I spent another day of my life working behind my desk. I tried to keep all other thoughts out of my head. "Hey, did you go over the numbers on the new sheets yet?" Tommy asked.

"Yes, I did."

"Did you notice this error on page four?"

"What error?" I asked looking up.

"This one," he said, handing me the pages. I turned to page four to see a dick made out of pencil lines.

"You forgot the balls again."

"Darn it, hand it back then." I just went back to work. "Dude, hand it back."

"Hey," Keko said, walking up.

"Hey Yamasura, show Keko that error on the sheets," Tommy said. I handed him the papers while still doing my work.

"Did you at least remember the balls this time Jotiro?" Keko asked, flipping through the pages.

"Hey you guys ready for lunch?" Komiko asked, walking up.

"Noodles and curry here I come," Tommy said.

"I got time sure," Keko said.

"Yamasura looks too busy to join us for lunch," Tommy said.

"What lunch, oh I have plans with Remi," I said looking at my watch. Komiko got really quiet.

"Dude, that's rude. When's our time to spend with you?" Tommy asked.

"You know Jotiro, did you ever think that his plans came before yours," Keko said.

"Ok new plan, why don't we all have lunch together?" Tommy asked. I stopped what I was doing and sent a text on my phone.

"Now what does that mean?" Tommy asked. A chime sound hit my phone.

"Ok we're in," I said, getting back to work.

"Ok cool," Tommy said.

"Actually, I think I have some more stuff I have to do," Komiko said.

"What no way you're coming," Tommy said.

"I'm sure it can wait, we all need a break," Keko said. I could see this broken smile on Komiko's face. I stopped typing.

"You should come like Keko said we all need a break, and it wouldn't be the same without you," I said standing up. Everyone gave me this look like I was an imbecile answering a very smart question.

"I guess it can wait," she said.

"Great, I'll grab my coat," I said. As I pulled my coat off the rack Tommy wheeled over in his chair.

"Dude what was that, you got this new glow about you. I like it."

"I just felt that she needed a break and what a better way than to get lunch with friends,"

"I guess so."

"Jotiro, do not leave your chair in the middle of the office again!" Keko yelled.

"Yah I know!" Tommy yelled back as he wheeled over to his desk. We walked outside as Remi danced up.

"I'm here," she said as I hugged her.

"Where's my hug?" Tommy asked.

"Right here," I said, opening my arms.

"Not from you, I want one from the pretty lady," Tommy said.

"Don't fight now boys," Remi said, hugging Tommy.

"Keko hello again," Remi said, saluting him.

"Well hello again Remi," Keko said smiling.

"And Komiko right?" Remi asked.

"Um yes nice to meet you again," Komiko said softly.

"Right, now let's go," she said, marching by me.

"The restaurant is this way," I said pointing the other way.

"I knew that," she said, turning around. As we walked Komiko hung back talking to Keko.

"So, what you guys been up to?" Tommy asked, putting his arms around us.

"Nothing," I said.

"Not true, we spent the other day listening to music and relaxing," Remi said.

"Really, well don't let this guy use the radio, his boy band S gets on my nerves," Tommy said.

"I like it, it's like every band member is in love with the same girl," Remi said.

"Gross," I said. We made it to the restaurant and got seated. Me and Remi both got our soda cups and filled them with random stuff.

"You guys are gross, filling up your cups with different sodas like that," Keko said.

"What, no, it's experimentation," Remi said.

"Wait what, I never thought of that," Tommy said, getting up and going back to the soda machine.

"So Remi what do you do?" Keko asked.

"She writes books or something," Tommy said, sitting back down.

"Well actually I write and draw manga," Remi said.

"Yah that's it," Tommy said. The food was then brought to our table. Remi took a napkin and put it in her shirt like a bib. Then I did the same.

"Ok what are you two kids?" Tommy asked.

"Food is messy dude," I said. Komiko hasn't really said anything since we sat down.

