The next day, I was actually excited to get to school, and I couldn't remember the last time I was excited to get anywhere. When I got to the classroom, my heart sunk. No Saki. Did she lie? I sat down and stared at her empty desk.

"Uh...hi? Are you okay?" Hiromasa asked.

"Fine." I answered.

There were still a few minutes left until the late bell. I guess I shouldn't have expected her to be punctual. After all, she had already missed two days. The minutes ticked by quickly. I'm sure Hiromasa was trying to talk to me about something, but I couldn't focus. What was I going to do if she didn't show up? Should I walk back to that apartment building, or finally take the hint and leave her alone? Less than a full minute remained when she finally walked through the door. My heart started beating faster, which I'd come to expect when seeing her now.

"Wipe that stupid surprised look off your face, loser." She passed behind me and pushed the back of my head forward before taking her seat. "I said I'd be here, didn't I?"

"Good morning, Saki." I said. "I have to admit, I was getting kind of worried."

"Yeah, well, you should be grateful. I wouldn't turn up for just anyone."

I smiled. "Thanks."

"Yeah. Yeah." She leaned back in her chair. "Let's just hope the day goes by quickly."

The bell rang and Mr. Nagashima started the morning routine. Hiromasa smacked my arm.

"What the hell?" He mouthed silently.

I shrugged at him.

The class continued as normal. Saki looked a little bit unkempt and was far from the most poised one in the classroom, but I couldn't begin to care about that. I couldn't keep my eyes off her anyway. She'd started doodling the minute class started and hadn't written down a single word off the board. Oh, well. Baby steps, right? At least I'd gotten her to come to class. She didn't really draw anything substantial. It was more in the way of swirling lines, shapes, and patterns.

A little later in the day, I had to tear myself away from Saki's picture show to go to the bathroom. I'd probably only made it about fifteen feet before Hiromasa came chasing after me.

"Again," he said, catching up to me. "What the hell?"

"What?" I asked.

"Don't 'what' me. How is it that you break up with a girl just two days ago and you're already on a first name basis with another one?" He held up two fingers and jammed them in my face. "Two days!"

I pushed his hand down. "It just sort of happened."

"What? How? She hasn't even been at school."

"We kind of hung out last night." I rubbed the back of my head and focused on the ceiling.

"You what?" he almost shouted.

"Will you keep it down?" I gazed around, making sure he didn't draw any attention.

"What is it with you? You must have some sort of secret. Teach me your ways, master." He put his palms together above his bowed head.

"Come on. Knock it off. Like I said, 'It just sort of happened.' I saw her at a restaurant and followed her."

He raised his head. "So you're telling me to stalk women? That's your secret?"

"No." I put both my hands up. "That is not at all what I'm saying."

"Are you going to hang out again?"

I shrugged. "Probably. That's kind of up to her, I guess."

"Introduce me."

"What? Introduce you?" I shook my head. "She already knows you, remember?"

"So, reintroduce me," he said. "I want to hang out with you guys too."

"Eh." I glanced to the side. "I don't think it's really your kind of thing."

"What does that mean? What sort of things are you into that I'm not?" He folded his arms.

"Things that might be considered against the law."

"I can totally do that."

I laughed. "Really? This coming from the guy who, at ten, unintentionally stole a candy bar, and then felt so bad about it he had to return both the candy bar and give the saleswoman the money for the candy?"

"Shut up! That was six years ago. I've changed a lot since then."

"Fine." I waved my hand dismissively. "Have it your way, but I can't speak for her."

He gave me that big cheesy grin of his, and I finally got to go to the bathroom.

When the bell rang for lunch period, students started flocking into their standard groups. Saki and I stayed put. I pulled the spoils of my early morning convenience store trip out of my bag and set them on my desk. I bought a rice ball and a korokke sandwich. I was so hungry I probably could have eaten two of those things. Hiromasa moved to the now empty desk in front of Saki and set down his bento box, which contained another delicious looking lunch prepared by his mother.

"Saki, you remember Shiganori Hiromasa, right?"

He gave a small wave. "Hi."

"Of course." Her eyes widened. "I love what you did to your hair." She reached over and started playing with a tuft of his hair.

His face grew red instantly. "T-thanks, Higoshi."

"Saki," she corrected.

That only served to deepen his blush. I had to stifle a laugh. With his zero experience with women and her disregard of any sort of personal space, he'd be head over heels in no time. She retracted her hand and directed her gaze towards the window. Hiromasa popped an octopus sausage in his mouth.

"Not eating?" I asked, and took a bite of my sandwich.

"Nope," she said.

Was she on some sort of diet? That's not uncommon, but she didn't really seem the type. I picked up the other half of my sandwich and held it out to her.

"What's that for?" she asked.

"Eating," I answered.

She rolled her eyes. "Idiot. I meant, why are you giving it to me?"

I shrugged. "Because you have no food."

She clicked her tongue. "I'm not a charity case."

