Although my house is just beside the ramen restaurant, Shuichi insisted on walking me home. "The book would be too heavy for you to carry," he reasoned.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not like the house is a few miles away." I reached for the book in the table, only to find that he was already holding it. That's fast.

"I win," he smiled. "Shall we go now?"

I sighed. "Well, what else can I do now?" And then we started on our way.

Laughter could be heard from inside the house. Maybe my mom's friend came over again.

We knocked. "Gomen kudasai," I said.

The door soon opened, and a tall black-haired woman with a kind face, Shiori-sama, appeared before us. Her eyes widened at seeing the redhead beside me. "Shuichi?" she exclaimed.

Shuichi looked shocked too. "Okaasan…" he said.

I sighed frustratingly as I set the library book on my dresser table. I could've started reading now if it weren't for the irritating cardigan is already sticking to my skin.

Once in the bathroom, I immediately took off my sweaty cardigan off me and threw it in the hamper along with the clothes I've stripped out off, and then stepped into the shower, not caring if the water's freezing cold.

I got dressed in a cotton shirt and shorts afterwards. I never wore sleeveless clothes—well, except for some dresses, but even then I cover up with a cardigan—because of my weird birthmark. On my left shoulder is a mark shaped like two half-spheres facing each other, which makes it look more like a bite mark.

There came a knock on my door. "Yuki-chan," I heard my mom say, "please come downstairs. The Minaminos will be back soon to have dinner with us."

Shuichi turned out to be the son of Shiori-sama, my mother's childhood best friend who's been a frequent visitor in the house since we moved here.

I sighed. She and Okaasan were so delighted that their children met without them introducing us to each other. I said it's just a small world, while my mom believes it's 'destiny.'

I groaned. I could've started reading about the life of Youko Kurama—cue fangirl squeals—if it weren't for that dinner. Okaasan knocked again, and that's when I got out of my room.

Oh well, I guess my Youko Kurama obsession would have to wait.

Dinnertime came. Uneasily I sat by the table across from Shuichi, who ate in silence like me as our mothers engaged in their 'small talk'.

But just when I thought I'd have to endure another hour like this—listening to the conversation and throwing in short responses of my own when necessary—Shuichi excused the two of us from the table, saying he wants to talk to me.

I eagerly agreed, and so we went out to the garden. We sat at the bench near our back door.

"Thanks, Shuichi-kun," I started, "for saving me back there. I'm afraid I'd get too bored."

He chuckled. "I could tell from the look on your face."

I smiled. "Um, Shuichi-kun…may I ask you something?"

"What is it?" he smiled back.

"Are you familiar with the library book I borrowed? You seem to be shocked when you saw the title…"

Shuichi became silent for a moment, as if he was thinking of his answer. "Well," he finally said, "yes. It's a good book, actually."

"I see," I nodded, "But please don't give any spoilers!" I tried joking, and he laughed along.

But something tells me he's more than familiar with the book. The ambiance between us suddenly changed when I asked that question. And judging from his reaction, there must be something more to it than being just a 'good book' for him.

And that makes me all the more excited…

The Minaminos went home soon. I immediately did my chores just to get upstairs. My heart is beating wildly with every step I took.

When I got to my room, I noticed something unusually bright by the window. It was the book—set on the dresser table beside my window—and it seemed to shine under the moonlight.

As though I was hypnotized by its light, I went towards the table and touched the front cover. I ran my hand slowly through the letters in the title, tracing Youko Kurama's name.

I smiled.I've never been this excited.

With that, I opened the book.

And right then, I was blinded by another light...