Kokichi's face suddenly became serious; he appeared genuinely shocked. He stared questioningly at Himiko for a while before continuing to speak.

   "Y-You...like the Phantom Thief?" he asked in a low, skeptical voice. 

   "What's wrong with that?" Himiko asked, staring Kokichi in his eyes. 

   "The Phantom Thief is a criminal, you know?" Kokichi replied. Himiko shrugged nonchalantly.

   "Nyeh...I don't think so," she said. Kokichi stared at her in disbelief.

   "What do you mean you don't think so?" he asked. "He's a *thief!*"

   "Well, yeah, but...it's weird that every time it's reported that after he steals something, orphanages, or nursery homes, and other places that need money magically find large sacks of it on their doorsteps," Himiko explained. Then, a small, dreamy smile appeared on her face. "I feel like he's the one doing that. And if that's the case, I admire him for that. Even the orphans and the elderly call him a hero." Kokichi stared at her in surprise. 

   "I see," he said with a slight tone of respect. "Welp, now that we got that out of the way, how about we talk about our science project, now?" Before they could speak, however, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. 

   "Nyeh...well, guess it's time to go," Himiko said, quickly gathering her things so she wouldn't have to be around Kokichi any longer. She was about to rush out of the classroom when Kokichi put a hand on her arm to stop her.

   "Wait! Could you give me the address to your house?" Kokichi asked.

   "Why would I do *that?!*" Himiko asked in disgust.

   "So we can work on our science project, duh!" Kokichi replied.

   "Why can't we do it at *your* house?" Himiko countered. 

   "We can't," Kokichi said with a shrug. "My house is being fumigated for roaches."

  "And yet, you'll still be there," Himiko said, narrowing her eyes at him. 

   "Nee-heeheee...you got me there! Nice one!" Kokichi laughed. "But, c'mon, just give me your address, already." Himiko rolled her eyes, as well, but gave him her address. "We'll meet up after school, 'kay?"

   "Nyeh...whatever," Himiko grumbled before stomping off. 

    ***

    Later that afternoon, Kokichi and Himiko were at Himiko's house jotting down ideas for what kind of science project they wanted to do. All they had written down was "volcano."

   "Sooo..." Kokichi began after a few moments of awkward silence. Himiko rolled her eyes and sighed.

  "Nyeh...what now?" she asked testily. Before she could answer, however, the front door to Himiko's house opened up, and in popped a little girl and an older girl who looked slightly taller than Himiko. Their eyes lit up with mischief upon seeing Kokichi.

   "Ooo-ooo...Himi's got a boy-friend! Himi's got a boy-friend!" the little girl teased.

   "Shut up, Kimiko!" Himiko snapped. "I don't have a boyfriend!"

   "Nyeh...that's probably a sentence she'll be saying her whole life," the older girl joked to Kimiko. They both started laughing. Himiko glared at them.

   "That's not funny, Tomiko!" Himiko said, standing up from her chair. "You two, beat it! Upstairs, now!"

   "Nyeh...why're you so bossy?" Kimiko asked.

   "Nyeh...because when mommy isn't home, I *am* the boss!" Himiko replied. "Now, go upstairs! Both of you!"

   "Okay, okay...we'll leave alone with your boyfriend," Tomiko teased. Before Himiko could say or do anything, the two girls ran upstairs, giggling.

   "Nee-heeheee...wooow, I didn't know you have little sisters, Himiko!" Kokichi said.

   "Well, you never cared enough to ask," Himiko grumbled in annoyance. 

   "Yeah...I guess you're right!" Kokichi said, giving her a toothy grin. "Speaking of boyfriend, though..." Himiko gave him a sharp look.

   "No, I'm *not* going to be your girlfriend!" Himiko said. 

   "Pffft...ew, no, I wasn't going to say *that!*" Kokichi replied, sticking his tongue out in disgust at her. "I'd never want *you* as my girlfriend!"

   "Good! Because I'd rather be with someone worthwhile," Himiko said, glaring at him.

   "WAAAAHHHHH, HIMIKO HATES MEEEEE!!!!" Kokichi said with a feign sob. Himiko rolled her eyes at him.

    "Why did you bring up the boyfriend thing?" she growled. 

   "Oh, that? We-eelll...I just wanted to know...what else exactly do you like about the Phantom Thief?" Kokichi asked.

   "Why do you care about that?" Himiko asked. 

   "I'm just curious," Kokichi replied with a shrug. "I haven't met someone who has a crush on a criminal, let alone the Phantom Thief. Besides, you don't even know the guy. Why would you have a crush on him, other than the fact that he's apparently an anonymous donor? What if he's a jerk for realsies?"

   "Nyeh...he can't be as bad as you are," Himiko said. "But...I dunno, I just like the mystery surrounding him. I also feel like he's really...I dunno, gallant and chivalrous." Himiko smiled dreamily again. Kokichi noticed that every time she spoke about the Phantom Thief, she'd be lost in a daydream. 

   "You really think he's like that?!" he asked.

   "It'd be nice, yeah," Himiko replied with a small blush.

   "Jeez! You must have it really bad for that guy if you're making up imaginary stuff about him," Kokichi snickered. 

   "And how do *you* know he's not like that?!" Himiko said. Kokichi gave her a mischievous grin.

   "Nee-heehee...because I know him personally," he replied. Himiko's eyes bugged so far out of her head, she thought they might fall out.

  "WHAT?!?!" she exclaimed, shooting out of her seat. Then, she glared skeptically at him. "That's a lie, isn't it?"

   "Haha, nope!" Kokichi said. "I know who the guy is! But, that's all I'll say for now. He values his work very much, and he'd be very disappointed if I outed him."

   "So...he actually *does* do all those nice things for the unfortunate?" Himiko asked with a small smile creeping across her face.

   "Yup!" Kokichi replied. "I'm surprised you figured that out, Himiko!"

   "Nyeh...what's *that* supposed to mean?!" Himiko growled. 

   "Anyways, if you want so badly to have a date with the Phantom Thief, I guess I could hook you up with him," Kokichi said. Himiko's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. 

   "Really, Kokichi?!" she asked. "You'd really do that for me?!" 

   "Yeah, sure, whatevs...if you're *that* desperate," Kokichi replied. Then, to Kokichi's surprise, Himiko ran over to him and gave him a big hug.