I'm sorry for abandoning this story for a substantial period of time. Honestly, I reached a point where I wanted to trash this whole story. This story started on a whim, and a lot of things I was writing was my own ground for venting and catharsis. I felt that this was so badly written, I just couldn't seem to get myself to continue it. But when I really considered deleting it, I realized that rather than just run away from a bad story, I should just continue working on it, and try to make it become a fabulous one instead.

I heard that surgical kits were on sale from a gushing medical student. A ten percent discount on forceps and scalpels made out of stainless steel. Not those rusty cheap ones the students use to practice on dummies and rubber skins. Ten percent is probably more of a discount since I heard that the kits were expensive.

Shizuru doesn't have one. She has a practice kit. I've seen the rust off the edges of her scissors. And Shizuru, she likes suturing. Hell, sometimes the things in her room looks like a recreation of Lilo and Stitch with Scrump dolls. When the teddy bear she liked open a tear, she didn't sew it back. No…She sutured it. With forceps, a curved needle and black nylon thread. The thing about sutures is that the ends are so telltale. It's this ugly triangle of thread at the end which secures the suture. While it looks fine on someone's face, a stuff toy could do with better.

Honestly, when I think about it. It isn't necessary. The handibook on how to treat your girlfriend doesn't prescribe presents for non-occasions. They do however, recommend flowers. Yet, somehow, drawn by an irresistible urge, I found myself at the university bookshop.

Students pushed past me. A couple stood around the shelves arguing on whether that fifty dollars more for the latest edition of the textbook was worth it compared to a second hand copy of a previous edition. I heard a girl whisper "Let's just split the price. We can get the book photocopied."

Ahhh. Atta girl. So smart and so cheapo. I wormed my way through the bookshelves and people to the counter.

"Excuse me. How much is a surgical kit going for?"

"For practice?" The woman asked lazily.

"Urm, no. The stainless steel ones."

"$120 forr the ones in the PVC casing. $180 for those in leather after discount."

"Can I take a look at both?"

Reaching into a drawer, the lady picked up both and slid them across the table in my direction. Almost instantly I knew what my decision would be. The PVC one was ugly. The black plastic was shiny and I knew that if I ran my fingers down it, it would squeak. The leather bound set was soft to the touch, classily designed with a velvet backdrop where the instruments lay.

Either was way too expensive for me to afford. Sure, I could cough up the cash but I'll probably be eating grass for a long while. "How long is the discount on for?"

"This week and the next," she replied curtly.

I nudged the sets over to her. "I don't have cash on me now. Do you think you could reserve this leather set for me? I'll buy it from you by next week."

"Possible but I can't hold it out for you. There's only a few sets left. What am I supposed to do if it's the last one? Deny a customer who wants it for a potential customer? I'm running a business here not a trust fund." She shoved the two sets back into the drawer and waved me off as she beckoned to someone behind me.

Bitch. I mentally rolled my eyes. I'd better get the cash soon before the discount is over. There was always the mechanic shop where I did ad-hoc work for. I suppose I'll give Akira a call and see if they have anything for me. Sighing, I left the shop door swinging as I shoved past it. I can't explain it, this inexplicable feeling of wanting to give Shizuru her surgical kit set. The one she'll be using when she sews someone's face back together or some shit. I chuckle at that thought.

Flipping my phone out of my back pocket, I let it spin around my fingers as I consider my options. Then, with nimble touches I dialled a number I was all too familiar with.

A ring. Two rings. A noisy background of clunking metals and screeching noises. "Hello." I heard some muffled sounds at the other end. "Hello," I repeated a little more loudly this time.

"Hi. Ozukazi Bike Repair. What can I do for you?"

"Hey, sup Akira. Any jobs for me to do? I could do with a cash fix."

"Kuga. Long time no hear from you. How's university?"

"It's…fine. Any jobs?"

"Hmm, there's a customer who wants his bike checked and cleaned urgently. I'm short staffed just for today. So if you do it I could give you a few extra bucks for it."

"Define a few."

"Twenty max if it's just cleaning."

"Great. Well I hope his bike has issues. Maybe an engine change or a worn out brake."

"We all live in hope. You coming down today? If so, I'll let my other mechanics get started on other jobs."

"I'll be there after class. Maybe around 3pm."

"Kays. See ya then kuga."

"Thanks pal."

They say a journey of a thousand steps begins with one. In this case, I suppose the quest for a hundred on eighty dollars begins with twenty. I make a quick prayer to as many gods as I can think of that the bike needs replacement of parts.

I sighed. Creaked the aches out of my neck that came from squatting and staring at something for too long. The bloody damn bike was in sparkly condition. Aside from a few touch up painting, cleaning the mud of the rim of his wheels and polishing the metal, there wasn't anything marginally faulty about it.

