Author's Note: Joy! More stupid flamers. Seriously, this one calls her/him a critic flamer. If you're going to 'critic flame' me, make it worthwhile so I can improve my writing, don't just tell me I'm an idiot. We are all idiots from time to time. Point out places where I can improve – PERSONALIZE YOUR FLAMES IF YOU HAVE TO GODDAMNIT - and don't call me names or I'll make one that's worse for you. Paper-shredder, wow that's new. You can go to my reviews to see it. It's the one written by SPAMSPOT.
My Response:

Why hello my idiot little reviewer.

Thanks for your review!

Oh, can you please tell me where my grammar/spelling errors are?

That would be nice - though I doubt you read all my chapters, but that doesn't matter. A review is a review. Quite frankly though, I disagree with your opinion.

Anyways, the only way I'd listen to your 'paper-shredding' business advertisement is if you bite my ass.

Have a nice day!

I'm not in the mood right now. I got back from a road trip and I have this huge headache – but I wanted to post because I haven't posted for a while. Sorry. I've also been having a little writer's block. Any suggestions to help me would help. Anyways here's the chapter – a little more dramatic and a bit of filling, but I think it shall do – trying to build up this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own PoT. Nor do you, so don't tell me to delete this story, 'cause it's staying right here.

"Bye guys!"

"I'll see you on Monday!"

"Sure thing Akira-chan!"

Two figures left the sandy beaten path to catch the bus which had just come by.

Chapter 10 – Little by Little

"You sure you're okay?"

"You worry too much."

"You don't talk enough."

"You're too loud."

"I'm not!"

"You're yelling already."

"Ugh Tezuka!" Arms crossed, I squirmed in my seat.

I was really annoyed. Seriously, I was worried and all he could say was: "You're too loud."

"You're mumbling…"

"So what if I mumble?"

"Just wanted to let you know." Tezuka's head swung 180 degrees to the other side of the bus.

"Yeah…right since when do you worry about me?"

"…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

…since when do I enjoy talking to her so much?

I looked back at Akira who was pouting in the opposite direction.

Cute… Hold on…what did I just say? Cute?

GURGLE

"Hehehe…Sorry…I'm hungry."

I chuckled slightly.

That was definitely not so cute – but you got to admit, it was funny.

"We can stop on the way and grab something to eat if you want…" I suggested without thinking.

Wait…did I just…ask her out?

"Hey! That's a good idea! You can buy me dinner!"

"I never said I was paying."

"But you will, like a gentleman." Akira said slyly grinning.

"…"

"Okay fine. Since we're friends and all, you can pay for dinner and I'll pay ice cream after."

Friends…

I looked at Akira's bright face that she carried with a smile.

Is there…something more?

"Hey, is there a consensus on this or what?"

"…Sure."

"Good, let's stop at that place!"

She said excited while grabbing my hand and pulling me off of the bus.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Hmm…" Akira eyes moved back and forth as she pouted, "I don't know what to order…I've never been here."

"Try #31."

"Okay fine. Miss, I'd like to order your peanut chicken curry."

"No problem." The waitress said all giggly, winking at the teenager who sat in front of Akira.

"..." Akira mumbled taking a sip out of her cup of water. "Anyways, what did you order again?"

"Lemon almond salmon."

"Ah."

"It's my favorite dish here."

"So what are you doing tomorrow?"

"…"

"Fine don't answer me. It's not like I'm going to stalk you."

"I have a doctor's appointment. That's all."

"Check-up for the arm?"

Tezuka nodded leaning back towards his chair.

"Hopefully it'll go well."

The young man's chocolate eyes shifted in the direction of the brown haired girl who was slowly sipping water out of her cup.

"What?" Akira's eyebrows furrowed.

"Nothing."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

For a friendly dinner, it seemed too quiet for me. I wasn't able to strike up a conversation in the least bit. 35 minutes or so passed, I sat there listening to the sound of meat grinding in between our teeth until I was finished.

I wasn't so sure what to say to him anymore. Well…I guess Tezuka was always a bit confusing to start off with…at first, when I had bumped into him at my very first day at school.

'BAM'

"Oh my. I'm sorry!"

Great, I'm already acting like a klutz on my very first day.

I thought he was a nice guy – somebody I'd see around the hallways from time to time.

When the second time came around it was a bit different…

I stepped off the morning bus just to be greeted by no other than the stoic captain of the Seigaku tennis team: Tezuka.

Why is he here?

"You missed morning practice." He stated plainly.

"Oh." Shit? "I didn't know we had practice…in the morning."

"We should get you a schedule then." He said turning around to walk towards the school grounds.

Then again, after all the events I've been through with him…he was still a mysterious person to me. It was as if he kept on switching personalities. One minute he would be friendly and easy to talk to and the next minute, he'd be too stoic and cold.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to deal with this.

I looked back up to the light-brown haired man sitting in front of me finishing up his meal.

It's because we're friends.

I couldn't help but smile at him – he had leftover rice grains stuck in the corner of his mouth. With my napkin, I wiped it off for him.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Come one, let's go! We still have to get ice cream!" Akira shouted throwing the napkin in the garbage.

Tezuka rolled his eyes at the little exuberant girl.

"Here you go, keep the change."

"Alright! My turn to treat you!"

The two headed out side by side into the evening.

It's short…I don't like how this chapter ends. Suggestions? Flames? – Make that personalized flames. I'm serious; I don't mind them when they're actually useful.