"We're so sorry bout your parents". Translation: So we have to put up with the burden of taking care of you now?

Mineko knew those words so well. She had been hearing them for ten years. Constantly moving. Shifting from relative to relative. And all of them always said those same words. "I didn't need their pity," the brunette muttered.

"Hey, Mineko. Wanna walk home together?" Yukari asked. Mineko smiled and replied, "Ah….sure. Let me pack my stuff". Junpei showed up out of nowhere, smiling to himself. "Mineko, look at Stupei. Goofing around all the time," Yukari smirked. "FYI, Akihiko-san is at the hospital getting a check up. He called me earlier, and asked me to bring something. Yup, he knows who to count on," Junpei smiled widely as he finishes his last sentence.

"He only asked you because you don't have anything else after school. It's not like you go to clubs or something. The only thing you do is eat ramen everyday," Yukari replied and laughed. "H-Hey, I resent that". Yukari giggled and asked, "I'm just kidding. So, what did he asked you to bring?". "The class roster for 2-E". "You know… you guys could be lovers, acting like this," Mineko said after being quiet awhile.

"W-whaat?" was their reply. Yukari pushed Junpei and half-screamed, "WHO THE HECK WANTS THIS GUY!" Mineko laughed at them and helped Junpei stand up. "Well, let's go then," she said. "Go where?" Yukari asked. "To the hospital of course!" Mineko replied. "H-hey! Wait up," Junpei said.

Junpei opens the door slowly and called out for Akihiko. "Is…Akihiko-senpai...here?". His voice was barely a whisper. 'What's wrong with Stupei? I can't see anything in there,' Yukari thought. Yukari tried to push Mineko a bit, but ends up falling down with both of them.

"Oww…," Mineko groaned. 'Smart move, Yukari,' she thought. Mineko's eyes wandered, searching for the reason why Junpei was being weird. And that's when she first saw him. He was a young man with dark brown disheveled hair covered by a black beanie. 'He's probably around my age,' she thought. 'His grey eyes emit a less than friendly aura….Its full with regret…'. Mineko had always been able to see people's deepest feelings in their eyes.

"Uhm…Yuka-tan and Mineko-tan…," Junpei began to say. "Can you guys get off me? You're kind of-".Before Junpei could finish his line, Yukari and Mineko stood up and they both kick Junpei's ass. "Don't you even dare say that 'forbidden word'," Yukari threatens Junpei. "That really...hurt…ughh…," Junpei groaned and tried to stand up.

Mineko realized that the young man was staring at her. She looked away, blushing. 'Why do I feel as if I've seen him before,' she thought. Before she could think any further, a familiar person walks into the room, looking confused.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked. "Oh senpai! We we're looking for you," Yukari answered. Akihiko smiled and replied, "I'm just here for a check up. Oh yeah, Junpei. Did you bring what I asked for?"

"Yeah! You can count on Junpei!" Junpei replied enthusiastically. The young man inside stood up and walked towards Akihiko. "Is that it, Aki?" He asked coldly. "Yeah," he replied. "Tch... I don't have time for this shit,". The young man turned to leave but he stopped when he was going to pass through Mineko.

"You…," he said. "Yes?" Mineko replied. She was a bit scared of him. There was something in his mind that he wanted to say, but he decided not to since there's other people in the room. "Never mind," he said and walked out without looking back.

"Wh-who was that?" Junpei asked Akihiko. "Just a friend from school….sort of. You know how the number of Apathy Syndrome cases has been increasing? Well, he knows a few people who are suffering from it, so I was asking him about it," Akihiko replied. "I see…" Junpei said. He wasn't exactly convinced though.

Akihiko raised his hand punching the air, testing his arm. "Uh…you shouldn't move your arm…." Junpei said. "It's nothing. I've wasted enough time already. I need to get back to my training," Akihiko replied. He glanced at Mineko, wanting to see her reaction. Akihiko was disappointed when Mineko didn't give any reaction.

"Yeah! Gekkoukan's golden boy! He was born to be in the ring!" Junpei whooped jumping up and down like a little kid. "Sometimes…I don't really get you Junpei," Akihiko said, shaking his head. "By the way, Senpai, why boxing?" Yukari asked. Curious.

It took Akihiko awhile to answer. "You mean, why did I choose that sport? Well... It's not the sport itself I like; I just wanted to learn how to fight. I know what it's like to feel powerless... and I don't want to feel that way again. Besides, I'm curious to see how strong I can get. It's like a game, only I'm competing against myself," he replied finally.

"That's an interesting way of looking at it. Ya know, I'm into games too…." Junpei said as he thought of all the dating sims he played. "Yeah, DATING games," Yukari replied. "H-Heyy! How did you know about that?". Yukari snorted and said, " I found your collection of 'games' when I was looking for the pen u borrowed". "Oh man…My reputation is ruined….," Junpei stared down at the floor, embarrassed of himself.

Thanks for reading!Please review so that i can improved on my writing ~^^

Chapter 2 will be uploaded soon :) Special thanks for Ryurieri for all the support and all the *cough* threats :D