"SHE DID WHAT?!"

For the love of God. "You heard me idiot, but I don't think I'll be able to hear anything now that you practically blew my eardrums out."

"Dude, that's not even funny considering the situation."

"Then maybe you should stop yelling."

Naruto had finally decided to call a few days later, asking why Rimi never returned to the party. Apparently he had asked her, but she shrugged and told him not to worry about it.

"Why didn't she tell me any of this? I'm her best friend!" he continued complaining.

I rolled my eyes. "Maybe because you put her in a very uncomfortable situation and she got hurt because of it."

He paused before responding. "But she needs to be around people more. It'll be good for her."

"Yeah," I agreed. "But you need to start off small and work your way up. You can't just thrust her into a huge social environment and not expect things to get weird."

"I guess you're right. I hope she isn't mad at me."

"She doesn't seem like the type, but she might not want to talk about that ordeal for awhile and never go to another one of your parties ever again."

"Gee thanks."

I don't know what he expected me to say to him, but he knew I was right. After that party, Naruto said he hadn't seen Rimi in awhile and when he did she was more quiet than usual. I didn't know what to say to that, because he's the only one she's changed around.

I've been visiting her in the pharmacy lately to keep her company. I wouldn't let her know it yet, but I enjoyed seeing her. Sure, I'd like to hear her voice but I didn't mind letting her explain what she wanted me to know through gestures. It was like a sort of puzzle for me to figure out, and the expressions she made when I knew what she referred to were definitely worth the effort.

"So what was her voice like?" Naruto asked after awhile.

"Light and airy," I responded, and then smacked myself on the head. I sound like I'm in a dream state talking about her voice, but that's how I felt when thinking about it. I just didn't want Naruto knowing.

"What do you mean light and airy? Is it like Hinata's shy voice?"

I thought a moment. "Not exactly. It's not quiet like hers, but low. Her voice doesn't sound heavy or annoying like Sakura's, so I guess I could compare it to maybe Tenten. It's like words flow from her lips so easily."

I could hear him laughing on the other line. "Dude, you sound whipped. Are you falling for her or something?"

"No," I answered automatically, but the statement felt false. I honestly don't know what I felt for the girl. All I know is that I wanted her to be happy.

"So she didn't sound weird or anything?"

I glared, though he couldn't see it. "Didn't you look up the reasons why deaf people might sound off?"

"Well," he started, clearly embarrassed. "Since she said she never liked to talk I never bothered because I expected she wouldn't talk, like ever."

"Either way, I can't believe you asked me something like that. You sound almost as bad as Sakura."

"Hey I would never hurt Rimi the way Sakura did! And did you even look it up?"

"Actually, I did since I truly bothered." As soon as I said that the doorbell rang, making me smirk. "Anyway I have to go. I have somewhere to be."

"What, you're going out? With wh-"

I hung up before he could bombard me with any more questions and grabbed my belongings. Opening the door, I greeted the person in front of me with a smile.

"Ready for a good day, Rimi?"