I looked over at the  manager as she introduced me to the new part-timer, yet another college  student looking for some way to help pay for all the things that  scholarships don't cover. Hopefully this one would stick around longer  than the last one. The work might not be the most exciting, but the  paychecks were enough to pay the bills. Sadly, too many students just  weren't willing to spend time doing tasks they considered meaningless  and ended up either not doing the work or doing a crummy job of what  they did do.

Greeting the blue-eyed  boy, I wasn't too shocked when I heard that I would be in charge of his  training for the next week or so. Until he was able to get the hang of  the job and do it on his own, I would be in charge of him. I'd been  through this more than a few times since starting this job, so I was  used to the process.

"Hi, I'm Yukiteru Amano.  Nice to be working with you," he greeted me in a soft voice. He seemed  to be fighting off his shyness if I was to judge by the blush growing  brighter on his cheeks, making me smile at him all the more.

At least this one didn't  look like he would make as much trouble for the rest of us as the usual  college students we got here did.

--------

"Thanks again for the  hard work this week, Yukiteru-san! It's nice to see someone willing to  put in the effort to keep things in order around here." I smiled as I  watched him sit down at one of the empty tables in the break room,  setting his backpack down next to him before he began pulling out some  schoolwork he needed to finish.

"Well, it's what I am  being paid to do. Besides, this place is nice for getting my homework  done. My roommate back at the dorms makes it hard to study at times." He  ducked his head down as he spoke, his bangs falling and hiding his eyes  when he mentioned the person he shared his room with.

I didn't bother hiding  my curiosity as I leaned over the back of his chair, peering at the  paperwork before him with a grin. I didn't bother hiding a laugh at  seeing a familiar sheet of problems resting on the table.

"Ahh, I took that class  last year! Did you get Mido-sensei? He's pretty hardcore on his tests!" I  slid into the seat beside his as I looked over some of the answers he'd  already written down, noticing a few that while correct, would not get  full marks from the strict teacher I remembered from my own class.

"Umm... Yeah, it is  Mido-sensei teaching the class..." Yukiteru fidgeted beside me as he  nervously watched me flip the paper over to see the questions on the  back of the page.

"Wow, he's still using  the same old questions for his homework? Talk about minimal effort to  earn his pay... He could at least change a few things up, ya know?"  Letting out a sigh, I placed the sheet down in front of him and began  pointing out some of the problems I'd taken note of, offering some tips  on how to improve his chances for a better grade.

The next hour passed quickly, filled with as much laughter and joking around as it was with hard work and study.

--------

"Thanks for agreeing to  tutor us, (y/n)-senpai!" Yuki's voice echoed down the hall as him and  his friend followed me down the hallway to my room.

"Sure thing Yuki-san!  I've been helping you out for the past few weeks, adding one more person  isn't that much of a deal. So, when are you going to introduce me to  your friend?" I gave a quick grin at Yuki before turning to open the  door, letting the two boys inside the small space.

At least I didn't have  to share my room, having rented a small studio apartment rather than pay  money into a dorm. Something about having actual privacy really  appealed to me.

"Oh, sorry (y/n)-senpai!  This is Yuno, my roommate." I gave the pink-haired young man a  once-over, taking note of his clean uniform. Giving him a smile I held  out my hand.

"So you are the  notorious roommate who Yuki-san is always talking about! Well, I have to  say, you don't look like a troublemaker. Maybe it's all the girls  following a cute guy like you home that interrupts his study?" Giving  him a playful wink, I turned back to Yuki, ignoring the beginnings of  Yuno's denial of my words. "Actually, looking at the two of you, if I  didn't know you from work I would have placed my bet on you being the  troublemaker, Yuki-san."

