I don't own any of Nakamura-sensei's work.

Warning: Language.

Ritsu POV:

I...

I have been living in this library for almost 10 years now.

At least, I think so. That's what the calendar says, and it's about the only thing that reminds me of what day it is. The only living being that reminds me is my only connection to the outside world, my only frie- looking out the window behind me, I can see that a small child accidentally let go of his balloon.

It's Summer now, that's right. Many come in here to escape the heat and Summer homework.

With the people who enter my realm of living space, I don't interact with them unless I need to. Sometimes though, if they look lost, I help them. I like helping people this way.

I glance around before putting a book back on the shelf; a procedure I have committed to doing. After all, you don't know what could happen if you're not aware of your surroundings.

Like that fated day. Various memories flash throughout my mind.

I shake my head. That was the past. There are reasons for everything. If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here.

Looking around once more, I relax and inhale the scents of the books, new and old. I smile.

I love it here. I don't ever want to leave.

I look at the clock, and it tells me that its time for everyone to leave. I patiently watch as the few remaining people leave.

Before I lock the doors, I see my only friend walk up to the library entrance and let him in.

"I brought some things for you!" he says, his forest green eyes as bright as ever. I smile at him; his outgoing energy contrasts slightly with my quiet one.

"Thank you," I take them in my hand and walk with him into the small kitchen unseen to the public eye.

I talked with him for the first time when he hid behind my desk, hiding from a 'Usagi-san' in which I later found out was a nickname for Usami Akihiko, one of my favorite authors. I helped him hide; we ended up talking for a long while until Usami-sensei called his cell phone and said some rather naughty things.

Really, really naughty, I didn't even hear the conversation but I could tell by the look of the blushing teenager receiving the call.

Afterwards, he hung up and Misaki, he told me his name, confessed to me about their relationship, a bit unwillingly, seeing as I got the gist of what was going on between them.

I had no problems with it, I had fallen in love with a man, and I told him that. We ended up talking until two in the morning when Usami-sensei traced Misaki on his 'GPS' device and banged on the entrance doors.

Later, he visited once a week to update my knowledge of the current trends.

Eventually, he began visiting once a day upon finding out I order frozen packages to my home to heat, and he would bring produce and other various necessities; he taught me how to cook, bake, and other things that would improve my health. My parents never let me eat frozen packages of any sort, so I was actually delighted to have such products delivered to me. I have read about its unhealthiness, but the convenience of such a creation tempted me otherwise.

He asked me how I get my daily amount of sunlight, and I tell him I simply sunbathe near the windows as I read. And other way I get my light is the garden dome connected to the main body of the library, and option for those who wished to read in a natural environment without excessive noise.

I'm happy I made such a friend. He's helped me in so many ways, and sometimes he makes me wish I can leave this place for a while.

...Sometimes.

Today, it's raining. This means Misaki can't visit me today; Usami-sensei gave him limits to his visiting here.

I pull out my rack of used umbrellas I find after people leave; no one claims them, so I put them on a rack for anyone to use.

On days like these, not many people come, they simply come by for temporary shelter.

"Achoo!" I look up to see that a dark haired man come in. Seeing that he's already slightly soaked I grab an umbrella and hold it out to him.

Looking at it, he then looks back at me. "Kicking me out? Can I not rest here for a few minutes?"

I quickly go put the umbrella up and apologize to the man. "I-I'm sorry! I don't mean to make you think I was kicking you out; I just thought-"

"It's fine." He goes to sit down.

I watch as he leans back a bit. He doesn't look like a business man; I wonder where he works. It doesn't hurt to ask, right?

"Where do you work," I asked, and quickly added, "I-If you don't mind me asking."

He hands me his card, and I look at it curiously- I never received a card like this before. His name is Takano Masamune and he works at... "Marukawa Publishing?"

"Yeah, I'm head of the Shoujo Division."

"Oh wow..." I look back up at him. "What's it like?"

"Most days, utter hell."

"...Oh..." In situations like these, I'm happy I work here in the library.

"Have I seen you somewhere?" he asks me suddenly.

I shake my head. "I don't go out much... Maybe I just remind you of someone?"

He stares at me for the longest time with his brown piercing eyes and I feel uncomfortable. "Yeah, maybe that's it."

"Yeah..." I fidget nervously.

"What's your name?"

"O-oh!" I can't believe I didn't introduce myself. "I'm Onodera Ritsu."

"..."

Suddenly, he stands up and I back away; he looks me up and down and I feel uncomfortable again. "W-what's wrong?"

I begin feeling a sort of sensation, and I'm brought back into my memories with Senpai.

I don't like this. I shake my head and look at Takano-san. He's now looking at me like I popped out of nowhere.

Before he can say anything though, the someone comes through the door.

"That stupid Usagi-san!" Misaki says loudly in agitation.

"Misaki?" I go up to him curiously. Did something happen? "What happened?"

"Stupid Usagi, he doesn't let me out, but he goes off somewhere?! That's not fair!"

"But... he doesn't like going out in the first place..."

"I know! But..." Misaki sighs. "That's not fair to me, it... it's lonely," he looks up and pales a bit; I then remember that Takano-san's in here.

Facing Takano-san, I panic with Misaki. "I-It's not what you think! T-they-"

"Y-Yeah," interjects Misaki, "He's my landlord-"

I continue, "That he lives with-"

He finishes. "That I do not have a relationship with!"

We both huff for breath. Takano-san stares at us wide-eyed, before shrugging it off. "None of my business," he looks outside and goes to take an umbrella. "I'm taking one."

"Y-you can keep it," I say, "Take care."

After he leaves, Misaki sighs. "That was close," he hesitates for a moment. "Can I sleep over?"

A friend... sleeping over...

A sleepover?!

I smile. "Of course!"

? POV

How long has it been? I take out my pocket watch.

Yes... it's almost time.

I look down in the space and waved my hands to put the bodies back in their case.

Maybe this time, an Onodera will actually keep their family's promise to me.

The me that can't do crap because of that masked bastard.

...Wonder if he's watching me now. Tch, I hate him so much...

I look down at my little sister's case and let the guilt wash over me.

If I had just forced her to stay home, she wouldn't be in this mess. And as a doll!

How long does that bastard plan to play with us?!

I grip my hands into fists. I... I even involved the Isaka family along with the Onodera family- but it's too late now.

Grimacing, I materialize the cards in my hand. As always, it hurts like a frozen hell.

Looking through them carefully, I sadly release them onto the cases.

"Aren't you guys lucky," I say to their deaf, sleeping ears, "Your new masters are rather interesting. Take care of each other okay?"

I open the individual gateways and sent them through. "Let this be our last game, okay?"

After that was over, I began flitting around time again.

I really need to find the reason why he became so loony and evil.

I tried a different style this time... I hope I managed to stay in mostly present tense.

I always wanted to do a story with dolls, my inspiration being Rozen Maiden (I obviously do not own).

Things will be explained... later.

What do you think?