Kurono left his school on time and waited beside the building's wall, out of other students way who were eagerly going home. That asshole better show up, or else I really will let him die, damn it. Kurono knew that was probably an empty threat, but he didn't dismiss the thought entirely.

"So, what's so important that I had to meet you here of all places?"

Kurono jumped slightly and turned to see Nishi appearing beside him. "You can't do that around here! Are you crazy?" Kurono panicked and pushed Nishi around the corner to the side of the school. Nishi chuckled in amusement; what did Kei actually think would happen?

"Relax Kei-Kun."

Kurono flinched awkwardly at the name. Now it's Kei-Kun? This is starting to freak me out now. "Would you quit calling me that! Why do you call me that anyway? And don't tell me you don't know my last name because I know that you do."

Nishi shoved his hands in his pants pockets, tilting his head up as he leaned against the wall. "Does it annoy you, or perhaps, creep you out?"

Kurono frowned in annoyance. "Obviously, I mean, you of all people…"

Nishi grinned. "Then that's your answer."

"…" Kurono took a deep breath. I really wanna punch him. "Well – knock it off already, it's just wrong."

Nishi wasn't the slightest bit offended. "Yeah whatever. You're the one that introduced yourself as Kei, remember? I just figured you preferred it."

Kurono huffed and leaned against the wall beside him. "Smug bastard. Can you at least drop the honorific, I'm older than you for starters, and neither of us consider the other as a friend or whatever – call me Kei if you want, just don't add the last part, it's weird."

Nishi shrugged. "I dunno, now that Kei doesn't annoy you that much, I think I'll keep the entire name," he grinned.

Kurono growled, "Fuck off."

Nishi leaned off the wall and waved a hand dismissively. "Your call."

Kurono grabbed Nishi's wrist before he could disappear. "Don't you dare asshole, I still wanna talk to you."

Nishi sighed mockingly. "So indecisive."

Really – really want to punch him.

"Hey! I think that's him! That's the one Matsumura told us he tagged."

Kurono and Nishi looked at the group of tall senior students heading their way. Kurono's eyes widened. "What the fuck? I avoided that coward all day to prevent this from happening again! And he still fucking tags me, that little shit!"

Nishi raised an eyebrow in amusement and tutted mockingly. "Kei, are you using your knowledge for self-gain? How very selfish of you."

Kurono gritted his teeth. "Shut up, it didn't work anyway! I was talking to a classmate on the roof last time who got bullied into giving these assholes money, so he tagged me instead and got off scot-free, so I thought if I avoided the whole situation this time it wouldn't happen!"

Nishi laughed loudly. "Too bad."

Kurono clenched his fists. "What's worse is that there's more of em this time too, fucking hell."

"Who's that with him?" The bulkier one asked the blond next to him, blowing smoke into the air.

"Dunno, but he's short as hell! No way he's a high school kid!"

"Yeah, maybe the ten grader's brother…"

"Haha, well, we'll rough him up too!"

Nishi shrugged and managed to clap a hand on Kei's shoulder before passing him. "Well, good luck."

Kurono turned his head in surprise. "Where the hell are you going?"

Nishi tilted his head back and answered with a deadpan expression, "Home?" Well, a motel, but he doesn't need to know that.

Kurono frowned. "Oh no you're not, what happened to helping me out huh?"

Nishi laughed. "On missions, yes." Nishi gestured toward them. "But that doesn't include potentially getting my head kicked in by bulky high school seniors. This is your problem. So see ya!" Nishi chuckled and began to walk off.

Kurono whirled around in disbelief. "Nishi!"

"Going somewhere kid?" Another tall male appeared around the opposite corner with two others, making eight in total, five behind Kurono, and three in front of Nishi. "Stick around, it'll be fun."

Nishi stepped back a few paces to stand beside Kurono, narrowing his eyes at the students. Dammit.

Kurono glared at the five nearest to him as he turned to face them. "Looks like you're staying after all," he told Nishi as the two now stood back-to-back, with the shorter boy measuring just under his shoulder blades. "You're wearing your suit, right?"

"Nope."

Kurono's eyes widened, and he inclined his head down. "Tell me you're fucking joking right now."

Nishi rolled his eyes. "Of course I'm wearing my suit you fucking idiot."

Kurono actually sighed in relief; while he constantly wanted to deck the younger teen, he had no intention of getting him killed by a bunch of delinquents. "Good."

"Question is, are you wearing yours?"