--------

"And that is how you  will find the answer to the extra credit problems he always gives on his  mid-term exams. If he actually bothers to change it for once, this  should at least come in handy for some of the later tests he will give  you during the rest of the term." Exhausted, I sat the pencil down on  the counter and stood up, heading over to the kitchen. "Either of you  want some coffee? I have tea too, if you'd prefer. Oh, there might be  some milk still in the fridge if I didn't use it all yesterday for  breakfast."

Opening the door, I  reached into the fridge and began shifting things around as I looked for  the milk that might be hiding behind various other containers and  packages that tried to fill the top shelf.

"No need to put yourself  out. You are already doing us both such a huge favor, it wouldn't be  right to expect anything more from you! We'll just get ourselves  something on the way back to the dorms!" Hearing his words, I turned to  face him for a moment before turning back and rummaging through the  fridge again as I began pulling various items out onto the nearby  counter.

Even Yuki couldn't say  anything in denial after the loud grumble of Yuno's stomach had filled  the kitchen, mine and Yuki's following along shortly after. We might  have been studying a bit longer than we had thought, something confirmed  with a quick glance at the nearby clock.

"The least I can do is  see to it that my guests are fed before sending you guys off for the  day." Waving the boys out of the kitchen, I began preparing a simple but  filling meal for three.

--------

With my assistance, both  of the young men I had been tutoring had passed their classes with  flying colors last semester. During the break between semesters, all  three of us could be found hanging out together whenever we had the  chance, having built a stronger friendship over the past several weeks.

Even Yuno finally  started acting somewhat more friendly, although he had taken to spending  a lot of time on his phone. Every once in a while I would tease him  about texting one of his fans (it's amazing how many girls and boys  followed him around with looks of adoration on their faces), but he  would just blush cutely and deny having an interest in any of them,  although he did let it slip one time that there was someone he liked. He  refused to say anything more about them, no matter how many times me  and Yuki asked him, both of us happy with the idea of being able to help  him get together with whoever the lucky person was.

Setting the spoon back  into the bowl, I smiled at the two seated across from me on the spread  out blanket, enjoying the feel of the sun shining down on us. It really  was a perfect day for a picnic with the sky clear of all but a few soft  looking cotton white clouds, flower buds just beginning to appear on the  plants that had only just begun sprouting leaves again recently. Yes,  Spring really was trying to make its appearance as Winter had finally  released the hold it had for so long.

If only days like this could last forever.

--------

This was the third time  this month that something had gone missing. I could have sworn the shirt  had been in the laundry bin, but now that I was putting everything away  after the trip to the laundromat I just couldn't find it. Maybe it was  still in the washer or dryer. I'd better go back and check to make sure I  didn't leave it behind.

--------

I swear someone's  watching me lately... Every once in a while I can almost feel their eyes  on me as I walked between classes the first week back after the new  semester started. Part of me wishes that I knew someone in my classes  but the small group of people I'd gotten to know had either taken  different classes this semester for their major or had started ignoring  me for some reason.

At least Yuki and Yuno still talked to me.

--------

"Class, please welcome a  late transfer into the class. Gasai Yuno will be joining us from today  onward. Please introduce yourself, Gasai-san." The teacher turned  towards the pink-haired student who had just entered the classroom as I  stared wide-eyed at Yuno as he just sent a quick wink to me.

Shortly after  introductions were complete, I found myself blinking at the friendly  grin on Yuno's face as he sat in the seat next to me, wondering how and  why he had transfered into this class. Oh well, at least I finally had  someone to talk to.

--------

Over the next few days,  Yuno transferred into two more of my classes. He didn't seem to have too  much trouble keeping up with the work and when I asked about it, he  explained how they worked with his plans for attaining his major, even  if it was a bit off the usual way most people lined up their classes.

Who was I to complain  about it when I finally had someone to talk to, someone that didn't mind  walking me to and from classes during the times I had normally felt  those unknown eyes watching me. Even if we only shared three classes,  the other classes he had always seemed to be close enough to each other  that we could walk together most of the way.

