Silence is the ambiance I strive for while studying. Well, it's not the ambiance I strive for considering that it's always quiet in my household, but if it's not there, then I am unable to work efficiently. I already cleaned my room to meet my standards. I brewed myself a piping cup of sencha tea in a rose petal teacup my mom got for my birthday. I also brought up the mini kotatsu that was tucked away for the summer last spring. I scooted under the blanket and allowed the heat to rise from my toes to my waist. My calculator was set on the table along with my tea, a calculus textbook, a blue ballpoint pen, and my homework. Everything was set...no wait, I need a snack. I went back to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of tangerines and sat back in the same spot. I have my homework, math book, calculator, drink, snack, and a pen to get my study session start. "Alright. It's time to learn!" I said to myself. This was the only way for me to study. Everything had to be perfect. I started by writing my name in kanji at the top of the worksheet until…

[RIIIIIIINNNG! RIIIIIIINNNG!] My house phone went off.

Damn it! And I was just about to start! I grudgingly removed myself from the comfort of the kotatsu and picked up the phone in the living room, getting ready to be my mom's answering service. "Hello. This is the Izumi residence. If you're calling for Kameko Izumi she's unavailable at this moment. If this is an emergency, please-"

"Kuro?" I hear a very familiar voice coming from the line.

"Josuke? Oh! I'm sorry for that spiel. It's a bad habit of mine." I gently laugh out of embarrassment. "You rarely call." It's been such a long time since someone called for a normal conversation.

"Yea...it's ok. So…you know...about the newest Japanese book our teacher told us to purchase?" He stuttered. For some strange reason, ever since the beginning of high school, he's always had a hard time talking to me over the phone. He seems fine whenever he needs to call Jotaro or Koichi. Because of this, whenever I talk to him on the phone, it makes me feel...kind of lonely.

"What about it?"

"Well, I need to go get my copy from the bookstore"

"Josuke, I just so happen to have an older version of that book. I know school books can get a bit expensive, do-"

"No!" Josuke randomly shouted. "I mean, I want an unused book. Anyway, can you help me pick it up at the bookstore? Just to make sure I get the right one. And maybe we can...grab a bite to eat on our way back? Maybe at St. Gentleman's? It'll be my treat."

I giggled into the phone. "Josuke, if you just wanted to hang out with me, you didn't need to go through all of that."

"Oh really?"

"Of course! We're friends. Besides, Jotaro told us to travel in pairs as much as possible."

"Um, ok. I'll meet you by the shopping center's plaza, around noon, ok?"

"Sure, I'll see you then!" I hung up the phone. It looks like I'll be eating lunch for free today.

I sat on a bench to the side of the turtle fountain, at least, that's what Josuke calls it. It was such a casual meeting that I didn't bother to wear anything special, just a baby blue denim jacket, a tucked-in white and gold striped shirt, and my red school skirt with black stockings and matching shoes. "Hey, Kuro!" I hear a shout from a distance. I already matched his familiar voice with his signature hairdo as he came running towards me.

Once he got close to me I scanned him from top to bottom and pouted. "Josuke, why are you wearing your school uniform on a Saturday?"

"Oh shut up, you sound like my mom." Josuke played back with a smile.

"Well, that just means I worry about you as much as she does." My friend's cheeks are reddened a daily occurrence whenever I've been with him lately. We head to the bookstore containing various varieties of reading materials such as school books, romance novels, stationery, even CD's and tapes in the back. We knew where the book was, and once we got to the shelf, there was only one left. Its location was beyond Josuke's reach, let alone my reach. The top shelf was only accessible with the store's ladder, which was currently being used by someone else to the right of us. An idea sparked in my head. "Josuke, pick me up."

"Wait, what?"

"So we can get the book from the shelf," I explain, pointing to the top of the bookcase. Josuke gave me a peculiar look, as if I asked him something outlandish, like the distance from the earth to Neptune. Maybe what I said was weird. I grabbed my arm and avoided eye contact to save the little amount of dignity I had. "I mean, we can always just wait for the ladder."

"I mean, sure. I'll pick you up!" He responded. "I just wasn't ready for you to ask me that." Not understanding what he meant by that, I shrugged and turned around to face the bookshelf. I sensed his hands, centimeters away from my waist, moving up and down, trying to figure out where exactly to pick me up. He settled on my hips. The faint soft-touch caused me to snort. "I'm sorry, I'm a bit ticklish."

