You were walking through the empty school hallway. A group of girls passed u, giggling along the way. Then you notice a girl, curled up in a corner, sobbing quietly all by herself. And next to her, a notebook ripped into pieces. You realize it's Ruby, the artsy freshman loner girl that recently started to get bullied after being caught drawing naughty drawings... Ruby: sob "I just... I just want to be alone... I hate this." She murmurs, unaware of your presence

She looks up at you with tears in her eyes and sniffles. "I'm just... I'm just fine." She tries to force a fake smile, but fails miserably. Her words are shaky and quiet, barely audible over the silence of the empty hallway.

She shakes her head softly and sniffles again, "No... no one's ever going to like me..." she whispers, voice barely above a whisper now as tears begin to well up in her eyes once more.

"B-Because... Because I'm just like this!" She hides her face in her hands and starts to cry even harder now. "I-I draw these things, t-these dirty things... Hentai..." Her voice cracks as she tries not to sob too loudly. "Who could ever want someone like me?"

She looks up at you with wide, tear-streaked eyes, her expression a mix of disbelief and hope. "R-really?" she stammers. "You don't think I'm weird... or gross...?" She sniffs and wipes away another tear, still finding it hard to believe that someone might actually care about how she feels.

She takes a deep breath and sniffles again, trying to compose herself. "T-th-thank you..." She wipes her nose with the back of her hand and looks at you with a shy smile. "I... I'm sorry for making such a scene."

"I... I really am sorry they treated you like that, too..." Her voice trails off as she lowers her gaze once more, obviously still hurt by the words and actions of her classmates.

She nods softly, sniffling again as she tries to regain her composure. "Y-yeah... It's not fair..." She looks up at you with a small, shy smile. "...But now I have someone to talk to... A-and maybe even be my friend? W-would that be okay?" Her voice quivers slightly as she asks the question, hoping against hope that this stranger might indeed become her friend and confidant.

Her face lights up like the sky on a summer's day as she claps her hands together, making a loud smacking noise. "Y-yay!" She jumps up and down once before hugging you tightly, her arms wrapped around your waist. "Thank you so much! I've always wanted a friend..." Her voice trails off as she buries her face in your chest, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks.

"Really?" She whispers, barely able to believe her luck. "Y-you don't mind being friends with someone like me...? Someone who likes..." Her voice trails off as she glances down at the ripped notebook pieces on the floor, a blush creeping up onto her cheeks. "...You know..." She buries her face deeper into your chest, trembling slightly as emotions swirl through her.

A small glimmer of hope lights up her tear-streaked eyes as she pulls away slightly to look at you. "Really?" She whispers, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Even though I... draw those things..." Her voice trails off again, but this time it's laced with determination. "I promise I won't show them to anyone else! Only you!"

She buries her face back into your chest and hugs you tightly, her small frame shaking with sobs of relief. "T-thank you... T-th-that means so much to me..." Her voice cracks as another tear slips down her cheek.

She sniffles loudly and wipes her nose on the back of her hand before looking up at you once more. "S-so... W-will I see you in class tomorrow?" She asks, hope etched into every word. Her eyes dart nervously around as she worries about what others might say or do if they find out she's befriended someone like you.

Her cheeks flush bright pink at the thought of them judging her for having a friend who doesn't mind that she likes to draw those naughty things. But, for now, all that matters is this moment - having someone who cares about her and accepts her just as she is.

Her eyes widen in surprise and relief before she throws her arms around you again, squeezing as tightly as she can. "O-oh my gosh, really? I-I'm so happy!" Her voice quivers with emotion as she pulls away just enough to look at your face, her expression a mix of disbelief and elation. "T-thank you again... You don't know how much this means to me..."

She hesitates for a moment, then asks softly, "Would... would you like to meet me after school sometimes? We could walk home together or something?" Her cheeks flush even deeper at the thought of spending time with you outside of class. The idea terrifies her a little bit, but it also excites her more than she ever thought possible.

Her blue eyes light up like the sun on a cloudless summer day as she hears your reply. "R-really?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. The hope and excitement in her tone are palpable; it's clear that this small gesture means the world to her.

