and saw another small girl, who seemed to have a fiery fierceness about her. Karu got the distinct feeling that these two were the source of tension at the table. An idea began to form in his mind.

"H-hello, Aizawa-senpai," he said, playing the part of the nervous underclassman. He looked down at his udon as he spoke. All of his impatience and frustration had vanished. Now, there was only room for spite. Karu was sure his lunch would end differently, and hopefully more interesting, than any of his previous midday meals.

[Aizawa Shou]

"H-hello, Aizawa-senpai,"

Perfect timing!

Shou evilly narrowed her eyes. Despite being nice to her rival, she and Iryna were exactly that. Rivals. If the girl was jealous of her, she'd have to keep that advantage up. Densetsu had chosen to sit beside her, logical since she had, in a way befriended him. Her well-oiled mental gears started spinning rapidly, turning the internal machine that was her mind. Another of her schemes was being intubated, ready for hatching. Rather suddenly, she wrapped both her arms around Karu's, leaning in closer to him. almost nuzzling it like a cat.

"I had such a good time last week. We should do something like that again soon." Shou announced, seemingly out of the blue. She was cackling mentally to herself, thinking just how green with envy Iryna was going to be. Her childish lolita charms had failed to rope in another boy, like the Sirens' call had lured in Odysseus.

Pulling Karu closer to her, Shou managed to find a suitable position, in which her bangs hid her mouth, but still left her freedom to whisper into the boy's ear. He was an unwilling pawn in her game of chess, thus she needed to come up with something to compensate him. Mentally snapping her fingers, she thought of the perfect prize.

"Go along with this. I'll treat you to something homemade tomorrow as a reward." She uttered a fraction below a whisper, releasing the poor boy from her vice-like grip, but still shoulder-to-shoulder to keep up her facade. Iryna was a smart girl, but Shou was also a smart schemer. In her head, it could only end well... For her. With Karu, it was another story. In sitting between these two warring factions, he had placed himself firmly between a rock and a hard place.

Moments passed, and with each that trundled by, Shou felt more and more confident about her plan. Just what boy in their right mind would refuse being this close to a cute girl? Shou's giggling belied what she was truly amused about. She herself had to admit, Karu was not unpleasant to look at, or to be around, even if he was a foreigner that required a little extra patience with. Throwing in one of her home-cooked meals would have to sell it if this attention, unwanted or not, didn't. It was far too good an opportunity to say no to.

"I don't think you know Karu-kun here Fuukami. He took me somewhere nice last Saturday. We had a lot of fun together, didn't we?" She added, for extra salt in the wound. This would make Iryna furious to think that her charms were inferior to Shou's, as she had snagged herself a boyfriend. She'd have to be thinking about it at practice, and her concentration would slip, hopefully followed by her. It was most amusing to see one's rival skid, face-down across the ice.

She fired Karu a look that said "make something believable up, or make funeral arrangements. Her uncomfortably warm-looking smile was more terrifying than a creature from the abyss rising up to snatch someone, and drag them to a grizzly demise.

[Fuukami I. Iryna]

"I had such a good time last week. We should do something like that again soon."

Who the heck is this guy?!! And why does Aizawa Shouko have to be so... intimate with him all of a sudden? I can never imagine that girl being lovey-dovey around a guy. That kind of situation never registers with my brain. This snarky, bad-tempered girl? But now the "impossible" happens before my two own eyes... Is Fate toying with me or something?

She even nuzzles his face. What on Earth does she think she's doing? There are lots of people around, but she seems to have no shame at all, doing this in public. This is the place where you eat, Jesus Christ! At least have some dignity. Go find somewhere else! You two are disturbing other people!

"I don't think you know Karu-kun here Fuukami. He took me somewhere nice last Saturday. We had a lot of fun together, didn't we?"

"Oh, really? Nice to meet you, Karu-kun." I uttered an obligatory greeting with a (mostly fake) smile. If I were in an anime or manga, I may be seen with cross-popping veins twitching on my forehead right now.

