FLCL

'What's under the bandage?'

Pausing, Naota thought, Wait a second.

His theory that his horn had resulted either from Haruko hitting him or from the mouth-to-mouth CPR she had given him seemed to be true. As she was already there in the house, it wouldn't hurt at least to ask her what the horn was.

'Tell me, Haruko, what is this?'

'Yes, tell me, what is this?'

'It's your fault.'

'It's your own head,' she replied maddeningly.

'It's because you hit me.'

'So, take it off and show me.'

'Don't touch it!'

Haruko approached with a grin, which triggered a sudden, instinctive fear in Naota. He knocked away her hand. I can't let my guard down. I have to be careful with her.

He said, 'Dad brought you here, so go be with him. Stop bothering me!' Without meaning to, he'd let his tone become harsh.

Haruko fell silent and stared at him with a serious expression, unlike any he'd seen on her face before. Her eyes resembled those of a lover who'd been hurt by an unfaithful man.

'What?' he asked.

'I saw you first.'

The innocence in her voice took Naota by surprise.

Haruko was trying to explain that the reason she'd come to this house was because Naota lived here.

Of course, having a maniacal girl set her sights on him was scary—but still, hearing her innocent tone and seeing her expression… When she looked him with those green eyes and said she was here because of him… for that single instant, Naota felt something for her.

Idiot, what are you thinking?

'Anyway, the top bunk is my brother's, so absolutely no one else can sleep there. That's simply the way it is,' Naota said, stretching out on his own bed.

He turned his back to Haruko, giving her an unspoken hint to leave.

Now isn't the time or place for weird feelings.

If this girl, Haruko, didn't know what the horn was, he would have to return to the hospital. Tomorrow, he'd ditch her and then go to get it checked out.

'Where is your brother?' Haruko didn't hesitate to ask, despite the fact that Naota had turned away from her to sleep. 'Hey,' she said insistently, 'where is your brother?'

'You're so annoying! He's in America.'

'What's he doing there?'

'Playing baseball.'

'Wow, he must be good at it!'

'So what?'

'Well, good night,' said Haruko.

Maybe she finally caught the drift, Naota thought, as he sensed Haruko standing up. Naota assumed she was leaving, and he felt relieved. The next moment, however, her actions stupefied him.

Does this girl have no common sense?

'You're sleeping here?' His voice rose automatically as he said a second time, 'You're sleeping here?'

Of all things, Haruko had slipped into bed next to him.

'There's nowhere else,' she said sheepishly.

'Fine, do what you want.'

Naota knew there was no point in any further argument, so he attempted to push his way past her in order to sleep in the top bunk. As he tried, Haruko shouted in a loud voice, 'That's your brother's bunk!'

Naota was stunned into silence.

'That's your brother's bunk! It's his, so absolutely no one else can sleep there! That's simply the way it is!'

In wordless fury, Naota listened to his own strictures thrown back at him.

Such a childish fight, he thought to himself. There aren't any real adults in the world.

His place to sleep stolen from him, Naota went downstairs, clutching his pillow. He found Kamon sitting in the darkened shop.

'Naota?' said his father, adopting the same tone he used when petting the cat.

Seeing his father like this was kind of eerie.

'We need to have a serious talk, Naota.'

'About what?'

'It's about Haruko. Are you opposed to her?'

Naota had no idea whether his father was talking about employing her as a housekeeper or having her as a wife. Actually, Naota would have opposed either one, but he knew his opinions wouldn't affect his father's decision.

'Do what you want.'

'Naota… Nao, innocent little Nao. Oh, right! Mamimi stopped by earlier today.'

'Eh?'

What did Dad say? Did he just say Mamimi came over?

Kamon explained, 'She came over to ask for the leftover bread.'

'Mamimi came here?' Naota said, his voice betraying his emotions.

'Of course, it'll taste fine if she fries it with a little oil. I guess her family isn't so well-off.'

Mamimi came here. Mamimi came to my house!

'Where do you think you're going at this hour?'

Kamon's question didn't reach Naota's ears, as he had run out of the house into the night streets.

All thoughts of the horn and Haruko had disappeared.

Chapter 4

Naota ran through the dark streets.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing at the place it seemed he usually visited after school: Mabase Bridge.

Mamimi came over!

Mamimi had stopped by his house, knowing his brother wasn't there. It was the first time that had happened. Although all he knew was that she'd attempted to visit, the non-event had propelled Naota to run out, ecstatic.

They'd never made any particular promises to meet each other, but Naota had faith. Mamimi was definitely at Mabase Bridge, waiting—alone—for Naota to arrive.

They were two parallel lines that would have continued forward into eternity… now, though, one of them had shifted direction, if slightly. Naota ran with all his might, spurred on by the hope that their lines would meet now. At times like this, young men glimpse, if dimly, how big the love they seal inside themselves can be.

Mamimi!