"-And that's what happened..." Immediately after finishing my tale, I instinctively gazed downed on the floor looking to avoid whatever expression she had at the moment.

Thinking about my dream in full wad almost second nature to me. I'd occasionally remind myself of the goal that I arrived for, just in case someone was currently looking into my thoughts at the moment.

Like right now, for example.

But actually explaining it's entirety had washed me with a feeling of embarassment that I rarely felt before, if ever really.

I couldn't afford looking at the girl who I recently started to consider as a friend. Even after all the times I had tried to abate her pursues for my friendship, she came back time and time again to try again.

Was she really that interested with me, or was she just keen on knowing if I was the person who kept saving her since that night? It didn't help that everytime I would come to her rescue, her attempts at talking with me would get a bit more aggressive, a far cry from the perfect girl image that she presented herself as.

After all that time, she actually managed to succeed, Akane got me to acknowledge her as a friend no matter how hard my mind tried to deny it. That feeling of longing for someone to connect with was there, deep in my soul.

And right at this moment, just as I was starting to think that I wouldn't walk alone, she just had to find out my secret, my dream.

I didn't know what came over me when I started telling her my story. It was almost instinctual in way. Deep down I longed for a friend that my mind naturally sought to do so. Perhaps humans truly were social creatures. Even to the most isolated of people, I could hazard a guess that they craved social interaction just as much as I had. And right now, I was almost throwing it all away and I did that after knowing what most people think of my dream...

I really am an idiot aren't I?

Before I knew it, my mouth had opened and I started to talk to her about my dream. After a bit of time, I gradually lifted my gaze from her face to the room's ceiling, an unknown emotion running through me.

Was it nostalgia? Or was it an advanced form of self-pity? The answer to that question would never be known to me in this life.

"Humph." I heard a huff coming from the girl in front if me. Or was it a laugh? Was she laughing at my dream just like everyone else did? As much as I try to deny it, that action would affect me however small it's effect was, it's still there.

Akane continued her bout of giggles for a few short seconds. Even for someone as socially inept as me could tell there was no hint of amusement in her laughter.

"Hey... Can I tell you my story?" Once her laughter had subsided, a serious tone took its place. I didn't know if I liked the direction this conversation was headed.

"Why?" Truly I was asking myself that as well. I didn't know where she was going with that question if hers. Her story? Did a person like her even have one? I mean as a main character she would naturally have one as expected of someone of her stature. But should she really be telling all this to a mob character like me?

"It's only fair. You told me you story as ridiculous as it was, I tell you mine. Equivalent exchange right?" I guess that made sense.

"Plus..." Her voice grew weaker, it was almost akin to those who were on their last breaths. I could tell that the girl in front of me was weak. "I just need someone to listen to me..."

I wanted to refuse. Her life was none of my business. Listening to her would only rope me in a whole bunch of her problems. But... I couldn't get the words out of my mouth. I couldn't just deny her outright. That would break her. While I have no qualms with brutally beating my opponents to a pulp, even I have my honor to not lay my hands on the weak and innocent, much like a typical hero would. Even if that wasn't 'eminence in shadow like', I don't care for once, I have my principles.

The girl in front of me was undoubtedly weak. Not physically of course, but both mentally and emotionally she was. Looking at her reminded me of who I was before, the 'me' that I had abandoned to seek my ideal.

"Please?" That just sealed the deal for me.

I reluctantly nodded, signalling her that yes, someone was willing to listen. I ignored the fact that she had grabbed my pillow and started hugging it as if it was going to be blown away. Her knees were pulled in to her chest, the pillow graciously accepting the offering.

Soon she started...

"You already know that I'm an actress. At least I think you do... You do know that right?" Her voice had a dangerous tone that told my instincts to not go against it.

In response to her question, I hastily nodded. She smiled, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

"Good. Anyway, I'm not really some big name actress that a lot of people would recognize. I mean, I do have some fans, but not enough to actually warrant me being called popular."

Was she being serious or only being humble. I know that half of the school know that she's an actress and like to talk about when she might come back, while the other either don't know or don't really care. I belong in the latter group if you couldn't tell.

"Hmm..."

"I started out when I was 8. We had a play at my elementary school and my entire family was watching... They blew things out of proportion after the play, saying that I was a natural born actress even if I wasn't even playing the role of the protagonist." How ironic...

"Huh."

