Chapter 2
Sara walked out of her last class, Literature, and strolled over to her locker. She saw Kokomi there, pacing back and forth.
"What are you doing here?" Sara asked in a monotone.
Kokomi immediately whirled around, eyes practically bulging out of their eye sockets. "Sara!" She rushed over to the said girl and skidded to a stop just in front of her. "I..."
Sara crossed her arms, waiting patiently.
Kokomi swallowed, looking guilty. "I'm so sorry for what happened during lunch," she managed, staring at her white and light pink sneakers. "I'm sorry if I upset you..."
Sara stared at the shorter girl in shock. Never in her life had someone from school cared about her feelings, let alone apologize to her.
But, there Kokomi was, apologizing to her, looking close to tears.
Sara could feel herself softening. She hoped it didn't show on her face. She took a deep breath.
"It's okay."
Kokomi looked up. "Huh?"
Sara inhaled and exhaled again. "It's fine. I forgive you," she said.
A faint smile appeared on Kokomi's face. "Thank you so much," she said. She paused, thinking. "I feel like I have to make it up to you somehow, though." She frowned delicately, thinking harder. Sara thought that she looked quite cute with that expression. A smile on her face was better, though. It looked better on her.
"Oh, no, it's all right, Kokomi. You don't have to make me feel better," Sara said.
"No, it's not all right. I hurt you. I have to make it up to you." Kokomi snapped her fingers. "I think I know how to do so! I'll take you out for lunch and then I'll get you anything you want!"
"Oh, there's seriously no need-"
"It's okay, Sara. I'm financially stable. Lunch and something that's around fifty to a hundred dollars won't even make a dent in my wallet."
Sara hesitated, choosing her words with care. "You don't have to take me out for lunch," she said. "Just get me something I want."
Kokomi nodded. "Deal," she said. She gestured towards the school's exit. "Let's go to the nearby mall. There should be a bus that goes there if I'm not mistaken. It leaves in about five minutes."
"Hold on," Sara said, whipping out her phone. "I have to tell my mom that I'm going out. You go to the bus station first. I'll meet you there."
"Okay!" Kokomi briskly walked out of the school. Sara followed, at a slower pace. She ignored the kids snickering at her as she went to Ei's contact and called her. Yae Miko never answered a call until after work, being the boss of Yae Publishing House. Ei was a streamer and was mostly at home all the time, so she was the one that Sara and Scaramouche were supposed to call.
Ei picked up at the second ring. "Sara? What is it? Do you need me to pick you up?" she said.
"No, Mom," Sara said. She pushed the double doors open and stepped outside Teyvat High.
"Oh? What is it, then?" Ei said. Sara could hear her tapping away at her keyboard.
"Just wanted to let you know that I'm going to the nearby mall with someone, nothing big. I'm eating lunch at home, though."
"You're going out? With a friend?" Ei sounded hopeful and surprised at the same time.
"Not a friend, Mom. Just an acquaintance. And, yes, I'm going out." Sara couldn't help but roll her eyes. No shit, Mom. I just said that I'm going out.
"Oh, okay. That's nice to know." Ei paused.
She must be setting up her equipment for her next stream, Sara thought. And, here I am, disturbing her. Nice job, Sara.
"Hey, Mom? I gotta go," Sara said, approaching the bus station. She could see Kokomi watching her.
"Hmm? Oh, sure. Do you want me to pick you up from the mall?"
"No, it's fine. I'll take a bus back home."
"Okay, have a great time, Sara. Love you."
Sara made sure no one was eavesdropping. When she knew that the coast was clear, she said, "Love you, too, Mom." Then, she hung up. She hurried to Kokomi's side just as the bus pulled into the station.
"Is everything settled?" Kokomi said, looking at Sara as she went over to the doors of the bus.
Sara followed, nodding.
Kokomi smiled. "Okay."
The doors to the bus opened with a hiss. Sara and Kokomi boarded it. Then, the doors shut, and the bus sped away.
*
During the fifteen-minute trip to the mall, Sara learned a few things about Kokomi.
