A/N: This chapter is a short introduction to what I'll be calling the "Sleepover Arc". I'm not sure how long this arc will be yet, but probably a few chapters.

"And then, at last, me. I will quite obviously play the role of the mysterious and slightly-brooding punk kid. I mean, come on… the role was pretty much written for me," Julian said, shrugging his shoulders a little. He looked back and forth between the people there, and he noticed how they were all still looking kind of shocked. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? This is the part where you're supposed to tell me whether or not you like the role I've suggested for you."

They were all still trying to get used to the fact that even Julian could be sort of energetic like he was now, but apart from that initial shock, they were baffled by his ability to pick out roles for them. It was all pretty much nailed perfectly.

"Wow," Minorin and Haruta said at the same time, before Haruta continued by himself. "It's perfect! The roles are perfeeect, hyaaa!"

"Hey, take it down a notch," Ryuuji mumbled, rubbing at the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

"U-Uhm… I have a question," Taiga mumbled from where she sat next to Ryuuji. She was still a bit afraid to have people's attention in fear that they might notice, but so far, it had been okay.

"Fire with all you've got," Tamura grinned. "I don't think Julian here will mind."

"Okay, uh… w-why did me and R-Ryuuji get the roles that… uhm…" She fidgeted nervously, trying not to blush too much. "The roles that end up as a c-c-couple?"

"Why?" Julian asked, frowning a little. "It was initially the fact that Ryuuji here fit the part of that bad guy. You know… the eyes?" He asked, hoping not insult Ryuuji, who simply shrugged nonchalantly. "But that wasn't the main reason I put him as that role, though. I mean, come on, it's so much easier to play a realistic couple when you have experience with each other beforehand. It makes for a better piece of acting."

"W-W-What? Experience?" Taiga uttered, her face flaring up in a bright red color.

"Well, yeah. As in, you're already a couple. You know how to be one." Julian replied, perching an eyebrow almost questioningly. Ryuuji sighed, knowing just how Taiga would react.

"Ha… haaaa…" She breathed, looking as if her soul was about to leave her mouth. "Is it that obvious?" She yelped, and everyone hurriedly nodded in unison. "Oh…" She mumbled, looking down at her lap before pinching Ryuuji's sleeve between her fingers.

"Wait, hold up… we forgot this character, didn't we? Weren't we supposed to be one more?" Torya asked with a confused expression on her face, pointing at a name on the manuscript.

"Huh, you're right," Yukuri hummed, cocking her head to the side. "Then who are we missing?"

"Oh, that's right," Kitamura laughed. "Sorry, there was a little mix-up in the time I gave to one of our friends, but she'll be here in a few minutes." He said. It didn't even take 30 seconds before the door opened and Ami Kawashima walked over to the group.

"Sorry I'm late," she said with a shy smile, and Ryuuji really couldn't tell if this one was fake or not.

"It's fine. We should introduce ourselves!" Tamura exclaimed. They all made introductions once more, before Ami sat down next to Taiga.

"Would it be okay for you to take on the task of doing this role?" Julian asked, pointing at the name on the paper. Ami tilted her head a little in thought.

"That's the role of the, uh… if I remember correctly… yes, that should be just fine," she nodded, smiling a little.

"Fantastic," Julian said, crossing off the name. "Now we have everyone assigned to their roles. Ami here didn't exactly have time to be a part of much of it, but that doesn't really matter."

"Hey, what are you using my first name for? Don't get cocky!" Ami suddenly exclaimed, making Julian's face light up in fear. She sounded scary.

"I-I just, uh, shit," he mumbled, trying to make up an excuse. Wait, he didn't have to make up an excuse, he could just tell the truth. But Tamura had done that before he had the time to.

"Sorry about him. Julian was born in America, so he sometimes forgets that he's not supposed use people's first name just like that. He did the same with Takasu-kun a few minutes ago."

"Hmpf. Fine." Ami huffed, crossing her arms over her chest while puffing her cheeks out.

"So, I'd say we're done for today," Kitamura said with a smile. "I'll text you with the date and time for when we're supposed to meet up next time. Try to learn some of your lines for then, alright? That is, starting from the beginning. We do have to do some rehearsals after all."

…

"Aaah, I'm so excited for this project!" Minori exclaimed, throwing her arms into the air. She fell to her back, her legs comfortably placed under the kotatsu. "By the way, Taiga, why do you have a kotatsu out at this time of year? It's not all that cold yet, is it?" She asked, looking a bit confused.

"I kind of persuaded Ryuuji," Taiga said with an almost scary giggle before plopping down next to Minori. Her arms stretched out above her head as she yawned a little. "Ugh, I got up too early today," Taiga mumbled, incidentally remembering just why she'd woken up so early. "Hey, I'm going to the bathroom, okay?" She informed Minori before leaving the room, her feet pattering over the floor.

Minori decided to go check if Ryuuji needed any help with the dinner. "What are you making, Takasu-kun?" She asked happily as she entered the kitchen, looking intently at whatever it was that he was making.

"I'm making wok with meat," Ryuuji replied, concentrating on his movements as he sliced the vegetables skillfully.