I take a sip of ice tea to pull myself together. So, is Aizawa Shouko trying to show off her boy toy to me, as if she has just purchased some kind of limited-edition goods? And that guy's name is Karu... Ok, judging from his uniform badge and how he called her "senpai" earlier, he's a first year. I don't get around with the first years much, and his appearance reminds me of an average-joe male lead from a manga. What does he like about this girl anyway? She's mean, she's very bad-tempered, she's even potentially homicidal! And now, just as I thanked her to keep my rudimentary etiquette, and have a little respect for her, she does this! Not that I have any real interest in love to begin with, but she really pisses me off this time. Fate, and her, really try to mess with me today.

[Densetsu Karu]

Seconds after announcing his presence, Aicawa had unexpectedly began affectionately nuzzling him. His first reaction was to back away, but carefully considering his current position, that probably wasn't a good idea. His heart started beating like a hammer, whether from being in close proximity with a relative stranger or from sheer shock from Aizawa's actions, he wasn't sure. However, he didn't stop her, if only to find out her motives behind her boldness.

"I had such a good time last week. We should do something like that again soon."

What the hell was she going on about? He was just about ready to push her away, but Aizawa pulled him closer, whispering into his ear. "Go along with this. I'll treat you to something homemade tomorrow as a reward." Understanding immediately hit him. Ah, she was only using him, but to what end? He gave her a blank stare, considering his next course of action. He was adverse to be treated as some tool or toy to play with, but he was curious of how this would turn out. There was only once choice, then. He gave a slight nod to confirm he would play along.

"I don't think you know Karu-kun here Fuukami. He took me somewhere nice last Saturday. We had a lot of fun together, didn't we?" His initial hunch had been correct: the two girls were competing. That explained the tense atmosphere at the table. Aizawa gave him a threatening look. He didn't have to help her with something like this; she was only being spoiled in this situation. A scheme started to form in his mind, so he took a breath and forced a smile. She had just called him Karu-kun, so he might as well return the gesture to stay legitimate. "Yes, Shou-chan, that was quite the day," he said, finally.

"Oh, really? Nice to meet you, Karu-kun," said the other girl. Fuukami, was it?

"Likewise," Karu said, glancing at "Shou-chan" again. He would definitely not let this continue. He refused to be used as a toy in some dog's game. He may as well teach the girl a lesson by letting the whole thing backfire on her. She was doing this to compete, to get the better of a rival. Her reasons were childish and predictable. Karu could run with it for now, biding his time, waiting for the perfect time to flip the table. He grinned at the thought.

[Aizawa Shou]

This was good. Things seemed to be going well. Her genius ploy was working perfectly. Iryna didn't suspect a thing. Her unwilling willing actor was playing his part nicely. He'd be rewarded, as promised. Something simple, but tasty, as thanks for his acting. Maybe he'd be interested in helping her cousin help that Furukawa girl from 3-B reform her drama club.

"Yes, Shou-chan, that was quite the day,"

It had taken him quite some time to finally spit it out, but, thankfully, he had. Shou was gripping onto his arm with a vice-like squeeze, a stern reminder not to get either cold feet, or any ideas about fleeing the scene. She'd wring his neck if she left him high and dry.

"Did you know?" Shou started, proudly folding her arms across her chest after releasing the boy's arm, "Karu-kun is a foreigner. I was his first friend."

She was boasting of course, about helping the strange foreigner out when he was alone. Granted she was more annoyed than pleased at the prospect of helping him out, and couldn't find her relative for him to make friends with. He was more tolerant of such people, unlike a good chunk of the student body, who looked down their noses at their kohais, exchange students and foreigners like Karu

Shou's eyes were narrowed deviously, as she took up her eating utensils, and took another mouthful of her hot kasudon. It was deathly silent at this table. On the one side was the negatively-charged force with Shou, and the other, the positively-charged force with Iryna. Repulsing each other, yet attracting. Under better circumstances, the two might've been friends. Like Stein and Hemingway. But rivalries were often born from difference in skill. Perhaps if they had both faced someone of superior skating skill, things would be different.

