As I said... Point of view work this chapter. As such, it's vastly different from the previous chapters. It's much more... Wordy. But I prefer this to the old format. I'll stick with this, and make it a different character each chapter.

Chapter 12 will be from Kagami's perspective, for instance.

And please, don't jump to conclusions with the first few paragraphs like two out of my three proofreaders did. I'm really still conflicted. Look back to the previous chapters and you'll see he's reflecting on the past few years of his life. I figured I'd start with the most important piece of his life in the spotlight.

Oh! And no "Lucky Channel" this week. I (Read:Me and Nuke) are out of ideas. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Time to start


Kale's PoV:

It's quite odd, isn't it? My obsession with Konata, that is. Maybe it isn't, but I think it is. I wouldn't say 'infatuation', I don't think my feelings are that developed yet. Definately obsession, though. Or perhaps 'crush'? I always saw 'infatuation' as a fancy way of saying 'love'. I know I don't love her yet. 'Crush' and 'Obsession' both work, though.

I don't even know when it started, when I started to long for Konata. Day in and day out, for the past few years, she's always on my mind. Then again, she's pretty deeply rooted into my life right now; We go to the same school, with the same classes, and have the same friends, on top of the common interests that Otaku's share. She lives across the street, in the home that I spend most of my free time that isn't devoted to sleeping in, and to top it off she serves me dinner every night. I guess... Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to get her out of my head.

Heh, looks like I caught myself. 'Even if I wanted to'; I guess this doesn't bother me as much as I think. Then again, I've always been horrible with realizing things about myself. I'm always stuck in a horrible case of denial over everything. 'I didn't oversleep', 'I do not read too much yuri', 'I don't sleep that much', 'I don't like Konata like that', I've always found some way to outright refuse to believe things about myself that are pretty obvious. Okay, aside from that last one, but it took me pretty long to believe it.

And to be honest, it's scary. Konata's so hard to read. She's always so happy, so active and spontaneous, so... Completely opposite of myself. Well, completely opposite is a stretch. Despite it all, we're both lazy perverts who are obsessed with the fictional writings and drawings of various people we don't even know. And games. Can't forget those.

My room is practically a temple to everything that is otaku. The various shelves are lined with my collections of manga, all of it disorganized. My collection of various anime boxsets also takes up a shelf or two, and my computer holds an unbelievable amount of images, videos, and various other files relating to everything I follow. Let's not forget the various stacks of light novels that litter the floor. Sure, I have spare rooms to put all of this stuff, since I live alone, but I feel much more at home surrounded by my collections. Odd, huh? As much as I hate to admit it, that one word sums me up nicely—odd.

Then again, why shouldn't I accept my oddity? I'm the shortest boy in the school, and I most likely have more money than anyone else there. My kitsune eyes make everyone think I'm up to something 90 of the time, and it's not like I can do anything about that. My hair is long, and oddly colored for a guy. I have odd speech patterns, and the tendency to nickname everyone I grow close to. Strangest thing, though—as easily as I can recite your name in my head, the moment I try to say it, I spout out what I've nicknamed you. Konata will always be 'Mijikai-chan', and yes, I will always call her 'My Mijikai-chan'. Just like Kagami will always be 'My Ka-chan'.

I shift positions on my bed, moving from lying on my shoulder to laying on my back. My sight shifts from a view of my mess of a room to the rather dull but oddly luring ceiling. Strange, isn't it? I could just stare at this ceiling, lost in my thoughts all day. My eyes are slowly closing, and I'm ready to accept the darkness. Sleep would do me good...

If only my stomach would agree.

I sit up, groaning. Throwing my arms out to the side, I stretch, which proves to be rather uncomfortable; Several cracks resonate through my body as I do, and once my arms drop back to my sides I feel a rather powerful, yet oddly 'hollow' pain around my shoulders and down my back. Thankfully, it fades away quickly. With that done, I throw my blanket off of myself and quickly make my way off the bed.

