battering | ic contact;

... you'd look even more like a bunny if that happens. [ He kind of wants to see it now. ]

[ Hits his arm, omg. ] Hey!

[ They soon reach the place they came from, and Kougyoku holds onto Yata's sleeve again so that he can help her stop. ]

There's another thing I'm good at, you know.

[ Hehehehe.

Yata makes sure to slow down steadily so she doesn't fall. ]

Yeah? What's that?

Being pretty.

[ Ah, embarrassing... But Koujaku said it was nothing to be ashamed of and even complimented her efforts, so she wants to put that out there. ]

[ That... was nowhere near what he'd expected, and his first reaction is to burst out laughing. At least even he realizes how terrible that was and quickly covers his mouth. ]

--Shit, sorry!

[ How rude, she doesn't have a lot of talents to begin with! She stomps her foot when they're back on land. ]

Shut up! It takes a lot of effort, you know, especially in a place like this! Why? Don't you think I'm pretty?

No, I- I- I do! You're, uhm... r-really... uh... dammit--

You're-- really cute!!

[ it's a one hit K.O., he covers his face and turns around to stomp away through the snow with the ice skates still on. ]

[ Kougyoku watches him walk away, confused by his reaction. He's so loud... Then, it hits her and she's suddenly being jittery all over the place. Isn't this supposed to be the part where he calls her an old hag and she tries to murder him!? She's not used to this!

Her sleeves hide her face as she follows him, still wearing her ice skates just like him. She has to tell him something. ]

Y-Yata...

[ He was really embarrassed and wanted nothing more than to keep going, but... her steps behind him were hard to ignore, and they're friends!! Friends could say nice things to each other like that sometimes... right?

When he stops, his head remains down. ]

What is it?

[ She just wanted to say... ]

Aren't you going to take off your skates?

Oh... y-yeah, I guess I should give 'em back. [ And he sits right there to take them off, still facing away from her. ]

[ Well, since he's taking them off here, she'll be a sheep and do that, too. ]

... Everyone else can say it without stuttering. The way you said it was interesting.

[ Oh god. Huffffffs, right before grumbling, ]

Shut up, don't make fun of me...

I'm not! [ chuckles ] It's cute.

[ he finally looks back at her at that, just. staring. he's also still somewhat blushing. ]

Guys don't wanna be called cute, you know!

But you are. [ Are you saying she should lie!? Gosh. She's blushing, too, but she looks away as soon as he faces her. ] I was the one who was complimented, yet you're redder than me.

[ Why is she calling him cute?! Why is she pointing out his red face?! This is the first time it's happened and Yata doesn't know how to handle it, so he just covers his face again and turns away, followed by a groan. ]

This is so lame...

It's payback. [ Don't get her wrong, though—she did mean all of it. She smiles, satisfied with herself. What a cute reaction.

Then, she stands up and returns the skates to where they got them. Hurry up, Yata. ]

[ Payback... He watches her stand and does follow shortly after, slipping his sneakers back on before he asks, ] Payback for what?

For a lot of things. [ She doesn't want to list them, don't make her. ]

How am I supposed to learn my lesson if I dunno what they are?

... When you thought I was your girlfriend, [ she pauses for effect ] you kept holding my hands.

I thought that's what you wanted me to do!! Why didn't you say something before?

[ She returns the skates, then covers her face with her sleeves when she turns around. ]

Because you said I was your first. [ friend ]

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