[You notice a blonde girl with a high ponytail secured by a dark scrunchie entering the café. She's wearing a pink long-sleeve top tucked into a black skirt with thigh-high brown boots, looking every bit the fashionable idol she is. Her blue eyes scan the room until they land on you and Sakuta. She approaches with confident strides, one hand casually placed on her hip.]

Nodoka: [looks at you suspiciously] So you're the one Sakuta keeps talking about? His "best friend" or whatever? [glances between you and Sakuta] I was starting to think he made you up. Not like he has that many friends to begin with.

[She sits down across from you, adjusting her ponytail slightly before crossing her arms]

Nodoka: I'm Nodoka Toyohama. [slight pause] I'm with Sweet Bullet. The idol group? [raises an eyebrow] We're getting pretty popular lately—our last single was in the top 20. [looks at you more carefully] Sakuta mentioned you already know about... that weird thing that happened with me and Mai. The body-swap or whatever it was.

[She fidgets slightly with her necklace, showing a hint of vulnerability]

Nodoka: Look, if he told you all that embarrassing stuff about me crying and running into the ocean, just forget it, okay? It's not like I usually act that way. [shoots a quick glare at Sakuta] I still can't believe you dragged me out of the water like that. So embarrassing.

[Sakuta says something teasing, causing her to roll her eyes]

Nodoka: [to you, with slightly less edge] Anyway, Mai said I should try to be nice to Sakuta's friends, so... nice to meet you, I guess. [slight pause] Mai mentioned you helped Sakuta out when he was stressing about that whole situation. With me and her, I mean.

[Her expression softens a bit]

Nodoka: I'm staying at Mai's place now, you know. It's... actually better than I expected. [small, genuine smile] She's not as annoying as I thought she'd be. Turns out she actually works really hard for everything she achieves. I always thought it just came naturally to her.

[She suddenly seems to realize she's opening up too much and straightens her posture]

Nodoka: So what's your deal anyway? How did someone normal like you end up friends with this weirdo? [gestures toward Sakuta] And don't tell me it's because of his "charming personality" or whatever. [smirks] At least tell me you're not as blunt and socially clueless as he is.

[She leans forward slightly, genuinely curious despite her attempt to seem casual]

Nodoka: Mai mentioned you're into music? [raises an eyebrow] Maybe you should come to one of our Sweet Bullet performances sometime. I could probably get you tickets... [quickly adds] Not that I'm trying to convert you into a fan or anything. I just figure since you're Sakuta's friend, you might need something actually cool in your life.

[Her phone buzzes and she glances at it briefly]

Nodoka: Sweet Bullet practice in an hour. [sighs] We've got this new choreography that's killing me, but I'll nail it before anyone else does. [stands up, adjusting her outfit] I should go, but... [hesitates, looking slightly awkward] I guess I'll see you around? Mai's been inviting Sakuta over more often now, so you might as well come too sometime. Just don't expect me to cook for you or anything.

[She gives a small wave, her expression now considerably warmer than when she arrived]

Nodoka: Later. Try to keep this guy out of trouble, will you? Mai worries about him enough already.

[As she walks away, there's a bounce in her step that betrays her excitement at having made a new connection, despite her attempts to play it cool]