"What~choo~doing?"

"JESUS CHRIST !!"

Miyoko appeared so suddenly in my field of vision i fell in the couch and knock my knee in the coffee table near it.

"Che' just as planed..." she smirks.

(God dammit woman...) he man 'up the pain and whimper like a little kid...

"Oh' , Yomiko ' you're here , I've been looking for you , what's he doing ?" Yomiko asked while looking at Minamino , curled up and manning up the pain..

"Don't mind him, so what's up...?" she asked

"Come with me, we're going to the books store, midterms coming up and i need to study."

"Oh, right ...sure let's go." Said Yomiko merrily

"And you....so whatever you're doing you're coming with us, as well..." said Miyoko while she looks at him blankly.

"We don't need a pervert, we're not going to the pool or anything.."..said Yomiko

"Oi !" (you were just kind with me a page before)

"We need him to carry, our stuff, books are heavy you know..." explained Miyoko..

"Oh' right...get up. you worthless pervert." said Yomiko while kicking him lightly.

(this woman ....) " the pain, the pain it still hurts .... he faked.

"Kasumi is coming as we-"

He perked up when he heard Kasumi's name thinking that it's a perfect opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding she quickly stood up.

"Let's go , what are you waiting for ?..." he asked casually.

They just stared at him, in utter disgrace and disgust.

They walked out the living room and Kasumi is already waiting for us in front of the door..When she sees Minamino with the other two her eyes open wide with surprise..

"M-mina is coming too?" she asked

"We just need someone to carry our stuff." Yomiko exclaimed

"Y-yeah i hope it's okay?" he said

She just looks at me in silence and ignored me.

"Okay let's get going." cheered Miyoko

Together to four of them arrived at the bookstore, once inside they immediately begin searching for books.

"Argh...which one should i get ' all of this are the same book but different authors. Said Miyoko in frustration.

"Are you looking for something to use for your report? said Kasumi while holding a book...

"Here, this book is really easy to use."

"Oh, is that right? thanks Kasumi." she smiled

"What book should i use for my report Kasumi? Yomiko asked.

"You probably want to check the music section." Kasumi suggested.

"Thanks Kasumi', i'll go check it out."

"Sure, if you have any question just let me know." she said proudly

(Wow' she knows her stuff , or the other girl are just daft , they probably murder me if they can hear my thoughts good thing i have this kind of privacy,but she dishes out helpful stuff like a pro'.)(I'd bet she looked good in a business suit managing her own empire as a CEO..)

"Hmn, what the...?"

Before he knew everyone was gone, he was so immersed in his imagination he hasn't notice them left.

(they didn't leave me, right?)

(Hahaha, they couldn't, they must have gone somewhere while i was daydreaming.) He imagined the laughing face of Yomiko and Miyoko and knowing them, it's a definite possibility that they actually left him.

Flustered he look around the shop.

(Oh' there's Kasumi...) he spotted Kasumi deep inside the show. It looks like she's carefully considering the choices in front of her. Then he notice she was in the comic book section of the bookstore..

She's carefully feverishly going through the selection of manga.

(She likes manga too? i wonder if it'll be okay to talk to her about it...?)

"K-Kass?"

She looked surprise as she drooped the Otome manga she was holding.

"Ah' s-sorry." he said seems apologetic

"...ah..."

Looking embarrassed she averts her eyes, while going to pick up her book.Minamino saw this opportunity to help her out but then..

They both reach for the book and bump their head in result.

*Ouch!"

"Uh' I'm sorry..." as he suddenly approaches her and help her stand up.

"S-so you like manga too ? he asked..

"...Do you ...think it's stupid?" she asked..

"NO! No way! Not at all, i ...uh..." while he mumbled as he struggles to look for words.

"What ?....."

"Oh. i uh, used to draw manga before and the one you're holding is one of my early creations.."

She just stares at Mina wide eyed in silent with his revelation...

"Y-you're Minakimi ? she asked skeptically

"i-it's my pen name , my editor suggested since i make Otome Manga , she suggested i use a female sounding pen name , but in actuality Minakimi is short for Minamino Kitagami...due to some unforeseen circumstances i stopped , it's not selling well though so i'm kinda surprise it's still in some store hehehe " he explained..

Astounded she looks at her book and.

"Prove it!" she demands handing me a piece of pen and paper.

"H-huh?!" he was taken aback in surprise.

"Prove it!" now her demands are fiercer.

He accepts the piece of paper and scribbles something in it a minute later he hands the piece of paper and pen back to Kasumi

"I always thought she was a woman..." we eye and looking at the signature and sketch of the protagonist in the manga she compares it as she mumbles.

"I-i'm sorry for ruining your expectations..."

She steps in closer to Minamino and in just mere second, they were closer face to face.

