There was a good reason people feared May's anger.

Of course, one would think that, with May being in a bad mood nearly every waking hour, people would've gotten used to it after a few weeks. Indeed, she was the type of person to scream her head off with the slightest disturbance in her settled, personal universe, and her colleagues had long gotten accustomed to her slight quirks and infatuating (if harmless) superiority complex. Hearing her shout "Double door slam entry" no longer impressed anyone, and when she told people she would be world famous one day, they took it like a remark on the weather.

That, too, was the reason why people never really saw May angry. She was overbearing, irritating and slightly delusional, but in her heart, she was good and well-meaning. She was enthusiastic, energetic and strong; her character, though positive, held traits of melancholy, sadness, and just about enough envy that was acceptable. May had been crushed, May had been confused, but May was rarely angry, and that was why people tried to prevent her from falling into that state very carefully.

Unfortunately, Ken could do little to prevent the horrors unleashing upon him when she backed him into her room and made him spill all the details about the little bet he had struck with Leon and Yuri. Though his own memories were fuzzy, he remembered clearly the line of thought that had made him ask Leon those questions and triggered the events that led to the making of the pact. He realized, as words left his mouth in quick succession, that if anyone was to blame for the Hell on Earth May would unleash, that would be him. He was the one who couldn't keep his mouth shut…and his envy at bay.

Really, though, what else could he feel for a man like Leon-a man who was perfect in any way, and who could, on top of all, act with Sora on the same stage? Of course, the Frenchman's behavior was more than proper, actually, nothing in it suggested that he had any thoughts about hurting Sora's feelings in any way, but Ken had seen enough of Sora to know she felt something towards her partner that…wasn't entirely like the camaraderie she experienced for her colleagues…for him…Of course he wouldn't miss a chance to throw some mud at the guy, he was infatuating simply by existing!

Not that it would serve as an excuse before May-the woman looked like she would tear his head off. Strangely, however, she made him repeat everything again and again, then made him describe the expressions on everyone's faces, the atmosphere in the room and whether or not he thought Leon or Yuri was drunk, or somewhat…untrue in his pledging. When they finally lapsed into silence, she started pacing about her room like a caged animal, leaving Ken to pray she finished him off quickly. Then she turned around and glared at him: "I have to tell Lalya-san about this."

"Wha…" Ken blinked, looking like a deer in the headlights. However, when he saw May walk towards the door, he showed some impressive superior intellect by jumping after her and holding her off just as she was about to open the door.

"What the…Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" she yelled as he dragged her back into the room. For such a skinny boy, Ken was sure stronger than he appeared "Ken, let me go immediately, or I'll…"

"Please, just hear me out! I don't care what you do to me, but Yuri-san is truly sorry for forgetting Valentine's Day and wishes to make things right. If you tell Layla-san, she'll probably never forgive him."

"She'd have a good reason to! How dare he allow such a thing? Discuss her like she's a toy or something, that's absolutely unacceptable! Do you have no shame?!"

"I do, I do, and I'm sorry, just don't yell." He whined "Understand, May-san, it was I who started this. Leon-san had the right to determine the rules, but I'm sure that Yuri-san will win in the end."

"Of course he'll win, you daft boy! Leon wouldn't even bother to give him any competition! He'll be too busy stealing Sora away from you!"

Oh, god, now SHE was the one unable to keep her mouth shut. Too busy raving around about his lack of self-control, May had involuntarily hurt him. Damn, talk about following your own advice, she thought as she watched her colleague slowly acquire the expression of a puppy kicked in oncoming traffic.

"Sorry…" she mumbled, embarrassed.

"It's…ok." Ken mumbled "I guess it's pretty obvious, isn't it?"

"Not on Leon's part, but Sora seems…Oh, you mean about you…" May scratched her cheek "Well, actually, Ken, it isn't that obvious. I mean, if it was, Sora would've figured it out by now." Wrong thing to say, Wong, she chastised herself as she watched his mood damping even more. Why, oh, why did that boy have to be so damn sensitive? She had to step on eggshells around him, lest he got hurt. Damn, if this wasn't infatuating.

"I think I better go back now." He said, getting on his feet slowly "They'll be locking up the dorms soon and I better head back."

"Oh, no you don't!" May yelled and grabbed his hand "You're not going anywhere until you hear me out."