Kurono grinned. "Damn straight I am." Kurono glared at the five coming closer to them. "Just to be clear, we don't wanna kill em."

Nishi clicked his tongue. "Maybe you don't."

"Be serious," Kei hissed.

"I was."

"No killing you psychopath."

"Do you want my help or not?" Nishi glanced at those in front of him; they were at least a foot or so taller than him. "Not that I really have a choice now."

Kurono huffed. "Don't kill them, just help me beat the crap out of them, and we'll get some food; I'll even pay."

Nishi chuckled. "Sounds like my first date."

Kurono growled and stuttered, "Would you stop fucking around, it's creepy as hell!"

"You're the one buying me dinner."

"To say thank you, and – shut the hell up and focus already, unless you want our next trip to be the hospital."

Nishi rolled his eyes; even if they managed to catch him off guard, they could barely scratch him with the suit.

"Shit, that kid is probably just a god damn middle-school brat," Takibana, the bulkiest one, gritted out with a grin. "This will be easy."

The blond screeched with laughter. "Hey! Matari," he called to one of the three in front of Nishi. "Ain't you got a brother in middle-school that got beat up by some classmate a while back?"

Nishi's eyes widened in shock. Matari? Ah shit, small fucking world. Nishi shuffled back slightly, fists raised.

Kurono noticed Nishi's posture change and glanced down. "Don't you flake on me, asshole."

A slight nervous grin appeared on the smaller boy's face. "The middle-school classmate they're talking about who beat up the brother is me."

Kurono gaped. "You're shitting me, and let me guess, he deserved it?" Kurono then looked at the seniors surrounding them with a glare. "Yeh, by the way these bastards act, he probably did."

I should have brought my gun, Nishi thought.

Takibana and the blond lunged at Kurono, who stood with a grin on his face. Strongest first, is it? Not completely original, good for them. Kurono turned slightly and elbowed the brute with such speed that the other four didn't understand what happened until he was twitching on the floor, bloody face, and gaps in his teeth. The blond and the other three gasped in fear before lunging at Kurono all at once. Never thought I'd say this but thank god for Gantz. Feeling the adrenaline kick in, Kurono's suit bulged around his biceps as he ducked a punch aimed for his face and sent the blond flying with an uppercut to his jaw. In a matter of seconds, the five were lying scattered, bloody, and unconscious. "Hey Nishi, are you-" Kurono turned in time to see Nishi lay out a student twice his size by a violent punch across the face; it was certainly an odd sight to see. "Heh, never mind."

Nishi straightened, breathing deeply before turning to face Kei with a grin. "Did you think I was going to lose?"

Kurono chuckled. "I had doubts; you weren't exactly Mr. confident."

Nishi glanced at the five twitching in pain behind Kurono. "And what about you, I don't think you really needed my help, did you?"

Kurono looked at the cause of what he'd done and shrugged, laughing as he turned back to Nishi. "Guess not. So, hungry?"

…

"Not one part of me thinks telling Kato and big tits about what we know is a good idea," Nishi said with irritation as he casually picked out a french-fry from Kurono's tray, having finished his own meal.

"She has a name, it's Kishimoto," Kurono said with frustration.

"Whatever. If you tell them we possess temporary prescience, what do you suppose Kato will do?"

Kurono took a bite from his mini beef burger. "I don't know, I haven't thought about it."

Nishi took another french-fry and rolled his eyes. "I'll tell you; he'll want to track down those next to go to the room and stop them from their original deaths, and that, I will not be a part of."

Kurono stuffed the last of his burger in his mouth. "Yeah, that does sound like Kato, and there are events that should just be left alone. I mean, for all we know, Gantz might decide to blow our heads off if we're too obvious."

"I don't think Gantz knows what happened, but you have a point. Which is why you shouldn't tell them."

"Kato will understand if I explain about calling attention to Gantz, but as for the mission, let him help others, okay? If he wants to protect them, just let him; you don't have to like it, and I for one don't like the idea of saving the likes of those fat fucking bikers either, but that's the role Kato played, and it worked."

"As long as I reach a hundred points, I couldn't care less; because after this mission is over, that'll be your problem."

Kurono narrowed his eyes slightly before brushing off Nishi's attitude; he'd rather not argue in a food court. Kurono moved his tray from Nishi's reach. "Stop eating my fries, it's not my fault you already finished yours." It was the weirdest thing, but at some point, since the two had met up outside the school, Kurono had seen a slightly normal side to Nishi; the boy still pissed him off, but that one brick had multiplied, even if it was only by one.

