As the sun's final rays closed down our set for the day, I returned the costume I had borrowed to Miki.

　　"Thanks, Miki, I owe you one."

　　"You don't owe me anything. Goodnight, have a safe trip home!"

　　"You too! Night!"

　　Approaching his vehicle, Shin noticed the motorcycle parked beside him. Slipping between the two, he raised his foot to the side of the bike. It wavered under his might, falling to its side.

　　A sudden force rescued it in an act of mercy.

　　"What the hell do you think you're doing to my motorcycle?"

　　"You parked too close."

　　"And that gives you the right to kick it over?"

　　"Shut up, woman." Shin scoffed.

　　"The hell I will! Besides how am I parked too closely? How far should I have parked?"

　　"One car space away."

　　"That is ridiculous! Quit being a spoiled rich brat and act your age!"

　　"Says the woman driving a scrap heap."

　　"Scrap heap? I'll show you just what a scrap heap can do!"

　　Swinging my weight over the seat, the engine roared under my rage. A sharp shriek echoed through the parking lot as the tires twisted toward the exit. Straightening off, the front tire saluted the night sky in a proud gesture. Falling back to the Earth, it turned out the exit.

　　"Mr. Ooshiro! Are you sure you wish to work with a creature such as that?" Abe questioned, approaching his client.

　　"Abe, how could someone so small control a beast such as that?"

　　"Simple, she's more than just what you see on the surface, Mr. Ooshiro." the director claimed as he strode across the parking lot.

　　"Director Fujioka, can't you replace her?" Abe demanded once more.

　　"I'm afraid not, Mr. Abe. Because of this girl we were able to finish all of todays scenes in one take. Talent like hers, I refuse to throw away."

　　"Abe, don't argue with the director. The girl will do."

　　"Fine."

　　"Ooshiro, you should apologize to her, though. I witnessed the whole thing. You were the one in the wrong."

　　Shin remained as silent as ever.

　　Shifting his weight, Abe's shoe tapped something. Picking it up he showed it to the two before him.

　　"Damn it all! She dropped her helmet!" Fujioka cried out.

　　Examining the dropped item, Shin thought nothing of it. It was blue, like it's wheeled counter part. Upon its side was painted a faceless bunny head with a brilliant red rose tucked behind it's ear. The image weighed heavy on his heart. Snatching it from Abe's hands, Shin dove into his car. His tires mimicked hers as he peeled away from the parking spot and out the exit.

　　Slowing to a stop, I waited for the light to return to its green hew.

　　"Hayashi!" someone called from behind.

　　Looking back, disgust bubbled deep within me. One lane over and three car lengths behind, a familiar glare leaned out his car window.

　　"Hayashi, come here!" Shin shouted again.

　　Rolling my eyes, I heaved a deep sigh as my eyes returned to the light ahead.

　　"Stubborn woman!" he grumbled, stepping from his car.

　　Stumbling around the surrounding vehicles, Shin found that some had began to move forward with the changing of the light's color from red to green. A growled warning from her engine pierced Shin's ear drum.

　　"Unbelievable! Damned stubborn woman!" he shouted in the street.

　　Returning behind the wheel, Shin followed the girl.

　　Standing in the hallway, I unlocked my door.

　　"Midori Hayashi!"

　　Turning around, Shin stood panting near the stare well.

　　"What? Are you stalking me now?"

　　"What in the hell do you mean by taking off without this?" he shouted, waving the helmet around.

　　"You didn't have to follow me just to return it. I keep a spare in the closet."

　　"And what if you had gotten into an accident just now without it? Without your spare?"

　　"Watch your tongue, Ooshiro. If it were anyone else hearing you speak like this they might think that you actually care about someone other than yourself." I mocked, stealing away my helmet.

　　"And if I do?"

　　"I'd wonder if maybe hell wasn't stuck in an ice age."

　　"Such nasty words are unbecoming of a pretty little girl like you."

　　"Now I know you're sick. Anyway thank you for returning my helmet. I'd invite you in for coffee but I don't like you. So, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, go the fuck home and never darken my doorstep again."

　　Tightening his jaw, he answered, "I am home."

　　"What?"

　　Pointing to the door nextdoor, the number read three-zero-three. Mine read three-zero-two.

　　"It appears we're neighbors, Hayashi."

　　"Great! Then goodnight."

　　Escaping through the door, I slammed it in his face.

　　Flopping on the couch, a vibrating sensation tickled my thigh. Removing the phone from my pocket, I read the name.

　　"Hey, Poppy."

　　"How did your first day go? Meet any cute guys?"

　　"Oh I met a guy alright. And his looks are not bad either."

　　"But?"

　　"He tried to kick my bike because I parked next to his car. And he pisses me off."

　　"But those are the best kinds of guys! You know I hated your brother when I first met him."

　　"Don't let C.J hear that! You know how he is when we talk about Char-Char."

　　"I know. Anyway how was the rest of the day?"

　　"Great! Another actor quit so I got a promotion."

　　"That's good! What role is it?"

　　"Senior Detective Shun Koizumi. One of the two leading roles."

　　"Wow, Midori, I knew you were good but a leading role?"

　　"Shut up, I've got a long way to go."

　　"Oh, come on, Midori, lighten up."

　　"Is that Aunt Dori? Can I talk to her?" a young voice echoed from the background.

　　"Hi, Aunt Dori!"

　　"Hey, Champ. What are you doing up? It's past your bedtime."

　　"Aunt Dori, are you going to be a T.V star?"

　　"I don't know. Maybe I will be. But not for a long time. So let's just see how this show goes, okay?"

　　"Okay. I hope you will be though!"

　　"Give your mom a kiss and go to bed, C.J. You've got school tomorrow."

　　"Alright. Love you, Aunt Dori, night."

　　"Love you too, C.J, goodnight."

　　"He just would not go to bed until he talked to you." she giggled.

　　"Poppy, you should be in bed too. You have a long day tomorrow."

　　"In a minute, Mom." she mocked, jokingly.

　　"Haha ha, keep laughing and see how tired you are after tomorrow."

　　"Goodnight, Midori."

　　"Night, Poppy. Let me know how tomorrow goes."

　　"I will."

　　Laying his jacket on the table, Shin motioned to the fridge. Opening the door, he reach into its farthest corner. The cool glass tingled his finger tips. Hesitating to remove the beverage, he left it be and retrieved the milk beside it.