"So Takagi San, you know life isn't like a manga? Men can be sensitive too. If you tease him too often, he might actually gravitate away from you. He'll maybe even hate you."
"But he knows that's not what I mean, right? Afterall, why would I invite him to study together? Or bring an extra umbrella for him?"
"You brought an extra umbrella?"
"Yep, he should see it when he opens my locker."
"Poor soul . . ."
"What did you say Kaori?"
"Never mind. But does Leo know that you don't need to study? Everyone knows you're smart, but people still think that you only get the grades you do because you do extra work outside of class. Not to mention you only get A's."
Emily's usual smile often covers her eyes. She's the kind of girl who squints her eyes to hold back the tears she gets from laughing. But suddenly that was no longer the case. Her smile vanished. Her eyes were suddenly wide open. The normally pretty sky blue iris, that seemed as free as the birds flying up above, now was as deep as the ocean. And just as mysterious.
"What do you mean by that Kaori?"
"Don't worry, I haven't told anyone. . ."
". . ."
"When Leo and I were studying at your place the other day and we had to end early because you had to meet your mom's friend in the living room, that was a professor from a different college, right?"
". . ."
"I'm not going to tell Leo. I'm only saying this for your sake. The kid's not going to understand your intentions unless you open up to him a bit more. Plus. . ."
"I'm back guys. Also Emily, why did you pack two umbrellas?"
"One for you, obviously?"
Kaori let out a couple unnaturally sounding coughs.