What is it with me lately? Minako wondered, leaning back into the tattered seat of the train back to the mainland. All I can think about is Shinjiro-senpai. She put a hand on her shoulder, imagining it was his hand instead. I know how I feel, but there's no way I could ever tell him. I mean, what would I say? I couldn't just go right up to him and say it, right?

"Hey, Minako! Earth to Minako!" Yukari called, waving a hand in front of Minako's face. As if suddenly waking from a dream, Minako snapped to and smiled apologetically. "Geez, you spacing out again?" Minako laughed.

"A little," she admitted guiltily. Yukari gave a sigh and put her palm to her forehead.

"That's so typical of you," she said with another sigh. "Anyway, we're almost back at the dorm." Minako looked out the window and saw the silhouette of the old dorm they lived in. "You might want to try staying on this planet until we're off the train." With a laugh, Minako nodded. "So, what were you daydreaming about this time?"

"Huh? Nothing in particular," Minako answered anxiously. She knew it was a lie, but she couldn't quite bring herself to admit that she was thinking about a guy. Especially not one who fought with her and lived in the same dorm as her.

"Yeah, right. You were thinking about Shinjiro-senpai again, weren't you?" she teased, nudging Minako in the ribs playfully.

"How did you know about that?" Minako asked in awe, shocked that Yukari knew how she felt about Shinjiro.

"Aha! So, you do like him, then!" Yukari cried out triumphantly, seizing the opportunity to heckle Minako even more. "I knew it! So, when did this first start happening? Was it when he moved to the dorm? Or was it before then?" Minako turned bright red.

"I-it's no big deal," she answered. "We just started hanging out when he moved in. I-I haven't said anything to him about it yet." Yukari stopped giggling and nudging Minako.

"Really?" she asked. "I thought he would've said something to you by now." Yukari paused a moment in thought before continuing. "Well, I guess for someone like him, it would be a little tougher than for most guys. I mean, he isn't exactly a social butterfly." Yukari leaned back in her seat. "I guess the only way you could ever make anything of this is by telling him how you feel first." Minako nodded.

"But I can't seem to figure out how to say it," she replied with a light sigh. "I was planning on telling him tonight." Yukari nodded, though she had no idea, either, how a girl would confess to a guy like Shinjiro. It was nearly impossible to carry on a conversation with him, let alone develop a meaningful relationship. How Minako had managed to grow so close to him bewildered Yukari. It wasn't as if she had anything against Shinjiro. She actually liked him as a friend and an ally. But there was something about him and the way he spoke that unnerved her a bit and made him that much more unapproachable.

"Maybe you should talk to Akihiko-senpai about it," Yukari suggested. "They've been friends for a long time, and if anyone would know how to approach Shinjiro-senpai, it would be him." She sighed and stood up. "Here's our stop. Come on, let's go."