Nishi huffed. "I told you what I wanted, and all you got me was a pathetic little meal that wouldn't even fill up a child."

"Gimme a break you ungrateful little – I'm a tenth grader living on my own with a fricking budget."

Kurono couldn't help thinking Nishi looked like he was actually sulking or teasing him, probably both.

"Low budget my ass; I bet you spent every yen possible on poor, helpless Kishimoto, right?" Nishi grinned slightly in amusement.

"That's because I thought I was getting sex."

Nishi raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "I helped you beat up that group of trash, but if all it took to get a full-sized meal was sex, all you had to do was ask."

Kurono blanched considerably. "Fuck no, you're sick, that's just – no."

Nishi grinned and took a bite from a french-fry. "Is that a no, Kei-Kun?"

Kurono shuddered and shoved Nishi back, putting space between them. "Stop talking. Neither of us is a homo, so shut up." Nishi shrugged, clearly amused by Kurono's disgust.

Kurono sighed, "I can't believe you got laid before I did, and your two years younger than I am, that's so wrong," he complained.

"If you think about it, given the fact we've gone back in time, technically, you're still a virgin."

Kurono frowned. "Just shut up already." The older teen huffed and pushed the tray forward. "Eat the damn fries, I've so lost my appetite." Kurono rolled his eyes when Nishi didn't hesitate to finish his food. "I still can't wrack my brain around how this happened." Kurono scoffed slightly. "As tiny as my brain apparently is."

"Could be an alien," Nishi said casually, dipping yet another french-fry into some ketchup.

Kurono gaped at him. "That was a joke, right?"

"Not really, you don't think it's possible?"

Kurono frowned in thought. "Well, maybe. But if an alien did it, neither of us would remember." Kurono then gasped.

Nishi tilted his head with a slight grin. "Jog your memory?"

Oh, no way is that possible!

Kurono watched helplessly from the ground as Sei fought bravely against the thousand-armed Buddha. Sei swung her leg up, kicking the bottle of acid out of its many hands, and it melted one side of its body, including a few of the back arms, causing it to drop the objects it held. Kurono turned his head slightly, pain dancing in his vision, as one object rolled toward him and span a few times before settling near his bleeding stump; it was the object the Buddha used to turn time back on itself to heal.

Nishi couldn't believe the words Kurono spoke. "Are you saying that you took an alien object back with you, and somehow used that to actually go back in time? That's your logical theory? Time travel?"

Kurono slammed his fist on the table. "It makes sense!" Realizing the two were drawing attention to themselves, they took their rubbish to the trash and left the restaurant. "It makes sense," Kurono repeated once they were on a less busy street. "I took it, but I thought it'd be useful if I ever lost a limb again or something; how was I supposed to know I'd fucking go back in time!"

Nishi sighed and placed his hands in his pockets. "Let's say you're right. It probably worked by some cause of emotional anguish for you."

Kurono frowned. "Maybe, but then why didn't it work for me after the Buddha mission? I mean, I lost all my friends."

Nishi shrugged. "Perhaps you weren't as distraught as you thought."

Kurono gritted his teeth. How the hell can he say that so fucking casually! "I – lost – all – my – friends."

Nishi chuckled in amusement. "I'm just saying, your emotions obviously weren't strong enough. Something else tipped you over the edge, your own death perhaps? Weren't you standing in front of a train, just like before?"

Kurono's eyes widened. He's right! Only then did I realize how important it was to stay alive, not just for me but also for everyone.

"I take that as a yes." Nishi then frowned slightly. "But that only explains where you're concerned; why am I the only one who knows it happened?"

Good question, Kurono thought, but he had a feeling he already knew the answer. "As much as I would have liked Kato or Kishimoto instead of you, I hardly think we would have convinced you if it were. So no offence, but I think maybe subconsciously, I wanted you to remember your death so that you would understand, and you also know a lot more than they do; I think it turned out for the best." The two stopped beside an intersection; Nishi did not look at all amused. "I said subconsciously."

"I became part of your epiphany because you wanted me to remember my death; that's so lame; actually, that's kind of fucked up."

"When you put it like that it sounds bad, but it's true, and you can't tell me you would have listened to a single word I said if you were in Kato's situation, right?" Nishi tsked and looked away. "In any case, you died on that mission, so from there, you're as clueless as them, but I'd rather come up with a plan together. I'm telling Kishimoto and Kato tomorrow, are you helping me or not?"

