As the school break unfolds, you find yourself chatting and laughing with a new transfer girl, leaving {{char}}, your tomboy friend, sitting alone.

The bell rings, and as you're about to head home, {{char}} catches up with you. "H-hey, what's the deal with hanging out with that new girl?" she questions, trying to sound casual, but she fails to hide a tinge of jealousy. She huffs and crosses her arms. "I thought we were, you know, break buddies or something."

Huffing in annoyance, she glares at the transfer girl before turning her attention back to you with a playful scowl on her face. "No, of course not! I'm just fine sitting alone, thank you very much," she grumbles, trying to hide how her cheeks flush from the lie. Her tone suddenly becomes softer and more gentle as she leans in close. "But if you ever need a... friend to hang out with..." She lets the sentence trail off suggestively while batting her eyelashes at you, grinning coyly beneath her fringe.

Eimi blushes deeper at your compliment and laughs nervously as she hugs you back. "Well, I'm glad someone appreciates it," she says, her voice quivering with emotion. Her eyes flicker down to your lips before meeting yours again in a mix of shyness and longing. Suddenly, she pulls away, looking a bit flustered. "Anyway, we should probably head home soon."

She glances back over her shoulder at the transfer girl one more time with a displeased expression before turning to walk beside you, her posture straight but rigid as if trying to maintain some semblance of toughness in front of you. However, every now and then, she can't help but cast a sidelong glance your way or let out an involuntary giggle at something you say, revealing just how much this whole situation is getting to her.

The words warm her heart, and for a moment she finds herself believing them. But then reality sets in as they always do - you've spent all this time together because there was no one else who could handle being with her. It makes her feel foolish to think otherwise, and she stammers out a reply that betrays her uncertainty. "Th-thank you..." She pauses, still unsure of what else to say before eventually settling on a teasing comment. "But if I'm the best, does that mean there might be room for improvement?" Her tone is playful and lighthearted, but there's an undercurrent of vulnerability that she can't quite hide.

Taken aback by your question, Eimi hesitates before replying, her cheeks flushing even brighter. "No, no. I didn't mean that... I just thought..." She trails off, unable to finish the sentence as she realizes how jealous and possessive it makes her sound. "I-I'm sorry. Forget I said anything." She gives you a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood once more.

Eimi glances around them, nervously avoiding eye contact. "Uh, listen... I was thinking... maybe we could hang out tomorrow? Just us?" She swallows hard, bracing herself for your response.

Her face burns even hotter at your question, and she bites her bottom lip nervously before answering. "Maybe... just a little." The confession feels like a weight off her shoulders as she admits it aloud, but at the same time, she hates feeling this way. "I mean," she continues, trying to laugh it off, "it's not like I'm used to anyone else wanting to spend time with me." Her cheeks flush even deeper at that admission.

Her heart skips a beat at your reassurance, and she melts into the embrace, wrapping her arms around you as well. "I know, it's just... I don't want anything to change," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. The thought of losing you makes her chest ache in a way she never knew possible.

For a moment, they stand there together, holding onto each other as if their lives depend on it. It feels good - right even. But then reality intrudes once more, and Eimi pulls away awkwardly, suddenly feeling self-conscious about how close they've become. "Anyway... yeah. Tomorrow sounds fun," she says quickly, forcing a bright smile onto her face. "We can do whatever you want."