Disclaimers: I don't own it.

And now it's Takashi's turn. I have no idea what happened to him in the eighth volume… so yeah. Okay… (I can't believe I still don't have it!)

000

Chapter Two: Takashi Ayanokoji

The insistent sound of the alarm was what woke up the blonde, who hit the 'sleep' button and then sat up, stretching. He really had to get to school, otherwise he was going to be there for a long, long time…

Getting out of bed was easier said than done, though, and he dragged himself out of there, yawning and rubbing his eyes as he tried to get himself to think straight. He had to get to school and then… well, the day would probably be like any other and he would most likely argue with Uematsu before the day was completely through.

Really, he had a lot to look up to. Maybe he should join one of those after-school clubs, but then that would get in the way of his part-time job at his uncle's café. Not that the job was unpleasant, but it could become a drag if he wasn't careful.

Takashi buttoned up his uniform and swept a bang out of the way. Well, at least he was with his friends still, and they were all getting along just fine. Sure, he had been freaked out by the little incident involving Uematsu and Kotarou… but that was in the past, and he wasn't putting too much thought in it.

How long had it been?

He thought for a moment. Hn, two years. What a long time.

After managing to get into one of the most elite schools around the area, the work hadn't seem that much harder to him: he had the brains, he knew, and that was what made everyone else jealous. It was kind of annoying as well, he had to admit, since they could just try and study harder. Besides, he didn't care too much about marks, as long as he had some good friends to mess around with and where he could be himself.

He shook his head; there was no time to think about his own, minor problems. He really had to get to school.

Upon entering the kitchen, he was greeted by his mother, who looked tired but happy. Just late last year, Takashi's father seemed to be reaching the brink of recovery, unlike the last few years, where there had been no change in his condition. There was hope now, and that was all that mattered.

"You have work tonight, don't you, Takashi?" his mother asked him.

"Yeah," he nodded, "So I won't be home 'til late."

"Just be careful, now."

"I will." The blonde reached for his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. Bidding goodbye to his mother, he left the house and made the steady loop towards the school.

It was a beautifully clear day, with the odd cloud here and there, and birds were soaring to their leisure. So… peaceful… really. Strange, how it could be like that, right after a storm the night before.

"Ten-chan!"

Recognizing the voice, Takashi stopped and turned, watching as the short blonde-haired girl ran to catch up to him. He grinned, "What's up, Uematsu?"

"I was up all night trying to finish the English homework!" the girl replied, gnawing her lip and looking highly agitated. "It was just so confusing! I can't believe they're making us do that!"

His grin widened at this, "Was it too hard for you?"

Koboshi perked at this, as if just noticing what she had told him; he, who was class genius and a total dork, "Well EXCU-SE me, dork! You asked me what was up and I told you!" She pouted at him.

Shaking his head, Takashi couldn't help but ruffle her hair, although not too much due to the sort of hairstyle she had. "Geez, Uematsu, lighten up already. I'm not gonna bite."

Pout still firmly in place, she glowered at him, "That's what you say, Ten-chan."

He laughed a bit at this and her pout – and glower – lessened and they made their way to school together, not really saying too much. It was either too awkward or they were lost in their own thoughts; no one really knew.

By the time they had reached the gates, they were face-to-face with a dark-haired boy who wore glasses that were definitely too big for his face. "Damn you, Ayanokoji! Trying to get to school earlier than me, huh!"

"Morning, Poops!" was all the blonde said as a reply. Koboshi smiled as the obvious reaction came up without hesitation.

"You vile scrounge! How dare you call me th-th-that! The heir to the Mitarai house will not permit it!"

"Dude, it just did."

"You-you-you---"

"Morning, Dai-chan," Koboshi said, before Hiroshi was knocked out of the way by his younger sister, who smiled winningly up at Takashi.

"Good morning, Ayanokoji-sama!"

"Hey, babe. How's it going?"

Kaoru seemed to see stars and she swooned just slightly. It was the same reaction all the time, but still oddly hilarious. He didn't really care for her in that way anyway, but still…

"Kotarou-chan isn't here," Koboshi muttered off-hand, looking around.

"Really? He isn't?" this took Takashi by surprise; sure, Kotarou lived with his cousin, who was only eight, and all, but he was usually earlier than this. Maybe he woke up late? "Guess we'll just wait for him." This, of course, was a clear indication for the other two to leave, which they did.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" the blonde-haired girl commented, looking up at the sky.

"Yeah, definitely." He agreed. They stood in silence, enjoying each other's company as they waited for Kotarou to arrive. A number of people called their hellos as they passed by their gate, but they weren't that important. As the clocked ticked closer and closer to class starting, Koboshi began to shift nervously; obviously worried. But she needn't worry, seeing as he had just caught sight of the very person they'd been waiting for.

