Disclaimer: then again, see chapter 1, and also the warning if you want...

Chapter 3: Bond

'Where did he go?' Misaki thought when she saw the boy leaving from the window. Deep inside, she wanted to befriend him, and that he would return, so she waited, and waited, and waited.

Finally, she could no longer wait, so she backed away and turned to go back to the amusement park. As she turned, she heard a voice.

"What are you doing here?"

Shocked, she fell, landing with her bottom, and to her surprise, it was the boy at the window.

"Ouch!" she cried, holding the pain. Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes; the boy, instinctively, helped her to get up and lead her towards the garden.

-0-

Takumi was concerned, thinking that he had bothered the girl...he never bothered someone else's life to stay out of trouble, but now, he just did.

"Are you all right?" he asked, and received a nod in reply. He then noticed a small cut in her hand.

"You're hurt."

"I'm okay." The girl replied.

"No, you're not. Please stay right here." And he hurriedly went inside the mansion to find the first aid kit, leaving her bewildered.

-0-

Takumi returned again and applied first aid to her wound like an expert. When finished doing so, Misaki stared admiringly to the dressing; she was amazed by the fact that he knew this things at a very young age.

"Th-thank you." She said sheepishly.

"You're welcome."

Looking back at her hand, she said, "Wow! This is amazing! What's your name?"

"Takumi. Yours?"

"I'm Misaki. Nice to meet you!" she said. 'His face doesn't show anything just like back from the window'

"Ne, Takumi-kun. Why are you staying inside your house today? Don't you like the amusement park?" she asked.

"I'm not allowed to go."

"Why? Did you do something bad?"

"I don't know"

"Can't you call your friends over?"

"I don't have them, and I don't think that I need them." He answered. Misaki saw a hint of sadness in his eyes. 'He really is alone, that kid. Then...'

"Then, I'll be your friend!" she declared.

"Eh?"

"Takumi-kun, from now on, call me Misa-chan, 'kay?"

"M-Misa-chan?"

"Oh, yeah! Want some cotton candy? It's delicious!" she said enthusiastically as she handed over her cotton candy to him.

Takumi grabbed some, but he just kept holding it.

"What are you doing, Takumi-kun? Don't let it melt in your hand." Misaki said while eating.

Takumi then ate the piece and said innocently "Delicious! It does melt in your mouth."

Misaki laughed. "Go ahead, and help yourself!"

Then, together, they ate the cotton candy down to the last piece.

All of a sudden, Misaki said "Yosh! Now, let's play, Takumi-kun!" then held her fist.

"So, punching is the way you play?" he asked.

"Wha? No, this is called Jan-Ken-Pon" then she explained the mechanics "So, whoever wins decides what we play first!"

"Jan-Ken-Pon!" Takumi won.

"Ja! What should we play, then?" Misaki asked.

"I...don't know. Can I pass it to you?" he replied.

'This kid really does not play much, ne?' she thought. Then, out of the blue, she declared "Well then, tag! You're it!"

"Nani..." is all he could say.

Soon, Takumi found himself running around, chasing Misaki. He also found himself enjoying the games they played, but most of all, he enjoyed her company. They laughed, played, ran around, not knowing that a bond was formed; Fate had already tied them together. They played all day long, having fun, but unfortunately, all things have got to an end.