Author Note: Rewritten.


This wasn't going to be easy. The train was packed with the usual travelers and Matt could barely squeeze through. He grumbled to himself, he already regretted his decision to venture out of the apartment today. To make things worse, he wasn't even sure that Siofra would be here. She hadn't said she'd specifically be on the train the next day. She just implied that they'd meet again. Matt let out an aggravated sigh. It was silly of him to go looking for her. She was a stranger on a train, for God's sake. The young man leaned his back against a pole as he began to close his eyes. He'd get off at the next stop if she didn't appear before it.

Someone's voice caught his attention.

"Go away!" She hissed.

And he raised his head to locate the little Irish accent.

"Come on, sweetie. I bet you're new in town. I can give you a tour." His voice was disgusting.

Matt cringed. He pushed himself away from the pole and squeezed his way through the crowd, following the sound of her voice.

Siofra stood with her back towards Matt, her fists clenched at her sides, the knuckles white, and her small shoulders trembling. She was mumbling something in her foreign language while the man persisted with his "services". Matt was tempted to roll his eyes.

He approached the girl from behind, his presence going unnoticed by the preoccupied female. Of course, the man noticed his sudden appearance. Matt raised his brows as he realized it was the same man as before. He was a relentless creep. The man became silent and resorted to staring in Matt's general direction. Siofra seemed a bit perplexed by the creep's actions. She muttered something again before spinning around and smacking right into Matt.

He wasn't expecting that.

They stared at each other. She seemed stunned. He just didn't want to speak first. And just like that, she opened her mouth.

"It's you!" She flung her arms up into the air, nearly smacking him in the nose. It was an odd gesture, and Matt shifted with a curiously raised brow.

"I'm glad to meet again!" She gave a bright grin.

"Likewise." He gave a half smile. "Was your trip home safe?"

Well that's a strange question.

She nodded her head. "I don't live too far from the station."

She glanced over her shoulder towards the creep. He was lingering a little too close.

"Hey, do you mind if we move?" Her eyes were pleading with him.

He gave a curt nod. "How about the adjacent car? If we can make it there."

Siofra stumbled after him. Of course, no one would be polite and move. It irritated them both.

"You know, the Irish are kinder than your people." She muttered.

Matt held back a chuckle. "How rude."

"I ain't rude." She scoffed.

"Ain't?" He mocked with an inward smile.

Her cheeks flushed as she directed her gaze towards the floor.

The two had barely made it to the door that would lead to the next car. Matt forced it open as Siofra slid in behind him. They stood in a small compartment, just in between the two train cars. It was just big enough for the two of them.

"Lets stay here." Matt spoke as he slouched down against the wall.

"But isn't it against the rules?" A concerned look flashed in her eyes.

Matt shrugged his shoulders, but a lighthearted smile played on his lips. It was comforting enough for the girl to take a seat across from him.

Matt shifted slightly before speaking. "So did you have anyone special back home?"

"Special?" She furrowed her brows. "Like a boyfriend?"

"Or girlfriend." A teasing smile fell to his lips.

Siofra giggled. "Neither."

He seemed surprised. "Why?"

She wrapped her arms around the back of her legs, bringing her knees up slightly.

"I was always engulfed in my art. My passion was painting. It was my favorite, and basically my only, pastime. I liked landscapes and portraits best." She gave a bright grin. "I don't paint much anymore. Though I have plenty of free time. There's just no inspiration for it. I can't wait to go home. I'll be able to paint freely then."

It was disappointing to hear. But in the time he had known her, that was perhaps her biggest wish right now. To be home.

Reminiscing about home never seemed to make her grin falter. She continued on in such bliss. "There is one good thing about Japan though."

He quirked a brow to this, and she continued. "Japan has a lot more appealing boys around. I've never seen such cute guys. Ireland is lacking compared to here."

Now he was interested. "Like who?"

"Well, I don't know his name, silly. But he's always offering me food samples when I go into the Shibuya District. He's got a little red apron and funny hat." Siofra leaned her chin onto her knees.

Matt couldn't help, but laugh. It surprised her.

"I know who you're talking about. He does that to everyone. He's quite persistent with it too."

She nodded. "When I take a sample, he suckers me into getting a meal. And I always take a sample." Her comment only served to make him laugh even more. She was so gullible. Matt stopped short.

But then again, that always happened to him.

Siofra smiled.

"What about you, mister? Anyone you care about?" It was honestly an innocent question.

Matt shook his head. "Nah. I don't have time for that kind of stuff. Too busy leveling up and such."

She furrowed her brows. "Leveling up?"

A smile creased Matt's lips. "Games. You know, reaching the next level."

Her eyes brightened. "Yeah! Like on Pokemon, right?"

"Exactly."

"So you play Pokemon too? That's great! I really want a Poke`buddy! Will ya' be mine, please?" She practically dove at him and showered him in enthusiasm.

He thought he would drowned.

Matt stared at the girl, who was now a few inches away from his face, and let out a sigh. "Fine. I'll bring my DS next time and we can battle."

She flung her arms in the air again. "Yes! I've made my first friend!"

Who said they were friends? When did this happen?

But he couldn't argue with the decision. Siofra seemed too excited to destroy her merriment.

He pursed his lips. "Do you play any other games?"

She snapped out of her daze of amazement. "Oh. Um. Yup! Well, I haven't bought it yet. Persona 3: Portable."

His brows shot up. "Really? Persona's in a different league than Pokemon."

A sudden pout appeared on her lips. "I know. I've played the one for the Playstation Two before. I'm not a nooblet."

Her use of 'nooblet' made him chuckle.

"Hey, mister? Do you have a name?"

He stared blankly at her. The question came out of the blue. She stared at him with inquiring eyes. Now he was stuck in a rut. But he knew he couldn't tell her his real name. Matt stayed alive by always being on the cautious side.

He cast his eyes off to the side for a moment before taking in a soft breath. "Yeah. Matt."

She furrowed her brows. "Sounds American."

He shrugged. She didn't question any further about it though. Instead, she sat back on the other side with a pleasant smile.

"You don't like to talk about yourself, do ya', Matt?"

He didn't need to answer. She already understood his prudence.

"It's okay though. I don't mind, really. I'm just glad to have a friend here. So I'll talk from now on, okay? Don't worry about it."

And so she did. She talked on and on about Ireland and her old friends. About different places and different foods. About her experiences in Japan, the good and the not so good. She even talked to him in her native language and sometimes in English. He chuckled and participated in the speaking of English. It surprised her, but she found it fun nonetheless. They poked fun at how horrible they sounded speaking the English language.

Soon enough, the train had arrived at her stop. She was reluctant to leave, but a pat on the head from Matt made her feel better about it.

"Lets meet here again tomorrow, okay? Bring your DS and Pokemon!" She waved her arm in the air. It was a childish gesture, but Matt shook his head to it.

"All right." He called as she exited the train.

Maybe he didn't mind going out anymore.