As per usual, Ami Mizuno was quietly taking her lunch on the roof garden of the school. Not only was there a nice breeze but the view overlooking the city was a pleasure too. Her friends generally didn't disturb her unless it was necessary. While she loved them dearly, Ami just needed this break time to decompress and gather her thoughts. A thermos of tea, a sandwich, and a book did wonders. Most of her classmates were off doing other things so her little bench was all to herself. So when a voice suddenly came out of nowhere Ami nearly jumped!

"May I sit down?"

Ami looked up but the owner's face was obscured by the sun. All she could tell was that it belonged to a male and that he was wearing the school uniform. She gave a small sigh at what was surely to come but manners were manners. "Of course." she said softly and went back to her book. While the bench was small there was plenty of room for both. The new arrival took his seat at the very end so as not to crowd her.

Several minutes passed when Ami realized that he hadn't said anything. What she had been expecting was someone asking for help with an upcoming test or a favor. She was well known as being the school genius and therefore some students expected that she was suppose to 'help' them. Fortunately the more arrogant and/or demanding were 'consoled' by her friend Makoto about such things. The more crafty ones tried to play on her generous nature. Ami was getting much better at deflect them but still some slipped by.

She slightly turned her head so as not to look like she was looking. The first thing that surprised her was that he was also reading a book but it was a book that was in English. There were some students that could read English but this book appeared to be more than a novel. Ami turned her head a little more to see that he was using a highlighter to mark passages in it. The bit of the title at the top of the page she could read said something about the French Revolution. Finally turning her head to see who this person was she was surprised again.

Her 'companion' was Keiichi Deckard, the newest transfer student to the school. One who had had nearly everyone gossiping about him when he had arrived. He was half-Japanese/half-American who was living with his maternal grandmother. It was said that his parents were both dead from an accident overseas but no one knew for sure. As to why he transferred, that was unknown as well. The school staff weren't talking and neither was Deckard. Ami had heard that he was fluent in Japanese, with the most unusual accent though, and unfailingly polite but utterly mysterious. He barely spoke to anyone unless it was to do with school work and associated with no one.

Of course Usagi had decided for a time that he had to be an evil something. With everything that had occurred in the past few years Ami had to agree that mysterious generally meant trouble. However, nothing out of the ordinary happened. The occasional youma and the like happened but nothing that could be tied to Deckard. Even a fire reading by Rei turned up nothing. He also stayed in the shadows and he faded to more of a school curiosity than anything else.

Ami quickly turned back to her own book and awaited a comment from him but it was in vain. Over the noise of the day all she heard was the faint scratch of the highlighter. Her interest faded as she got back into her book.

Soon enough the bell ending the lunch period sounded. As she put her things away, she felt the bench move slightly as he got up. "Thank you for allowing me to sit with you," she heard him say. Ami looked up as Deckard walked away and replied with a small smile, "You're welcome Deckard-san." He stopped, turned, and gave her a bow of the head with a slight smile as well.

The next day was rainy so Ami had to take lunch inside but the day after...

"May I sit down?" the now familiar voice asked and the the now familiar reply was heard. "Of course."

As before, neither said anything to the other. Ami glanced over to see that Deckard was highlighting passages in another English book. This one appeared to be one of science but not the hard sciences she was more familiar with. Like the other day, she kept her nose in her own book until the bell rang.

"Thank you for allowing me to sit with you again Mizuno-san," he said before getting up to go.

"You're welcome again Deckard-san." She looked up to give him a smile and saw that he was still there. He smiled back and they both nodded.

Ami found that she was looking forward to her 'rendezvous' the next morning. She hadn't mentioned it to anyone though. Her friends would be wanting details and she just *knew* they would be spying on her! Deckard-san was...nice, if mysterious, and she didn't wish to inflict that torture on him. To her surprise, he was already seated at his spot on their bench.

"May I sit down with you?" she smiled.

"Of course. I think we are getting into a habit..." Deckard smiled and leaned down to get his current book and a box. Ami was busy getting her book and lunch out as well.

"Perhaps but there could be worse ones." She saw that in the box was a small jar and the most unusual chips. When he opened the jar the odor of what was in it made her eyes blink several times and her pert nose wrinkle.

Deckard saw her reaction and chuckled. "My apologies. I made a new batch of pico de gallo last night and it tends to be a little...strong the first day." He dipped the chip in the jar and scooped out some of the contents with it. Ami could see it was mostly tomatoes and a some green items.

