So, there is a possibility for having a fourth chapter, a 'special' if you will, about Gou's views during all this. IF you request it, I'll be more inclined to write it XD It's all up to you guys. I also apologize in the slow rate it takes me to update. My job is very exhausting so I tend to take naps after coming home and thus don't have too much time to write.

In the words of Shinnosuke 'one could nearly cut the tension in the air with a knife.' Although the meaning was lost on exactly how one could cut something that wasn't physically there, it did seem appropriate at this moment.

The Roidmude stood there patiently as wisteria petals drifted around them. He had been following the boy for over an hour now, watching as he took pictures of the people around him. Surprisingly the other had ignored his presence instead of telling him straight away to go away. Right now Gou stared at him, his eyes clouded with the same different emotions he had seen that day in the Drive Pit. It wasn't hatred or anything he had been used to seeing. It was a startling change that it left Chase at a loss.

He had only asked a simple question when Gou had finally lowered his camera to confront him about why he had been following him. The other rider had been startled when the words that came out of Chase's mouth was 'I would like a picture.' Which then led to this stalemate of some sort, Chase waiting for the rejection from the other, while Gou simple stood there looking somewhat conflicted.

"Why?" Chase's eyebrows furrowed at the word, tilting his head to indicate confusion. The word had not been what he had expected. Although he would have expressed disappointment, he had been sure the other would have said no instantly and walked off without looking back. Gou snorted, crossing his arms and glaring at a tree in the distance.

"Why do you of all people want a picture?" Did one have to have a reason for a picture? Thinking back, Chase thought of how he felt when looking at all those photos on the wall. Happiness radiated from them. Emotions he couldn't quite put a finger on also flowed from their depths, including one called 'silliness' that had stemmed from Gou catching Shinnosuke slacking on the job at times. A part of him wanted to be included on the wall, even if it was just one picture. To feel as if he belonged after so long of not knowing where he should stay. He was not human, yet he protected them despite being a Roidmude, the very thing Gou despised the most.

More than anything... Chase wanted to feel the emotions that came from being in a picture. It was a simple thing, yet he felt he could become closer to being human due to it. How would he get the point across without him saying he wanted to feel more human by it? The other was getting annoyed with his hesitance to answer, that much was clear by the slight narrowing of his eyes. Gou may never had known, but as much as the other had observed him, he too had studied him in turn. Before he could settle on an answer, Gou made an annoying tsk'ing sound and turned away and began to walk away.

He disappeared into the crowd of people.

That night Chase didn't return to the Drive Pit, instead, he sat on a bench and watched the wisteria petals drift in the wind. Chase regretted not answering sooner, yet he also felt like to give such a rushed answer would have probably been an even worse option. Mind wandering back to the photos, he had not realized his eyes had closed until Signal Chaser began nudging his foot quite roughly, beeping at him. Eyes snapping open, Chase jolted awake, vision assaulted by sunlight where it had once been night. Had his system shut down briefly during the night?

Shaking his head, Chase stood up and walked back to his bike, Signal Chaser leading the way as it chattered on about being needed back at the Drive Pit.

Leaning against Ride Chaser, the Roidmude observed the scene in front of him with interest. As soon as he arrived, Gou had been setting up his camera in front of the Tridoron. Shinnosuke had greeted him with a smile and a wave while Kiriko was leaning over, talking lowly with Gou who was sputtering at whatever she had been saying. Was he planning to take another picture?

He got his answer as Gou motioned for everyone to get in front of the camera, Shinnosuke situating himself right next to Kiriko in the middle. Ah, a group shot of the three of them. Although he couldn't help himself, he felt a pang of an emotion he recognized as jealousy in his chest. It was obvious that he wanted to join in, yet unless he had been invited, Chase didn't want to intrude on their memory-making.

"Chase!" Hearing his name, the rider directed his attention to Kiriko. She was smiling and waving him over. Hesitantly, Chase pushed himself off of Ride Chaser and walked over, sending a questioning gaze towards her. Briefly not answering his silent question, the female pulled him to the other side, with a gap between him and her.

