Author's Note: Hello! Here's chapter ten. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 10

The bullies are becoming more daring. Before, they would mostly only target Tsukiko outside of school grounds or during lunch time, but now they'll openly mock her when the teachers aren't looking and even get physical when they can, betting that the other students will turn a blind eye.

Maybe it's because she looks weaker now, dark spots under her eyes, her skin pale, her whole frame looking small and frail. She seems more susceptible, and that just makes everything about the bullying easier.

They don't even know the situation. If they did — if they did . . .

"It's okay, Mayuzumi-senpai," Tsukiko says, after another day of enduring insults. "They don't really get to me anymore."

She says that, but words designed to hurt will hurt, no matter who they're thrown at or how often. It's not something that's dulled after repetition or that can be reflected away by your attitude. It's painful. It just is.

I say, "I can come get you for lunch. And after school, I'll pick you up after your club."

"Senpai, there's really no need for that. . . ."

"Again: it's not an option."

The rumors start to spread then.

That third-year and first-year . . . what are their names? Isn't that the guy who was on the basketball team? Somehow he became a regular and he wasn't even that good . . . I don't know that girl. Are they dating? They always seem to be together now. I think I saw them go up to the roof together. Do you think they're together now? That's so weird.

Normally, I don't pay attention to rumors at all, and usually I don't even hear them because I try not to involve myself in other people's matters and never hang around between classes anyways, but these rumors seem to be so strong that even I'm aware of them. It doesn't help that they're about me and everyone is suddenly staring at me.

It's strange, the attention.

Perhaps the news is so big because the two of us seem to be the most unlikely people to be together — or maybe because the school is bored, with nothing else to discuss. Or . . . perhaps Tsukiko and I are both more interesting than we believe.

Strangely, after a few days, the rumors disappear like they'd never been there in the first place.

At first, I'm confused, unable to tell if they've moved onto some new, more exciting topic or what, but then I catch sight of Akashi Seijurou in the halls. And I realize what happened. He turns slightly to me and looks me in the eye for just long enough that I'm aware of what he's just done for me.

I can't say I respect Akashi. He has done too many things in the past that I don't approve of and there's the fact that he's just weird. After the final at Winter Cup, though, he's seemed to have changed . . . perhaps for the better. I acknowledge the power he possesses and the way he chooses to handle it now. The act of stopping the rumors about Tsukiko and me is a nod to me; gratitude for being on the team, and a final thanks for playing my part.

I nod to him, and he nods back, a surreptitious and almost self-serving smile on his face.

And then I turn my back on Akashi Seijurou, and walk on to where Tsukiko waits.

"Mayuzumi-senpai, I think I'm going to try and sleep in my own house tonight."

"Huh? Really? Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

She grips her school bag as we walk home and nods, more to herself than me. "I need to try," she says. "I can't keep leaning on you forever."

"A-all right, then."

She gives me a small smile. "It'll be fine."

"Well, you know that if you have any problems . . . I'm right next door."

"Yes. I know."

For some reason, her voice sounds even calmer than usual as she says the words.

For the last few nights since she's been staying over, Tsukiko's been fixing dinner for us, and then we'll spend the night working on homework (lots of times, I'll help her, while she might attempt some of my schoolwork — she's rather good at English, probably thanks to her club), or we'll just lounge around playing games or watching some of the few movies I have.

"Senpai, you really need to increase your DVD supply," she told me one night. "It's pretty awful. You have, like, five. And none of them are very good."

I frowned at the small stack of CDs. "They're my parents'," I said. "And besides, I spend all of my money on light novels."

"Touche."

Now that she's gone, though, it almost seems like she's in Tokyo again. Even though she's just in the apartment next door. I decide to use the time to work on my college applications.

Seeing as I graduate in less than three months, I really probably should've considered this sooner. Of course, I do have a few colleges that I've thought of, and my homeroom teacher has recommended a few also. But as I boot up my computer, fully intending to apply for a few, I find myself hesitating to type in the address for the first college.

