Chapter 1

"Mami-chan?"

Mami looked up from the book she was browsing in the bookstore, to find Asaoka- kun standing on the other side of the shelf, perpetual grin in place.

She couldn't see his eyes, when he was smiling like this, which was very often.

"Ohayo Asaoka-kun…" Mami let her greeting fade to a gentle smile. Though she didn't really have anything to say, not knowing him all that well, he was Haruna's friend, and that was good enough for her.

"What are you looking for?" Smile still firmly in place, Asaoka ambled over to her spot before a huge pile of shoujo manga. Mami noticed idly how tall he was. She'd never noticed this before, or rather, his height had never struck her because their gazes were always otherwise turned towards their friends, and their little romantic dramas.

Now that they were alone, it seemed a little strange, she did not really know this boy at all.

"I'm looking for a new release for Haruna. Now that she's got Yoh, she has less time for manga, but it doesn't mean she loves them any less." Mami said, with the air of an indulgent sister.

She watched as Asaoka picks up one of the colourful, flowery volumes. The boy and girl on the cover look very happy in their playful embrace. He turned to her, eyes still hidden in his smile.

"If only all of us could have fairy-tale endings, ne? I wonder what it would have been like had I been the one to coach her?"

Mami's eyes widened. The words and tone were flippant enough to make her think that they were spoken merely in jest, but she was very sure she saw a flash of regret pass across his face.

"I'm sure she is the very happiest she can be right now, with Yoh. And I think you have another happiness waiting for you somewhere." Mami replied, in all seriousness and without reproach.

The corners of his lips slipped, his unwavering smile faltered, which did not escape Mami's watchful gaze. In return, Asaoka received a slight upturn of her lips, a kind smile which seemed to reassure.

Asaoka could not read the meaning behind her dark eyes, eyes that held him in their view so steadily. He could not summon a light-hearted answer in time to dismiss her suggestion, such was his surprise at being discovered.

He felt himself to be in no uncertain danger. Words were his weapon, and he had been left bereft.

"I think I've got the right book, so I'll be heading off. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Mami thought she had understood this strange boy a little more and Asaoka was left wondering just how much he had underestimated Haruna's closest friend.