A loud, happy tune hummed from my throat as I mopped the floor swiftly. Starting to feel a little hungry, I thought I would treat myself to something to eat when I finished.

I looked around at my now clean work place with a satisfied look. Putting my work clothes away, I got an uneasy feeling as I walked toward the exit.

Ignoring this feeling, I walked down the street with my hands in my pockets. It was pretty cold out, I was hoping I wouldn't get a cold.

"Hey! Jeremy!" I heard someone call out. I turned around to see Elizabeth running after me. I met her during work one day and we were friends ever since.

"Hey Liz." I greeted flatly. She happily skipped to a stop beside me and smiled brightly.

"Goin' home late again?" She asked. Liz was always this happy, no matter what.

"Just a little." I examined her and realized she wasn't wearing a jacket. "A-Aren't you cold?"

"Nah." Liz walked out in front and stretched her arms out like a plane. I smiled as I watched her childish behaviour.

"Ya hungry?" She asked, turning her head to look over her shoulder.

"Actually, yeah. I was just going to get something to eat." Immediately after I finished the sentence, my stomach let out a long growl.

"Then let's go to my place! I'll treat you." Liz giggled and started walking off. I followed close behind her as we strolled around.

We arrived at a small apartment building and she jumped up the steps.

Following her inside, I looked in slight shock at how clean it was.

Liz told me to sit in the living room area and I did as I was told. It took forever before Liz called me out into the kitchen.

"Holy crap! Did you do this?!" My jaw could've hit the floor if it went any lower. A large feast sat on the table, ready to be devoured.

"I sure did." Liz had a slight change of tone in her voice, but I didn't notice.

I found myself staring at her as she started to take off her apron.

"Something wrong?" Liz gave me a puzzled look as I shook off this weird feeling.

"No. I just thought that you look pretty natural in a kitchen. I bet you'd make a good wife." I took a seat, but I looked at a flushed Liz.

Not too long after, she sat down and dived in. It was more like a friendly competition for who could eat the most. I had worked up a serious hunger, but Liz?
'She's like a black hole!' I thought as I watched her eat more and more.

We both finished completely full. I managed to waddle my way over to her couch and crashed onto it.

This wasn't the first time I had been at her apartment, but it was the first time she cooked for me.

"So full." I mumbled out as I felt the couch shift beside me. I sat up to make room.

Liz let her head fall onto my shoulder. Instead of backing away or getting flustered, I just smiled. Liz was nice and she was a good friend of mine, nothing more.

Suddenly, an intense feeling of dread flooded through me. I looked around, alarmed at the set of eyes that were piercing my skin.

"Hey. What's the matter? You got all tense." Liz asked quietly.

The entire feeling vanished as I realized my current situation. "You were awake?!" I yelled.

"Sssh! You're too... loud..." Liz drifted to sleep, and this time for real.

I walked to her room and got a blanket to cover her with. Afterwards, I let myself out and started to walk home.

"What was that?" I wondered out loud. My mind went back to the almost paralyzing dread I had experienced. It was definitely something, but I couldn't figure out what.

Lost in thought, I ended up not paying attention to where I was going. I crashed right into somebody and landed with an "umph".

"Oops! Sorry." I heard a voice tell me. It sounded pretty childish, but honest too.

I looked to see a pink-haired girl looking back at me.

"Moka! Are you okay?" A young boy no older than me ran up behind her.

"I'm okay. I just bumped into..." She trailed off, not knowing my name.

"Jeremy Fault." I introduced myself as I put my hand out.

"Tsukune Aono. This is Moka." Tsukune looked over to Moka and smiled.

"Nice to meet you!" Moka said with a happy tone. Tsukune looked down to his wrist and his eyes widened.

"Oh no!" He yelled out. "Come on, Moka! We're gonna be late!" He grabbed her hand and started running.

"I'm sure we'll meet again!" Tsukune called out over his shoulder.

"Bye bye!" Moka sang out behind her.

Blinking a few times, I let it sink in before going back to walking.

'Man... I've been meeting some weird people lately.' I thought to myself as I walked inside.

I took off my jacket and placed it on a coat hanger I kept near the door. Walking into the bedroom, I didn't bother turning the light on as I walked over and fell on the bed.

Feeling slightly exhausted, I wasn't able to actually sleep for a while.

Mostly tossing and turning, my mind was flooded with all kinds of thoughts as I stared at the wall. I let out a sigh as I thought about what Tsukune said.

"Meet again, huh?" I said out loud.

Eventually, I fell asleep.

I heard the small bell on the door ring as I cleaned few dishes in the back. I placed a few dishes aside before going out to greet the customer.

"Kurumu..?"

"Hi!" She sang out. She was wearing the hoodie I gave her when we met.

"What brings you here?" I asked. I pulled together a few things to clean the counter.

"Just thought I'd try out the place. Oh and I knew you worked here, so why not drop by?" She smiled, causing me to smile back.

I helped her choose something and brought it to her. I cleaned the counter and then I was on my break.

I walked over and sat down next to Kurumu.

"This is good." She said, taking a large gulp. We had a little chit chat before...

"Hey... Uh..." She looked like she wanted to ask me something.

"What is it?" I asked, wondering if she was okay.

"Have you... by any chance... seen somebody around? He's about this tall, has black hair, and wears a black sweater... Have you seen him?" Kurumu sent off an unusual vibe.

"Hmm... Actually I have. What about him?" My mind played a flash-back to a few days ago. I bumped into some kid, but he matched her description.

"Oh..." Her eyes widened and she let her head lower. I was starting to feel worried.

"J-Just stay away from him. He's not a nice guy..." Feeling the genuine concern in her voice, I sat back in my chair.

"Okay then. I won't go near him." She smiled and seemed to relax a little.

"Crap! Gotta get back to work!" I yelled as I looked that the time.

"Talk to you later!" She sang.

After that I went back to work.