I got up early for school Monday morning. I wasn't looking forward to school, but I was used to getting up early. I found Rin in the kitchen eating something unrecognizable.

I'm American, so I don't know Japanese food. I smiled, a rarity for me in the morning. "So…you like the uniform?"

"What?" he asked, blushing. "What kind of stupid question is that?"

"Joking, joking," I said, grinning.

Shiemi came in. "Good morning, Kuri and Rin."

"Good morning, Sheimi," I said. "Rin thinks our uniforms are pretty!"

"What the heck?" Rin yelled. "No I don't!"

"Why are you yelling?" Yukio asked, coming in.

"He's in denial, that's why," I said, playfully punching Rin on the shoulder.

So anyway, we went to school, and then I ran into my friends. Apparantly here they have different names, though-Shima, Konekomaru, Izumo, and Bon. But weirdly I could still see my friends souls sort of.

"Kuri!" Izumo and Paku exclaimed together, and hugged me.

"Where've you been?" Bon asked pointedly.

"Did you go to America?" Paku asked.

"I went over to visit some family there," I replied coolly.

Yukio and Sheimi were watching me, and seemed impressed with my cover story.

Then Sheimi went to study with Yukio.

"So, what's it like?" Izumo asked. "I've always wanted to visit."

"Hmm…" I replied. "The money is different…and no one walks there, it's all about driving or taking the subway. And there's so much greasy fast food you could drown in it. Aw…I miss it there."

Bon and Konekomaru were chatting about some stuff they were studying. But Izumo and Paku were listening.

"So, are you going to introduce me to your friends, or what?" Rin popped out of nowhere.

"I-I…sorry," I said. "Izumo! Paku!"

Their heads popped out of the manga they were reading.

"How may I help you?" Izumo asked coolly.

"This is my dorm mate Rin," I said. "Rin, this is Izumo and Paku."

"Didn't you blow up cram school recently?" asked Izumo.

"Yeah…" muttered Rin.

"Probably cuz he doesn't know his own strength," I smiled.

I was having a good day until I got lost. That's when I bumped into Bon.

"Oh…Kuri," he said.

"What?" I said irritably. "Are you mad at me? Cuz I'm not going to apologize for something I don't remember."

"No," Bon said. "I'm not mad. But I'm the one who owes you an apology."

"For what?" I asked. "Bumping into me? Cuz that was mostly me."

"No," he said. "For…letting them treat you like that. You were under Myoda's protection, training to become a priestess. That makes you my—our—responsibility. When they sent you away…I tried talking to dad, but he wouldn't listen, and no one else seemed to care. I told you I'd be there for you, and I let you down."

"You shouldn't have to apologize," I said bitterly. "It wasn't your fault. Thank you…for being the only one who remembered me."

I hugged him, trying not to cry.