"I am very surprised how well you speak Japanese!" Eru commented one afternoon as she and Loki sat out in the market area eating lunch.

"Well just because I don't look Japanese doesn't mean I can't speak it," he shrugged and replied. "These lunches you made are pretty good."

"Thank you," Eru smiled. "It's actually very simple to make. I could give you a recipe, if you want."

"Really? That would be great. I live by myself so making creative meals is a little difficult."

Eru noticed that he seemed a little uneasy. She thought it was strange. He usually acts so cool and confident; I wonder what's on his mind? She also noticed a little piece attached to his opposite ear. She asked him about it. "Oh! That! Ha, that's just something that helps me keep my memory. I have a hard time recalling things so when I need to remember something I just use it to record it so I can remember it later."

"So it's attached to your brain?!" Eru exclaimed, wide-eyed with curiosity.

"Ha, ha…sure."

Her eyes gleamed like a small child's. "I've meant to ask, though, um…we've gotten to know each other a bit and I think you're really swell…"

Swell? What does that mean? "So I wanted to ask…would you…like to start dating?"

Eru blinked in surprise. "Pardon? Dating? What does that mean?"

"Oh, well, we go out once for meals and activities, just the two of us, and really get to know each other."

"That sounds nice."

"Really? I-I mean, yeah, it is. And we really get to know a lot about each other…"

Eru gave a genuine smile. "I would like that."

Eru when back to the ship that evening after her day with Loki and made dinner for everyone. Hotarou noted that she seemed very happy; unusually happy. But he decided not to ask.

The group chatted comfortably together, Eru mostly talking to Ibara, who after a certain point, began to glance in Hotarou's direction periodically. He didn't like it. He hadn't done anything that he recalled to make her angry with him, so after dinner he sat in the living room until she walked by.

"Ibara," he called as moved towards her room. "What's up?"

She jumped as if she were guilty of something. "N-not much."

Hotarou turned his head slightly so he could see her out of the corner of his eye. "Alright." Then turned back and picked up a book. He didn't even look up as he heard Ibara sit next to him on the couch. When he looked over, he was a little surprised by how close she was to him. "What?"

"Hotarou…about Chitanda…she told me that she's dating someone," Ibara said quietly, looking away suspiciously.

Hotarou raised his brows, but said nothing. "That Loki guy who came over for dinner." Loki? Wasn't he the Norse god of mischief? Ibara stared at Hotarou, expecting him to say something. "Well? What do you think?"

"About what?"

"Eru dating him?"

"That doesn't mean much," Hotarou shrugged.

"What do you mean? Of course it means something!"

"Not to her it doesn't."

Ibara glowered. "Quit speaking in riddles! Just spit it out!"

Hotarou sighed. "Okay. So of the little I know about the differences between the rich and poor people languages, I know 'date' isn't a work in the upper-class vocabulary. They pretty much 'date' all the time without saying that they are because they hate being alone. It's another product of their brain-washing."

"So how do they get married then? I mean, what do they call getting to know each other before getting married?"

"Heck if I know," Hotarou replied, becoming bored of the conversation. "Ask Chitanda or something."

Ibara snorted in irritation. "You should really take this more seriously."

"Why? It's not my problem."

Ibara stood abruptly and began to walk away. "You're so dense," she said with snark.

What's there to be dense about? Whatever. He closed his eyes and processed over a couple of things, waiting for a specific person to walk in. She finally did.

"Fuyumi," he beckoned. She pause mid-stride then turned to face the back of his head.

"What?"

"What do you know about that guy?"

"He supposedly rescued Eru from the younger Yamato."

"I know that. Is that it?"

She hesitated. "Why would you want to know?"

"I'm curious."

Irisu clenched her fist slightly then walked around to sit across from him. She reclined with a straight posture on the faded couch. "What do you want to know?"

"Do you know anything about him more than his name?" Hotarou looked directly at her with a steel gaze.

"You saw him when he came here," Irisu reminded him.

"Yes, but I wasn't paying attention."

"Humph," she sighed. "he seems pretty polite, but his looks and speech are lower class."

"What does he look like?"

"Dark skin, light hair. About like you except he has dark brown eyes and is a little taller than you."

Hotarou tensed as he remembered his hair catastrophe. "Is he European?"

Irisu shrugged. "I would not know. I have not been around enough of them to know what they look like individually." She sat quietly expecting another question, but brooding over her own thoughts. "Then again," she said slowly before Hotarou could ask about something else. "I feel like I have met him before."

Hotarou looked up inquisitively.

"I do not know where though." Hotarou sighed. "But I would say that he changed his name, at least."

"Why would you say that?"

"Obviously Loki is not Japanese," Irisu stated. "It's from somewhere in Europe, I do not know where, but most Europeans are not tan like he is. His color is also a natural tan, not one you get in a salon. He is almost too polite for a commoner. He uses Japanese like he's somewhat unfamiliar so he ends up being very polite sometimes."

Interesting…. He must be European, but from where? I'll need to do some research. "Thank you for the information," Hotarou said dismissively sinking into thought.

Irisu looked at him and smiled sadly. I wonder if he would be this concerned if it were me? She walked back to her room and laid down on her bed.

Alone again. She sighed. I hate it. I hate being alone...She knelt beside her bed and pulled out a large bear. Well, I guess I'm not always alone…I have you. She hugged the bear tightly and buried her face in its fur. After a moment she stood and readied herself for the night. Then covered her head with the sheets and wrapped her arms around the large stuffed animal. Don't let them know…Don't let them know…you're stronger than them; you don't care…just don't let them know…

Hey all! Here's the new chapter for ya! I hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to leave comments and questions! :D yay for Irisu character development?