How could I consider falling asleep? I haven't even had dinner yet. Konata's cooking right now. Then again, while I am hungry, I'm simply not in the mood to change and go across the street. Don't have the energy, either. Wouldn't it be even worse if I showed up, only to fall asleep? I'll just call her, and tell her I'll see her tomorrow... Sleep is sounding pretty good right now.

Now if only I could find that phone for once in my life...

Of course, once I spoke to Konata, I wasn't able to sleep. The sudden burst of action required to find the phone and talk to her had made my body and mind accustomed to the movement, and they refused to go back into sleep-mode. Since I know better than to argue with my body, I resigned myself to the couch to stare into my television for a few hours. Oh, how boring television can be. Especially during the 'dead-hours,' the time where there was no anime on anywhere.

Oh, how boring can you be?! I don't care about the weather tomorrow, I don't care about the hot new car, and I most definitely don't care about the number one drama of the season. I want fighting, I want pain, I want suffering, I want something to blow the hell up! Or, you know, something a bit more ecchi... Akamatsu-san, why must your anime adaptations be so lackluster compared to the manga counterpart?

Mm, is that my doorbell?

Zombie-time. I force myself to my feet and slowly drag my feet towards the hallway, though my ultimate goal is the front door. Upon reaching my destination, I methodically undo the two locks and weakly grasp the doorknob. With a loud, annoying creak, the door swings open, revealing just who I had expected it to be—Konata.

And I won't lie; I desperately wanted to see her. I always do, and I really don't know why. Of course, I'll admit to be obsessed, but the 'Why?' behind it eludes me. Never once have I come up with a satisfactory answer to that question, and I doubt I ever will.

"Nn, Mijikai-chan...?" I manage to let out before breaking into a yawn. God, I must look like such a mess right now; my hair is undoubtedly out of control, and the bags under my eyes are probably very noticeable, on top of my currently slouched demeanor... Oy, how can I let her see me like this?

"I knew you'd still be up, you always do that." Konata spoke, in a rather belittling tone. You know, that tone that mothers use when they're trying to point something out to their stubborn child for the hundredth time. Of course, she knew that saying that wouldn't be enough, and she went on, "You wake yourself up to call to say you won't make it because you're half-asleep."

"Ai, Mijikai-chan didn't come here to scold me, did she? Nn, I don't need the image of my Mijikai-chan with a whip in my head before I go to sleep..." I respond, using my best 'cutesy' voice. I hate it when Konata does this, even though I know she's right. Of course, I doubt she expects me to change my ways...

"Oh, Kale-kun, you're so hopeless," was her response, spoken while giving me a happy smile. Or perhaps it was a teasing smirk. You can never really know with my Konata...

"Mm, of course. That's what makes me so loveable," I say, grinning. She lets out little more than a grunt before giving me an inspective once-over. As usual, she never blinks while she does so, and goes about it casually, as if this were the norm. I feel a blush forming on my cheeks, and I resist the urge to curl up under her eyes, instead finding it in me to stammer something out, "W-What is it, M-Mijikai-chan?"

"Mm..." she responded, as if my question hadn't registered, continuing her visual assault. I hate it when she gets like this, and it's always when she makes an 'amazing' discovery. After another moment or so, she blinks back to reality and gives me a big grin. "You know, Kale-kun, I never noticed it before, but you're a walking pile of turn-ons yourself!"

"E-Eh!? Miji-Mijikai-chan, isn't th-that a b-bit awkward to say wh-while standing at my d-door?" I stammer out, it was all I could do. How do you respond to that!? And her, how does she say things like that as if it were nothing? Making such a claim, with nothing more than a grin and a twinkle in her eye... So odd, the object of my affection...

I had looked her in the eye as I tried to think of what to say, and perhaps I held it too long. That knowing look in her eye, the one that she always has when I act in a way she predicts, was replaced with one of curiosity. Thankfully, she quickly got over it and jammed a finger into my ribs to make sure I listened to her, "Anyway, are you going to let me in or not?"

Ah, this is the part of her I enjoy the most. The direct side of her, the one that simply states what she wants, always as a question. It's one of her quirks, like my varied collection of similar ones. Not one to leave my precious Konata waiting, I reply with nothing more than a nod, and proceed to stand aside to allow her entrance. Somehow, I find it in me to not sneak a peak at her as she walks by, and simply close the door behind her...

