"Wait… You what?" I asked, standing up. He put his hands up.

"Please don't hit me! I know you could really hurt me if you did; but Kari, we were childhood friends. Kai sent me a letter saying you still lived here, which is why I came back to live on my own. There wasn't anything more important to me than finding you. Now I have, and I know why you were hiding."

"You… If you knew all this time then why didn't you say so sooner?!"

"You were trying to avoid me! I tried to make you admit to it; but you were trying so hard to refuse. I couldn't just ignore you either. Even if you don't feel the same, at least let me keep your secret and protect you."

I was speechless. What was I supposed to say? 'No, don't. How can someone protect me if I can't even protect myself?' I shook my head, rubbing my forehead.

"Fine. Just please, don't let yourself get hurt. The reform school I transferred from… They don't like it when their students get away without an exit exam. I think the head master reads too much manga."

"What do you mean?"

"If you get even one scratch on you, you fail. There's only been three people to ever leave and pass that exam at our age."

"Why the hell would your father put you there?!"

"Why would my parents just up and leave me? I don't know! I just know that if I warn the police about that school, they can shut it down."

"Why didn't you go as soon as you left?"

"They would have been there… They might still be there. I hope no one new is coming."

"What do you mean?"

"If you escape, like I did, they send recruits all over Japan to look for you. They give up after a month. Look, it wasn't only you I was hiding from. Or Harima. It was them. I could get killed walking around out there as myself. Hell, you could end up like my uncle if they knew you knew me. I feel bad for having to keep secrets and lie; but I have to."

"And the girls from school?"

"I trust they won't tell. Mikoto seems to understand I don't want them talking about it. So does Akira."

"I see," he muttered as someone knocked on the door.

"I'll get it," I said, stepping past him.

"It's just the police," they said. I looked through the door's peep hole. I sighed.

"Give us a second. We spilled tea all over my shirt," I said. I looked over at Tougou and put a finger over my lips. I pointed to his fire poker. He tossed it over to me.

"Sorry for the wait, it's his apartment and finding a shirt that fits isn't easy," I said, stepping back.

"We suggest you come out now. The men after you could arrive at any second," one said. I kicked the door down on them, putting the sharp end against the bigger ones' temple.

"If you were afraid of the baddies coming to get me, you would have said so over the phone. Nice knock offs, but its dark out. The police change the blue for black at night. What do you two want?" I asked.

"Please don't do that! We were told to get you! I swear!" the smaller one shouted.

"Who sent you?" Tougou asked.

"The gang leader… I guess more than one person wants your head then, pretty lady?" the big one said.

"Another comment like that and I won't think twice," I warned him, my voice emotionless as well as my face.

"Okay, okay!" he shouted. I heard running up the stairs as the police showed up.

"Are you two okay?!" the taller one asked.

"We're fine," I answered. The short one helped me off the door without hurting the two men who tried to attack us.

"We're glad you can hold your own. Now if you don't mind, we need to go," the short one said. I nodded.

"I'm going with her," Tougou said.

"Sir, that's not necessary," the tall one said. The look on Tougou's face was one I hadn't seen in a while.

"Masakazu! Why do you constantly take blame for her?! She needs to learn discipline!" Father shouted, a hand smacking across Masa-kun's face. I gasped, leaning back. My eyes got blurry from me trying not to cry. I was scared. We were only seven… Why would he do this to us?

"Papa, it was an accident! I swear! Please don't harm Masa!" I cried.

Smack.

I was on my back, staring at the ceiling as the tears fell from my eyes.

"Darling, you should be easy on them. They are children after all," Mother said, mocking me. I looked over at Masa-kun. His eyes had something in them, and his face was so serious.

"I apologize sir; but if I'm to one day marry her, I'm going to protect her. No matter what! Even if that means from you too!" he shouted back. I stared at him in disbelief. Why would he do that? He's so stupid… Masa-kun stood, helping me up. I wiped my eyes.

"I can take care of myself Masa… It's okay," I whispered. He shook his head, taking my hand and running with me.

"We may not be strong enough to fight back yet; but I know one day we will, and we won't have to either cause he'll know it too!" he smiled.

"It is necessary. Very necessary," Tougou said. I shrugged.

"I go, he goes. Sorry," I told them. The partners sighed.

"Alright, let's go. We'll have to question you separately though," the tall one said.

"That's fine," I responded.

Tougou and I got in the back of one cop car while another showed up to take the other two men.

"You looked like you remembered something back there. You okay?" he asked, looking at me. I nodded, my eyes meeting his.

"Yeah. I just remembered the first time you stood up for me, against Kyouuske."

"You call him by his first name now?"

"I refer to him. I don't speak to him anymore. Not since they just left me here without any way to contact them. For all I know they changed their names so I have no way to find them."

"I never did like him. I was hoping to get the chance to have you run away with me before you guys moved."

"We never moved… When we were eleven they dropped me off at that school. I was here the entire time."

"I… I should have looked for you then."

"It wouldn't have changed anything. They don't let anyone from outside know about the students in. I'm just glad I'm out, and now have a chance of shutting the place down once and for all."

"How did you know to go to your uncle?"

"He always said if I was in trouble, that I should always go to him. I never… Wanted him to get hurt," I said, looking at my hands. Tougou hugged me tightly.

"Things happen. Everything will be okay. I promise."

"You always did keep your promises."

"Just like I will when I say I'll help you with Harima when this is all over. I'm sure Harry and I can work things out with him to help you."

"Thank you," I yawned.

"No need."

I wondered what they'd question him about when we arrived, and where they'd put us after.