Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ By My Decision ❯ Live and Learn ( Chapter 9 )

[Notes:

Yes, you all had to wait… over three months again. CRY! But I'm happy to inform you this is a nice, long chapter with good fun things happening. Jenrya being a mean little biznatch, Takato realizing what a whore he is, and hot Ruki/Hirokazu action. Well, in a milder sense, but yeah. In any case, I finished this whilst traveling out of town for Christmas, and my birthday's on the 11th this coming month, so show your love and give me presents. Because I know you all want to sacrifice money and time for ME. XD I'm turning 18, goddammit, and I ph33r.

Uhh… well, some changes have come around since the last official BMD update here, most important being that I have a GreatestJournal now, which is where all my fanfic/fandom/drawing/icon rants have gone since this October. I also got an LJ as soon as the invite codes were taken off, though it's more or less a DJ-crosspostingness, I'm also planning to join fun communities and shit there, I'm just on DigimonFics at the moment, but soon I might be unlazy and join more.

So right now I'm getting all my BMD blueprints all in one convenient place since it's scattered on my old DJ entries as early as last November, and anyone who wishes to be ruthlessly spoiled can go there now. As for this chapter, I've regret to inform you all that I can barely even write one-sided romance without going absolutely loony, in case you might be worried about what happened to my brain at certain parts of this chapter. XD But I've thrown fun quotes from the Fairly Oddparents and shit in there, since I feel like making it BMD tradition now to add FOP quotes every now and then. THEY'RE GOOD FOR J00.

As always, comments on WTF I'm doing to these people and the storyline and WTF I'm doing wrong and OMGWTF is gonna happen next and all that happy stuff… that's all perfectly welcome. If I'm still making Ruki too evil by this point, someone clearly needs to make me out into the backyard to be shot. But perhaps, maybe it's ME who's the too evil one. Or… something. Um, bwah. BE PROUD AND ENJOY! ]

[POV - Nobody]

The tension at Jenrya's apartment had never been at a higher level.

Everyone's panicking halted… Janyuu, Mayumi, Rinchei, Jaarin, and Shuichon all didn't dare to make a sound as their front door creaked open without warning. In stepped Jenrya, with Terriermon held in his arms. And his family could only stare as the second-youngest member, apparently deep in thought, didn't bother acknowledging them… and was wordlessly heading into his room. Not once did he look up at anyone.

No one was ready to let Jenrya get away without explaining himself, however. Mayumi was the first one to stand up to her son… who, for the first time ever, seemed a little intimidating to her.

"W-where have you been…?!"

That was enough to make Jenrya look up… his weary and agitated grey eyes were instantly on his mother's. Terriermon had noticed a while back that his Tamer was in no mood to converse… and despite the importance of his family getting to know what happened, he started wondering if this was the best time to really start interrogating him.

Jenrya wouldn't even give his mother a simple verbal acknowledgment. Only a glare, before returning his gaze to the floor, where he continued walking on towards his room. Terriermon wisely escaped Jenrya's grasp and leaped to the nearest table. He knew this family wasn't going to give up on Jenrya that easily… but now was a very bad time to provoke him into any question answering.

"J… Jenrya!!"

He paused again, but wouldn't return to looking at his mother once more. It seemed to rather irritate Jenrya that they would dare speak to him in such a scolding manner after everything he and Juri had been through… but how would they know? How would they understand?

'The only reason they're so focused on me right now is because I almost died,'Jenrya thought bitterly, keeping the surge of resentment coming after said thought tightly concealed within his mind. 'Can't they see I want to be alone right now? Even when I'm sick, they have to be jumping all over me…maybe I should've just stayed outside.'

That next thought just irked him. He was just thinking about going back outside… and most likely landing right in the middle of Limbo once more. Why was Jenrya making it seem like that going back there was BETTER than being back home amongst his overly worried family…?

Maybe he just wasn't ready to deal with their concern and their nosy questions yet?

Or was he almost listening to what that voice was saying to him?

"… What?" Jenrya finally said aloud, having to now close his eyes in order to maintain the look of him being calm. The tone of his voice, however… was anything but calm. It sounded just as frustrated and annoyed as he did the first time he looked at Mayumi.

Mayumi backed off from saying anything else. She was officially in shock now… and it left her quite speechless, as she tried to figure out how she was going to communicate with her son in these conditions. Determined to not let Jenrya leave their sight again until he explained himself, yet… trying not to provoke whatever had him bothered at the moment. She simply didn't know what to say now.

Rinchei, who had been quieter than anyone since they discovered Jenrya's nearly frozen self on festival night, was now finally ready to say a few words for the situation. He made sure to look disapproving of his little brother's behavior; after all, for being one not on Jenrya's Be Friendly To List right now, it would only just be a blatant lie to pretend everything was okay.

"You shouldn't be so disrespectful to okaasan like that," he informed. The rest of the family all cast eyes on him now. "And it's not like she doesn't have a right to ask you any questions… you've been gone all day, Jenrya. I think you at least owe us an explanation of where you ran off to… because you look pretty healthy right now."

Harsh as Rinchei might've seemed, he did have a point. Jenrya was looking much healthier than when he saw him last. Not to say he was back at 100%, but Jenrya obviously had no problem with walking on his own, and keeping a good posture about himself as he stood at that very moment. "For all the worrying you put us through… you really should tell us what's going on. Sick or not, you're still one of our family…"

"Your point being?" Jenrya cut in sharply, in no mood for a lecture.

"So you shouldn't hide things from us!" Rinchei shouted suddenly, now insulted beyond anything to be interrupted when he was trying to be helpful. "And I think it's pretty obvious that you're hiding something from everyone! You're only hurting yourself by keeping it bottled up inside, you know…!"

"Right, I'm sure you'd know all about that," Jenrya countered, ready to resume walking to his room any second now. "But that's fine, because to be honest, I'm hardly listening to you right now, because I don't have any interest in talking about what happened to me today." His eyes narrowed. "If anything really happened. But I guess you won't find that out from me…"

He was officially halfway to his bedroom door. Terriermon had a great desire to do something- tell Jenrya off for treating his family so badly, let the family know that it was apparent something DID happen to him… however, Terriermon barely knew more than they did on this incident. And the entire Lee family had practically counted on Terriermon to get all the information sorted out before he brought their missing member home.

But if Jenrya wouldn't even talk to his Digimon partner about what had happened… how was he ever going to come close to telling the rest of his family, or even his friends anything? Juri seemed to know something earlier, Terriermon recalled… but right at the end before they parted ways, he could tell that Juri was just as confused as he and Renamon were on Jenrya's sudden change in attitude. Jenrya was indeed a type of person who would hide his personal problems from the crowd, after all. That's why Terriermon himself was still the only one who really knew about Jenrya's past pre-Tamer days. About the day Jenrya had gone too far in his martial arts abilities…

With all that in perspective (as this was one of Jenrya's most loathed memories), it seemed to amaze Terriermon now that he was even allowed to know about that. He wasn't sure what could've possibly been worse than that day that could've happened to him today… but Terriermon was certain that it was either that, or Jenrya was hiding on purpose. Somehow he intentionally didn't want anyone to know how he spent his day…

The circumstances that he and Renamon found Jenrya and Juri under made the case all the more mysterious, though.

Terriermon still couldn't make himself speak out. It wasn't like he could help the Lees any more than Jenrya was willing to. And since the Lees had no idea what happened in the least, there was a chance that Terriermon would be the one to get hassled for information again, when he's unable to give them any. He wanted to keep Jenrya available for as long as he was able to stand being around them…

… For whatever reason he wasn't able to tolerate his company…

Rinchei looked sharply to Terriermon. And this was the moment Terriermon was hoping wouldn't happen yet. "Can't you get through to him…?"

"Really, I'd like to know what's going on," Janyuu added, walking over to his youngest son and bravely reaching out to grab onto his arm. "Jian, this isn't the time to be ignoring us. We're only your family… and we just want to make sure you're alright."

"He wouldn't talk to me," Terriermon admitted; fully intimidated of what Jenrya might do if he dared to blab anything out. "He said he needed some rest… a-and I guess he was gonna tell us later, y'know."

"I DO need rest," Jenrya clarified, voice risen and irritated. "Now let me go, otousan…"

"Well," Janyuu sighed out… disappointed in the thought of letting Jenrya go like this without him telling anyone anything about what happened. The fact that he wouldn't be getting much information from Terriermon wasn't making this any easier. "You'll have a lot of explaining to do when you're feeling better, okay…?"

"Are you going to be up for going to school tomorrow?" Mayumi asked, though she felt almost too intrusive in doing so. Her son looked anything but ready to go back to school after whatever he just went through…

"Whatever," Jenrya growled in exasperation, forcing himself out of Janyuu's grasp. This time, no one would be stopping him as he once again continued to walk. "I'm going to take my nap now, if you all don't mind. Don't you dare try to wake me up, either."

Everyone felt the urge to object verbally, but by the time they had the ability to finally do so… the door to Jenrya's room slammed shut. Listening closely, Jenrya's family could hear Jenrya locking the door, indicating how serious he was about having his privacy.

"I… guess this means we've got no choice but to wait." Janyuu figured. Terriermon nodded when he was looked to for confirmation.

"Believe me, we all tried getting him to talk. It's not as easy as it looks!"

"I could cheer him up…" Shuichon thoughtfully added.

Lopmon, who was also standing silently with her partner the whole time just shook her head. "Your brother needs some time alone to think, Shuichon. Sometimes people need a little privacy to cool off and reflect on bad things that might've happened to them." She tried looking happy for the other members of the family. "I think, after Jenrya gets that time, he'll open up to you all a bit more. You just need to have faith in him."

"It wouldn't hurt at this point, I guess," Rinchei said with a shrug, continuing to look on at the closed door. "I just… I don't know. I can't help but have a bad feeling about this whole ordeal…"

Mayumi turned to Jaarin, who was the only one who'd yet to say anything since Jenrya returned. Despite assuring her and Ruki before that they wouldn't be blamed for anything that happened, she could still sense that overpowering guilt consuming Jaarin from within.

"… It wasn't your fault, dear. Don't worry about it."

Jenrya nearly collapsed on his bed after securing his door. He backed himself up against the wall, kicking his shoes off (as he didn't even have the courtesy of taking them off at the door to put his house slippers on) and spreading his legs horizontally across his bed, his long limbs coming well over the edge of it. Jenrya struggled to at least remain sitting up, as he somehow wasn't exactly ready to go to bed yet. However, he was well past exhausted; with aching limbs, a worn out, over-stressed body and a weary mind that had clearly done too much thinking in a small amount of time.