Leon carefully folded his jacket over the side of the chair before sitting down to read. If there was anything he hated more than incompetent partners, that would be wrinkles on the clothes. However, he often pulled out the locket he had retrieved from Sora that morning, examining it carefully from each possible aspect, then came to a conclusion.

It was ugly.

Not that he cared, it wasn't like he would wear it. But the old shine of the locket clashed rudely with the bright colors of the string, and the sides were dark, covered with stains. Even if it had been a pretty piece of jewelry, it hadn't been well looked after. If the original clasp hadn't broken, the chain would've probably dissolved from rust. Why would Sora by something like this was beyond him to comprehend, but he fancied that there was more to it than it seemed.

"I know what this is." A ghastly voice spoke right next to his ear, making him frown down at the medallion. A second later a small figure materialized itself on top of his wrist, grinning like a cat that overdosed on cream. "It holds the secrets of the lover's heart."

"Didn't I tell you to stop coming into my room?" Leon asked coldly, glaring daggers at Fool.

Many things had happened after Sora became the Top Star. She had been engrossed with more responsibilities, and a lot more privileges. One of the former was that after the Angel's act, a great many people had started to see Fool. Despite the fact that the girl missed the obnoxious doll sometimes, she didn't have to bother about him peeping in the showers or spying on people dressing up. The spirit of the stage bore the deprivation easily, since it meant it could tease more people.

Leon had been one of the unlucky winners.

"Come now, don't you want to know what's in this locket?"

"No."

"Liar. Why did you take it from Sora then?"

"I found it."

"Does it have something to do with that little bet you struck with Yuri and Ken?"

Leon glared at him coldly, his equivalent of "How did you know that?" Fool smirked.

"I know everything! After all, I am the Spirit of the Stage."

"I told you that unless the dorms were burning to the ground you couldn't come here."

Fool pulled a mock pout, before jumping from Leon's arm to lay suspended a little out of his reach. "Your attitude is no good! I wonder how you came to see me in the first place?"

"The fact that I can see you doesn't necessarily have to mean that I want to see you. You are infatuating, annoying and perverted, and I prefer to have the less contact with you as I possibly can." Leon replied, toying with the medallion absent-mindedly "I don't think the dorms are burning to the ground, so you shouldn't be here either."

"I thought you'd like to know why Sora bought such an ugly thing."

"No, I don't."

"You may be handsome, but you're not a good liar, Leon." Fool teased "You wanted to have something of Sora's that's why you took it. Your heart races tenderly every time thoughts of her beautiful face, tender skin or tight legs cross your mind…" at that, he jumped out of the way of Leon's fist as the man tried to throw him out of his room. "Ah, I hit a tender string there, didn't I?"

"No, you just got too annoying. I'm tired of listening to you." Leon replied

"You can't hide from me."

"If you want to make a point, make it. Or else, show yourself out before I decide to get serious about this."

"Fine." The spirit rolled his eyes and stood upright in front of him "I was spying on Mia and Anna before they got into the showers today…"

"I'm warning you, Fool…"

"They discussed these trinkets. Apparently, yesterday when they were at the island they found a shop where an old lady sold them. She said that every one of these things had a secret compartment, just like a person's heart. She also said that if you write down the name of the person you love or draw his picture and put it in there, then carry the adornment all the time, that person will eventually fall in love with you."

"And why, may I ask, did those two discuss it. I thought that if you shared your wish with somebody, it would not come true."

"Things aren't going well between Mia and her boyfriend." Fool explained slyly "She's wondering if she should ask for his love if he's not that into her. You know, forcing things is never good for anyone."

"I'm all too well aware of that." Leon replied "So, were you with them yesterday when they purchased these things?"

"No, but I saw Sora write down her name and put it in the locket when she came back. Ah…Now you seem interested."

"Not really." He lied, putting the trinket back into his pocket "It's none of my business. Although…it would be sad to see her disappointed when she finds out that such nonsense doesn't work."

"Strange way to put it." Fool grinned "You see me, and it's pretty obvious I can't be explained by anything your modern mind can come up with, yet you don't believe in magic?"

"I still maintain that you can be some sort of mass hallucination."

"A hallucination that you can touch and hear speak?"

"Some people have a very wild imagination."

"Some people don't. Anyway…" he babbled on "…Why not believe that this thing may work? She may want the love of somebody who's already in love with her."

