Thanks to everyone for your reviews and your support ^^

"AGAIN?" some of you might think right about now - it won't be a habit with updates this close to one another. But I had a good day yesterday, a lot of ideas flooded through my head, and thought I might as well... Besides, I need to get a feel for the characters again - don't wanna be too ooc with my ooc:iness. :P

I hope that this chapter won't put anyone off, but I realize it's not what most of you expected (I love the unexpected, though).

The plot is getting thicker - at least I have a line to follow, that my muse has agreed with and hasn't tried to sabotage yet.

P.S. I apologize for grammatical errors and misspellings - I'm doing my best, since my computer's grammar-control isn't functioning at the moment, and it's easy to put a blind eye to your own mistakes when re-reading (I'm correcting some errors using the grammar ctrl on ).

I hereby present: Chapter 10

UNPREDICTABLE

Something unpredictable

is sometimes too predictable

to be considered a fluke.

Back in school, everything seemed to be normal. He was still being ignored, still as invisible and unimportant as ever; in other words: nothing was new. Mizuiro had given him a questioning glance, seemingly searching for something that wasn't there to be seen, but had otherwise left Keigo alone. But none of that mattered at the moment, because Keigo no longer felt alone. He realized that he didn't need someone to bother in school, because he had someone elsewhere who cared about him; at least cared enough to invite him to parties, for dinner and coffee, and just for a few hours of gaming - that's really all that matters. Actually, Keigo wouldn't mind to just sit and stare at a wall, as long as he had a friend by his side. And although he doubted Jaegerjaquez would agree to simply stare at a plain wall, he knew that he had company, someone to pull him up when he fell down, someone to help him get a grip when he lost it. So for that, he could take eight hours in school being ignored - it could work out in his advantage, since he needed to focus on his studies anyway; he couldn't afford any more failed classes as it was.

Around lunchtime, though, he received a shock. Actually, he received a note. Said note landed on his desk in front of his nose as he was dozing off for the one-hour-long break. Without even reading it, he quickly called for whoever had dropped it.

"Excuse me, you dropped this!" His eyes landed on the redheaded friend of Ichigo. No, that's not right - Ichigo's brother'sfriend. Renji. Ichigo and Renji isn't exactly on friendly terms anymore, which was quite reasonable since Renji's ex-girlfriend cheated on him with Ichigo. Sometimes Keigo was really happy that he wasn't in any of those complicated relationships; they only seemed to make the 'participants' depressed. Now, the only reason Keigo actually knew this guy is because he has to know who he needs to stay clear off - though Renji wasn't necessarily one of those, he wasn't someone Keigo would consider a friendship with either. Not that there was ever a possibility of that happening anyway.

"Oh, did I?" Renji walked back and took the note again, reading it. Then he shrugged. "Nope, I didn't drop it." Then he placed it back on the table again in front of Keigo, whom blinked in confusion at the note - it read in big bold letters at the top: 'Christmas Party!'

"But..."

"Look, you do know what your name is, right?" Renji was sighing by now, shaking his head in resignation. "Man, you shouldn't sleep in school, it's clearly not doing you any good. See you at the party." With that, the redhead left without another word.

Keigo stared after him in confusion and disbelief. Huh? Party? Why would Renji invite Keigo to a Christmas Party? He read through the note and found his name - Asano Keigo - at the bottom. Whoa, that was indeed a huge surprise! Rarely when he was still visible did he ever get invited to parties - he usually just showed up uninvited, or was the one invited by a friend (who got an original invite) simply out of pity. Mostly it had been Mizuiro inviting him along, even though he made it sound as if it had been Keigo who persuaded him to go to the party - the rich male had his kind days, even though there had been few of those occasions in the past few months.

However genuinely and pleasantly surprised Keigo had been to receive an invite this time, he still wasn't sure if he would go. Because, even if oneperson (Renji) still remembered and saw him, all the others still rejected him, ignored the living soul out of him. He was afraid that if he actually went and felt the cold rejection wrap its bony fingers around his throat again, he might just fall back into that black pit of self-pity he had found himself in before he met Jaegerjaquez. But if he went, and people actually acknowledged him, then his self-esteem would sky-rocket, maybe even reach the stars. Would it be worth the risk? Would he dare to let the carefully rebuilt courage be smashed against the pavement, simply by taking the risk to go to this party? He might lose everything. But he also had everything to gain.