He looked over to his computer area. The system was turned off, leaving the monitor shiny and black, cleanly reflecting Jenrya's pitiful position on his bed. What Jenrya wouldn't give to just play on his computer without a care in the world, just as he always did during his few moments of privacy in the past…

"What's wrong with me…?" Jenrya wondered out loud. "Nothing's felt right since…" Against his will, his memory just reminded him. "… Since I remembered that time…"

"So, was I not right? You do hate handling the truth."

Jenrya snapped out of his delirious train of thought. His room was still visible, but now was laden in darkness, and even more to his discomfort, the slime. Immediately, Jenrya jolted out of his bed and stood defensively, determined not to be trapped again. His arrogant acquaintance was yet to be seen.

"Come on…!! I know you're there!" Jenrya shouted. "I'm not telling you anything until you stop being a coward!"

"That's your insecurity talking, Jenrya. You don't feel safe here until you know there's someone here with you." Nonetheless, the better-developed figure made its presence known just as that was said. "I'm sure you felt much better when you found Juri earlier… that's just too bad then, that she has to miss out on the fun now."

"You leave her out of this!" Jenrya ordered, a fierce gleam in his eyes now present. "I don't want you dragging her into this mess; it's pointless! I think she's been through enough for one lifetime… just keep this between you and me, if you don't mind."

Once again, it was almost ignoring Jenrya's request completely. "It's kind of ironic once you think about it. I mean, you're notorious for always wanting your 'alone time', Jenrya. In fact, just a while ago it seemed your desire for privacy backfired on you. You wanted some solitary thinking time, but instead you got me."

"You and 'having company' are hardly the same thing," Jenrya pointed out.

"Yet you still desired someone to be with. You were miserable being alone in that dimension."

"Anyone who wouldn't be is a fucking psycho," Jenrya countered, keeping a constant look of 'Get The Fuck Out Of My Room' directed to the figure. "So if you're done with me now, I'd really love it if you just took your leave. It's one thing to get me outside, but you do not barge into my room and try to brainwash me when I'm trying to get some rest."

"That wasn't why I came for a little visit," the figure insisted. "And I can promise you that I won't be around for much longer… I merely wanted to congratulate you."

Jenrya only rolled his eyes, not even close to thinking about believing it for even a second. "The first thing you do when you come here is insult me. You're such a liar…"

"I knew you wouldn't give me a warm greeting either way," the figure mentioned, almost apathetically. "So I didn't figure you'd mind a little insight into your behavior before I congratulated you on finding a piece of your memory… regarding that festival. And so soon, at that. You even had me surprised."

It was a little suspicious… but Jenrya all of a sudden felt a change in who he was talking to… he just didn't seem quite as fake now, for some reason… it just about seemed like just some other person. And the idea of this happening just wouldn't sit well with Jenrya. "Well…" Jenrya was a tad nervous… "W-what did you expect? That I'd take forever remembering, just because I have issues with accepting the truth..?"

"It's just that, you've really must've been listening to me," it replied. "And you really believed me; after all the pointless arguing you did, trying to make a point of how I was a liar and couldn't know anything about you… you listened to me after it all. And you've gotten what you wanted, didn't you?"

"I'm not about to give you all the credit," Jenrya clarified, trying to hide any hint of softening up to this stranger just yet. "And don't think I'm going to start believing this 'Avoid Takato!' bullshit either."

The figure just stood there, seeming unfamiliar with the topic. "Avoiding Takato?"

Bam. Patience was already gone again. "If you're not even going to admit what you did, just get out of here," Jenrya ordered, pointing to the nearest window. "I've had it up to here with your lies, and I'm not in the mood to look at you and try to reason with you when I know it's not going to get me anywhere."

"Oh, you must mean the gut instinct thing I told you about…"

Annoyance levels were rising to dangerously high levels… once more… "Yeah. Just by admitting that you know about it, even though you weren't even there at the time… that's more than enough proof to tell me that was all a setup. So just go away now."

The figure just sighed, more in despair than frustration. "I really wish I could tell you more, if I knew you could handle it…" it bemoaned regretfully. "This situation would make much more sense to you that way… and you'd be surprised to know just how different this is, from what you're thinking of it."

Jenrya turned away completely, facing his bed. He bowed his head so he could focus on it better… the darkness and the slime didn't concern him at all now. He was simply too fed up to care. For him, this just simply wasn't the right time; not so soon after what he'd been through this day. As far as he was concerned, this day was over, and he wanted nothing more to do with it.

"… Just… get out. Onegai… I mean right now, too. Not five minutes from now, not half an hour. Right this second. Keep your filthy dimension here for all I care," Jenrya offered, not exactly sounding as apathetic as he hoped. He closed his eyes, refusing to look at the figure any longer. "All I want right now is some rest."

That's just what Jenrya did. Ignoring absolutely everything going on in his secluded little room, blocking out any further words coming from his current company, he parted his bedsheets, climbed in, and laid against his single pillow. He didn't bother opening his eyes again, but he knew he'd never really get to sleep until he was sure the nature of his room was back to normal. Jenrya wasn't willing to admit it out loud, but all the aspects of that lonely dimension have utterly frightened him. And it was probably safe to say that the darkness, the never-ending pathways to nowhere, and most of all the slime will have infinitely scarred him.

But he didn't want to think about the long-term effects this would have on his emotional state right now. Jenrya just tried his best to finally get to sleep... and hoped when he woke up, he wouldn't find the room the same way it was now.

The figure sighed to itself when it realized Jenrya apparently wasn't going to converse anymore today. Honestly, all it was going to tell Jenrya now was about the remaining parts of his lost memory…

'I suppose I'm rushing this process a bit,'it thought. 'Perhaps I just underestimated how much work this was going to require of me… someone who knows him better than anyone else.' Without spending more time worrying about it, the figure walked over to the bed, the darkness and slime still present everywhere in the room, with a good amount of said slime draped across random areas of the bed.

It was sort of amazing watching Jenrya just simply ignore it all.

The figure knew it would be better to simply keep quiet; disturbing Jenrya was a burden it'd rather not deal with at the moment. 'Then again, if I keep at this the right way, the easier it'll get… and sooner or later, he won't be able to ignore the truth anymore.' The figure's small blobbish extension at the end of his limb (that was trying to look like a hand) was careful as it lightly touched the nearest strand of slime to Jenrya. Said strand was also one of the few actually touching the boy, just barely over his shoulder, which most of was covered by a sheet.

The strand weakly illuminated, carrying the effect onto Jenrya's entire body. However, the effect was subtle enough to keep him undisturbed. Jenrya himself wasn't feeling any different as he continued his slumber. Surprisingly, Jenrya in fact was a bit of a light sleeper… but his mind was simply too preoccupied with all of his worries and doubts now taking advantage of their chance to demand some of his attention.

The glowing only took a few moments, and promptly ended when the figure released its hand… which now finally had discernible fingers. The slime retreated… the darkness faded into normal light, and Jenrya more or less looked unaffected.

The figure though… it was easy to tell it was male now. The limbs were much more defined as such, and everything was finally balancing out to make the figure look more like a human being.

The hair, however, was the greatest change at all. Short, spiky, and most of it seeming to go just one side. Though the figure was still, in essence, made of the same fog it was in the last two forms, it was still a very impressive human mold, now just lacking the extreme details such as texture and clothing… and perhaps more could develop in the facial area. But far away, this figure could've seemed just like another person.

Just one glance at the mirror was enough to satisfy him, as he moved toward the window as Jenrya previously instructed him to exit via. For now, he was done, as with a little more thinking, he decided it might be better to give Jenrya some time before dropping in to bother him again. Being an annoyance and interrogating Jenrya when he was in a bad mood was only shoving him further back from what he wanted to achieve.

And if the figure were to reach his goal, and make an impact on the world as a person, he'd have to be more careful in how he was playing the game. He gave Jenrya one last look before phasing through the window and into the cold air of the outdoors, about twenty stories above the ground. As the sun sank below the horizon, the figure too faded with the daylight.

[POV - Takato ]

Last time I asked, it had been a week since the festival.

It wasn't until today that I was finally feeling better enough to get up and move around, coherently think and talk to my family and friends… and just generally be out of bed. My fevers, et cetera had all gone down by now. My mom finally said I could come back to school tomorrow…

Despite missing out on the social fun of school (riiiiiight…), my friends were still around to catch me up on things going on, bring me the homework so I wouldn't be too terribly behind when I came back… and just generally see me, I guess. Up until now, I didn't realize that I was such a huge part of everyone's social lives. Like in some way, people are just drawn to me some way, somehow…

It felt good, though. It really made me feel important… not that I had doubts over that to begin with, but now I really felt like I was more than just the guy who wore goggles over his forehead. I really stood out more than I thought.

Guilmon hadn't left my side until I assured him that I would be okay… and I think by now that doesn't really come as a surprise. Mom, of course, lectured me day in and day out about me taking better care of myself from now on, so she wouldn't be tempted to limit my freedoms this time… it's really too bad that I still don't exactly remember everything that happened. Thanks to Terriermon, I at least know most of the incident, and how I really would almost die from being in a freezing lake for so long…

I'm thankful that Dad at least stayed calm throughout this period of time, especially when I was getting better. The first days of me being sick are a little fuzzy in my memory now. I still know what happened, and so does everyone else… but it's still a little hard to believe. Especially since no one ever found out what could've caused that mini 'heart attack' I had that one day.

Actually, just thinking about that and how it was able to happen to me was more disturbing than anything.

Still, really… I've been feeling much better since then. My friends coming by to pump my spirits up helped that much more. It was really a good time to get reminded on how much they cared… Juri came to visit me every day, before the sun rose in the morning prior to school time, and one more time after school, sometimes even past dinner time.

I think she never really did miss a day out on visiting me… and while that still made me tense, I think it gave me a lot of hope, somehow. She was able to give me most of the homework, and she spent a lot of time talking to me… even when I was asleep. … Yeah, one time I overheard her but just pretended to continue on sleeping… just out of curiosity. Just in case she'd say anything of importance while she thought I wasn't listening…

… no, no love confession yet. Guh…

Still, we always had meaningful conversations, and it didn't end here. Heh… sometimes she's a nice alternate to Jen. Especially since Jen's nowhere near as chatty as Juri, nor anyone else for that matter. I'm just glad she was here for me, and in a lot of ways this gave me a lot of hope for the future… because I knew all good, lasting relationships were largely based on close friendships. And as the days go by, Juri and I just ever so gradually become closer… now, in some ways, I'm kind of glad I got into a near-death situation. I can just… somehow feel the bond expand at a must faster rate than it normally was during the weeks before the festival.