"So does manga pay well?" Keko asked.

"Not at first you pretty much make nothing, I have a small fan base, I don't really make anything at the moment," Remi said.

"How do you afford living and food?" Tommy asked, filling his mouth with food.

"Please don't talk with your mouth full Jotiro," Keko said, sighing.

"Well my parents pay for my stuff while I go to school, but I only go once a week," Remi said. As Remi was talking, she moved some of her food onto my plate and took some of mine.

"Dude you hate chow mein," Tommy said.

"Remi said your taste buds change after a while, so I tried it and I like it now," I said while eating.

"Yamasura please refrain from talking while eating," Keko said.

"So how were all your days?" Remi asked.

"Well there's this worker always yelling at me and telling me what I'm doing wrong. Guy pisses me off," Tommy said.

"I spent the day yelling at an employee who won't listen," Keko said.

"You know my day," I said.

"Komiko, it's your turn," Remi said, pointing to her. It got quiet as the spotlight in my head hit her.

"Nothing special," she said, all cute.

"Come on, even the smallest stuff can have a big impact," Remi said.

"I said it was nothing special, ok. I have to go to the bathroom," she said getting up. I could see the distaste in her face. I don't know why I am taking so much interest in her right now but I feel like somehow, it's my fault.

"Komiko hey what's wrong?" Keko asked. I stood up and walked after her.

"Hey why are you all mister I care all of a sudden?" Tommy asked.

"I'm sorry I have to use the bathroom," Komiko said.

"Look if I'm causing a problem for you, I'm sorry," I said. She stopped right outside the bathroom as I followed.

"You don't get it do you," she said.

"If you would tell me, maybe I'll understand."

"Why do you think I'm upset?"

"Because I brought Remi along."

"You guessed it."

"But why does she make you so upset?" She slapped me.

"Are you stupid?" she asked.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Don't give me that smartass bullshit."

"What is wrong?"

"Don't you see I like you."

"I didn't know that, I'm sorry you never looked into me."

"You were the quiet type, a guy who doesn't go to parties, you keep to yourself, I thought I could keep looking but you would always be there when I found no one."

"I see."

"But now you found a girl, and you look happy, and you're like a different person now."

"I'm sorry that I wasn't lonely long enough for you to say something."

"That's not what I meant."

"Well let me know when you find that guy, because he will be better than me," I said, turning around.

"Look I'm sorry."

"Why can't you just be happy with what you have in front of you."

"What?"

"You have people that care about you, I don't have time to care about what you think of me, I care about you feeling better so we can still be friends," I said before walking away. I sat down at the table as Komiko followed behind me.

"Ok what was that about?" Tommy asked.

"Well I noticed Komiko feeling sick and I wanted to make sure she was ok," I said.

"Yamasura are you feeling alright?" Keko asked.

"I'm great, why do you ask?"

"Cause I don't worry for you, which makes me worry for you," Keko said.

"He's fine, I'm watching over him," Remi said wrapping around me.

"Yah he's fine don't worry," Tommy said.

"Is everyone enjoying their meals?" Komiko asked quietly.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Yah it's great, Komiko you pick the best restaurants," Tommy said. We all nodded. We stood outside my work.

"Yo Remi see you later," Tommy said.

"Yes, it was fun," Keko said.

"I hope we can do this again," Komiko said before walking in.

"Ok your turn," Remi said.

"Um, I had a great time, can't wait to see you after work," I said.

"Me too," she said, hugging me before running off. She likes to run places, it's cute.

The rest of work I wasn't bothered once by anyone. I stopped Tommy before the end of work to see why. "Hey, you've been working hard?" I asked.

"Dude don't even start, I got to catch up to you. I've heard they're looking to hand out raises to hard working guys."

"Well if anyone deserves it it's you."

"Oh no you're not using that reverse B S on me; I believe I can beat you this time." I guess I'll play it his way.

