"Ritsu, dinner!"

Ah, my brother's squeaky voice; what a nice thing to wake up to.

"I'll be there in a sec! Stop shouting!"

My eyes were about to close again when the door flew open with a sudden thud. Satoshi walked into my room and plopped himself on the side of the bed. Without my permission too.

"Hey, wasn't Mio supposed to eat here tonight?"

So I'm not the only one who's disapponted today. Satoshi's blushing now. I poke his chubby kid cheeks and grin.

"Oh, you miss her already? Aww...Satoshi-kun has a little crush on Mio! How adorable."

My brother's eyes widened and he screamed in outrage, nearly punching me in the face. Good thing I've got cat-ninja reflexes! And a thick pillow.

"No! Shut up! I don't have a stupid crush!" I reached over and ruffled his hair. He was still scowling, but at least his fists were idle.

"Calm down. It was a joke." A little joke and he's scandalized. What a baby. I got off the bed and stretched. Time for iron chef Ritsu to make dinner. As I started to exit the room, Satoshi grabbed my arm. He had this look on his face; a look I can't describe...but I've been seeing it often.

"Did you two fight again?"

"What? No- of course not. She had something to do, that's all."

I laughed. It was a hollow laugh, but Satoshi didn't seem to notice. A toothy grin replaced the sorry look on his face. Why does he look so relieved?

Once, in elementary, I dropped a hermit crab into Mio's lunchbox just to see what would happen. The moment she opened her bag, the crab latched onto her finger and all hell broke loose. The teacher issued me a week's detention, but the worst part was that Mio wouldn't talk to me for three days.

A few weeks ago, I made her a promise. We stopped under a lamppost to do a little pinky swear. It was a childish ploy, but my emotions were getting hard to control; I had to say something.

So I did. She hugged me tightly, buried her face into my shoulder and told me, amidst racking sobs, that I was the best friend she's ever had. To think that I nearly kissed her.

I don't get it. Everything I do makes her cry.

It's ten to eight and I'm bored. There's nothing good on TV; I texted Yui ages ago but she hasn't replied. Probably playing with Gitah again. What the hell, maybe I should just call Mugi. Wait - no, she looks like the type of person who sleeps early. Besides, the thought of some creepy butler answering the phone... Looks like Azusa wins the lottery. I reach for the wireless and dial her number from memory.

Mio tells me I'm hopeless with numbers but- whatever. Enough about her. For some reason the dial tone sounds more irritating than usual. Finally, somebody picks up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Look outside the window."

"Ritsu, what's up?" Typical Azusa Nakano.

"Aw, you're no fun."

"Sounds like you have nothing to do." Sometimes, I think my friends know me a little too well.

"Just felt like checking up on my favorite guitarist. Problem?"

"Actually, I have a quiz to study for."

"Oh. Well, don't forget to practice too."

"Hearing that from you... I don't know what to say."

At that, I couldn't help but crack a smile. Maybe Azusa's smiling too, at the other end of the line. She asks me about a couple of math problems to which I had no answer to; I offered to lend her my lucky eraser.

A shrill ring from the clock on my table told me it was nine o clock. I guess it's time to stop pestering my little friend.

"Anyway, studying too much is bad for you. You've got to relax sometimes. Maybe that's how Nodoka got her glasses." How that got out, I have no idea.

"Nodoka's glasses? What are you talking about?" Time to end this little conversation.

"Nothing, just a joke. Goodnight, Nakano." I hanged up immediately. What's gotten into me lately?

More importantly, what's gotten into her lately? Nodoka, hanging around Mio like some puppy on a treat. It's an exaggeration- but...but I don't care.

Damn it. I'm going to sleep. Everything will be better tommorow. Jeez, look at me. Getting all emotional! Not cool, Ritsu. Not cool at all.

Hmm, that was nice. Better thank Nodoka again tomorrow. Maybe I'll start working on a new song too; a little thank you to the people who financed my little dessert today.

Oh yeah, I wonder what Ritsu cooked up for dinner tonight? I'll send her a text.

"How was dinner? Sorry I wasn't there." Wait, why am I apologizing?

"How was dinner? Tell Satoshi I said hi." I add a smiley for good measure then press send.

I don't feel like sleeping, so I grab Elizabeth for some practice. Scales, arpeggios, even improv; for some reason I feel so inspired today. Before long, I found myself grabbing a pen and some paper. A new song. Guess I won't be sleeping tonight.