"No point in deciding now," he said out loud to himself in the now empty classroom. "I've got at least two weeks to think about it." He folded the note and put it into his backpack so that he wouldn't lose it, then picked up his food-package. At least he knew he wouldn't starve - his mother had packed more than enough. "Does she think she's feeding an army?"

Perhaps she assumed that Keigo was still eating with his friends, and packed more just in case they hadn't brought anything that day. Indeed, Keigo hadn't told his parents about his situation at school. It's not like it's their fault, and there was nothing they could do to change anything - Keigo saw no reason to tell them; it would only worry his mother, make her more sad, and she didn't need that. And Keigo definitely didn't need a mother-hen on top of all the rest of his problems.

When the day was finally over and Keigo went out to get his bike, he was met with a new yet familiar disaster - his bike, completely massacred. The front tire was slashed (probably by a knife or something equally sharp) and some of the spokes had been ripped off or bent outwards. The rear brakes had been torn off and the pedals were missing, as-well as the saddle. The first thing that Keigo thought was: 'damn, and so it starts going downhill again'. But then he took a closer look at the bikes next to his own (something he hadn't ever done in the past) and noted that there were several other massacred bicycles, it wasn't only his that had been tampered with. And that made him smile, and a burden was lifted off his chest.

Why did it make him smile, you might wonder. But just think about it for a while and I think you'll figure out the answer. No? Maybe you did figure it out, but here's the answer anyway. All the other times this exact thing had happened, he had always been too preoccupied with seeing his ownthings being destroyed that he completely missed everyone else's things getting the same treatment. He had always thought that the world was against him and therefore assumed that these things only happened to him as sort of a punishment for existing. But now, now that he finally looked at his surroundings and not only what was right in front of him, he realized that he had been silly to think such a thing. He wasn't the only one cursed with bad luck. He wasn't the only one being bullied, whether it was intentional this time or not (he had always assumed it was intentional against him). This realization brought relief.

Though, when unable to use his bike to go home, it would take at least an hour and more to get home by foot, and he hadn't brought any money for a buss, because usually they got taken by the bullies or thieves along the way. So, by default, he was forced to walk all the way home. Which meant that he might miss dinner, would certainly worry his mother, andhe would have less time to spend online with Jaegerjaquez. Granted, that wasn't the end of the world, but it still felt like he was letting his friend down by not getting online at the usual hour. Perhaps he was getting a bit obsessed... But he tended to be that way when he got something he likes - like, for instance, now that he finally has a friend again, he wants to cling to him and make sure he doesn't lose him. Though, his clinginesss might get annoying (from previous experience with Mizuiro and the others) and Jaegerjaquez might get tired of it, and then Keigo would be back in the gutter again, feeling pathetic and lonely. But he would to everything in his power to hold on to this bit of happiness, to keep the spark of light alive and brighten up the darkness. If succeeding meant being less clingy, then he would make a brave attempt at it. However, Jaegerjaquez didn't seem fazed by his clinginess, quite the opposite actually; he seemed more triggered by it, constantly making it into a challenge for Keigo. That might just be what Keigo needed, someone to push him forward and constantly make him do things he normally wouldn't have dared to consider.

Like last night, when Keigo had pecked the bluehaired male on the cheek. Definitely not something Keigo would have done in any other situation - male/male action in any kind of way just didn't tap his crane - but since it was Jaegerjaquez, and the way he had said it, it hadn't felt wrong at all. It was a simple peck, not a kiss or anything, and they're both guys, friends. Maybe Keigo wasn't the only one being clingy, which might work in his advantage.

He was almost home when his phone started ringing. It was none other than his bluehaired friend who was calling. Blinking at the screen, Keigo felt dread fill in his chest - Jaegerjaquez should be in class right now. If he was calling, something must have happened. With a shaking hand he quickly pressed the reply-button.

"Y-yes?" He was so shocked he didn't even know how to form a proper reply, his voice as shaky as his hand.

"Oi, is that a way to answer your phone?"scolded the voice of Jaegerjaquez, making Keigo cringe a little.

"S-sorry, but... Is something wrong?" He was really worried for some unknown reason. No one would call someone during class if it wasn't really important.

