"A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer"- Lucius Annaeus Seneca


I decided to spend lunch in the sunlight. It was a nice day and I managed to get my hands on paints, so I was looking for...inspiration I guess. There were people playing around on the track down the hill. I was sitting under the shade of a large tree when someone came to sat beside me. I recognised her from class, although we had never really spoken. She had dark brown skin, hair and eyes, and she didn't have a left hand, rather the appendage was wrapped in bandages. Miura Miki, Miki Miura I think her name was.

"Sup" she said

"Hi, uh...Miura?"

The girl chuckled "Just call me Miki. The surname thing's a bit stuffy"

"Um, okay...Hi Miki" I repeated "Kaito" I had to force myself to only say my first name, I always said a bit more, or not enough, when I got nervous.

The pair of us looked back down to the field. The group was organising a second game of soccer.

"Don't you...um...sports?" I asked. I was never comfortable talking with people I didn't really know.

"Nah," she shrugged "I'm just resting for a bit. What about you? You gonna play?"

I shook my head "I don't do sports"

She raised a single eyebrow, and placed her bandaged arm on her lap "Just cause you're missing limbs doesn't mean you can't play"

I shook my head again "I never did sports. Even before"

Miki sighed "Shame. You seem pretty cool about everything that's happened. Some people come to Yamaku pretty messed up at first"

"You um...always been on the team?"

"Yup" she smiled "Been in it since I first arrived. You in any clubs?"

I shook my head.

"You've been hanging around with the other new guy though, right? Hisao something? Hanako and the blonde amazon too?"

"Yeah" I knew about Hisao and Hanako, and by "blonde amazon" I was assuming she meant Lilly. What made her an "amazon" though I had no idea.

"Then don't worry about it" she smiled, giving me a friendly shove "As long as you've got some friends, you don't need clubs"

There was a loud whistle on the field. The pair of us looked on to see one of the players on the ground. He had appeared to have taken a fall.

"Ouch" Miki grimaced "That looked painful. I tell you, that guy has the worst luck"

The guy was taken off the field, thankfully he could still walk, and the game resumed as normal.

"Hanging out with Hanako and the blonde...you keep some pretty strange company" Miki said

"How so?" her statement confused me

"Well, I know the Hisao guy hangs out with Lilly 'cause he likes her. I mean, everyone can see that but Hanako...she's kind of...I don't know"

"Shy?"

"No" Well that was surprising "It's not that. It's just...she's got some issues, I think. I can't really put it in a nice way" It was strange to see someone so energetic look awkward "Not that I don't think she's a nice person, though. She's perfectly nice. Just...hard to deal with"

"Everyone has issues" I said evenly. I considered myself hard to offend or anger, but it seemed I had developed a berserk button regarding Hanako, I was easily offended on her behalf.

"I know that" she said

"She's a nice person. That's all that matters. I'm not...I'm not perfect either so I think it works out"

Miki stared at me, a piercing stare that made me uncomfortable. Then she smiled "You really like her, don't you?"

I was stumped. Did I like her? Yes. Did I like, as in the strong "like" like, as in one step lower than the other L-word. Love. I always felt it was a strong word. Was that what she meant? I think that was what she was asking.

"Um...yeah, I think I do. Is that weird?"

"Nah" Miki shrugged "I think it's kind of cute. If you want to go for it, don't let me stop you"

"Um, okay" My face felt warm, warmer than normal anyway. Miki seemed to find that funny.

It wouldn't be long before class started again, so we left to walk to class together.

"It sounds like you're settling in well" Miki said to me, she seemed like a chatty person "That's a relief. It was pretty surprising to get transfer students at this point in the year, considering exams are coming up"

Exams. Every time I heard that word a fuse would blow in my mind and I'd be overcome with anxiety. Not full-blown anxiety, but enough to stress me out.

Miki must have seen the look on my face, because she gave me another playful shove (was she just doing that because I was bigger and she wouldn't be able to knock me down?) "Come on man, don't worry about them. Just cram it and you'll be fine"

"Does that work?" It had been a long time since I had done exams.

