". . . it's not here. . " the white-haired girl muttered through her face mask as she browsed through the store.

She was anxious and impatient. Thin eyebrows pulled together into a frown, distorting her face with displeasure. Ringed fingers slide down each book's spine. Minty eyes scan each title, and a flash of disappointment comes every time she doesn't find the title she wanted to see. 

That store she was in was no ordinary store. There were aisles of mangas and light novels lined up in a uniform manner. Divided by genre, the hundreds of books in the store was a paradise for anime and manga otaku.

Several other girls and boys browsed through the store. They were rather aloof and secretive, though it didn't apply when they were browsing together as friends. Rather being secretive, they whispered fangirl and fanboy remarks as they took out the volume they were looking for. One manga they particularly held was an action-thriller series called Code:Red. At this time, the volume three was finally out, and a lot of otaku in the shop searched for the latest update. A long line formed without Mitsuru's knowledge, and she only noticed from when the bustling in the shop grew louder.

The girl left the shelf she faced to see what was going on. Then seeing the long line, her eyes widened with pure curiosity. All the more when she saw the title on the manga the customers were buying.

I didn't see that. Where did they get it? Mitsuru thought in surprise. But a sudden ting caught her attention, making her gleaming eyes glance at her jacket's pocket. Draping by her arms, her black jacket revealed her clean pale arms. Dipping her long, ring-adorned fingers in, Mitsuru pulls out her cellphone.

1 message from Amano-san.

"Amano-san. . ." Mitsuru's voice trails as she gazed at her phone screen. "I'm only halfway through. . . shit. I hope he won't ask about the next volume yet. ."

"Ah, "I'm so excited to read!" A girl squealed, suddenly interrupting Mitsuru's thoughts. "The way Katsuhira suddenly revealed himself in volume two made me scream!"

"I wish Mitsuru Kurosaki would update faster!" Her male friend wailed exasperatedly.

Her blue-colored eyes couldn't help but stare at the couple, her ears listening well into their conversation enough that she became engrossed with what they were saying. Her soft rouge lips curl into a gentle smile like that of Mona Lisa. And other people couldn't help but flip through the pages while waiting for their turn to pay.

Ah.

That satisfaction filled her.

But that was ruined when an all-too-familiar face popped up into the picture. Her eyebrows were instantly pulled together as large hands waved at her so cordially. Tetsurou was there in line right in front of her, it practically shocked Mitsuru to see him up close. His massive hands patted her small head, removing her beanie on the process. The tall giant was with the blond boy, a freshman--she was sure of it. And, of course, the gray-haired boy who had a loud voice and his friend she didn't remember ever seeing before.

"Yo, Shirai-chan!" Bellowed the tall boy. "Nice to see you here!"

"Telling by her face, I don't think she feels the same way, Kuroo," Kenma remarked nonchalantly, but his friend elbowed him.

"You should stop bothering her," said Keiji as he scratched the back of his head.

But Kuroo ignored both his friends and busied himself by hoarding the girl's attention to himself. Nothing could agitate the girl more. But surprise came over Mitsuru when she sees the new manga issue in Tetsurou's hands, quickly forgetting the beanie Tetsurou took from her. She grabs the manga issue without thinking and flipped through the pages, scanning every picture, looking for errors of any detail. Tetsurou and his friends say nothing as she scanned. 

Glancing at his friends, Tetsurou hoped to find some kind of answer from them but they simply shrugged at him. Even Kenma couldn't help but feel surprised. Although Kotaro grinned widely and gave him a thumbs up at this surprise. Blinking dubiously at first, Tetsurou made a mischievous smirk on his lips and gave Kotaro a thumbs up. The awkward silence was soon broken by Mitsuru's sigh. However, realizing what she had just done, the girl shoves it back at Tetsurou and turns to leave.

"What the hell was that?" Keiji asks as the boys' eyes followed Mitsuru out the door.

"Beats me," said Kotaro, chuckling in glee. "She looks cute though, Kuroo! No wonder you're persistent!"

