[ a.n ; just a quick note, there's a mention of a book called Pachinko in this chapter. the story of the novel has nothing to do with the story of this, i just like the book lol. okay enjoy bye now ]

Pencil scratching against paper, only to be rubbed away with rubber, brushed to the side and repeat. After Nosaka had left yesterday, you promised yourself not to touch the book he didn't like. The story was about an unwanted child, it was easy for him to find distaste in it. He didn't want you reading it, so you wouldn't go against him - Nosaka knew better than you did.

This time you tried keeping yourself busy with drawing. Scribbling away at blank sheets of printer paper, getting frustrated and crumpling up the sheet. You kept at least five pages beside you, those were covered in drawings you ended up liking. The rest that didn't fit your standards - were in the trash. You clicked the back of your mechanical pencil, and continued stroking clean lines. Most drawings were of Japanese mascots, like rillakuma, chiitan and pokemon. Others were anime characters you were fond of, some were of yourself in pretty clothes you'd like to buy one day. A few of them were of the nice nurses that came by, and there were a couple of your only friend, too. Drawing things you liked made you smile, when the sketch would turn out well, you were happy.

This was much better than reading that awful book, you'd have to thank Nosaka later. For once, you were excited to see him and show him all your drawings - like a child. The both of you were the same age, but, maybe you were just a little bit more needy than he was. He'd give you the praise and attention you'd never gotten, and you'd give him company unrelated to his strangely dark world.

"Aw man. . ." Lost in thought, you ended up making a mistake with your fine liner pen. There goes that drawing. With a small pout, you picked the sheet up from your lap and crumpled it up in your hands before tossing it to the bin. It was already stacked high, so the newly trashed paper hit the pile before falling to the ground and rolling off near the door.

"What are you doing?" A familiar voice muttered. Nosaka peeked over at you from behind the corner wall, then gave you a small smile.

"Drawing." You responded quietly.

"Ah, looks like you've been at it for a while." He let out a small chuckle, picking up the ball of paper near his feet. "Can I see this one?"

"N-no! Please!" Flushing from embarrassment, you lifted your hands in protest. Nosaka couldn't help but laugh. For someone who didn't show so much of his warm side, he seemed to be very comfortable with you - strangely.

"Okay, okay." He dropped it in the bin, pressing down the pile just a little so there was space for the next one. Nosaka let himself further inside the room, placing a backpack on the table near your bed. "What are you drawing?" He asked while unzipping the knapsack.

"It's, nothing." You muttered, setting the drawings on the other side of yourself, where Nosaka couldn't see them. You planned on showing them to him, but now you were just too nervous to bother.

"I brought you some novels." He pulled out four books and placed them each out in front of you on the bed before sitting down on the edge as usual. He seemed to be trying hard to impress you, despite being able to do exactly that every time he visited. Nosaka was casual, but you were sure he overthought a lot of things before speaking, moving, deciding.

You took a look at the four books, peering closer. They looked completely brand new instead of library borrowed.

"Do you like any. . . ?" He poked his way through to your attention.

"This one." You pointed at the first book; Pachinko. "I'll read all though, but this one first."

Once he leaned back, you noticed his relieved smile. Silly of him to think you wouldn't appreciate it.

"Thank you." Hoping to make him happier, you chirped. He seemed to be out of focus, staring out the window with an evident simper. Quietly you put away the three other books on the table beside his bag, and took Pachinko into your lap. Nosaka was spacing out. . .

"Nosaka-kun?"

"Hm? Yes?" As if nothing happened, he looked over at you with raised eyebrows.

". . . Are you okay?" You slowly tilted your head.

"I'm fine." He responded softly, reaching a hand out and patting your head. "Let me see your drawings, I'm curious."

"Only these. The rest are bad." You slowly slid over the five sheets from beside you. The front of each were smothered in doodles as well as drawings you actually spent lots of time on. You were at this for pretty much the whole day. His nimble fingers took hold of the paper as careful as possible, he didn't want to damage them. As nervous as you were, it was nice to see how happy he was, just looking at what you created. Curious as of to what exactly he was smiling so much at, you shifted closer to him, peering over his shoulder while resting your chin on it.

"I like this one." He pointed at a Pikachu. He swapped the pages, scanning the next, then the next, then the next. The last one though, he immediately pointed at one at the bottom. "Who's this?"

"That's us." A kittenish smile marred your features.

"Hand me your pencil." He muttered, slightly squinting at the drawing. You reached over to beside your pillow and grabbed the pencil, then handed it over to him. He flipped it around and erased something. You realized you drew both yourself and Nosaka, unhappy.

He erased the eyes, the tears and the mouth. Poor thing wasn't exactly a good artist, but he did his best, drawing in a chirpy smile for yourself, and then a smile for him. Above the both of you, he drew a heart.

"There. That's better." Just to be extra, he drew another heart. "We're happy together, right?" His grey eyes glanced back at you.

"Yeah." You beamed.

"Good." Placing the pencil down, he used the same hand to gently pinch your cheek. "You're good at drawing, I'll get you a sketchbook so you can keep them safe."