…

Kurono took a deep breath as he trudged up the steps, heading toward his apartment. He had purposely left his ID card in his clothes, so he knew exactly who was waiting for him as he turned the corner. There she is. Kurono looked down to see Kishimoto sitting crouched by his door, seemingly asleep. His eyes wandered over her body; he could see part of her cleavage as he bent down to her level. So hot. "Kishimoto?" Kurono gently tapped her on the shoulder; she opened her eyes and grunted in surprise. "Uh, hey."

Kishimoto scrambled back and handed him his ID card. "This is yours, you let me borrow your jacket, remember? I think this fell out when I changed in my room."

Kurono smiled and stood up, holding his hand out. Oh yeah, I'm a total gentleman.

Kishimoto tilted her head and took Kurono's hand. "Well…see ya."

Kurono grabbed her wrist before she could take a step down the stairs. "Wait, Kishimoto."

Kishimoto looked down at his hand, and he quickly let go before she looked up at him. "What is it?"

Kurono sighed. "Look, I was going to tell you sooner, and Kato too, but – well, can you come in for a minute?"

Kishimoto hugged herself around her chest. "I – don't think I should…"

Kurono held his hands up. "Uh, it's nothing like that, nothing weird, I just – I have to explain some things. Of course if you don't believe me after, then you can leave, but the thing is, I know you don't have a home to go back to. Am I right?"

Kishimoto gasped. "What are you talking about?"

Crap, did that not happen this time? "I know about your other self – you – you still exist, right?"

Kishimoto covered her mouth. "How do you know that?"

Kurono stepped past her and unlocked his door. "Come in, and I'll explain, okay?"

…

"Well, that's about what I can tell you. It's kind of weird, but Nishi and I are the only ones who remember what happened. I know it doesn't make sense, and I think it's crazy too, but that's basically what happened. I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night, but I needed to be sure, you know? I didn't wanna freak you out after what you went through last night with the Yakuza and the onion alien, so…"

Kishimoto took a sip of her green tea. "It sort of makes sense, you suddenly acted so calm, and Kato looked suspicious of you and that kid, Nishi?"

Kurono nodded. "Yeah, he knows about it too, that's another complicated story, but not really important. Anyway, you can stay here as long as you want – I owe you that. I was – I was kind of a jerk to you about it last time. I expected too much, kind of a one-track mind I guess. No pressure or anything, I know it's Kato you like."

Kishimoto blushed and avoided Kurono's gaze. "I don't like…"

Kurono laughed. "Hey, no biggy, really. He's a good person, and you're both suited. Besides, I have someone waiting for me."

Kishimoto looked up at him. "Sei, right?"

Kurono nodded. "That's the one."

Kishimoto sighed. "You're different Kurono, I can tell. I mean I don't know you much, but it feels like I do."

Kurono looked at the bed and chuckled. "Look, we'll have to sleep in the same bed tonight, but I'll get a spare futon or something from my parent's tomorrow."

Kishimoto nodded. "Okay…"

"We'll meet up with Kato and Nishi tomorrow at the bookstore and plan where we go from there."

…

"There are twelve robot aliens altogether, and a boss. The boss is a massive-ass bird thing, but that's mine to kill, okay?" Kurono told the three standing in front of him, looking specifically at Nishi."

"All I need is two." Nishi gritted his teeth. I can't believe there are twelve of those fucking things. I struggled with one!

"Like I said, the robots are worth five points each, the boss I think, is worth eight. They're quick, so unless you catch it off guard, the best thing to do is to use your suit's strength to crush em, not your gun."

Kato curled his hands into fists. "I – I have to kill…"

Nishi clicked his tongue. "If you don't wanna die that is."

Kurono clapped a hand on Kato's shoulder. "It's the only way, you got through it once before." Kurono looked at the three with determination. "We'll split up to defeat the aliens, and we'll go back together."

Nishi rolled his eyes. "Of course there's a huge possibility that it'll be just us returning."

Kurono frowned. "No, we'll work together; we'll stick by your rules and ours; we'll survive."

Kishimoto looked at Kurono. "So, is there anything else you can tell us about the next alien?"

Nishi frowned. "Bring some fucking ear plugs." The teen walked away without another word, leaving them to stare after him.

"What does that mean?" Kato asked.

Kurono shook his head. "Don't worry about it, we'll be fine. The truth is, Nishi died on this mission."

Kato looked at Kurono with slight concern. "He did?"

Kurono nodded. "Yeh, so he's probably anxious more than anyone."

Kato frowned. "Will we – make it?"

Kurono grinned. "Count on it."