With a gloom hanging over she plopped down in her seat as the school bell rang for class.

"Oh my," On student comment, "Is that Serinuma?"

"She looks terrible," One said,"Did she lose even more weight?"

"Oh and of course she'd come on a Friday! Now she'll have the weekend to make up all her work," One chimed in.

"I know, how awful!" another agreed.

Nanashima sat in his chair as he propped his head on his palm, Serinuma... He thought as his eyes trailed over to his friend, You don't look like yourself.

Suddenly Shinomiya's face popped up into Nanashima's head as he plopped his head down and his hands turned into fist on the edge of the desk, And It's all your fault!

Serinuma doesn't need this kind of burden! Dragging her down thinking everything is her fault!? That's bullshit! Now she's so worried she's making herself waste away! That's unforgivable! ...I swear if I see Shinomiya's mug again...I'll....

Nanashima stared at his fist unable to think clearly. I'll do what?

His eyes turned to Serinuma as she hatched over her work with a pen in hand. She stared at the paper which it was obvious she could hardly concentrate.

Nanashima took his fist as he pulled it under his desk, No...I wouldn't dare to try to make Serinuma more upset than she already is...

Igarashi and Mutsumi sat in there sits as they too stared at Serinuma with concern.

The rest of the morning went as quickly as it begun, Serinuma desperately tried her very best in her studies. But it wasn't until during lunch she burnt up her fumes.

"SERINUMA!" Nishina exclaimed as she saw her sitting at the lunch table with her head down.

"Oh I MISSED YOU SO!" Nishina exclaimed wrapping her arms around her in a bear hug.

"Hey be careful now," Igarashi said with a slight polite chuckle.

"Hey Nishina, lay off man!" Nanashima put his arm around Serinuma in an attempt to protect.

"You called me a what!?" Nishina protested.

"Nanashima," Mutsumi said,"It's strange you called Nishina a man...Why'd you say that?" Mutsumi titled his head to the side.

"YOU BASTARD HOW DARE YOU!" Nishina exclaimed.

"HEY! WHAT DIFFERENCE DOSE IT MAKE! YOU LIKE HER SO TO ME YOU'RE A GUY!" Nanashima argued.

"H..hey now, Let's calm down children," Igarashi said with his hands up.

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" Nanashima and Nishina said on cue as threw voices blow back his hair.

"HEY, DON'T YELL AT ME!" Igarashi protested.

Mustsumi smiled gently as he giggled,"It's nice to see them back to normal. What about you Serinuma? Isn't it great to see your friends?" He asked with a gentle smile.

Serinuma flickered her eyes wide, as she looked up to see most of her friends.

Mutsumi...

She looked at him for the first time it what it seems like in forever.

His always right...How could I be so selfish?.....

She looked to her friends who all stared at her with concern.

My friends...The one's who are here are trying so hard to cheer me up...How could I sit here and act like I'm the only one alone in this...I'm sure they are all going through the same thing! Shinomiya wasn't taken from just me...Shinomiya was taken away from all of us!

Serinuma sighed as she said out loud,"I'm such an idiot!"

"Serinuma?" Nishina asked.

She looked up with tears in her eyes,"I'M SOOO SORRY EVERYONE! I'VE BEEN SO SELFISH! I...I'M THE WORST!"

"Oh but don't cry. It's alright! We are all in this together," Mustsumi said with his kindness.

"I think I need a hug," Serinuma whined.

Suddenly everyone piled up on her and gave her a welcoming hug. Her heart began to beat again as she felt everyone's love,"THANK YOU, YOU GUYS! I LOVE YOU ALL!"

"I know what to do!" Nishima declared,"We Must take a trip this weekend and relax at a beach!"

"You know..I won't mind seeing some babes in swimsuits," Nanashima said winking at Serinuma.

"Yeah what fun! I think Serinuma will have a blast!" Igarashi said in excitement as him and Nanashima secretly thought of Serinuma in swimwear.