"As if you think you can come close to me."

"You little S, I'll crush you in the workplace and anywhere else," he said as I walked out. Remi met me outside.

"It's so cold outside," she said, shivering.

"Then bring a jacket."

"I like yours." I gave her my jacket. She smiled while putting it on.

"Let's go," I said, cutting her off before she said it. We stopped in the 7/11 before heading to my place.

"I'm glad to see you again," the cashier said.

"Hello," Remi said.

"Who are you?" The cashier asked in a little anger.

"I'm Remi, nice to meet you," Remi said.

"I'm Lea," she said.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Lea asked.

"My girlfriend?" I asked.

"I'm a girl and his friend," Remi said.

"Ok I got you," Lea said. Remi grabbed onto my arm.

"Just what exactly are you doing with him?" Lea asked.

"I'm spreading the good word of love and peace," she said, striking a pose with two fingers crossed.

"Please don't quote the manga I read, it loses its flavor," I said walking up to the counter with a drink and a sandwich.

"So, if she's not your girlfriend, then how about you and me go on a date?" Lea asked, smiling really hard.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not in the mood to date," I said. Remi grabbed onto my arm again. "Later," I said walking out.

"Why did you say no to her? She was cute," Remi asked.

"Well I just don't feel like going through the whole process right now, besides your all I need right now," I said. She looked up at me then looked forward. We started playing fighting games back at my place.

"This is unfair, you're too good," she said.

"I'm surprised, it's been a while since I've played." Tommy sent me an invite through the game, and I accepted.

"Wow you're really good online," she said.

"I guess it's all coming back to me now." I beat him three times and he kept spamming me with invites so I turned it off.

"So how long has it been since you've had a sleepover?" she asked,getting up.

"This isn't a sleepover, it's two friends hanging out and when it gets too late the other friend crashes." As I turned to get up she was in a tight shirt and short shorts.

"Hey, put some clothes on," I said, covering my face.

"Why don't you like what you see?"

"I didn't say that."

"Well then what's the problem?" I guess there's nothing wrong with her being almost naked, we are both adults.

"I guess it's fine."

"Good cause I'm going to take the bed." she said, jumping in bed.

"Hey, that's my bed."

"Then why don't you join me?" I climbed in bed as she cuddled me. "You're so warm," she said quietly in my ear. I don't know what this girl wants. I can't tell if she wants me to act on something or just relax. "Hey, if you can't sleep feel free to grope me." What the fuck is she saying. I've never met a girl like this. I just closed my eyes and tried to sleep. It was hard with her body against mine. When I woke up she was gone. There was a note on the TV that read went to school call you later. I don't quite know what she wants out of this relationship, but I'm ok with how it's going right now. I got dressed and walked to work. I stopped in front of the 7/11 as two ghosts were having a sword duel.

"You have no honor left in the family. The time to cut you down is now," ghost one said.

"Then I will have nothing to lose taking you on," ghost two said. I wonder how long they have been doing this. They stopped to look at me.

"Can he see us?" ghost one asked.

"No it's impossible we are a time long forgotten," ghost two said.

"Yah I hope to forget both of you," I said. Ghost one gasped looking at me. Ghost two moved quickly and slashed ghost one.

"What a cheap finish to catch me off guard like that," ghost one said, falling to the floor. I just started walking again. I stopped in front of the office as two employees were having a duel.

"Those papers were mine. I wrote them," employee one said.

"And I looked over them, made some changes, fixed some corrections and turned them in for you," employee two said.

"Yah but with your name," employee one said. I walked into the building and hung up my coat.

"Coffee?" Keko asked.

"No, I hate coffee," I said.

"Well I can't wake up without it."

"That's something a druggie would say."

"If I have a problem then so does the rest of the world."

"Now you're just messing with me." I walked over to my desk and sat down staring at my computer. I could hear Tommy enter the building all the way from here.