"That was surprising though," Kenma remarked, going back to his PS4. He stopped playing when Mitsuru grabbed the manga from Tetsurou. . . something unexpected. "Maybe your advances are finally working. . ."

He was suddenly cut off when Tetsurou shoved the manga volumes into his chest saying, "Buy this for me" before dashing off. Glancing down on his chest, Kenma saw the third volume of Code:Red and the sixteenth volume of Wolves of the Underground balancing on his arms. He sighs exasperatedly as his eyes chased after Tetsurou, but, of course, the boy was long gone.

* * * * * * * *

The weekend was the adventure every living soul looks forward to. The freedom to roam around the city was there, the malls and parks were open to everyone. Various kinds of human beings big and small, skinny and fat, dark and fair, male and female, young and old reigned the city of Tokyo, an old city constant of advancement and technology. They scurried about, minding their own business, whether it was for enjoyment or not was their own concern.

Cars were zooming down the clean highway, carrying the passengers wherever they needed to go. But those who couldn't afford cars simply walked on their two able legs. They walked down the sidewalks, and some people rode the bullet train. The passengers clung on to the handles while some were seated snugly in their seats. Their personal destination was where they went. They were in their solitude where they enjoyed their pastimes.

There are two types of people who tend to be alone.

One, they are those who are looked down on. The losers. The outcasts. The people who can't seem to make friends on their own. They are alone because they were forced into the corner of loneliness. Misery haunts them, and they need God to save them from that pit.

Two, they are the lone wolves who chose to be alone on their own accord. They despise human relationships so they either have only a couple of friends or none at all. They don't feel loneliness. They simply find peace and joy being alone.

That's what Mitsuru wanted.

Aloneness.

But Kuroo trying to barge into her radar was irritating.

"Shirai-chan! Shirai-chan!" Tetsurou called after the girl who tried to hurry away.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Mitsuru's voice screamed in her head. He's following me. . . ! 

Being in the same campus was a hassle now that he practically tries grabbing opportunities of being with her. This time was far from first. Looking back, while she was in the library going through books, he would be there "studying" his subjects. Then trying to feed her poor stomach, Mitsuru would bump into him in the cafeteria where he would be with his friends. She even sees him after class.

It was creeping her out.

It was so unnatural to have someone want her attention so bad.

He may be an old classmate from her middle school days, but it wasn't like he was her friend. Mitsuru was just a known artist, while he was a volleyball freak. They never talked, and never even bothered looking each other through those three years. Mitsuru couldn't recall any memory she shared with him, so why is he suddenly so interested in her? But whatever the reason, Mitsuru didn't have time for him, and neither was she interested in catching up with him. She hated interacting with humans.

Especially humans like him.

Then stopping at the stop sign, the girl began to curse at the sudden disadvantageous situation she was in. She didn't know if she had lost Tetsurou, but she hoped that being in a crowd waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green would hide her from him. But she was proven wrong when a hand lands on her head, startling the girl at first.

"You left your beanie," said Tetsurou, grinning at the girl from ear to ear. His hand held Mitsuru's black beanie for sure, and it surprised the white-haired girl to see him running after her just to return something that was hers. It was better than having him give it back to her at the university.

That would be a pain.

"Uh. . . thanks," were all the words Mitsuru could muster.

Her eyes glimmered under the morning sun, shining like precious jewels. Filled with wonder, the white-haired girl couldn't help but peer into his onyx eyes for once. Who is my fucking stalker? What does he want? Mitsuru thought. Tetsurou still grinned at her, waiting for her to take the beanie from his hand. Slowly, the girl takes it, but careful not to touch his hands. But they were large, her hand would probably look like a child's compared to his. 

"You. . . left your friends," Mitsuru mustered. Wait, why am I trying to start a conversation??

While the girl groaned internally inside, the boy with her grinned a wide grin Mitsuru knew meant bad news.

"Go on a date with me!"

The girl gaped behind her mask. He was bold and reckless. Tackless and honest as well. But who is he to think she'd say yes to that? 

"In  your dreams," the girl replied. "Wait. That was a mistake. Don't even dream about me. I'll be that black cat that brings bad luck. So shoo-shoo before anything bad happens to you," she adds while gesturing her hands to make him leave.

