Aoi was sitting on a bench as Mao (ahem, Sora) bandaged his hand using the first aid kit he had in his camera bag.

Aoi decided to break the uncomfortable silence. "So…why do you have a first aid kit in your bag?"

Sora smiled slightly. "Well, my dad taught me to always be prepared. Plus he wanted to be sure that even if I could kick ass, I could patch mine up if I happened to take on someone really strong." She finished up and put away her supplies. "All done."

"Thanks." There was another awkward pause. "So…why do you…er…"

"Cross-dress?" Aoi gaver Sora a dirty look. "What? That's what it is. Anyway, I do it because I'm more comfortable in these." She indicated to her jeans, converse, and t-shirt. "Plus I like the wig."

"Your parents don't think it's weird?"

"No. My mom used to have to do the same thing when she went on oversea projects. She's the one that actually came up with it. My dad thinks it's kinda cool because he says it's like he has a 'mini-me'. I'm guessing your family isn't fond of the whole cross-dressing thing?"

"My dad hates it. That's part of the reason why I live with my aunt."

"Oh. I'm sorry, that sucks."

Aoi shrugged. Then it all just came out. "This is so weird! I thought I was the only person in the school, practically in all of Tokyo that did this! And-"

"Oh believe me Aoi-kun there are plenty of people out there who cross-dress just for the hell of it, like me. You on the other hand actually have a good reason to cross-dress, since you have a super popular blog."

Aoi nodded, then spoke quietly. "Now that my little secret is out, would you…uh, I mean if you still have time…"

Sora smiled. "Yes, I am still willing and able to take pictures for your blog, but on one condition." Aoi's heart fell a bit. "If you get to cross-dress for this, so do I. It's more fun that way."

Aoi smiled for real this time. "It's a deal."

Two weeks later Aoi and Sora were at Sora's house (which was traditional, Japanese-style), taking pictures of him in a kimono.

"These are really cute, your fans will love them," Sora said.

"I hope so, because these shoes are really uncomfortable." Sora had put him in a full traditional kimono, complete with the uncomfortable shoes and the super-elaborate hair.

"Just deal with it, you look adorable." Aoi blushed, even though 'adorable' was hardly a compliment he would like to hear. Sora took a picture of his blushed face.

"Nice. Now put your fan up over your face so you look embarrassed." Aoi opened his fan stoicly and covered his entire face with the fan.

"Haha, lower." He showed his forehead. "A little more…" He showed his eyebrows." Sora sighed dramatically, walked over and covered his hand with hers, slowly lowering it. Aoi's face grew warm from this.

"WHOA! DON'T YOU MOVE AN INCH!" Aoi remained frozen as Sora took at least a dozen pictures of him with his spectacular blush. Finally after another 200 pictures or so ("It was not! It was 185!") He changed out of the outfit into his school uniform. He was discussing the pictures with Sora when her father came home.

"I'm home! Oh hello Aoi-kun, when did you get here?"

"Uh…" Aoi scrambled up from where he was sitting on the floor of their living room. He bowed. "I came after school, sir. Sora-uh (he wasn't really sure which honorific to use) she said it would be okay if I came by to er…take pictures," he finished lamely. Why was it that he was so confident dressed as a girl and so bloody shy as a boy?

"Oh, that's nice. Sora-chan, is Aoi staying for dinner?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't. My Aunt expects me back early today."

Sora's father shrugged. "Ah well, maybe next time." He waved a good-bye as he went upstairs, presumably to take a shower.

"He doesn't bite you know," Sora told him, pushing him playfully.

"Yeah, it's not like I thought he did," Aoi said defensively. Sora laughed and even Aoi cracked a smile at her infectious laughter.

"I really should go, she does expect me home early," he said getting up. Sora got up too and they walked to the door together.

"Um…Aoi-kun, can I ask you a favor?"

Aoi raised an eyebrow. "Depends…" Oh who am I fooling, of course I'll do it!

Sora scratched the back of her neck, embarrassed. "Uh…there's this photo contest in LaLa magazine…the prize is a chance to work with the photographers in the art department of the magazine." Her eyes lit up. "It's super cool, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I REALLY wanna win, the due date is next week and I only just got my issue today and-"

"Sora?"

