[Free Time - Riko]

I wasn’t feeling so great today, so I’d retreated to my room to rest a bit before heading to the lunch rush in the cafeteria. Just as I’d worked up the nerve to leave again, though, I opened the door to my room and thump!

…Wait, there wasn’t a wall for it to bump against, was there? A peek behind the door revealed it had bumped against something much more intimidating…

Timaeus

Sorry! Sorry! Oh my god are you okay?!

Riko

I-I’m fine! What the hell was that? Watch where you’re going!

She glowered at me as she regained her balance on those spindly legs. There wasn’t any way I could’ve known she was there, of course, but it didn’t seem like arguing with her would do any good.

Timaeus

S-sorry… Um… what were you doing?

Riko

I was thinking.

Timaeus

And, uh, pacing around apparently…

Riko

Is that a problem?

Timaeus

N-no of course not–

Before I could finish my sentence, she pushed past me and stalked off down the hallway again. I followed after her for a bit, a little peeved at being constantly interrupted. But she walked faster than any person I’d ever met!

Timaeus

Hey, could you slow down a little…?

Riko

I’m the one wearing heels. You catch up.

Timaeus

You’re also ninety percent legs…

She stopped and turned around with a patronizing sigh.

Riko

…What do you want?

Timaeus

I just wanted to, like… talk to you? Hang out? That’s a thing people do, you know! But you keep running away from me like I’m a rabid dog or something!

Riko

I’m not running, I simply have no particular interest in “hanging out,” with you or with anyone.

Timaeus

Really now? I thought I saw you talking to Yusra for quite a while at supper last night…

Riko

…She’s different.

Timaeus

Hmmmmm… Why’s that, I wonder?

• You have a crush on her
• You admire her
• You like her clothes