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Kotori and Rio spend most the walk home in each other’s company. The blue haired girl was president of the student council, as such she stayed back after school on Fridays. Kotori did too, though not for the same reason. The two eventually part ways but it was a good twenty minutes she had with Rio. Free from Yuma’s distractions or their other friends interfering. It was just the two of them alone.
They would just talk as any normal friends would do. Until the discussion turned to the topic of what unfolded just before Rio met up with Kotori. From her bag she brought out a black box roughly the size of her hand. On the lid was the name of a jewellery brand written in cursive.
“Just got something from one of the boys on the student council. He’s been looking at me all year. I’m surprised it took him so long. There’s a lot of guys lied up, you'd think he’d be a little more urgent. Everyone else was.”
Kotori couldn’t help but think those words could apply to her as well. Admittedly, thinking about the amount of attention Rio received from boys made Kotori envious… of the boys.
The lovestruck girl longed to be the object of her friend’s affection. She wanted to hold her hand without Rio confusing it for something close female friends did. As a girl who could have any boy she wanted, Rio had her fair choice of men. Unfortunately, Kotori and her quite possibly acquired the dreaded label of being ‘gal pals'.
Kotori anxiously waited for Rio to open the box. When she did, it revealed a sterling silver bracelet, attached to it was a small heart charm. The kind of jewellery sold in high brand stores.
While looking at it, Kotori eyes drew towards the bracelet Rio was already wearing. It was just a simple charm bracelet Kotori gave her.
She got into creating own her jewellery. It was the first one she made. Before she even started it, Kotori already decided who it was going to be for. The charms were rhinestone studded silver snowflakes with the beads being different variations of blue.
All the things she thought Rio would like.
The bracelet in the box was leagues better than her own. Although, hers was made with cheap plastic beads from a craft store whilst the other would only be purchasable for Kotori if she saved up quite a lot.
In her opinion, it was rather cheap. Not the bracelet itself but it was cheap to pull such a move. This was too much for someone who’s just an acquaintance, and although Rio surely deserved something so beautiful, he was just buying her love. There wasn’t anything personal or from the heart.
The very idea that idea that this would become Rio’s new favourite accessory she would wear everyday over her own made Kotori feel totally replaceable.
Not that Rio couldn’t see straight through it.
“It looks pretty expensive considering you’re not like his girlfriend or anything.” Kotori laughed a little but out of nervousness. The word girlfriend came out more shaky than intended.
“Yeah, I don’t know why they always pick something so pricey. I’m not more likely to date you based on how much you spend on me. It’s way better to receive a present from someone you love… Not some guy.” Rio turned to Kotori. “That being said... would have worked better if he gave me something a little more blue... just kidding of course!”
Her giggles were cuter than a box of kittens, it never failed to cause that burning feeling in Kotori’s cheeks she so desperately tried to hide.
“I know right? ....The bracelet itself is still pretty nice though.”
“Maybe. But I already got a pretty kickass one.” She shook her hand, making the charm bracelet jingle.
Kotori sighed of relief that Rio thought the exact same. That girl always felt true and genuine, would just say what she was thinking without the need of being harsh about it.
No matter the many presents boys give her, nothing cost more than the value of their friendship. Kotori definitely knew she would’ve chosen Rio over all those guys any day.
“I think it’d look nicer on you.” Rio chirped.
Kotori laughed a little. “It’s your gift.”
“And now it’s your gift.”
“You can’t re-gift things.”
Rio giggled. “You wouldn’t have known if I didn’t tell you about it.”
“That’s not the point.”
Rio put down the box and her bag on a nearby bench, only keeping the bracelet on her. She undid the clasp before moving towards Kotori. She gestured her to hold out her hand. At any chance to touch hands with Rio, Kotori would take it without question.
Rio grabbed her wrist gently. Her skin was so warm and soft, totally opposite from her reputation as the ice queen of the student council. She radiated this kind of warmth that totally melted Kotori’s heart. The president was so sweet and welcoming. The moment she first smiled at Kotori was the moment that lead to the jumble of feelings she felt right now.
Rio had her focus on the bracelet but Kotori still tried to bite back the smile of the utter glee she felt whenever the girl was near. Made her face all red and she was practically bouncing on the spot.
A confession bubbled up inside her ready to burst, she’d scream out her love right then and there if she didn’t control herself. She would probably just run home, hide under the covers where could her squeal with absolute delight she got to be so close to Rio once again. Even the smallest bit of interaction was enough. It was all so awkward and exciting, the way that school crushes could affect a person in such a way.
When done, Rio retracted her hands and took a good look. Kotori fiddled with the bracelet, turning it around to look at the small heart charm. It turned out to be a locket instead and she immediately thought of whose picture to put in.
Rio tapped her finger against her chin and pondered a bit. “Nice. But I think I can do better. I should get you something that reminds me of you.” She bent down to collect her belongings off the bench. “It'll be hard to get something that’s as pretty as you Kotori.”
Those words made Kotori’s brain go blank. She gawked at the other girl but no thoughts could form. Rio quickly jogged off before Kotori could muster the ability to speak.
“I'm going this way. See you Monday!” She called over her shoulder.
When she turned a corner the sound of a jingling bracelet faded until it completely deceased. Kotori still stared at where the student president had dashed off to as though she’d come back and revealed it to be another one of her jokes.
Minutes had passed, there were no familiar chiming to be heard come back the other way.
Kotori was still dazed. Absolutely blushing.
Rio’s touch still lingered on Kotori’s wrist. She didn’t try rubbing it, as if it were something physical she could brush off. Trying to remove it might’ve been like removing Rio from herself. Even if Rio was no longer present, Kotori still felt like she had left something behind.
Which she kind of did, the silver bracelet hugging Kotori’s wrist. Even though it wasn’t originally for her, it was still a reminder of her beloved friend. Who, going off of what she said, might’ve felt the same. Rio even had given a present that was a classmate’s attempt to woo her to someone else for her own goal. And had worked.
The whole weekend was going to drive Kotori crazy waiting to know what this new revelation means for their relationship. She just hoped Rio followed up on that gift she promised.