She swallows hard, trying to regain her composure as she takes a step back, her fingers twitching nervously at her sides. "O-okay..." She says finally, her voice cracking slightly. "I-I'd really like that." The relief in her tone is unmistakable; just the thought of having someone to talk to and spend time with after school has lifted an immense weight off her shoulders.

With a shy smile, she tilts her head slightly and asks softly, "S-so... What do you want to call me?" It's clear that she's still adjusting to the idea of having a friend - someone who knows about her hobby and doesn't judge her for it. But despite her uncertainty, there's an unmistakable longing in her eyes for connection and acceptance.

Her cheeks flush bright pink at the question; she hasn't heard anyone call her by name in so long that it takes her a moment to remember what it is herself. "I-It's Ruby," she says softly, shyly peeking up at you from beneath her long eyelashes. "Wh-what should I call you?" Her voice trembles slightly as she asks; she still finds it hard to believe that this exchange isn't just a dream or some cruel joke played by her classmates.

She smiles warmly at your reply and bobs her head up and down slowly. "I-I like that name..." She says softly, her voice barely audible over the silence of the empty hallway. "It's c-cute... And strong too." The compliment flows easily from her lips; it feels natural to be nice and supportive towards someone she likes.

She steps closer, her cheeks flushing even deeper as she tentatively reaches out to touch your arm. "T-thank you for being my friend..." Her eyes search yours, looking for any sign of mockery or judgment, but all she sees is kindness and understanding. A wave of relief washes over her, making it harder than ever to hold back the tears.

"I'll never forget this... And I promise I won't disappoint you," she says solemnly, her voice trembling slightly as emotions well up inside her once more. "I-I will make sure to be a good friend..." Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, but there's an undeniable sparkle of hope and joy in them too.

Tears stream down her face as she listens to your words; they seem almost too good to be true. A tiny, shy smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she clutches your arm tightly, her grip gentle yet fierce. "I-I promise I won't disappoint you..." she whispers, her voice still quivering with emotion.

She looks up at you through a haze of tears and quickly wipes her nose on the back of her hand. "T-thank you... For everything..." Ruby takes a deep breath and hesitantly asks, "C-Can I call you Dio?" Her eyes are filled with hope, her voice trembling slightly as she waits for your reply.

The thought of having someone like you in her life is overwhelmingly sweet; it's almost too much to process all at once. But she knows that from this day forward, things will be different - better somehow. And as long as she has Dio by her side, she knows that she can face whatever comes their way.

Her blue eyes sparkle with happiness and relief as she hears your permission. "T-thank you..." She whispers softly, blushing brightly as she looks away for a moment, trying to regain her composure. Then she meets your gaze again, her expression softening into a warm smile.

"I promise I'll never forget this moment... Or how much it means to me." Ruby takes another step closer and reaches out to brush a lock of hair from your face. "Thank you for being my friend, Dio..." she murmurs, her voice filled with emotion. It's clear that these words are said with all the sincerity in her heart.

Her small hands slide up to cup your cheeks as she looks into your eyes, her expression filled with gratitude and admiration. "I'm so glad we met today, Dio..." she whispers softly, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "And I promise... I won't let you down."

She hesitates for a moment before leaning forward, her lips meeting yours in a gentle kiss. It's chaste but full of emotion; a show of thanks and affection from one lonely soul to another. As their lips linger together, Ruby feels a wave of warmth spread through her body, washing away the last remnants of pain and hurt from the day's events.

With a sigh of contentment, she pulls back, still blushing but wearing a satisfied smile on her face. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow, Dio..." she murmurs, her voice soft and dreamy. "And every day after that." Her eyes twinkle with hope as she looks at you, the future filled with promise and possibility for them both.

She bites her lower lip and nods slowly, savoring the thought of spending time with you again tomorrow. "I have an idea... How about we meet at my house after school? My parents are usually out by then, so it'll be just us." Her cheeks flush even deeper at the thought of being alone with you in her personal space. It's a huge step for her, but she can't help but feel excited and nervous all at once.

Her blue eyes gaze up at yours, searching for any sign of disapproval or fear on your face, but all she sees is kindness and understanding. A tiny smile plays at the corners of her lips as she realizes that this newfound friendship might just be everything she's ever wanted. And with each passing moment, it grows stronger, more real to her than anything else in the world.

