Shu opened the door to his room and stepped inside, Apple following him.

"I can't believe you don't remember this." He walked toward the bookshelf, scanning its contents carefully. "It wasn't too long after we forged an alliance with the Toran Republic. You mentioned something about the memories being too much for you, and you asked me to hold on to your notes for a while."

"That...sounds vaguely familiar," admitted the young woman.

"It should, at the very least. You practically begged me to take the papers, which I did. I stored them in a safe place on the top shelf, third book from the left." He reached up, pulling that very book. "Which means, your notes are in the exact location I left them...right here!" He opened the cover to an empty page.

"There's nothing there," Apple stated, bewildered.

"Er, of course not," Shu replied sheepishly. "That's because I stored them in a less obvious place...the book to the right of the third book to the left!"

"You mean...fourth book from the left," the woman said dryly.

"I mean...the book that contains all your hard work!" he said, opening the book to the same result. "Oh. Where...where did I put it?"

"Hopefully a safe place. Did you have anyone borrow that book, by any chance?"

"Of course not. I'm very careful about distributing my books."

"Then...?"

Shu felt his face grow warm. "Well...it's got to be somewhere in here...oh, it's late. I hate to put you in a position such as this, but would you mind...?"

Apple sighed. "Of course not. They're my notes, after all." With that, she joined Shu at the shelf, putting a hand on a book. Then, after exchanging a look with him, she commenced the search.

---

"It's...it's not here," Apple said after about an hour. Completely drowsy, she slowly pushed a book back into the shelf, then looked down. "Shu, are you listening? Shu!"

"Huh...?" The young man lifted his head at the woman, no more awake than she was. He was sitting on the floor, leaning up against the shelf. "Of course I'm...listening. It's not here."

"Oh." Groaning, Apple sank to the floor slowly, taking a seat beside Shu. "That...that can't be..."

"It is..." Shu sighed, turning to her. "I'm...sorry..."

Apple momentarily buried her face in her hands, but eventually, she faced him. "It's...all right. I was the one who forced the task on you. I should..."

"You should...?"

"Apologize..."

"Yeah...maybe..."

"Shu..."

"Hmm?"

"I'm...so tired..."

"Me too..."

---

The morning light had started to show traces of itself through the window, but the two remained where they were, fast asleep.

Apple's head had come to rest upon Shu's shoulder, and she was now turning her body more in his direction. Shu welcomed this, sliding an arm around her shoulders. As if in response, Apple brought a hand to the man's midsection, gradually moving it up his shirt.

They were like this for a while; Shu then tilted his head down, the edge of his jaw touching Apple's head. With a sigh, he began to stroke her arm, an act that sparked the young woman's interest. She lifted her head, her hand making its way to the man's cheek. He responded in kind, gently caressing the woman's face. The two softly shared a kiss as Apple relocated her hand to the back of Shu's head.

As the embrace grew more passionate, Shu began to guide the woman toward the floor with his weight. Apple lay down with her back flat against the ground, Shu nearly on top of her. The young man's hand began to slide up her leg, when suddenly, another presence had made its way in the room.

"Hey, Shu, Ridley says he still needs the--whoa."

The shocked voice caused Shu and Apple to revert back to the conscious world mid-kiss. Surprised, they stared at one another for a second before sitting up straight and making themselves presentable...or as presentable as they could be, given the awkward situation.

"Viktor..." spoke Shu's voice. Secretly, he was horrified, but his well-trained tone did not reflect it.

Viktor scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Yeah..."

"Err..." Apple stood up, crossing over to the desk before picking up a stack of papers. "Th-the report, right? I'll...I'll go hand it to Ridley," she offered, promptly bolting out the door.

"So..." Viktor started as he leaned against one of the smaller shelves. "I guess I don't need to ask what you had for breakfast."

Shu groaned. "Not now, Viktor."

---

A flustered Apple marched quickly down the stairs to Ridley's quarters. Several people stared as she passed by, but she neither noticed nor cared; there was only one thing on her mind.

Did...did that...really happen?

No...it couldn't have. I must've been dreaming. Why would we...? Why would he be...?

The thought only caused her face to grow hotter, but she was unable to shake it.

Why...did it happen? Was it the fear of losing him, or just loneliness on my part? It doesn't explain why he wasn't pushing me away. Was he lonely too? He never seems to show such feelings...

I do...feel strongly for him, but...maybe I never really sorted out what it was I felt for him...

Could I have been in love all along? No, it can't be. He's...my friend. In fact, he's family. How could...?

With a groan of protest, she pushed these thoughts out of her mind, determined to keep them at bay for as long as possible.