"My mother got through to one of the family contacts, some sort of producer was he? I can't really remember but he got me into a minor role in a morning soap drama. I didn't really like doing it, the staff were a bit creepy though the fellow actors were nice, but everytime I saw the bright smile in my mom's face, I just couldn't bear to quit. I heard from my dad that she always wanted to be one but never had the talent for it..." She seems to hold this part of her life near and dear to her heart if that serene smile on her smile told me.

"I see."

"But then- Wait... Are you even listening to me?!" She accused, obviously displeased by my dismissive comments.

"Hmm."

"You aren't even replying properly!" I got a rather strong smack to the head that if it wasn't for my training, I would have fallen of the bed and possibly have a slight concussion.

Instead my head just slightly pushed forward thanks to the force of her fist and my gaze was now back to my lovely floor.

Regaining my bearings, I tore my gaze off the floor and looked back at her, "What was that for?!" No need for any of my amazing acting since I actually was a tad bit annoyed that she hit me. I may be self trained but shit can still hurt and I can't really do anything about it except ignore it.

"What was tha- You weren't listening to me! You just gave out some half-hearted reply to try and trick me to think that you actually were listening!"

"But that doesn't-" Before I could retort, she already cut me off.

"Oh and for your information, I know that this isn't your first time doing, either to me or to anyone else. I absolutely know that this is

how you normally talk to just about everyone!"

Akane was now taking in some shallow breaths since she more or less just screamed to my face what I was doing. Why'd she have to do that? I already knew what I was doing and why I did it. Akane didn't have to say it to my face. Rather loudly at that.

After a few rather short seconds with the sound of Akane's breathing the only thing that could be heard in my room, she relaxed and started speaking at a calm speed.

"You really should start listening to what people have to say. You never know when people start talking about really important things." For some odd reason, I could hear the echoes of several people crying out in agreement before being silenced at the back of my head, but dismissed them as my mind playing tricks on me.

"But why would I do that when I know that they won't have anything important to tell me?"

"How would you even know that what they're saying is important to not? You decide that after hearing them out not before. You'll never know when someone actually has something important to say. Everyone knows that."

Oh.

Ohhhhhh...

So that's how you actually get information! Most if my life I thought that I'd make most of it up and that it'd continue indefinitely. But this revelation changes everything!

You listen first then you decide whether it's important info. I can't believe I missed something so simple.

Seeing the contemplating look on my face, Akane looked on in horror.

"No... No... Don't tell me you actually didn't know that... I must be hallucinating that look on your face since it's so late out. Yeah, maybe that's it..."

The girl in front of me blinked her eyes several times in quick succession. Seeing that it obviously wasn't working, Akane then tried a whole host of other methods that she know of that would 'snap her out of it'.

But no, I really did not know that was how you fish for information.

"You actually didn't know... You.. Didn't... Know..." Akane had a look if disbelief at her own revelation. Her eyes were wide open and her mouth was so agape that I became worried a fly may buzz into her mouth.

"No I did not." I answer her flatly.

"I see..." Her gaze shifts to the very nice carpeted floor of my room. Man, we really like looking at my floor like it was the best thing since sliced bread. Did I mention it was carpeted?

Strands of hair now covered her face enough that I couldn't see what expression she currently wore at the moment. Was she angry? Disappointed? Knowing me, it could honestly be both and then some.

"Heh. Heh. Hehehe... Hahahaha!"

Akane laughed almost like a maniacal supervillian. If she actually was one though, then it is my duty as shadowbroker to see to it that she won't ruin the plot for the main characters.

She kept going for almost a minute, by then I was starting to worry...

Shit, did I break her?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was my fault. I've been called many names and 'Most Annoying Human on the Planet' was definitely one of them. Granted the person who gave me such a name filled with grace was one of those annoying popular girls back in middle school, and someone whose name I never bothered to remember.

A few moments later though, her laughter subsided and Akane tore her gaze from the floor to look at me square in the face.

"You're aren't joking right? You're being serious right now." She's just grasping at straws now.

"Yes I am being one hundred percent serious with you." I say flatly.

She stares at me was once more with a blank expression, taking in the rather incredible information. Incredible, in a way you would have never ever thought that a teenager living in the modern era

would not know about one of the fundamentals in basic socializing.

"So, some of what you said weren't exaggerated huh? You really didn't have any friends."

"Actually I did have a few, but they'd leave after a while." Right now, I didn't really care about the others who had isolated me due to my strange way of thinking, but I do care about what's going to happen in the future.

In response to my pathetic social life, Akane snorted out of amusement.

"Of course they would. Who in their right mind would be able to keep up with you...?"