"Here you go Kuga." Akira stuffed twenty bucks into my hand.

"Any other jobs you might have for me? I really need the cash by next week. Or I could even do with it next next week," I figured I could eat grass for awhile if I knew I had cash coming in it wouldn't be so bad.

"Business has picked up. I've got three assignments you could do for me. Thing is, they're rather urgent. So if you want to take it up, you kinda have to spend the whole tomorrow here."

Looks like I'll have to cancel my date with Shizuru tomorrow. "Alright. I'll take whatever you have. I'll be here in the morning at seven." Mentally, I winced. I've never been a morning person. I dread waking up before the sunrises. Even if the sunrises over me, I still judge that as way too early. "Thanks. Appreciate it."

"No problem Kuga. Glad to see you made it to University."

I waved as my bike and shot off into the darkness. It's been a long day and I need to drop by Shizuru's room and inform her of our cancelled date. Seeing her face has this sort of endorphin related effect on me.

Jamming my finger into the up arrow button, I waited impatiently. When the lift arrived, I stuck my finger onto the 17th floor button while passing a killer look in the direction of the other lift inhabitants, who backed away from me. My daily thrills.

I noticed the lights were on as they were peeking out from the gap under the door. Giving the door a customary knock, I opened it. "Shizuru…" I stopped in my tracks as I see Tomoe in the room seated on Shizuru's bed while the cinnamon hair woman herself sat in the chair at her desk.

"Ara. Natsuki," her voice was warm as honey, laced with surprise.

I felt my mood sink even lower, the anticipation of spending some time with Shizuru alone dissipating faster that water vapour from a steaming kettle. I resisted the urge to ask the reason as to why Tomoe was in the room. "Hey. Urm. I just wanted to let you know, I can't make it for dinner tomorrow."

"Oh. You have something on?"

"Yeah. Akira asked me out for dinner," I lied glibly.

"I see."

"I could have dinner with you," Tomoe interjected.

Opportunistic hound. If looks could kill, Tomoe would be frying on a hot pan right now over a fire of a thousand degrees.

With a half smile, Tomoe raised an eyebrow at me, unfazed.

"I'll be glad to. Let's put a stop to our conversation then. We can carry on at dinner tomorrow." Catching the tension in the air, Shizuru sent a polite smile at Tomoe, who took the hint and started packing her things.

"Dinner another day then?" Shizuru asked me.

"Yeah, let me know when you're free?" I shoved my hands into my jeans pocket.

"Of course."

I wanted to reach over and hug her but Tomoe was still in the room, packing her things at a ridiculously slow rate as though she was delaying her own exit.

"Urm, I guess I'll go now?" I turned to leave. I had no reason left to stay in Shizuru's room.

"Natsuki."

I turned around. "Yeah?"

Crimson eyes focused on mine. "Good night."

"Nights," I replied.

I left the room and from my peripheral vision, I saw Tomoe following me from behind. Damn. Fated to take the same lift down I guess. Hell no. I'm taking the stairs. It's only a floor down.

I reached my room, turned the knob and hit the lights. But the nagging feeling of dissatisfaction remained. Pride dictated that I take a shower and get my ass to sleep for I had to wake at sunrise. So I did. I took a hot steaming shower.

But an hour later, dressed in my pyjamas, I found myself outside Shizuru's room. I reached out to knock on the door. Her lights were still on. She would still be at her desk. My hand stopped before it could tap on the door. What would I say? We had already wished each other good night. I suppose I could go 'I missed you' or 'I wanted to see you', but I don't think my pride can take that standing up. I love Shizuru, so hard so strong, sometimes I feel as though if I just demonstrate that affection, I would lose her. I would be no different from one of those fan girls who throw themselves at her.

I comfort myself with the thought that tomorrow. Tomorrow, after work, I'll stop by her room. I can ask when she's free for our missed dinner date.

I turn and walk away.

It was nearing 12am. Her eyes were tired and her brain exhausted from reading through so much material.

She allowed her thoughts to drift. If only she could have given Natsuki a hug before the girl left. It would have made her feel so much better. Also, it was rather surprising of Natsuki to stop by her room just to tell her the change of plans when she could have texted.

The buzzing from her phone woke her from her reverie. Reaching over, she turned to check it and smiled.

Good night Shizuru. Don't stay up too late with your work.

What a nice message. Rubbing her eyes gently, the honey brown haired woman switched off the light and fumbled her way to the bed. Before sleep could claim her, she replayed the line in her head.

Good night Shizuru. Don't stay up too late with your work.