Yo My guys another one... on to the update.

At school

Shuichi opened his locker and grabbed the books that he needed for his next period. As he was rummaging through his belongings, a familiar face walked by him.

"Oh hey Maki." He greeted with a wave. The ultimate assassin looked him over before responding.

"That's surprising."

"What is?"

"Usually I'm the one that greets you since... you know."

"Oh... right." He said as he tipped his hat downwards.

The whole class was aware of the current relationship between Shuichi and Kaede. It was difficult process for the both of them but Maki was still a bit worried for him, he wasn't the same as he was back when they were together.

"So, you went to the party last night? I got their a little late but I didn't see you." She asked.

"Yeah, I went last night with Kaito and Ouma."

"So how was it?"

Shuichi thought back to the night with little to recall, usually he's good at remembering details but their was only that one memory.

'My name is Tsumugi Shirogane... it's nice to meet you'

"... Shuichi." She blurted which knocked him out of his trance. He gathered himself before he answered.

"Oh right... the party was a nice change of scene for me. I enjoyed every moment of it." He said with a small smile.

"I can certainly see that. You're actually smiling for once."

He was a bit surprised to hear that. Has it really been that long since he smiled?

"Maki roll!"

Maki rolled her crimson eyes as her familiar other made his way towards them.

"How my favorite sidekick doing today?" He asked as he went in for a hug.

"...Do you want to die?" She said in a grimace tone.

"Ok! How's my other favorite sidekick doing?" He said as he quickly distanced himself from Maki.

"Everything's well Kaito, how was the party for you?" Shuichi responded.

"I should be asking you the same question my friend." He said as he wrapped his arm around the detective's shoulder.

"How did it go?" Kaito whispered to his partner.

"What are you talking about?" He answered in a similar tone.

"Your little chat with the girl you met last night... you texted her right?"

"Oh... I haven't text her."

"You what!" He said as he tried to contain his volume.

"What're you two talking about? You been over there for a while Kaito." Maki said with impatience.

"Oh nothing. Shuichi and I gotta stop by the library because he's missing a book so we'll catch up later."

"What?" Shuichi was confused at this point.

"You can go help him after we finish our assignment Kaito. I need to make sure your part is finished."

"Can't we finish it later?" He whined.

Maki said nothing as he bored into him with her glare.

"I'll catch up with you later Shuichi." He said as he followed after Maki to the classroom.

Shuichi went back to the task at hand and found that he actually was missing a book he needed for the next class.

"Seems like I'm going to the library after all."

"Sweet! That's where I'm going!"

The detective jumped at the loud reply from the supreme ruler who was right behind him.

"How long where you standing there Ouma?"

"I just got here." He quickly replied.

Shuichi just stood there with his arms crossed.

"Alright, ever since Scary girl and moon-pie left but I didn't take your book and that's the truth." He replied.

"How would you know I'm missing a book?"

"Why else would you go to a library silly?" He said in a mocking tone.

"I'm sure there's plenty of reasons but I gotta go find a replacement before my next period starts."

"Hey! You're just gonna leave me!? I wanna come too!" He said as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

Shuichi sighed as he motioned the short boy to follow him to the study hall.

At the library

Shuichi and Ouma scoured through the vast sections of the library but were unsuccessful in finding the book that he needed.

"Did you find it Ouma?" He asked as he checked through the science books.

"Found it!... Oh wait, never mind."

Shuichi sighed.

"Soooo, how was the party last night? You seem a bit more alive today than usual." Ouma asked.

"It was ok." He said plainly. Ouma wasn't satisfied with that answer.

"C'mon Shuichi, even I can tell that's a lie and I'm pretty bad at lying too."

"It was great. I had a good time for a change." He answered honestly.

"It would be considering you made a new friend. What's her name again? Logey or something?"

"It's Tsumugi Ouma."

"Well, at least you remembered... Oh! I found the book you need."

"I'm not falling for that twice." He said as he checked the time on his phone.

He's ten minutes late for class.

"Gotta go Ouma! Thanks for your help anyway." He said as he grabbed his bag and quickly left out of the library.

"I guess I'll just save it for him." He said as he pulled out the book they were looking for. Ouma did his signature laugh as he proceeded to his next period.

At the classroom

Shuichi slowly opened the door to his class very slowly as to not disturb the room.

"Good to see you Shuichi."

It wasn't successful.

"Please pardon my tardiness Professor. I don't have the book I need for today so I tried to find a replacement."

"That's fine, I believe you. As for your book promblem, follow along with another student if you can."

Shuichi nodded as he searched for an empty seat next to someone. The classroom was already packed since class started already so his options were limited.

There was an empty desk... but it was next to Kaede. He decided to pass on the seat as he found another vacant desk.

"Excuse me, may I borrow your book for today?"

"Of course Shuichi."

He looked up to see a familiar face from last night. He never knew that they shared a class period.

"I still need it for some of my notes but we both can read over it if you want." She offered.

Shuichi nodded as he sat next to her and pulled out his notebook.

"Thank you Tsumugi. I lost my book today so I appreciate your help."

"It's no problem Shuichi. Here's some of the notes from the beginning of the lecture."

"Gee thanks. You didn't have to do that."

"It's the least I can do for you friend." She said with a small smile.

A friend. Shuichi never knew that he needed a friend right now. Someone that could help him out of his current situation... But was the friend he needed really in front of him.

"Hey Tsumugi?"

"Hmm?" She said as she turned her focus towards him.

"... How was the party last night?"

Her face lit up as she began to recall the many details of that night. Shuichi couldn't hold back his glee as they shared their experience with each other. It's as if they were back at the party.

"I'm glad that I attended. It was quite amusing for me."

"It was great experience for me too." He shared.

"Alright Class, the finals are coming up so I advice that all of you study for it. Let's end this year strong ok. You're all dismissed." The teacher said as the students began to pour out of the classroom.

Shuichi was leaving the class with Tsmugi close beside him when he locked eyes with Kaede. She had a look of surprise before she turned the other way.

"Hey Shuichi, since you misplaced your book, can I help with the rest of your notes for today."

"I appreciate the offer but I think this is the only class we share." He explained.

"It's fine. You can just text me if you're stuck on anything. I'll see you tomorrow friend." She said as she made her way to her next class.

He kept his focus on her fading figure as his two friends quickly joined him.

"There you are! I've been trying to give you this book but you ran off." Ouma said as he held the book they were looking for.

"Yeah sorry about earlier Shuichi. I kinda got to listen to Maki when she looks at me like that." Kaito added.

Shuichi turned to them with a kind smile.

"It's fine guys. I don't even need the book anymore. So, when we headed to lunch? I'm kinda hungry."

The two friends nodded at each other as they all headed towards the cafeteria. It seems this friend of his might be the real thing after all.