"So…"

Silence.

"…Is it good?"

"Hn."

Watanuki sighed as he started eating his own serving of food.

" 'Thank you very much. You are such a great cook. I'm glad you did this on my birthday.' You should be saying that, you ungrateful prick."

"More tea."

"ARGH! JEEZ, YOU'RE SUCH A FREAKIN' GLUTTON!"

Watanuki poured the tea, anyway. He gave him back the cup of tea and grabbed his bowl of food again. He ate it slowly, savoring the taste of beef. He was really annoyed. Since it was Doumeki's birthday, he expected him to at least say a good few words…like…maybe a "thank you" would be nice.

"Ungrateful…" Watanuki mumbled.

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As they got out of classes, Watanuki decided to head back home before he went to work. He forgot his Math book at his place and needed to finish it for class the next day. Doumeki decided to accompany him. Watanuki complained, ranting that he didn't need to be escorted like a girl. Doumeki stared at him, amazed that he could have a crush on a guy, and still act the same way. It was definitely a huge contrast between Watanuki and Himawari.

They reached Watanuki's door. He grabbed his key from his bag and reached for the lock, only to pause.

"Eh…? What the…?"

"What is it?"

"The lock on the door is different."

"Oh, there you are, Watanuki-kun."

He turned his head, only to see a woman down the hall. Watanuki paled. His heart sank as he walked up to the lady.

"Manager-san…Doumeki, I'll be right back!"

Doumeki was close to earshot of them, but tried to block them out. It was none of his business what they were talking about. Probably about his living conditions. Maybe the noise. Whatever it was, he blocked it all out. Doumeki then stared at the two. He didn't see the woman's face, but Watanuki's was something to be concerned with. His face was unbelievably pale, and his eyes were wide. He could tell that he was panicking, considering he was hyperventilating like an asthmatics. Doumeki suddenly heard some of the woman's words. Something about "three notices," and something about "the old manager."

Watanuki was given a small object, and the woman walked away. He stood there for what seemed like hours, and then quickly walked back to his apartment door. He unlocked his door with what seemed like the key that his manager had given him, and opened the door. He quickly took off his shoes and grabbed the book that he needed. Doumeki noticed that he was shaking. His breathing was really hard, and his face was still really pale. Watanuki stopped and leaned on the kitchen doorframe, trying to calm himself before he lost himself. Now, Doumeki was really concerned.

"What is it?"

Watanuki didn't answer, but after a few minutes, he finally spoke.

"Doumeki…did I ever tell how I managed to live here?"

"No."

"I can't remember everything, because of my lost memories, but…all I know is that…at a young age, my parents died. My foster parents took me in. They were the old managers of this building. Even if I was still a child, I asked them to let me stay at one of their vacant apartments. They didn't want me to live alone, but granted what I wished for. They were gracious enough to pay the rent for me.

"However…they let go of the lease for this building to manage another building. The new manager is nice, but…she said that I have to pay rent now. She was told that I have a job, and because of that, I should able to pay the rent. I didn't know what to say to her. I couldn't tell her that I work for a Witch that grants wishes. She would call an asylum right away.

"So…she gave me three eviction notices. She gave me until the end of this week to pack up my things and leave."

Watunuki finally looked at him, his face showing how vulnerable his emotions were.

"I looked everywhere in the newspapers for one, but they were too expensive. I don't have time to look for another job, and…" he sighed, "…I just…don't know what to do anymore…"

Watanuki sat down on his small couch, his hands covering his face.

For once, Doumeki didn't know how to respond to him. He sat down next to Watanuki. He wanted to comfort him, but he didn't know how. A pat on the back? On the head? On the shoulder? Maybe a quick hug?

Doumeki closed his eyes. As much as he wanted to comfort the boy, hugging him would just misconstrue his actions as affection. He leaned back, looking away from the quivering mess.

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It was lunchtime, and the trio sat and ate the lunch that Watanuki usually made. It was really tense, mostly because Watanuki was in such a horrible mood. He was exhausted. He spent the entire night packing up his things. Himawari asked him if he was going to visit his relatives. He explained to Himawari the situation that he was going through, and she gave him a sad look.

"Well…Watanuki…I'm sorry things are going horribly for you. If I had more space in my place, I would have let you live with my family."

"I see…thank you, though."

Doumeki spoke up.

"What about staying at Yuuko's place? You've stayed there before. "

"I asked her, but she said that the shop is not an apartment. She would allow me to stay there for maybe a couple weeks or so, but if I stay there longer than that, horrible things are going to happen. She didn't tell me what, but seriously, I didn't want to know."

"Hn."

"Wanatuki…uh, I hope I'm not prying into your business, but…how long have you lived alone?"

He looked up at her, his eyes wide.

"Uh…since I was a kid. I don't remember how long, but…possibly since elementary school."

"Wow…don't you get lonely?"

Watanuki knew that he should be getting used to that question, but something inside him tore apart. Doumeki and Himawari noticed his sudden change. His looked like his mind went to a far away place, almost as if he was in a trance. His eyes that usually gave off a certain twinkle, was nonexistent. As if Watanuki noticed his change, he snapped back into reality and smiled at Himawari.

"Ahaha! Sometimes…just a little. I've gotten used to being alone."

Doumeki frowned.

He knew for a fact that Watanuki's words were complete bull.

Loneliness was always there to haunt you.

"Watanuki…"

"What is it, Doumeki?"

"You're going to stay at the shrine."

Watanuki's eyes went wide. He stared at him for the longest time until he gave Doumeki an annoyed look.

"Excuse me?"

"You don't have anywhere else to go."

"There's no chance in hell I will be living in the same place as you."

If Watanuki was a girl, he would be saying something along the lines of, "what? Me living with you…? Ah…is that some sort of proposal? Well…if you want me to…I accept! Please, take good care of me! Teehee!"

Doumeki almost threw up his lunch. Thank god Watanuki was not a girl.

"Do you want to end up homeless? I hear that the streets is a very dangerous place. If I remember correctly, you can't go outside without being attacked."

"…I hate you so much, right now."

Watanuki glared at him.

"Well?"

He sighed.

"Fine, fine…I'll think about it."

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Doumeki was suddenly awaken by the loud knock on his window. It didn't stop at all, not worried about waking anyone up. He got up from his bed and opened his door. He was taken aback by the state of the smaller boy in front of him.

"Doumeki…thank god…"

Watanuki was shaking all over, his breathing very irregular, and the pajamas that he wore was torn. Doumeki noticed the thin cuts on his face, as if he was attacked by a cat. His pajamas had crimson red spots all over him, his torn pajamas revealing more thin cuts.

"She…told me to take down the seals…"