AN: This is a gift to CosmicHorse for all the help she gave me in my Nightmare Before Christmas story. We recently got into Ore Monogatari! and, while we both adore Takeo and Rinko, Cosmic is in love with Suna. So I agreed to write her up a character since Suna never seems to get a girl. This was supposed to be a one-shot, but couldn't keep it that way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ore Monogatari!, nor am I claiming any form of rights other than the idea for this story. The setting takes place sometime after "My Heart." I have only seen the anime and have no knowledge of anything pertaining to the manga.

The Girl Next Door

The sun shone brightly, its golden rays casting down to catch two young boys walking home from school. The first stood tall and strong as a tree, named Takeo. At his side was his best friend Suna, standing one foot shorter than his friend. While Suna was considered the more handsome of the two boys by their peers—particularly the feminine ratio—Suna had always thought of Takeo as the cooler one. He was kind, protective, often dense, but he had a good heart. It was those characteristics that lead to Takeo's relationship with his girlfriend, Yamato. She was the first girl to look past Takeo's intimidating appearance and accept him as he was. Well, maybe not the first. Suna's older sister had a crush on his best friend, but Suna already knew his sister would not pursue her feelings. Like him, she saw how the two teens cared for each other.

While it was almost the ideal relationship, it was not without challenges. The most recent being Takeo's jealousy over Ichinose-san, a confectioner at the cake shop where Yamato started working. Takeo had almost given up but Yamato had proven no one could take Takeo's place, though convincing him had been harder than when they first stated dating. Still, Suna was glad they had sorted everything out.

"Hey Suna, you joining Yamato and I in the park?" Takeo asked, a large smile on his face.

"I thought you were going to call Yamato-san by her first name?" Suna asked.

Takeo pouted in the same way he did when he and Suna were boys. "You know it's not easy for me…" he replied.

"No, I guess not." Suna sighed. "Aren't you guys tired of having me tag along? I'm starting to feel like a third wheel."

"No way! We love hanging out with you."

Clueless as ever, Suna thought. He knew it was futile to talk Takeo out of something like this. They continued on their walk until the arrived at the park. As usual, Yamato was waiting for them by the fountain.

"Takeo-kun!"

"Yamato!"

Takeo ran the rest of the way. Suna could not help smiling. Whenever those two got together it was though an aura of happiness emitted from them, casting a warm presence around them. It was nice.

"Afternoon, Yamato-san," Suna greeted.

"Oh, hello Sunakawa-kun," Yamato said. "It's so great to see you. Did you have a good day at school?"

"It was alright. Not much happened today, so it was kinda boring."

"That's too bad."

"What about you, Yamato-san?"

"Oh, nothing much, but there's a rumor that there's going to be a new girl at school," she said excitedly. "I hope it's true."

"That's cool!" Takeo said.

"Isn't it a little late for a new student?" Suna asked.

"I suppose so, but then again, it was only a rumor." Yamato continued to talk with the boys about the day. They sat down on their usual bench as they discussed school and work.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I made you guys a treat."

"Ooo! What did you make?" Takeo asked. Suna thought he looked like a child waiting for a surprise.

Yamato smiled and held up a little paper bag. "It's a new recipe," she said. "Peanut butter chip brownie cookies!

"Sounds good!" Takeo exclaimed.

"Peanut butter chip? Brownie cookies?" Suna asked.

"Well, I was going to make chocolate chip, but I didn't realize until I got home that I had bought peanut butter chips instead of the chocolate ones, but I'm sure you'll like them," Yamato said. "I couldn't decide between cookies or brownies, but then I got the idea to combine them."

Yamato opened the bag to retrieve one of the treats when suddenly, something came running up to them. In a flash of golden fur and teeth, Yamato's bag. was snatched right out of her hand. Yamato shrieked and watched helplessly as the creature made of with the bag.

"Oh no!"

"Humph!" Takeo set his school at down and ran after the creature.

"Takeo-kun, wait!" But it was too late. Takeo had already run off, leaving Yamato standing there.

Here we go again. Suna sighed and pulled out a book from his bag.