I have a list printed off of all the potential colleges with their corresponding information. As I glance through them, I realize they're mostly all located in Kyoto with one in Osaka.

I chew the inside of my cheek, then pull out the book that my homeroom teacher had lent me with a comprehensive list of all the colleges in Japan. I find the section for Tokyo and locate a name of one with the basic criteria I'm looking for. When I type it in to the internet search, it comes up with the main college's page for me to browse through.

As I go through several of the Tokyo colleges, narrowing them down, I end up with three potential ones that actually look fairly promising. The price range is in what I want, even though I've missed the early application deadlines discount. All are fairly general colleges, since I haven't decided exactly what I want to do yet, but they all have advanced enough programs for when I choose. The entrance exams look moderately hard, but not so difficult that I'll have to give up everything else in my life in order to pass them.

I glance at the clock. It's nearly midnight; I've spent the whole night looking at the different colleges. Shrugging, I think, what's a few more hours? Sleep has never mattered much to me.

Tsukiko's surely asleep right now. I suppose she's okay since she hasn't come back over.

I shake my head, trying not to think of her, and click on the application form for the first college. Then, before I can think about it any further, I begin to fill it out.

She's long since had the code to my house, so I don't really expect knocking anymore. But still, when she bursts into the room at three o'clock in the morning, I jump straight out of my chair, nearly sending my mouse flying.

Her eyes are wide and it looks like she might have a heart attack at any moment. Like she's seen . . . oh.

"Tsukiko," I say. "Are you okay?"

"I — I thought I was fine," she says. "But then, but then — I was dreaming — about her, I think — and I woke up, and I thought it was morning, that she'd be in the kitchen, making breakfast. And then I realized where I was, that even if she were alive, she wouldn't even be able to make breakfast, and that . . . that she's not here anymore! She's not alive!"

She gasps, harsh intakes of breath, and I close the distance between us to place my hands on her shoulders. "Calm down," I say. "It's okay."

"I . . ."

"You can stay here, remember?"

"Right, right." She sounds distracted.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed."

"I don't want to."

"What?"

"I don't want to go back to sleep. What were you doing?" She glances over at my computer, but I twist her around, and move back to the screen to ex out the browser, which I was conveniently done with anyway.

"Secret?" she asks, sounding almost normal, if it weren't for her quick breathing and the trembling in her hands.

"Something like that." I turn back to her and I say, "You can't just stay awake all night."

"I can."

"I'll make some tea. Something warm. That'll make you tired."

"Stop trying to put me to sleep."

"You're just a kid. Kids shouldn't stay awake all night."

"I'm only a year younger than you are!"

"It'll be two when I turn nineteen in March," I remind her.

She scowls. "Still, a year or two . . . that's no big deal. You have no right to boss me around."

"You're at my house. My rules."

"Even if you do get me in bed, you can't make me sleep."

I release a sigh and throw my arms up into the air. Her eyes light up, thinking she's won. But then I move toward her, and faster than she can react, I scoop her up into my arms and carry her toward the spare room, the one she's been using lately.

"H-hey!" She lets out a shriek, and pounds a hand against my back. She throws her arms around my neck when she feels herself beginning to slip, letting out another shriek. I chuckle, and just tighten my grip around her body, while trying to ignore the pounding of my heart.

"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep," I tell her, and I dump her onto the bed.

"S-Senpai!" She scrambles up onto her hands and knees and stares at me, pleading. "I don't want to sleep! I — I can't sleep!"

I give her an unforgiving look. "Depriving yourself of sleep will only make it worse."

"I don't want to dream!" She appears on the verge of crying. She grips the sheets of the bed, frustrated, and shakes her head at me. "Please."

I let out a sigh, puffing the air through my cheeks. "You're scared of the dreams?"