Miki just shrugged "You seem smart, and Mutou likes you. You're like a hand in a glove"

"I don't wear gloves"

She found that funny for some reason "Relax, man. Give it some time. It's just a high school, like any other"

"It's school" I stressed "School is stressful, no matter what"

She laughed again "You're not a bad guy Kaito. I hope you have luck with Hanako"

Every time she said something, I felt like I only understood half of what she said "Why would I need luck with Hanako?"

Miki just smiled and shook her head (two conflicting visual cues) "Never mind man"


It was the day that Hisao, Lilly and I were to be going into the city to look for presents. I found them waiting for me at the gate.

"Hi guys" I waved

"Hey man" Hisao greeted me

"Good day, Kaito" Lilly added

The pair of them were dressed in some more casual wear. Hisao was wearing some kind of sweater-vest-thing while Lilly was wearing a top that showed off her pale shoulders. I felt a little out of place considering I was still wearing the school uniform. Or the closest I got to the school dress-code (buttons and ties were hard with only one hand).

"I think the bus will be here soon" Hisao noted "We should probably get moving"

"Indeed" Lilly agreed "It's a long wait if we miss it"

"Bus?" I repeated. I didn't like buses, I mean really really didn't like buses. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you, but I would have rather made the entire trek on foot, hey, a unicycle than a bus.

"Yes" Lilly confirmed as we walked to the bus stop "It's a long journey to the city. Much easier to go by bus"

"Oh. Okay"

"You alright?" Hisao asked me, he must noticed a look on my face.

"Just...don't like buses" I admitted

"Beggars can't be choosers" he shrugged.

So we got the bus. It smelled, it was cramped. The things I do for friends.


The city was huge, and so were the crowds. I kept close to the others, determined not to be separated in the sea of people. Lilly was holding on to Hisao's arm, her other hand holding her cane as it went tap-tap on the ground.

"You know," Hisao said out of nowhere "It was quite a surprise that Hanako likes to sing" I for one was inclined to agree "Have you ever heard her do that before?" he asked Lilly

"I have indeed" she replied "We've been to karaoke sessions several times, along with my sister. I can't say I take to the activity much, but the other two like it"

"I bet she has a nice voice" I muttered

Lilly smiled. I guess she heard me.

"Maybe it would be nice to bring her into town for a karaoke birthday party, if she likes doing it" Hisao suggested

"I can't imagine she likes the city" I argued "Too many people"

"I have agree with Kaito, sadly" Lilly spoke "I'm not sure she would deal very well with the excitement" she was quiet before speaking again "Then again, the best thing we can do for Hanako at this point is to try to create some pleasant birthday memories"

"Then shouldn't we do something a bit more in her comfort zone" I complained, although no one responded to me, so I shut up.

"Do you have any idea where to start looking?" Lilly asked Hisao

"This is my first time into the city" Hisao shrugged "I have no idea"

Lilly seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before saying "Has anyone had anything to eat recently?"

Both Hisao and I said "No" so she suggested that we stop somewhere to eat. We eventually settled on a nice café where we got to sit in the sun, with pie and tea aplenty.

"Is that lemon pie?" Lilly smelled "Thank you, Hisao" Hisao was the one who paid for the food.

"No problem" he smiled "The tea's just next to it, so be careful not to knock it over"

She nodded, although it looked like she already knew her tea was beside her, given the way that she easily picked it up.

The three of us ate in silence. None of us spoke until our tea was finished as well, and Lilly was the first one to break the silence.

"That was very nice. I must say you chose well, boys" she said

"Hisao really picked it" I shrugged "Though it was nice"

"I haven't been in the city before" Hisao sighed "I just picked because it looked nice" he made a face like he had said something wrong "Oh uh, sorry"

Lilly made an amused smile "You are thoughtful, Hisao, but sometimes I fear that it gets the better of you sometimes. No need to change your speech on my account"

"You thought 'sight' was offensive?" I asked for him clarification. I found such a notion silly.

Hisao notably ignored me "Have you been in the city often?"

