A/N: Everything up to "The Next Day" was written for a school essay and turned in. I got a good grade on it, but while I wrote it, I thought of Mikami, therefore, I tortured Mikami!!

Time Killer

Tick, tock… The same pattern has been going on since my creation. I don't mind my constant ticking, so long as I'm not ticked off. I do have a short temper sometimes. It's always been the same and to tell you the truth, I feel like life's gotten a bit monotonous lately. Every day the same, and every second as well. Like there's nothing better to do than be stuck to a wall on display like I already happen to be. I just need to cure this boredom…

I watch as the owner of the room wakes up and glances at me. He gets dressed as usual, and heads off for his breakfast. Afterwards he always comes back, picks up his briefcase, and marches out of the room like a poodle in a suit. Probably because he's in one. It happens every day. Always off to work at 6:00 A.M. This time's going to be different, I promise you that. In ten minute's time I hear footsteps approaching, so I decided to do a little adjusting.

I kick back time so that it reads 5:09 A.M., instead of 5:35 A.M. Chuckling to myself, I see him read for the remainder of the hour until it's time to leave. I turn forward until it marks the time it truly is: 6:26 A.M. The man smugly gets up, stretches, and turns back to me before I see his eyes nearly pop out of his head. The businessman cries out in surprise and dashes out of the door, and five seconds later bursts back in to retrieve his forgotten briefcase. Oh, the fun. I never knew the stoic man could show such emotion.

In six hours he's back, during the time he's gone, it's up to me to kill time. But as soon as he enters, I nearly fall as the wall shakes because he slammed the door. Fortunately I'm still here to see him muttering about his distasteful boss close to firing him, but not doing so because he's the most dedicated worker. Night falls and I see this lunatic still awake, even at midnight, writing and flailing determinately, shouting out "Delete!" while he's at it like his life depended on it. I wonder what his problem is. It's not like he's pinned to a wall.

Now, everything's quiet again as the man rests. I go back to my usual routine of ticking and tocking and watching. I guess life isn't so bad if it's routine, so long as you relieve yourself of the habit from time to time. At least I'm not a donut, then I'd definitely rot… Or get eaten, which I hope not to end in either of those ways. The man tosses and I snap out of my thoughts long enough to get another idea. I readjust myself the third time this day, this time an hour early…

xXxXxXx The Next Day xXxXxXx

Mikami ran into his boss's office, out of breath. He looked around in the suspiciously empty hallway and entered. Mikami stood in front of his boss, waiting to apologize.

"I'm deeply sorry for arriving late the second day in a row. I need to get my clock fixed," Mikami stated, bowing.

"Late? What are you thinking? You're an hour early!" His boss said. "Do you need the day off?"

"No, that will not be necessary. Thank you for your time," Mikami declared, walking off.

Hmm. Strange, strange indeed, his boss thought as he sighed and once again continued his work.