Sorry for the late and really random and spread out chapter publishing... It's been really stressful... School, finals, confessing to the girl in my life...yeah. Anyways, it's Christmas break so, il, try and put out as much as I can. I'm thinking of starting another story to run alongside this one, still TBA. Anyways, that is another story... Literally... Enjoy!

That talk with Shuuko... It was a little intimidating. I was a little too blatant. Some of those things could've been worded differently on my side. Although, it could've went a lot worse. At least she may support me. Even if it was iffy,I'll take it. She could've kicked me to the curb, literally, but instead she listened and spoke.

How would I approach this? In truth, I didn't really have anything to work with. I knew about Yoshioka's tragic shojo anime style backstory, but other than that, I didn't really know anything about her. I didn't even know what to say to her next we met... This was gonna be challenging. School, studies, this, and my band. Juggling these things into a good rhythm is going to be challenging.

Walking home sucked. I'll make it a point not to miss a bus anymore. With the train line being destroyed and me never actually knowing the bus schedule, the past few days have been dreadful. There was a small park up ahead. A few trees, benches, and a quaint pond. And coincidently, as if just to get up in my business. Yoshioka-san was on a bench quietly. She must have missed the bus too. Or intentional,y didn't get on... She was keeping really quiet recently. Shuuko-chan and Kominato-kun appeared from the park. She didn't look up to,her, but Yoshioka definitely was talking with Shuuko. Shuuko appeared to be leaving, but she looked up and happened to see me, standing there on the curb like an idiot. There was a slight smirk and a small gesture with her eyes, then she left, along with her overprotective follower.

"You have been keeping to yourself lately." It took me ten minutes to decide to sit beside her.

"Hi, Kikuchi-kun," she said in a really downed voice. It was like she abandoned all hope,"What are you doing here?"

"I missed the bus again... You too?"

She nodded, but didn't say a word. That was not the reason she was here.

"Take this," she pulled out a packet,"it's a timetable for the number 25 bus, it's up to date, but it changes in a week...do remember to pick up the updated version by then."

This didn't make any sense, if she had the schedule and knew it would expire in a week, how could she miss the bus. She even knew its number.

"Forget to look at the schedule today then?"

"Yes..."

"C'mon cheer up, look up. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Kikuchi, please leave me alone."

Please leave me alone...

There was a moment of silence.

"Your coat is a bit oversized don't you think?"

She remained silent.

"Has the staff hit you about it? They don't usually tolerate uniform irregularities. Did you must get it? Your original was not like this?"

"My original coat is torn and is full of holes...this is not mine. I've been borrowing it from a friend..."

"You mean using it?"

"No! Borrowing it, I have to return it to him in the future."

"Return it? I see..."

How do you return something to a dead guy?

I crouched before the bench in front of her. She didn't bother to look at me. Her hair still draped her face. I swept her bangs behind her ears.

A bit assertive don't you think Kikuchi?

Defined tear stains ran down her cheeks, some really fresh looking. She did not look up from the ground. I really wanted her to look at me.

"Things...may seem bad now. I don't know what they are...and I don't really know too much about you except that we are friends, in a way..."

Are we even?

"Yeah..."

"I just want to help you. It is saddening seeing the once really happy Yoshioka-san so down like this."

"I don't know if I ever will be happy again,"she said.

"We'll see about that," I said,"I'll see you tomorrow.."

"Bye,"she said.

That was awkward. This was much harder than I thought. It went so much better in my head. But it couldn't be that bad. I mean, it could have went down a lot worse. I mean, I could've been pushed away. Part of me says I should have left earlier. Part of me says I should've stayed later.

Well, nobody gets anywhere at first. It is a construction process.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my tie and pulled me into an alley.

Girl, white shirt, red tie, gray skirt, black hair.

"How did it go? What happened?" she was curious.

Shuuko.

"What do you mean? Nothing happened."

"You lie. Don't lie to me, I was there. I saw the whole brush the hair behind her ears thing, and let me tell you, way too aggressive! Now is not the time!"

"I know, I know. That just sort of happened."

"Well stop letting it happen! You are going to shock her! Build and construct! She hardly even knows you!"

It all just came out, I couldn't help it.

"Look," she began,"Tomorrow is yet another school day which means she'll be ,again, miserable. Usually she sits alone at the far, far areas of the library. That's where no body goes, it's completely secluded from any and all signs of life. Do something, that is your chance to hit something. But above all else, cheer her up. I want to see her smile again tomorrow. Get that done, and maybe I'll get you more aquainted with Yoshioka-san."

"Okay. See you tomorrow then."

"Bye."

She walked off.

You know, for a seemingly quiet person, she really did know how to guide and exercise authority. Although, I didn't really feel close with her, or any of Yoshioka's friends. That also had to be addressed.

Objectively though, I had to stike a nail with Yoshioka tomorrow. Fluctuation occurred in heart rate, all the way home.

Yeah. There was definitely something there.