Lilly nodded "I used to live in the city with my sister, before attending Yamaku" She then addressed "Tell me Kaito, what are your plans for the future"

Well that came from pretty left-field or however the phrase went "Um...I don't know. I haven't thought about it really. I've never really thought very far ahead" In truth, I never think very far ahead about anything. I was always a very "live in the moment" kind of person even before my accident. After it, well, such long-term ideas were often confusing, and I tried my best to avoid what I deemed unnecessary stress. The day-to-day monotony of school was actually quite nice for me; I knew what was going to happen the next day, and I always enjoyed spending time with Hanako.

"This is your last year of school" Lilly reminded me in a tone that brought flashbacks of my mother's lectures "After this, you will have to fend for yourself one way or the other"

"I know" I sighed with my head down, unable to look her in the eyes.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out in time" Hisao said in an attempt to make me feel better. Can't say it worked.

Eventually, we went walking again, looking for potential presents, stopping for ice cream along the way. Hisao paid. For him and Lilly at least. I had to pay for my own (favouritism is pretty blatant there).

I let Hisao and Lilly talk away to each other as I enjoyed my treat. Chocolate. Yum. I had just finished my ice cream when Hisao disrupted my daydream by shouting "Satou! Hey, Satou!"

Baffled as who he was talking to, since I only knew the one Satou, I looked up to see a pair of strangers approach us. One was a tall, blonde woman in a pinstripe suit, the other was a younger girl with big blue eyes and dark hair.

"Akira?" Lilly asked

The older woman smiled at her "Hey, sis" Oh, so this was Lilly's older sister.

Akira nodded at Hisao, but paused when she looked at me "Have we met?"

"Uh..." I was a little put off by the red colour of her eyes "No"

"This is Kaito" Hisao introduced me "He's with us"

"Nice to meet you, Kaito" Akira took my hand in a firm shake "Name's Akira"

"Lilly's sister" I finished, "Hanako told me about you"

A single eyebrow rose on the blonde woman's face "You're friends with Hanako?"

"Um...yeah"

She smiled "Good. Girl could always use more friends"

She plopped a hand on to the head of her younger companion, who sighed before speaking "I don't think we've met. I'm Hideaki. Pleased you meet you, Hisao and Kaito" Good God, he's a guy!

"Oh" Lilly looked surprised "Hideaki's here too? Are you well?"

"Akira's been taking very good care of me, thank you" the effeminate boy nodded.

Akira smiled at the comment, ruffling the boy's hair in the process "Uncle's out on business again" she said "So I'm taking him around town today. I'd have preferred to be spending the day with my boyfriend, but..."

Hideaki coughed at an awkward, attention-seeking volume.

"Come to think of it" Hisao spoke "Hideaki, how do you know my name?"

"Akira told me" he answered "Being a Yamaku student, I suppose you're disabled in some way?"

Wow. Even I had more tact than that. Hisao seemed to agree with me, given his expression "Not everyone in Yamaku's disabled..." Which was true, but non-disabled students like Misha were the exception rather than the norm.

"You're dodging the question" Hideaki accused him.

"Leave him alone" I said, but I must have muttered it or never said it loud enough because the kid ignored me.

"I'm guessing it's your heart?"

Personally that was my guess, although Hisao still has never told me. Turns out we were right.

"How did you...?" Hisao asked him

"You show no missing limbs or deformities, so external disabilities are out. Considering the lack of any strange mannerisms, it's also unlikely that you'd have any mental disability"

"But Yamaku doesn't take mentally disabled students" Lilly protested. I wasn't too sure on the accuracy of that. Sure no one at Yamaku had Down's Syndrome or were mentally retarded, but I wasn't exactly of intact mind, at least in regards to learning.

"I know" Hideaki replied "Leaving that aside, the only possibility left is that of internal disabilities. I didn't know which one you might bear, so I guessed. Correctly, as it turns out"

I looked at Akira. She seemed to thoroughly enjoying Hideaki's Sherlock scan.

"You remind me of someone..." Hisao noted

Akira gave Hideaki a jab with her elbow "Told ya you're not that different from her"

"Her? Who?" I asked

Hideaki glared at Akira before trying to fix his clothing "I see you've met my sister. Perhaps my full name might help you. I am Hakamichi Hideaki. You're probably thinking of my sister, Hakamichi Shizune"

Oh yeah, I could see the resemblance now. Not only did Hideaki kind of look like Shizune, he also possessed her similar blunt, but logical way of thinking.

