SO! I hate high school.

Thanks to lillyannp for the follow and the review (MESSAGE: I need to read the manga. ;-; I didn't know that.) Thanks to lumenite88 for following me and for the review! You two rock for staying with me this whole time.

I'm deeply sorry for the general suckiness of this chapter.

I spend the later hours of that night with my knees to my chest and my head pulled down, away from the cold like a frightened turtle retreating into its shell. It's around ten thirty, I believe, when I am so startled from my thoughts I almost shriek.

"Hey there," A voice says. I look up irritably to see an older man in his late forties or early fifties, with dark brown hair, deep hazel eyes, and a smart tuxedo that doesn't belong on a street at this time of night. My parents taught me about stranger danger, but they're not here, are they?

"Hi," I say, my mouth still behind my knees.

"What's your name?" He asks, crouching down to my level. "Are you okay?"

"My name is Mizuki. I'm fine, thanks."

"Well, Mizuki. I'll buy you a beer. That always cheers me up."

"I'm too young," I say in the same way child would say 'duh'. "But thanks."

"Right, right," The man laughs. "Sorry. Where do you live? I have a car that can take you home."

"I don't want to go home," I say stubbornly, crossing my legs and resting my head in my palm.

"Well, do you want to come with me?" He holds his hand out, standing. I look up at him through my silver white lashes. I'll probably be kidnapped or raped and murdered, something along those lines. But I honestly don't care what happens to me. I'm capable of taking care of myself, and the prospect of going back home to Takumi's wrath and Kagami's absence, to be dragged to Oboro's funeral, it fills me with dread.

So I take his hand, noticing how it's soft, not a working man's hand. He leads me to his car, opens the door for me, and climbs in after me. We ride in silence through the quiet, dark town, I watching my one brown eye as it shifts and sparkles in the darkness.

X-***-X

I am jolted from my silent introspection by the car rolling to a soft stop. I tense for a moment, half expecting us to be at some warehouse on the outskirts of the town and a gun to be pressed to my back. But the strange man only opens the door for me. Gingerly, I sling my bag over my shoulder, flip my silver hair from my eyes, and glance up at the huge home.

He puts a comforting arm around my shoulders, smiles gently at me, and leads me inside.

The entryway is much like my own home in the way that it sparkles and glitters, showing off this man's obvious wealth. There are a few doors off to the sides and a grand, sweeping staircase situated just in front. The man tells me to wait for him there, that he'll go get someone to prepare a room for me. I tell him he doesn't have to, that I could find somewhere else to sleep, but he simply insists. So I wait.

After a long while, a maid comes to lead me to the prepared room. I follow her up the stairs, down a few halls, and she finally unlocks a door, bowing shallowly to me. I marvel at how much the room resembles my own; large bed, huge window, all elegantly matching and homey. And it's just a guest room!

I thank the maid and close the door, sling my bag on the floor, and face plant into the pillows.

X-***-X

I wake the next morning still in my black hoodie, muddy jeans, and untied combat boots. I blink in the unfamiliar surroundings in a moment of panic before I remember where I am and what happened. Sighing and standing, I decide I should at least look presentable and get out of this nice man's hair, so I brush out my tangled locks until they're shining normally and change into some clean jeans and a t-shirt. Finally, I make my way down the hall, retracing my steps from yesterday, to find myself in the entryway.

I'd feel bad if I just left without thanking him, so I track down a sticky note and write a quick thank you message, sticking it noticeably to a table situated off to the side of the grand foyer. I'm just about to leave quietly to continue my journey, walking purely on pride and stubbornness, until I hear:

"You're not leaving yet, are you?" I start, plaster a smile on my face, and turn.

"I'm sorry sir, but I thought I long overstayed my welcome," I reply to my host in my best sweet voice. "If you'd like payment, I only have twenty-seven dollars left, but I bet I can get more soon. How much would you want?"

"No, no," The man laughs. "I thought you might want some breakfast. I don't want your money."

How strange that a real person is doing something just because he thinks it would help. I couldn't imagine doing something like that. I mean, when I perform my tricks, even for the good of others, I'm gaining something - reputation.

"Oh, right," I say, withdrawing my hand from where I'd stuffed it in my bag to look for my money. "Sorry." He leads me away, beckoning with a hand.

"I don't think you've met my sons yet," the man chats idly. "They're quite a handful, but I think you'll like them."

"Hm," I giggle. "They sound like some people I know from school."

Before he can comment, he opens the door to a spacious dining room where a two teenagers are sitting with their backs turned to us. I can clearly see two things that I recognize. One, the flaming red hair. Two, their exact synchronization as they turn at the sound of the door.

"Hikaru? Kaoru?" I exclaim.

"Mizuki?" They respond in perfect unison. "What are you doing here?"

"I- I was on the street and your father took me in!" I respond, still standing awkwardly in the doorway but talking excitedly. "He let me stay the night."

"You know each other?" The father exclaims.

"Yes, sir, we're in a host club together," I say respectfully. "I didn't know you were Hitachiin-san, I'm so sorry!"

"Hold on, Mizuki," Hikaru interjects.

"What were you doing on the street?" Kaoru finishes.

"Hm, funny story, that," I admit, walking over to them and seating myself in a dining chair. "My little brother died a few days ago, so Kagami went back to Karuizawa and Takumi got really mad at me for not going with her. So we fought and I'm not going back."

I expect a disgusted look, because what kind of sister would refuse to go to her own brother's funeral? But instead, they exchange some kind of look, and only laugh. I watch, my awe turning slowly into a sense of awkwardness, and then embarrassment as the brothers share their little joke. Finally, when I'm about to push my chair back and slap one of them, they stop and peer at me with hard eyes.

"Why did you tell us?" They ask in unison.

Smirking, I cross my arms and respond, "Isn't it obvious? It's because I like you."

So I don't know what the Hitachiins' dad is like, but I guessed he'd be like... well, a host? Hm, XD. Sorry if I got him wrong, but, you know.

Stay tuned!