"Yeah, somethin's wrong!"At this, Keigo stopped dead in his tracks, waiting for the terrifying news. Was he hurt? Had he been beaten? Had he failed some important exam? Been thrown out of class, expelled for some reason? "Why the heck haven't ya been online yet?"...Online? Keigo drew blank, failing to connect the real world with his mind for a moment or two. He had been imagining the worst possible scenarios, and all Jaegerjaquez wanted to know was why he hadn't been online? "Oi, ya listening? Did something happen?"

"Eh, uhm, I, eh..." That was it? He had been worried something had happened to Keigo? It made the brunette all warm inside, and a big goofy smile appeared on his face. "Heheh, well someone had killed my bicycle, so I had to walk home. I'm actually still walking." He felt stupidly happy even though he had caused the other to worry; no, becausehe had caused the other to worry. How very evil of him; he must be taking after Nnoitra.

"Huh? Who did? I'll give 'em a good beating for you."

"Uhm, I don't know, but there is really no need for violence." Keigo doesn't like violence, not any kind of violence.

"Hn, but they used violence on your bike, it would only be fair." That was Jaegerjaquez' logic, but it wasn't Keigo's. It still made the brunette feel joy to know that his friend would defend him to that extent. "You're alright, though, right?"

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine!" The wide smile had to have been heard through his words, he was araid his face might part in two if it got any wider. "Oh, but what about you?" The smile subsided, but lingered, as he began walking again, holding his phone with one hand and leading the broken bike with the other. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"...I said I needed to use the toilet..."In the background, Keigo could hear a very low muttering: 'just to call you', but he decided not to point out that it was a bad habit to mumble like that. To Keigo, it sounded as if Jaegerjaquez was embarrassed to admit it. "Anyway, Szayel is good with fixing stuff. You could ask him if he can fix your bike. I'll tell 'im to get in touch, 'kay?"

"Oh... Okay. That would be nice." The girly-boy knew how to fix bikes? Keigo wasn't too bad with changing a tire (he'd had lots of experience after all) but this time it was a bit too complicated for his taste. Would Szayel really be able to do anything?

"I gotta go in again, or they'll think I did a runner. Got an exam in fifteen, so won't be able to chat later."

"Okay, good luck on the exam! Write when you finish!"

"Will do. Laters."

They hung up after that, and Keigo couldn't stop the grin from getting wider - he must be looking like the Joker by the time he finally gets home.

"Ey, bitch, watch where ya're going!" snarled the apricot-haired middle-triplet, eyes thin as lines when he glared down at the short girl who had hurt his best friend, beaten him down to the core, before she jumped into bed with the older triplet. No, that wasn't entirely correct - she had jumped into bed with his minutes older brother beforebreaking Renji. Seriously, Shiro couldn't think of anyone he hated more than this egocentric bitch; did she even realize how she had nearly ruined his friendship with the redhead as well simply because he was the brother of her lover?

"I apologize, I didn't see you."

One thing was funny, though - Rukia was afraid of Shiro. She never had been able to maintain eye-contact for very long with him, and she never could stay in the same room as him unless there were someone more than them present. This suited him perfectly fine, seeing as he wouldn't exactly cry if she disappeared; he might cry out of joy if she did, though, but nothing else. He might feel a bit sad for Renji if his 'precious'Rukia were to disappear, but he had no doubt what-so-ever that it would've been for the best. Renji simply doesn't know when to give up.

"If ya're gonna spend this much time 'ere, ya're gonna 'ave to stay clear of me, ya got that? Huh?" He couldn't resist now that he had her cornered like this - it was a perfect situation to intimidate her. He watched her nod, trying to act as if she wasn't affected by his intimidation-technique, but she couldn't fool him. "Good gal. Run along, now." He practically shoved her away from him, not even bothering to look if she'd tripped and fallen, but it sure sounded as if she'd hit the ground.

He didn't have time to care about bitches anyway - he had to practice on his drum-kit if he wanted to play on their graduation-ceremony and get full score in music-grades. Him and Renji were the only ones so far who were to participate, but they needed someone who could sing, and perhaps play a keyboard or guitar - a band isn't much with only drums and bass. In worst case, Renji could play the guitar, but the problem with a singer remained. Sure, Shiro could sing, but he preferred not to. Kensei might force some poor soul to join them, but Shiro rather decided on his own who he wanted to play with them. He would have to speak to Kensei (by the way, he's their teacher) and come to an agreement.