"Lilly and Shizune are first cousins?" Hisao asked

Lilly groaned. Loudly, I may add. It was very out-of-character.

Akira looked at her with an amused smirk "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family" she shrugged "So what you guys doing on this fine day?"

"Shopping" I answered

"We're shopping for Hanako's birthday presents" Lilly elaborated

Akira made a funny face "Isn't her birthday on the tenth next month?"

"Yes" Lilly responded "Why? Is something wrong?"

"The folks didn't call you?" Akira asked her little sister

She shook her head.

Akira took a deep breath and looked to Hideaki "Hey shorty, sorry, but could you hang with the guys for a while?"

The boy nodded and Akira took Lilly by the arm and guided her out of earshot.

So Hisao and I were stuck with a stranger. With no idea how to deal with it, I started to absentmindedly tap a nearby railing with my hand while I pondered the meaning of life. Just kidding (if only a little), but I wasn't paying attention to what Hisao and Hideaki were talking about, if they were talking at all.

"Kaito?" came Hisao's voice

"Huh?"

"We're going to look for presents" he said "You coming with us?"

"Sure" I nodded. So off we went.

Eventually, we came across a small antique store, a little place full of porcelain tolls, stuffed animals and statues.

"How about in here?" Hisao asked us. I shrugged in response, seeing as I didn't really have any idea what I was doing.

Hideaki just kept walking. "I'll just be in the newsstand for a while" he said "Don't mind me"

"See you" I said under my breath as Hisao and I went inside. The inside of the store reminding me of my dad's office, a small pocket of quiet old-ness that doesn't really seem to belong in the rest of the city. Nothing was really laid out in a specific order, at least not in ordered rows. The man behind the counter gave us a quick glance, gave us a polite nod and returned to his book.

The pair of us spread out throughout the ship. I was getting increasingly frustrated as I failed to find anything. I found a chessboard, but I didn't see the point in it. She already had a chess set after all, she didn't need another.

My attention was drawn by the sudden sound of music. My head darted around to find the source, only for my vision to land of Hisao. He was looking at something, a small wooden box. Oh, it must have been a music box. It was a sweet, simple melody. Soothing to the ears. It was nice.

"That's nice" I commented.

Hisao jumped as if he didn't know I was standing right behind him "God, man" he muttered "You spooked me"

"Sorry" I apologised "You getting that?" I asked him, pointing to the box.

"Yeah" he nodded "I'm getting this for Hanako" he handed me a small porcelain doll. It was dressed in a pretty Victorian style dress with yellowish hair. "Looks like Lilly" I noted.

"I thought that" Hisao said "Lilly told she got Hanako a doll once. I thought it'd look nice in her room"

I nodded, understanding his logic. The doll did look nice. "Did you find anything?" Hisao asked me.

I shook my head "No", although I did have an idea about what I could give her. I'd work on it later.

Hisao and I made our way to the counter, laying them down on the counter. The old man sat up and took notice, seemingly surprised by our age. Hisao paid for his items and the old man bowed to us as we left, although I could have sworn he gave my fake hand a funny look. I might have just been paranoid.

Hideaki was standing outside the door so I nearly walked into him "Watch it" he grunted.

"Sorry"

"...Hey, Hideaki" Hisao said, a small grimace on his face suggesting that maybe he didn't really want Hideaki to be there "I thought you'd be at the newsstand"

"Akira gave me a call" he said "She's waiting for us at the fountain with Lilly"

Well, at least that made it easier to find Lilly I suppose. It didn't take long for the three of us to make our way to the fountain. Hideaki walked in such a stiff way I wondered off-hand if his spine was made of wood. The two sisters were standing by the fountain, their blonde hair making them stand out in the crowd. Both there faces were hard to read, however Akira's did seem to brighten once she saw us.

"Hey" she waved "You ready to go, Shorty?" Hideaki re-joined her side with a strange smile, or at least one I hadn't seen on his face before "See you guys" Akira smiled "Tell Hanako I said happy birthday"

"We will" Hisao promised "Bye"

"Goodbye Akira" Lilly smiled

"Bye" I said.

