AN: Well, here's another chapter guys... Honestly? I was a little hesitant to post this one... I don't like it all that much. Thing just took a life of it's own when I wrote it.

Whatever, it's already here and shit... Review, let me know what you think and stuffs.

::::-::::

"You know, if you're so set on these observations of yours you might as well keep a record. Think of it like a science experiment, if you don't record and organize it you'll lose the data. Plus, if you continue for a while you can compare and contrast. This should give you a more accurate and consistent picture." Rokuro hadn't taken his eyes off his textbook or stop taking notes as he said that. They were in the library as per usual.

Kanra, on the other hand, had to in order to regard what he said. She tilted her head as several questions ran through it. What on earth brought her friend to say this? Was there some prompt she missed? If so, how had she missed it? She was sure her observation skills were better than that. Unless, it was a change in herself or behavior that caused him to see something she hasn't. If that was the case, what had changed about her?

When Rokuro felt the stare he looked up to see a rather obvious (to him at least) look of confusion. He decided that leaving her in suspense was a cruel thing to do. The girl didn't like it when she missed something.

"I noticed you have gotten more intense and stuff with your little side project."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know how else to describe it. While others might not see it, I know you. Your grades aren't as perfect as usual and you zone out every now and then. Which isn't you, like at all. If I didn't know any better, I'd say this is becoming an obsession."

His attention returned to his textbook, he intended to ace this year.

"If you're going to be that noticeable, you might as well treat it like a sociology case study."

Her gaze returned to her own textbook but her attention wasn't there. It was only their second week of middle school and she was already slipping in her performance. Sure, if it had been anyone other than Rokuro it wouldn't have been noticed at all, but still. How could she fix this?

His suggestion came to mind. The more she thought on it, the more it made sense.

That was it! That was what she could do in case anyone else noticed a change in her behavior. Just tell people she desires to be a sociologist when she's older.

"I will take what you have said into consideration. Thank you for your input."

"You are very welcome."

Her attention went back to her studies, she had grades to fix after all. She also now understood where the initial statement had originated from. Her friend had stated the truth when he said helping or assisting people was ingrained in his nature. The suggestion was just another one of his ways of helping someone in need. She had formulated several theories over the years to explain this quirk of his. The most solid one came from his description of his home life. Heavy expectations and a lack of the usual level of affection a child normally receives from their parents.

As for the exact motivation, that proved a little difficult to pinpoint. Was it a need for the praise received when he helped someone? The politeness and manners drilled into him resulting in a need to keep up appearance for the sake of the family? Perhaps a lack of self-esteem making him seek out worth from others.

In the end he had helped her more than he realized. By both pointing out something she'd missed and how to cover up until the issue could be fix. Her decision to keep him around had proved to be a wise one indeed.

Though she could never fully figure him out, he had helped her on multiple occasions. Besides, the enigma he left to her had proved entertaining in its own right.

What Kanra didn't know was that Rokuro was having some trouble figuring her out as well. Her increasing interest in humans and their behavioral patterns was strange on it's own. Nothing he could come up with explained this interest.

Then there was her tendency to dismiss anyone who tried to get too close to her (or him on a few occasions). And that was only if she didn't outright belittle or demean them with surprising accuracy (though that was usually reserved for the more persistent ones). If she was trying to study the human condition, wouldn't the best place to be be in the thick of it?

Also, if he was being honest, she was starting to seem a little possessive of him. He had no guesses on that one. Oh well, that one wasn't as bad as the others. He had a few friends and that was just fine with him. He didn't need a large crowd. Plus, she mainly limited her control to other females and his parents said they were just a distraction anyways. If anything, she was doing him a favor by keeping them away (what he didn't know was that this was exactly why she did it...to help him avoid complications with his parents). She also did it in the least romantic way so he didn't have to answer annoying rumors or questions. That was a plus.

The next few weeks went relatively normal for the two.

The only real changes came from Kanra. She now kept a journal of her "studies" and worked twice as hard to keep up with her grades.

They still studied together in their free time. A few short conversations were usually enough to satisfy him. Besides, if this was an actual friendship then a little give and take was obligatory. And that was completely fine with her.

The occasional student still came to Rokuro for help on certain assignments. He helped them as he always did, even if his own grades weren't as good as they could be as a result.

Kanra still kept her distance from other people.

A few guys would still hit on her every now and again, even though she never responded. It seemed her cold demeanor and dismissive personality only spurred them on.

The male student body still resented his friendship with her. Even when everyone knew they weren't more than friends.

Overall, middle school went almost exactly like elementary school did for the duo.

Well, that all changed when one Shinra Kishitani came strolling into their lives. The weird kid with the glasses turned both their worlds upside down.

"No, I don't your stupid biology club."

"Aw! Come on!"

"I said no."

"I thought you'd love it."