I'd freeze to death for more of that any day…

Hirokazu and Kenta at least visited me on the every-other-day average. And I could understand, as they were busy people these days. Kenta was sure to bring me any extra homework Juri couldn't retrieve. Hirokazu was all up into the gossip going around in the school, making sure I didn't miss out on a single rumor, despite how much I might actually care for it… but both of them were completely gung-ho on getting me new cards and toys and things like that… and as awkward as it was (especially concerning those two), I just couldn't hurt their feelings by refusing them. So now I've got three new decks of cards for my D-Arc and more new pencils and ink pens than I know what to do with.

It was convenient. I'd been trying to write in my journal whenever I was up to it now; I've clearly been neglecting it. How do those people online possibly keep up with theirs…?

I admit, I got nervous whenever Hirokazu entered my room, because I know him well enough to know his hunger for blackmail. And if he stumbled upon my journal, though it didn't have a lot of content, had just enough for Hirokazu to make me the laughing stock of the entire school… well, then I should've just stayed frozen, dammit.

Much to my surprise, Ruki even popped in for a visit every now and then. Definitely not on a regular basis, but just enough to make me wonder what ulterior motives she had planned. But after I heard the story, I realized she was probably just seeing me a lot out of guilt for what she and Jaarin did… even though it really didn't have anything to do with me. Still, I could see why that would prompt someone like Ruki to see me more often than she usually does. I thought what they pulled on Jenrya was pretty cruel and ruthless, though… especially for Ruki, since she had no real reason for doing it.

Then again, I guess Ruki makes her own reasons for such things.

But after I heard everything, and how hard Ruki and Jaarin were taking it during the aftermath of it all…I'm not really mad at them now. I don't think they had any right to do what they did, but it's obvious that they learned from their mistakes. At times like this, you just can't be petty about such wrongdoings. And it was our job to make assure Ruki and Jaarin that they were forgiven for what they did, because no matter how mean their intentions were, we… we know they never would've let the outcome happen, if they knew they could prevent it.

They're still our friends… stuff just happens sometimes.

Jaarin actually visited a couple of times, along with Shuichon. Ryo was visiting just about as frequently. But he lived out of town, so I could understand that. And it's not like I really know Jenrya's sisters very well in the least… as much time as I've spent with Jen, I never got well acquainted with the rest of his family, so it's a little surprising that I saw as much of the girls as I did. Not that I really got to know them any better from their visits; they spent most of their time just asking how I was doing. Jaarin still had the look of guilt on her face… a very bold 'This Is All My Fault' gesture. I've tried saying that no one blamed her for it, and I wasn't mad at her… then again, I heard that just about everyone tried telling her the same thing, and Jaarin's mood still had yet to improve since the night we were found.

Oh yes, those Lees tend to be very stubborn.

Ryo asked me the same questions regarding my health, and he seemed to be pretty optimistic about my recovery. At least someone believed in me… he sounded pretty regretful that he couldn't be around more to help, but I made sure to let him know that he's more than doing his part. I couldn't ask any more from Ryo, honestly.

Shuichon was just kind of there for moral support. Oh, and she would update me on Jenrya's condition and how he was doing. It's really more useful than it sounds.

Especially considering that…

That…

… Jenrya… hadn't come to visit me at all.

He didn't come once. No quickie stopping bys, no letters, no email, not a single phone call…

Even when I asked my friends if Jenrya had anything he wanted to tell me, or anything at ALL regarding me, everyone had the same response: Nothing. N-nothing… at all.

The way my friends sound, they haven't really gotten to talk to Jenrya that much. Sure, they've seen him at school… and I understand that Jen's had his fair share of time being sick like me (and I'll marvel at his ability to recover a lot faster than I can), but still. And it's not like I haven't been making my attempts to get ahold of him too, despite how shitty I've been feeling all this time. I've still found the time and energy to send him numerous emails and called him at least once a day if I was well enough.

Still yet, I'd always get every member of the Lee family except Jenrya. And whenever they checked, Jenrya was never able to come to the phone, and in most cases they never really tell me why. They'll promise me that they'd call back whenever Jenrya was available… and then never call back for the rest of the night.

More than once, have I just sat there on my bed, my eyes glued to the clock, with the phone lying eagerly on my lap. The night hours would press on and on… with my mom and dad repeatedly telling me to go to sleep, until they gave up and turned in around midnight… Guilmon repeatedly suggesting I get some rest, until he conked out an hour or so later…

One time the phone did ring after I called Jenrya. About half an hour or so later, I did get a call…

It was Yamaki, wishing me a fast recovery on behalf of Hypnos and the Monster Makers.

Another day I got another would-be returned call… I was probably too eager and had my hopes up way too high…

Instead of Jenrya, it was Impmon, Ai, and Mako. Telling me pretty much the same thing as Yamaki had.

Two, three, four o'clock in the morning… and by then I'd give up hope and pass out. I knew Jenrya would sometimes stay on late, though rarely on a school night. But with no way to keep in contact with him, I'd never know until I just tried to stay up. Even if he was hardly available, I wanted to remain that way as long as I could, should he ever want to get ahold of me for any reason…

… I just didn't understand. Jenrya does tend to busy himself with schoolwork and whatever the hell he does on his computer, but as long as I've been around him, he's never been too busy for me. I mean, sometimes it's like he completely goes out of his way to make his free time so he can spend it with me every day. And honestly, I'm flattered that he thinks I'm so important… but I guess I can't be surprised.

It's not like he goes together with Hirokazu or Kenta like pickles and tacos. He hasn't really spoken with Juri until recently. Ruki… they just don't like each other very much. Ryo's never around… he doesn't really seem to acknowledge Jenrya's existence too much anyway. And I can relate to that. I guess you have to be special or something to be really seen by Ryo.

And he gets more Shuichon than any of us, and I can tell that clearly makes him sick. I don't really know anyone from his classes, but it's apparent no one really takes much notice to him either. … Now that I reflect on it, it's kind of weird how Jen never once complained about not being noticed often. Maybe it's a good thing that he's got an extremely gabby partner in Terriermon… maybe that's what's still keeping him satisfied. Even if he never really acts that way.

Still, it's a little weird to be thought of so highly by him. It's like as far as school goes, he really doesn't have anyone else. No wonder he's been so into getting closer to Juri… I imagine it probably gets really lonely in the classes where I'm not with him. In this year's case, that's over half of them. He's usually perfectly fine in the classes he has with me, but it's a different story when I hear the group of girls behind me chattering on about the boys in the school. Juri's usually able to eavesdrop on the conversations and fill me in on anything I miss, but really… Jenrya's not a popular icon amongst the school's female population.

Seriously. No one really thinks he's hot (a little cute, maybe, but I hear from the girls that he could be much sexier if he just dressed and groomed himself a little better…), and apparently they just have a problem with his utter lack of talking when I'm not around.

It doesn't matter to them how good he is in martial arts, because he doesn't really take up any extracurricular activities in sports when it comes to school anyway. His studies with Chou-sensei have nothing to do with our school at all… so I don't think anyone actually recognizes Jenrya for his talents in that department. So he doesn't play any actual sports, so of course the hot girls won't be screaming over him and his Captain-of-the-Soccer-Team glory.

I think he's on Student Council. But I don't often hear his name around the news regarding that group. … Probably just joined because his parents wanted him to. He's never really been too thrilled about being in the clubs at school, honestly. He's probably more content with being at home, sitting on that computer… I think I asked him one time why he doesn't try to enjoy the extracurricular stuff more, and why he doesn't participate in some more areas of it (because he sure as hell has the GPA for acceptance).

I believe what he told me was: 'They take up a lot of free time that I'm not willing to give away, Takato. Those academic clubs will be just fine without me, I'm sure. Besides, if I spent all my free time at school, how would I be able to keep hanging around with you guys?'

But I knew when he said 'you guys', he really just meant 'you'. As in me. Because I can't recall a time he voluntarily went to hang out with just Ruki, or just Hirokazu and Kenta. Then again, I guess I can't be sure of that 100%. But the way I know him, if he's not out with me, he's at home on that computer. I'm almost sure of it.

… I really hope nothing's wrong with him. He's been worrying me sick all over again since the day where Juri said he chose to not visit me… when I was still mildly suffering from that… coronary or something. I was thankful that Juri was at least there… except I think I kept holding onto her hand for dear life right up until she left the next day. Guh… at least my being sick wouldn't make her suspect anything that way. But still, Jenrya choosing not to see me when I needed him… everyone else was there, I mean. Even people like Ruki, who I NEVER expected to visit me even in these circumstances. But Jenrya's the one to skip out? After he's already over the sickness?

This is Jenrya who throws fits at himself if he doesn't think he got me a good enough birthday present, for crying out loud! And trust me, I've seen him do it!

Why would he not want to see me? … Was he just scared of seeing me that seriously ill? I doubted it. He's been through way scarier experiences in the D-Reaper incident. Seeing a pale and suffering me wouldn't be that nightmare-inducing, I'd hope…

Guh. This is getting me nowhere. I really should just call him again, but that'll probably flop just like all the other times. I'll have a real chance tomorrow, at least, when I come to school. I'll come super-early, just like Jen, and track him down. … I guess confronting him in that threatening way isn't really a proper thing to do after not seeing him in several days (despite how it might be just the thing he needs…), but pretending nothing is going on isn't the right thing to do either. I suppose the least I could do is just be casual about it. I should be able to find out what's wrong with Jen within the first five minutes of talking to him anyway, because he's really bad at hiding his problems… especially from me.

It just hurts, you know? These days, I usually don't go over 24 hours without seeing his face. Now it's been almost a week and I haven't even heard his voice, or seen written/typed words in the fashion I've come to know as the special way that Jenrya writes that just lets me know that's really him… he's totally disappeared from my life in the matter of a week, almost.