For example, Sara learned that Kokomi had friends in Inazuma that she had to leave behind when she moved closer to Teyvat High. Sara also learned that Kokomi liked reading books about war generals, too.
In return, Kokomi had learned about Scaramouche, Sara's unpopularity, and a few other things.
So, when they stepped foot into the cool, air-conditioned mall, Sara and Kokomi were talking like they had known each other since, well, forever. Sara didn't dare say it aloud, but she was starting to enjoy Kokomi's company. Conversation came easily when Sara was around Kokomi. Sara liked that a lot.
"So, what are you looking for?" Kokomi said, smiling at Sara.
At this question, Sara froze. She didn't exactly think about that. "Uh..."
Kokomi giggled. "It's all right! Let's walk around the mall first, then you can decide what you want me to get for you!"
"...Okay," Sara muttered, trying hard not to smile.
"Let's go to the clothing department first," Kokomi said, vaguely gesturing in the direction of the biggest store in the mall.
Sara shrugged. She didn't really like the clothing that kids wore nowadays. She hated the newest trends. She hated the shirts that showed your stomach so openly. She heated the ripped shorts and jeans. She was very comfortable in her Inazuman clothes, thank you.
"Whatever," she said at last.
Just as Sara anticipated, there was nothing that the store had to offer that caught Sara's eye. Kokomi, however, appeared to love the clothes in the store. She seemed to enjoy the types of clothes that Sara despised. Sara didn't mind much, though.
They emerged from the store, with Kokomi carrying a bag of clothes for herself.
"Huh," Kokomi said, frowning. "there's nothing that piqued your interest there, I guess." She turned around and pointed to a candy store. "What about candy?" she asked.
Sara shook her head. She didn't like the artificial flavor in candy. It was just too fake. "Not a fan," she said.
Kokomi nodded. "Okay, then." Sara watched her eyes scan the area. "Electronics store? There's an Apple store downstairs," she said, pointing it out.
"No," Sara said. "I have enough electronics at home. I already have two phones, an IPad, a laptop, and a small T.V."
Kokomi chuckled. "I guess I'm the only one with only a phone and a laptop."
"What? Why?" Sara asked, unable to hide her surprise. Kokomi looked like the kind of person to own a lot of electronic devices. Sara did not see this coming.
And was it just her, or did Kokomi suddenly look uncomfortable?
"I just don't think there's a need to have so many devices," Kokomi said. She laughed. It sounded very forced.
Sara nodded along. Something wasn't quite right. Still, Sara didn't ask Kokomi any more questions. She knew how to mind her own business, unlike most people in their school. Plus, she didn't want to ruin her friendship with Kokomi. Were she and Kokomi even friends? It seemed like it. She wasn't going to assume, though. Maybe Kokomi just wanted to make her feel better, and would join the group of popular kids. Maybe they'd never speak again after today.
Pushing away a flicker of sadness, Sara looked up. And, then she saw what she knew she wanted.
"Kokomi?" Sara said, glancing at the said girl.
"Hmm?" Kokomi looked up.
Sara pointed to a small store at the second level of the mall that was within sight. "Let's go there."
Kokomi squinted to see the store clearly. "It's a store that sells bracelets and charms," she said. "Are you sure you want to check it out?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Sara said.
"Very well," Kokomi said. "Let's go!"
They took the lift to the second floor. Once there, they walked to the store.
"All right, here we are!" Kokomi said to Sara.
Sara opened the door, gesturing for Kokomi to enter first. Once they were both in the store, Sara began her search.
First, she took two silver bracelets, making sure that they were the type that allowed charms to be hooked on. Then, she looked around the store for the specific charms that she wanted.
"What are you looking for?" Kokomi asked, an eyebrow raised.
Sara ignored her, too intent on finding the charms. She spun around, frustrated. Where were they-
Immediately, she spotted them.
She hurried over to them and snatched them up.
Kokomi peered over Sara's shoulder to take a look at what Sara had an eye on. She giggled, apparently amused.
The charms were in the shape of hearts. One charm had an 'S' on it, the other had a 'K' imprinted on it. The charms were pretty.