"Now what in the world would give you that idea? What indicated that I'm into biology."

"Well you said you like observing humans on the first day. Humans are living creatures aren't they? Please!? I'll let you be club president!"

This was scene he walked in on when he went to find his friend. It put him off a bit. Oh well, the quickest way to get answers is to ask questions.

"Hey Kanra, who's this?"

"Oh, just you. This is a pesky insect who won't quit bothering me."

"Hm, another addition to your fan club it seems."

This is where the offending party decided to interject.

"Hey there! My name in Shinra Kishitani! You must Rokuro Okajima."

"Oh, that's right, you're in our class aren't you?"

"Yep, that's me! Hey! You wanna join my biology club? I tried to ask her but she keeps denying."

"He he, yeah that sounds like her. Now, about your offer, can you give me some time to think it over?"

"Sure! Maybe you can get her to join too! Seeing as you're her friend and all. The more the merrier! "

"I'll try my best. Kanra I think it's best we get going. See you around Shinra."

With that, Rokuro and Kanra began walking away. As they were leaving, kanra too one last glance at the weird kid. This of course didn't go unnoticed by Rokuro, and he just couldn't resist a chance to tease his quiet friend.

"Something on your mind? Did that guy manage to do the impossible and actually catch your eye hmmm?"

"There's something...off... About him."

She then began to ask around about the strange kid. Most of the time the answers were the same, he's weird and talks about monsters all the time. The more people she asked, the more it became apparent that he was fundamentally different from her in a very key way. He wasn't interested in humans at all. Rokuro understood her newest interest the moment he heard about the kid's interests.

'Guess she's going to change her mind about joining the biology club now. Shinra's going to be ecstatic about this.'

And he was right of course. The next day, she went up to the glasses wearing kid and said she'd join if she got the vice president seat. An offer he happily accepted. Rokuro was pretty much forced to join as well, seeing as joining a club without her best friend just wasn't Kanra's style. When Shinra told them he'd leave everything up to them and expected nothing, the confusion hit them like a ton of bricks. Rokuro just had to bring this up.

"So... you're not into biology? Then why did you start a biology club?"

"Well, you see... The girl I love said to me 'Shinra, you don't have any friends and I'm worried. You should join a club or something.' And so here we are. I think two friends should be enough to satisfy her."

"Ah, that makes sense... I think."

Then Kanra decided to get a word in.

"Alright then, as vice president I propose that in the event of your death we put your rotting corpse on display."

Rokuro could only sigh at her words, having expected something like that. Shinra, on the other hand...

"I like it! Though, what'll you do if my corpse doesn't rot?"

Then the two went on to have a conversation about something Rokuro had no interest in. That was until a certain bit of information slipped out of Shinra's mouth.

"How do you know so much about American customs?"

"Oh, my dad works for this corporation called nebula and has to go there sometimes."

Rokuro perked up at that.

"Did you say nebula? As in the international pharmaceutical conglomerate?"

"The very same! In fact, he's one of the lead researchers! They trust him with all kinds of secrets and stuff! Why? Is there something you wanted to know? I mean I can ask my dad if you want."

"Maybe later, it's just I never expected that. My parents bring it up all the time."

Indeed there was more this weird kid with glasses than met the eye. His parents were going to love this.

What they wouldn't know was just how crazy these friends of his are. Not like that mattered anyways, if he enjoyed his time with them, he wouldn't care. The family was pleased and he got something resembling a normal childhood (well, as normal as it can get around these two anyways). The small modicum of happiness he received wouldn't last too long (it never does in his life).

Kanra somehow conned him into turning the club into a gambling ring. He was naturally completely against the idea at first.

"Why not?"

"Because, this isn't actually our club remember? Plus, what if something happens and someone goes crazy or whatever?"

"You worry too much. Shinra isn't even here half the time and specifically said he doesn't care what we do with the club. If something does happen we'll deal with it then. Besides, the students here should be smart enough to know the rules of placing bets."

"I don't know... I've seen some pretty stupid people here."

"Ugh! Fine, I'll just move ahead without you. There has to be someone desperate enough to help me."

He knew that it was a ploy however, the thought of her going it alone overrode his sense of danger. Damn him and need to help people. And she knew exactly this would happen (though he did hesitate more than she expected).

"Fine! I'll help you! But we're going to have to find a way to reduce the risks involved. Oh, and I handle the money, it's what I'm good at."

"Deal."

They shook hands and he could only sigh, "I feel like I just got played."

The smug smirk she gave him as she went out the door told him everything he needed to know. Well, almost everything, the motivation for making him help wouldn't come until much later. Not even she understood her actions in that moment. Eh, it was a mystery for another time.

Much to both his satisfaction and disappointment, he had been right and something did happen. And it all started we some stupid kid stole his dad's money and placed a bad bet.