"Hagu- chan! Come outside with us! Leave Near alone!" Hagumi heard that constantly. The boys were always wanting her to come outside with them, and leave Near all by himself. "No! Maybe later!", was her constant answer. She liked staying with the boy.
"Hagumi, you can go, I'm no fun."
"No, it's okay, I don't mind."
She watched, captivated by the speed of Near's hands as he put together the puzzle. After watching him put the puzzle together about three times, Hagu picked up her head.
"Hey Near?"
"Yes Hagu- chan?"
"What's your name?"
Near paused. Why would she want to know? It's not like it would hurt right? He pondered, for a second, and said, "Only if you tell me yours."
Hagu smiled, maybe she was finally getting him to open up.
"Okay then, it's...", she whispered. 'Shinoru Akamichi, huh? Pretty name.' Near thought.
"Well? You gonna tell me yours?" Hagu said interrupting his thoughts.
"I did promise", Near said to himself. Well it couldn't hurt.
"My name is Nate, Nate River." He whispered in her ear.
"That's a cute name!", she said smiling.
'Did she just call your name "cute"?' Near thought. He had to turn away so she couldn't see him blushing.