Weird Girl: I UPDATED! :D YAAAAAY! AREN'T YOU HAPPY?

Bob: Why?

Weird Girl: ...Know what? :L Shut up, Bob.

A/N: I only own what I won.

Promise

I just stared the book instead of actually studying, sitting in my chair at my desk. I was too distracted to do any work, the documents and files were piling up a bit. I was curious, wondering what I was feeling towards Kiyoko, what was so different? I drummed my pencil on the desk as I continued to think.

"Is something bothering you?" Vinzenz asked. "There are these files and documents piling up here and you seem to be distracted.

"Oh! Um, sorry! I am a little." I stated, rubbing the back of my neck, then I quickly placed all the files in their correct places.

"What's on your mind?" Vinzenz asked.

"Oh, well, um…" What was I going to say? I can't tell him about how I'm bonding with the group I was assigned to. I would only get in trouble. Besides…I also can't tell him about how I'm feeling—well, trying to figure out how I'm feeling towards Kiyoko. "It's just…the floor gave me a sore back." I laughed.

"Oh, yeah, these floors are really hard." Vinzenz chuckled. "But if you do it often as some of us here, you get used to it."

"Oh, well I do hope so." I chuckled a bit. "Um, is there anything you need?"

"Oh, right." He then grinned at me. "Mr. Watahiro said he was thinking about letting you observe an experiment taking place really soon…maybe even next week."

"Really?" I barely jumped out of my seat in excitement. "Don't go lying to me, Vinzenz."

"Hahah, it's true." Vinzenz said with a nod. "Work extra hard, the sooner you'll get to see."

"Right!" I laughed. "Oh…Vinzenz…how's Aloisia?"

"Huh?"

"Is she…doing fine? She's been a bit down lately…don't you think?" I asked.

His smile dropped. "She's doing fine." He state stiffly. "Stop worrying about her."

"Y-Yes, sir." I replied. The way he said it…was really serious…like he wanted me to keep quiet about. I didn't understand why. What was so wrong with asking if she's doing fine? Shouldn't he be worried himself that his wife seemed…well, depressed.

Each day, Aloisia speaks less and less. She slowly stops smiling, she's had become more silent. She is even slowly isolating herself from everyone else. I'm worried for her. She's completely different than how she was when I first met her.

Vinzenz coldly left the room. I began to wonder what was wrong with Vinzenz…why he was so serious about this. Did this have to do with the work? How everything has to function around here? Or was it something more? Once again, I was left in the dark, but according to Vinzenz, I will soon know the truth about everything…I must continue to work harder.

I finished up my work and went on my way to the room.

"Here's a book that you can press the leaves in." I said as I handed a book to Masaru.

"Thank you!" He said as he accepted the book. He went to the closet where there was a small pile of leaves and began to place all the leaves he could in between each page. He started laughing a bit. "I think this is going to take a while…Yuki, can you help me?"

"Okay!" Yuki went over and started helping out Masaru.

"So, how's your day so far?" I asked, not realizing that I was staring at Kiyoko again.

"Same as usual." Kiyoko stated, noticing my stares. I quickly looked away.

"Is there anything new with you?" Masaru asked.

"Well, I might be getting a promotion." I smiled at them.

"Really?" Yuki asked.

"Yes, my boss even said so. I just need to continue working harder. I'm really close, you know."

"Well, I'm glad for you!" Kiyoko stated with a smile.

"Hah hah." I rubbed the back of my neck.

"What kind of work will be you be doing when promoted?" Masaru asked.

I paused for a moment. "I…I don't know…"

"You don't know?"

"…I…I don't know."

"What kind of job do you have where they don't let you know what you're going to be working for?"

"…"

They all stared at me.

"Hah hah…! Don't worry about it! I'm sure it'll be fine!" I smiled cheerfully, but honestly…I wasn't so sure. But why?

"Your job is so weird." Yuki stated. I laughed a bit.

