When Kaname had finally reached her apartment, the sky was already quite dark. She felt tired and worn out, and decided that a nice hot shower would be the perfect cure-all. That is, until she saw her mailbox. She quickly grabbed them and made her way up the stairs and to her floor. She entered and plopped down on the living room carpet. She quickly went through the mail, which all turned out to be bills. Bills, bills, nothing but bills!

"That much just for water! They must be insane! I guess I can't afford that shower tonight." She opened the next envelope, which only made her queasier. "My rent's gone up 50 percent! I don't have money to pay for all of this!" She opened the others, cringing as she saw the digits for her electric bill, her gas, basic cable, and other miscellaneous expenses. Combined with school dues, food, and necessities, she was very much in the red. She sank to the floor, the mail scattered about. Living alone in Japan was becoming much more difficult by the day.

Her first impulse was to go to the phone and call her father. Halfway through dialing, she stopped. "I can't ask for more money. I already asked for an advanced allowance this month. He's gonna think I can't take care of myself." Living alone, she had more things to consider than most kids her age. She thought about moving back to the States. She could be back with her family and live the rest of her high school days without worrying about deep financial matters. Could she go through with it? Kaname shook her head. She loved Japan more than any other place. She found her niche here, and made something of herself. Coming back to her father's meant giving up the things she valued most.

"I NEED A JOB!!!" She concluded. But what kind?It can't interefere with school, but it has to pay enough to help me cover my expenses. The more she thought about it, the less appealing it sounded.Kaname wailed and sulked into her couch. She needed some help. Kaname took a deep breath and went for her cell…

Kyouko put down the classified section and looked to Kaname. They've been rummaging through ad cliiping for the past four hours, and still unable to find one suitable position. "Tell me again why you just won't ask your dad for cash?"

"I can't do that! That would show I can't manage on my own and I can!"

"But this is out of your control. Rates for rent and essential goods have gone up and you can't go on with your current allowance. Your dad will understand that."

"But I wanna show I can do this myself. That I'm fine living independently."

"Then why do we have to have a job with you?" Shinji asked.

"Because... um… because!" Kaname laughed sheepishly. "Besides, it'll be fun. And we'll get valuable life experiences."

Shinji didn't looked too enthused. "Sousuke offered to give you money. Why didn't you take it? I heard he's loaded with green."

"That would be just a temporary fix. The bills come every month, and I'm not too keen on hitting that freak for cash every four weeks. Besides, I don't borrow money from friends! That's just as wrong as asking Dad!"

"You weren't saying anything like that when you asked me for lunch money." Shinji muttered.

Kaname ignored him and continued looking at the job postings. "Hmm… how about this one: Looking for young models. Easy hours. Good pay."

Kyouko and Shinji weren't as thrilled. "Read the fine print."

Kaname read on and her interest disappeared faster than a cute designer mini on sale. "Must not be afraid of taking nude photos. Then what in the world are we modeling if we're wearing nothing? Nasty pervs."

"How about this one," Shinji chipped in. "Cleaners needed for carnival. No experience needed. Must bring own supplies."

"Like hell I'm going to spend my time cleaning booths and picking trash." Kaname just rolled her eyes. She, a class representative and Vice-President, picking up gum wrappers and peanut shells? Not in this lifetime.

"Ooh, I found one!" Kyouko beamed and read the ad. "New designer outlet seeking employees. Must be young and lively and interacts well with people. No experience needed. Hourly pay."

"That must be the new store that opened up two weeks ago," said Shinji. "It's only a few blocks from our school."

Kaname thought about it, and approved. "Okay. We'll go tomorrow after school and apply!"

"Thanks for coming! Have a nice day!" Kaname smiled, her teeth grating against each other. Once the customers had left she began to mutter. "If I have to smile one more time I think my face is going to split!" It was two weeks ago since they got the jobs, and Kaname lost her appeal on the first day.

"This job isn't as glamorous as I thought it was too." Kyouko said as she wiped sweat from her brow. She had spent the whole day folding, restocking, and rearranging the clothes that the customers left lying around.

"If anyone should be complaining, it should be me! I'm the one doing the most manual labor!" Shinji huffed as he carried a large box into the storage room. "How long do we have to do this for?"

"Just a few more months. The tenants and the landlord are going to hold a conference, and most likely he'll lower the rent to what he charged before. I'm also conserving as much as I can so I don't have to pay that much in utilities. A few months' time, is that too much?" Kaname gave Shinji a sad puppy-dog look. Shinji scowled, but finally yielded.

"Three months, then you're on your own, got it?" He tried to sound as stern as he could, but his small grin gave him away. Kaname skipped over to him and hugged Shinji tight. She also gave one to Kyouko.