"Yes. So, please, just let me —"

I climb onto the bed beside her and wrap an arm around her. She stiffens, immediately going still. I bring her closer to me, and then I lay us both back down onto the bed, the pillow cushioning our heads. "If you're scared of the dreams," I say, my voice barely above a whisper, "then you shouldn't be. I'm here, remember?"

"That's right," she says, her voice equally soft. "You are . . . here."

She wraps her hand around my free one, and glances at me, her eyes suddenly appearing much more peaceful than they had just moments ago. She lowers her eyelids, and I do the same. Almost at the same time, like they're following the same rhythm, our breathing steadies and slows, and . . .

"My class is going on a day trip today," Tsukiko says a few days later. "So don't wait for me after school today, okay? I mean, it would be useless."

"'Kay. What time will you be back, then?"

"I can't really remember. I'll text you the schedule when we get there, okay?"

"I'll meet you up at the station," I offer. "It'll probably be dark anyway, when you get back."

"Are you really overprotective or something?" She's trying to sound annoyed, but there's a smile creeping up her lips.

"I'll be out and about anyway," I say, shrugging. "There's a new restaurant that just opened. I suppose I'll try it out since you won't be making dinner tonight. Maybe I'll visit the bookstore. See if they've gotten anything new since . . . yesterday."

She rolls her eyes. "Oh, well, have fun, then."

"You, too. Stay within the group. Don't let them catch you off-guard. Are any of your club people going to be there? You like them, don't you?"

"Senpai, really, stop being such a worrywart. Really, who knew you'd be like this when I first met you? You could've cared less about me then."

I frown, thinking it over. Then I say, "Whatever. Just don't get into any trouble today. I won't be very happy if you come home and I have to patch you up again."

"Yeah. Your medical attention could use some brushing up with."

"What are you implying?"

She gives me an impish grin. "Just kidding. You're great."

I shove her forward gently. "Get on to class now. Or you'll be late."

"Stop treating me like a kid!"

"Two years younger than me in March."

"But right now, still only one!"

"Doesn't make much of a difference. For most of the year, you're two years younger."

"What a big change that makes!" She scowls at me, but then her lips turn up at the corners anyway, and her hand lifts up in a wave as she turns around to the first-year hall and I head toward the third-year one.

I go up to the roof like usual that day, but it's quieter than normal. The air is now bitter and cold, and I have to pull my coat closer around me, adjust the scarf around my neck so that it lies over my mouth, protecting my face from the gusty wind.

It almost feels like the old days, when there was nothing up here but me, the sky, and the good ol' books. As I pull out the most recent light novel, flipping to chapter three, I think about Tsukiko's opinion about chapter one (she just started it last night). She didn't particularly care for the beginning, but since then, it's gotten better. I wonder what she'll think of it now.

Pushing my thoughts away from her, I delve myself into the story until it's time for me to return to class.

After school is over, I head to the train station, but instead of getting off at the stop that leads to my apartment, I let the train continue to run over the tracks, leading me through the city at a leisurely pace (at least, that's what it feels like; in reality, it's moving very quickly). I close my eyes, breathing in the scent of coffee from the person's mug next to me; listening to the muttering conversations of the crowd all around, some in a hurry, some chattering about their day, some angry about something at work. Overhead, the speakers crackle and announce the next stop. I open my eyes and decide that this stop is as good as any.

I still have some time before dinner, so as is my habit, I allow myself to wander around the city for a while before I make my way to the restaurant that I'd told Tsukiko about. Their specialty, apparently, are meatballs, with all different types of sauces and noodles to go with them. Since it's a new place, the line is long, but it's not like I have anything else going on.

It's as I'm waiting for a table that I receive the text from Tsukiko saying when her train arrives from her trip. If everything goes on schedule, she should be back by around nine-thirty. I text her back, telling her I'll be there, and at that moment, my name is called, telling me that they have a table for me. I pocket my phone and go to try these supposedly really good meatballs.

