Sorry it was so late. I got sick. And. Yeah. Hope you enjoy!


Len tapped away at his keyboard, his fingers flying across the jumbled-up alphabet on each of the buttons and forming words. He yawned, not looking away from his screen, correcting an error he made.

The previous night, he hadn't gotten any sleep. All he did was worry. He couldn't stop thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong. His neck bothered him constantly, an ache continually hammering at it. He had tried nearly every over-the-counter pain medication there was (despite how much the price of said medication sometimes bothered him nearly as much as his neck), and nothing seemed to help.

Lately, he hadn't felt right. It seemed like he couldn't enjoy anything anymore. He found himself dreading going to work, even though he used to love his job. The excitement of writing and informing the public about crimes and events and special happening throughout the city once thrilled him. He used to be okay with sitting through long commission meetings and having to try too hard to achieve an audience with certain officials. Now, he only wanted to go home and sleep. He just felt like all he could do was close his eyes and not wake up for a few days.

He even felt strange at home. Reading had been his favorite pastime even before he technically knew how to read. He had loved to sit on the couch and just fly through a book; lately, he didn't even feel like doing that.

Often times, he didn't even feel motivated enough to get up in the mornings. He forced himself to, but it was harder and required more coffee. Len had a secret vow to not try those 5-hour-energy shots, as he was constantly reminded of the time a coworker of his had downed two on an empty stomach and was bouncing off the walls for nearly an entire day.

All he could do now was finish this story. He could finish it, submit it to the teleprompter operators, go get Rin, and then go home.

He was finally submitting his story, blinded by the desire of the comfort of his own home, when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Luka Megurine, the head meteorologist at the station. "Luka," he said, grinning.

She returned the smile, her lips curving gently. "That's about the robbery on Foster Street, right?" She leaned down to read what he had written, her blue eyes racing over the words.

"Yeah," he replied. "Apparently, the guy didn't wear any gloves. He left fingerprints all over the place. What an idiot... The police needed a break, though. It's a good thing the chief has some sense."

Luka laughed and slid into a swivel chair beside him. "Only a journalist would say that."

"Well, it is sad that both the criminals and police are too stupid."

"True. You are doing really great here, though. One other writer we had gave really crappy articles and didn't do the right research. We would end up broadcasting the wrong information and having constantly make corrections. Plus, he wrote like he hadn't taken an English class his entire life." They heard a phone ring in the distance, and it was answered within a few seconds. "The ratings have gone up."

Len raised a brow and crossed his arms. "Really?"

"I was skeptical about it, too," Luka said, straightening her pencil skirt, "but I think we really just needed someone who was trained for journalism."

Len smirked at her, his smile crooked and almost childlike. Even though Len had started only a while ago, he and Luka had become friends. Unlike the anchors, she did not have an ego the size of Texas, and, unlike the other employees, she had a knowledge of the station that was not only limited to her area of work. Len glanced at the clock and cursed under his breath. "Ah, hell, I have to go get Rin. Sorry," he said, hopping up and grabbing his bag.

Luka stood up as well, crossing her arms over her body. "No, you're fine. You're a dad. Go do what you need to do."

He gave a limp two-fingered salute and headed out. In his car, he saw that the time was two forty-five, giving him just enough time to run over to Crypton High and pick up Rin.

When he got there, Rin and Gumi were waiting together. They said goodbye and Rin slid into the car, setting her bag in the floorboard. "Hey, Dad," she said, adjusting her glasses and buckling her seatbelt.

"Hey, Kiddo. You seem to be in a good mood."

Rin shrugged. "Eh, today was pretty normal."

"How did that test go for you?"

"Passed with flying colors," she said, turning the air vents toward her so she could get some cool air. Rin had been hot-natured her whole life. She had a childhood of kicking the covers off her bed and being strictly limited to shorts and tank tops while sleeping. She turned her head and looked at her dad, fixing the large bow on top of her head. "What's for dinner tonight?"

Len rolled down his window so he could hang his elbow out of it. "I was thinking that we could get Chinese. Does that sound good to you?"

"That sounds perfect," Rin said. "Although, I was meaning to ask you. Why did you have to get another job? We got along just fine with you having just one..."

Len sighed, half from having to explain to her and half from being behind some idiot who wouldn't go over twenty miles an hour. "Well, yes, it did get the bills paid, and we had just a bit left, but there wasn't enough for emergency expenses. If one of us had gotten sick, I wouldn't have been able to pay a doctor."

"I could get a job, though."

"I know, but I think it might be best to wait until summer, when I can work on getting you a car and all. Plus, you're only sixteen. It's my job to support us both. You shouldn't feel inclined to help."

Rin nodded, understanding what her father was saying. When he was young, Len didn't have much privacy or freedom. He was forced to get a job as soon as he was of age, and his parents expected him to go into the medical field and make boatloads of money so he could support them. Len would not have that, so he left as soon as he finished high school and began college on his own.

They pulled into the parking lot of their apartment complex, a nice little place called Sweet Float Flats. It was clean and had pretty decent residents, so Len figured that it was okay. It was not too far from the school or Len's workplaces, either. They went inside and set their things down.

Deciding not to waste any time, Len called the local Chinese food joint and placed their order; he already knew that Rin would want sweet and sour chicken and lo mein. He left Rin at their flat to go pick up the food.

At the restaurant, he waited patiently, trying not to get annoyed at how slow they were every single time. The food was finally ready, and he paid for it and picked up the bag. On his way out, he spotted someone familiar coming inside. "Shit," he said to himself, looking down in hopes of hiding his face.

"Oh, my god! Len!"

Len put on a fake smile and looked up, his heart racing, dreading this audience.

Neru Akita was standing in front of him yet again.


DUNDUNDUNN

Make sure to tell me if you remember! Review! Any constructive criticism?