"What about you Mutsumi? Can't you come too," Nishina asked.

"I'll only go, if Serinuma is coming," Mustsumi said as he turn to her,"Will you?"

Serinuma suddenly felt red,"Y..Yeah,"

"Oh good," Mutsumi said as he place a gentle hand on Serinuma's head,"Then I'll come too," *SHIMMERS*

BBBLLLUUUU-(*/////\\\\\*)-SSSSHHHHHH,"Okay,"

~***~

There wasn't a fly in sight. As Serinuma sat in Donny's Diner along with Nishina and Mutsumi as they patiently waited on Nanashima and Igarashi to met them.

"Serinuma-san, aren't you excited? We will be spending time together after all," Nishina said,"We can share a room together!" She exclaimed,"How fun will that be!?"

Serinuma smiled gently,"Y..yeah, it's sounds fun," Although she was smiling, her smile seemed a little forced.

"Serinuma," Mutsumi began,"You know, you don't have to do anything you don't want too," He reminded her.

"Wha?-Of crouse...I just...," Her eyes trail down as she recalled that memory of seeing the mask man.

"Serinuma, are you alright?" Nishina asked with worry.

"Have you been watching the news?" Serinuma bluntly asked.

"Of course..." Nishina said as she looked at Mutsumi,"I knew it! That stupid broadcast upset Serinuma-san!"

"Is that why you've been down?" Mustsumi asked,"Because you saw Shinomiya's kidnapper...,"

Serinuma jolted with a frighten look, as her eyes flickered up with wide sad eyes,"Y..yes. B...but not only that...," She looked down at her feet as she finally got her thoughts off of her chest as she started to speak out loud.

"The man in the mask...When I saw the image on the news...it triggered a memory even I didn't know I had....," She began," The memory of me trying to open my bedroom door...there was something blocking it at that time. So I manage to push open a gap....that's when I saw...him. I...saw him! The man in the mask! The same person on the news! The man in the mask... held a knife!"

Mutsumi placed a gentle hand on her shoulder as she looked up to him as he said,"That must be an awful thing to see. I'm so sorry you had to endeared that. I will try everything in my power to rid the burden you have to carry. You don't have to do this alone anymore," Mutsumi insured.

He place a hand on her head as he pulled her close. Putting her head on his shoulder to lean on as he told her,"It's okay to lean on one's shoulder from time to time. I can tell you're exhausted. You can always sleep on me for the time being," Mutsumi smiled gently.

Nishina's mouth dropped as her face blushed but out of disbelief.

Serinuma's face turn bright red again. She couldn't control it. He always seems to know what to do at the right time. And yes it had been true, Serinuma had been up for days only getting three hours of sleep every so often. She really wanted to sleep, but going to the beach with the people who cared about her sounded like something she missed.

"So, We'll go to my beach house where we will set up for dinner and then bed. Then all day Saturday, we will be hitting the beach!" Nishina said with excitement.

With a ding at the door, Nanashima and Igarashi walked into the diner with their a bag full of stuff.

"YO!" Nanashima said as he waved at the gang.

As they approach they noticed Serinuma sitting with Mutsumi as she lead to her head on his shoulder.

"Oh...Hello Nanashima and Igarashi," Mutsumi smiled.

"HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA!? TRYING TO SEDUCE SERINUMA!?" Nanashimi exclaimed.

"HUH?" Mutsumi titled his head.

"WHY YOU LITTLE-" Suddenly Nanashima was interrupted by a gentle hand on his should,"Nanashima look at Serinuma," Igarashi whispered as he turned to them.

Serinuma's eyes were half open as she stared down at Mutsumi's plate.

"Is she sleeping with her eyes open?" Nanashima whispered.

"No, I think she's just exhausted," Mutsumi said.

"Hey serinuma? Are you sure you want to still come?" Igarashi asked.

