Author's Note: Yeah, I've got more. Wheee! Oishi is... abnormally obsessed with that bell. It's so much fun... Anyways, R+R please. Enjoy!

Oishi's Point of View

Once I was at home in my room, I took the bell back out of my pocket. I felt sort of guilty again for taking it without asking. But there was no way Eiji even remembered it…

I noticed once again how dirty it was. I took it with me to the kitchen to look for some cleaning solution of some sort. I found that and some polish in one of the cabinets. Then I headed back to my room and set to work.

There was something about cleaning it so meticulously that made me feel very sentimental. It really was a pretty little thing. I found myself growing even more attached to it with every gentle circle of the little cloth I'd found.

You've been through a lot, haven't you? I asked the bell in my head. Naturally, it didn't answer. So I held it up and gave it a little ring. I couldn't help smiling. Do you know what you do to me, little bell? My reflection smiled back at me, and I got the distinct feeling that the bell replied smugly, Yeah, I know.

I shook my head. What was I, schizophrenic? I was talking to a bell. I continued cleaning it without any further conversation. Once I was finished, I almost couldn't believe how shiny it was.

I set it down in my lap and let my eyes gaze around the room, trying to decide what to do. Nothing came to mind. In many ways, I suddenly wished that I hadn't left Eiji's house so early. After a few moments I decided I'd at least call him up.

"Hello?" One of his sisters answered giddily on the first ring.

"Hi. This is Oishi. Is Eiji there?"

"Oh… hi." Clearly she had been hoping it was someone else, maybe her boyfriend. "Yeah, I'll get him. Hang on."

There was a long pause, during which I tinkered with the bell. It looked brand new, and even the ring seemed somehow clearer. I loved that sound.

"Hoi! Oishi!" Eiji picked up the phone.

"Hey, Eiji."

"What's up?"

"Nothing really. How are you?"

"I'm okay… Not doing much. You?"

"Well, I'm feeling kind of lonely…" I suddenly felt a little embarrassed. "I was wondering if you wanted to come over, maybe. We could, I don't know, play tennis or something."

There was a short pause, after which Eiji replied, "You do know you just left my house, right?" I think he was enjoying mocking me.

"Yeah, well, you know I just can't stand to be away from you," I joked.

Eiji giggled. "Okay. Yeah, I'll come over… Oh, wait, hang on."

Even though I could tell he put his hand over the receiver, I could still hear what was going on in the background.

"Eiji, get off the phone!" I heard his sister yell.

"Do you mind? I'm talking!"

"I'm expecting a call, you little weasel!"

"Alright, alright…" Eiji turned his conversation back to me. "I've gotta go. I'll just come over. Sound good?"

"Sounds great."

"Alright, I'll be there in a few!"

"EIJI!" I heard his sister yell again.

"Bye, Oishi!" Then he hung up.

I hung up the phone. The bell was still in my hand, and suddenly I wondered if I should maybe tell Eiji that I had it. Why was there something in me that didn't want to tell him, that wanted to keep it all to myself?

It wasn't like I had anything to be ashamed of…

Even so, I hid the bell in a drawer.