Taking the initiative, as always, Konata grabbed my wrist and led me to my room. Normally this is where my perverted side kicks in, and I make a comment... Something like, 'Ai, Mijikai-chan won't be so commanding in bed as she is in the hall, will she?', but for some reason I couldn't speak... I simply stared at her hand, which had an oddly gentle-yet-still-powerful grip on my wrist. Ai, she's always like this, so... commanding. It's as if she knows she can make me do anything she wants...

Before long I find myself sitting on my bed, with Konata mere inches away from me. Directly ahead of us is my large plasma screen television, which my Wii was hooked up to. Ever since it's release in Japan, Konata has become hooked on Brawl. Seeing as I have the bigger TV, and oddly enough the internet connection is better at my house, she tends to find her way here every time she can't hold down the urge to play anymore. So, it came as no surprise when the intro cinematic began playing.

"Oi, Mijikai-chan, this game again?" I whine, though I accept the Wiimote she offers me. Like her, I only ever play Wii games with the Wiimote and Nunchuck, and I believe the Wii loses a lot of the appeal it aims for when you use Gamecube or Classic controllers. Then again, Brawl really separates itself from Melee when you use the Wiimote to play it, so that helps...

"Of course," she says as she quickly navigates through the menu. A look of determination crossed her face as she highlighted Classic Mode. "I still have to beat Intense difficulty with a few characters."

"Nngh, you're crazy..." I sigh, though now I find myself wondering why she bothered handing me a controller.

"Oh, Kale, you never want to challenge yourself," she replies, in a rather teasing tone.

Mm? Me? Not challenging myself? She's crazy. I haven't made a pass at her yet, have I? That's damn impressive, if I do say so myself...

About three hours later, we're still resting on the bed as she keeps on playing. I've long since lost the energy to hold myself up, and now I lay on my side, with my head resting in her lap. Her left hand has long since been lost in my mess of hair, and her right hand is lazily propping her up. Luckily, neither takes away from her ability to play, or else I'd have been kicked or rolled off long ago. Yet again, I feel myself succumbing to sleep. My eyes are slowly closing, and I don't really have the energy or the drive to combat the oncoming sleep...

It's kind of odd, though. When she first showed up at my door, I was rather... Energetic. Happy that she had shown up. But it didn't take very long for me to just give in and fall asleep. I guess she has a calming effect, which is pretty strange to conclude, considering how she does her best to draw out strong responses from both myself and Kagami...

Despite my dulled senses, I clearly feel her hand slide out from under my hair, and her whole body tenses up for a moment as she lets out a small yawn. Mm, must be stretching... I lift my head up, and she scoots to the side and towards freedom. Afterwards, I pull myself up and off the bed. Now, we're both standing, and both obviously tired. A quick glance at the clock fills my being with dread; it reads "2:00", meaning it's two in the morning... We only have a few hours of sleep before school.

I slowly walk with Konata through my house, escorting her to the door. Or, more specifically, following her. We don't say a single word to one another until we reach the door, where she turns towards me with a pleasant smile, "Well, goodnight then."

"Mhm..." I say through a yawn, and give her a nod, "I have a feeling Kuroi-sensei is going to beat me senseless tomorrow... Ngh, tomorrow is going to suck..."

"It won't be that bad," she responds, waving a hand as if she were dismissing my worries. And oddly enough, I feel somewhat assured of that, though I know my forehead will be meeting Kuroi-sensei's fist a few times regardless.

"Hn, you always do that. Say something with such confidence..." I pout, trying my best to exude a powerful aura, as if I were sure of my claim for tomorrow regardless of her words. But, that didn't last very long. I felt myself crack, and before I could think I found myself hugging her, and I can only manage out a single word: "Thanks..."

She was obviously thrown off by my actions, and to be honest so was I. But, I feel her pat my back as she returns the hug, before pulling herself free. She gives me a reassuring smile, "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow. Don't wake up late, like you always do."