(Whoa....she's so close, why is she staring at me intensely.)

"Take responsibility...."

He almost swallowed his tongue in shock of what he heard-take responsibility?" (10 minute after let's go to the bookstore and chill and now she's asking me to take responsibility?! Damn Kasumi has no chill....)

He sees a sparkle in her normally expressionless eyes.

"Sign this for me!"

(Oh, that's what she mean.) "S-sure it'll be my pleasure -but i need to take off my pen in my pocket and i can't really move freely ...." he was cornered behind him is a bookshelf and in front of him is a beautiful young maiden.

She settles down and completely backs away....

"S-sorry...." she said averting her eyes.

"No it's really okay, but you're sure you want me to sign it up for you?" he asked while holding his pen.

"please, sign it for me." she pleaded.

She handed the manga to him and Minamino happily signed it..

"I'd never guess someone like you would be interested in reading manga, let alone mine , i'm just happy that after all these years someone is still reading my manga..." he said while smiling brightly..

"I-i enjoy reading it." she blushingly said.

"Thank you, for reading it." he smiles while he hands the manga back.

While looking at his signature's it really is you."

"I have the all the issues at my parents' house , The story is so sad , yet it's fun..i love it.., i kinda miss reading it so , when i saw it here i was being melancholic , I'm going to buy this and the fallowing chapters all over again..." she said while staring at the manga..

(Wow..this makes me extremely happy..) "Oh' thank you but, i think you won't find the fallowing chapters again, all of the copies where pulled back from the circulation, to be honest i was kinda surprised you find one here."

A sullen expression drew on her face ...

"W-what? No...." a look of disappointment shows.

"You know , what ? , i think i might save a few copies of that on my own yeah i think i still have that on my stuff that i brought in the Famille' when i moved in.., i'll give them to you.." he said smiling at her gleefully.

Her face brightens. But then

"Y-you're not making fun of me, are you?"

"What ?!"

Her face starts to turn a bit red and she starts to pout.

"You probably think i'm silly don't you?"

"What? N-no ! no way not at all ! , all the chapters are there so you don't need to buy that .."

"NO! , i'll buy this , and b-be sure you give the copies to me.."

"Oh' okay, sure when we got home , i'll hand it to you..."

She's about to turn around when she seems to remember something, she stare at minamino silently move a little closer and.

"D-does, everyone know you're Minamiki ?" as she ask her face blushes bright red and trying to avert his gaze.

"N-no , it's the secret i never told anyone , not even Miyoko , she's just makes fun of me.." he smiles wryly..

"A-are you planning on telling anyone?" she asks gazing slightly at his eyes.

"No...and i was planning on asking you to keep it a secret to anyone as well, w-would you keep it a secret?" he asked

"Hmn.....a secret between the two of us....?"

As he worry silently, she makes a face like she's thinking deeply over it.

"I see..." she lets of a small smile.

"Sure i'll keep it a secret." then she lets off a bright smile ..then walks away from him merrily..

(Did , did she just smile at me...?)

She's staring at him for some reason.

"Something wrong?" he asked

"I was just thinking how happy i am.."

"Happy?"

"Until now, i haven't had anyone else to talk about this stuff, and now to my surprise one of my favorite mangaka was actually a guy who's living with me in the same house. It sounds like this somewhat came out straight of a manga." she happily said

"Y-yeah hahaha , (i'm her favorite mangaka huh) then it's good thing we've met huh ?"

Then she turns her back at him and moves toward the counter merrily.

Yomiko and Miyoko are already waiting at the counter and seems to be a slow day we're the only one at that time, both Yomiko and Miyoko payed for their books. Then Kasumi a bit reluctant she places the manga at the counter. The store manager seems to noticed the signature and carefully looked at it.

(Oh, crap I forgot we shouldn't have vandalized it we still haven't paid for it.)

Kasumi gave me a worrying smile then.

"This is freshly signed!" the manager wonders her eyes as if looking for something and reach for something under his table. He compared the signed copy and the signature on his signature board,

"There's no mistaking it, did you signed this Miss?! The store manager asked Kasumi. Surprised she denies it by shaking her head.

"You didn't you couldn't." the store manager looks at her suspiciously as if he's had a weird misunderstanding but then just smiled and said.

"tell you what miss let me buy this for you."

"W-what? But I haven't even paid for it." Said Kasumi in surprise.

"You see, this is my daughters favorite manga I was looking for this myself who knew it was in the store all along I have to pay you for finding it for me, and you see is it said the mangaka who created helped out a lot of people, she donated all the earnings of her manga to her fans my daughter receives such help and looking a signed copy of it seems to be some sort of a miracle for us." He explained

Kasumi just looks at me in awe, and I smile awkwardly at her.

"But, then what's the reason It's been pulled out of circulation?" she asked.

