Disclaimers: I don't own it.

Na… the next three chapters are based on Kotarou, Takashi and Koboshi, the same day, but with their own kind of… views. Third person still, but yeah. In case you get confused later, it is the same day.

000

Chapter One: Kotarou Higuchi

It was just another day. Nothing was out of the ordinary and, well, besides the fact that Shino was finally becoming accustomed to how she had to live now, nothing was wrong.

The purple-haired boy yawned slightly, his vision blurred as he tried to shake off the influence of sleep. He'd had enough sleep, and besides, he needed to get ready for school. Already, his cousin could be heard getting ready in the other room. That was, if an eight-year-old could truly get ready on her own; his father was already gone to work.

Had it already been two years? It seemed like a such a short time since grade six, where he then had to try and pass his exams to get into a good school. How had the time flown by without his noticing? It just seemed so unreal, so absurd, so very mysterious.

It was almost like the whole time had been a dream to him.

Kotarou Higuchi tried to collect his thoughts for a moment before finally staggering out of bed. His eyes fell on the clock next to him and as the fact sank in that he was going to be late, he grabbed his uniform and charged into the bathroom, nearly knocking Shino off her feet in the process.

He was ready for school in a record time of three minutes. Of course, this also meant that when he left for school, he wouldn't have breakfast. One of the few troubles of being the 'man of the house', it would seem. He ignored this little minor fact and dashed back into his room to grab his bookbag.

"Shino, let's go," he called to his cousin, wrenching the door open.

The little girl ran over to him, but not before showing something into his hands, which took him by surprise. Looking down, he noticed that one was a bento box, while the other was a… piece of toast? Unable to help it, he sweat dropped.

"Oniichan needs to eat to!" Shino informed him seriously, "And Shino made that for Oniichan!"

"Er…" do eight-year-olds normally know how to cook? Kotarou couldn't help but doubt that just a bit, but decided against questioning the child for the time being. They were already late, and any more time just standing there would make them even later. "Thanks, Shino. Let's go already."

She nodded, happy, and they left the apartment.

Unable to help it, Kotarou remembered how many times he'd been tackled by his neighbor when she'd lived there for the few months in his last year at primary school. He used to berate her, especially when they were late, but she would just brush it off with her rather childish speech patterns and that insanely happy smile stuck on her face.

Misha.

It really had been a long time since he'd seen her. He could never see her again, but sometimes he had that feeling that she was watching him. It was a warm, safe feeling that he only got around the people he trusted, and she was the first to truly give him this feeling. His friends cared for him, he knew, but it didn't mean they knew what he had been through.

It took a while for the purple-haired boy to notice that he had zoned out again and his cousin was now tugging at his sleeve, reminding him that they were going to be late.

Shaking his head at his lack of focus, they hurried on.

That was mornings for you.

000

"Hey Kotarou! Morning!"

"Morning Kotarou-chan!"

By the gate, Kotarou's two friends, Takashi and Koboshi, waved him over. He waved back before bolting over to get over to them. Having already dropped Shino at her own school, he had a disheveled look in his appearance and didn't look the happiness of people. Takashi frowned at this, his dark emerald eyes showing concern for his friend.

"Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, I suppose?" he asked casually. Koboshi hit him on the shoulder, "Hey, what was that for?"

"Ten-chan! No tact at all!" she scoffed, before turning to the purple-haired boy, who was trying to catch his breath, "Are you okay, Kotarou-chan?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he reassured them, "Just woke up a bit late this morning. And I'm trying to work out when Shino learnt how to cook."

They walked towards the school with the last-minute stragglers, who were taking their time and seemingly didn't care when the school bell rang. When Kotarou said this, however, Takashi perked up, as if remembering something.

"Oh yeah, guess I forgot to tell you, huh?" he laughed off-hand at this, "My uncle has been teaching your cousin a thing or two about how to cook and stuff. He said you never can be too young to learn how to cook, so yeah. Your dad said it was fine and all."

"…What?" Kotarou stared at him like he was insane.

"Well, you had to learn about that kinda stuff at a young age as well," the blonde said in defense, "And it's only simple things. We've been taking care of her when you were at review and stuff, remember?"

"Ah… oh, it's not like I'm angry about it," the other boy smiled gratefully at him, "Thanks, Ten-chan."

"No prob." Just then, the three friends heard the school bell ring, "Ah! We're going to be late! Come on!"

000

School was like always, where the teachers wanted to cram as much stuff into their brains and how the world worked. Not that it mattered, but since it was part of the school curriculum, there was no way out of it.

Kotarou stared out of the window, unable to help it as he watched the world pass by without them. It was an exceptionally clear day with a few clouds and the odd bird streaking past it. Every now and then a friendly breeze would pass by them and tug at the branches of the trees, coaxing them to sway in a lazy manner. And although it just seemed to be a normal day for most of the students, the purple-haired teen couldn't help but wonder if a certain angel had done this to tell him that she was there.

To tell him that she had heard what he'd said just last night.

He couldn't remember all the details, but the fact was that it was a nightmare that he'd had many times before. His mother's death… and how she had died had not left him completely, but he knew that he was safe, and that she watched him from above as well, with Misha.

But to clear his mind, he needed to talk; so he did. He talked into the peaceful night sky and remembered all the memories he had had with her, with them, and how he now knew that he was no longer alone. Naturally, he never did tell the others about the angels and demons concept, but other than that they all got along fine, and that was what mattered.

He had definitely felt better after that. He felt at peace when he directed the conversation towards her; he knew that should would be out there, listening. And that was all he needed.

With a small sigh, he pulled himself back together and resumed taking notes about something the teacher had said. He had to try and stop thinking like that, or he'd get lost in his own memories again, and get confused with what was real and what was not.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully.

000

"So you'll pick her up from there, then?" asked Takashi, as the day finally finished for them. The three were by the gates once more, and since Kotarou had review, he had asked them to pick up Shino for him. "I've got work today, and she's a nice kid, so uncle will be glad to have her around."

"I'll hang around, if that's okay," offered Koboshi, "I know how boring your work gets sometimes."

"Right, Uematsu, whatever you say."

Unable to help it, Kotarou grinned as the two glared playfully at one another, and then caught sight of the time. Thanking them again, he left the two to bicker and argue and… well, whatever friends did. Either way, he knew that his little cousin was in good hands.

But that didn't mean that he could shake away the small, nagging feeling that had developed since the start of the day.

What was it?

Foreboding?

Loss?

Pain?

Nothing?

He wasn't sure anymore.

000

Review was boring. It always was, but it was essential. And it was also the time that he wished he was as smart as Takashi. He knew how hard the blonde had worked to get into the school, but still…

As they trickled out of the classroom, Kotarou was one of the last students and it was already getting dark. Hitching his school bag over his shoulder, he made his way to Café Tricot.

Poor Shino, he had to think, to be caught up in such a messed up procedure of life. He had school and review, his father was never there, and she didn't even have Misha or Shia to watch over her during this time. It was so hard… but he knew she had friends, so maybe he should stop worrying so much.

The nagging feeling hit him like a tonne of bricks and a blinding light filled his vision. Blindly, all he could hear was the blearing sound of something loud and low-pitched. Something that seemed very familiar.

Before it happened, his heart clenched painfully.

The world became black.

000

… (Stares at it) Oooooh dear…

Miharu Shimizu: Heh, thanks. I usually don't do sap stories, but PitaTen seems to be more focused on angst and the like, so yeah. I'm planning a more fanatical/action/adventure one later though… Thanks again :)

j6girl: Yeah, it was short. I'll try to make it longer later… but who knows…

Infinitis: Thanks!