Adolf opened his door and saw a bouquet and a box with a note taped on it. He was surprised to see nothing but photos in said bouquet. They were pictures of interesting objects, some he never thought possible. He picked up the box and looked at the note.

"'To my most precious beauty'. Sir has to be Mishakuji..." Adolf mumbled, locking his closed door.

He picked up the bouquet and threw it out along with the box. Sit was creepy enough knowing the man had found out his address. Was he trying to put pressure on him? It had to be that. He wasn't going to give into fear. He was going to use his time to determine what kind of guy he actually was.

༘⋆ ༘⋆ ༘

"He what!?" Mikoto exclaimed. "No. Don't do it. Stay with me from now on. Bring Nagare too. It's only going to get worse from here. Let's call the police."

"Maybe..." muttered Adolf.

"What do you mean 'maybe'? If he knows your address, what's stopping him from coming to your place and doing things to you and Nagare!? Think of your cousin!" Mikoto said angrily.

"I'll tell him, don't worry, but he just wants me, so only Nagare will stay with you. Running will just make things worse." Adolf reasoned.

He didn't know why Mishakuji started taking a different route, but he wasn't going to let him endanger people close to him.

"Ad, don't be an idiot. This is what he wants. You're playing right into his hands." Mikoto said with a shake of his head.

"Then so be it. I'm going to protect Nagare, even if it means giving into his demands." said Adolf with conviction.

Mikoto frowned, wondering why Adolf always tried seeing the good in people. This man clearly has ill intentions towards him.

༘⋆ ༘⋆ ༘

Kuroh cleaned dishes as Yukari sat alone outside. He sometimes wonder if Yukari ever desired having connections with other people. Though it seemed nearly impossible seeing as how most people viewed him as a weirdo who should consider therapy. He turned off the water as he had cleaned the last dish. He searched around the fridge and found what he was looking for.

Yukari stared at the birds from afar as they bathed in the small fountain off by the side of the wearing out fence. The birds gave off a dull gray along with the fountain.

"Mr. Mishakuji." Kuroh called out as he approached. Yukari looked and saw Kuroh present him with a warm steamed bun. "You aren't cold?"

"I suppose not." replied Yukari as he he watched the birds fly away. "They won't be here much longer will they?"

"Precisely since winter is approaching. I suggest you start wearing more if you're going to sit outside like this." said Kuroh as he offered him another steamed bun.

"No need. I'm going to watch from the inside." said Yukari as got up from his seat. He picked it up and carried it over to the shed to put away. "Do you intend to stay with me all winter?"

"How do you mean?" Kuroh asked as they walked back to the house.

"Are you planning to see family this holiday season?" asked Yukari.

"You're the only family I have." replied Kuroh.

Yukari chuckled as he shed off his coat and extra layers.

"You should visit them sometime. I'm sure they miss you." said Yukari before leaving the congregation room.

"Ah, Mr. Mishakuji!" Kuroh shouted as he followed him. "The package was delivered to Weisman. Are you sure it was good idea?"

"Of course. If he threw it out, then he's leaning towards no. If he took it then he's leaning toward yes." explained Yukari as he entered his bedroom.

"So that's why you sent an empty box and photos..." muttered Kuroh as he closed the door behind him.

"If it's not too much trouble, could you check around his neighborhood and see if it ended up in the trash?" Yukari asked as he tossed his shirt off to the side.

"Sir, it's not time to sleep..." Kuroh mumbled.

Yukari gave him an innocent look as he slipped his pants off. Kuroh rolled his eyes and left the room quickly.

༘⋆ ༘⋆ ༘

Adolf sat at his table with crossed arms. Mikoto had left to go meet up with Nagare and let him into his apartment. He continued to think about it. Why would he do something that was guaranteed to push him away? What exactly was going through his mind? He couldn't come up with anything. Perhaps his answer lies in the items he tossed away. He wasn't keen on going through trash, but he wouldn't get anywhere without them. He set a reminder in case he forgot.

"Hey, Weisman! We need an extra pair of hands!" a peer shouted.

"Coming!" he shouted back as he closed his notebook.

Some time later, Mikoto had come back and found the place trashed. It looked as if a bomb exploded and a tornado added more to it. Adolf came from around the corner wiping his lab coat down.

"Dude, what happened?" Mikoto asked.

"It is very sensitive to cold temperatures and explodes after ten minutes of being exposed." Adolf recounted. "No fatalities."

"Injuries?" asked Mikoto.

"Just one. Her pinky's a little bent. A few went with her to the hospital." said Adolf with a sigh. "So, is Nagare settled?"

"Yeah. I didn't tell him everything, but enough to know that you're in a difficult spot." said Mikoto as he started picking up fallen objects.

"I think Mishakuji is an interesting fellow." said Adolf as he swept up glass.

"And how, exactly?" Mikoto asked worriedly.