"Ah, that, you see, when the people knew, they started valuing the manga for more than it's worth and since it's a short series only 24 chapters and published only a thousand copies it becomes a rarity, to they pulled it out so people won't sell it, and a lot of people are buying it not because they are fans but because of just the value of it and one copy is reselling for a thousand at online stores." He continued.

Kasumi looks at me intently this time I evaded her gaze.

"So let me buy this for, he push some calculation on his calculator and shows it to Kasumi and at this point even Yomiko and Miyoko are curious and looks at the price in awe.

"Whoa!" awed Miyoko

"That much?!" said Yomiko

"But I can't possibly take it, that's too much." Dejected Kasumi.

"Is that so...Oh how about you got those books for free and I'll give you a discount next time you purchase with us." He offered with a glee.

"Please I insist." He added.

Reluctant she accepted the offer by Miyoko's suggestion we left the bookstore merrily

"You're completely red, are you okay Kasumi? Miyoko asked.

Yomiko looked at minamino suspiciously and ,

"What did you do , this time ?"

"I didn't do anything ...

Kasumi giggled...

"Hmng...anyway take this mule." as she throws all the books they've bought into minamino..

"Don't drop any...." she ordered.

"okay...'

"Come on Kasumi..."

High spirit, they returned to the Famille'

Later that day

I handed her the box of manga that's collecting dirt under my bed, she seems reluctant at first knowing the price of it, I told her it's okay to sell it, if she wants too, she just looks at me pouting and told me she's never gonna sell it, she thanked me and leave

Later that day

Their weekend classes are over and he's about to go home when he saw Kasumi talking on her phone.

"Yes, that's right, the window frame in my room."

(Window frame?)

"Okay, thank you, bye." *toot*

She notices Mina once she's off the phone.

"Oh, heading home?" she asked.

"Yeah...what are you talking about the phone?"

"Nothing much, it's just the window in my room, it looks like it's about to break and with impending typhoon coming, this might look grim." she added.

"Oh' what timing huh' , ...oh wait let me fix that for you.." he volunteered

"H-huh? , are you sure ? , but we called in a repairman to do it though..

"Oh, is that so..., well i just help out then so we could finish it quickly before the typhoon dropped in.."

"Well, if you're okay with it.." she uttered

"I am, we'll handle it.." he said.

"Thank you, well see you later i still have a class to go to.."

"Oh' okay, i'll see you home. Be careful"

"You too, Mina!"

With the part ways he was heading to the market place when he was dragged by Jeremy's group in a narrow dark alley..

"What do you want guys, i really need to go home, there's a typhoon coming you coming."

"They only typhoon is coming, is your face!" said model 1 while he gives each of his 5 colleagues a high five..

(Jesus Christ, not this again.)"i don't really have time for this." as he's about to pass to the group he didn't notice the...

Upcoming sly attack.

A bit late but his instinct kick in and blocked the incoming attack with his hand protecting his head it fazed him , and falls to his side colliding with a wall , when he noticed he was hit by a steel bat..

"it's not like the first time we'd met, this time we really want to hurt you!" said Model 3 who's currently holding the bat..

"You seems to be really close with Kasumi, and it's pissing us off! said Model 2

knees wobbly his left arm badly bruised and it's swelling he stood up.

(this is going to be a long afternoon.)

After he's done beating sense into those thugs he went straight home., before he enters the door he hides he's badly bruised arm with his long sleeve shirt ..

"I'm home." he greeted

He see Tegemi standing in the hallway, talking on her phone.

*Beep*

"That's really bad I hope it can hold..."

The conversation seems to have left her distressed.

"Tegemi, what's wrong ?"

"I called the handy man to fix Kasumi's room but..." when she looked at him

"Mina ! what happen to you ! " Tegemi was the first to see him , his hair is a mess face full of bruise , clothes stained with dirt..

"I'.. , i was running the cloud outside is really dark , i dash here and i uh kinda slip , hehehe.."

"Geez , go take a shower and put your clothes in the laundry.."

( i never seen her looked so troubled..)

"I'll take a shower later, i'll fix Kasumi's window i think it's about to rain so might as well fix it before it really pours and i'm already dirty , nothing to lose here.."

"You're sure ?!"

"Yes leave it to me, this is the main reason i'm living in this dorm and I'm the land lord after all.." he gave her a thumbs up..

"You're right just be careful okay , if starts raining really hard just leave it be , will think of something.." she worriedly reminder him..

"Oh don't worry i'll finish fixing it even before the rain starts...

He quickly get the stuff he need for repair then head outside..

He lean the ladder against the side of the house , and then started climbing..then

*drip*drip*

(oh come on...i haven't even started yet..)

Then a followed by a sudden burst of wind

(Brrrrrr...it's cold..)

