You were walking through the city, looking around aimlessly. It was a warm, summer evening. Maiko had gone fishing with her family in a nearby village. So you were wandering around alone. You'd been sight-seeing all day. But that was okay, it didn't bother you. It was fun.

A few boys glanced appreciatively at you as you passed them. You couldn't really say that you didn't know why you had their attention. It was because you looked really cute in your outfit. Wearing a peach tank top with ruffles down the front, tucked into a red miniskirt, you looked adorable and perky at the same time, without overdoing it.

The sun was setting slowly into the horizon, melting into the sea with a burst of gold and crimson, and the city was lighting up with the evening lights. Each store had a colorful string of lights outside, shining vividly. People were outside, talking and laughing, sipping drinks, visiting stores, just hanging out.

"You want a pair of free movie tickets?" one man asked when you strolled past him. He was standing in front of a dark alley. "All you have to do is fill out this survey." He stuck a clipboard under your nose.

You stepped back from him. "No, it's okay, I don't really like movies," you protested.

"But these tickets give you the front-row view! There won't be anyone's head in your way!" he continued, coming closer. He had bad breath and he was scruffy-looking. There was a bit of alcohol on his breath.

"No, really, I don't need them." You saw his gaze sneak down your shirt and disgust washed over your features. You thought about shoving him. Would that be rude?

The man narrowed his eyes and his voice lowered as he dropped the act. "Well, if you don't want the movie tickets, I'm sure I know what a girl like you will want," he growled, and then he reached out and caught your wrist.

You stared at him in disbelief. Was he implying that he would rape you? It was your second week here and already you would be raped? "Let go of me!" you cried, jerking your arm back. But his grip was tight and he didn't let go. Then he turned and started to walk off, making to drag you with him.

But before you could scream or kick him or anything, someone grabbed you from the man. "Stay away from her," the person snarled.

"Who the hell are—" the man started and he was cut-off when a punch caught him in the jaw, sending him staggering back.

You whirled around to see your savior and found that it was Doumyoji.

"D-Doumyoji-san!" you gasped. His face was expressionless. He glared down at the man, contemplating whether or not he should kick him; it was clear on his face. But then he turned to you.

"What are you doing, walking around like that?" he asked.

"I didn't mean for it to be harmless, I…"

"You're dressed too cute," he said. "Don't be surprised that a guy wanted to take you."

When you processed what he had just said, your face warmed and you were glad that the alley's shadows were there, to shield you. "I-I didn't know that I…"

Doumyoji rolled his eyes. He strode out of the alley and back into the populous streets, and you hurried after him, partly because you didn't want to be in the alley with the man and partly because Doumyoji had long legs and it was hard to catch up to him. By the time you finally did, you were short on breath. "Thank you," you said, looking up at him. He was tall. He towered over you. "Thank you for saving me from that man."

He looked down on your with his dark eyes and for a moment, he said nothing, did nothing. Then a smirk flashed across his face. "Uh-huh."

"What were you doing here, anyway?" you asked him, trying to take the attention away from you.

Doumyoji answered, "I was taking a break."

"From what?"

"I've been selling lemonade all day. At the corner of this street, right by that nasty seafood diner. I hate seafood." Doumyoji scrunched up his nose.

You giggled as he did that. He looked cute. Then you said, "You've been selling lemonade?"

"Yeah. With Soujiro and Rui. Akira couldn't make it. His sisters needed to be babysat, and his mother wasn't at home."

"But I thought you were super rich," you said. You looked at him. "And here you're selling lemonade for money?"

"Well, yeah, what else would I sell it for?" He raised an eyebrow, and then held up a hand in greeting to someone. "Soujiro, Rui. Look who I happened to run into."

The two boys were standing behind a makeshift lemonade stand. There were a few pitchers of the ice-cold beverage on the top, and then there was a bag of plastic cups. The hand-drawn sign read LEMONADE! ONLY THREE YEN FOR A CUP! Nishikado smiled at you. "Hey, (Name)," he greeted.

"Hey, yourself," you replied. You'd seen a lot of Nishikado lately, and you enjoyed his company. He'd mentioned that he wanted to become a player, the most irresponsible man in Japan, but he was social and easy to talk to, so you liked him.

Hanazawa was leaning on the stand. He looked sleepy, as usual. The lights from the nearby seafood diner made his face soften. "Hi," he said, smiling at you.

Your heart fluttered. What was it about his smiles that made you feel so weak-kneed? "Hi," you said stupidly. You couldn't think of anything witty to say to him. Unconsciously, you ran a hand through your hair in an attempt to smooth it down. You wondered if you looked good.

Hanazawa's smile broadened and he looked amused, like he knew what was going through your mind. "You look fine." You studied your florescent purple nails to hide your blush.