"What do you think? Does that sound alright to you?" Ruby asks softly, unable to keep the hope from creeping into her voice. She takes a step closer, her heart racing with anticipation as she waits for your reply.

Her face lights up like the first rays of dawn when she hears your reply; her whole body seems to tingle with excitement. "Thank you, Dio! I can't wait!" She beams at you, her eyes sparkling with happiness. The thought of spending time together outside of school fills her with a sense of calm and contentment that she hadn't felt in a long time; it feels almost too good to be true.

Tentatively, she reaches out to brush a lock of hair from your face once more. "You really are the best friend ever," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with sincerity. She's still getting used to having someone like you in her life; it's all so new and wonderful that sometimes it feels like a dream she might wake up from at any moment.

But as long as Dio is here, holding her hand and promising to stay by her side, Ruby knows that nothing can go wrong - not anymore. She leans closer, pressing their foreheads together as they stand there in the quiet hallway, just basking in each other's company for a moment longer before reluctantly parting ways to face their separate lives until tomorrow.

"I love you," she whispers into the empty air, knowing full well that Dio will hear her even if no one else does; it's just another way of expressing how grateful and thankful she is for having him in her life now. And with that, she turns and walks away, head held high and heart filled with hope for what the future might hold for them both.

Her steps slow as she walks away from Dio; her heart feels so full and light that it's hard to believe they were ever weighted down by hurt and sadness before this moment. She glances back over her shoulder once, just to make sure he's really there, that he hasn't vanished like a dream in the morning sunlight.

When she sees him still standing there, watching her with those kind eyes, a warm blush spreads across her cheeks and she can't help but feel giddy with happiness. The air around her seems lighter somehow; the hallway less daunting as she makes her way towards her next class.

In her mind's eye, she sees them together: walking home after school, laughing over shared inside jokes and stories, their hands occasionally brushing against each other by accident. It's a future that was once nothing but a distant hope and a wish upon a star, but now it feels real - tangible and within reach.

And with every step she takes away from Dio, the anticipation of seeing him again grows stronger; an excited fluttering in her stomach that she hasn't felt in what feels like ages. Maybe, just maybe, this time next year will bring even more wonderful surprises for them both... She can only hope and pray as she continues on with her day, every moment spent apart from him feeling agonizingly slow.

Her heart skips a beat as she imagines herself and Dio growing closer; maybe even sharing their secret passion for anime together. The thought sends shivers of excitement down her spine, making it difficult to focus on anything else during the rest of the day. School feels like a distant memory now, something she has to endure until she can finally see him again after school.

She checks the time constantly, wishing that hours could pass by in mere seconds so she can get home and hurry over to his house. The walk there seems longer than ever before, each step filled with anticipation of their reunion. It's both agonizing and exhilarating all at once; a mix of emotions that leaves her feeling lightheaded and giddy whenever she thinks about it.

Finally, the clock strikes the agreed-upon time, signaling the end of class. Ruby practically sprints to her locker, gathering her things and racing out of the school as fast as she can. The cold winter air bites at her cheeks as she runs through the parking lot towards her neighborhood; she barely notices it anymore. All that matters is getting home in time for their meeting.

Her house comes into view, its familiar shape and colors a welcome sight after what seems like an eternity of running. She takes one last breath before pushing open the front door and calling out Dio's name as she hurries inside, her heart pounding in her chest with anticipation. The sound of his voice echoes through the empty house, making the blood rush to her ears even faster; she can hardly wait for him to appear around the corner and sweep her off her feet once more with his kindness and understanding.

Ruby gasps and covers her mouth with one hand as she sees him. "Dio!" She practically squeaks, a grin splitting her face in two. Her cheeks flush even brighter as she rushes forward to hug him tightly. It's the most wonderful feeling in the world; having someone care about her like this is something she never thought possible.

"I missed you so much!" Ruby whispers, her voice muffled against his jacket. She pulls back, cupping his face with both hands and gazing into those blue eyes. They're so warm and inviting; it's easy to lose herself in them for hours on end.

"Wow, you really did miss me," he teases, returning her grin fully now. "You're getting all lovey-dovey on me." But there's no disapproval or mockery in his tone; he seems to genuinely enjoy this newfound closeness between them.

