The days fell into a routine again, now with Yuu working into it a little at a time. Through Yuu's intervention, Shu's physics grades slowly began to rise.

"Shiten-san just explains things better. Then again, anyone explains it better than Toma."

Shu's grin did not fade under Toma's withering glare. Yuu began visits to the household, mostly for tutoring purposes(Shu in Physics and Ryo in English), and gradually Jun and Naste accepted him. Naste voiced her concern only once, one rainy Sunday. Ryo was watching the rain fall on the lake, Seiji and Toma were playing Go, Shu watched TV and Shin read a book. Naste looked up from her computer, hesitated, then said,

"Don't you think it's odd?"

"Think what's odd?" Seiji asked absently, not looking up from his game.

"Shiten-san…I mean, can we really trust him?"

"Why shouldn't we? He's helped Shu become exponentially better in Physics," Toma murmured as he made his move. Shin looked away from his book to give Naste a concerned, puzzled look.

"What's wrong?"

"There's just something…I mean, what if he finds out about the armors?"

"I think he can keep a secret," Ryo stated as he looked away from the window. "There's no reason to worry."

Naste hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."

Yuu smiled as he leaned against the cold steel bleachers, watching Ryo practice long after the rest of the team had gone, a lone figure on the field. When he finished, panting and his shirt sticking to his chest, Yuu clapped, making Ryo look up quickly, habitually cautious. He relaxed and grinned in relief when he saw Yuu.

"You were watching?"

"You're very good," Yuu said as he walked to Ryo.

"I practice a lot."

"So I see."

Ryo laughed. Yuu looked towards the setting sun, doing a quick mental calculation.

"It's getting late and your house is quite a ways away.

Ryo shrugged. "I'll be fine."

"Mind if I come with you?"

"No, I don't mind." Ryo said as Yuu helped Ryo pack his things.

"You're doing better in English."

"As are you in History."

"I have a good teacher."

Ryo shook his head in amusement.

They walked, and twilight descended around them.

"It gets dark fast here," Yuu observed.

"It's because of the trees and the mountains. They block some of the light."

Yuu nodded his understanding, thinking.

They walked in companionable silence until they came to the lake. A thought struck Ryo.

"How are you getting home?"

Yuu smiled faintly, "Are you worried about me?"

"N-no," Ryo stammerd, "it's just that the forest around here can be…less than normal."

"Are you suggesting that I stay the night at your house?"

"Um…sure…I mean…"

Yuu smiled and leaned on a tree, looking at Ryo fondly, "You're an interesting little fire. Don't worry. My home is nearby."

"Really? Where?" Not many people lived nearby, so Ryo was curious.

"There."

"Where."

"There."

"What?"