"The charm can hardly take credit for feelings that already exist."

"No, but if it gives that person courage to confess, it might."

"This is ridiculous. Such tricks cannot work. There is not a single scientific evidence to confirm it. How can writing a name and wearing it in a locket do anything to the person mentioned? How can it boost their courage? It's just paper, ink and metal."

"It builds up faith. That's more important than anything sometimes. Don't snort…" Fool scolded him "Faith is what got Sora so far. If she didn't believe in her stage, her dream, do you think she would've gotten so far? Kaleido stage was closed over and over again for her, and yet now she is the Top Star. Her performance reaches the hearts of the audience, and it brings out the best in them. She is absolutely unique and wonderful, even you have acknowledged that. I don't see why should you be so negative towards faith."

"I never said I was negative towards faith. But there is no real magic in these. In most cases, it is only a scheme to rob people off their money. Using someone's hope to make a personal gain is hardly something I'd call admirable." He sighed. Often, he'd seen these so-called-mediums and they only gave him the impression of an errand dog dressed as a poodle. They had an act that could fool ordinary idiots, but in such cases he seldom felt disgusted with those who fell victim to such people. After all, he too had lost a beloved person, and he wanted to know more than anything if she was ok, wherever she was. But he could not bring himself to believe the words of some dirty old woman who only knew how to roll her eyes and speak nonsense.

"Perhaps you'll think otherwise when you know whose name is in that locket." Fool teased "And don't tell me you don't care. I can see into you. You're burning with a desire to know who Sora's heart yearns for."

"It's her heart. Unlike her locket, I can't take it."

"Unlike her heart, you have her locket. Don't you want to know whose name is in there? All you have to do is open it."

"And you can't tell me instead?" Leon asked cheekily

"I can…" Fool nodded "But not without telling her a secret of yours in exchange, just to be fair. How does that little bet of yours sound like? Would it be enough of a price for you to pay to know the name of the one Sora loves?"

"Sora loves the stage. Isn't that why she gets to see you?"

"And why do you get to see me, I wonder? Your heart isn't set only on revenge and brooding, just like Sora's isn't on the stage alone. You fool yourself that there is no place for nothing but the stage there, not for you, not for anyone, and you were content. But now that you know that she can fall in love, you're restless. I can see it. So why not at least know the name of the one who can take her away with one word, forever? You don't need to agree to trade your secret for hers. You have the power to know."

Leon rose from his chair and walked towards the window. He looked out, watching the light play on the surface of the sea, before taking out the locket and playing with it for the nth time that evening. Then he turned around and walked towards the cupboard, threw the medallion in one of the drawers, before shutting it with a snap. Afterwards, much to Fool's surprise, he responded.

"Sora's feelings are her own, and if I obtain any part of them, be it even knowledge, without her permission, would not make me deserve it. If she wants to tell me who that is, fine. I'd learn who he is sooner or later anyway."

"But…" the spirit of the stage blinked, stumbled "Why would you keep the locket, if you didn't care?"

"Why?" Leon looked almost pleased with himself "Because it's interesting."


Morning came, faster for some than to others. After being locked up with May for nearly eight hours in the same room, Ken was considering himself a part of the second group. By the time she had explained what she had meant and 'straightened things out' with him, the dorm had already been locked up. Debating over whether he should try sneaking out through the window and down the drain, or just try and wake Sarah up, they had come to a decision that the latter was preferable and thus they knocked on her door for fifteen minutes (very quietly, so that they wouldn't wake anyone up).

After getting no response and dismissing the idea of trying to call her louder, they came to the conclusion that Sarah, as the only woman who had a boyfriend that knew exactly how lucky he was to be graced with a Goddess like her, probably had gone off to spend the night with Kalos, leaving her second-in-charge Mia to take care of things. Knocking on HER door was pointless, as the girl slept like a rock and didn't particularly share the dorm-keeper's cheery attitude towards everything, and explaining how Ken got in the dorms in the first place was going to be hard without raising absolutely no suspicion. Or rumor.