"Yeah?"

"You're ranting."

"Oh…oops. Anyway, the theme is 'friendship-" Aoi snorted and Sora made a face. "I know, cheesy right? Anyway, can you help me?"

"You want me to take pictures?"

"No, I want you to be in them with me!"

Aoi blinked, then shrugged. "Sure, same time tomorrow?"

"Yup! Thanks so much! Oh and wear street clothes. MALE street clothes."

Aoi made a face. "Fine, but that means you have to wear girl clothes."

Sora smiled. "I wa planning on it."

"Yeah, yeah…see you tomorrow then…"

The next day it was sunny and warm, Aoi took particular care to look…well…'normal' should be the word, but seeing as he spent most of his time dressed as a girl, he went with the word 'cool'. He wore a short sleeved plaid shir, a black skinny tie, some jeans and sneakers. Not girly at all.

"Sorry I'm late Aoi, it took me forever to dress like a girl." Aoi was about to reprimand her, until he looked at her. She wore a short, babydoll green dress with a simple necklace and brown boots. It really wasn't anything groundbreaking, but with her hair down…Aoi blushed a bit. When did she get cute?

"Uh…it's whatever…"

"…Yeah…" They were both silent, until Sora decided that they should take pictures EVERYWHERE. They spent the next two hours running from one end of the park to the other, until there was just a little light left.

They both collapsed on a bench. "Did we get the shot," Aoi wheezed. Sora shook her head. "Damn."

"Seconded. Wait, we never took a picture on a bench. Why didn't we do that?"

"Because you said it was the most over-used cliché setting ever."

"That was earlier. One more shot Aoi, one more and then I swear we're done and I'll treat you to my mom's curry." Aoi's mouth watered. He liked curry. And he knew that she knew that he liked curry.

"Fine, one more." He sat up a little straighter on the bench. Sora moved closer to him.

"Hey, can you hold the other side of the camera," she asked. He scooted even closer and grabbed the left side as she held the right. "This is uncomfortable, hold on…" she moved her left arm from where it was squished against Aoi and put it on his shoulder in a companionable way (at least that's what Aoi told himself). "Here, put your arm on my shoulder and lean in a bit so we're both in the frame. Aoi and Sora sat side by side on the bench, arms around eachother's shoulders.

"Okay, on the count of three and we're done, okay?"

Aoi nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His heart was beating and his cheeks felt warm. He glanced at her. She really did look nice today. She was really nice too…

"…One…" She was really close…should he go for it?

"…Two…" This may be his only shot…just a small one on the cheek, for the picture.

"…Three…" Here goes nothing. He turned his head abruptly and realized several things.

1) Sora had turned her head at the exact same moment.

2) His lips MISSED her cheek and were now settled on her lips.

3) The 'click' of the shutter told him that they got 'the shot'.

Aoi and Sora pulled apart at the exact same moment. Aoi looked away and Sora hastily fiddled with her camera. Aoi's spirits fell a bit as he wondered if she was going to delete the picture.

"Um…Aoi?" His head snapped over to her. She was smiling. She held out the camera to him. "We got it."

The picture was undoubtedly good. The bench was visible, as was a little bit of their arms that held the camera. The rest of the shot…Aoi blushed. Both of them had their eyes wide open in surprise and blushes on their cheeks as they kissed in the picture. Aoi couldn't help it, he smiled. "Yeah, we did."

They both stood up simultaneously and began walking out of the park. After several minutes of Aoi thinking about only the kiss, he felt Sora's hand on his arm. He stopped and his heart sped up as she kissed his cheek. It was only a quick peck, but her blush was evident as she began walking again. "Thanks," she said.

Aoi stood still, his hand on his cheek, then ran to catch up with her. When he did, he gently slid his hand into her's. "Yeah, you too."

They were both smiling as they left the park, both smiling more than they ever had.

…Until two weeks later when Sora won the contest.

*I don't own LaLa Magazine. PHEW it's done! Sorry it took so long, but I'm done and I'm happy with how it turned out. BYE!