"Oi, I'll try..." I sigh. Luckily, it's dark outside, and my blush is hidden by the darkness. With those final words, she's gone, and my day is over.

And you know what? I was right. Not only did I get less than six hours of sleep before school, I overslept. Waking up to an angry Konata standing at your bedside is not pleasant, no matter what you feel for her. After rushing to get ready and bolting out of the house, I found myself nodding off on the train. Following the train ride, I continued to nod off in each of my classes, which did nothing but anger my teachers. Kuroi-sensei was in an especially bad mood today, and I was the prime target - Konata had picked up on her foul mood and managed to stay up, while no matter how hard I tried I found myself drifting. Luckily, my mop of hair is able to hide the four large lumps forming on my skull.

It's currently lunch time, and only now have my numerous naps begun to kick in. I'm actually able to stay awake, which is a miracle in itself. Thankfully, the girls picked up my lack of energy, or perhaps Konata told them - Anyway, they were all kind enough to push their desks to me, instead of gathering in the middle of the classroom like always.

"You look rather tired today, Kale-san. Any particular reason?" Miyuki asked, shifting her attention from her rather expensive looking meal to myself. I couldn't tell if she was making an observation, or playing off of information Konata gave her, but it really didn't matter.

Before I could respond, however, Kagami spoke up, "But isn't he perpetually tired? He's like a bear."

"Hn, that hurts, Ka-chaan..." I respond, using my best cutesy voice and faking a pout. I know she's just kidding, I can tell from the tone of her voice, but that doesn't mean I can't have my fun with her.

An annoyed look crosses her face, but once we make eye contact she cracks and looks away in an attempt to mask her blush, "I-I didn't mean to offend you. Sorry." She manages. Her voice sounds a bit weak, and she's obviously uncomfortable muttering those words, but she's genuine in her apology.

"Hehe, aww..." I tease, scooting my chair over as I do. She leans away from me, trying to put some distance between us, but I simply lean over as well, and wrap my arms around her for a hug.

"W-What are you- Get off me!" She blurts out, trying her best to push me away. I prove to be a bit more than she could handle, and she simply succumbs to the hug, blushing the whole time. But, I do pull away rather quickly, as I don't want to push my luck. As much as I do enjoy annoying my Kagami, I don't like having her angry with me. It's an odd friendship, I know.

"Hehe, sorry." I say, though I'm really not. We make eye contact, and I feel as if she's trying to read my mind through it, but I really don't care. I'm just lost in her eyes, those wonderful eyes. So deep, full of knowledge and understanding...

Ai, yes, I'm also attracted to Kagami. I don't understand why, but I am. Something about her, I just can't get enough. She's kind of everything that I need, in the same way Konata is. She's fun, intelligent, down-to-earth, and... Well, I find both her shy and commanding aspects to be pluses, as well. Ngh, I desperately need to come to terms with this...

"What are you staring at!?" Kagami's irritated voice knocks me out of my thoughts, and my little world cracks and falls apart to reveal what I'm truly looking at - Which, to my embarassment, turns out to be Kagami, who I never took my eyes off of.

"Ah, um..." I blush, scooting my chair away. Giving her an embarassed smile, I stammer out, "S-S-Sorry..."

"Kale's a bit clingy lately." Konata states, putting her cornet down. She holds up a finger in an informative way, making eye contact with both me and Kagami before going on, "He made a point to stay close to me last night, and hugged me, too."

That causes me to lay my chin on the desk, and simply stare at the faded wood. I feel myself blushing, though maybe it's from the hug, and I speak out in a weak voice, "Maybe I just need some love, Mijikai-chan..."

"So you're looking to us for love?" Kagami questions, her face lighting up in a blush again. Hn, so cute...

"Don't worry, Kagamin, Kale's just joking." Konata assured her friend, giving me a rather... Odd look. She continued, "After all, Kale's afraid of commitment, right?"

"Nn... Yeah..." I admit. And it's true, I'm deathly scared of getting involved with either of these two for various reasons. That doesn't mean I don't wish things were... Different...

Ai, if only they knew...