As if the clouds is aiming straight for him it started to pour. And of course the winds started to howl as well. Then he's swollen arm started to get numb.

(I'm not going to be able to get anything done like this. What's next thunder and lightning ?)

*crackle* then a deafening sound of thunder fallowed

"JESUS CHRIST !!! someone can't take a joke."

(But i at least need to do something.)

He lean the ladder up adjust it a bit and point it at Kasumi's window , he can't barely feel and move his right arm , steadily and slowly he climb high enough to reach her window and start doing emergency repair using only his left arm and holding things with his mouth..

(All right let's do this !!)

A few hours later, totally soaked he finally finished the repair ..

(Well , it looks sturdy enough , it can't stand any typhoon that came on its wake; not bad if i say so myself..) while he admires his handy work..

"M-Mina !?"

He looked down and see Kasumi standing in the Yard.

"Huh? , K-Kasumi , what are you doing outside , it's really pouring here !!"

She's looking up to him in shock...

"Don't give me that! What the heck are you doing ?!"

"Just, uh ...fixing your window?" he said

"Why you ?! Never mind just get down, it's dangerous up there!" she shouted

(She looks pissed?) I know' , i'm coming down now , you should get inside as well.."

The very instant he try to get down a very strong wind made the ladder sway violently ..

"Whoa , Crap !!"

"M-Mina !!"

And another one fallows and completely made the ladder fly away, from the Famille' villa he was in the verge of falling when manage to shift his weight and grab a branch near a tree...holding on with only his left arm...

"Wew , that was close. Still this tree is pretty tall though."

"Mina !! don't let go, i 'll go get some help.." as Kasumi's about to go inside the house ..

*Creek*Crack*Snap*

They hear the tree branch moan and crackle.

"Oh' you've got, to be kidding m- "

*Snap!*

The tree branch finally snaps and...

"Shit..."

"MINA !!"

*Boof*

Luckily he falls in the bed of flowers Reimako has been taking good care off..

"A-are you okay, let's get inside..."

"Uh' yeah I'm okay..."

She grabs him in the right arm and drags him in the living room, Kasumi shuts the window tight and finally he let out a sigh.

"Thanks Kasumi, ..."

Kasumi dripping wet from head to toe her stares are like razors and dagger, as she grips tightly his right arm ...

"Ouch!....chie...?" he smiles wryly

She suddenly pulls up his sleeves and exposes a badly bruised arm swollen and already violet in color...

"I knew it...."

"I...uh must have got that when i fall..." he explained

"DON'T LIE TO ME !!"

Utterly surprise Minamino stood there in shock, then the other Famille' members walk in the living room

"What happen...?" said Miyoko while going down the steps of the stairs

"What's going on ?! fallowed by Yomiko

"Kasumi?" said Raika completely surprised

"Oh my you two are soaked " said Reimako as she runs to the bathroom to get some towels.

"What happened here." said Tegemi walking out from the kitchen.

"Why are you up there, fixing the window with an injured arm !!" as she lifts his injured arm for everyone to see.

"Whoa ! " muttured Miyoko

"Ouch.." said Yomiko fliched with a pained looked in her face..

"That looks painful..." said Raika

"What happen?" Tegemi asked

"He was in a fight ...i'm sure he didn't start it a friend told me he was dragged by some people from some other school...exclaimed Kasumi

"Come to think of it he was full of bruise hairs a mess and his cloths are dirty when he came home...

"Y-you went up there and fix the window with an injured arm? , why didn't you tell me ?!" said Tegemi puzzled and slightly pissed..

"W-well, i the window needs to be fix and since the repair man isn't coming i -"

*SLAP!* that sound resonated to everyone who witnessed her lightning fast slap the sound of it is enough to me anyone flinched but they stood there and didn't do anything because they all understand what Kasumi feels.

"What are you thinking!! Do you think the window is more important than your wellbeing, you even fell from a tree !!" in a verge of tears her voices trembles as she shouts her frustrations at him...

"I...I'm sorry..." is all that he could muster.

he lowers his head in humility , she realizes what she have done , and then looking apologetic she turns away..

"I'm sorry for yelling...and for hitting you..."

"Uh no, I understand." Somehow thinking it's the perfect time to clear the misunderstanding

"About what happened with me and Miyoko."

"No one cares about that!" she roared.

Then Reimako arrives with a first aid kit and handed it to Kasumi...

"Uhm..sit here , let's apply some first aid first.." Kasumi asked as she shyly guide him to sit beside her.

"W-wait." said Tegemi while carefully examining minamino's injure arm , she's a physician after all at their University and working part time as a model..

"Yep , just i feared , your hand is broken Minamino..."

"Oh' so that's why i can't feel it..., no wonder huh, hehehe"

he laughs nervously and he fainted...