"It is, isn't?" I laughed.

"By the way…the people here…they tell us they're our care takers…but, they all look so weird." Yuki stated.

"Who are they really?" Masaru asked.

I remember that I wasn't allowed to say anything…anything about us, all of us being scientist. "They're just care takers…"

They all stared at me, like they didn't believe me. Though, they didn't say anything back.

"Wait…do you here that?" Kiyoko asked. We all went in silence and listened. We heard little steps growing louder and louder. "Someone's coming!"

We all scattered. I went over to Yuki and Masaru and helped them throw the small pile of leaves back in the closet along with the tops and dolls. I took the book and placed it in my white coat. Kiyoko quickly took the comb out of her hair which made some of her hair fall out of place and placed the comb within her kimono.

The door opened and we quickly settled down. It was Mr. Watahiro. "Hello." He greeted.

"Hello, Watahiro-san." I greeted back.

"Hello." Yuki gave a small wave.

"Jochen-san, may I speak with you?" He gesture out the door.

"A-Ah! Yes!" I walked over to him, then out the door.

He had me walk down the hall, making sure we weren't near the door, so none of the kids in each room could hear us.

"What is it, Watahiro-san?" I asked.

"I was thinking…by the end of this month—next week, you'll get to observe the experiments taking place here." Mr. Watahiro smiled.

"R-Really?"

"Yes, it's true." He said. "Now, you must prepare well and hard before you get to observe."

"I'm going to! But…exactly how must I prepare?" I asked.

He paused. "You need to continue to study…really hard. Also…mentally, prepared—just because there's a lot of pressure, there mustn't be any errors."

"Right!" I said. Then I bowed in thanks, "Thank you, Watahiro-san! Thank you!"

"Ha hah, well, that will be all." Mr. Watahiro stated. "You may continue with your work."

I went back to the room with excitement. They all noticed it.

"What happened?" Kiyoko asked.

"It's confirmed! I'll be—promoted next week!" I informed.

"That's good!" Kiyoko smiled. "I'm very glad for you, Jochen."

"What will you be doing now, Jochen?" Yuki asked as she walked over to me.

"…I'm…not exactly sure." I replied, somewhat lying. "But I'll be working in a new field."

"Does that mean you'll stop being our—caretaker?" Masaru asked.

I paused. I never really thought about it. The three of them stared at me with big eyes. "I-I'm sure I'll still be able to come and see you still."

"I don't want you to leave us!" Yuki ran over to me and hugged me, starting to tear up.

I smiled a bit, then went down to her level. "Don't worry, Yuki, I'm positive that I'm not going to leave…promise. Now, don't start tearing up, please, there's nothing to cry over."

Yuki gave a nod as she started to suppress any tears and began rubbing her eyes as though that would also help. I began to think, did I just gave her a false promise? I didn't know…but I can't ask anyone around, then that would show I created a bond with them…

"I really do hope that's true." Kiyoko stated.

"If not, then I'll make it true." I said as I looked over at Kiyoko, smiling.

Though, I noticed out of them all, Kiyoko looked the most sad at that thought—though, Yuki was about to cry, Kiyoko's sadness…was almost a different kind, I suppose… Why was everything about Kiyoko starting to…feel different? What was so different? I began thinking about my feelings towards her…but, I still didn't know what they were. What am I feeling? I wish to know. But then, I started to think, what does Kiyoko feel towards me? I wonder how she feels towards me…wait, why am I curious about this? That shouldn't matter at all! I caught myself staring at Kiyoko once more, then quickly—no…it was more like I had to force myself to look away. What's so wrong with me? Do I need more sleep? I didn't know.

"You promise?" Masaru asked.

"…Yes," I finally said, turning to him with a smile. "I promise."

A/N: DUN DUUUN DUUUN~!

Bob: ...Okay then.

Weird Girl: ...What?

Bob: ...Okay then?

Weird Girl:... b=w=d S'mores!

Bob: (sweat drop)