"That stuffs going to kill you Keko," Tommy said sitting down. "Yo," Tommy said, throwing his arm over the cubicle. I slapped it. "So how was last night, you brought Remi home last night right?"

"We just beat some loser at a game and relaxed."

"The game was lagging."

"Make excuses, I still beat you."

"So, you relaxed? How was that?"

"I don't know."

"Oh, you know you just like to keep stuff to yourself." But I really didn't know.

"Morning Yamasura, uh Tommy," Komiko said walking by.

"Morning," I said.

"Yo," Tommy said. Later I got bored and stood up to stretch.

"Dude, is that a hickey?" Tommy asked. I covered my neck. How did I not catch that?

"I don't think so," I said.

"Wrong answer," Tommy said, wheeling over to my side.

"Ok keep this between us, she was in her underwear and in my bed last night, but we didn't do anything."

"Does she want you to do something?"

"I don't know."

"Well she seems cool; you should just ask her." I should just ask her. "Hey are those the new reports?"

"Yah I got them all written up." Tommy moved in real close to read the reports. "You just farted, didn't you?"

"And now you'll smell it forever," he said, wheeling back to his desk. I worked through lunch to finish up some last-minute stuff.

"Hey I got you some egg rolls," Tommy said, handing me a bag.

"Oh thanks," I said, taking it. I just kept working, until I suddenly stopped. "Hey what would you do?"

"Eat those egg rolls before they get cold."

"No about Remi."

"I'd tell her how I feel man." I wonder how I feel.

"And if I like where things are right now?"

"Then say nothing." I've never really asked him for this kind of advice he kind of just gives it to me, but I feel like he's really trying to help. After work I stood in front of the vending machine outside my apartment. None of the buttons seem to work. Dammit why doesn't this work. I kicked the machine and a soda fell. As I reached for it a hand grabbed me. I pulled back and fell on my ass.

"Haha you should have seen your face," a voice said in a Russian accent. A big ghost in a singlet with a whippy mustache came out of the machine. I looked in my hand to see a grape soda.

"Did you knock this loose?" I asked.

"Yes, yes did," he said.

"Well thank you," I said getting up.

"Wait, you're not scared of me?"

"No, I've kind of gotten familiar with this whole thing."

"But you must be curious of the man in front of you."

"Naw see yah," I said heading for my door.

"Stop," he said, going through me.

"What do you want?"

"I'm just so lonely, maybe I could hang out with you just for a little bit?" he asked. Somehow, I always get wrapped up in these situations. Do other people that see ghosts have to deal with this?

"Alright fine, I guess I could use the company," I said. I went into my apartment and sat down in front of the TV.

"I'm Rohan by the way," he said.

"Yamasura." I turned the TV on to a random gameshow.

"Why are they climbing the walls?" he asked.

"To get to the top, if you make it to the button you can win prize money."

"Ok so it's the money."

"I guess, but they have fun too." We just sat there watching TV.

"How did you know I could see you?" I asked.

"You give off a nice small energy that we spirits are attracted to."

"An energy, huh." It must be very lonely to have nothing to do because you died. I guess this is the chance to ask if there's a heaven.

"So what happens when you die?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"How do you not know?"

"I don't remember what happened when I died."

"Is it like that for all ghosts?"

"Yep, or they think they are still alive." Man, that must suck being dead but still thinking you're alive. I laid down to relax and fell asleep with the TV on. When I awoke, he was gone. I did the whole day over again. I stopped at the 7/11 to grab a bite before work.

"Morning." Lea said.

"Well good morning," I said, opening the freezer.

"Where's your little girlfriend?" she asked.

"We're just friends, and I don't know, she hasn't texted me yet, probably sleeping."

"You talk too much," she said in a cheery voice. Wow I haven't had someone say that to me in a long time.

"Is this all you're getting?" she asked.

"Yep," I said, handing her money.