So that's how he got settled on May's couch for the night, a rest he didn't particularly enjoy as the acrobat even screamed moves in her sleep, loud enough to keep him awake too…He was up and ready before the crack of dawn, but only then it occurred to him that he would have to wait for Mia to wake up and THEN he would have to hide until he was sure the dorm was absolutely empty to sneak out. Damn, he was going to be so late for work…


By the sounds coming from behind the door, he could tell that people were already up and around. Not too soon, May appeared in the kitchen, yawning lazily and muttering a half-hearted 'hullo' before pouring herself a cup of coffee and slumping down on the table.

"Hey!" she yelled "What are you…oh, yeah. Now I remember. Mornin'."

"Good morning." Ken muttered feebly, seating himself next to her. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby, which is weird since I have a guy in my room." May replied "Hey, did you know this is the first sleepover I've had with a boy since I came to the dorms?"

"Yeah?" he wasn't surprised she didn't even bother asking him how his night had gone. By the looks of it, she probably knew.

"Well, since you're up, care to fix me some breakfast?"

"I thought you were the cook here…" he sighed, getting on his feet and heading for the fridge with the intention of taking whatever was in there to make pancakes for both of them.

This was not the way he had imagined his first morning with a girl. Of course, having a little sister, he was certainly not lacking a female presence at breakfast, but he had hoped that he would share many wonderful mornings with the one he loved. Things just never turned out how he wanted them. And, unfortunately, he was just about as good as cooking as May was modest.

For those of you who can't imagine the havoc that followed, allow me to sketch it for you-five minutes after he started, the bar was covered with flour, there were more eggs out of the bowl than in it and Ken had acquired a brand new coating of cocoa and vanilla. May, who had put up with it for about ninety seconds (a true feat indeed), had loudly cut in, wrestled him for the spoon, contributing to some of the mess in that way, and for about less than a few seconds the amount of sound pollution in the dorms by another twenty degrees. Surprisingly, it lasted a considerable amount of time-Ken having the advantage of already dealt with a loud and obnoxious sister had learned to keep a firm grip on everything he got his hands on, and he fancied himself good with children. Unfortunately, by years and experience with the said little beasts, May outdid him, and when she added her skills to the mix, the mess was complete. For Ken, who liked his mornings peaceful and serene, it was a shocking change that led him to actually raise his voice as he tried to bat May away.

Can't imagine it getting worse?

What the poor boy had forgotten in all the calamity was something one shouldn't really forget in such situations. Namely, his parents. Of course, they knew well that he often had to work late, and it happened that he didn't come home, but he had the habit of calling them to warn him not to wait for him. And since he hadn't, they had been worried and called themselves.

That was how the news about Ken's disappearance had spread all over as soon as the dorms were opened, and a search had been set in motion. And the commotion in May's room rose people's attention.

As she finally managed to throw him on one of the kitchen chairs and pin him there, the front door opened with a slam and Julie and Charlotte entered the room.

"May?!"

"May-san, are you alright?" Julie…or Charlotte said, before both froze dead in their tracks, staring at the little picture in front of them. May looked up with a scowl on her face to see what the ruckus was all about, before becoming acutely aware of what they saw. Slowly, she looked down at Ken, who stood absolutely dumbstruck, head crooked in an impossible angle to look at their sudden visitors. Before either had time to gather their wits enough to come up with an excuse, the two were already babbling while beating a hasty retreat.

"Oh, sorry, May-san…"

"We just heard the commotion and…"

"Wanted to make sure you were alright…"

"Ken-kun's parents called, he didn't come home…"

"And they were worried, so told us to keep an eye out for him…"

"Make sure he didn't sleep in the bushes or something like that…"

"Not that he's slept in…"

"Never mind us…"

"Yeah, we see it's all fine…"

"Sorry for the interruption…"

"Yeah, and congrats, Ken-kun…"

"We'll be leaving you to yourselves…"

"Yeah, nobody likes to get cut off in the middle, eh…"

"Heh, yeah…we'll just go and tell the others it's alright…"

"So that they wouldn't be worried…"

"Bye…"

"Bye…"

"Bye!" May screeched, before realizing just how that had sounded. Looking down at Ken, she could only blush and looks stupid, before getting off him and straightening her clothes out. The boy wanted to bury his head into his hands and cry with desperation as he heard Julie and Charlotte's voices a floor under them, explaining something in a loud tone, and then the reply their statement got. He barely had the guts to look up at May and look indignant, while she sheepishly cleared her kitchen.

Stating the obvious seemed pointless. They were both absolutely done for.