"Who said anything about that? I'm not that hungry. I won't eat it all, so I thought you might want it, but if you don't, that's fine." I put the sandwich back down. "I'm sure I can find someone to eat it, or throw it away, or something."

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"I'll eat..." Hiromasa started.

I shot him a glare.

"Eat this tasty bento my mom made for me and nothing else." He started shoving food in his mouth.

"Well, if you're just going to throw it away anyway, I guess I'll take it." She slowly stretched out her hand.

I smiled and gave her the sandwich half. I doubted I could convince her to take the rice ball too, but at least that should hold her until after school. She didn't say thank you, just took bite after bite until it was gone. I don't think I'd ever seen anyone eat that fast before.

"That was pretty good." She smiled.

"Glad you liked it," I said.

"Did you even have time to taste it?" Hiromasa asked, his voice rising in pitch.

I started laughing.

"Bite me, bento boy," Saki said.

"Sorry." Hiromasa said, waving his hands. "I didn't mean anything by it."

I laughed harder.

"It's not funny, Kaito." Hiromasa groaned.

"Hm. I guess I'll forgive you, but only because of your pretty hair." Saki pushed her whole hand through his hair and shook his head.

"Cut it out." Hiromasa grabbed his head to hold it still.

Saki giggled and released his head.

"So, what are your plans tonight, Saki?" I asked.

She grinned. "Thirsting for more fun, huh? Want to get that heart racing again?"

I chuckled. "I suppose. Although, Hiromasa wanted to join, so you had better take it slow."

"What?" Hiromasa tried to smooth his hair unsuccessfully. "Don't baby me. I can keep up with whatever."

"A slow build up, huh?" she asked. "You're right, but not just because of him. Since you're both new to deviant activities, I probably shouldn't start too big. I wouldn't want you two to freak out on me."

"Surely, you're not putting me in the same category as him?" I asked, pointing at Hiromasa.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

Saki chuckled. "I guess we'll find out." She tapped her finger against the side of her mouth. "Hm. Something small. Ah." She snapped her fingers. "I've got it. You show up around nine to the apartment building."

"What is it?" I asked.

Saki smiled. Shadows of the same mischievous smile from the night before played in the corners. "Oh, come on. It wouldn't be any fun if I ruined the surprise."

The rest of lunch period passed with your usual conversation and banter. Hiromasa even did a moving rendition of a chopstick walrus. I tried to get Saki to come home with me and Hiromasa to hang out and play games, but she refused. I'm not sure if she actually had something to do, or she was still trying to keep some distance between us. I was inclined to believe it was the distance thing, although I couldn't figure out exactly why.

Hiromasa and I left my house around half eight, and I showed him the way to the apartment.

"This neighborhood is freaky," Hiromasa said when we started getting to the deserted houses.

"Yeah, I'm not really sure where everyone went," I said.

"Maybe it's just because this part of town is so old. They'll probably have all this stuff knocked down within a couple of years."

I nodded. "Makes sense."

Saki was outside the apartment, leaning against the utility pole again. There was a small box by her feet.

"Hey," she said as we approached.

"Hi," I said.

"Hello," Hiromasa said, with a wave and a grin.

"You guys ready to have some fun?" She pushed the box towards us with her foot.

"Spray paint?" I asked.

She nodded. "That's right."

"For the apartment?" I asked.

She snorted. "No. What fun would that be? No one will see it here. Bring the box and come on."

She started down the sidewalk towards the four way intersection. I folded the box shut, picked it up, and followed her. Hiromasa tagged along after me. He was quiet and kept chewing on his fingertips. He always did that when he was nervous. I slowed my pace a little and hung back with him.

"We can always go home if you want?" I offered.

"What are you talking about?" He shook his head. "I'm fine."

I didn't say anything. Shiganori Hiromasa, the worst liar in history.

It wasn't long before we were out of the vacant neighborhood and into more populated areas. A few people eyed us suspiciously, but they were probably just wondering what I was doing carrying around a dirty, old box. Saki led us off the main sidewalk, down a paved footpath, and finally stopped in front of a short pedestrian tunnel that ran under the train tracks.

"Behold." She turned to face us, spreading her arms wide. "Our canvas."

"We're going to paint here?" Hiromasa asked, looking around.

Saki nodded with a grin. The choice wasn't terrible. Someone had already marked up the sides of the tunnel with spray paint. I wasn't sure if it was her or not. There didn't seem to be a lot of people around, which made the chances of us getting caught pretty low.

"Come on." Saki walked backwards into the dimly lit tunnel. "Unless, you're getting cold feet." She smiled.

Hiromasa swallowed hard and followed her into the tunnel. I went in after him and set the box down in the middle. Saki opened the flaps to reveal the six capless spray cans.

"Our choices kind of suck." She knelt down to pick up one of the cans. "It's mostly black and white, but I did manage to get a little bit of red and green." She held the can out to Hiromasa.