I couldn't just let it all die like this. Jen and I may not have been friends for as long as I've been with… pretty much all my other friends, but every single moment we've had since the start has more than made up for the fact, and now he's closer to me than anyone else. That was really impressive to me…

… Now I just wish I could see him. I suddenly didn't feel like waiting until the next morning for that… I didn't want to just SIT here in my bed while I could be outside and heading over to his house right now! … Of course mom wouldn't have any of that, I guess. She's probably intent with keeping me indoors as long as she possibly can. But I was tired of trying to call him and email him because that was sure to never work. And it wouldn't fulfill my desire to just… you know, SEE him physically. Something was scaring me deep inside, just telling me that hearing his voice wouldn't be enough…

I had to be there to comfort him…

… Wait. Idea time. I know how I can see him… technically. So with that, I pulled my legs to the edge of the bed and stood. The floor seemed a lot colder than the depths of my bed under the sheets, but in a way it was a bit refreshing. I'd only been out of my bed a few times now, but it was getting easier to get around the more times I left the bed.

I walked across my room and to my desk, where I normally did my drawing and homework-doing, what little I actually did at home. Guilmon was downstairs eating old bread, probably. I'm sure my parents were down there too… so my room, for the first time since the festival, was dead empty save for me, and just as quiet.

A little too anxiously, I sat down in my chair and didn't waste any time opening the top drawer to my desk. Let's see...

Pens, pencils, colored pens, colored pencils… did I still have crayons in here? Sheesh. Might be high time for a little spring-cleaning whenever I feel like doing the cleaning (oh, right… which is never!). Ahh, yes, pencil sharpener, erasers of all kinds… rulers, paintbrushes (what? Since when did I paint? Oh, right… that flag thing), extra sheets of blank paper… noooot what I'm looking for, so I shut that drawer.

I was kind of hoping it wasn't in there, anyway. All the spilled paints in there might've ruined it…

So I opened the lower drawer to my right. … Junk. I wouldn't stuff something like that in the junk drawer.

It must be the left drawer, then. So with the greatest ease, I pulled it open… my collection of junk from behind me caught my eye as I was opening that drawer, so I averted my gaze from the drawer to the very thing grabbing my immediate attention… my framed picture of Juri.

Yeah. It may seem like a bold move, but to keep people from teasing me about it, I also had framed pictures of Hirokazu and Kenta next to Juri's. Then one unframed photo of everyone all together, even with Ryo and Shuichon included.

I ran out of frames, yeah. It always slips my mind to buy more whenever I have the money to spend, too. But it made me happy to always have pictures of my friends to refer to whenever I'd be feeling lonely. Plus, I can have immediate references if I ever felt like drawing any of them!

I looked back to where I was pulling. The drawer was open now, revealing all the other assorted smaller-sized junk and knickknacks I never felt like arranging otherwise. But I didn't even have to look; I reached inside and pulled out just what I was looking for.

A picture of Jenrya.

It was just wallet-sized, and it was from the picture trade we had at school last year. I didn't put it up since it'd only look a tad weird being next to all the bigger pictures. Not really meant to be framed, either. But since I don't carry a wallet at the moment, I just put it safely in my desk, in the drawer where it was sure to remain there undamaged.

To be honest, I didn't have many pictures of Jen. In fact, this is really the only recent one of him that I own. And I'm really not sure how it never occurs to me any other time that I only HAVE a handful of Jenrya pictures total, and I should maybe ask for some more, but… it's really weird in that sense. Jen's not the kind of person that you just casually ask for photos of him. Maybe he's camera-shy? Even in the group picture that I have out, he's well into the background, even moreso than Ruki (who for some reason or another just can't stand cameras…), so he doesn't show up that well.

I can't see why he would be. He seems so calm in this school picture… his navy hair just the same as it's always been… short as can be, spiky, going off to the side… it must be pretty easy to have your hair like that. It's not too hard to get mine into a disaster state, and I don't even want to fathom the horrors of having hair like Hirokazu (or Ryo, for that matter… then again, Ryo's perfect and probably has his own flawless battle plan for his hair). But with Jen, he just kept his quaint and simple… the girls always criticized this, saying he could do so much more with it, but I kind of find it endearing.

Then there was his skin… and the unique color it was, definitely standing out from the normal Caucasian-ness of me and Hirokazu, and the pale white in Kenta, Juri, and Ruki. Even though it was obvious I don't kid about how much time Jen spends indoors, (because despite the fact that he DOES have a darker skin tone, he still looks like he desperately needs a tan…) it was still neat, and different. The yellow tint adds on to his charm… plus it at least helps him stand out a little more. Jenrya might not be widely popular, but ask around about "that Chinese kid" and anyone can point right to him without any hesitation. Though for me it'd be a bit unsettling that people would recognize you better as "that Chinese kid" rather than your own name, or even surname.

But there was also another definitive trait that just expressed Jen so well. Those soft grey eyes of his… always having that peculiar slant that once again screams "CHINESE!!". Despite his eyes being completely devoid of a real color, they were still often full of warmth and comfort… and I could always look at him with ease. Always full of concern and wonder… thought… it's the eyes that often make me think about Jen the most. I think the time he blew up at Shuichon in the Digital World was a sign that he doesn't really like getting overly emotional in public. For much of the time after, he was pretty calm and reserved, and just being our Strategy Guy who came up with plans.

His eyes, however, were showing me any emotion Jen was too afraid to vocalize or act out. So I learned to pay extra careful attention to them… they usually tell me things that Jen himself won't.

In the process, though, the eyes just… draw me in…

I want to know more, why Jen does what he does… and I constantly wish I could help him more than I usually do. But… I have a bad habit of spacing out…

Sometimes I'll lose myself just by looking…

But there's warmth. Warmth that practically radiates from those steely grey spheres… and it's telling me that Jenrya is so lonely… so much he doesn't realize how much he's missing out… but how can I help him? How can I do more for him…?

Spending every day with him isn't enough, is it…?

Even if it was just a picture… maybe looking as deep as I could at Jenrya's posing-mode eyes would give me some sort of idea… as I pulled the picture closer.

Something was tugging at my heart. It wasn't a pain, but just some kind of weird feeling. … Déjà vu? But how?

I closed my own eyes, trying to think back to the festival. I did recall that Jen and I went through a lot just to stay alive. Terriermon's story supported that memory well. I just… wished I remembered what happened after Terriermon left us. Something just didn't seem right… it seemed so unfinished, and unresolved.

… I hope I didn't make Jenrya angry… really, the last thing I need right now is having him pissed at me for some reason I can't even remember.

But something was there that night. Terriermon wasn't going into detail, but I know he was leaving something out when he was reciting his story to the families. At least, when the story was relayed back to me, no one mentioned anything peculiar between me and Jen, other than accidentally ending up on the same boat together…

There had to have been more than that, though. Just as I was really into thinking about it, I felt some sort of soft anxiousness in my heart… my entire body gave a quick shudder, and I felt myself practically melt into my chair… my heartbeat going back to normal… and for the first time since I can remember… I was completely, totally relaxed.

It felt like I hadn't been like this in ages. … But the feeling felt so familiar, like I had definitely experienced it before… was it another memory lapse? I almost felt too good to care…

I felt so… so… protected.

So loved and cared for… I'd gladly stay like this forever if it weren't completely impossible… I couldn't ask for better comfort… so warm and soft… gentle… here I was, sick of being overwhelmed by warm blankets and heaters, but this feeling… this… I couldn't get enough of it…!

Unable to hold back any longer, I let a deep sigh escape my mouth…

… Only to find that the noise of the sigh never came out. The air exhaled was blown right back at me through my nose. Uh…

It was time to open my eyes again.

I did so, and found my mouth to be only capable of muffled sounds.

…

The picture of Jen was a lot closer to my face than I thought.

It's kind of a good thing the picture wasn't as big as the others… I might've gotten a good scare that way. But it still didn't… change the fact…

… That my lips were… planted right on that very picture.

…………….

STORY OF MY LIFE! Matsuda Takato.

His first kiss was on a motherfucking photograph of his best friend.

Uh….

Yeah.

You know what? I think it's screaming time abooooooooout………….NOW.

… I went right back to making out with that photo.

I didn't care if it was a picture. IT WAS STILL JENRYA IN SOME KIND OF FORM!! A form that was PERFECTLY-FUCKING-HAPPY with me covering it in my own drool as my hormones went on overdrive! Was this making any sense…? HELL NO!! But I just didn't know what made sense anymore… one minute I'm talking about Jenrya, and the next minute I want to freaking KISS him!

WHY?!

Was… was this the whole reason behind all of my whining from before…?! Me being so worried about Jenrya?! Was all this just because I wanted to fucking kisshim?! Why DID I want to kiss him all of a sudden…?

Come to think of it… why haven't I kissed him before?

Uh, wait… because you don't normally kiss your best friend. Duh. … So why am I suddenly pissed at myself for NOT kissing him?! I should be pissed at myself for not kissing Juri yet…!

Wait, wait… anger's still there… I'm still frustrated… oh, crap. I AM still pissed at myself for not kissing Juri yet.

Yet NOW I'm pissed for not getting to kiss Jen, too?!

W-well… I just don't… GET the urge to kiss people for no reason…

Oh. …. OH. Oh, oh no. No no no no no no….

NO.

… yes.

Fucking yes. DAMMIT ALL TO HELL.

Fuck this. I just ran over, snagged the Juri picture from its framed glass safety, and started slobbering all over that picture as well. Eventually I just decided, WHY NOT MAKE THIS EASY?

I made out with both the Jenrya and Juri pictures at THE SAME FUCKING TIME.

… I just didn't get it. Not at all. Why? WHY did I have to go and pull this shit on myself? Never in a million years would I have guessed… that the whole reason I didn't want Jenrya and Juri to get together was because…

Because…

… I fell in love with both of them.

Well.

This would certainly explain why Jenrya might hate me right now… or at least why he wouldn't be talking to me. … That would mean that he knows. W-would he know? How could he know before I do?!

… Did I… do something to him during the festival? While I was freezing to death and fighting for my life…? I couldn't have… could I? … This'd be SO freaking easier if I just remembered what the hell happened that night…

I… this just all too much now! And the only thing I could think of doing now was… just to keep up what I was doing. Feeling the soft film against my lips… just enough to where it was warm to the touch… who knows? It might be just as good as a real kiss…

"Son!"

My mind broke its way back into reality, as I looked to my closed front door, which was being knocked upon. The voice? My dad's...

