"Kumi-chan, what took you so long? I thought I was about to be assaulted, having to wait this long with this creep."
But you're the one who asked me to stay with you...I fail to tell Olympia.
"Sorry for making you worry, Olympia. Thanks for keeping her company, Kiyomi. A conversation ran a little too long, and I lost track of time. I promised to finish what we were talking about earlier today after school—but I didn't think it'd take that long."
"Oh? Did you hear a certain rumor about a witch, too?" I ask Kumiko.
"..."
Kumiko doesn't respond. She just stares at me in disbelief. I wish her mouth were open—I could make a clever joke about a fly flying in. It'd be especially fitting for her.
No. This isn't a time to joke around. Kumiko looks genuinely disturbed.
But could a stupid rumor really shake her this much?
"No," she finally responds. "I didn't hear any rumor about a witch. Such things don't exist. They don't. They can't."
"Kumiko," Olympia says gently, "we know witches don't exist. Kiyomi wasn't saying they do. But word around school says he's been entangled with one. Oddly enough, this witch has the same three measurements as I do."
"Pfft." Kumiko tries to stifle a laugh, turning red. "I wonder what a liar would go around spreading something like that."
"It wasn't me. Olympia's the one who brought it up," I chime in.
Olympia smiles proudly, sticking out her chest. Seriously—how can you be proud of spreading a nasty rumor?
"Well, who told you then, Olympia?" I ask. Kumiko looks just as curious.
"Uhh... I don't recall his name. Not someone I'm fond of. I don't know why he went out of his way to tell me, of all people. Maybe because I'm cute?"
"No."
"Yes."
"Thank you so much, Kiyomi. Kumiko, no need to be coy."
"I'm the one who said no, you idiot!"
"Did you, now? Well, who said what is besides the point."
"Who said what is exactly the point…"
I can see Kumiko getting tired of her best friend's antics. I can't blame her. We just finished our first day back, and we're all running low on energy.
"So," Olympia begins, "what was it this mystery person really had to say to you? No offense, but it's not like people line up to talk to you. Now I'm curious—who was it that stole you from me?"
Kumiko goes visibly red. Maybe I should step in.
"Olympia, maybe—"
"Did someone confess to you!?" Olympia practically screams. I swear I saw birds resting in the trees fly out.
Kumiko doesn't respond. She's as red as a tomato. Honestly, sometimes I forget how cute this girl is.
Oh.
I just remembered something I wish I hadn't.
Why did I have to remember that?
I had just forgotten all about it—how could I? How could I forget that Kumiko is capable of—
"I'd…rather not say…" Kumiko mutters.
"Oh...? So it was a boy," Olympia teases. "Someone finally confessed all their bottled-up feelings to you, didn't they?"
Even if a boy did confess, she'd reject him anyway. Does Olympia know that side of Kumiko? Wait...should I know? It wasn't this Kumiko who told me—it was the Kumiko from the previous iteration.
I wonder if this Kumiko is into women, too. Or should I say...into Olympia?
Kumiko squirms nervously. Guess I'll throw her a lifeline.
"I know who called you, Kumiko," I say, and both girls look at me. "It must've been Aunt Flow."
"..."
"..."
"..."
A silence that lasts an eternity.
Was that joke that bad?
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
They both burst out laughing. Even Kumiko can't hold it in.
Now my face is the red one—red as a baboon's butt.
Wait, why does Kumiko get described as a cute tomato, and I get the monkey's ass!?
Their laughter finally fades.
"That was pretty funny, Kiyomi," Olympia says. "Didn't expect a joke that borders on sexual harassment."
"Please don't describe my half-assed joke like that...people will get the wrong idea."
"I'm pretty sure it's the right idea," Kumiko says.
"Ah, it's gotten dark already. Kumiko, I'd better not lose beauty sleep because of you. Let's get going."
"I'm ready when you are," Kumiko replies.
"Well, Kiyomi, see you tomorrow. That is—if you live to see tomorrow," Olympia says.
Unbeknownst to her, those words make my skin crawl.
As she walks past me, she places her hand on my arm. I can't help but feel a little warm. Good thing she isn't looking at my face. Better for her—I must look like a monkey's ass. I mean that literally—I'm red, not (that) ugly.
Kumiko walks up next. She grabs my shoulder, leans close to my ear, and whispers:
"Thank you for saving me. I'd like to talk—just the two of us—soon. Please let it happen. Also, thanks for helping me deal with Olympia. I'll explain later."
She kisses me on the cheek, then hurries to catch up with Olympia.
I watch them walk away—hand in hand.