"You guys are the best! Oh, someone's coming. I'd better go back to my spot." She headed for the entrance door to greet the new customer, beaming her fakest Barbie doll smile. "Hello! What can I do for you?"

"Miss Chidori, is there something wrong? You look injured. Do you need medical assistance?"

That voice… it could only be…

"What are you doing here, Sousuke?" Kaname wished she brought her halisen with her. Kaname couldn't fathom how one person could push all her buttons in three sentences. But he managed it. Only her had such a talent.

"I uh, I'm looking for new apparel. My current wardrobe no longer fits me." He kept a straight face, but couldn't prevent a bead of sweat from forming and rolling down his left cheek.

Kaname noted his behavior and narrowed her eyes. No doubt he was following her again. But she let it go, and tried to stay on her best behavior. She was, after all, on commission. "Well, you've come to the right place! We got styles for everyone, even a military otaku like you!" Kaname hooked Sousuke's left arm and led him to the boy's department. She showed him shirts, pants, gloves, caps, and even undergarments, all of them having military-related designs.

Sousuke however, wasn't paying attention to the outfits. He was more focused on a certain blue-haired girl. What was it about Kaname that seemed to shut down all of his defenses? Was it her smell? It was rather pleasant. Her looks? Sousuke swallowed hard. Kaname was quite physically matured for her age. Her touch? When she wasn't crushing him to a pulp, her soft skin was quite alluring. Perhaps it was a delicate combination of these, and other traits.

"Then my aunt wore this green chicken outfit and jumped off the Empire State Building. Isn't that wonderful, Sousuke?" Kaname's eyes were cold and deadly. Sousuke quickly broke his concentration.

"What? Oh, yes, quite wonderful. I'll – Ow!!" Sousuke winced as Kaname whacked him hard on the head.

"You weren't paying attention at all, you big idiot. What in the world are you thinking about?" Sousuke just blushed and looked down. Kaname raised an eyebrow, becoming suspicious. "You know what? I don't think I want to know. Just tell me whether you're going to buy these or not?" She showed him the large pile of clothes she held.

"Nan? Oh, of course. Thanks for your help, Kaname. Please guide me to the cashier." Kaname showed him to the counter. She then went behind it and tagged a sticker on her chest.

"Hi, I'm Kaname. Will it be cash or credit?" She put her hands to her hips and grinned.

"Credit." Sousuke pulled out his wallet and pulled out a card. He handed it to Kaname, who seemed to be frozen at the moment. "Um, Kaname? Kaname?"

"How in the world do you have that much money. It's just not right…"

"Well, uh, you know that, er, the group I work for. They pay quite well, and my expenses are quite meager. I've also done some financial investments, which have left me with considerable funds. Do you need some financial assistance Kaname? I'd be more than happy to grant you some money."

"What? No! I'm fine Sousuke. You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"Do you mind giving me a loan, Sousuke?" Kyouko quipped. "I could do with a better camera."

"How much would you need- Ow! Kaname!" She had whacked him in the same spot, this time with a hanger.

"Kyouko is also quite fine. Isn't… that… right… Kyouko?" The look of Kaname's eyes could have bested Medusa herself. Kyouko decided it was better not to respond and went back to restocking.

Kaname snatched the card and swiped it. She tore the receipt and nearly slammed it on the glass counter. "Sign please."

Sousuke took out a pen from his pocket and signed his name. Kaname looked at it and made a face. "You need to work on your penmanship." She made a face at Sousuke as well, but smiled at the end. Her mood had lifted a bit. "Have a nice day Sousuke." Her smile faded when he stood unmoving. "Um… now the part where you say 'Thank you' and walk out."

"Your shift ends in a few minutes, does it not? I will wait for you."

"Thanks, Sousuke. That's really sweet, but you don't have to do that. Kyouko and Shinji will walk home with me so there's nothing to worry about. Right guys? Guys?"

Kyouko and Shinji were already putting on their coats and grabbing their things. Kyouko smiled at Kaname and said, "Our time is done. You won't get out for another half-hour. We'd normally wait, Kaname, but since Sousuke's here, we thought we'd go home now. We have an oral quiz tomorrow, and I'd rather study than sit here doing nothing."

"What! You guys can't leave me! Come back here!! So much for friendship!!!" Kaname growled and pounded the counter. Sousuke was still standing in front of her; his face remaining expressionless. Only his eyes showed any sign of life in him, and Kaname couldn't help but stare deep into those gray windows. Sousuke, for his part, was as clueless as ever.

"Is there something on my face, Miss Chidori?"