The knocking wouldn't cease… quickly, I looked down to see the massive drooling mess I've caused. My entire face felt red-hot and was probably as flushed as a beet. My whole lower section of my face was covered in… ugh… saliva… the Jenrya and Juri pictures were pretty much soiled, yup.

That matter would just have to be dealt with later. I threw both pictures in the narrow gap between the back of my desk and the wall, wiped my sleeve against my face… leaving THAT soaked as well. Fuck… can nothing work out for me?!

"Takato!" Dad was sounding a lot more cheerful today for some reason… "I'm respecting your privacy by knocking, but asserting my authority as your parent by coming in anyway!"

A threat if I ever heard one. Right as the knob was being turned, I made a desperate leap from my chair right to my bed… and the door opening pretty much distracted me, as expected, and I fell short…. Landing painfully on the floor, stomach first.

As my father entered, I somewhat wished that would've made me pass out. Now he'd see me… awake… like this…

Indeed, he looked nothing short of confused when he saw me sprawled on the floor. For a while, he just stared, probably trying to guess for himself what was going on. I didn't dare move an inch…

"Takato?" He sounded legitimately confused… so I guess he didn't draw any of his own conclusions. That's good…

"Yes… sir?" I sputtered out quietly, still on the ground… still on my stomach.

The puzzled gesture on my father's face still remained as he pointed at me. Oh god… "I know you're not sick anymore, but you were supposed to stay in bed."

Um…

"… No I wasn't?"

"Well, that's good enough for me," he resolved, assuming his normal laid back stance. … Huh? Well, okay… if he's that easily convinced. "Just be careful about your balance next time, okay?" He moved in to help me up, which I was grateful for… as long as he ignored the face that I was now trying to suppress my blushing face.

"Uh, sure…"

"Anyway, your mother sent me to help you down; dinner's in five minutes. Guilmon's already waiting for you in the kitchen for inevitable table scraps."

Oh dear. "Dare I ask what exactly is dinner tonight?"

"Please, don't."

I sighed, straightening my stuff in my room out before following my dad out the door. Something like dinner wouldn't come near getting my mind off all this new stuff now… and I really needed to put some thought through this before I go to school in the morning. For all I know, things may not ever be the same between Jen, Juri, and me ever again…

I really hoped that wouldn't be the case. But with the suspicious things I've been hearing about those two since this incident, I just can't help but worry… what if they do know? Do they approve of it or not…? Do they even think of me in that way? At least Juri was still around me a lot, save for that one time that no one's been able to figure out yet… she didn't seem like she knew at the time, though… but Jen… why would he do this if he didn't know?

Maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to bring this up to either of them tomorrow. At least until I can be absolutely sure if either of them know by this point. Because I particularly hated this feeling… and I knew it wasn't right to feel this way about two people. Until I could sort this out and SOMEHOW force it to make sense, and get things right to where I like only one person in that way, I figured it was best to keep this to myself as much as possible.

Then again, I could always use a little help… but I'll worry about that after I go talk to Jen tomorrow.

After all, now I can see why my heart aches so much when I haven't gotten to see him…

Right now I'd have to fill my mind with pointless topics for dinnertime. When I have a lot on my mind, mom will notice… and I don't think I'm ready to make this issue public yet.

Definitely not.

[ POV - Ruki ]

So I heard Takato's back on his feet as of today- good for him, then. Unfortunately I've been loaded down with homework today, so I didn't have any time for cross-school socializing today; it was straight to home with me after school.

Still, something about the state of the world was rubbing me the wrong way. We've gotten past the festival, Takato and Jenrya are back to full health now… Jaarin and I made amends, and I'd like to think it's all said and done…

That day, though… when Takato had that spasm in his heart… it was a big surprise to us to see Jenrya and Juri absent for much of that time. And still, even when Juri came back to us, but without Jen… she did seem sincerely sorry for the inconvenience she caused. I know Juri well enough now to read into her emotions… But why was she avoiding our questions? Mine especially…

Her eyes were constantly averted from us. She wouldn't really tell us anything, saying it was confidential information or something. Normally I wouldn't buy that, and on that day in particular I was pissed, but when I saw Takato finally calming down when he saw her face… I knew it wasn't my place to put her on the spot now.

Takato was getting better with her around, and that's what mattered.

Since that day, we haven't seen much of each other. But I knew that was likely because Juri was spending all of her spare time with Takato, seeing him through his sickness. A couple of times I dropped by his place to check on his progress, more importantly to catch Juri in the process, but she always seemed to conveniently be out whenever I came over. So that's been concerning me… Juri was never one to back out on talking with me. Between that and school, I'd barely gotten the chance to even speak with her on the phone! It was ridiculous… and I knew something was up with her.

Something clearly happened to her on that day.

Call it a hunch, but I don't think I would've gotten anything out of Jenrya either. I at least knew Juri; she was my best friend. The look in her eyes just screamed that she had a secret, but for some crazy reason she couldn't bring herself to tell anyone. And Jenrya, well… he's just naturally secretive. I'd probably be the last person to know about whatever's going on with him, so there was no point in straining for that. After all, considering the way this all happened, I was thinking that his problems are probably similar, if not the same as Juri's.

I really wanted to make use of my hours before bedtime tonight… maybe see what's wrong with her… but I guess it'd have to wait a little longer. I could always hope for Hirokazu, Kenta… maybe even Takato (now that he's healthy and all) to interrogate her enough to where she'll finally start talking. Damn this infernal homework… like I really need to ever apply the details on the French Revolution to real life…

Guillotines couldn't solve our problems now. Though things would probably be a lot freaking easier if they could.

"So, how was your day…?"

"It was stupid," I remarked, turning to my partner, as it was pretty easy to find where her voice was coming from. She always seemed to like walking on the tops of walls and fences for some reason I haven't bothered asking about yet… "I've already got enough to be depressed about in my own life; why do I need to learn about a bunch of conformist retards over 300 years ago, Renamon?"

"I only know this," Renamon humbly admitted. "You're asking the wrong Digimon."

Whoops. Forgot again. "… Oh, right. Sorry."

"You're excused," Renamon assured, smiling to me as we continued on the path home. "Not in the mood to see your friends today…?"

"I've got a lot of homework due tomorrow," I gestured to my bag, which was feeling at least three times heavier than it usually did. "Besides, it's not like I've got anything to worry about now. There's no point in me letting my grades slip when we're not in a state of emergency."

Renamon nodded. "It's good you prioritize these things well. But are you sure the homework will take you all night?"

"Well, let's see how long it takes me to get it done. If it's still daytime, I'll see what I can do."

"So flexible you've become as well," she complimented, and really seeming impressed with how calmly I was taking things. At least, compared to how I was regarding Jen and Juri's 'disappearance' fiasco… "You really are growing up, I believe."

I found myself smirking with that. "Please," I insisted. "There's no need to remind me."

"Sometimes, I feel like I should remind myself…" Renamon said, as I noticed her blatantly looking to the side past me. "More than sometimes, even."

I wasn't going to waste any time with wondering to myself. "What is it, Renamon?"

"Nothing, really," she tried assuring me, but I could tell she was beyond distracted. "But… when did this… construction on the other side of the street take place…?"

"It just started this week," I said, well remembering the traffic chaos that ensued the first day. "They're tearing down those old buildings, see?" I turned to face the other sidewalk, and made a pointing gesture. "Some of them are reaching to be over sixty years old soon, and they're starting to crumble. So they're gonna be torn down, and I guess some newer ones will take their places. Any stores in those buildings have gone out of business at least ten years ago, anyway."

"That's… very interesting," Renamon remarked, still not keeping her eyes off the sight. "But things on this side of the street won't be affected, right?"

"Not as far as I know," I said, assuming to be correct… it didn't seem like they'd be messing into this side, since they would've already by now. Plus, there really aren't any buildings on this sidewalk…. Especially not old ones. "But they'd better not. The last thing I need is to have this get in my way of getting home. It'll be a pain in the ass to find an alternate route…"

"Just making sure. The other side seems a bit dangerous, with all of the machines, wet cement, holes in the ground, and rubble everywhere…" Hm… she seemed worried about something.

"I'll worry about it when it comes, but what's with you?" I asked, trying not to sound too demanding.

"I see someone on the other side," she said, squinting her eyes.

"Your point?"

"Look, Ruki."

I was so dreading this, since I had a nagging feeling tugging at my heart… it was telling me who it thought this was…

I closed my eyes; I REALLY didn't want to know… as I walked faster to catch up to who was ahead of me on the other side… oh, the things I heard cinched it.

"He hasn't called me this week… I hope he's okay…"

Guh.

"The hell am I saying? Of course he's okay… Nothing ever gets to him. That's why he's my idol! But I've got his phone number now… I was always wondering if he'd ever give it to me. But man, I must be the luckiest guy in the world…"

Someone shoot me now.

"It's like I'm handling a winning lottery ticket or something… this magical phone number… to his perfect house. And if I can just muster the courage to call him up… and hear his wonderful voice… it'll just be like me talking to him, almost! I can do well with just imagining his sexy presence before me…!"

Don't hold back. Kill me dead!

"After all, he's always calling Makino… so why shouldn't he call me? She never picks up the damn phone anyway… but me, I LOVE the phone. The phone is my bitch! I wish Ryo would leave a message for me someday… I could like, record it, and then I could hear his voice every time I wake up, and stuff like that. But goddamn, sometimes I don't think he notices me for all of my qualities yet… and more than anything else, I just wish he'd-"

"Oh, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD."

My mouth clamped up immediately; I couldn't believe I let that slip! My eyes were wide open, and indeed, Shiota Hirokazu was standing in place on that hazardous sidewalk, looking straight at me, who had to open my big yap. Renamon was also making with the silent staring, halfway out of being startled, and half awaiting my next sentence.

"… Ah, Makino! Hey, I didn't see y-"

Immediately, I extended a hand forward towards Hirokazu to cut him off. Then I turned to Renamon, probably looking tenser than I should… "You go on ahead of me, okay?"

"You need to speak with him alone?"

"Just let mom and grandma know I'll be home eventually. When it comes to reprimanding Shiota, there's no telling how long it'll take to set him straight," I explained, and I don't think I could have been more right. Roosters like him needed extra attention just to comprehend simple matters; kind of like Special Ed.

Renamon didn't seem to agree with my methods… "Are you sure you don't want me to remain with you?"

"Know I'm looking out for your best interests here," I reminded her. "Do you really want to be apart of this stupid thing? Besides, if you want things done right, you do them yourself."