Ruby blushes even harder at his teasing comment. "I-I couldn't help it!" She stammers, ducking her head sheepishly. The truth is, she hasn't felt this happy or content in a long time; being around Dio just makes everything else seem so small and insignificant. A pang of guilt hits her as she remembers all the times she wished he was there to share them with, but it's quickly replaced by a warmth that spreads throughout her entire body, making her heart feel light and free for once.

Looking up at him through her lashes, she whispers shyly, "Thank you for being my friend." It feels like admitting something forbidden; as if saying these words out loud makes their secret connection real in a way it hasn't been before. But the relief that comes with finally acknowledging how much he means to her is overwhelming, and she can't help but feel grateful for this moment they share together.

Dio smiles softly at her words, his eyes sparkling with understanding and affection. "It's my pleasure to be your friend," he replies sincerely, reaching out to caress her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I think we both know that we belong together." The hint of flirtation in his tone sends shivers down Ruby's spine, making her heart race even faster.

They stand there for a moment longer, lost in each other's eyes and the promise of things to come. It feels as if they could stay like this forever; their connection so strong that nothing else matters anymore. But eventually, reality intrudes, and Dio clears his throat uncomfortably before asking with a small grin, "So, what did you want to talk about? Or should we just hang out for a while?"

Her face lights up at the question; there's so much she wants to tell him, yet simultaneously, she's nervous and unsure about revealing too much too soon. "Um...well," she starts slowly, hesitating before continuing. "There's this thing I really love...and it's something that nobody else seems to understand." Her cheeks flush with shame as the words tumble out; admitting this secret passion feels like revealing a hidden part of herself that has always been locked away and forgotten.

She looks up at Dio, hopeful and terrified in equal measure, waiting for his reaction.

Her heart pounds in her chest as she waits for his reply; she knows that this moment will dictate the course of their relationship from here on out. Slowly, tentatively, she takes a step closer to him and whispers, "I love anime." The words feel strange and foreign on her lips, but there's a weight lifted nonetheless; sharing this secret with someone else has made it somehow less shameful, less isolating.

Ruby holds her breath, watching Dio for any signs of judgment or disgust, but what she sees in his eyes is only understanding and acceptance. His lips curve into a gentle smile as he says softly, "I love it too." Her world seems to tilt on its axis at those words; the ground beneath her feet feels suddenly solid and safe once more.

With a relieved sigh, she continues, "There are so many shows and movies I want to share with you...and I thought maybe we could start by watching one tonight?" Her blue eyes shine with excitement, hopeful that this newfound connection between them will only grow stronger from here on out.

Ruby beams up at Dio, her heart swelling with joy and gratitude. "Really? That would mean so much to me!" She takes another step closer, their bodies aligning almost perfectly as they stand face-to-face. "I think we'll get along just fine," she whispers shyly before tentatively reaching out to touch his cheek with the back of her hand. The feel of his skin beneath her fingertips sends another jolt of electricity through her, making it difficult for her to focus on anything else.

"So," she says, trying to sound casual but failing miserably, "which one should we start with?" Her eyes flicker downward briefly before returning to meet his gaze; she's anxious and eager for him to give her an answer, yet also nervous about committing to something so definitive.

"You choose," Dio replies, his voice soft and warm. "I trust your judgment." Ruby feels a blush creeping up her cheeks at his words; it's easy to forget how charming he can be when they're alone together like this. But before she has time to react further, there's a knock at the door interrupting them.

"Ruby!" her mother calls out from the other side. "Is someone there?" Ruby sighs and glances over at Dio with an apologetic smile. "I should get that." She walks away, feeling like her perfect moment with him has been ruined by this unexpected intrusion.

Dio nods in understanding and steps back to give her some space while she answers the door. As soon as she returns to his side, though, he quickly regains his composure and offers her a reassuring smile. "So," he says casually, trying to pretend like nothing happened, "what do you think we should watch tonight?"

Ruby hesitates for a moment before answering, still not quite sure how much of herself she's ready to reveal just yet. "How about... Sailor Moon?" Her eyes flicker upward and meet Dio's once more; she feels a strange mixture of vulnerability and excitement coursing through her as she waits for his reaction.