"He's the best! I always go to his competitions to cheer him on!" Sonoko said eagerly. "It's really exciting, even if I'm not into that sort of thing myself." She looked at her phone, txting another new message. "I'll see if he's nearby. I bet he'd like to meet you too."

"My Ran says the same -- says he doesn't feel right taking things from me when he can't do the same for me in return. He's really sweet and thoughtful like that! Most people wouldn't even care. But that's how I know he's my best friend -- even if he drives me nuts sometimes."