So Shou chewed, contentedly on her food, the sinister glare of her hazel eyes snaking it's way across the table to sink it's fangs deep into her rival's. Her thoughts fled to the next competition. It wasn't that far away from the nationals at Christmas time. They'd have to wing their way to Kyoto if victorious, and Nagano if they tripped at the first hurdle. It was everything to the young girl. She was determined to represent Japan in the Winter Olympics. To stand on that podium, with a gold medal around her neck. The crowd cheering for her. Such was her dream. To compete against the likes of Suguri Fumie, and Onda Yoshie true masters of skating. She would need to improve her game tenfold, and so would her rival. This year's routine would have to be solid.

[Fuukami I. Iryna]

"Karu-kun is a foreigner." Hmm, really now? Is this another ploy of Aizawa Shouko to tick me off or something? I'd better launch my counterattack.

"Is that so?", I replied, "I didn't notice that. He just blends in very nicely, I think. He does not look much different than most of the students here, except me, of course." I try my best to keep my facial muscles from twitching. "When I first saw him, I thought he was your younger brother."

Then I proceeds to munching the remaining meat bun. It tastes kinda bland now, probably because my mind has been preoccupied since bumping into that girl earlier. And the noises around too. I probably have to ask the chefs to make some boxed lunches for me, or even better, teach me how to make one. While thoroughly enjoy the exquisite dishes served to me in the mansion, having simple meals can be a good change of pace, like when my mother decides to put her native cooking skills to use. Furthermore, I heard that it is quite exciting to eat the food you make yourself. With my own lunch, I can enjoy eating in peace without the disturbances or shenanigans like this situation. Even though I really like meat buns, but... well, there are many shops out there that I can buy those from anytime I want.

Then my mind wanders to that girl, and skating as a whole. I cannot lose to her if I want to achieve more than my current state. The upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy is my goal, and there are many competitions in between that I have to overcome to get a ticket to Turin. Nationals aside, the World Figure Skating Championships two years from now in Moscow plays a vital role in my chance of getting that ticket. Mine, and hers, too, and she knows it. If she use 100% of her strength, I shall use 110% of mine, no, probably 150%, as she is no ordinary opponent. It will be very nice if I can triumph over her and getting a spot in the Olympics in my mother's homeland. Then, she will respect me more, and recognize me as a true rival, not a perpetual "follower". And my mother, who has been guiding me for all those years, will be proud, I'm sure of it.

[Densetsu Karu]

The more he thought about it, the more Karu felt confident in his plan. By sitting between these two warring factions, he may have doomed himself a metaphorical death in the crossfire. However, if he was stealthy enough, he could escape the inevitable unscathed. He was perfecting the plan in his head, and if everything went well he would not need to flee.

Aizawa's release of his arm brought him back to reality. "Karu-kun is a foreigner. I was his first friend." She was bragging again, further emphasizing the tension in the air, which was so thick it felt like a physical form of matter. This begged the question: why were these two girls enemies? Were there reasons for such a rivalry, or was it only a petty misunderstanding? Further, how could she still seriously consider him a foreigner? His lie that he was from Canada had been silly and spontaneous. He would have expcted her to have seen through it by now.

"He just blends in very nicely, I think. He does not look much different than most of the students here, except me, of course. When I first saw him, I thought he was your younger brother." Karu bit back the hearty laughter rising in his throat. If he lost his composure, his own scheme would crumble beneath him. "Ah-ha," he uttered a fake chuckle, smiling at Fuukami. "I have Japanese ancestry in my blood, so that may explain your confusion, Fuukami-san.

"That said, Shou-chan and I get along wonderfully. My foreign origin does not affect us at all. Indeed, love conquers all," he was pouring salt onto the wound, and he knew it. Karu wrapped his arm around Aizawa, his heart hammering within his chest once again. It was almost time for him to make his move.

