~~~~3

June, 2003

"What's with the get up?" Tomoki asked with a raised eyebrow. Stepping aside so boy in the black uniform could enter her apartment.

"Tokyo Manji Gang." He answered with a giddy smile. "I need ya to take our picture."

"Right now?"

"Right now."

She sighed tugging on her sleeve and moved to put her shoes on. Putting her camera around her neck, she signaled for them to leave. Draken taking the lead as he guided her to meet his rag tag group of friends.

"So I finally get to meet your friends? Huh, Aniki." She teased leaning over to look over at the now much taller blonde.

"What does it look like, I'm taking you aren't I." He said gruffly while rubbing the back of his neck.

She hummed happily in reply as they continued walking. Tomoki looped her arm around his so she could adjust her cameras settings. She paid little mind to her surroundings as she up held her camera to point at the boy. Taking his picture before returning to adjust it a final time. After a bit longer of walking she looked up to find them in the middle of Shibuya.

"Hey, Draken over here!" A boys voice called.

"I'm coming" He yelled back.

Tomoki looking at the source of the voice she was greeted by the sight of five boys in matching uniforms. With a small smile she took a picture of the group before letting her camera hang from her neck. Suddenly, her brother's large hand ruffled her hair pushing her head down before introducing her.

"This is my little sister Tomoki, she'll take our picture today."

She waved with a smile. A chorus of greetings could be heard from the group, taking note of their names as they introduced themselves. Pushing his hand off her head she looked around the area for where the picture could be taken and fixed her now messy hair.

"Where would you like the picture?" She asked.

"In the center." The shorter blonde pointed.

"That works, we'll just have to make sure no one steps in front of me while I take the picture." Turning her head back towards them. "Be sure to move quick so I can take a lot of pictures."

"We can do that." The gray haired one replied.

She waved her hand for them to lead the way and waited at the edge sidewalk for the sign to change. Tomoki looked around observing the group trying to remember the things her brother had told her about them. Most of which has been about Mikey, Draken loved to retell her the story of how they'd first met. Mikey beating up those middle schoolers had impressed him to the point he'd sworn to follow the boy. Feeling eyes on her she turned her head to see Mikey blankly staring at her.

"Yes?" She questioned.

"You're prettier than what Ken-chin described." He stated. She sputtered her cheeks turning red. "C'mon the light changed."

She nodded quickly and moved to follow the boys. Once they were in the spot she moved in front of the group holding up her camera. They quickly moved into place laying out their new flag, once settled she started taking their pictures. Snapping as many pictures as she could before looking up at them. Tomoki gave them a thumbs up and rushed back to the sidewalk to look. They moved to huddle behind her trying to catch a peak. Eventually she found the perfect one and she held it up to show them.

"You all like it, I take it." She said as she heard cheers behind her. "I'll print copies out for you guys."

"Thanks Tomoki." Her brother said. "We're going to the beach if you want to come."

"No thank you." She quickly replied. "Maybe next time. If you guys want more pictures feel free to let me know though."

"Next time then, I'll walk you back."

"It's alright it'll take you awhile to get there. No reason to waste anytime." She said shaking her head. "It was nice meeting you all."

She turned on her heel and ran disappearing into the crowd.

Summer 2003

It was close to midnight as she wandered along the river. The wind blowing her hair into her face as she walked. She spotted a figure laying in the grass and moved closer before realizing it was Mikey from a few weeks ago. She moved closer until she was standing over him at his side.

"Mikey-kun?" She called looking down at him.

He was laying in his back with his hands resting behind his head. His eyes halfway open looking back at her. She pushed her hair out of her face keeping eye contact.

"Tomo-chan?" He asked.

She sighed sitting down beside him. "It's Tomoki but yes."

"Tomo-chan." He reaffirmed.

"What are you doing out here so late?" She asked while tying her hair back.

"I'm taking a nap." He spoke bluntly as his eyes opened more.

"Don't you have a bed to sleep in?" Raising an eyebrow at his reply.

"Don't you." He shot back.

"Not right now. My dad is home with some lady so I'm waiting for them to leave." She shrugged. "I'm trying to kill some time."

"He do that often?" She shook her head flopping to lay beside him.

"I'm lucky if he's there, by himself that is. He likes to call himself a ladies man but he really just likes to get things from them." Blowing hair out of her eyes. "He'll be gone by tomorrow night."

Moving on from the awkward subject he asked a different question. "No camera today?"

"I have it. I just don't want it to get stolen especially since I'm walking around at night." She turned to look at him patting her bag beside her indicating where it was. "Why?"

"I'm making a new era. I need make sure the memories of it last." He stated looking back at her.

"A new era? For who, delinquent's?"

"Exactly. Have it return to they way it used to be. The way it was with my brother. I want everyone to remember it." He said. "You can help if you want."

"But how am I supposed to help? What could I possibly do?" Her brows furrowing. "Do you want proof or something?"

"Proof? Ya, I want proof and you take some nice pictures. Don't ya?" He said with a smile. "What do you think? Wanna be my proof?"

She turned to look at the sky as she thought over his offer. Hearing a rustling noise beside and looked to see him offering his hand to her. The blonde looking down at her caused her thoughts to be left behind. She smiled and grabbed his hand. The blonde pulled her up with ease and smiled in return. They stood there for a moment looking at a each other. Her hand still in his, he pulled her along as he started moving to the sidewalk.

"Where are we going?" She asked throwing her bag over her shoulder.

"Anywhere. You said you had time to kill." He answered looking back at her with a raised eyebrow.

"A lot." She laughed as he continued leading her away.

They wandered the city that night until the sun peaked out from behind the buildings. Pausing every once in awhile for her to take pictures of what they saw. They talked about anything and nothing at the same time. The dark haired girl happily going wherever the boy lead her.

After that encounter, Mikey seemed to always be there laying in the grass at the river. Like he knew she would be there or perhaps even waiting for her. Many more late nights and early mornings would be spent together. Of course, there was always proof of that.

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