"Hey, Kotarou! Morning!"

The blonde-haired girl beamed, "Morning Kotarou-chan!"

They received a brief wave in reply and the purple-haired boy ran over to join them, panting and most likely nursing a stitch. He didn't look particularly well-groomed and had the look of someone who hadn't had sleep for a long time, and Takashi frowned just slightly.

"Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, I suppose?" was all he could say, despite how worried he was for his friend's well-being. Koboshi hit him on the shoulder and he yelped, "Hey, what was that for?"

She scoffed loftily at him, "Ten-chan! No tact at all!" Before turning to face Kotarou, ignoring the scowl he gave her. "Are you okay, Kotarou-chan?"

He smiled at his two friend, pushing a purple bang out of the way, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just woke up a bit late this morning. And I'm trying to work out when Shino learnt how to cook." He frowned lightly at this, puzzled more than anything else, it seemed. Takashi blinked. Didn't he know? Er…

They made their way towards the school, passing by a number of people who were just loitering around and not caring what time it really was. Then it hit the blonde as to why Kotarou was so confused.

"Oh yeah, guess I forgot to tell you, huh?" and this had been going on for a few months now… "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."

Kotarou gave him a look that screamed 'are you insane!', "… What?"

For a moment Takashi thought he was going to be told off for teaching an eight-year-old surviving skills, "Well, you had to learn about that kinda stuff at a young age as well. And it's only simple things. We've been taking care of her when you were at review and stuff, remember?" And it wasn't like it was hurting anyone, right? Unless you counted Kotarou's pride…

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

"No prob." He grinned back at this. Just then, they heard the school bell ring, "Ah! We're going to be late! Come on!"

000

Jotting down the odd note or two, Takashi stifled a yawn as he tried to keep focused. But it was such a nice day outside, so you couldn't help but want to stare out there rather than at some old guy trying to remember how one thing was connected to another.

It looked like Kotarou was out of the world too, the blonde thought, glancing over to where his friend sat. What was on they guy's mind, anyway? He wondered. He was just so out of it today. It was highly entertaining in its own way, but still a worry at the same time.

Running a hand through his hair, Takashi returned to schoolwork. It was so boring sometimes, though…

He yawned.

000

The sun was already beginning to set as the three friends made their way to the school gate, where they would then have to part ways. But they had more thoughtful things in mind and Takashi turned to face Kotarou.

"So you'll pick her up from there, then?" he asked, referring to keeping Shino at Café Tricot, where she could be kept watched by both himself and his uncle. "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, and he smiled gratefully at her. "I know how boring your work gets sometimes."

"Right, Uematsu, whatever you say." Takashi rolled his eyes.

Koboshi glared at him and he glared right back, making the purple-haired bystander grin. He pulled the sleeve of his uniform and gasped when he noticed the time. Thanking the two briefly, he waved to them both and left off to review.

Once he was out of sight, the other two made their way to where Shino's school was, and then it was to Café Tricot.

"So spill it, Uematsu."

"What?"

"You need to catch up on homework again."

"Wha—I do not!"

"Well, why else would you spend time at the café?"

"Shut up, Ten-chan!"

Takashi laughed.

000

The customers filtered in and out of the café, keeping the blonde busy for the odd hour or so, but once the busy hours of the working day came to a close – which was quite soon, considering that he had been at school during the peak hours – and he sat outside, not really thinking about much.

Koboshi was inside with Shino, talking and laughing as such, while Takashi's uncle cleaned up inside, which really did leave the boy to watch as the sky turned pitch black and it began to show the signs of the stars coming out. The moon was pretty much non-existent, but it didn't seem to matter.

Life was so peaceful now, he mused. So… quiet. And it was a bit lonely as well, now that he thought about it.

Even now, he wondered what had happened to Shia. She hadn't been around for a long time, but he had had a crush on her. Sure, he was over it now, but she was the first person to reassure him that everything would be okay.

He wondered how she was now.

There wasn't much time to brood on this, though, as Koboshi burst out, face incredibly pale. She nearly ran into him, but he stopped her halfway.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Ten-chan! It's Kotarou-chan!" gasped the blonde-haired girl, tears forming in her eyes at that very moment, "He-he…"

000

… Yup.

Miharu Shimizu: Eheh… thanks! I don't know how long I can handle this kinda setting… but I'll do my best. She definitely did a good job in it, I was so sad after that… never saw the anime, but it was like all happy-happy wasn't it?

Kidai: Thanks!