The relief I felt when  the feeling of being watched faded was strong enough that I couldn't  help giving Yuno frequent smiles and even a hug once or twice after I  explained what had been going on. He just nodded in understanding and  accepted the hugs with a friendly smile.

At least now I only  seemed to have to worry about the occasional missing item back at home.  School had finally gained some stability again.

--------

"Ahh, this was just what  I needed Yuno-kun. Thanks for letting me come with you today. I really  enjoyed that last ride, even if the roller coaster was a bit scary. Just  promise you won't tell anyone at school that I screamed during the big  drop, okay?" I grinned at him as we walked out of the amusement park, a  half empty bag of popcorn and a stuffed animal keeping my hands full.

"I'm glad you came along  too. I promise I won't tell anyone that you screamed. I would hate to  think you might refuse to go next time if I said anything. I really want  to do this again with you." His pink eyes stared into mine as he came  to a stop, his fingers slowly reaching out and caressing my cheek.

I could feel the blush  start to heat my entire face before he pulled back with a grin grabbing  the popcorn from me and turning to continue down the path towards the  bus stop. Blinking in confusion, I was left standing there for a moment  before my feet started to move, slowly following the young man that had  just shaken my world without even seeming to realize it.

--------

It had been two weeks  since we had gone to the amusement park together and he still hadn't  said anything about what had happened. Not even Yuki seemed to know what  was going on with Yuno, not that I told him about what Yuno said or did  when we left the park.

I was starting to wonder  if maybe it had been a joke, him just playing around with me and  thinking I would understand.I wasn't sure if I should be relieved about  things or disappointed.

It didn't help that one of my towels had vanished last night after I'd taken a shower and went to bed.

--------

"Hey Yuno, did you want  to maybe... I don't know... Go someplace today? I mean, just as friends I  guess?" I couldn't help feeling sick to my stomach with nerves as I  waited for his answer, my knuckles turning white as I gripped the edge  of my seat, out of sight of the person I was talking to.

I could feel my heart  beating erratically as I sat there, having realized I wouldn't know if I  liked this person as just friends or something more until I actually  gave things a chance. If my feelings for him grew, then maybe we could  see where it went. If not, then we could hopefully remain as friends.  Either way, I was willing to try if he was. But then, that was the big  question that loomed over me. Was he willing?

I was shocked out of the  train wreck my mind was heading for, by the feeling of soft, warm lips  brushing against my cheek. Looking up, I was met with a smiling face  before he nodded at me.

"I'd like that."

--------

We had gone on several  dates over the next few months before I realized things just wouldn't,  couldn't work out between us. Yuno cared for me, I could see that easily  and in the beginning he had been so sweet and kind, treating me like I  was the most important person in the whole world. He'd taken me places  that I never would have gone on my own, plays and musicals, even the  occasional concert if a band I had mentioned liking happened to be  playing nearby.

But then things changed  as he slowly became clingy and overprotective, not letting me out of his  sight when we were out together and being confrontational if anyone  else came up and tried to talk to me. He even began acting slightly  aggressive around Yuki, someone who had done nothing but show support  towards us when we started going out. Not everyone acts so supportive of  their best friend's dating each other.

When the end of the  current semester was at hand, I finally decided to call things off,  telling Yuno that I just couldn't deal with his control issues. I  refused to show how scared I was of him when I saw how dark his eyes  went, feeling nothing but relief when he finally turned away and left  the room. I barely managed to sit down before my knees gave out.

I still don't know if I  cried at that moment because I thought everything would be okay now or  if it was because I'd actually started to fall in love with him before  things fell apart.

--------

I decided to take a  break for a semester or two before starting classes again, telling Yuki I  would keep in touch with him but needed some time to figure things out,  to find my place in the world again. He promised to give me the space I  needed and assured me he would be there if I needed to talk, keeping  our conversations private from Yuno. He even suggested using some of the  vacation time I had saved up to take a trip somewhere, to get away from  it all.