"I don't think I can argue with words as true as those," Renamon humbly admitted, holding her paws up in defeat. "But I trust you can take any situation into your own hands, Ruki. Good luck. I'll meet you at the house."

Almost in a flash, she had sped off further down the path. I gave a small exhale of frustration as I turned back to my idiot friend, who had stay put, and honestly, I don't think he even noticed that he was walking amongst a dangerous construction site. Hell if I knew where the construction workers were today, but I hadn't seen a single one actually around and doing work. Slackers.

But I knew if I wanted to get this knave's attention, I'd have to insult him to his face. So being a good girl and looking both ways before crossing the road, I trekked over to the other side of the street, and slipped my way through the nasty machines and rubble in order to be within touching distance of Hirokazu. Hopefully, the emotion on my face looked anything but warm and greeting.

"Much better! 'Sup, Ruki?" Hirokazu informally greeted, dumb grin and all.

"Hi," I bitterly returned it, staring at him right in the eye. "I just couldn't help but realize that this isn't the route you usually go home by, Shiota. And it just seems a bit more suspicious to know this route goes right through my school, which is why I go this route." I pointed in the direction Hirokazu was previously walking from. "YOUR school is over in the freaking northeast, at least five miles from mine. You've got two seconds to tell me how this makes sense."

Much to my offense, Hirokazu shrugged the matter off. "Whoever said I was going home? I'm spending this day walking around. Takato's fine now, but totally not fun to be with, I've not seen Jen, Juri's not in a good mood, and Kenta's home studying. I've got nothing to do! Besides, I didn't even know this was the way to your school!"

I could tell this argument wasn't going to get me anywhere. "But that's bullshit and you know that! You were just AT my school less than a week ago!" I was near fuming just reminding myself of that day already… "Not that I doubt your lack of long-term memory, but I know you wouldn't forget a thing like that."

"Fine, fine," he grumbled, obviously caught there. "But I wasn't looking for you or anything. I just needed some time to think and all. To myself, you know?"

This brought out my 'Gag Me' face. "Has anyone ever told you how loud your thoughts are? Really, I could hear them just fine across the road, mister Secretive."

In turn, my remark seemed to draw out a blush from Hirokazu. Honestly, though, he's pretty amusing to see him look that stupidly smitten. "My feelings for Ryo deserve to be loud and heard by all! I mean, everyone should know his greatness!" He sighed happily. "And know how lucky I am… who knows, maybe he will voluntarily call me one day…"

I couldn't help but smirk. "Does this mean you've lost your interest in chasing me?" I asked, a bit hopefully. Deep inside, though… I was hoping so much more.

"Don't think you're off the hook yet," Hirokazu slyly told me. He pointed to me and winked… and then I felt desires to bite his winking head off. "I must say, Ruki, every time I see you in that school uniform, you just keep getting cuter to me. You'd best stop, or you'll become irresistible…"

"We have to wear these, you dolt!" I snapped, stepping back and trying desperately NOT to look seductive in the least to this moron. "If it were my choice, I'd reverse it! You guys act more like women than any girl I've ever known!"

I really, really wished that were the right thing to say. But it only made things worse, as Hirokazu made more 'wannabe cool' gestures like licking his teeth as he gave that some thought.

"Hm… you know, that sounds kind of kinky… and it could only come from a girl like you…"

"One more word, and I'm tossing you in the cement truck, Rooster." I pointed right to the one nearby to emphasize on that threat. Hirokazu followed my finger to the cement-making vehicle, and his eyes seemed to widen with awe. I do believe I was right.

He really didn't notice the construction work at first.

Christ, did Ryo really take THAT much out of him?

"Ohh… hey, cool. Cement truck. I wonder what it's doing here."

I greatly struggled not to rip my fucking hair out… as I managed a short glare to Hirokazu, that alone letting him know of his idiocy.

"Oh, wait…" Hirokazu paused me from violently eating him alive as he made a very slow, gradual, 360º turn to survey his newly discovered surroundings. "I… probably shouldn't have walked through here. Heheh."

"You wouldn't happen to be blind, would you?" I asked in a low growl. "Since you might as well be these days…"

"Come on!" Hirokazu urged, as if I'd really give him a break. "Is it totally unacceptable to you for me to make a mistake now and then…?"

"When it risks your life? Yes."

"Yeah, I'm sure you REALLY care about whether or not I live or die," Hirokazu snapped back, striking a nerve with me. Did that blockhead really think I didn't care…? "Just mind your own business, 'kay?" He began to continue walking in the same direction as he was before. "I can take care of myself."

"FREEZE."

Oh boy, did he ever freeze.

"If I can care about Takato's life, I can just as easily care about yours, Hirokazu," I spat, walking right over to him, getting in his face. "So don't you dare try to make me out like this self-centered bitch who doesn't care about anyone! You won't get away with it!"

"And just who do you think you are, huh?" He demanded. "My mom? I don't need you and your nagging. It doesn't suit you either way."

Ugh. "Can you stay on the damn subject at least? We're not talking about me; we're talking about how you've got the mentality of a five year-old! Now use your common sense, whatever might remain of it." Honestly, I wasn't sure why I was bothering going through with this… maybe it was because I was probably the only person other than Ryo that he might actually listen to. Of course, Hirokazu wasn't going to let that show, and he once again resumed walking along. I didn't hesitate to go on after him. "Hey!!"

"I don't need your lectures either!" 'Kazu exclaimed. "And I don't need your logic! Not when your love is as pure as the morning snow…!"

Oh my. He's really, really lost it now. "Please tell me you're not talking about Ryo."

"Who else? It's not like you're ready to admit our love yet," Hirokazu said with a retarded-looking smirk. "Though if you're meaning to confess to me today, I'm totally open for-"

"You're getting off-topic again," I interrupted, sharpening my glare. "I suggest you get the hell out of here and do your 'wandering' elsewhere. Just not on this side of the street, and not on mine either."

Hirokazu didn't seem very happy with my offer. "Any idea of where I SHOULD go, then?"

"Home, preferably."

"I said I didn't need another nagging mom, Makino!"

"You wanted some feedback as to where you should go," I said with a shrug. "So I gave the most logical answer. Besides, I wouldn't wish for anyone to deal with your presence out in the open at any time."

"That's really hilarious, you know," Hirokazu remarked. Sarcastically, of course. It was almost kind of amazing seeing him so unfazed. I guess love really can change people though. I've just yet to see it for the better… "And naturally I'd figure you're not supportive of my true love for Ryo and all, but who could help being jealous of that? So I won't hold that against you…"

Good lord. Something was clearly wrong with his head. Ryo should be ashamed of himself for letting Hirokazu get this hysterical…! "You're the only one talking about your stupid love for Ryo, if you haven't noticed! Love him all you want, for all I care! I just don't want you killing yourself over it! I'd like to think that's not unreasonable, 'Kazu!"

"You're overreacting," Hirokazu assumed. "Though it's sweet of you to let me know you care so much…" He looked me right in the eye and grinned. "Guess I can't be helped being loved by the masses, but please, believe in me a little! I'd have to be a really big moron to die when all the obstacles are right in my fa-"

Yes, we were walking the whole time.

YES, that stupid ass fell down an open manhole.

Actually, shame on me for not noticing beforehand… and thank god I was away from Hirokazu enough not to fall in myself, but I'll admit, talking to him gets extremely frustrating. I just can't believe it sucked all of my attention away like that…

No wonder they don't let people walk amongst this mess.

But this wasn't the time at all to review that. I immediately kneeled down to the single hand grasping the edge, keeping Hirokazu within talking distance of me. It wasn't a stable hold; and already I noticed the veins in his hand twitching and bulged from the pressure and tension…

"Oh… oh CRAP!! Rukiiiiiii!!"

"I can hear you, okay?!" I shouted back, putting my hand over his to prove I was still there. "Just hang on…!"

"You've gotta pull me up, man!" he wailed, as I felt his body flailing around in confusion. "It's dark and it smells down here!"

"It's a sewer, dumbass," I hissed through my teeth… I wished somehow he'd see the vicious share I shined to him. "Don't expect it to smell like the freaking Botanical Gardens. Now grab onto my hand. I'll pull you up from there."

"You're kidding, right?!" He practically screeched. "I can't let go; I'll fall for sure! You need to get my other hand…!"

"Does it look like I can reach down that far?" I inquired, stretching my arms over the manhole and setting my palms on the ground from there, so I could properly bend safely down into the hole and talk with Hirokazu more directly. Like I said, Roosters usually need special help. "Because you're crazy if you think I'm going to risk getting thrown down here too. This is your fault and yours alone, buddy."

"Fine, fine…! Just figure out something!" Hirokazu begged. For mercy. "Just please don't leave me here!"

"You don't need to worry about that," I assured. I mentally ran through my options… I could call Renamon, but I already sent her off so she wouldn't have to deal with these fruitless ordeals. Plus I would kind of ruin my own resolve to 'take matters into my own hands' anyway. It'd do better for everyone just to keep this situation between us (providing Hirokazu doesn't blab… which he probably will). So I wasn't going to force Hirokazu to keep hanging on endlessly just to look for something to help; call me crazy, but a ton of rubble and crane machines which I can't operate didn't seem to be an option amongst the things I had to work with.

And of course, it just had to be the quietest part of the day where you can't drag any Bob off the street to help a poor kid out of a manhole since no one's around. Not even so much as a passing car to intercept…! Lady Luck smiled upon us today, oh yes. … I guess there wasn't anything else to do. Just pull him up and hopefully succeed.

"Look," I said, resuming my position of sitting upright. "There's nothing here I can use to help us. There's no one around to give me a hand in pulling you out. You're going to have to trust me, Hirokazu, and let me take that hand," I poked said hand, as it further strained. "So I can pull you out myself."

"What makes you think you can lift me out?" Hirokazu asked, still nowhere near convinced of the situation. "What am I, like four inches taller than you? I'm also all-muscle!" Yeah, I can believe that. "So what if I'm too heavy for you…?"

Not something I could afford to worry about right now. "Believe me, you won't be."

I heard a scoff. "Not one girl at my school can even do so much as lift me from the ground for more than three seconds, Ruki! What in the hell makes you think that you're strong enough to-"

"DO YOU WANT ME TO SAVE YOU OR NOT, HIROKAZU?!"