"Hmm, I'll take note of that." He teased. Why do I get the feeling that I shouldn't have said that? He tightened his grip on my waist as he lifted me up into the air, allowing me to just barely reach the book. I grabbed the book and my pompadour friend lowered me back to the ground. It was an easy in-and-out trip that I wish lasted longer. As we walked out of the store, I spotted a small girl standing in the middle of the walkway balling her eyes out. She had long black hair with lime bangs that shaped her face. Ebony twin buns were accented with pink butterfly pins on the top of her head, and each bun was wrapped around with lime braids. The twin braids joined together to form a short ponytail around the back of her neck. Whoever did her hair must've loved her a lot. Her attire consisted of a black long sleeve top with web-like designs and pink shorts.

I followed my immediate instinct, ran towards the girl to console her, and rubbed her head, being careful not to mess up her hairdo. "Are you ok?"

Her crying went whimpering as our eyes met. Her emerald orbs were surrounded by her inflamed eyelids and bags. "N-no."

"Jeez Kuro, why did you have to run off so quickly." Josuke finally caught up to me and analyzed the situation.

"What's your name?" I softly asked. I pulled out a handkerchief from my skirt pocket and handed it to her.

The girl started to wipe her tears on it. "Jolyne."

"Jolyne huh? That's a really cute name." Her sour expression started to soften. "My name is Kuroko. Why are you crying?"

"I...I lost my daddy," she mumbled. "I was just with him a few minutes ago, and then he just disappeared. I'm scared."

I got on my knees and hugged the lost child. "It's ok. It's ok to be scared. But you don't have to be scared anymore, ok?" I could feel her heartbeat slow down with each pulse on my chest. "Now take a deep breath, And let it out, ok?" Once she followed my directions, her heartbeat went back to normal. I stood back up and reached my hand towards her. "I can take you to the police station. The people there would help you find your dad. Is that something you want to do?"

Jolyne finally gave me a light-hearted smile and held my hand. "Yea!"

I turned to Josuke, who's been just observing the conversation this whole time, and was taken aback. "Oh, I'm sorry Josuke!" I apologized and bowed my head. "I forgot that we were supposed to hang out today."

"No, it's ok." My friend scratched the back of his neck. "I'm just impressed."

"Impressed with what?"

"Well, you were so calm and collected with handling the situation, It was...kinda cool."

"Well, when I went to help her, I just remembered that a certain someone would do the same," I beamed, as I walked towards the direction of the police station.

"Wait, who's that someone?" Josuke followed behind. "Was it Koichi?"

"Nope! Maybe I'll tell you someday!" I teased. My Joestar friend pouted as we walked towards our destination.

Automatic doors welcomed the three of us into the Morioh police station. Gray walls closed us in with a couple of windows that were used sparingly in the architectural design. A wooden bench was placed in front of the clerk's desk. A woman with black glasses in a police uniform glanced at Josuke and smiled. "Hi, Higashikata! Haven't seen you since we arrested you at the convenience store."

"Ugh," Josuke complained. "Don't remind me." Sometimes I forget that Josuke's grandfather was a police officer. "This child lost her parent, and we thought you guys would help her and find her dad." Jolyne hid behind my leg nervously and hugged my thigh.

"Sorry, but a lot of the officers aren't in Morioh right now." She rejected as she pushed her glasses up.

"Why?"

"There's a massive bank robbery in S city, and most of the officers here were sent over to help out. It makes sense since nothing really happens in this boring town anyways." She glanced at Jolyne, who was still trying to hide behind my leg. "She could wait here, but with the situation and the traffic, I'm not too sure how long the wait will be for her to find her dad."

"Josuke," I tapped his shoulder to grab his attention. "I hope you don't mind, but since we are done shopping, I think I'm going to help Jolyne find her dad."

"Wait! But what about our dat- I mean, day out? We were supposed to hang out together today."

"I'm really sorry. But I think this is more important. I didn't mean to bail out on you like this."

"Who said that you're bailing out," Josuke smirked. "Sorry but I already claimed your daily time slot before Jolyne did. We're going to find her dad together."

I could feel my cheeks heat up. What he said was kinda cheesy but admiringly. Jolyne tugged on my sleeve. "Umm...miss Kuroko?"

"What is it" a massive growl came from the child's stomach as she rubbed it with her hand.

"I'm hungry."

"Well, I know just the place we're going next! And mister Josuke is paying!" I started to stroll towards the exit with Jolyne holding my hand. Josuke was right behind me puffing his cheeks out.

"I never said, I-"

"On the phone, you said it would be your treat, remember." I interrupted while grinning. His expression loosened and hung his head low. "Jolyne, what would you like to eat?

Her pupils moved up, looking for the answer above her. "I want a sandwich!"

"Good choice!" I gave her a thumbs-up as she smiled. "And I know just the place to get one. Have you ever heard of the restaurant St. Gentleman's? They have great sandwiches."