While you waited for your food to heat up in the microwave, you logged onto the BWV-community to find that you had a new message. From Jaegerjaquez? Peeking into your inbox, to your surprise, you find that the mail isn't from Jaegerjaquez, but from someone calling themself 'FornicarásOctava'. Who could that be? You opened the mail and read:

From: FornicarásOctava

To: Delicate_Raizer

Title: Greetings

Message:

I was told by a certain -and-Mighty that your bicycle has been molested. For a fair price, I should be able to help you.

How damaged is your bicycle? We can come and repair it tomorrow, once we've gotten off hours, if that works for you. I will be quite busy the rest of the week.

Szayel A. Granz

Whoa, Jaegerjaquez sure works fast! Somehow you hadn't doubted that he would, but you haddoubted whether or not Szayel would actually bother to offer his help. Maybe he isn't as selfish and narcissistic as you thought he was - after all, appearance can deceive. Thought, this 'fair price' he mentioned might be something you wouldn't be able to afford; he doesn't strike you as a generous person. Even so, you formed a quick reply, telling him just how 'molested' your bike was, and asked what he thought was a fair price. If it was out of your leaggue, then you could simply tell him you'd fix the bike yourself. Once the reply was sent, you went into the dining-room to eat your dinner.

Your mother had been a little worried when you didn't get home at the usual time (not that she'd know when you usually came home anyway, she was rarely there) and your father had said something about 'kids today'and sighed dramatically. Mm, a downside with having a businessman for a father is that he had certain standards he expects you to apply to, and tends to get very disappointed (angry, even) if the expectations aren't properly met. Likewise with your mother, she's always traveling with your father to uphold her role as a loving, caring wife; apparently businessmen thinks they are more popular if their wife pampers them in front of colleagues and rivals. What about being a loving, caring mother? Not that she doesn't love Keigo and his sister, but their father comes first.

You shouldn't really complain. At least you have parents, while some only have one or goes between homes after a difficult divorce or some other tragedy. That does not mean that you have to like everything about them, though. Having finished eating and done the dishing, you returned to your room to both do your homework and see if you had gotten a reply from Szayel yet. It seemed as if you had, and it also looked like someone had left you a message on your phone. Phone comes first, you decided, and quickly opened the new text-message, conveniently enough from a certain Jaegerjaquez.

'Yo! Finally finished the exam (fucking hate those surprise-exams!). I know I passed. Keh, as if I'd flunk on something as easy as that! Anyway, I'm heading home to cuddle up on my couch with my kitties, and perhaps a few hours of gaming before introducing my face to the pillow. What are you up to? Got home safely? /Jaegerjaquez'

How could you prevent the smile... Every time you found a message on your phone from Jaegerjaquez, a silly smile appeared on your face. It didn't even matter what he wrote anymore, because just knowing that he thinks about you is enough to make your day. Forming a reply, asking what the exam had been about, you then turned to read the message from Szayel.

From: FornicarásOctava

To: Delicate_Raizer

Title: Greetings

Message:

That's an easy fix, I'll have it done in an hour or two. We will get the parts before coming over tomorrow. Now, about the payment... I can pay for the repairs if you do me a huge favour.

You see, I am a photographer, and I need a new subject for a job I'm trying to get. You'd save me big-time if you accept!

If you are insecure about this, I assure you it's nothing dangerous. In fact, you can see a few examples of pictures in my gallery - look under 'Subjects for Work' - and that is pretty much what I'll ask of you, in regards of photos.

Please, will you do this for me?

Szayel A. Granz

...Photos? He's asking you to model for him as payment for repairing your bike? He would even buy the repair-parts himself? So much for not being generous... It made you feel terribly guilty for thinking so low of him earlier. Still, it wouldn't hurt to take a peek at those pictures he mentioned in his gallery before giving him your answer. He seems rather desperate, actually, making you wonder who's really helping whom, here, but if there is nothing fishy with the photos, then you might as well help him out. Why he would even consider using you as a subject for a job-interview, you have no idea - he must be crazy! - but it's not like it's your fault if he doesn't get the job.

