*ring ring*

*ring ring*

*ring ring*

The phone rang for a long time before going to the annoying voicemail of Nakao and Nobu saying that my call would be returned ASAP. I flipped my phone closed and stared at the wall. I was still living at home for the time-being, and hadn't really redecorated since high school. There was still some basketball trophies, team and group photos from school, and, of course, pictures of him and Koizumi at various Umibozu concerts.

But that just reminded me of the time when I'd caught her and Kohori walking home from the secret concert they'd snuck off to, and I was filled with anger once again. Why couldn't that shrimp just find his own girlfriend? Ugh!

Today was Sunday, so that meant the both of us would be off of classes. I wondered if she was working, and decided to go down to the resteraunt to check it out for himself. I normally would have called her, but I felt as though talking to her over the phone would just tighten the knot in my stomach even further.

After calling over my shoulder to tell my mother where I was off too, I jumped on my bike and rode to the train station. It was nearly 11:30 a.m when I finally made it to the resteraunt. I went inside by myself and went to the front desk.

"Your girlfriend's not working today," the grumpy lady behind the desk said before I even managed to ask. Strangely, I was relieved rather than disappointed. Not because I didn't want to see her, but because...well...that meant she wasn't here with Ko...

"Is that Kohori kid working?"

"No, he isn't. They both took today off," she said. "Now, if you're not going to buy anything, please step aside. We're very busy today."

They both took the day off? Huh...that was weird. Once I was outside I decided to get over myself and call her. She picked up, but no hello. Man, I got her butt...while I was deciding whether to shout until she heard me or hang up and call again, I heard her talking.

"You're right, this cd really is awesome!"

"Isn't it? Otani gave it to me yesterday!"

"Well it's really good. Hang on, I'm gonna ask my mom if there's anything to eat...are you hungry?"

I flipped the phone shut before I heard anymore. That was definitely Kohori's voice...they were at his house?

There was no way to explain it this time. She was at HIS HOUSE in HIS ROOM listening to the cd that I had bought for her THE DAY BEFORE. That was the final straw.

I wasn't exactly sure where the kid lived, but I found the nearest phonebooth and flipped through the phonebook until I found the address before starting off on my bike again.

It was still only about 12:15 when I pulled up in front of the correct house and marched up to the front door. I knocked three times before crossing my arms. A minute later a kind-faced woman answered the door.

"Why, hello there! Can I help you?"

"Is Risa there?" I asked, my attitude shifting from angry to polite at the site of Kohori's mother.

"Yes, she's right upstairs with Kazuki-kun!"

"Thank you," I said quickly before rushing upstairs. I didn't even knock before opening the door...