Entering the studio, the staff greeted me one by one. Each seeming too busy to acknowledge my appearance.

　　"Hello, Midori!" a passing cameraman smiled.

　　Smiling in return I spoke, "Hey, Masumoto!"

　　Noticing my intrince, the director waved me over, "Midori, over here!"

　　Joining the twosome, I grinned, "Good morning. What can I do for you, Director?"

　　"Allow me to introduce you to Aina Fujimoto. Mrs. Fujimoto this is Midori Hayashi."

　　"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Fujimoto." I offered my hand.

　　Taking my hand, she reciprocated, "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Hayashi. Honestly, I've become hooked on your drama so far. I especially like the chemistry between Ueno and Koizumi."

　　"Thank you! That's really good to hear. I love acting as Shun. But you know my sister and I watch all your movies. You really bring out your character!"

　　"Well isn't this something! Fujioka, You made a good choice with this girl!" she giggled.

　　"I think so, also." he chuckled.

　　"So, Mrs. Fujimoto, what brings you to our set?" I asked, curious.

　　"Aina will be playing the victim's wife."

　　"Please take care of me, Miss Hayashi."

　　"Oh my god! Please, just let me apologize now! I am so so so sorry, Mrs. Fujimoto!" I grew frantic with worry.

　　"Why are you apologizing? You've done nothing wrong!" she assured, worry shown in her eyes.

　　"Not yet I haven't. I have to slap you later. I'm sorry."

　　The two laughed at my fear.

　　"That's just our characters! You aren't actually going to hit me."

　　"I know but I still feel bad. I finally get to work with you and it turns out I have to hit you!"

　　Fujimoto watched my solemn expression a moment and, giggling, hugged me tightly, "You are just too sweet! Please, call me Aina!"

　　"Midori, you have no problem hitting Shin." the director stated.

　　"What reason has Ooshiro given me to like him? He's cold, arrogant, has a bad attitude and treats me like I'm a little girl while still acting childish himself."

　　"I see."

　　The familiar voice shook my spine. His warm breath on the nape of my neck sent aftershocks down to my core.

　　Feigning ignorance of his presence, I continued our discussion, "Director, do you remember what we discussed last week? Are we still okay with that?"

　　Fidgeting the Director answered, worry plainly shown, "Of course, Midori. Honestly, I'm really looking forward to it."

　　"Then I'll be going to make up! I'll see you on set, Director." I said, slipping away.

　　"Hold on, Midori, I think I'll join you!" Aina fell in stride with me.

　　"Don't go losing your temper, Shin. She is still a child." the Director excused her words.

　　'So that's how she really sees me.' his heart sank, watching the women make their way toward the back of the studio.

　　"I'm just glad to see she finally has a friend." he smirked.

　　"Do you know something?" Fujioka asked.

　　Turning his back to the director, Shin remained silent.

　　"Shin?"

　　A scream echoed through the set, curdling the blood of surrounding ears.

　　"Cut!' Fujioka shouted, "Great job today, everyone!"

　　"Good work, Director!" I smiled to him.

　　"You too, Midori. Listen, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

　　"Me too! As soon as I get changed I'm heading out."

　　"Then have a safe trip."

　　Exiting the changing room, I was stopped by a stone wall.

　　"Look, Ooshiro, if you're still pissed about this morning then yell at me later. I have somewhere to be and I can not be late."

　　"I need a ride."

　　Ducking around him, I asked, "Is that so? And what happened to your precious car?"

　　"Someone slashed my tires." he answered, following me.

　　"Uh-huh. Let me guess, you pissed off a lover? Take it up with the cops." I said entering the hallway.

　　"I won't report it."

　　"Why not? Admitting you're a cold jerk?"

　　"Yes."

　　Halting, I spun to face him, "So your tires get slashed and you automatically assume I'll give you a lift since we're neighbors?"

　　"No, but I did hope."

　　Pausing a moment, I thought of the potential outcome.

　　"Fine. But you'll have to come with me. I can take you home when I'm done."

　　"Fine"

　　"And you have to be on your best behavior. Act if you have to!"

　　"Fine."

　　"Alright then come on." I agreed, leading him toward the parking garage.

　　As the elevator doors opened, my motorcycle sat just a few feet away.

　　"The side car?"

　　"I left early this morning to get it from storage and attach it."

　　He grunted in response.

　　Swinging his leg over the seat, Shin motioned for me to sit behind him.

　　"Have you ever even ridden on a motorcycle before? Let alone driven one?" I asked, taking my helmet from the sidecar.

　　"I've ridden a few times."

　　"Uh-huh and have you ever driven one?"

　　"No."

　　Pushing him to the back of the seat, I took his place on the seat, complaining, "I don't have time to die today."

　　Firing the engine, I turned, placing the helmet over his head, "Wear it."

　　As Shin began to remove the helmet in protest, a jolt coursed through his body as the vehicle lurched forward. Wrapping his arms around my waist, Shin clung to me tightly.

　　'This is so wrong!' I thought, rounding the corner.

　　"What are we doing at the train station?" he asked, tossing the helmet into the side car.

　　"You'll just have to wait and see." I said, taking the lead into the building.

　　"Who are we here for?"

　　"Just shut up and help me find platform A3. Hopefully the train didn't come early."

　　"Aunt Dori!" a voice shouted from the distance.

　　Grinning, I rushed to the voice.

　　Shin fell silent in a stunned state of mind as he watched her fell to one knee, embracing the boy.

　　"Aunt Dori, I can't breathe!" he joked.

　　The boy stood slightly short for his age. His shaggy blonde hair looked as if it needed a trim.

　　Kissing his forehead, I hugged him a second time, "God, I missed you!"