Jesus-Tap-dancing-Christ!! Even when I'm trying to be helpful, he can't even appreciate it in the LEAST! Does nothing please this boy, other than being in the presence of Ryo?! Guh…

"O-of course… I… I'm…"

"Sorry?" I finished for him. "You'd better be. Now just ease up." I grabbed Hirokazu from just below his wrist with one arm, and… with more difficulty than I expected, lifted his hand from the edge he was hanging onto (he was at least complying now, and didn't make a fuss when I did this), and safely put it over my free hand, where then I immediately grasped it.

I had a split second to remove my first hand from under Hirokazu's wrist and to the edge of the hole to keep myself from falling in with him; the second I had a full grip on 'Kazu, his entire body was indeed pulling me down like I just took hold of an anchor. Luckily, I made the time limit, and was now stuck to think what to do next in my precarious position. My body was gradually inching closer to being toppled over in a flip, right into that damned hole…

"God," Hirokazu cried to himself. "My hand is swelling so much… h-how's it going, Ruki…?"

This was it, really. I couldn't fail him. He'd never respect me after this if he survived… plus I'd never be able to live it down anyway. The main thing I had to focus on was keeping him calm, and let him believe that I know what I'm doing here… even if I'm not 100% certain on that fact myself. He could easily screw this up as well as I could. And I won't forgive him if his stupid ass ends up dragging me down with him. "Just keep hanging on for me," I called back, further struggling to keep him from slipping through my fingers. "I'm gonna get you out of there…"

"Just know I can't hold on forever, okay…?" He informed, sounding increasingly more like a lost, unsure child.

"I know," I replied, not needing that reminder in the least. "So just work with me here, and don't question anything I tell you to do. Are we clear?"

"Crystal!"

"Just what I wanted to hear," I whispered to myself, kind of in relief. If I could just get him to comply with me enough… I could pull this off…

But the fierce compulsion of gravity was repeatedly forcing me the opposite way I was intending to go. I tried to my physical capacity to pull the other way, gradually making it so I was sitting upright again, my hand grasping to the side for support was now joining my hand clasped to Hirokazu's… It seemed to be going my way, now… just like I said. I knew I wasn't the average everyday 90-pound weakling. I could handle this…

The harder I pulled, the longer and louder Hirokazu felt the urge to whine, though, much to my displeasure and annoyance. It was bad enough having his entire body strain my own, but getting a migraine from his obnoxious vocal chords was just one more reason why I'd be better off deaf.

I was in a very precarious position now. One slip was going to send both of us through the hole and likely break our necks. It would probably be a lot simpler if Hirokazu had actually realized the dangers of this situation… but no. He had to make this as difficult as possible for me, with his never-ending screams and constant squirming around. Normally I'd tell him to cut it out, but it's pretty hard to multitask when you've got 110 pounds of moron trying to pull you into a sewer…!

It was his feet. He kept swirling and kicking his feet down incessantly, and by doing so, Hirokazu was keeping himself pretty weighed down on his end. Every tug downwards was one centimeter closer to sending me over with the stupid ass… He was clearly too hysterical to listen, even if I could spare the energy to tell him to stop. I wasn't going to get anywhere by continuing to pull him up by sitting on my butt. I'd have to risk my safety and now manage to stand so I could pull Hirokazu the rest of the way up.

"HURRY UP, will you?!"

'Kazu giving me the orders? That effectively made my blood boil. But I'd use it to my advantage, and find the strength to pull myself up to my knees. In a sense, though, he was right. I wouldn't be able to maintain the grip forever; my body was wearing out and succumbing to the gravity fast. My whole body was practically shaking as I rose my arms to bring more of 'Kazu's arm out of the hole, past his elbow now. That was some progress… but then I heard a particular screech come out of Hirokazu's normal whining. I squinted to focus, but it became clear to me that I was hurting him now…

Not just by his hand, which was already throbbing and reddened. I noticed I'd been unintentionally pulling Hirokazu's arm straight against a sharp concrete edge… and it was already drawing minimal amounts of blood. There wasn't anything I'd be able to do to prevent it; one move forward and we'd bothbe done for. It wouldn't be a serious injury, at least… I just know something like that would hurt like hell anyway. And with Hirokazu behaving so erratically to pain…

I winced as I felt a deep, scratching pain on my knees (damn this school for making me wear a skirt!), probably similar to Hirokazu's arm situation… as the gravity suddenly became overwhelming and sent me on my stomach, my body halfway over the hole, and slowly sinking further…

"W… what the hell happened?! Ruki, are you okay?!"

I struggled to open an eye as I realized half my body was practically in the sewer, and the smell was so unbearable… just like Hirokazu said. In fact, I was practically face-to-face with him… and for once, he actually looked concerned… the stinging pain in my knees told me to focus on more serious issues right now…

One being that I'm hanging on my stomach in this manhole, with no way to lift myself back to where I was again without letting Hirokazu go. And I already promised myself I wouldn't do that…

Desperate times. I had to call Renamon now…

"Why won't you answer me?!" I heard Hirokazu's desperate cry again, suddenly trying to tug me as if to snap me back into reality. While that's a nice gesture, and all…

THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO TO SOMEONE HANGING UPSIDE DOWN.

Unfortunately, this would have to register in Hirokazu's head the hard way. I felt my legs flop into the hole… and down we both went.

It all happened in a split second, but I know Hirokazu fell onto the pavement of the sewer floor. I came right after, landing cleanly over his body, which thankfully broke my fall…

I heard Hirokazu squeak, though. Apparently he landed right on his rear end (which took most of the impact)… meaning I ended up landing roughly on his groin. Whoops.

That kind of impact made Hirokazu even jolt into a sitting position, despite his mildly aching back. Meanwhile, I, finding no comfort in being against any part of 'Kazu's body, quickly rolled off him… and of COURSE he had to be right on the edge of the pavement… making me roll right into a disgusting river of yuck-water. That also made me jolt up, adding increasing discomfort to my weary body, stressed-out nerves and scratched up knees.

While Hirokazu finished up his moans of pain, I struggled to climb back onto the paved platform, far too stunned by this whole scene to even bother picking off any garbage on me. 'Kazu seemed pretty hurt, with his legs sprawled uselessly on the ground, and the rest of him twitching in synch by limb. He was sitting up, however, with his scraped arm tending to his back, which was arched up high. I was certain the worst pain was yet to come; I just hoped he didn't break anything.

At least we both survived the ordeal… of course, there was a ladder leading right up to the hole we fell out of, so we'd be out of here in no time. Providing we weren't too thrashed beyond helping ourselves…

"… You okay…?"

I blinked. It was startling that Hirokazu got to this question before I did… "I-I'm fine."

It was dark in the sewer… so he had to squint to make sure he could clearly see me. "Are you sure?" He practically forced himself to say without whimpering. That idiot… I think it'd be obvious to anyone that's he's hurt. Why would he bother hiding the fact to me?

"You broke my fall," I credited, as I wrung out my ponytail. "And these scrapes," I indicated my knees. "They're no big deal. I'll be fine. But you landed before me, so I want to know your story."

Once more, Hirokazu scoffed. "It wasn't that long of a fall." He made sure to not mess with his back anymore. "It barely even hurt me. I'm invincible, you know."

Gloating I did not have any more patience for. "I'm leaving your ass behind, then. I've had enough of your fucking around about Ryo and wasting my time and making me smell like the population of Japan's shit." I stood up, kicked the washed-up box off my shoe, and marched past him, though with a little difficulty. "I'm sick and tired of trying to be nice to your worthless self, when all I do is get screwed over like this! You're not even grateful that I tried to save you! And it was your damn fault why we fell down here anyway…!"

'Kazu winced. "Ruki, I…"

"You had your chance to apologize," I cut in, staggering and half-slipping my way over to the ladder. "I've already accepted several of them, just today. But you're clearly never going to get it. You're never going to look at me other than some piece of ass you're setting your eyes on in case things with you and Ryo don't go through! And I'm not taking it anymore, Hirokazu! Okay?! Find some other slut to flirt with; I'm sure you've got plenty to spare!"

What I really hated more than anything is how I never seem to notice how cold and brutal my vocabulary is until I've already said it and done the damage. Even if I still believed this all to be true, this wasn't the best thing to say to someone who was now practically crying in agony to stand up and stop me. It was dark and dank enough as such to where it was a little complicated to get around.

But Hirokazu was trying to do this with his legs wide apart, waddling like a duck, while his back wouldn't even allow him to align his body right. He was freaking waddling, with his head and back able to face nothing but his own feet. And still somehow, he was able to get to me without killing himself.

"You're… you're not like that to me!" He huffed out, trying to persevere the pain. "I've known you too long for that, okay…? M-maybe I just joke around too much, b-but I really admire you, and… and that's not common for me outside of Ryo-sama, y'know…? I'm never acting right around you… but you d-do mean a lot to me, Ruki!"

Uh huh?

"A-and the last thing I need is you worrying about me," he continued. "I get into these accidents all the time…"

How very Rooster of him.

"But I know you can't be okay, and I know you went into that nasty water… so I'll make it better! Whatever's necessary!" Hirokazu was now running out of breath. "I… I just don't want you all… all like…"

I managed to mutter his name to myself as I watched him plunk back to the ground on his butt. … That lasted for about two seconds, as Hirokazu shrieked like nothing I'd ever heard before, and proceeded to roll onto his stomach and spasm all over the ground, now sobbing about the alleged pain on his natural seat cushion.

Well, he DID land flat on his ass. But it was obvious Hirokazu was too hysterical to help himself get up a ladder, so I moved away and kneeled down next to him, gently grasping him, and eventually calming him down.

"So, you've hurt yourself," I stated, just for the hell of it. "You probably should wait a while before trying to stand again, then. At least until your back isn't so stiffened…"

"I don't get it," Hirokazu growled to himself. "H-how the hell can it be this serious…?"

"If you just give yourself a rest for a few minutes, it might not actually turn out to be so bad," I suggested, hoping my rare burst of optimism was enough to have him obey me at least this once… I scanned over his entire back area, lightly feeling and pressing various areas of his body, asking him what hurt and what didn't. It turned out his back didn't seem fractured… but then came his butt.

I was not enthusiastic for the prospect of touching the Rooster's ass.

Luckily, I've been in a similar situation before when I was younger. And if it was indeed the same injury…

With great hesitance, I gently pressed my thumb to Hirokazu's tailbone. It's still technically touching his ass, dammit, and it almost makes me regret being a friend. But nonetheless, the contact drew another extremely loud groan of pain from 'Kazu, proving my theory that he's either fractured his tailbone upon landing, or at least considerably hurt it to some extent.

