Fhira: Yes, yes, we know we're late. It's not our fault, or at least not entirely; Murphy, reality and homework overloads decided to all activate on three of us at the same time for a few weeks, and Neko is perpetually overloaded anyway. Not to mention twin-wide writers' block. So, anyway, here's Ami's third chapter; the next will be out tomorrow; it's written with about half a page left to type and maybe fifteen minutes of editing if I'm slow about it. So, anyway, it shall be there, and if it's not then yell at me, not Sayuka; I'm the one in charge of updating so it's useless to go attack her through deviant art.


I awoke early the next morning, around six fifteen or so. Both of my parents were still sleeping in the other half of the room. Though I couldn't see them due to the sliding screen, I could hear my father snoring.

Since I'd already taken a bath the night before, it only took about twenty minutes for me to prepare for the day ahead.

I squeaked softly as I rubbed my eyes, an odd habit of mine since childhood. Everything was silent around me, and since we weren't at home, I couldn't just enter the kitchen and make breakfast before my parents got up, which wouldn't be for a while, anyway. Finally, I decided to go and explore the orphanage. It would be a lot easier to take everything in with fewer people around.

As I had expected, the hallways were quiet. I stepped as softly as possible so as not to wake anybody up as I tried to navigate my way through the enormous building. A soft clatter coming from the—kitchen, maybe?—made me flinch. Wow, I thought, surprised. I didn't think anyone else was awake….

Cautiously, I peered around the doorway. The first thing that I noticed was that it was, indeed, the kitchen. The second was the blond from yesterday—Mello-san, if I was correct—eating chocolate from a large bowl.

I stood there watching for a while, though I'm not sure why. Probably for a lack of anything else to do. After two or three minutes, Mello-san looked toward the door. I quickly darted my head back and stood flat against the wall.

What am I doing? I asked myself. I finally have the chance to talk to someone, and maybe even make a friend. Why am I hiding? I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths in an attempt to settle my nerves. Once I was a bit more confident, I opened my eyes and stepped into the kitchen. "U-um… hi—" I stopped midway. The kitchen was empty. He must have thought I was someone here to discipline him, I thought with a sigh. Why didn't I just say hello when I had the chance? I'm so stupid…. At this rate, I'll never be a successful investigator.

I went back to wandering, now a bit less enthusiastic. My self-esteem dropped even more as I thought about the day ahead, where I would have to try to fit in with everyone else. As if that could ever happen….

Seeing as Victory-san had kept me out of the library before, I assumed that I wasn't allowed to enter it, so that room was passed by. As I entered the common room, I saw—Near-san, I believe—sitting on the floor at the opposite side of the room. Once again, I darted out and pressed my back to the wall. Remembering what had happened earlier, though, I realized that I couldn't keep hiding if I ever wanted to make friends, and slowly moved back to the doorway.

Surprisingly, the room hadn't been emptied this time. I wasn't sure if this brought me relief or disappointment, actually.

Heart pounding, I slowly inched toward Near-san. I had considered just going back a few times, but quickly pushed the thought away. This time, I was determined to approach someone on my own.

Either my loud heartbeat gave me away, or Near-san was extremely observant.

"Hello," he said without looking up.

I squeaked and flinched, startled. Wow, he's good.

"U-um… hello…" I quietly replied. I am really not good at this! I needed to think of something to say quickly, but nothing came to mind. Okay, I just need to relax. Be calm. It's not like I'm trying to approach a decaying, tottering, armed zombie or anything…. I shuddered at the mental image of said creature.

"So, um…" I began, trying to steady my voice, "what are you doing over there?" After a few moments of silence, my eyes darted to the floor and I began to fidget nervously. Maybe I wasn't supposed to be there…?

"Lego Godzilla," he finally replied.

I blinked. "Huh?"

"I'm replicating Godzilla with Legos," he clarified, looking up at me.

"Ohh…. Umm… i-if it's okay, may I…?" Near-san moved aside a bit, revealing the most amazing Godzilla replica that Legos could build. The current scene showed the gigantic monster storming through Lego Tokyo, a crushed 'car' under his foot, and people 'running' in a frenzy.

"…That one's a bit off," I muttered as I saw the Tokyo Tower construction. Near-san tilted his head in reply. "U-um, I mean your Tokyo Tower," I stammered, suddenly realizing my slip of tongue. "I-it…. If I may…." Near-san watched with—was it interest, maybe?—as I built a different tower model. "It's a bit more like this, in this scene," I said softly, glancing up. "…I think…."

There were footsteps and muttering, and then a figure looked into the room.

"Ami, there you are!" sighed Victory-san.