This chapter has 3 parts, this is part 1!

Nao POV:

It's been a few weeks since I've confessed to Kou. We've been seeing each other a lot during these few weeks, though I

feel some tension between us. We've been going on dates and have been hanging out a lot. However, I feel like she might

become like Hirotaka. I feel like she might push me away because I'm not good enough at gaming. I try to push these

thoughts away, she's different after all, she won't get mad at me, right?

       I can't stop thinking about it, even though I know I should. We've been quietly sitting at the park for a few minutes

now, on our supposed date. I try to bring something up but, I notice that she's zoned out too. It'd be rude to interrupt

her thoughts so I look away again and return to my own troubling thoughts.

       "I'm gonna go and buy some drinks. I'll be right back," she says and I snap my head up to look at her. I give her a

small smile and nod.

Kou POV:

I quickly scurry away from the park and over to Starbocks. I then place a few coins in the vending machine outside the

store and wait for the drinks to come out. As I wait, I notice Nao quietly looking at the trees. It's abnormal of him to be

so quiet but he's been like this ever since he confessed. Maybe he thinks I'm weird? Maybe he's uncomfortable with me?

What if he doesn't like it when I dress like a female? Would he rather me wearing boy clothes?

Still, I feel like he would've said something if he felt weird around me. I quickly snap out of my thoughts, grab the coffee

cans, and head back to the bench.

"Nao," I call, as I head over to the bench. He doesn't respond so I try again.

"Nao, here's the coffee," I say, poking his shoulder. He still doesn't respond and I'm half convinced he's fallen asleep

with his eyes open. I sigh in annoyance and sit on the bench beside him.

"Nao!", I repeat, slightly raising my voice. This time, he reacts and turns his head to look at me. He tilts his head and

looks at me with wide eyes.

"Oops! Sorry!", he exclaims. It's my turn to widen my eyes as I quickly bow my head down.

"I'm sorry for raising my voice! I hope you weren't offended! I didn't mean to sound rude!", I apologize quickly.

He shakes his head and smiles sweetly. "No, no! It's no trouble! I'm glad you did! I'm sorry for zoning out like that!"

I nod my head slowly and hand him a can of coffee. He smiles again and takes it, opening it and chugging down.

Nao POV:

She continues to repeatedly apologize. It's always been a habit of hers. I place my can of coffee down then hold her hand

in both of mine. She wildly blushes and gently smiles at me.

"Hey! Don't feel bad! It's really fine!", I reassure her, grinning. "Don't feel bad, I should be apologizing for not replying

the first time you said my name!"

She sighs but nods. I plant a gentle kiss on her forehead and her face becomes a bright shade of red. She pulls her hand

away from mine and hides her face in her hands.

I chuckle and wrap my arm around her. I pull her closer to me and she continues to hide her face in her hands.

"Don't cover your cute face," I pout. She looks up at me and I see concern in her eyes.

"Is there something wrong? Do you not like spending time with me? Do I make you feel weird?", she blurts out. She

slaps her hand over her mouth when she realizes what she said. "I..I'm so sor-"

I hold my hand up to stop her from continuing. "No, don't apologize. There's nothing wrong with you and I love

spending time with you. I've just been thinking about some things and sometimes I get lost in thought," I assure her as

she looks at me with relief in her eyes.

"What have you been thinking about though? Is something going on in your life?", she asks, becoming worried once again.

I shake my head and fake a smile for her. "No, no, nothing's wrong! I've just been thinking about...you! Do you want to

play some games before heading back home?"

She looks at me with skepticism but nods. "Ok, if you say so..."

[ alternate crack answer: "oH, yOu'Ve bEeN tHiNkInG aBoUt Me? I sAw YoU pIcKiNg tHaT tReE oUt oF tHe GrOuNd AnD tAkInG iT oUt FoR dInnEr. I WILL KILL THE TREE AND YOUR TREE CHILDREN. THEY WILL NOT STEAL MY NAO. YOU ARE M I N E AND ONLY MINE. DIE TREE," SHE SCREAMS,LUNGING AT THE TREE WITH A CHAINSAW SHE PULLED OUT OF HER HANDBAG.]

We head over to the arcade and she holds my hand while smiling the whole time. We play the newest game there. Kou

being Kou, masters it the first time she plays as I struggle to keep up with her. I give her a small smile and laugh it off. I

just hope she still has fun playing with me, even though I suck at any type of game.

Kou POV:

I start to laugh a bit and give a gentle smile. "Heh sorry I got a little carried away, didn't I?"

He looks at me with an expression I can't read before his face contorts into a huge grin and he laughs along.

"Haha, I suck as usual. You're so amazing Kou!", he says as he starts to pack up.

I don't know why but the face he gave me made me feel so bad. Maybe I should stop winning at games and let him have

a chance for once.

"What's wrong Kou? Do you feel sick?"

"I- oh no I'm good..." I say as I continue to stare at him.

"Are you sure? It must be the coffee or something. Let me take you home!", he says worriedly.

He puts his hand on my shoulder and leads me out. I look down the entire trip home and start to question if he's really

happy with me. Maybe he was just lying when he told me he was happy. I did feel sick but it wasn't because of the coffee.

I was starting to doubt myself.

We arrived home and I let him inside for a bit. My dad wasn't home yet so it was okay.

"Wanna watch a movie?", I say as I take off my shoes.

"Yeah, I'm good with that," he says as he places his coat on the hanger.

I switch through channels, eventually landing on Violet Evergarden: The Movie. I watch it with extreme interest and

don't notice that Nao has stopped paying attention to the screen.

Nao POV:

I watch the first few minutes of the movie, before I begin to slowly lose interest. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that it

reminds me of Narumi being an anime and manga otaku. One thought leads to another and I begin thinking about

Hirotaka and his cold personality towards me.

I look at Kou who watches the movie and notice tears forming in her eyes from a sad scene. I wrap my arm around her

comfortingly and she nuzzles in closer, keeping her attention on the movie.

I look down at her sadly. I don't want to imagine her pushing me away because of how badly I suck at games. I'm so

clueless and I fear that one day, she'll lose her patience with me. I can feel a lump forming in my throat and tears welling

up in my eyes as a sniffle and try blinking them away. I feel a few tears begin to fall down my cheeks as I struggle to keep

them in.