To my amazement, Hirokazu wasn't adding insult to MY mental injury on touching his ass. In fact, he looked a bit scared and turned his head back a bit to look at me.

"W… what in god's name are you doing, Ruki…?"

Still, I rolled my eyes. "Checking to see where all your pain is coming from. You landed on your tailbone, 'Kazu."

"… What the fuck is a tailbone…?"

Okay. Honestly, I was surprised he didn't know this. I figured he would've already broken this at some other point in his reckless life. "Tailbone. Like if you were a cat or some animal that had a tail, THIS bone," I pressed it softly again, for emphasis. Not because I wanted to… "Would start off the other bones making the tail. But since humans don't grow tails, it's just the bone we sit on. Don't ask me something dumb like 'Why the fuck is it CALLED a tailbone then if we don't have tails?' either. I'm no doctor, but I've had a bike accident with this result before."

"What if I can never sit down again…?" Hirokazu whined. "It really hurt to do that at first…"

"Don't count on doing it for a day or so," I said as casually as I could. "A seat ring won't help you much by this point, either. But I'd like to think this is what you get for walking around in a construction site." I moved to the front of Hirokazu and extended my right hand to him. "So let's move past this dumb mistake and just get back home, okay? Before anything else happens…"

He took my hand, managed to stand, and could even do so straightly, though apparently his back was still in a bit of pain. While he was preparing himself for the climb back to ground level, I tried to wring out my uniform, which would surely be a bitch to clean for my mom. The smell, though… that was worse than anything. I was definitely ready to leave.

"SHIT!!"

Dear god no. "What now, Shiota?"

"Cr… crap," he cursed, but sounding much more frightened than angry. Fumbling through his pockets, under his shirt, in his pants… the thing he wanted wasn't coming up, though. "How could I lose something like that?!"

I quickly scanned the ground. Hirokazu never touched the water, so I didn't see any point in worrying yet. "I don't think you dropped anything. What're you looking for?"

"Ah!" came the relieved voice of discovery. Hirokazu pulled out a rather short and thin slip of paper from… I think this underwear… good lord… "I was getting really worried-"

Silence.

"… There…"

The paper had a bit of an uneven tear running across its bottom.

Couldn't help but blink at this new situation arising, bounding to be as dumb as the last. "What is that, Hirokazu?"

"I-it's my… my…" Hirokazu stammered. His pupils dilated, nervously shaking, and if I could tell so in the dark, I'd say he probably paled a bit too. "My paper… the paper Ryo gave me… with his personal cell phone number… the only number where you're 100% guaranteed to reach him any time of the daaaay…"

Yup. The only thing on that paper was the area code. "It's not the end of the world. You can ask him for it again later, okay?"

"HE PERSONALLY GAVE IT TO ME," Hirokazu bellowed, heaving deeply. "GENUINE RYO PAPER, RUKI. HIS OWN HANDWRITING."

Okay, now he was scaring me…

"And this is important because…?"

"It has at least one of every digit!" Hirokazu cried out, like I was crazy to not know or something. "It would've been a perfect addition to my collection of Ryo handwriting! I was just a few symbols away from sending it all in to TrueFont.com and making my own freaking font out of Ryo's handwriting!!"

Was he fucking serious? I should've just left him to die…

"… plus, I suppose, there's that great bonus of getting to call Ryo whenever I want and talk to him…!"

"Why can't you ask him for another copy…?" I asked, getting impatient, like fast.

"Because not all of us are that thoughtless and rude around Ryo like you are!" Hirokazu stupidly blurted out. "Proper etiquette states that one MUST behave his or her best around Akiyama Ryo and give the utmost respect around him, his belongings, his friends and family, and even what little things he gives to you!"

"You are blind," I snapped back. "It's fucking SCRAP notebook paper in pencil scribble! No one's going to miss that, 'Kazu!"

"I do!" Hirokazu cried out, being oh-so melodramatic. "I miss it, and I'm not leaving without the rest of that number! If it's not here on the ground, it must've somehow gotten into water…!"

"You're a dumbass," I remarked, though it was all right as rain. "I'm the only one who was ever in that horrible, diseased water. I know I don't have it, so what makes you think that-"

Hirokazu's turn to interrupt, apparently. "You still landed on me. You might've disrupted the paper in my secret hiding place and accidentally torn it when we collided. I know that's reaching a little, but if it's nowhere else…"

"I'm not going back in there, if that's what you're insinuating," I warned. "You're too injured, so you're not setting a foot inside there either."

"I've told you twice already, Ruki," Hirokazu tried to scold as he waddled past me. "I don't need a nagging mom telling me what to do and what's good for me…"

"What the hell?! Yes you do!" Just who did he think he was? I was determined to get him off his high horse some way or another… "When you can't pay attention to what you're doing enough to avoid a construction site… when you get so distracted that you can't avoid falling in an open manhole right under your nose… do I need to continue?!"

"Yes," Hirokazu nodded. "I'm not following."

Ooh, that was it. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "YOU are irresponsible. YOU are immature. YOU couldn't properly prioritize your actions if your life DEPENDED on it, and YOU'RE stupid enough to let your inane little fantasies take precedence over your entire life." I could honestly not make that any clearer for him. "You needed Kenta around so he could make sure you didn't kill yourself. Juri, Takato… they've all had to constantly watch your ass so you don't get yourself blown into bits! Now that you're distancing yourself from the others in favor of pursuing Ryo, you're losing what little mental coherency you possess, and one day it's going to kill you, Shiota Hirokazu. I'm NOT going to sit around and watch that happen to you when I can make a difference…! I refuse to be that rotten of a friend to you!!"

It felt weird to finally get that off my chest… when it should've been relieving. Well, it was in a sense, but… I suddenly felt an odd sensation build up in my chest… not that I had ever blatantly shouted out my declaration of friendship to anyone other than Juri, but…

I just really wanted to hug him, or something. I wanted to make Hirokazu see the error of his ways, and I'm only doing this because I want what's best for him…

He's such a numbskull that he'll probably never notice until it's too late… but I couldn't let 'Kazu resign himself to that fate already!

But at least what I said was enough to stun Hirokazu into a dead silence for a while, as I tried to figure out why I was feeling so emotionally fuelled by this moment. I should've been freezing down in this sewer during November, but I felt as if I were on fire. My heart was practically pounding through my body and my eyes just wanted to illuminate through the murkiness of our surroundings…

"R-Ruki…"

"Don't try to tell me off!" I barked at him, though uneasily… it wasn't so casual to just be evil to him now… "I'm not leaving until I see you coming with me! I'm not setting a foot out of here until I see you climb that ladder before I do. OKAY?!" And then, I softened. "I just don't want you hurting yourself down here… it's bad enough you can barely walk; if it gets to where I can't help you down here, I'll never forgive myself…"

I really hoped this burst of caringness wasn't setting me up for future blackmail…

But Hirokazu didn't seem to be ready with taking notes, tape recording, or snapping Polaroids of his scene. He seemed almost completely mesmerized with how I was looking at him right now… perhaps I was reaching him…

"I… I'm not afraid of dying, Ruki," He told me quietly. "It doesn't scare me at all. T-to me, it's just… you know, what happens, happens. Ryo-sama means so much to me, Ruki… I'm willing to put anything on the line for him, because I really do believe I love him." His gaze suddenly averted from me. "I love living my life the way I want… but… my life is about my friends, too… I didn't think you ever really thought of me as your friend…"

"Maybe not at first," I said, shaking my head. "But now… now I'm sure I was wrong. Okay…? Or do you still not trust me?"

I felt a lump in my throat as Hirokazu turned away from me completely, knelt down on his knees, and bended towards the water, letting his hands aimlessly dig around in whatever was in there (like I wanted to know…). I had a hard time getting a full look of his face during that, but I caught a glimpse of what was probably the only truly serious gesture I've ever seen on his face.

I had finally gotten to the real Him…

Hirokazu wiped away a few stray tears with his sleeve when he pulled away, revealing very dirtied arms with nothing more in their hands.

My look was stern. "First thing when we get home, we'll get ahold of Ryo. I'll ask him to give you another paper with his phone number on it."

'Kazu seemed almost appalled at the suggestion. "Ruki, you don't need to do all tha-"

Interrupting's fun. "I'm doing it because I want to. Friends are apart of my life too, Hirokazu, in case you didn't notice. And when I'm able to help, I want them to be happy and satisfied. Especially if they have to go through an ordeal like this." Just to let him know I wasn't lying, I gave him a small smile.

You know that weird sensation? It's still going on, stronger than ever…

"W-what if he's not home? As busy as Ryo is, it might take all night just to grab him at a free minute… that's what that personal number's for… and I LOST it…"

I had homework to do all night…

… And all of a sudden, I didn't care… "You'll give up before you even try? If you're not afraid to die, Hirokazu, you shouldn't be afraid of anything at all. We'll call for him all night if we have to."

That brought Hirokazu standing up and almost smiling himself. He gave one last look back to the water and the swift current rushing in it. With a small shrug, he attempted to laugh. "I probably never would've found that thing anyway. It'd be long gone by now… and I'd be looking all night…heh…"

I smirked. "See, it doesn't hurt to be logical about these things. Now come on." I led him over to the ladder, and humbly let him begin the climbing before me. I had sealed the deal, earned his trust… was I finally being a true friend without anyone else's help…?

I could actually get along with people outside of Juri…?

As we made our way up the ladder, Hirokazu kept periodically looking down at me. I gave him odd gestures, but didn't ask about it. For once, I wasn't worried about his motives and was just glad to be mutual with him over something… the homework could wait. I've had all these friends for almost three years, and for most of those years I've been outright ignoring them.

I finally knew what I was missing out on…

Being a friend.

"Uh, Ruki…?"

"Hm?"

"You've got a little something, er…"

"What? Is it feces again?"

"No, um… it's a little weird, and kind of bluish, and on your shirt but kinda glowing through it so it might be on your skin, so…"

"What're you talking about…?"

He stopped climbing and peered right down at me, but obviously not looking at my face. "You're glowing. Near your right breast."

……………………& #8230;…………..

SMACK!!

"QUIT LOOKING DOWN MY SHIRT!!"

"GAAAAAAH!!! DON'T HURT ME!!"

[GAAAAAAAAAAH. TBC. X_x;]