[Aizawa Shou]

This was a fine game of chess. Shou had moved her pawns out onto the board, and was seizing some of the pieces. Iryna had launched her counter-offensive, blowing the chess board wide open. If she could launch her opponent into a sense of jealousy, she'd start thinking about it. All girls thought about it. She'd be prone to more mistakes. That was exactly what Shou needed to get further ahead.

But wait. An idea. Why bother? Why the need for all this cloak and dagger work? There was a perfectly good reason Shou was number one. She was simply just better. Iryna was second because she wasn't good enough. Even if she practiced, Shou was practicing just as hard. She was determined to win. Why increase the lead through dishonesty?

Because it was just that much more fun watching her rival flail about, exasperated. She had her cute lolita charms to win over the hearts of the boys. Shou didn't believe she could use her body to her advantage. So she used her brain.

"I have Japanese ancestry in my blood, so that may explain your confusion, Fuukami-san."

Of course. Karu's physical appearance was very clearly that of a typical Japanese teenager. His accent was a dead giveaway. North American. Crisp, sharp. He was likely more comfortable speaking English. His Japanese accent was a little off. He was a fluent speaker, but certain inflections were noticeable.

"That said, Shou-chan and I get along wonderfully. My foreign origin does not effect us at all. Indeed, love conquers all,"

Shou's eyes widened as the boy snaked his arms around her small form. Her heart was competing with Karu's to see who's could beat the fastest. Her own circulatory organ was pounding like a drum against her chest. She felt... oddly comfortable in the boy's embrace, and eventually let herself loosen up. She'd never been hugged like this before. At least, not from a family member. Was this what it was like to be in a relationship? Sighing, the junior student relaxed a little more. She figured she may as well enjoy it whilst she could.

"Yeah. Love..." Shou repeated, her voice losing it's normal prideful confidence, replaced with an uncertainty. As if her personality had a switch flipped, or wires had been crossed over.

"A-anyways... Like Karu-kun said. I don't care where he's from. It shouldn't matter. As long as the feelings are there, then your place of birth is irrelevant." She asserted, trying her best to regain her composure, lest her cover be blown, and Densetsu's identity, as just a boy she was familiar with, and not her boyfriend as she was leading Fuukami to believe.

[Fuukami I. Iryna]

"My foreign origin does not affect us at all. Indeed, love conquers all." Hmm, he's probably right. Love can transcend borders, and my parents can be a perfect example. That's why I exist in the first place, as the fruit of their love. Of course, they have to overcome lots of obstacles to be together, like how my paternal grandfather, who did not entertain the idea of his son marrying a foreigner, or how the media was in a frenzy like piranhas seeing a savory prey, as they tried to portray my mother as a shameless gold-digger. But my parents pulled through. And when I was born, somehow Grandpa just stopped getting mad at my father, and he has become rather doting towards me. Well, that's what my parents told me, and I was surprised to find out that Grandpa used to be against their relationship, given his current state.

Back to the matter at hand. Oh, did Aizawa Shouko just... flustered a little bit? Interesting, as she had no problem hugging that guy's arm before. I take another sip from my can of ice tea, hiding a smirk forming on my face. Ufufu. You can't fool me with such flimsy improvised tricks, Aizawa Shouko. I've seen a crack in your defense now. He may be your acquaintance, given his willingness to play along, but he certainly is not your boyfriend. If you two are truly a couple, both of you should have no problems showing your mutual affections anywhere, not one-sided like this. Besides, nobody digs a girl who insists on calling her "Shou", a masculine name. And if somebody is savvy enough about prominent Japanese actors, they will know an actor named Aikawa Shou, and that's a he, hence guys may not take her so seriously. Time to strike when the iron's hot.

"Ah, sure. The power of love, which baffles so many people. How romantic. And... Karu-kun, what do you like about Aizawa Shouko? Her... catchy name? Or her... charming personality?"