Sara attached the charms to a bracelet each. She handed them to Kokomi. "Is it okay if I get two bracelets?" she said in her calmest tone.
"Mhm," Kokomi hummed. She turned to the counter to pay for the bracelets. "You can wait for me outside the store."
Sara walked to the exit of the store. She stood to the side of the door, arms crossed.
At last, Kokomi left the store. She beamed at Sara and gave her a plastic bag. "Here are your bracelets!" she said. "Though, I'm assuming one is for me."
Sara flushed. "You're right." She took out the bracelet with the 'K' charm and gave it to Kokomi. "This is for you."
Kokomi giggled. "Thank you," she said. She put on the bracelet.
Sara put on the other bracelet. "We match." She looked at Kokomi. "You don't mind that, right...?"
Kokomi shook her head. "I'm fine with us matching," she said.
Sara's lips twitched upwards. "Let's go, I guess." She turned in the direction of the lift and began to walk.
"Wait, Sara! I have a question!" Kokomi said, following her.
"What?" Sara asked, not stopping.
"It's just...you mentioned that your brother's surname is Raiden, right? Then, why's your surname Kujou?"
Kujou.
Kujou...
Mom and Dad...
Sara stopped in her tracks. She heard Kokomi stop as well. She clenched her fists, biting her bottom lip and drawing blood.
"...Sara?" Kokomi said, sounding worried.
Sara clenched her jaw and continued to walk, this time at a faster pace. Kokomi, obviously, followed suit.
“Did I upset you? Sara? Sara, you're scaring me! Sara!" Kokomi grabbed ahold of Sara's wrist.
Instantly, Sara whirled around. "Don't touch me!" she snapped, knowing that a glare was on her face.
Kokomi drew back, a look of shock and hurt on her face. "I..." she began, staring at the floor.
Sara sighed. What is wrong with you, Sara?! she screamed in her mind. "Sorry, it's just..." She put a hand to her temples. She looked at Kokomi. "Look, I'll explain it to you at the bus station, okay?"
Kokomi nodded. "Okay," she muttered flatly.
Sara let out another sigh. "Look, Kokomi. I didn't mean to yell at you. I was just upset, is all. I'm sorry," she said, feeling a pang of guilt.
Kokomi finally glanced up. "Okay, sure," she said, exactly like how Mister Zhongli would talk, with no emotion.
Sara wanted to jump off a building. The guilt of upsetting Kokomi was too much to bear. She hated herself so much.
She sighed once more before walking to the lift.
Luckily, Kokomi followed.
*
Once they were at the bus station, Sara turned to look at Kokomi. Kokomi stared back, simply waiting for Sara to explain herself.
Sara took a deep breath. "I used to live in Inazuma," she said. "and, I was supposed to go to high school in Ritou. Everything was great.
"And then, my parents died in a car accident."
Sara watched Kokomi's face register shock. She opened her mouth. Sara held up a hand.
"Don't speak yet. Wait for me to finish."
Kokomi nodded, zipping her mouth shut.
Sara continued, "They died in Seirei Island on their anniversary. I was in Ritou when they died. They died a day before my birthday." Sara clenched her fists. "I was taken in by the head of Yae Publishing House, Yae Miko. She found me living in the streets of Ritou, begging for money and food a week after my parents died. She brought me to her home, where I met her wife, Raiden Ei. They took me in and became my legal parents. And, Scaramouche became my brother." Sara took a deep breath. "That's all there is to say."
"...I'm not going to say 'I'm sorry'," Kokomi said softly. "Saying that won't change a thing and it wouldn't help, either. Instead, I'm going to say this: You have gone through practically Hell, Sara. You've gone far. You are a strong person, and I admire that about you. I'm glad that you have a nice family now, even if they aren't your real family."
Sara looked up, surprised. "I..." She cleared her throat. "Thanks, I guess."
Kokomi smiled back, all previous emotions seemingly gone. "No problem!" She whirled around. "Let's go; our bus is here."
"Okay."
Sara and Kokomi boarded the bus. As they did, Sara caught a glimpse of Kokomi's bracelet. She looked at her own.
Sara smiled.