"Sunakawa-kun, do you think Takeo-kun will be alright?" Yamato ask. Her eyes were still focused on the direction Takeo had taken, though he was long gone by now.

"Takeo will be back before you know it," he encouraged her. "Remember, he is pretty fast and since he's chasing after something you made, he'll be even more determined to get it back for you."

"I guess you have a point." Yamato smiled. She then came and sat at his side to wait. It wasn't long before Takeo came sprinting back.

"Takeo-ku… Eh?" Yamato blinked as she looked at her boyfriend. In one hand he held the brown bag, and in the other, he held onto a wiggling mound of fur.

"What is that?"

"Caught the fiend who stole from you," Takeo said. He held up the culprit. It was a large dog with thick curled, golden fur. The fur nearly covered two brown eyes, but not the large black nose and long pink tongue hanging from the dog's mouth. It looked close to forty pounds and Takeo was holding it with just one hand.

Why'd you bring the dog? Suna thought. "You didn't have to go after it, you know."

Takeo shook his head. "This dog took something from Yamato. She worked hard to make it. I had to get back what was hers."

"Takeo-kun, it's alright, really," Yamato insisted.

"No way! Nobody steals from you and gets away with it."

Yamato was completely star struck. She gazed up at Takeo with sparkling eyes, completely enthralled with him. Suna could only look on with an indifferent face, though inward he was smiling. Sometime he couldn't believe how completely oblivious his friends could be of everything around them when they got like this.

While Takeo and Yamato continued to be off in their own little world, Suna set his book aside to take a closer look at the dog. It was well groomed and aside from being a little young, it was clearly well taken care of.

"Looks like it's got tags. Probably belongs to someone." Suna grabbed the tag and read the information. "Says here his name is Hideya," he added.

"Poor thing. We should find his owner," Yamato suggested.

"Oh, you're right." Takeo turned around and held the dog up higher for the whole park to see. "Hey! Anyone loose a dog?" he shouted. The dog yipped in protest, wriggling around in an attempt to free itself.

"Takeo, that may not be what Suna meant," Yamato said. "We could wait to see if anyone comes looking for him, or put up flyers with a picture and contact information. We should also check to see if anyone's asked around the pound too."

"Why don't you read the number on the tags and call the owner," Suna replied dryly. He turned the tag over to reveal a number, doing his best to hide his grin at the shocked looks on Yamato and Takeo's faces.

"Suna! You're a genius!" Takeo shouted.

It was obvious, Suna thought. There's usually a number right on the back of dog tags.

Takeo whipped out his phone and proceeded to call the number. "Yes, hello, my name is Gouda Takeo," he began. "No, you don't know me. I found your dog. Yes. He's right here. Golden and curly. Huh. Mmm. By the fountain in the park. Okay." Takeo hung up his phone and placed it back in his pocket. "The owner will meet us here."

"Oh! I can't believe they answered so quickly!" Yamato exclaimed.

"Not really," Takeo said. "That was the home phone. They guy said his sister was out walking the dog, and she would come pick up the dog. He said he'd get in touch with her once I hung up."

"She must have lost control of the leash," Suna added.

Takeo got very close, making Suna uncomfortable with his best friend's lack of personal space. "You're so perceptive."

"Well, we should probably stay here by the fountain until the owner shows up," Yamato suggested. "Takeo, if you like, I can run to the store and buy a leash so you don't have to hold him."

"Nah. I got him." Takeo moved the dog so that he now he held it under his arm, and his hand was in between the back and front legs of the dog.

"Pfff!" Suna covered his mouth. He really couldn't help it. The way Takeo was holding this dog reminded him of the way purse dogs were usually carried.

"Oh, Takeo-kun, are you sure you can hold him like that?" Yamato asked worriedly.

"No problem. This dog's not that heavy."

They waited around for the owner's sister to arrive. It was starting to get late, and the park was quieting down, but there are still no signs of the dog's owner. Suna had pulled out his book again while Takeo and Yamato entertained the dog. While they waited, Yamato passed out her cookies. They were quite tasty, something Takeo made a point to show. Suna quietly munched on his, thanking Yamato. A little while later, Suna was finishing up the chapter as Yamato pet the dog, and Takeo was beginning to fall asleep.

