Irie Naoki's POV

The early morning sun blinded my face and I squinted from my peaceful slumber. I shielded my eyes and sat up in my bed. Then I turned around to see that I had overslept, for the first time in my life. I had overslept! The truth crashed down on me and I quickly charged downstairs.

I gulped down on my breakfast and glanced wildly around to see where the Kotoko girl had gone. Ugh! She'd probably already left for school without me. I sighed miserably and Yuuki came to ask me what was wrong. "Nothing," I replied.

"ONII-CHAN!" I heard my mother shriek. "What are you still doing here? Dear Kotoko has already left, so you better get going soon if you want to catch up with her!"

"Why would I want to," I muttered under my breath, and Yuuki, who was sitting next to me, snickered.

Then I remembered the time and promptly dashed out the door. And crashed down onto Kotoko.

"Gahh!" she cried and looked up. "Ah, Irie-kun! I've been waiting for a while!"

"Why didn't you just go by yourself…" I murmured, but secretly I was pleased she'd waited for me. "Whatever," and I purposely ignored her attempts to strike up a conversation.

"Uh, Irie-kun?" Kotoko poked me a while later and I glared, irritated. "The train…is about to leave…" And of course, the train's engine began to roar. "Here, hold my hand!" Kotoko cried, getting anxious. Reluctantly, I held up my hand and felt myself being pulled up through the open door. By then, the train was roaring fast and I stooped to catch my breath. "Sorry," Kotoko told me and looked out the window.

"No, sorry," I told her. By the time I realized what I'd just said, it was too late.

"Eh? Irie-kun? …Are you okay? Um, uh, y-you just s-said…"

"Is it that weird to say sorry? Geez, you are really stupid," I knocked her head.

"Okayyy…never mind then, Irie-kun."

I sighed and put my hand on his chin, relieved that I hadn't completely revealed myself to her.