"Pico de gallo..." She said the unfamiliar word slowly and tried to place it. "Oh...Spanish dip with...corn chips. Am I right?"

Savoring the flavors before swallowing he smiled again. "Very close Mizuno-san. Mexican. It means 'rooster's beak'. Why? Who knows. Mom said she asked five different people and got eight different answers." His smile quickly faded and he was silent for a few moments.

Ami had heard that his parents were dead and she was considerate enough not to touch that subject. Two of her dearest friends had parents who had passed and she knew the underlying pain that existed. In a way, her own father was dead but Ami pushed those thoughts away to lock up inside of her. Her head jerked up when Deckard-san said something. "I'm sorry?"

"I was saying that if you would care to try some yourself please feel free. I have plenty." He was buried in his book but the half glance he had given her showed a small smile.

"Thank you, I think I will." She scooped up a bit on a chip and placed it in her mouth. Almost immediately Ami felt a sharp, tingling sensation on her tongue, and then what felt like a wind roar up her nasal cavity. Between the sudden coughing spasm and then a sneeze she got the chip down. Blinking away the tears in her eyes Ami saw the horrified look on her companion's face.

"Are you alright Mizuno-san?! I'm sorry! I didn't think I used that much chili! I guess I'm immune to it." The thought that he might have upset her...

"No, No...I'm fine." She sneezed and took off her glasses to search for a handkerchief. He pressed one into her palm that Ami used to wipe the sweat from her eyes and brow. "It was just unexpected is all. All the different flavors coming together. And..." She sniffed in the air a couple of times before smiling. "My sinus passages are quite clear now. I must try it again."

He took a deep breath and relaxed. Ami Mizuno was so nice, he didn't want to mess anything up. Making friends was so hard... Most of the time he gave up before really trying. "Okay, but slowly. At least until you get used to it." He scooped up another chip and before he could hand it to her, Ami opened her mouth like a baby bird. Forcing his fingers not to tremble, he carefully place it in her mouth. "Chew it just a little but don't swallow yet. Let it rest on your tongue."

Again she felt that wave of...fire it must be go over her tongue. This time though, she was ready for it. As the initial burn faded she found that all the various elements in the materials had been bonded together and it set her taste buds alight. Without realizing it, a smile appeared on her lips as she chewed before swallowing. "That was was very, very good Deckard-san! The flavors with the spices and the crunch of the chip... And you said you made this yourself?"

"Its not that hard to do," he said shrugging but smiling too. "Chop up tomatoes, a few onions, and pick out the chili's you want. Some go with ones a lot hotter but I like the flavor rather than the heat. Then add whatever else you like and let it set overnight for it to meld. You know...add some rice and a bit of fish and it would make a nice meal."

"Oh yes! It would be quite refreshing. You must..." Ami blushed again and looked down. "I'm sorry Deckard-san. I didn't wish to impose myself." Sounding like she was demanding something of him was definitely not a thing to do. Still...it sounded delicious and Ami usually didn't care too much about food. Mako-chan was always after her to eat more. To the point of bringing her a second breakfast when they met at school. Mako-chan...she would love this recipe!

"Impose yourself? Not in the least. It would be my pleasure to make it. Perhaps...perhaps sometime when we have time to enjoy it?" Perhaps it was a date he was asking her on but maybe it was just two people getting together for food. He steeled himself for a verbal and perhaps a literal slap in the face.

Ami was eyeing another chip when she heard his suggestion. Her big, blue eyes blinked in surprise as processed it all. Should she? Could she? Maybe she should ask the others for their advice and quickly dismissed it. Well...not all of them. Mako-chan and Rei-chan for sure. Usagi-chan...maybe. Minako-chan? Never! She would never hear the end of it! At the same time... "I...I would not be...adverse to doing such a thing. It might be...fun."

He had found that he was holding his breath so exhaled. "We will have to pick a time that works then. But now...please eat! We don't have too much time left."

"As you wish..." Ami found her sandwich and held half of it to him. "If I can share your lunch then I insist you share mine. Fair is fair Deckard-san."

"Thank you Mizuno-san," he said taking the offering. "And please, call me Keiichi."

"Only if you call me Ami."

The pair smiled and gave each a nod as they spent the rest of their lunch period enjoying the time together.