The photos looked okay, nothing really strange about them except for that piece of bone he'd put on every participant on the pictures. Most of the models were people you had met, too - Jaegerjaquez, Ilforte, Tesla, and even Nnoitra - and a few others that you hadn't or might've met on the party. Well, if it would make him happy, if he thought it would be a fair trade, then you'd do it. What harm could it do?

From: Delicate_Raizer

To: FornicarásOctava

Title: Greetings

Message:

Alright, I'll do it.

Uhm, am I to make enough food for you and whoever you're bringing tomorrow? I'll need to know so I can prepare.

It would be rude if you didn't at least ask if they wanted dinner after coming all the way to help you. Your parents might question you later regarding your choice of friends, but they wouldn't embarrass you in front them (hopefully, anyway). Would Jaegerjaquez come too?

From: FornicarásOctava

To: Delicate_Raizer

Title: Greetings

Message:

Splendid! I'll speak with you tomorrow regarding arrangements and dates.

Dinner would be appreciated if it isn't too much trouble. Mind you, I am not fond of soup, but anything else is acceptable. Don't feel pressured ;)

Szayel A. Granz

Lucky for you, your school-day ends by three, so you'll be home around half past. Working people comes home around fiveish, which gives you time to prepare dinner for everyone. But first you need to clear it with your mother, of course.

"Mom!" You exit your room and finds her next to your father on the couch in the living-room. Right, two birds in one go, apparently. "Uhm, I thought I'd make dinner tomorrow, if that's alright with you. You see, my bicycle got into an accident, and a friend is coming over to help me fix it. I offered dinner, for the trouble of coming here." You always felt the need to explain everything, and no matter how much sense your reasons made, their minute-long silence afterwards always made you rethink.

"You need to be more careful with your cicycle," your father calmy stated after the minute of silence he had taken to think about what you had said (or make you change your mind, more likely). "This friend of yours, do I know him?" He means: 'do I know his parents'.

"I don't think so."

"Hn. Very well." He was still reading the paper, as if the conversation with his son wasn't important enough to put it down even for a few seconds.

You glanced at your mother, whom nodded to let you know that she would leave the cooking to you, but she said nothing. This, too, was nothing out of the ordinary. You headed back into your room and picked up your cell-phone: it was flashing, which meant you'd gotten a message.

'The exam was on economics, but it takes more than that to make me sweat. /J'

Economics? It hit you then that you don't really know what Jaegerjaquez study on those evening-classes, and how does he have enough money for both education and the apartment? Not to mention, how can he afford having pets? All he does is sleep and play games besides evening-class. Right? Hrm, perhaps you need to ask more questions instead of expecting them to tell you everything on their own accord.

'Economics aren't easy! What do you study, anyway? Oh, by the way, Szayel said he'd come by tomorrow to fix my bike. Will you be coming too? You can if you want to. /Keigo'

After sending the reply-message, you tended to your homework. No matter how boring it was, it needed to be done, because it would do itself and you couldn't blame it on a dog if you didn't hand in the required papers in the morning. The only thing that interrupted you in your studying was the text-message you received on your phone, and that interruption was extremely welcomed.

'Just a few business-associated courses, like economics, management, marketing, stuff like that. Really boring, actually, but something I have to do. I'm kind of busy tomorrow, got another exam and an important meeting. Wish I could skip, though - would if I could - but I can't. Sorry. /J'

How depressing that your best friend wouldn't be able to come, but considering the courses he takes you could understand that he has a lot to do. Especially now when the school-year is soon over; only four more months - these are usually the most busy months of the year. Which reminds you of your own necessary homework... It's about time you wrap it up for the evening, seeing as time has flown by so fast this day. That's mostly to blame on the long walk home, but tomorrow you would take the buss. Considering that not even the bullies in school had paid you any attention for a while (except for the bike today) you thought it might be safe to bring money to school for the buss and enough to shop for the dinner.

Speaking of which, what should you cook? Not soup, apparently. Perhaps something a bit more European? Szayel isn't originally from Japan, perhaps he would appreciate a stake of some sort? ...Would your father mind that Szayel is a foreigner? No, perhaps your mother would mind more on that subject. Maybe you should have told them before tomorrow, to avoid being embarrassed and avoid humiliating Szayel. But your parents rarely insulted anyone to their face, it should be safe; at least until the guests had left.

