A.N.: Thank you very much to those of you who have reviewed this so far! I'm glad that people are enjoying the story. Please do let me know what you think; I always welcome feedback, whether positive or negative. ~Tott


Takeru is surprised when the boy is there the next morning, too. He's never had a friend visit two days in a row before. Poyomon hops over and looks up at him, saying "Poyo poyo?" as though he too wasn't expecting to find him sat outside waiting. This is odd, because Poyomon always knows when Takeru is going to have a friend visiting.

Still, odd or not, Takeru isn't going to complain about having a friend around, and the boy seems only too happy to explore some different parts of the gardens. The mist doesn't lift today, and after a while they venture inside - it's hard to play out in the gardens when everything is damp and cold.

They take their shoes off, and place them neatly by the door. It's funny seeing four shoes lined up there. Normally, when friends visit, the weather is nice and they play outside, or in one of the outbuildings. He doesn't often bring anyone into the cottage itself.

The boy seems surprised and fascinated with everything. Takeru thinks it's a great game to show him around, because he acts as though he's never seen a home before. The cottage has always seemed boring to him - crammed higglety-pigglety with furniture, books, and knick-knacks that most certainly aren't toys. There's lots to see, yes, but he's never thought that any of it is particularly interesting. Certainly the gardens are a lot more fun. Out in the fresh air, with walls and trees to climb, and new places to see on clear days when he can explore further afield.

It's funny though, because it doesn't take long for the boy to find a way to change all that. They move the furniture around - all those chairs and tables and cushions - and soon they have a castle to play in. With some old boxes for a boat and Poyomon for lookout they're sailing on the lake. They don't need many words to have fun - Takeru can talk for the both of them, and the boy can point out new things to add to their make believe world. The boy is very good at making things. He's quiet, but he seems to know how to put them together so they don't fall apart. Takeru is amazed that one friend can make things so different.

When evening arrives, and Poyomon reminds Takeru that it's time to eat, the boy seems happy to join them. He doesn't eat much, even though Takeru offers him first pick of everything. Still, the company is nice. He can't remember any of his friends staying this late before.

When Takeru starts to yawn, the boy sighs, and puts down the umbrella he is using as a sword. There's a wistful expression on his face as he waves goodbye and heads outside. Takeru hopes he'll come back soon.


The crying boy sits in a chair, head bent low. Takeru has never seen his face. He doesn't look up to where Takeru watches from at all - he just sits there, shoulders slumped, head hanging low, weeping. It's quiet today; the soft, slow sobs of someone utterly broken by sorrow. Takeru wants him to stop - it's all wrong: he shouldn't be crying like that.

Time passes, and the crying boy doesn't move. He just sits there, the sound of his misery muffled slightly by the hair which hangs down over fingers pressed tightly to his head and face. All Takeru can do is watch. There's no way to offer comfort, or ask what could possibly be so wrong. It's a dream about watching, and it makes Takeru feel horrible inside.

"Stop it!" he cries, although somehow he knows he can't be heard. "Stop crying! You're not meant to cry! Don't, it - it's all wrong!"

But the boy doesn't even move, save for the gentle shaking of his shoulders as he weeps into his hands.


He wakes to Poyomon's worried face, scant inches from his own.

"Poyo poyo?" He doesn't understand the question exactly of course, but the general gist is plain.

"I'm okay," he says, rubbing damp eyes. It's getting light outside, but the morning is yet to fully arrive. He often wakes early after a bad dream. But that's all it was. A dream. And he's awake now.

"What did you want to do today, Poyomon? I wonder if it's clear enough to go exploring!"

Anticipation of a new day and its adventures pushes the crying boy to the back of Takeru's mind. Poyomon hasn't hurried him out to meet a friend, so it will be just the two of them, unless the man shows up to ask more questions. All the more reason to go exploring he thinks, clambering out of bed and grabbing his hat. Poyomon hops into his outstretched arms and mutters "Poyo poyo" contentedly.

So it is with great surprise that he finds his new friend sitting outside the cottage on one of the walls. The day is clear, and the boy seems so engrossed by the view out towards the lake that he doesn't notice Takeru's approach at first.

"It's you!" The boy flinches, and turns around. Takeru is surprised to see that he looks nervous again. Of course, he's surprised to see the boy at all. No one has ever visited three days in a row before.

Poyomon hops down and bounds over to the boy, looking up at him curiously.

"Poyo poyo. Poyo?"

The boy stands up, looking out at the lake again. Something about the way he stands makes Takeru think he's about to run away, which doesn't make any sense at all. Why come and visit just to leave again? There's only one reason he can think of.

"It's okay!" he says. "We don't have to play inside again today. If you want to explore, we can do that instead. I don't mind what we play really. Everything's fun when you have friends!"

He smiles broadly as the boy turns to face him again. There's a really strange look on his face. It's like he's surprised. Takeru steps forwards and holds out his hand.

"So are we gonna go play? Like I said, I don't mind going exploring, but we should probably get some food first. You coming?"

The boy takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes before taking Takeru's hand and nodding. It's odd, having a friend so shy. None of the others are like that. But it's not bad. And if it means he has someone to play with every day - a new companion, like Poyomon - then shyness is nothing at all.

The boy's shyness wears off, too, as the day goes by. They explore the lakeside, finding interesting stones and shells, and seeing how far they can throw some of the pebbles on the shore. By the time the light starts to change to the orange glow Takeru recognises as sunset, they are both laughing and smiling as though nothing could possibly go wrong. They walk back to the cottage together, taking it in turns to carry Poyomon - who falls asleep in the boy's arms, smiling contentedly. The boy's face lights up with wonder as he cradles Takeru's sleeping companion. Takeru thinks he's never seen his new friend look so happy.