"He found my address and sent me a package knowing I'd react badly about it even though he wants me." explained Adolf. "Is this a puzzle? A test? I don't know, but I'm a bit excited."

"The explosion is messing with your head. I'm staying with you tonight. You can't refuse." said Mikoto.

"You're really just like everyone else..." muttered Adolf quietly.

༘⋆ ༘⋆ ༘

Kuroh spotted the box and bouquet in the trash. He moved to head back then froze as two people stared at him.

"Yatogami? What a surprise to see you here!" said Adolf as he jogged over. "Did you drop something around here?"

"Yeah and I found it just now. See you." Kuroh said quickly as he walked away.

"Kuroh, you know what's in the box and the meaning of the photos, right?" Adolf asked.

"No. I should really be going now." said Kuroh only to be caught in Mikoto's hold.

"You're my prisoner now. You're going to tell me everything you know. I'll have someone tell your employer you've been caught." said Adolf with an evil laugh.

"Really? I thought we were just interrogating the guy. God you're like your sister sometimes." fussed Mikoto as he carried Kuroh inside.

Kuroh found himself tied up and unable to move. They really had it in for him. Adolf pointed a flashlight at Kuroh's face, nearly blinding him.

"Can Mishakuji Yukari really see color of beauty?" Adolf asked.

"I don't know." responded Kuroh.

"Why does he really want me?" Adolf pried more.

"Like he said, to add to his collection. There's nothing else." replied Kuroh.

"Why did he send stuff to my address? How does he know my address? Is he watching us right now?" Adolf lusted off.

"I can't say, I can't say, and no he's not. He's not crazy." said Kuroh in an annoyed tone. "Why don't you just ask him when he stops by the library?"

"As if we're stupid to fall for that. You've been of no use." said Adolf as he rubbed his temples.

"If you can't wait, you can call him on my phone." said Kuroh as he motioned to his left pocket.

Mikoto took out the phone and dialed the number. He put it on speaker as they waited for an answer.

"Kuroh? How did the check go?" Yukari asked sleepily.

"We have your precious Kuroh. If you want him back, we demand you stop harassing Adolf Weisman and never show your face in public again." Mikoto said angrily.

"Kuroh? Is he there?" Yukari asked through a yawn.

"H-Hey! We're making demands here! We can do bad things to him!" Mikoto argued.

"Kuroh, come home. I'm getting hungry. Do or say whatever's necessary..." said Yukari.

"Mr. Mishakuji." Adolf said.

Silence. They checked and saw Yukari was still in the call. They looked at Kuroh who shrugged.

"Yes, Weisman? Is there something you want that you're holding my dear friend captive?" asked Yukari in a serious tone.

Mikoto's eye twitched, annoyed that he was being ignored. Adolf calmed him down and took over negotiations.

"I just have a few requests. One, tell me why you send that bouquet and box. Two, never appear in my life again. Three, stay out of the public eye." said Adolf who then looked at Mikoto who gave him thumbs up. "We'll release Kuroh once you agree to it."

Mikoto took his phone out to record.

"I promise to the last two. The first request. I simply sent them to see what you'd do with them. What did you do with them?" he questioned.

"Threw it out." Adolf responsed.

"I figured. I swear that's all it was. You can ask Kuroh. He's a terrible liar. If that's all, please release him." said Yukari before hanging up.

Kuroh thanked the heavens for finally being able to move. He looked at the two before him and taking off just as Adolf started to speak.

"Isn't this great? Now you can live in peace." said Mikoto cheerily as he patted his back.

Adolf remained silent before throwing on a coat and hurrying to put on shoes. There was still something he wanted to know.

"Hey, where are you-" Mikoto shouted then heard the door close. "...going."

He followed behind Kuroh as he made his way back home, wherever that was. He wouldn't get another chance if he didn't now.

༘⋆ ༘⋆ ༘

Adolf watched as Kuroh headed into the property of an expensive looking home. The front door opened and a familiar figure emerged, hugging Kuroh tight. He noticed Yukari look his way, so he hid.

"No one followed you, right?" Yukari asked as he continued to look at Adolf's hiding spot.

"It's dark out. No one would know who I am unless they got up close." replied Kuroh before ushering him inside.

"Wait..." said Yukari, heading towards were he saw something move.

Kuroh moved with him. Adolf started to panic then hid behind a nearby bush. He didn't want to find out what happened to people who tail them and find their home.

"Maybe you were seeing things..." said Kuroh as he patted his shoulder.

"Maybe..." Yukari muttered.

Adolf stepped out as they walked far enough away. He watched the front door close and leave him standing in the dark. This was were the so called beauty seer lived with his servant. Did anyone else live in the place? From the looks of it, he seemed to be the only one home before Kuroh arrived.

He observed the house more before deciding to head home. He came to the conclusion that Kuroh might be his only friend. Was Mishakuji Yukari a lonely person? A part of him started to reconsider.