I wonder if.... Mizuki was still afraid of me. I wondered if... Shuichi was still that stranger. Then again, we weren't exactly that different. "The Demon Child", I remember being called. When will it finally disappear ? Never again, would I be able to trust myself.

It was a Friday morning and by this time, I was putting on my school shoes. This was days after 'that' day occurred but I still had an uneasy feeling to everything around me. I wondered if I should have stayed home. Another day at school would mean another awkward day with Shuichi. Man, I hate that guy. Walking through the hallways of the school, I for some reason, had my complete gaze on my hands. There was nothing on them or anything but as I looked at them, it reminded me of my stained red hands. I walked into the class and took a seat. I wondered if he was looking at me or not. We were in the same class after all. Either way, I could have cared less. Time slowly went by, and shortly before I knew it, class was over. Cleaning duty. As usual, the paring was Shuichi and I. But I found it strange. as everyone was leaving, he suddenly came over to my desk with this really scary smile. "Hanamura-san", he said, "Cleaning Duty awaits." I stared at him with uncertainty before slowly nodding my head. "Yeah...", I muttered as I continued to put my things in my school bag. "...Why not....." His smile was very deceiving.

Like before, not one of us spoke. We just swept around. It wasn't like this was a choice.

I might as well just live. While I was dusting around in the halls, I thought that I had seen this shadow. I stopped for a moment and looked over to Shuichi to see if he had noticed. But he was looking down. I wanted to go and see what it had been, but I was stopped. "Don't even try", he said coldly, looking up at me. "If its a lowly demon, don't even bother." I stared at him and dropped the broom on accident. There was this loud clanging somewhere nearby. "You should know right ?", he said to me, "Even if you can see them, you're still as weak as any human being." We locked eyes and for a full minute we didn't say anything. Leaning the broom against the wall, I dusted myself off and picked up my stuff. "It's alright", I said, walking through the door, "This lowly human would even be willing to die." I walked off and wandered through the hallways alone. Now.... Where did that shadow go off to ?

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I stood in front of the empty and abandon school section. The place had been schdeuled to be destryoed around next month. By now, it was very late. Everyone was gone. Shuichi, the school staff and the teachers. Just me and this creepy building. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt a slight wind move around me. Opening my eyes, there stood a girl. Silver hair and light blue eyes. A white dress. "You", I barely heard her say softly. "You're the one." The leaves around us began rustling as she slowly disappeared from my sight. Along with that, some rustling behind me. Turning around, I was waiting for what would appear. To my surprise, I saw this scarlet red colored hair and a familiar looking uniform. Wide eyed, I stared at him and wondered. Why.

"This is surprising", I muttered softly. "To think you would still be here even after what you told me." I watched him walk past me and stare off into the old school building. "Just now", he said minutes later, "Did you.... See anything ?" His emerald colored eyes seemed to gleam and glisten. It was around this point too, that I suddenly got dizzy. I took a deep breath and gulped. Leaning over to the nearest tree, I found myself in a situation where it was hard to breath. Rummaging through my bag, I watched as Shuichi's figure move closer to me. Where....! Where was it ? I sighed and gave up. I just slid to the ground and placed my hand on my head. Why now ? I felt this cold hand brush against my cheek seconds later. I looked up to see Shuichi knelt down beside me, his hand on my cheek. Weird. "You have a fever ?", I heard him say. Was he asking a question ? This was weird. "It's weird", I mumbled. "I was fine just moments ago." Shuichi stood up and stood right in front of me. I watched as he turned around and offered me his back. A piggy back ride ? "Get on", he said in a stern yet calm tone. I knew there was no point in arguing. But I just had to ask. "Why are you helping me ?" Reaching for his shoulder I hesitantly got on his back. He stood up slowly and it made me think. Why ? He didn't answer me, of course. It's not like we were friends to begin with. Just complete.. strangers.

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"Shuichi", I asked while he was walking, "Why are you doing this ?" He didn't reply, which made me think that he just ignored me. Again. I rested my head on his back and sighed. It was warm. "Earlier, after you went to follow that shadow", he said, "I told myself that I couldn't care less. It wasn't until 10 minutes later that I felt this really strong aura coming from where you went." "It was weird", I said softly. "Very weird." I had the urge to apologize. "I'm sorry." "For ?" I thought about it. "You wouldn't be doing this if only I had it with me." ".....Had what ?" My head was still rested on his firm back. "Nothing."

After that, I wonder what happened. I saw Mizuki at some point and I was at home. Shuichi went home and I just past out on the couch. Nearby was Mizuki, covered in plush blankets. What time was it ? I looked at the nearby clock and read it at 4:50 AM. I got myself comfortable in the couch again and buried my face into a pillow. Why am I so weak ? I quietly stood up and went upstairs. Walking into my room, I found what I had been looking for. It was my glass bottle charm necklace. Inside it were these small Plumier looking candy, like the one I had given to Mizuki when I first met him. I open the bottle and ate one, closing the jar and putting the necklace on. I quietly left my room and went back to where Mizuki was sleeping. I sat back down and stared at him. Mizuki, Mizuki, Mizuki....... 

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So who exactly is Shuichi Minamino. We're not exactly friends, yet we're not exactly enemies. We didn't get along after he found out, but he helped me. I sighed. Man, this was confusing.