Doumyoji was watching the exchange between you two and he couldn't help but feel irritated. Why does Rui get all the girls? he wondered darkly. I'm a lot better looking than him…besides, didn't I read somewhere that girls like the bad boy more than the sensitive one?

He was confused. That magazine article hadn't really helped him, but for some reason, it stuck in his mind. He sighed. Maybe he would just ask Mimasaka and Nishikado later. If anyone knew about women, it was those two.

You stepped up closer to the stand. "Wow…I thought I would never see the day where Eitoku boys would sell anything for hard-earned money…" Then you laughed. "And especially not lemonade."

"Can I interest you in buying a cup? We have pink lemonade, normal lemonade, and strawberry lemonade," informed Nishikado, sweeping his hand out with each choice.

"Actually, that strawberry lemonade looks really refreshing right now…" You pulled your purse down and tugged down the zipper, sticking your hand in to look for your wallet.

Then Doumyoji held out a hand. "No, you don't need to pay," he said. "You can just have a cup." He poured a glass of strawberry lemonade and held it out to you.

Hanazawa made a face, wrinkling his nose, if not, delicately. "I don't know why, but a lot of people have been buying that kind. I, personally, think it's disgusting." He held up his glass of pink lemonade. "I prefer this kind."

You looked at Doumyoji. "Are you sure?" you asked. "I mean, you're here earning your first ever money…and you're giving me a free glass…"

He shook his head, ignoring what you had just said. "Just drink it. I don't need your money."

From his position, Nishikado grinned. "That's his way of saying, 'Oh, (Name), you're such a pretty girl, have this to drink!'" He fluttered his eyelashes at you and then leaned in close and whispered, "Then I'll fuck you until you can't walk~" You laughed, slapping him lightly on the arm. Doumyoji's face turned red and he turned it away from you, to hide it.

Even though it was a small thing, Doumyoji letting you have a free cup of lemonade, you still thought it was sweet. Doumyoji was trying to look indifferent but his eyes showed otherwise, glancing at you to catch your reaction. You gave him a smile and his face reddened.

How cute, you thought.

You took a sip of the lemonade. The glass cubes clinked against the rim. "So have you guys had any luck today? Did people buy lemonade? You know, considering that it's, like, dinner time right now, I don't think anyone would buy it…"

"Oh, ho, but that's where you're wrong, pretty little (Name)." Nishikado threw a wink over his shoulder as a group of giggling girls approached the stand nervously. "You'd be surprised at how many people buy lemonade when three sexy guys sell it."

The leader of the group, a girl with honey-blond hair and a cute smattering of freckles across her nose came forward. The rest of her group stayed back, whispering amongst themselves. "Um, hi," she said. "I'd like some lemonade…" Her dark eyes kept darting towards Hanazawa. Obviously, she had worked herself up a crush for the sleepy brunette.

"Of course," Nishikado answered. He had noticed the girl's stares as well. The other girls were giggling and staring at Doumyoji and him. "What can I get you?"

"Um…um…" she stammered. You weren't sure if she had heard the question.

You thought the crush was cute. This girl was practically as red as a stop sign, with the blush that crept up her neck and plastered onto her cheeks. So you stepped in to help her. "The pink lemonade is his favorite," you said kindly.

"Oh! Well, then, I g-guess I'll have that…" she said.

Nishikado poured it and handed it to her. "That'll be three yen."

The girl handed over the money, never once taking her eyes off of Hanazawa. He was yawning, oblivious to her stare. You held your glass out and said, "Cheers!"

She was surprised. Then she said, "All right," and held her glass out.

You looked at Hanazawa. "You too, mister."

He rolled his eyes but smiled sheepishly. "Sure, sure."

The three of you clinked glasses together and exclaimed, "Cheers!"

The girl bowed her head slightly towards Hanazawa. "Thank you." She then ran off to her friends, laughing happily, and the group of girls disappeared.

Nishikado blinked. "It's like I was invisible," he said softly, in awe.

Doumyoji slapped him on the back. "You've gotta get used to that, man, Rui gets all the girls," he said lightly.

You shook your head at the said boy. "Boy, aren't you dense! She was totally into you!"

"Me?" He looked surprised.

"Of course! You're so dreamy, Hanazawa Rui, with those brown eyes and that smile…" you teased, poking him in the shoulder.

"Why, thank you," he replied. "You're not too bad yourself."

Doumyoji pretended to be immersed with his task of making more lemonade, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched you laugh with Hanazawa. Something deep inside his mind twitched.

He planned to get you. He wouldn't have Hanazawa come in his way. Because he was his best friend, Hanazawa would have to understand.

And he would, eventually.