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Chapter One

"Mikuo, school!"

I groaned as I sat up in bed, hearing banging at the door.

"Ugh, I know!" I yelled back.

"Come on, then!" The voice whined, opening the door.

I looked over and saw Akaito peeking in.

"First day of a new semester, excited?"

"Not really, no." I rubbed my eyes and got out of bed.

He grinned, "Too bad."

I huffed at his good mood, "Why are you so happy, anyway? You never liked going to school, before. Let alone, arriving on time."

"Well, I've never walked to school with you, before. And I don't want to make you late." He explained.

I went to my closet, "Oh, how considerate of you, Akaito."

"Mm-hm. Mind if I watch you change?"

"Yes, get out."

He pouted, but left, closing the door, "Hurry up!!"

I rolled my eyes and started to get dressed.

About four months have passed since Xikuo died. Luki was put in jail. But, Meito was kept in holding for a while. I haven't seen him at all, though. And from what Gumo's told me, his payment was confiscated.

Akaito's parents were insistent on letting me stay with them, apologizing for trying to kill me. I didn't tell them about me being dead, and Akaito agreed with me.

Living with Akaito isn't as awkward as I first thought it would be. He's not as serious as he is at school, he's just normal. His parents are also really good people. I can understand why they wanted revenge on the person who killed their other son. I guess Akaito got them revenge. Not equally, but it's better than nothing.

I went downstairs after I got dressed.

"Here, let's go." Akaito passed me to the door, shoving a piece of toast in my mouth.

Taiko, Akaito's mom, smiled at me, "Have a nice day, Mikuo! Make sure Akaito isn't late, will you?"

"Yep, don't worry about it." I said through my toast.

I grabbed my bag and followed Akaito out of his house.

"Mikuo, your toast will get soggy if you don't eat it." Akaito told me.

Lately, he's been treating me like a boyfriend and a brother. I guess it is making me deal with Xikuo's death a bit better, knowing that Akaito's with me.

"I don't want it." I mumbled, biting off the piece in my mouth.

Before I could throw it into a trashcan, Akaito took it from me and started eating it.

"Why don't you like toast?" He asked me.

"I do. I just don't like it by itself. It tastes better with butter. Or honey. Or both." I replied.

I mean, call me picky, but, you know.

"Hm. I guess rich boys eat rich breakfasts." He laughed, finishing the toast.

"Hm. Maybe."

"Maybe they like rich guys, too." A voice said.

Rin walked up between us, "Hello, boys. How are my two favorite lovey doves? Have a good break?"

"Oh, yeah. It was great." Akaito answered the second question.

"What about you?" I asked her.