Akane trailed off, bearing a complicated face. She stared at me, thinking about something important. What it was, I didn't have a clue.

She muttered something in her breath, I couldn't hear it and I know that shouldn't hear it.

"I guess it can't be helped..." Akane Nishino muttered to herself. Something that Minoru Kagenou wasn't able to hear even with his trained senses. If he had, then this tale would have been more derailed than it already was.

Who am I you ask? I'm just someone who looks and observes, potentially rewriting existing fates for my own amusement. You need not worry about me, I only provide information.

"Well, I'm heading home. It's already late and I still haven't eaten my dinner yet. I'm sure that either my brother or my father would be worried when I stayed out so late. Again." She grimaced.

I was about to protest that she could just eat dinner here, but then I remembered that there wasn't any food left in the house. One of the reasons why my parents sent me a larger allowance than usual.

As she stood up from my bed, straightening her clothes, I thought back to the events of the day. No doubt that she would now cut ties with me after knowing that I was apparently a 'weirdo' in most people's eyes. It can't be helped after all, she's a popular girl and I'm just a mob character. A friendship between us would have never worked out. No matter what my mind says.

"I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then Minoru. You better skip out on your patrols, this has been a long day for the both of us and we need our rest."

Wait what?

"Huh? 'See you tomorrow?' Aren't you supposed to be avoiding me now?" I was now confused. I thought that I failed on actually befriending her due to my obnoxiousness.

Akane tilted her head. Now, she was also confused.

"Huh? Why would I?" She seemed genuinely baffled at my insinuation.

I try to speak out a reason, any reason but I couldn't get anything out more than some nonsensical stammering. Akane, having apparently found out the reason, laughed softly. Not the mocking kind too.

"Ah, I see. You really think that I'd just start avoiding you after seeing what you're really like?" A part of me honestly did think that would happen.

Taking my silence as a yes, Akane sighed.

"Look Minoru. If I did that after everything you've said I'd be the world's biggest hypocrite. You already know how I'm really like, if not fully. I'm just a weak girl who didn't have any courage after something happened. At least you ignored what everyone around you said and followed your dream. I could never do something like that." Akane's features were soft, no hints of glares, annoyance or any other negative emotion that she had showed me earlier. Right now, she was being honest.

"You've said so yourself. One of the biggest reasons you've never told anyone again was that you were afraid that something would happen again..." She took a hold of my right hand which had unknowingly been clenched and was trembling slightly. Once I felt her touch, my hand unclenched and the trembling had stopped.

"So, I'll be your friend. I won't make fun of your dream. I won't discourage. I won't abandon you. But, make sure you do the same for me." This time her hand was the one trembling. I did the same thing to hers that she had done to mine earlier. Akane smiled slightly at my actions.

"Sure, I'll be there." I said, my voice unusually soft.

"But..." She tilted her head again in confusion. What could I be planning, she might wonder. I have to thank her cheering me up before she left, otherwise I might doubt myself even more.

"Hmph. However, do you have the strength and will to stand beside me in the shadows and hunt those who are too cowardly to escape the darkness?" My voice's usual bravado, which had been absent for most of the night, had returned.

Akane was confused for a few seconds, then she smiled. I hoped that it meant that she would play along.

"Of course I am err... Lord Shadow. I am fully prepared for the grievances that we face. The world may never truly know us, but we shall strike fear to those who oppose us. They will never forget the name...um..." She trailed off, not finding a good name right now.

"...A-ha! They shall know the name of Shadow Garden. " She raised her right hand into the air in excitement.

"You've impressed me girl. I now pronounce you as my partner. Together, the world of darkness will think twice before opposing us. Tomorrow we shall meet at dusk after our training has been finished."

Akane knelt down and bowed her head, "Yes, Lord Shadow. You're wisdom truly knows no bounds."

"Now off, before your captors see to it that you have escaped!"

"I will be off! Hopefully the shadows are on my side this fine night!" She quickly stood to her feet and soon after laughed, seeing that our bit was now over.

"You were right Minoru! That is really fun." She took out her phone to check the time, her eyes widened after doing so. "It's really late now. I'll see you tomorrow Minoru...!" Akane bids her farewell as she rushed out of my house to get to her own.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow..." I say quietly a fond smile on my face.

That night, I dreamt not of lonely darkness. This time, several vaguely human shaped lights appeared in my world of darkness, giving it the shine that it really needed.

I slept really well that night. And for the first time in a while, I was really looking forward to the next morning.