Kaito and Ko I: Bouquets to the Verdant Shonan, Fleeting Love to the Jet-Black Ducati, and Brilliance to the Chalk-White Patrick

Kaito and Koi 1: Bouquets to the Verdant Shonan, Fleeting Love to the Jet-Black Ducati, and Brilliance to the Chalk-White Patrick

Kaito: I rode to my first university class on my Ducati, caressed by the sea breeze along the Shonan coast.

I was drawn to the green belt and decided to check it out.

Sitting on a bench, I could see the verdant expanse of Shonan from this campus.

Instead of heading straight to class, I sat on the bench, gazing out at the sea...

Munching on a ham sandwich, listening to "An Afternoon at the Sea" through my AirPodsPro.

Well, should I get going? Wonder what awaits me.

The first class was French.

French, huh? Something about the pronunciation is so beautiful.

Glancing around, I noticed the girls and boys were evenly split.

French Teacher: "You there, with the blue hair and blue T-shirt, say 'I love you' in French."

Kaito: "Amore."

French Teacher: "No, that's not quite right. Put more emotion into it. Amour."

Kaito: "Amour."

The girl next to me with black long hair, torn jeans, and a light blue tube top whispered in my ear:

Torn Jeans Girl: "Amour."

Kaito: I repeated, "Amour."

French Teacher: "That's much better. Suddenly you're a natural."

Kaito: After class ended, I looked around to thank the girl in torn jeans.

I searched for a while but couldn't find her. Giving up, I headed to the green belt on campus, my favorite spot.

Lying on the grass, feeling the sun's warmth deep in my eyes...

Then, I heard someone calling.

Torn Jeans Girl: "Hey, you, you're quite the mystery. Where are you from?"

Kaito: (It was the girl in torn jeans.)

Kaito: "Who? I'm just lying here. Sigh."

Torn Jeans Girl: "You're a bit blunt, aren't you? Well, that's okay. I'm from Motomachi. Do you know it?"

Kaito: "I know it."

Torn Jeans Girl: "Hey, I know a great beach. Let's skip class and go."

Kaito: "But it's the first day."

Torn Jeans Girl: "College life is long; we'll be fine."

Kaito: "Guess I have no choice. It's a thank-you for the French class. Want to ride on my Ducati?"

Torn Jeans Girl: "That sounds nice. I'm wearing jeans today. The breeze through the rips will feel refreshing."

Kaito: "Don't cling too much. It makes it hard to drive."

Torn Jeans Girl: "Stop here, please. It's not the place I planned, but the waves are calm."

Kaito: "Don't just spring it on me. We're here. Leave the helmet; no one's around."

Torn Jeans Girl: "Hurry up. It's so beautiful here."

Kaito: "Wait up. I haven't even locked the bike yet."

Torn Jeans Girl: "What's your name?"

Kaito: "It's Kaito. Not that it matters much."

Torn Jeans Girl: "I'm Kou. I love the white sand and the white light of the sun here. I want to offer a bouquet to this sea."

Kou, lying on the sand, closes her eyes and smiles.

Kaito: "You haven't finished listening to me."

(Eyes closed. She's an enigma.)

Kaito: "I guess I'll lie down too..."

(The scent of Chanel No.5. Must be wealthy. Oh well.)

As they woke, the sunset began to turn orange. The two headed to Motomachi on the Ducati.

Kaito: "Is this spot okay?"

Kou: "Here."

Kaito: "Hey Kou, you forgot your sneakers. (They're Patricks. I have a pair too.)"

Kou: "They're for you, Kaito."

Kaito: "Why?"

Kou: "As a memento."

Kaito: "I don't know what it commemorates, but I'll keep it in my room. Place it where the sunlight hits."

Kou: "Wait. Are you coming over?"

Kaito: "It's unusual to ask on the first day we meet. But okay."

Kou: "What would you like to drink?"

Kaito: "Anything."

Kou: "Then let's have some royalty tea. Sugar?"

Kaito: "Either is fine."

Kou: "Alright, I've added some lemon."

Kaito: "Thanks. Are you wealthy?"

Kou: "Yes, but it doesn't matter to me."

Kaito: "I guess not."

Kou: "You're sweating. Let me wipe it off."

Kaito: "It's okay."

Kou: "Just stay still."

Kaito: "You're too close. You're touching."

Kou: "Do you feel it?"

Kaito: "Not really."

Kou: "It's been since elementary school."

Kaito: "Really? Show me."

Kou: "Sure. How about my black straight long hair?"

(Kou lets her long hair flow down to her waist.)

Kaito: "Jet black. (Just like my Ducati)"

Kou: "First time?"

Kaito: "Don't know."

Kou: "Want to see it all?"

Kaito: "Either way."

Kou: "How about now?"

(Kou stares intently at Kaito, draping her long hair in front of her.)

Kaito: "Can I touch?"

Kou: "Go ahead."

Kaito: "With hair this long, what do you eat?"

Kou: "Croissants full of blueberries."

Kaito: "I see."

Kou: "Now, show me your blue hair."

Kaito: "Alright. How did you know 'Amour'?"

Kou: "Who knows? Your hair is a beautiful blue. Mind if I touch? It feels like being at the sea..."

Kaito: "Is that so?"

Kou: "Come closer."

Kaito: "Okay."

Kou: "Do you know what 'bise' means in French?"

Kaito: "No idea."

Kou: "It means kiss. Want to?"

Kaito: "Then let's not."

Kou: "Let's play a game then."

Kaito: "What kind?"

Kou: "Tennis."

Kaito: "Alright."

Kou: "Shall we start?"

Kaito: "Sure."

Kou: "I'll teach you. I'm changing into something more comfortable."

Kaito: "I don't have any other clothes."

Kou: "I'll lend you mine."

Kou: "All done?"

Kaito: "Yeah, but it's a bit embarrassing."

Kou: "The pink pajamas suit you. It's funny with your blue hair."

Kaito: "Don't laugh."

Kou: "It's fun, like dressing up a doll. Your eyes sparkle."

Kaito: "I've never been in a girl's room before. It's embarrassing."

Kou: "Poor thing. Let's start with my serve. Ready?"

Kaito: "It's too fast."

Kou: "Fifteen-love."

Kaito: "Now my turn to serve. Mine goes straight, slightly to the right."

Kou: "Whenever you're ready."

Kaito: "How's my serve?"

Kou: "You need more spin. Try using your hips more."

Kaito: "Like this?"

Kou: "Yes, exactly. Oh, I couldn't return it."

Kaito: "Fifteen all."

Kou: "I'm a bit sweaty. Want to share a drink?"

Kaito: "That would be indirect kissing."

Kou: "I don't mind if it's with you."

Kaito: "Kou, you're quite the enigma. It's getting late; I should head back."

Kou: "See you tomorrow on campus. Today was a good workout."

Kaito: "I'll practice more."

Kaito and Kou: "Bye. High five."

Kou: "Can I drive your Ducati? I want to give my love to it."

Kaito: "Sure, to Miura Peninsula. Let's go on a rainy day next time."

Kou: "I don't know when that will be. Is that okay?"

Kaito: "No, a sunny day is better."

Kou: "Let's do it again. The game. Next time at Miura Peninsula."

Kaito: (I've just met her, but my chest feels warm. What is this feeling?)

Kou: "Kaito, you forgot something! Your Patrick sneakers."

Kaito: "I almost left something important behind."

Kou: "Important? Have you come to like me a bit?"

Kaito: "Maybe. I'll leave it to your imagination. (Amour)"

Kou: (I kind of like Kaito's eyes. They look distant but a bit lonely. "Arrête-toi, temps...")