Going to my boss, I put  in a request for time off and within a week I was taking a train to a  small town. I had a distant cousin living there who was willing to let  me stay in the guest room, were I could relax and try to find some peace  of mind during the next couple weeks.

--------

It had been Yuki's daily  messages to me that had kept me in touch with what was going on, that  had let me know about Yuno's quiet transfer out of the college and into  another one in a distant city. Although part of me felt bad about his  leaving, another part of me was relieved that I wouldn't have to face  him anymore.

It had been hard enough  those last few days of school, feeling his eyes on me as I did my best  to act like everything was normal, like I wasn't breaking apart at the  seams. It had been nearly impossible to keep the tears held back until I  got home, where I felt safe showing the vulnerability I felt.

By the time my vacation  was over and it was time to go back and think about returning to work  and later college, I had found the ability to smile again.  Maybe  everything would be okay after all.

--------

I was too focused on  making sure the wheels didn't catch on the last stair as I boarded the  almost empty train to head home, not paying attention to what was in  front of me until I bumped into another passenger, closing my eyes and  waited to hit the floor. Feeling someone grab me from behind, I opened  my eyes and began pouring our apologies to the flustered looking lady  before me as she gave a quick wave and turned back around, finding her  seat quickly. That just left the person behind me to thank, one of their  hands still holding onto my arm for a moment longer to keep me  balanced.

"Thank you so much, I'm  so sorry to have caused you trouble!" I burst out as we made our way  down the aisle, keeping my eyes on the path in front of me even as I  turned my head a bit to let them know I was speaking to the person  behind me, not wanting to block the other passengers trying to board the  train.

"Of course, (y/n). It is  my pleasure to be of assistance to you." A familiar voice spoke from  behind me, causing me to gasp as my heart skipped a beat in fear.

Before I could do  anything, I felt my luggage get taken from my hand and lifted to the  storage area above us, a hand quickly guiding me into the empty seats  below. Soon I was looking into familiar pink eyes, my hand clasped  gently within his cool fingers.

"(y/n), you have no idea  how much I regretted things when you left me. I regretted the way I  behaved, the way I did things, how I made you feel. I regretted and  still regret how I made you cry. How could I make the one person who  matters to me cry like that?" I shivered as I felt his other hand bring a  piece of cloth to my face, carefully wiping my cheeks dry of tears I  hadn't realized had begun to escape from my eyes.

"Please, leave me alone.  I don't want to be with you anymore Yuno. I don't want to feel that way  for you anymore." My soft whispers were muffled by the cloth that he  was still using to gently brush my tears away.

"Shhh. It's okay. I'll  make everything okay. I won't hurt you this time. And I won't let anyone  else get in the way this time. You'll see. This time I won't give you a  reason not to keep loving me. I promise." With those words gently  spoken into my ear, I finally realized it wasn't my crying that had me  feeling so light-headed, the smell from the cloth finally hitting me as  my head came to rest against his shoulder.

Just a few minutes after  I fell unconscious, Yuno smiled at the attendant there to collect  tickets as he pulled two out of his coat pocket.

"She's had a long day. A  friend of hers died recently. It hit her pretty hard. Please let her  rest until we get to our stop. With any luck, she'll sleep through the  transfer and get to wake up when we reach our new home." He smiled  brightly at the lady as she grinned down at the couple, the attendant  thinking how cute they looked together as the pink-haired boy gently  wiped the last of the tears from the sleeping girls eyes.

--------

It would be days before  anyone even realized she was gone, any chance of finding her gone among  the streets of a city that she wasn't awake long enough to even  recognize before the stolen car was already leaving the city limits.

As the fumes put her back into her unconscious state of rest, the soft lullaby Yuno was singing filled her ears.

Sleep little one
Sleep already
Or the Coco will come and take you away.

Sleep little one
Sleep already
Or the Coco will come and eat you up.