Disclaimer: Not mine :P

A/N: The mood for this chapter might be a little weird I'm sorry x.x Just keep in mind that Shin-chan is still Shin-chan~

It's been a few days since Shin-chan slept over, but I don't think it's because he hates me. It's usually like this since both of us are so busy, especially since my arm is healed now and I can finally work on the field again, but when I asked him how he felt about homosexuals he avoided my question by saying we should go to bed and for the first time since we've met I felt a little distance between us. Normally Shin-chan answers me clearly, but I thought it was just an awkward question for him so I didn't push the issue and agreed with his suggestion.

The morning after that he told me, "Regarding your question last night before bed, I don't mind them as long as they don't meddle with me." I almost laughed at that because that was exactly what I thought he'd say; Shin-chan never ceases to amaze me. Yet, I didn't laugh because, as he took a bite out of his toast, I noticed light dark circles under his eyes and couldn't stop wondering what was so bothersome to have kept him up so late.

As I walk to the clinic for my monthly checkup I notice that a few posters on the windows have been taken down. When I ask the the receptionist if they were going to be replaced with new ones she shook her head and answered, "No. We haven't been getting many patients lately so we couldn't reach our payments on the due date."

"Are you kidding me...? This place is always swarming with people when I'm here!"

"Yes, but that is because you come on the day we're most busy. All the other days are practically empty."

In an instant I thought of all the hard work Shin-chan had to go through to get this clinic running. All those late nights looking for a building to rent, searching for staff, making the website, and everything in between. I was there for him when he needed to rest and even assisted him in some things and now all that effort is gone.

When I got my thoughts in order and was able to compose myself I asked the receptionist when the clinic was going to close. "Not for another few weeks. We've been given some time to at least try to collect more money but I highly doubt we'll be able to at this rate."

"Momoi-chan, can I ask you one more thing?"

"Of course you can, Takao-kun."

"What's Shin-chan going to do?"

"Well... He doesn't talk about it much but I heard him mumbling something about a part-time job."

"Takao Kazunari!" called a nurse from the hallway before I could saying more.

I thanked Momoi before walking to the room the nurse guided me to and to my surprise, Shin-chan was already waiting for me. The nurse closed the door without a word and left us to the usual checkup. "How was your day, Shin-chan?" I asked, as normally as I could. I've never really been good at lying so I wasn't sure if he'd be fooled or not by the way I asked the usual greeting.

"Like any other." he answered as he placed the small, flat, metal plate of his stethoscope* on my chest, "And yours?"

I took deep breaths for him before I answered his question and said, "I finally got to get out of the building, though, it was just patrol. Izuki went with me because the boss's still worried about my arm not being fully healed and all. Izuki wanted to have some drinks with me after this but I told him I had this check up with you so we scheduled for some other time."

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Shin-chan asked as he took his stethoscope off and grabbed the otoscope* from the counter.

I stared straight ahead as Shin-chan held the speculum* against my right ear. "What makes you say that?"

"Please don't talk, Takao. You're making this difficult for me when you move your jaw."

I stayed silent for the rest of my checkup, even when I didn't have to be. After Shin-chan was finished checking my spine, I pulled my shirt back down and sat on the bed. "You haven't answered my question yet Shin-chan." I said, looking him right in the eye.

"I'll answer your question once you answer mine, Takao."

He stared back with such conviction in his eyes I had to avert my gaze just to answer him properly. "I... I heard you're looking for part-time jobs. Why not apply to be a doctor in a hospital? It would be much better, wouldn't it?"

"It would, but it's not my cup of tea."

"What kind of part-time jobs are you looking for then?"

"I never said I was looking for a part-time job."

"Eh? You're saying Momoi's information was false?"

"Listen Takao. I don't know what she's said to you but I would appreciate it if we could continue this conversation some other time. I have an appointment soon after you and I don't want to keep them waiting."

I jumped off the bed and followed him to the door and asked, "When and where should we meet then?"

"My house should be fine." Shin-chan said as he walked out, "If you're able to come tonight then come, but if you can't then let me know your schedule."

"I'll come tonight then!"

"I'll be home at nine."

"Then I'll be there at eight."

"Sure you will."

As I sat against the door to Shin-chan's house I thought strange things like "I wish I had a key to this place." but I know only lovers and family do that sort of thing. "Since I can't become his relative I should just... No no no, that's weird. Definitely weird!" I thought, "I should have just come at nine. I'm such an idiot..."

There was a loud beating of steps coming from the stairs. When I looked up to see who was in such a rush I saw deep green hair in a slight mess on top of an out-of-breath Shin-chan holding a suitcase. "I knew it! I told you to just come at nine!"

I quickly got up to let Shin-chan unlock the door and laughed, "I didn't think you would rush here!"

"And I didn't think you were stupid enough to wait in the cold for an hour." he said as he dragged me into his warm house.

"Well," I started, still catching my breath, "I guess you could say I never go back on my word."

*Stethoscope: A medical instrument for listening to the action of someone's heart or breathing, typically having a small disk-shaped resonator that is placed against the chest and two tubes connected to earpieces.

*Otoscope: An instrument designed for visual examination of the eardrum and the passage of the outer ear, typically having a light and a set of lenses.

*Speculum: The cone-shaped attachment on the Otoscope.