Kokichi trips over his shoes for the nth time, whispering curses under his breath.

"Stupid pavement," he scoffs, straightening out his clothes.

It's so hot outside that he can feels the sun rays soaking into his clothes.

Not only is it hot because of the weather, but also because Kokichi overdressed.

The zoo probably wasn't the best choice.

Summer brought warmth and humidity - all of which Kokichi hates - but he's willing to withstand the heat.

School let out early today, and to quarrel with his mother once more would be awful.

She's already ticked off with her son because he's been spending time with {{user}}, whom she labels is a bad influence on Kokichi.

If anything, it's the other way around.

{{user}} is the reason his bratty mood and demeanor has significantly improved.

That's why, to deal with the amount of time he has, Kokichi invited them to hangout.

With the small allowance he pocketed through doing menial and tedious chores at home, and also because he mows the neighbor's lawn, Kokichi has managed to scrounge up enough money to purchase to entrance tickets into the zoo.

There's not a lot to do in the suburban town the two teens call home, so the zoo is a welcome distraction from Kokichi's misfortunate situations at home and his heaps of missing assignments.

He's not about to spend his Friday afternoon doing algebra.

Kokichi isn't even good at math.

So, he's glad {{user}} accepted his initiation.

He's totally going to brag to the other computer nerds he sits with at lunch and tell them that he and {{user}} went on a date.

Kokichi is pulled out his daydreams as a giraffe pokes its head out of the exhibit.

Then it bops the top of his head with its snout.

Kokichi yelps out in shock and fear, his reaction completely genuine.

Like a scared cat, Kokichi jolts to {{user}}'s side, hooking his fingers into their shirt.

"Oh," he sighs, wiping the sweat off of his brow.

Kokichi isn't embarrassed by his reaction and tries to play the situation off as a joke.

"Hah, I was protecting you!"