He grabbed it with a shaky hand. "I'm not sure we should be doing this."

Saki rolled her eyes. "What's the matter, Mr. 'I can keep up with whatever'? Having second thoughts?"

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Hiromasa." I picked up one of the black cans and went over to the wall.

"Wait. You're doing it?" Hiromasa asked.

"Probably." I shook the can.

"Look, Hiromasa." Saki stood up and folded her arms. "It's barely a crime. After all, they have designated walls for street art now."

"Yeah, but this isn't one of them." Hiromasa said.

She sighed. "If you're holding out for the origami night, it's not going to happen. I said I'd start slow, and this is it. It only gets harder from here."

Hiromasa studied the can for a moment, then walked over to the opposite wall and shook it up. I probably should have urged him not to do it. I should have stopped and told him we were going home. I guess I'm a pretty shitty friend.

He pointed the can at the wall and hesitated.

"Come on," Saki said in a soothing voice. "It's not that hard." She walked behind him and placed her hand over his. "Just point and squeeze." She pushed his finger down on the nozzle and led his hand in a wavy pattern along the wall, creating a white, swirly line of paint. "And just like that, you've committed your first act of vandalism."

She slapped him on the back. He clenched up and made a small whimpering sound. She walked back to the box, selected her own can, and came to stand next to me.

"Don't tell me you're having issues too?" She shook up her can.

I laughed. "No. I have no ethical concerns and I'm pretty sure I understand the core concept. Point and squeeze. I just don't know what to paint. I'm not very artistic."

"Just paint whatever comes to your mind." She started spraying a few shapes in green paint. They looked pretty similar to her doodles in school.

"You say that like it's easy," I said.

She stopped painting. "Alright, I'll snap my fingers and you say the very first thing that pops into your head. Ready?"

I nodded.

"Go." She snapped.

I smiled. "You."

She laughed. "I guess that's understandable. I am standing right here."

I'm not too certain that was why.

"So?" I said.

"So paint me." She continued her pattern.

"Oh, sure." I shook the can up again. "Let me just channel my inner Hokusai."

She laughed. "Accuracy is not the point."

I sighed and started painting. "Green, huh?"

"Mhm," she said. "It's my favorite color."

"I'll have to remember that," I said.

"I don't hear any painting over there," Saki shouted.

Hiromasa yelped, which was followed by a sound of furious spray painting.

"What is the point? Just something to do?" I asked.

"Well, it is fun, but that's not why." Saki pushed her hand against my chest, right against my pounding heart. "That is the point. If you continue to do the same crap all the time, you're just going to continue to sleep walk through your own life. Worrying you might get caught in this tunnel gets you good and scared. It shakes up your routine."

A train went overhead, causing the lights to flicker. I jumped. Hiromasa's squeal of surprise was barely audible over the high pitched screeching of the train. Saki laughed.

I let out a deep breath. "You know, we could have just watched a scary movie or something."

She smiled and shook her head. "I'm afraid you're beyond that kind of help."

I finished my painting and stepped back. It was a blank faced stick figure with a bunch of paint running down the side of its head for hair.

Saki rested her arm on my shoulder and leaned against me. "Oh, yeah. You totally captured my eyes."

We both started laughing.

"That's pretty terrible," Hiromasa said from behind us.

"I suppose, you did a lot better?" I asked, turning around.

"Obviously." Hiromasa walked over to his wall and gestured at his wavy line art. "It's a masterpiece."

"That actually isn't bad, Hiromasa," I said.

Saki nodded. "I like it."

"Really?" He blushed.

She nodded. "Mhm."

He grinned and pointed to his signature sprayed on the wall. "Look. I even signed it."

Saki and I both started laughing.

"What?" he demanded.

"Hiromasa, you idiot." I said. "If you sign it, they'll know it's you. You'll get busted for sure."

"Crap!" Hiromasa frantically started spraying over his name. "Can you still see it?" He sprayed some more.

When Hiromasa was finally satisfied there was no trace of his name left on the wall, we put all the cans back in the box and closed it up. I picked it up, and we headed back to the apartment, where we all parted ways. Saki assured me she'd be at school on Monday.

"Your mom won't be mad you're out so late?" I asked Hiromasa, after we left Saki.

"As long as it's not an everyday thing, I should be fine."

"You don't have to hang out with us when we do this kind of stuff, you know? It's not like I'm going to start ignoring you now."

Hiromasa snorted. "I know. That's not why I went."

"It's just, you didn't seem like you were having a lot of fun."

"I wasn't at first, but at the end, I really started enjoying it." He smiled.

"I'm just saying..."

Hiromasa put his hand up. "Look. I'm not a child. I don't need you protecting me. I can make my own decisions."

I shrugged. "Have it your way."

Eventually, we went our separate ways, and I walked the rest of the way back to my house alone. Still, my dark, vacant house didn't feel quite as empty when I opened the front door.