Apparently you had been wrong. You had only just gotten home, around 4 o'clock, when there was a knock at your door. It was none other than 'too-much-pink' Szayel and the least person you expected to see - 'the Grinch'. Both stood smiling (not in the friendly manner; but the creepy, skin-crawling, bone-rattling kind of way) and seemed very amused by your stunned expression.

"Is anyone home in there?" Szayel asked, waving his hand in front of your eyes, his crooked smile never leaving his lips. At the same time, Nnoitra reached out and knocked three times on top of your head, as if knocking on a door.

You had, maybe, expected Ilforte to accompany Szayel, or even someone you had never met, but definitely not Nnoitra. Those two were that close? Nnoitra only seemed to get along well with Tesla. Though, you did remember something about Nnoitra having to stay behind a year in school, which put him in the same class as Szayel - even so, you never expected to find those two on your doorstep, there to help you with your bike. However, the wave and the knocks brought you out of your shocked state, and a, perhaps a bit too high-pitched, embarrassed laugh escaped from your mouth.

"Ahahah, hello! I didn't expect you to arrive so soon!" Honestly, you hadn't even begun with making dinner yet. "Thought you worked regular hours..."

"Oh, we've been off work two hours already," Szayel informed, pushing his glasses higher up on his nose with a finger, in a very professory-kind-of-way. "I thought it best to wait until we knew you would be home from school." Makes sense, of course. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get started on your bicycle."

"O-of course!"

You brought them into your garage, showed them the disaster - to which Nnoitra openly laughed - and then you were literally thrown out by Szayel, stating he needed peace and quiet while working. This resulted in both you and Nnoitra returning to your apartment. Much to your surprise, you were met by the large eyes of your mother, whom quite disrespectfully stared at Nnoitra (not that you blame her; it's not every day you meet a giant, after all). You expected Nnoitra to glare and snarl at her for her rudeness, but you nearly fell face first when he quite elegantly introduced himself, without attempting to bite her head off.

"Hello ma'am. I'm Jiruga, Nnoitra." He even bowed his head a little to show respect. Is this really the same Grinch that you knew? Maybe even thisGrinch has a heart, then... Now that you thought about it, you had come to that conclusion once before, too - when Nnoitra admitted that he couldn't hurt a cat that clearly loves him; but that he would have if the cat had hated him.

"Uhm, this is my mother," you forced out when it was clear that your mother couldn't speak. "Mom?" This worried you. "Mother?" You walked up to her and held her arm in a loose grip; this made her jump a bit, but at least she 'came back' to both of you.

"Oh, I apologize," she offered innocently. "Hello." She bowed slightly, respectfully, towards Nnoitra. She then turned back to you. "Do you need any help with making dinner?"

"Oh, dinner!" You had forgotten again... "Uh, no, I'll manage." But what to do with Nnoitra? He was watching you with a crooked grin, as if aware of your thoughts. "Uhm, do you-"

"I'll hang in yer room, coz I ain't goin' near a kitchen." He leaned forward, putting on a very serious expression. "I'm a health-risk."

"Ah, heheheh..." He's just as bad as Jaegerjaquez, then. That settles it then! "Sure, I'll take you to my room!"

He followed you into your room, and you told him that he was free to do what he wanted while you made dinner - his choice of action was something you hadn't expected. He took one quick glance at your room, noted the computer was on, and that you had a lot of games to play if he wanted to, but then he went straight for the bed, threw himself on it (his legs dangling outside the edge of it) and buried his face i nyour pillow. Huh?

"I'll nap 'til ya're finished."

Well, you had, sort of, told him he could do whatever he wanted to, but napping on you bed hadn't really been on your mind as you worded the offer. Actually, it was quite scary to watch the Grinch lying down on your bed. Would the bed smell like him later? Maybe you'd have nightmares about it, waking up in belief that he was in the bed with you, snoring, or gnawing on your bones... You could barely suppress the shudder.