"What about your face, Sousuke? It's a really nice face." Kaname said hazily.

"Pardon?"

"What?" Kaname broke her gaze and was now looking at a befuddled otaku. "I mean.. er, you know.." Kaname laughed nervously and scratched her head. She tried to find something to distract her, settling on the wall clock. "My, it's late. I should close down for the night. Wait outside for me will you?"

"Affirmative." Sousuke nodded and headed out. Kaname left a few minutes after, holding two large bags.

"You forgot your purchases, dummy." Kanamer smirked and handed them to the boy.

"Thank you Miss Chidori." He grabbed them both and carried them with one arm, while Kaname casually leaned on the other. They began walking, heading towards her apartment. Even with the heavy bags, Sousuke found himself having to check his pace with Kaname. "Long day," he asked?

"Yeah. I just don't know how long I can keep this up. It's really hard balancing school, work, clubs, and other activities. I rarely have any 'me' time anymore." Her knees began to shake and her breath became more ragged. Reach her apartment, she opted for the elevator, and sank.

"Miss Chidori, are you all right? You low blood pressure-"

"I'm fine. I'm a big girl, Sousuke. I can handle it." The elevator stopped and opened at her floor. She propped herself up and willed her legs to move. She was independent; she was strong; she could do it all herself... Not…

She felt herself being lifted up and her face looked up to that of a certain otaku. "Sousuke, I didn't ask you for help! Put me down!"

"Negative. You're body is not at it's peak. You are unable to even do the simplest functions in your current state. I will carry you to your room." Sousuke carried her up to her door. She took out her keys and fumbled with the lock, but managed to open it. As they entered, she looked at Sousuke again.

"Unable to even do the simplest functions, huh? Are you saying my body is defective, soldier?" The boy flinched, and both of them came crashing down. Kaname sat up and laughed at him, watching as his face went through a whole array of red in one second. "Well?"

"Your body, Kaname? …it's uh.. it's…" He was breathing heavily, and sweated profusely. Kaname just laughed even harder. She crawled towards her couch and climbed up.

"At ease, soldier. We'll save the interrogation for later." She smiled and patted at the empty seat beside her. "Come sit and we can look at the items you bought."

"Affirmative." Sousuke regained his composure and carried the two large bags with him. "Thank you again for your assistance, Kaname."

"Glad to be of service. But tell me, what were you planning to do with this?" She pulled out a mesh thong from the bag and twirled it. "And this?" She took out a scarlet, lacy bra and hung in front of him. Sousuke's face suddenly matched the color of the undergarment.

"I uh.. ahem.. I didn't recall buying those." He coughed.

"That's what you get for not paying attention. Idiot." Kaname rummaged through the bags and began pulling out more erotic articles, and mockingly modeled them in front of an embarrassed otaku. "I thought you'd have notice them, though. So much for your keen observations. But don't worry; we can return these tomorrow if you like."

"No.. that's.. that's alright. You… you can have them Kaname." Sousuke quickly turned his gaze toward the ceiling.

"But these are such showy items… do you think they'll look good on me?"

"You.. you'll look good in anything Kaname." He didn't dare look at her after that. She shut his eyes and prepared for a whack of a halisen or some other blow. When none came he slowly turned his head and peeked. Kaname was suddenly very close to him, her breath tickling his neck.

"So… does that mean you've been looking?" She tried to sound as seductive as possible. "Such a naughty boy…" She watched as his neck pulse and his face sweat furiously, and just hollered.

"Yes.. I mean No! I mean.." Sousuke looked at her and sighed. "You're just very beautiful. I wasn't necessarily looking. I thought it was common knowledge."

"You're really something, you know that, Sousuke?" Even through her torture he remained the virtuous soldier. That was something to say about him, and Kaname could say a lot. "I'll put these clothes away and you can taken 'em back at your place. Give 'em, trash 'em, burn 'em, whatever. You paid for it already. And for being such a generous customer, you should get a reward."

Kaname leaned closer and planned to give him a kiss on the cheek. He turned however, and found her lips in contact with his. They remained still for a few moments, until Kaname pulled back, very slowly. Now it was her turn to blush. "Well, that didn't go as I expected. But it was… nice. Ahem. So.. what about you?"

"That.. that felt… good." Sousuke said, his breath heavy and his heart pounding quickly. "I uh.. I should go now. It's um, really late, and I uh… I should go study for that.. err.. oral quiz." He jumped off and quickly grabbed the bags, rushing out the door like his was on fire.

Kaname licked her lips, as if savoring the imprint that Sousuke left. "I suppose I should study for that quiz as well… I don't think I did too well at my practice…"