"We'll have a good day then," she said as I walked out. It's good she doesn't seem too mad about what I said the other day. As I sat at my desk, I was quickly called up.

"Hey Yamasura meeting now," Keko said walking by my cubicle. I got up and sat in the meeting room as others gathered.

"Ok so we're expecting the boss any day now so I need everyone to be their best," Keko said looking around the room. "So, before we start does anyone have something to say?"

"Yes, you know the forms for fixing the budget, well I would like it if you revised them and considered my name as the creator of those," employee one said.

"Dude," employee two said.

"You stole my work and you're a hack," employee one said.

"No proof," employee two said.

"Ok guys if you could wait for the meeting to be over then we can settle this ok," Keko said. They both said ok. "So, if that's done with, I have assignments to hand out."

"More grunt work huh," Tommy said.

"Only if you see it that way," Keko said.

"Come on everyone, let's all make fun out of this," Komiko said. Everyone but me and Keko booed her.

"Anyway, I need two of you to look through this old box of documents and decide what's worth keeping and what's worth throwing away," Keko said. I raised my hand.

"Great Yamasura and Komiko you're on it," Keko said.

"Hey you took my partner," Tommy said looking at me. I looked over at Komiko as she smiled at me. I got back to work right after the meeting.

"I can't believe you're working with Komiko," Tommy said sitting down.

"It should be fun."

"Oh, it will be fun all right, don't think I don't know she likes you."

"What makes you say that?"

"Dude she smiles at you with the purpose of if I do this long enough, he will sleep with me." I don't think that's what's going through her mind with a smile.

"Hey Yamasura, why don't we get to those boxes after lunch?" Komiko asked waking by

"Sounds good." I just hope I don't say something too honest and hurt her, I don't know what she might say. I haven't really spoken to her since the other night at the restaurant. "Can you stop hitting sticky keys?"

"Make me," Tommy said. After lunch I hit the bathroom before meeting Komiko. As I sat on the toilet a guy came into the bathroom and went right to the sink.

"I'm a piece of shit," he said, then just walked out. I left the bathroom and met Komiko at her desk to sort through the boxes.

"Well this is going to be fun," she said.

"As much as we can make it." I opened a box and started reading over papers.

"You like doing work, right?" she asked.

"I mean I don't mind it. I'm good at it."

"Do you ever think about doing other things besides working behind a desk?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Cause there is nothing I want to do." It got quiet for a while. "Is there something you want to do?"

"It's going to sound silly."

"Ok don't tell me."

"I want to be a dancer."

"Like what kind?" She gave me this look of someone is actually listening to me.

"A street dancer, you know, like hip hop," she said. I didn't picture her to like dancing.

"You should spend time doing the things you like to do." There was a pause in the conversation.

"You're right, maybe I should," she said. I pulled together a bunch of documents worth keeping.

"Ok I'm done," I turned to see her with a lot of papers still to go.

"How are you don't that fast?" she asked.

"I'm a speed reader."

"Yamasura can you help me?" I pulled her box in between us. "Yay." After we finished sorting the papers I just rested at my desk.

"You look like a mess," Tommy said.

"Do I?" I asked.

"Well you look more tired."

"I am."

"Ok I know what will make you feel better, we should go out after work."

"Now I know I'm messed up to even consider that."

"No man listen, bring Remi, we'll go do something fun."

"Like what?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know."

"Dude come on name a thing you have always liked doing."

"I miss going to the zoo."

"Perfect, the zoo is open late to attract customers."

"It's open this late?"

"Yeah, I took a date there once."

"Yah, what happened to her?"

"She hates my guts because I said she reminded me of my father." I'm pretty sure that's a red flag. "So what do you say?" I rolled in my chair and slid out my phone and texted Remi.

"Ok we're in," I said.

"Dude, yes, ok relax it's gonna be fun." After work we waited outside the zoo as Remi ran up.

"I'm here for a fun night at the zoo," she said.