"You keep surprising me with your skills," Minori mused, standing next to Ryuuji. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Ah, no, you're our guest, remember?" Ryuuji said, perching his eyebrow just slightly. "Guests aren't supposed to help out."

"Ah, come on ~" Minori breathed, dragging out her voice. "I don't mind. Cooking's fun, after all!"

"Uh, fine then…" He mumbled, trying to think of what Minori could take care of. "You could start frying the noodles, then." He stated, looking at her as if to ask if that was something she was okay with.

"Yes!" Minori exclaimed, pumping her fist into the air. "I have been assigned with a mission! Time to begin!" She nearly shouted, making Ryuuji chuckle nervously. Minori was always so cheerful, so happy. When Ryuuji had still been in love with Minori, he'd never noticed that she had a hidden side. But he saw it now, almost regularly. Even Minori had her problems, her issues in life, just like everyone else. But she was always really good at hiding it.

Minori was frying the noodles with what looked like great determination, and Ryuuji couldn't help himself from smiling a little. "I'm glad you could come," he said suddenly, making Minori snap her head in his direction, looking a bit surprised. "I mean… that you could be our guest. It's nice spending some time with friends."

"Hohoho, Takasu-kun you flatterer you!" Minori laughed, but Ryuuji could see just how genuine her smile was now. "I'm really glad I could be here and spend time with some of my best friends." She said, and suddenly her voice was soft and kind, and her smile was way more calm than her usual ones. "We'll make this a memorable night, right?"

Ryuuji was a bit baffled, but he nodded, a smile creeping up on his lips. "Of course we will," he replied, and then they returned to cooking the food.

In the meantime, Taiga was in the bathroom to change her pad. She didn't really know much about how this kind of thing worked, or how often she was supposed to change. But even so, she didn't want to take any chances. Once she was done, she got her attire back on and walked into the living room, sitting down to watch some television.

It didn't take long before Minori and Ryuuji returned to the living room with plates and a wok-pan, setting it down on the table. Taiga looked at the pan with an open mouth, drool almost running down from her mouth. "Taiga, close your mouth," Ryuuji said, and Taiga did as told before they sat down to eat.

Minori and Taiga sat together at one side, and Ryuuji on the other. They all dug in happily, proving that the food was definitely well prepared. Taiga, on the other hand, was digging in almost too vigorously.

"You look like you're really hungry today, Taiga," Minori said, laughing a little as she looked at Taiga slurping the noodles into her mouth. As Minori spoke, Taiga's back froze, and her eyes widened, immediately looking with Ryuuji's own eyes.

"U-Uh," Taiga stuttered, and she felt as if Minori had accused her of something, and she had no idea how to answer. Ryuuji had already informed her that she might start feeling a bit more hungry than usual, which was also one of the reasons he'd prepared an extra big helping of dinner.

"She skipped breakfast today," Ryuuji said to cover up for her. Minori glared disapprovingly at Ryuuji.

"Now, now, Takasu-kun, you know you have to make sure Taiga eats properly," she said, scolding Ryuuji but with a playful tone to her voice.

"Yeah, I know," Ryuuji replied, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry." He muttered. He'd never let Taiga skip breakfast, obviously, but if lying on her behalf would save her the embarrassment then he would gladly do it. Taiga smiled nervously before continuing to eat. Now she had an excuse, at least.

Once they'd finished dinner and Ryuuji had carried the plates back into the kitchen and washed them off, Taiga and Minori exclaimed in unison; "VIDEO GAMES!"

The clock was nearing 6 pm, so the night had pretty much just barely started. Ryuuji sighed a little, and he just stayed in the back and watched as Minori and Taiga tried to beat each other in a fighting game, their entire bodies seeming to be in on the action.

Taiga was bouncing up and down where she sat, and Minori was practically tossing her arms in every direction as she pushed the different buttons on the controller, as if she thought it would help her move easier in the game.

They played for some time, and then when Ryuuji had started spacing off, he was sure he heard someone shouting. It was faint, but it sounded like two voices, trying to catch someone's attention. He tried to latch onto it, to figure out what it was, and then his head snapped towards the open balcony.

"I wonder who that is," Minori mumbled, tilting her head to the side as she looked out towards the balcony. Ryuuji shrugged a little.

"Probably no one," he sighed, and they got back to playing the game, Ryuuji watching in silence. They didn't hear any more voices, but then suddenly, a paper-plane came flying in the window, hitting Ryuuji over the head. "Ouch- What the hell?!" He exclaimed, a bit shocked.

He heard a girl's voice from outside. "I did it! I think I hit someone!"

Ryuuji growled and stood up, rushing out on the balcony to get a look down at the street. "What was that for?!" He shouted.

"Oh my, scary!" The girl exclaimed, before laughing loudly.

"What the… it's you?" Ryuuji uttered, looking down at Tamura and Torya.

"Yusaku told us where you live! Come on, it's the weekend, it's time to go out and have fun!" Tamura exclaimed, waving in his general direction as if calling Ryuuji down there.

"And we should get to know each other better, right? So come on, let's go outside and have fun all night!" Torya exclaimed, shooting her fist into the air. Ryuuji groaned and rubbed his forehead. This was going to be the longest night of his life. He just knew it.