Indeed, they weren't too bad.

For a restaurant that emphasizes homemade meals, it was an overall nice experience. But nothing really compares to the real thing. After having Tsukiko fix me meals and sharing many dinners with her and her mother — something that me and my family never really did — I can say that with full confidence.

I stop by a few bookstores after dinner, and then at nine, I make my way to the station.

There aren't that many people at this time of night. I manage to find an open bench and sit down to wait for her train to come in.

"Hey, aren't you —"

I twist my head at the voice.

Omura Kenta stands before me, a backpack on his shoulders, luggage beside his legs. His eyes are wide and slightly mocking.

"Omura," I say. I don't bother with an honorific. He doesn't seem to notice.

"That's right," he says. "I can't remember your name, though . . . what was it again?"

I don't reply.

"Don't want to share your name? Or are you just so dull that you've forgotten it yourself?"

I still can't believe that someone like Tsukiko dated someone like this.

I say, "Going somewhere?"

"Hmm. I have friends here, actually. I'm going back to Tokyo now. What about you? Are you waiting for someone?" He eyes my lack of luggage.

I say, "Yeah. Sure."

"Is it Tsukiko-chan?" I must've shifted or my face must've exposed me, because a grin appears on his face. "Aha. I see. What's she doing? Is she coming from Tokyo? She has family there, right?"

Once again, I say nothing.

He lets out a sigh and lets his backpack slide to the ground. "You and Tsukiko-chan, huh? Are you dating now,then?"

I glare at him.

"Whoa, whoa, no need to be so touchy. I'm just asking a question. I mean, she's cute, isn't she? Friendly. Nice."

"If she's so great," I say, "why did you dump her?"

"You're not blunt at all, are you?" He runs a hand through his hair. "I mean, Tsukiko-chan is great, but I just wasn't feeling it. If you don't feel it for someone, why should you uselessly continue the relationship? That's stupid."

"That was still no reason to cut off the relationship the way you did."

"You mean through texting her? I don't see how there's anything wrong with it. Whether I did it through the screen or face-to-face, she would've broken down anyway. Tsukiko-chan's that kind of person. Fragile, you know? I didn't really want to see her cry, though, so I thought I'd make it easier on myself."

I stand up then. He eyes me carefully and a smirk slides onto his face. "You have no right to talk about her like that," I say, the words grinding out between my teeth. "You have no idea what she's been through. Before and after you."

"That really bothers you, huh? What are you, her senpai watchdog? I mean, I get that Tsukiko-chan's like this cute porcelain doll, but still." He pauses, and taps a finger on his forehead. "Hey, what time is she supposed to come in? My train leaves in ten minutes. I'd like to see her. Although, that hair of hers is rather horrible. It was all beautiful and silky and black. I don't understand people who dye their hair. Natural colors are the best. They shine the most beautifully, don't you think? I hate the teal. It looks fake, it makes her look —"

I launch myself at him and he's not quick enough to dodge. We land on the ground and while he fights against me, he's unable to break free. It doesn't help that even though his words may be as quick and sharp as darts, his body clearly isn't that of an athlete. I started basketball to improve my physical abilities, which were never bad in the first place. When Akashi become the captain, he increased our practice, and even provided me with a special set of abilities to use with my own discretion.

He really has no chance.

My fist lands straight onto his nose, and blood spurts out. He struggles against me, his hand grappling against mine, trying to break free, but it barely does any good.

Then, a voice cries out, "Hey! Stop!"

We both freeze, and Omura grunts underneath me and pushes me off of him.

We both turn to face the owner of the voice: Tsukiko herself.

A/N: Akashi makes an appearance, haha! I kinda want to write an OC story with him (he's such an interesting character as well), but seriously, I have way too many projects going on right now. Anyway, Mayuzumi's gotten pretty sensitive where Tsukiko's concerned, huh?

Thanks for reading! I'll try and post the next chapter soon.

~ J. Dominique