"Hey girl you look good," Tommy said.

"Same with you." I just stood there looking at the zoo remembering another time. "You don't look bad yourself mister," she said, sliding next to me.

"Yah, well thanks, you look cute tonight," I said.

"Yo ladies, we doing this or what?" Tommy asked, standing at the entrance. We entered and paid. "So, where we going first?"

"We should see the owls," Remi said.

"Perfect," Tommy said. We stood in front of black as eyes looked back at us.

"They must love the night, it's so quiet," Remi said.

"Yeah with no one to bother them," I said. One of the owls hit the cage as he landed on a close perch.

"Wooh, this one is not scared of us," Tommy said. I pushed a button that drops food next to him.

"He looks really happy," Tommy said.

"I know it's like all his friends are kind of sad, but this guy's all happy," Remi said. I put my hand on the glass and the owl started rubbing his head on the glass. We walked over to a bunch of other animals, but they were all sleeping. We stopped and watched the seals sleeping.

"Do you think these guys ever fall in love at first sight?" Remi asked.

"Well they do fight for all the women so I think the girls are just attracted to the biggest strongest guy," Tommy said.

"I bet he's boring though," Remi said looking at me.

"Hey I got to see something just stay here I don't want to lose you guys," Tommy said walking off.

"Do you ever think that animals have it lucky not knowing they're going to die?" Remi asked.

"I don't know, maybe it's the fact that we know that allows us to have such fun."

"Yah, I was thinking the same thing," she said, hanging on my arm. We just watched the seals sleep.

"Hey my sister just called, I got to go," Tommy said.

"Ok sounds good," I said.

"I had fun, see you love birds later," he said running off. We're not love birds. We're not even love seals.

"So, want to hit the subway back to my place?" she asked.

"Ok I'm in."

"That's what she said." I'm afraid of foreshadowing. We took the subway. She rested on me as we moved through the city. When we got off, we walked to her place and headed inside.

"I'm tired tuck me in," she said, peeling off her clothes. She fell into bed and I pulled the covers over her. She grabbed my arm. "Why don't you join me?" What if I want things to stay where they are?

"What is going to happen if I do?" I asked.

"Maybe you should find out," she said. I pulled my clothes off and got into bed. She started kissing my chest and the night escalated from there. I woke up with her lying next to me. I can't believe we did that. I wonder how it felt for her. I wonder how she feels about me. "Well good morning mister girl pleaser," she said, waking up.

"Um where are we on this whole thing?" I asked.

"Where do you want to be, I was just having some fun with a friend, but if you want, I can call you my boyfriend."

"Are we going to do that again?"

"Only if you want to."

"Ok then, I can call you my girlfriend?"

"Sure, if it makes you happy," she said, kissing me.

"Ok I can work with this," I said.

"So can I," she said, grabbing my leg. I pushed her away.

"Ok enough I have work," I said.

"But I'm going to miss you."

"Well that's not my problem," I said, getting dressed.

"It is, so text me all day."

"Ok I will." I left her apartment and headed for work. I feel good today. Maybe it's because I just had sex last night, or the fact that Remi is my girlfriend now. I walked by a band playing music on the street. There was a guy banging on pots, a guy on the trumpet, and a guy singing in a deep voice. I stopped to listen for a second. The guy singing saw me and started staring at me.

"So, you see them too," he said, pausing from singing.

"See what, what are you talking about?" I asked. He just kept singing and ignoring me. Crap, I'm going to be late. When I got to work everyone was quiet as usual.

"You were almost late," Tommy said.

"So?" I asked.

"No, don't 'so' me, you're never even close to late. The only explanation is you couldn't sleep, now why is that?"

"We had sex last night," I said keeping my eyes on my computer.

"Dude tell me everything," he said, wheeling his chair over.

"She's my girlfriend now."

"Yah, how does it feel?" I pulled away from the keyboard.

"Well to tell you the truth I really feel alive right now."