And like that, they were gone, and it was just the three of us again. Lilly now had a bag at her side that I hadn't seen before.

"Already bought a present?" Hisao asked her

Lilly's face was hard to describe, but she answered "Yes. Have you?"

"Yeah" Hisao nodded

"No" I said, hanging my head in a pretty shameful way. "I have an idea though"

"Oh?" Lilly looked intrigued

"I think I'll make something" I said "I can paint, so I think I want to try and make something for her"

"That's nice" Lilly smiled "I'm sure she'd appreciate that"

"Should we head back to the bus stop then?" Hisao asked us all.

"Yeah," I nodded "I'm pretty tired"

"Very well" Lilly spoke, her voice kinda quiet "Shall we be off?"

As we walked back, I found myself actually taking the time to look at some of the taller buildings, now that I was a bit more relaxed. The towers were tall and the city was crowded, like really really crowded, but at least it didn't smell as bad as some of the other cities I had been in during life. Smells tending to stay with me longer than any other memory.

The clouds were nice too. Small wisps of white against clear blue sky...

"Kaito, you listening to this?" Hisao nudged me with his shoulder, pulling me out of my reverie.

"Huh?"

"I was just saying that Hanako's party will have to be held a little earlier than usual" Lilly said.

That was weird, birthday parties should be held on the birthday, otherwise what was the point? Kind of ruined the whole "birthday" part of the party.

Lilly's voice stopped my inner monologue as she spoke again "Is the fourth okay for you, Kaito?"

"Um, yeah. I think so" I scratched the back of my neck with my hand, my fake hand.

"Good" she says, her voice sounding very distant. Her face was puzzling for me. I was used to seeing a smile on Lilly's face, but there wasn't one now. She wasn't frowning though either, and her face twitched every now in then like she was trying to keep it still.

"Are...Are you um, okay?" I asked, my voice hesitant.

"I..." she started, but she paused and addressed Hisao instead "Sorry Hisao, you said the bus was coming soon?"

"Yeah" Hisao nodded, but the look on his face suggested that he also thought something was wrong. At least that what it looked like to me.

Hisao looked at me, then back to Lilly "Lilly," he said "Are you doing anything else today?"

"No. Why?"

Hisao looked at me "Hey man, I know this might be weird, but are you going to be okay if you go back to school alone?"

Alone? Without them? That was...I mean I couldn't...I would have to go on the bus, the bus, by myself. I hated buses, I'd have to pay the driver myself, I couldn't...I...I had the feeling I was going to have to deal with it. Lilly was upset with something, and Hisao probably wanted to help. He must have thought I would be distracting or something. That depressed me a little, but he would probably be right. He and Lilly had spent a lot of time together, she'd probably be more comfortable with him alone, like Hanako was with me.

Hanako, that's right. I had to start on my gift for Hanako anyway.

"Yeah, sure" I said "I've got to um...start on Hanako's uh, gift" I cringed a little at my delivery, but Hisao smiled.

"Thanks man" he said, before looking to Lilly "This is the point where I'd normally take your hand and rush you somewhere, but even without that, you'll have to trust me. Okay?"

"Um, okay?" Lilly seemed uncertain "Are you sure you'll be fine, Kaito?"

I nodded "Yeah, I'll be fine"

So Hisao led her away by the hand, and I got on the bus. I had to concentrate to control my breathing, and I was sure the driver gave me a funny look, but he took the money and the bus left without incident.

The bus was quieter, which was a relief. Still smelled though, and the rumbling made my teeth vibrate, a sensation I didn't like.

I hoped Lilly would feel better when she got back, otherwise I endured this stress solo for nothing.

I made it back to Yamaku and made a beeline for my room. My last painting, a little picture of a bird I had seen, had dried so I gently took it off my little easel and laid it to the side. I wouldn't give that to Hanako. No, that was just a side-job, a little bit of fun.

No, this one would be special, a real job. A real attempt.


Author's Note

Well this was a long one.

Seeing as I can't sleep (it's about 1:44am right now) I think I'll just move right on to working on the next one. With luck, I'll have it done really soon.

Anyways, thanks for reading!