#reoriko

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She... really just had a knack for falling into people.

"Oh~ this is the second time, isn't it?"

"It's not like it's on purpose!"

And... unfortunately, it was the same person from last time.

But just like the last time, his hands cradled her shoulders gently, almost as if he was handling a little fragile doll.

For some reason, she felt irritated at that.

"Well, thanks for catching me... again." Riko sighed. She was a well-mannered girl when not ticked off, at the very least. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"Ah, just a moment." One hand on her shoulder tightened slightly, and Riko paused. Turning curious caramel orbs up to the taller male, she was met with a smile. "I hope you're not about to leave on my account." 

Mibuchi Reo motioned to his shirt, now stained with the cabbage rolls that he had, apparently, been trying to eat until Riko had bumped into him.

"Er..." Riko blinked slowly, now comprehending the mess. "... sorry...?" She dearly hoped that he didn't expect her to pay for that. She was hoping to spend the money she had on some of her own desires for food...

"Come now, Riko-chan, I won't let this pass." With a nod to her, Mibuchi offered a friendly smile and motioned for her to follow him.

"How do you know my name-?" She quickly followed after him, her voice lit with surprise. Riko didn't know why she was going to pay him back... perhaps it was the appeal of being in the company of an Uncrowned General. It was as rare an opportunity she could ever get, so latching onto it seemed best.

He waved his hand around lightly, shaking his head. "What esteemed basketball player doesn't know your name?"

She'd like to also question why he was being friendly with her. An example would be the immediate casual naming instead of the primary formalities. But... she wasn't really picky anyway. Though, if she had to throw a guess in, she probably held a couple of months of age ahead of this man.

But anyway. "Why cabbage rolls?"

Of all the things she could have asked...

"It makes a nice snack. I was just on my way back from a practice." Though, he didn't seem to have a problem with her inquiry. He smiled too much for his own good, Riko dully noted. There was also the fact that he looked prettier than her. His hair was a bit longer too. She really had irritation problems when it came to pretty boys-

"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself, Riko-chan. You're pretty cute, you know~"

"Geh-" She jumped in surprise. "... Did I say all of that aloud?"

"Just some of it~"

She groaned, trudging after the basketball player with heavy feet. She had a knack for voicing her opinions out too much as well. Quite the unfortunate situation she was in at the moment.

But then the compliment he gave her finally settled in, and her cheeks lightly flared up in pink. "Um, thank you for the compliment." After all, it was something rarely said to her... but she definitely wasn't going to complain. Rare things were sometimes nice to have... and it made it all the more pleasing to have it said on occasion.

He chuckled softly, glancing back at her with amused eyes. "You don't get complimented, Riko-chan?"

"... No..." She hung her head down and muttered the reply. "Are you trying to say something? Because if you are, I have no qualms about punching you." Irritated. That feeling was there again. Was he mocking her?

"Mhn, just that you should get complimented more. That's all." He turned around and reached out, lightly rubbing the crown of her head. "Your hair is rather soft, after all. Short hair suits you really well too."

The feeling was gone and replaced with something akin to embarrassment as her cheeks flared up once more. Averting her gaze as best as she could, she lightly swatted his hand away.

"L-Let's just get to wherever you wanted to go. I have places I need to be at," she muttered.

A laugh escaped Mibuchi's throat as amusement danced in his eyes. "Alright, Riko-chan. Let's go." 

When he turned around and started to walk, Riko let a ghost of a smile appear on her lips.