"This was Gou's idea. This time, you'll be in the picture too." There was a knowing gleam in her eyes, and that rare smile brightened up her entire face. He was momentarily distracted by how she positively glowed before what she said registered in his mind. Gou? Furrowing his eyebrows slightly, the Roidmude's eyes drifted over to where Gou was messing with his camera. By the way he refused to look up, it was obvious he had heard what his sister said. His cheeks were stained slightly red, causing him to worry that perhaps he was sick although there was no indication that he was feeling unwell. Pressing a button on his camera, the younger rider quickly made his way over to the other three, standing in between his sister and Chase. Without moving his head, Chase observed the expressions on the others.

While Kiriko and Shinnosuke held up peace signs together, Gou simply smirked and pointed at the camera. Chase was at a loss on what to do. Was he supposed to do something for the picture? He shifted from one foot to the other, wanting to ask when he heard a distinct noise. It was coming from the camera. A timer? So he had a limited amount of time to decide what to do…

"People normally smile for the camera."

Shinnosuke's words echoed through his head. Smile…It meant that they were pleased and happy? If that was correct, then it would be the right expression for himself. The tips of his lips twisted upwards, a small smile, but one that was far noticeable than anyone had seen before, enough to be caught on camera. The flash went off, momentarily blinding Chase and he quickly blinked afterwards, the smile falling from his lips. Instantly Gou made his way over to where the camera was, pressing one button to see the result. His jaw dropped.

Kiriko frowned at her brother's expression.

"Gou? Do we need to retake the picture? What's the matter?" she asked as she quickly went to his side. Her eyes widened as she searched the picture for any problems. Immediately Kiriko's eyes snapped over to where Chase stood, prompting Shinnosuke to investigate why they were looking at the picture and then back to Chase.

"What's wrong with th –" Shinnosuke's words got stuck in his throat as Gou zoomed in to what they were all shocked to see. Chase was…. smiling. Gou's mouth opened and closed, trying to form words that kept dying in his throat. He cleared his throat, not daring to look up at the Roidmude.

"Y-You smiled…" Finally, after a few moments, Gou met Chase's gaze. Instantly the way they were looking at him made Chase uncomfortable, thinking he had done something wrong. Why were human customs, even the simplest ones, so difficult to understand? Shinnosuke HAD said that people smiled for the camera, but had he done it wrong? Was there a certain way to smile?

"Shinnosuke had said you normally smile for this…" A frown appeared on his lips, the look of hesitance not going unnoticed by the other three. Before Chase could attempt to apologize if he messed the photograph up, Shinnosuke walked over to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I did say that. You look good when you smile, Chase. You should do it more often." Patting his shoulder before releasing him, the cop blinked when Gou had walked away from his camera to rummage in his bag. He knew of the feelings the other had towards all Roidmudes, yet it seemed the other was more or less softening up, or at least, that was what Shinnosuke was hoping.

Turning back to Kiriko, they returned to the camera, the female absolutely adoring it. Should he walk up and look at it too? Was it also customary to see the final product after it was taken, and not wait for it to be posted up on the wall? While the questions berated Chase left and right, he found himself suddenly being dragged off to the corner of the room.

Turning his eyes upon the hand that had gripped his wrist, his eyes traveled up the length of the arm to notice that it indeed was Gou. The other didn't look at him until he was sure Shinnosuke and Kiriko didn't follow them. An envelope was thrust into his chest, careful enough that it wouldn't bend, but forceful enough that he reached up to take it.

"Show anyone this picture, and I really will kill you." Gou murmured, glaring up at him. Curiously, Chase noted that his words had less bite than before. Again his cheeks were red, just like before. Although his eyes showed confusion as he glanced away towards the only other two inhabitants, Chase opened the envelope carefully. There was only one item inside, and once he flipped it around, he found himself looking at a picture…

Blinking in surprise, he briefly glanced up at Gou before his gaze traveled back downwards. It was a picture of him. It was when he had been looking at the wall of pictures, he realized. So that other day, he had taken a picture of him; that was why he had been so close before? The thought of that warmed his core, even more than when he had been invited to be in the group picture previously. The tips of his lips twisted upwards to form a similar smile from before, an action that was noticed immediately by Gou. Just like his license and Signal Chaser, it would be something he treasured above all else.

"Thank you."