Author's Note: So, a fairly short chapter. We're still in the "character-developing stage." Next chapter will have some more of that, too, and with a bit of introduction to the main plot/conflict (not that there's a ton of drama or anything in this story). Thanks to everyone who has read and left a review so far! Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

"Mayuzumi-senpai, have you ever said my name before?"

"No. And no."

"And no what?"

"I'm declining whatever you're going to ask me next."

"You're so mean, Senpai. I was just going to ask you to call me by my first name. When you do use my name."

"What?"

She dips into a bow before me. "Please use my first name when you call out to me!"

It's only our third day of knowing each other, and she's already requesting such things.

"Saaaaaay it, Senpai. Tsukiko. That's my name. Please. Senpai!"

"No."

"It's really easy. Tsu. Ki. Ko. C'mon. You can do it!"

"I'm not a child. And no."

"You're not even reading anymore! I haven't seen your eyes move from that page in five minutes!"

I lay down my book, scowling at being caught.

"Mayuzumi-senpai," she says, a serious tone to her voice. "You need to learn how to smile more. You'll get early on-set wrinkles if you keep on glaring so much."

"I'm not glaring."

"Um, you totally are."

"Am not."

"So are."

I'm about to deny it again, but then close my mouth. She grins. My forehead wrinkles as I realize I've been falling into her bait.

She's more clever than I gave her credit for.

"Senpai, you can't go your whole life without ever saying my name."

"Watch me."

"I'll hear you say it at least me."

I stare at her briefly, and all of her bravado falters under my gaze.

"Senpai?"

I release a sigh. "It's time for us to head back. You don't want to be late for class. The first-year hallway is farther than mine."

"You know where my classroom is, Senpai?'

"Idiot. I was once a first-year, too."

"Oh. Right. But still . . . is that you actually being considerate?"

"No, it's just me wanting to get rid of you sooner."

"You're so cold, Senpai," she says, but she's smiling.

On the fourth day, when she comes to the roof, she's carrying her usual bento, but she also has a large, heavy-looking bag.

"Senpai!" she calls. "Look what I brought!" She hefts the bag farther up her shoulder.

"Don't care."

"Of course you care! I know, I know, despite what you say, you really do."

I roll my eyes and make it through a paragraph while she lugs the bag over to me.

"Here." She lays the bag down before me, and nudges it toward my feet. Despite myself, I am a little curious. It takes a lot of my will power not to peer into it.

She plops down next to the bag, sets her bento to the side, and begins to pull out . . . light novels.

"I went home and explored my whole collection," she says. "Here are some I think you might like. Based on the few I've seen you reading. Senpai, will you put down your book? Friends don't generally read books while the other is trying to talk to them."

I sigh, and lay my book down. "You would know, would you?"

For a moment, she looks almost stricken at the words, but then she recovers a moment later and says, "U-um, here. Have you read this one?"

I take the novel from her and glance at the cover and title. It's not one I recognize, which is surprising in itself as I consider myself to be well-versed in light novels. I flip to the back to read the summary. It does seem a bit . . . interesting. I open the book and read the first few lines, which actually aren't bad at all.

"What do you think?" she asks eagerly.

"It seems okay," I admit.

"Oh! How about this one, then?" She hands me another, and this one, I've heard of, but am unfamiliar with. It, too, does not seem that bad. As we go through the rest of the books through her bag, it turns out I've read most of them, but there are about four that I haven't, and that seem mildly interesting.

At least, they seem like something I'd read.

And I have to admit, she doesn't have bad taste.

I may have . . . judged her wrong.

"There's this one light novel," I say slowly, once we've finished going through all the books she brought. "You might enjoy it."

I reach inside my bag and take out the book in question, just happening to have it in my possession at the time. It's one of my favorites, and I generally have it on me. I've read it many times myself before, so it's a little worn.

She takes the light novel, her eyes glowing. "You're letting me borrow this?" she says. "Wow! This one looks great. I've never heard of it before. And it's clear you love it. I can tell how much it means to you."

My cheeks redden somewhat. I don't like to be thought of someone who is sentimental, but maybe with her . . . it doesn't matter as much.

As she turns the book over in her hands, I notice, for the first time, a light bruise on her wrist. I frown, and briefly think about asking her about it, but decide against it. It's not my business. And if it turns out to be a problem, I can always mention something later.

Her delight is clear as she carefully tucks the book into the bag with the others. "I'll be really careful with it, Senpai," she says. "I'll make sure no one else touches it. I won't read it when I'm eating."

"Do you really think I care?"

"Ehh . . . probably not. But still, I'll be careful!"

"Sure. Thanks."

"Thanks? Did you just thank me?"

"It's not terribly surprising. I'm not an ungrateful person."

"I guess not," she says. "But to me . . . aren't I super irritating to you?"

"Yes."

"Whoa, you didn't even miss a beat there!"

"Your annoyance to me is so deeply ingrained in my mind that I don't even have to think about it anymore. It's an instinct to react that way."

"Mayuzumi-senpai . . . is there something wrong with the way your brain works?"

"What about yours?" I challenge. "When someone's mean to you, all you do is smile back. Surely that's not healthy. Isn't that called masochism or something?"

"Does that make you the sadist, then?"

"Huh."

"Huh?!"

"Just kidding."

Her eyes are wide. "Senpai . . . did you just make a joke?"

"Depends on your view of it, I suppose." I shrug my shoulders, but there's a rather uncomfortable feeling rising inside of me. Did I? That's . . . unusual.

"There really is something wrong with the way you think," she says, but she laughs anyway.

A/N: Mayuzumi-kun really, what to do with you. Anyway, as always, thanks for reading, and hope you enjoyed! Until next time.

~ J. Dominique