It only made him grin more.

"Who tells someone to 'shoo-shoo'?" Kuroo snickered. "That was pretty cute, Shirai-chan!"

Rather than feeling flattered, Mitsuru felt like she stepped on a land mine. No one calls her cute. No one.

"I think. . . that's enough of you today," muttered Mitsuru, stepping away from Kuroo.

Before the boy could reply, a phone ringtone interrupts him and his endeavor. Mitsuru didn't even take a moment to pick it up. And once she did, Kuroo had the inkling that their moment together has undoubtedly  ended. But he'll have to wait and see if that is exactly what's gonna happen once Mitsuru puts down her phone.

"Yes."

. . .

"Yes, I know."

. . .

"I already know."

. . .

"Why are you--?!"

Kuroo simply smirked while watching the evolution of expressions on Mitsuru's face. Her face was more talkative than her mouth. Even without seeing most of her face, the eyelashes that batted and the eyebrows that knitted. She was an enigma he wanted to win over.

And get that two thousand yen bet.

A few minutes later, Mitsuru hangs up, and the cocked brow indicated annoyance. Obviously the girl didn't want Kuroo around.

"You. . . still haven't left," were the first words that came out of her lips. "You sure are carefree--and stress free." She muttered with a peeved tone.

Kuroo tilts his head.

"Shirai-chan?"

Mitsuru waves her hand at him.

With an indifferent tone, the white-haired girl threw words, "Need to go now. See you in class," at Kuroo, and disappeared into the crowd at the crossing. She walked away with her hands in her pockets, and behind her, Kuroo watched her with curious eyes.

* * * * * * * *

Posters hung up in front of building facades. Celebrities had their faces on them; smiling all in their vain glory. There were advertisement of appliances. . of cars. . of homes. . and of books. 

Novels.

Light novels.

Manga.

You name it.

It was the season where many writers and mangakas debut. Mitsuru herself was excited to see what has dared to venture into the limelight of her radar. But the thing she hated the most was the long ass lines and the dense population in the area. She hated needing to squeeze between two bodies just to get ahead. But sometimes an elbow would poke her side or arm, or someone would accidentally shove her forward.

Mitsuru hated these conventions.

Though she appreciated the otaku passion, but sometimes people were just too excited for their own good.

People were squealing and sweating. People were ecstatic to have their manga signed. Many were holding their favorite volume, but there were some who actually brought their whole manga collection of the same title.

Yes, enthusiasm level 1000.

Snaking through the crowd, Mitsuru finally reaches the back of the building where her boss would be meeting her. She was more annoyed than nervous. Squeezing her small build through a thousand people was not what she signed up for. But her boss seemed ecstatic, so best not burst his little bubble of joy.

Not far ahead of her was a man all dressed in a light brown suit. Tinted glasses hung on his nose, a mess of a goatee grew on his chin, and his hair remained a mess as ever. His lips were curled all the way to his ears, and Mitsuru thought his unnatural happy face was ridiculous. But she pushed that thought away for his sake. Though the moment he laid his eyes on her placed the girl into instant regret.

He dashed towards her and grabbed her shoulders and began shaking them violently.

Yes, he is unnaturally too happy.

"You're here! Finally!" The man began. But his words afterwards became incoherent as his joy seemed to overwhelm him to the maximum level.

Mitsuru could only internally scream because she just got rid of an idiot who was bent on acquainting himself with her. But now she has to deal with an overexcited crybaby. She wanted to bad to break away from the grip he had on her precious shoulders.

"Murakami-saaaaan, let goooooo! You dare touch me!" Mitsuru seethed. Her hands itching at his throat.

That was a joke.

Half joke.

"Whoops! Sorry, sorry!" Said the man, chuckling nervously afterwards. "I forgot you hate people touching you."

Mitsuru flashed a furious glare. "I swear. . . if you touch me again. . ."

"Not happening again, Mitsuru-kun! I promise, AHAHAHA."

"Tsk." Mitsuru exhales sharply. You said that a million times already!! Maybe I should file a complaint for harassment!

