Note: I use Japanese honorifics to make the characters express familiarity or endearment to one another. It also keeps the plot from getting to dry very often.

Chapter III

Nice guys finish last
You're running out of gas
Your sympathy will get you left behind
Sometimes you're at your best, when you feel the worst
Do you feel washed up, like piss going down the drain
Pressure cooker pick my brain and tell me I'm insane
I'm so fucking happy I could cry
Every joke can have its truth but now the joke's on you
I never knew you were such a funny guy
Oh nice guys finish last, when you run out of gas
Don't pat yourself on the back, you might break your spine
Living on command
You're shaking lots of hands
Kissing up and bleeding all your trust, taking what you need
Bit the hand that feeds
You lose your memory, you got your shame

-Nice Guys Finish Last by Green Day-

Steven's POV

Light pierced into my eyes as I groggily opened them. I soon realized that the bed was empty. Shiroki's pajama's hung neatly over the edge of a chair and a bundle of clothing lay on the bedside table. There was a note and it read as follows:

-Dear Shiroki,

The gang and I couldn't find you after our elite four battles. I sent my swellow out to find you with your clothes and some additional items. When you get home, be sure you're still safe.

Shelia-

Setting the note down, I headed off to the kitchen. I saw Sidney, Drake, a few male gym leaders, Eusine, Will, and Lance. They appeared to be half asleep, fully awake, or staring with a horny look. The kitchen smelled of something delicious. I turned to the chef at the stove and gasped.

"Shiroki-chan!"

She turned and looked at me. Her hair was tied in a long ponytail that curled slightly at the ends. Instead of that decrypt dress she wore, she now had on a spaghetti strap shirt that was labeled, "Hooters", a pair of black pants, and a white apron that had the Chinese character, "Black" sown on it.

"Hello Steven-sempai!" she replied happily.

Drake motioned for me to have a seat next to him.

"This is the happiest I've ever seen you Steven-kun. Is there something new going on in your youth?"

"Well…"

"You're only young once, so take advantage of it before it's too late."

Our conversation was interrupted, for Shiroki placed our breakfast on the table. There were small individual bowls of noodles with bean sprouts and a boiled egg for each of us. I consumed my noodles, and was amazed at how great these tasted. Everybody acknowledged her as she blushed slightly.

Suddenly Eusine grabbed her hands as everyone stood shocked.

"Fuck me bitch."

She struggled to free her arms as Eusine pinned her to the wall and began to kiss her neck. The rest of the gym leaders got up and started towards Eusine, but I got there first and pinned him by his neck. Meanwhile, Wallace escorted her into another room as the gym leaders surrounded us.

"There will be none of that Eusine… baka yaroo," I growled while tightening my grip on his neck.

He struggled and nodded. I let go and he sank down onto his knees as I walked out of the room. Everybody stared at me as I left, but I ignored them.

It was evening before I talked to anybody. I couldn't understand why I was so agitated. Wallace had told me that he showed Shiroki her own room and had moved her belongings in there. At least someone can do something right…