"There you are!"

At the sound of the voice, the dog started squirming until it wriggled free of Takeo's grasp. He was about to go after the dog again when Suna stopped him.

The dog barked and ran off towards a young girl. She looked to about the same age as the three of them. She wore a red T-shirt and vest, light gray jeans and red sneakers. Her pixie cut hair was a brownish-orange red like the bracelet on her left wrist. She ran to the dog until he jumped up on her, his massive paws encircling her neck.

"You bad thing. I was worried sick," the girl scolded. The dog licked her face before she pushed him off and clipped a long black leash to its collar. "Next time I tell you to heel, you better listen to me."

Takeo was the first to approach. "Ah, so this is your dog," he said.

"Yeah, he's my little… BAAA!" The girl looked up and took a step back, staring with her mouth gaping open. "T-T-TALL!"

"Yeah, I'm two hundred centimeters," Takeo stated. Suna and Yamato came to his side, intrigued to meet the dog's owner.

The girl blushed. "Oh, I didn't mean it like that! I just meant, I've never met anyone so, HEY! Why the heck are you wearing a school uniform?!" Her eyes darted between Takeo and Suna, too confused to know what to say next.

"I'm a first-year at Shuei High School," Takeo responded, pointing to Suna. "We're the same age."

"What?! I thought you were twenty-five."

"Yeah, I look older." Takeo rubbed the back of his neck. "Most people think I'm an adult and are shocked when they find out I'm in high school." He cleared his throat and took on a slightly more serious demeanor.

"My name's Takeo Gouda. You're dog stole a bag of cookies my girlfriend made."

"Really? Hideya, what the heck?" She looked at her dog and said, "Bad dog!" He hung his head. "I'm so sorry," she apologized. "He's still a puppy, and having trouble with his discipline training. Earlier he spotted a cat and took off after it like a crazy person. That's how he got away from me."

"Don't worry about it," Yamato insisted. "I was a little startled when he grabbed my bag though."

"Uh, I guess you made something with meat or peanut butter?"

"Oh, they're peanut butter chip brownie cookies."

"That'll do it. Hideya loves peanut butter." The girl laughed. "Oh, dang, I'm such a scatterbrain. I should introduce myself," the girl said, looking embarrassed. "My name is Maika Maeda, and you've already met my little monster, Hideya." She looked down and patted her dog's head.

"Oh, nice to meet you, Maeda," Yamato said. She held out her hand to the girl, smiling when Hideya licked her hand instead. "I'm Rinko Yamato, and this Sunakawa-kun, and you already met my boyfriend, Takeo-kun."

The girl looked at Yamato, then to Takeo, and then back to Yamato. Suna could tell what she was thinking. Most found the couple surprising, but instead of being skeptical, Maeda smiled. "Nice to meet you all."

"You don't seem to be from around here," Suna pointed out, noting her slight accent. He also noticed Maeda's Titian hair, tan skin, and deep blue eyes. She almost looked like she was into ganguro if not for the lack of crazy makeup and shorter hairstyle.

"Yeah, me and my brother just moved here from Texas," Maeda explained. "Bro got the idea to open his own restaurant, and dragged me along. But I'm pretty stoked for the change a scenery."

"Wow! That's so cool!" Yamato exclaimed. "I just started working at Les Cerises."

"Isn't that a little pâtisserie? I've heard they make great cakes."

"Oh yes, but I bet it's more exciting in a restaurant. What kind does your brother have?"

"Oh, he doesn't have it yet. He's bought the space but it'll take time before he can open, so he and I are gonna take jobs to help with rent, school, and stuff."

"Where do you work?" Takeo asked.

"Oh, I haven't found anything yet, but Bro just got a job at some café. Don't remember the name though."

"Oh, Takeo-kun works at a café. He's so cool!"

"Huh, you'll have to give him pointers. Wait, what time is it?"

"Getting close to five o'clock," Suna replied.