　　"Aunt Dori, you're embarrassing me!" he shoved me away.

　　Pouting, I taunted him, "Aw! No kiss for your Aunt Dori? What kind of a cruel child did we raise? I am so sorry Char-Char for bringing up such a bad child!"

　　Groaning, he kissed my cheek, "You're weird, Aunt Dori."

　　"I missed you too, C.J." I said giving a sly smirk.

　　Noticing the strange man who stood behind me, CJ grew cautious.

　　Whispering to my ear he informed me, "Theres a weird guy watching us."

　　"Ah, ignore him. He is just my stalker. Scary, right?"

　　"I am not stalking you!" he defended himself.

　　Chuckling, I corrected myself, "Yeah, I guess you're right. C.J, this is my co-star Shin Ooshiro."

　　"Oh he's the goofy coward cop!"

　　"Yup, that's him." I choked back my laughter.

　　"Who is this brat?" Shin growled, annoyed by the snared remark.

　　"This is my nephew CJ. He's on break from school so he'll be staying with me for a while."

　　"I see."

　　The people began to mumble among themselves with our visit.

　　"Did someone just say Ooshiro?"

　　"Over there! It's Shin Ooshiro!"

　　"Who is that with him?"

　　"Doesn't she play his partner on 'Crime Hunters'?"

　　"Look it's Midori Hayashi from 'Crime Hunters'!"

　　"I wonder what they're doing together?"

　　"Who is the the kid?"

　　Glancing around, I grew nervous of the congregating crowd.

　　"Come on, let's get out of here." I said taking the boy's bag.

　　'Before Ooshiro gets us mobbed.'

　　"So how was the train ride?" I asked, leading him through the gawking onlookers.

　　"It was alright. I finished the book you gave me on it."

　　"How did you like it?"

　　"It was amazing! Frankenstein is so cool!"

　　"Better than Dracula?"

　　"Aunt Dori, you know no monster is better than Dracula!"

　　"Ha, you're right! What was I thinking?"

　　Spotting the familiar bike which waited patiently for our return, C.J sprinted for it. It teetered as he hoisted himself onto the seat. Stretching, he tried to reach the kick start.

　　Placing his helmet on his head, I asked, "Are you having fun?"

　　"Aunt Dori, when are you going to teach me to drive?"

　　"When you're old enough."

　　"When will that be?"

　　Lifting him to the air, I placed him in the sidecar, "A while. Now buckle up."

　　"Can we go yet?" Shin grumbled, impatient.

　　Grasping the collar of his shirt, I brought him to my level.

　　I concealed his startled expression with my helmet, "Now we can."

　　Reclaiming my place, I kick started the engine. Shin wrapped his hands around my waist as we began the ride home.

　　'She's actually driving the speed limit.' he thought, surprised.

　　Stopping in front of the door, CJ looked to me, "Aunt Dori, are you sure he isn't a stalker?"

　　"Hmm. I wonder about that." I answered leering to Shin.

　　Glaring in return, he waited for us to enter the apartment.

　　"Why do you ask?"

　　"He followed us home."

　　"Oh, did I neglect to mention that Ooshiro is my neighbor?" I whimpered pointing to his door.

　　"What! I have to deal with this old fart even at home?" he huffed, frustrated.

　　"Old fart? I'm only twenty-four you little brat!" Shin growled charging for the boy.

　　Laying my hand upon his chest, I restrained him, "He's just a kid, Ooshiro. Settle down."

　　Pushing him back I turned to my nephew, crouching to his level, "C.J, that was really rude and uncalled for. You were raised to respect your elders, weren't you?"

　　"I guess so."

　　"If he's an old fart then what am I? We're only a few years apart."

　　"My pretty Aunt Dori."

　　'Shes going to let him off.' Shin complained to himself.

　　"Heh, nice try, kid. Really it was. But did you really think you'd get away with it?"

　　"No, but it was worth a shot." he pouted looking away.

　　"No video games. Two days."

　　"That's so not fair!" CJ argued, red in the face.

　　"That's so not my problem." I teased him.

　　"But why?"

　　"One day for being rude. One day for trying to weasel out of punishment. And it'll be three days if you mouth off again."

　　"Yes, Ma'am."

　　"Now apologize to the old fart."

　　"Hey!" Ooshiro grouched.

　　Reluctantly, C.J asked for forgiveness, "I'm sorry, Mr. Ooshiro."

　　"Forget about it, Brat."

　　Ushering C.J into the apartment I commanded, "Go torment Nibbler. I'll be in in a minute to confiscate your games."

　　Rushing in he dropped his bag at the door in search for his furry friend.

　　"And no treats! That ball of fat is on a diet!" I shouted after him.

　　Sighing, I shut the door behind him.

　　Spinning around, I snapped at him, "What the hell is your problem? You've been more impossible today than ever!"

　　Frowning, Shin defended himself, "That kid started it today! And you didn't help matters."

　　"He's nine! And you egged him on by calling him a brat!"

　　"You're not denying it."

　　"No, I'm not. I know I acted a little childish today. But I'm his aunt. You're an unfamiliar face. I'll do what it takes to make him feel more comfortable. Even if it means picking on you!"

　　Shin watched me, stunned by my scolding.

　　"C.J doesn't need to watch a grown man acting like a spoiled brat. Either act your age or just stay away from us."

　　Retreating into my home, I locked the door behind me.

　　Shin stood in the hall a moment, staring at my door. A smile crept across his lips as he whispered, "She really has grown."

　　Entering his apartment, Shin slipped into his bedroom. Sitting on the unkept bed, he opened the nightstand drawer. Removing a small object, he examined it. It was a small blue hair pin with a bright red rose ornament attached. The memories flooded his mind as her laughter crept through the wall behind him.