Dinner went better than expected, actually. Keigo's steak was a success, everyone ate happily, and despite a few glances at the two odd guests, no one said anything inappropriate. Well, that might be because the moment Szayel introduced himself to Keigo's father, it was as if a miracle had happened - his father's eyes grew large as plates, and he treated the pink-haired person with out-most respect and finesse. Why? Keigo had no idea, and he didn't want to seem daft by asking - it's his 'friend', after all, he should know already what could've possibly made his father brighten up like that. However, he didn'tknow. He would ask later, but he'd rather ask Jaegerjaquez and avoid being laughed at. Even Nnoitra behaved himself, though he did glare a few daggers at Keigo's sister, whom had a hard time to believe that her brother would be friends with two such strange persons. Oh, at least she didn't fall in love with either of them (thank god for that).

After the dinner, Keigo brought his two guests into his room again, Nnoitra immediately occupying his bed, while Szayel remained standing like a proper guest, only taking a seat at the desk-chair after Keigo said he was welcome to sit down. The brunette picked a spot on the floor, feeling strangely childish now that he had friends in his room - besides Jaegerjaquez' visit, it was years since he last had brought a friend home; at least it felt like years. Now, judging by the devious look Szayel was giving Keigo, it could only mean he wanted to discuss business.

"Friday and Saturday," Szayel said out of the blue after a few minutes of silence (not counting the soft snores coming from the person on the bed). "Of course, you'll need to go see my associate tomorrow, seeing as it is Tuesday today. And then-"

"W-wait!" Keigo was, to say the least, confused. What's the big deal? A few snaps, wasn't that all Szayel wanted? What's with all the dates? "What's supposed to happen?" He almost felt like he was waiting to get the verdict from a doctor; perhaps he truly had signed his death-wish!

"Preparations, of course." The pink-haired male flipped a finger through his hair. "Clothes has to be decided, accessories, a scene for the shots, not to mention your mask."

"Mask?"

"And on Friday and Saturday we'll wrap it all up." The smile was turning creepy, and the pale amber eyes shone through the glasses. "Come Monday, I have to go to the job-interview." No wonder he was desperate to get a subject... "What time does school end tomorrow?"

"Th-three thirty."

"I'll pick you up outside your school if you give me directions." Szayel glanced at the sleeping form of his companion. "I'll take his car, that way we can put your bicycle in the back - it wont fit in mine, seeing as I don't have a trunk."

...This was a bit more than Keigo thought he'd bargained for...

Much later, when Keigo had gone to bed and prepared to sleep, all the while avoiding to inhale too deeply in case he'd catch the fragments of Nnoitra that might linger on his pillows, his phone started ringing. It was Jaegerjaquez... They hadn't spoken all day, but Keigo had been too busy and confused to really give it much thought. It brought a smile to his face, though.

"Yo, how'd it go?"

"Great! My bike is revived, I don't have to catch the buss tomorrow morning, but..." His smile turned sheepish. "I think I might've signed my death-wish."

"How so?"

"Well, I made a deal with Szayel." Silence on the other end signaled for Keigo to go on. "Modelling for some shots." Almost immediately, Jaegerjaquez burst into laughter. "What? It's not funny! He's going to pull me around the rest of the week! I'm literally his puppet!"

"Heh, well, I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Mm, I hope so." Still, Keigo felt more nervous than he had done in years. "How was your day? Did the meeting go well?"

"Yeah, I guess. Not sure about the exam, though."

"Oh." What was it about talking with Jaegerjaquez that made all the worries in the world seemingly diminish? No matter what the subject, Keigo felt relieved. That is, until he remembered a certain something that he wanted to ask him about. "By the way... Do you have any idea what could have made my father so jumpy and nervous the moment Szayel introduced himself? It was as if he was dining with the president of the United States, or something!"

A long silence followed, in which Keigo believed the other had hung up on him, but that thought was immediately thrown out the window when the bluehaired male on the other end of the line started laughing his butt off. What had Keigo missed?

"Great, the world is going crazy, and I'm the only sane one left..." he mumbled into the mouthpiece of his phone, before settling down on his pillow to wait for the other to stop his insane barking.

\A:N/

Hrm, this was rather unexpected, right?

Why do you think Keigo's father reacted that way towards Szayel?

What horrors do you imagine is waiting for poor Keigo? Will he survive?

Tell me your thoughts about all of this, I'm curious to know.

REVIEW plz ^^

/Namantos