I love Mikkun so much. He's so cuddly.

I slump into our apartment, kicking off my shoes at the door. The answering machine beeps. I ignore it, expecting something similar to the message left on my cell's voicemail earlier.

After a while, I give in to its chirps for attention. The voice that comes out is clipped and yet a bit annoyed at the same time.

"Mizuiro, this is your mother. Dinner's off tonight; I'll see you in the morning." Click.

I hit the delete button, and the message disappears from the machine's memory. Not mine, though. No apology, no "I love you" or "goodbye," not even a "don't drink the laundry detergent."

Nothing out of the ordinary.

A few hours later, I'm parked on our sofa, channel surfing. My stomach growls.

Call Marie or something. I'm dying down here.

"Nah; she said she'd be with her friends tonight."

Well, how about takeout?

"Not again. Just shut up already." For once, it listens. My gut just had to bring up the topic of dinner. And Marie.

Why's it always older girls, anyway?

I glare down at my tummy. "I thought I told you to drop it."

Different topic. Answer.

I sigh and close my eyes. "I guess… it's what I'm missing," I reply. An older woman in my life. Even before the divorce, I hardly remember Nanako being around at all. Mom was there when she needed to be, but never any longer than that. I was always lacking a motherly figure, someone who would be there for me, someone who would care. So, even as I'm about to enter what most consider manhood, I'm still searching, still hoping. "I mean… it's silly, I guess. Selfish."

Silence, then a response. There's more than one way to fill a hole. Or a stomach.

When I knock on the door, Keigo's sister appears, kitchen knife in hand. I smile as best as I can, trying to hide the small twinge of fear. "Good evening," I manage to get out.

"Runt," she affirms with a nod. The teen stomps back into the house, yelling as she goes. "KEIGO! The player-runt's here!"

Pretty soon, my friend hustles into the front room. "Hey bud! How did it go with Nanako?" he asks.

I grin again. "It didn't."

Keigo's face falls for a moment, then he mock-cuffs me on the shoulder. "Nee-san's making curry tonight."

"Sounds good."

He grimaces, adding, "I can't guarantee that."

Suddenly, an angry shout comes from the kitchen, followed by footsteps. "I HEARD THAT!"

"Nee-san, put the knife down!"

"Aah—Keigo, don't use me as a shield!"

"Put down the Runt and get over here!"

Later in the night, I'm back at home and staring at the ceiling. I smile contentedly, thinking of the leftovers in the fridge I can use for tomorrow's lunch.

See? More than one.

Hoo Written at 2:00 AM, so pardon the tummy-talk.