"Crap! Bro is gonna kill me." Maeda took off running, Hideya bounding along beside her, calling back, "I owe you guys for finding Hideya. Next time I see you, lunch is on me!" Suna, Takeo, and Yamato just watched until the red headed girl disappeared.

"Well, that was…interesting," Suna said.

XXX

Takeo offered to walk Yamato home, leaving Suna alone. He actually insisted on it. He cared whiting is friends but they needed to spend more time together without him. They were a couple after all. Suna entered the apartment and went straight to his room. He was starting on his homework when his mother knocked on the door. He told her it was fine to come in.

"Dinner will be ready soon." Suna nodded his head.

Suna waited he knew his mother would have dinner on the table. He left his books and went to join her at the table. Noting there were only two plates, Suna guessed his father was resting. He looked at his dinner; his mother made Chicken Katsu. They ate in silence when his mother spoke up.

"I was talking with Yuriko today, asking how Maki was doing, when a moving truck pulled up. Looks like the new neighbors have moved in."

"Oh?"

"Yes, just below us," she continued. "They arrived while you were at school. A nice young man, bit odd, but his sister was rather cute, playing with that large dog of theirs. I'm surprised, really. I thought pets weren't permitted."

"Hmm…" Suna took another bite of rice when he realized what his mother just said. "Did you say dog?"

Knock, knock.

"Now I wonder who that could be." His mother got up from the table to answer the door. Suna stopped her and went to answer himself. He opened the door to find two surprised blue eyes staring back at him.

"Oh hi!" Maeda laughed.

"So, you're our new neighbor," Suna said.

"Guess so. Big coincidence, right?" she said. "Well, aside the awkwardness, I'm here to see if I can bum some milk from you. Mr. Chef forgot to pick some up, and the supermarket's closed now."

"Sure." Suna invited her inside while he fetched the milk.

"Who was at the door, Makoto?" his mother asked.

"The new neighbor, Maeda-san. She needs to borrow some milk." Suna got the milk from the refrigerator and returned to the entryway. "Here you are," he said, handing her the milk.

"Thanks." Maeda took the milk. "Say, just remembered I took off without giving you my number," she said. "Kinda hard to talk about meeting up without digits. Us being neighbors just means I don't have to track you down now."

"Mmm?"

"Duh! I said I'd buy lunch for finding Hideya. Here, gimme your hand." Maeda shifted to hold the milk under her arm before taking ahold of Suna's wrist. She then pulled a black marker from her pocket and wrote her number on his palm.

"There!" she said, capping the pen. "Sorry to dash again, but my bro will flip if I'm not back soon. Just call me when you and your friends wanna meet for lunch. And you better call. I know where you live now."

Before he could reply, the girl was off again. Suna just stared for a moment before looking down at his hand. The ten-digit number was printed across his palm in broad black ink. He was still staring at it later that evening when Takeo barged into his bedroom.

"Hey Suna, crazy day, huh?" he asked. When he didn't get a reply, he saw Suna was staring at his hand. "What's up?"

Still no answer, Takeo got up and peered over Suna's shoulder. "Hey, what's that number for?"

"It's Maeda-san's. Turns out she and her brother moved in below us."

"Who?" Takeo had a complete blank look on his face.

Suna sighed. "The girl we met in the park today. You caught her dog after he stole Yamato-san's cookies."

"Oh! Wait, she gave you her number?!" Takeo stood straight up.

"Don't get excited, it's not like that," Suna quickly countered. "She forgot to give us her contact information earlier. She is adamant about showing her gratitude for finding her dog. She asked me to find out when you and Yamato-san would be available for lunch."

"Oh! She must really like you!"

Did you even listen to what I said? Suna thought. He wished Takeo wouldn't get overexcited like this. Sure the girl was pretty and all, but they had only just met. Besides, he had told Takeo before that he has no interest in dating. Girls who confessed to him would usually only liked him for his looks, and they never liked Takeo. The only exception was Amami Yukika. She was a nice girl and he appreciated all the Valentine chocolates she gave him over the years, but he did not feel for her the way she did for him.

Suna and takeo talked for a little while longer. However, Suna had no idea that when Takeo returned home, he had called Yamato to tell her about Maeda.