It was the next day after school and Tatsuki had dragged Koshimi with him to Kotarou's work place. Upon arriving, they found Kotarou talking to Mio. Kotarou seemed less than ecstatic to see his cousin.

"Tatsuki, I might as well introduce you. This is my friend, Mi-"

Before he finished the introduction, Tatsuki had turned around and began walking toward the opposite wall from the cash register. Kotarou was pissed.

"Kiss mine, jackass! What's with the damn attitude?!"

Mio looked at Kotarou in surprise.

"Friend of yours?"

Kotarou told her that Tatsuki was his cousin and how he had no charm with the most interesting comparison Koshimi had heard in a long while. Koshimi smirked upon hearing Mio's next thoughts.

"Take me home, honey!"

"MIO!"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You're way cuter."

Laughing, Koshimi walked up to Mio. Mio looked at her suspiciously.

"I'm sorry, we've met once before, sort of, but I never introduced myself. My name is Koshimi Higura. I live with Kotarou and Tatsuki. I'm a childhood friend, and no worries, Kotarou and I are just a friend to me."

Mio turned a light pink, having the odd feeling it was as if the girl had read her mind.

"It's nice to meet you."

Koshimi moved through the aisles toward Tatsuki. Mio turned to Kotarou and whispered to him.

"She and Tatsuki, are they…?"

"Well, she is the only woman Tatsuki talks to. Closest thing he'll probably ever get to a girlfriend. But officially, they're friends."

-So far…nothing seems wrong.-

Koshimi looked around the store. Tatsuki was right. The place was like any other store. The customers, after a quick mind scan, were not even interested in the blonde cashier.

-The next night-

Koshimi was watching television with Tatsuki when the phone rang. Tatsuki, not really interested with the tv screen, got up and picked up the call.

"Oohira residence," his semi-deep voice said," …oh. You. What d'you want?"

There was a loud voice shouting on the phone, causing Koshimi to easily hear that it was Yuuto. She made her way to the hall and leaned against the doorframe. Tatsuki slammed the phone back on the receiver. He looked beyond pissed.

"Its Kotarou, isn't it…"

"He got himself kidnapped by some guys in a car. They're in Shibuya behind the NHK in Yoyogi Park."

The two grabbed their shoes and jackets and jumped onto Tatsuki's bike all within two minutes. With Tatsuki flying way past the speed limit, they were at the park in no time. They found Yuuto, a little beat up, waiting for them. He automatically noticed Tatsuki was far from amused. Tatsuki automatically started his stare-and-stalk technique. Koshimi watched what happened through Tatsuki's mind.

"-some hard-up ex chasing Mio around the other day…" was all the Koshimi heard Yuuto say as she watched.

-There were two of them. - Tatsuki thought. –There was also something about a hospital.-

Wading through some bushes, Tatsuki pulled out what they recognized as Kotarou's backpack. He tossed it at Yuuto.

"See what's in it. We're going to her place."

Yuuto made a face at Tatsuki.

"Wait a sec, Prick! I'm not your damn lackey!"

Koshimi placed a hand on Yuuto's arm and guided him to his bike.

"Just go with it. We'll find Kotarou faster if we just listen to Tatsuki."

Upon Tatsuki's orders, they went to see Mio and ask her about Tsutsui. She was surprised and very upset upon hearing that he had kidnapped Kotarou. She told them that he worked at a club called "Zone". Mio decided to come along with them, because she felt so bad. At the club, they found out that he no longer worked there, but a worker decided to bring them to the club owner.

"Stay outside with Mio," Tatsuki ordered Koshimi, before he and Yuuto went inside.

Koshimi was shocked.

"Why can't we go in? Tatsuki-"

"Stay."

He stared at her hard before going into the club. Koshimi turned around and kicked Tatsuki's CBR in frustration. Mio looked at Koshimi anxiously.

"He just wants us to be safe."

Koshimi snorted and grinned at Mio.

"In front of a club in Shibuya? Really…"

Mio looked at her hands, which were clasped together. Her knuckles were white.

"You don't think Kotarou is-"

Koshimi shook her head. Walking over to Mio, she put an arm around the girl's shoulders.

"Kotarou's resilient. Don't have those kinds of thoughts. I know from experience that when you think the worst, it makes it easier for it to come true. Especially if you think it outloud."

The boys were taking a while and the two girls stood waiting in silence. Mio looked at Koshimi.

"Are you and Tatsuki-"

"No."

"Oh…well…then do you like him?"

Koshimi's expression didn't change, but she just stared at the club. The boys came out at that moment. Tatsuki looked broody as usual, but Yuuto looked freaked out. Taking a peek into his mind, she saw that Tatsuki had gotten violent on the club owner. Tatsuki walked straight over to his CBR and got on.

"The empty lot at T Hospital, that's where we're going."

Koshimi got on behind Tatsuki as Yuuto and Mio got on Yuuto's ZEPHYR. As they headed off, Tatsuki's mind sought her attention.

-What was with your expression back there when we came out? Something happen between you and Mio?-

-No. Nothing at all.-

-Whatever. By the way, don't think I'm letting you just get away with kicking my motorcycle.-

Koshimi grinned.