Shoving her hands into her pockets, Mitsuru takes a step back to look at her surroundings. There were less people in her field of vision, but she could hear the noise of excitement echoing through the walls. The girl was fully aware of what was happening. But she didn't expect the big crowd on the other side. It almost made her feel like she was lucky to actually be able to get where she was standing.

Hands touching hers. Skin touching hers. 

Mitsuru felt chills go up her spine.

It was gross.

While waiting for Murakami-san to give her further instructions, the girl sat down on the ground with her back against the wall. She opens her bag and pulls out a sketchpad and pencil case. Then flipping through messy sketches, the girl lands on a clean, empty page where she immediately began to draw on.

Headphones boomed music into her eardrums, blocking her from listening to the soft screeches of pencil on her paper. She listened to music instead of Murakami-san's charms on the phone. She listened to music instead of the echoing footsteps down the hall. She listened to music instead of the voice calling her.

Mitsuru pretended not to her it. But knowing that ignoring her boss wasn't exactly how she should express her gratitude. After all, thanks to this eccentric man, she was able to make her dreams come true.

In silence, she followed him down the hall. Clamorous cries were resounding louder and louder as she followed her boss down the hall and soon through a door. A pair of tinted shades were handed to her as she and Murakami-san strolled through. And Mitsuru placed them on before a blinding light made her eyes squint.

Screams exhilarated in the air, and a long line of humans waited patiently for her arrival. Mitsuru could see it. The glint in their eyes, the mangas the people were holding in their hands. She saw the sign beside her with her characters on them. The titles of her works gave her an uplift of confidence, and the smiles on her fans faces warmed her heart with pride.

"Sorry for the long wait, ladies and gentlemen!" Murakami-san announced. "Mitsuru Kurosaki-san is finally here!"

"Take a seat," he tells Mitsuru as he gestures to a seat close by. "Enjoy yourself."

". . . well. . . they took their time to come here. This should be the most I could do," Mitsuru replied, taking her seat.

Don't you mean least? Thought Murakami-san, feeling a trickle of sweat roll down his temple. But the bespectacled man decides to just leave it. At least Mitsuru showed up.

The fan in front of Mitsuru grabbed the opportunity to squeal his excitement. His phone was out as well, and his friends behind him were obviously excited as well. But his heart melted when Mitsuru mustered enough strength to give him a greeting. It immediately made his day.

"Kurosaki-san! Please sign! I'm a big fan of yours!" Cried the boy as he hands her his copies of her manga. "I love Wolves of the Underground! It's a masterpiece!"

Over-enthusiasm was an energy that often overwhelmed Mitsuru. If anything, she fought to avoid scenarios with characters displaying a fire she can't touch. Her hands pulls themselves out of her pockets and flip out a pen from her bag. A long day lay ahead. And the girl wished she could whisk herself away and drink some cold drink and relax. Attention wasn't something Mitsuru seeked. If anything, she avoids being in the limelight. Just as the scenario she was in now, so many people were draining her energy with their over-enthusiasm. 

But she told herself that maybe she should appreciate attention. 

"Ah. . . thanks."

Even if it's just a little.

~~~

Number of words: 3092

This chapter is dedicated to my kouhai TDOROKI! Thank you so much for supporting this book! I really appreciate it. Honestly though, I was supposed to post this chapter last May, but welp, I didn't have the time, plus I did decide I should focus on Terror In Resonance (a book I'm editing for the fourth time, and I swear it will be the last) and The Mourning Samurai.

I'm honestly trying to step up my game as well, since my readers are disappearing on me. I'm sorry for being a disappointment by leaving you all hanging all the time. I keep writing, but I don't finish. I'm sorry. But I'm trying by best to change myself and, yes, step up my game.

I'm sure that the fandoms I'm into are dying and the trend was over since what--four years ago? Yeah. But still, I love the stories I come up with so I hope I finish the books I listed before in the previous chapter, and I also hope that I have your support.

Thank you all for taking the time to read. It means the world to me.

And please comment your thoughts so I'll know who to dedicate the next chapter to, AHAHA.

- Raita