Serinuma pulled her head up weakly as she said,"I really want to spend time with you all...I...I misss that," She said.

"Why don't we just stay the night at Nishima's house for tonight," Igarashi suggested.

"HUH?" Nanashima remarked.

"It's not fair to Serinuma to drag her around when she's about to pass out! Besides we where planning to go to the beach tomorrow anyway. At least we can do is let her sleep," Igarashi said.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Mutsumi said with a smile.

"OKAY!" Nishima said,"I'll sent a car for us!"

"Serinuma you okay with all of this?" Mutsumi asked.

She looked up and blinked tirelessly,"Yeah,"

Maybe that's what I need a goodnight's sleep. With my friends near me.

The limo was sent as Serinuma and all of her friends got it and drove to Nishina's place.

Nishina's place was quite as they pulled up into the driveway. They all got out of the vehicle to enter the back of the luxurious house to open a beautiful sun room with large windows with drapes.

"Oh wow, Nishina. I haven't seen this room," Igarashi said with awe.

"I'm sure there are hundreds of rooms," Nanashima mumbled.

"Let's go to the back room. I recently re did since the last time you all came over," Nishina bragged.

The back room used to be an open room with small book shelf's and some old furniture. But now entering it, it was something out of "A Better Home" magazine.

"Yup, I thought it might have some homey touches," Nishina said.

"So, I'll show you all boys to your bedroom," Nishina said as she waved her hand to 'follow the leader,'.

Serinuma followed slowly and carefully standing behind the rest of them as they made their way to one of the rooms. They all walked inside as Nishina was explaining sleeping arrangements, Serinuma eye's got heavier and heavier. She was dozing off standing up as she closed her eyes then drifted to side to side, and back and forth.

"what do you say, Serinuma? Does that sounds okay," Nishina asked startling Serinuma to focus again.

"hm...ye..yeah...," Serinuma said as her eyes closed as she fell forwards on top of Nishina.

"WWWHHHAAAA!?" Nanashima and Igarashi eyebrow twitched.

"Serinuma!? Nishina blushed as Serinuma's head laid on her chest.

"Serinuma...Are you...?" Mutumi realized she was asleep.

"Hmm, I understand," With a gentle smile Mutsumi said,"Serinuma, needs her rest,"

"Way don't we all just stay in one room?" Igrashi suggested.

"WHAT!?" Nishina exclaimed.

"yeah why not? We all are gonna be sleeping anyway," Nanashima said,"Besides, it'll be just like a slumber-party,"

"UUhhh!?" Nishina's eyes rolled in the back of the head, How dare they...they have some nerve!

"Mmm," Serinuma mumbled as she lifted her head up.

"Hey, Serinuma! You're awake!" Nishina exclaimed as she lean forwards as she tried giving her a hug. But suddenly, Serinuma turned as she stood up ignoring her.

"HUH." Nishina face went blank.

"Serinuma, why don't you lay down and get some...," Igarashi said. But she ignored him as she walked away.

"HUH." They all said as they watched her walked out of the room.

"Hey, Serinuma! Where are you going?" Nishina called as she and the other followed after her.

Still, Serinuma didn't reply instead she took a sloppy careless turn as she wobbled across the main hall.

"Hmm, this feels odd," Igarashi said with a finger on his chin.

"Could she be mad?" Nanashima asked.

"was it something I said?" Nishina feared.

"Perhaps...," Mutsumi muttered,"She's sleeping walking,"

Igarashi, Nanashima and Nishina flickered their eyes as they turn to look at the shrugging Mutsumi,"Just a thought,"

With a gasp, Nishina suddenly then ran down the hallway.

"Nishina?" Nanashima and Igarashi question for her sudden outburst.

I hope I can make it...Please don't tell me she walked down the hall!

Because at the end of the hallway....There is.....A staircase!

Suddenly there was a loud THUD and then a CRASH!

The boys rushed down the hallway to see Nishina and Serinuma at the end of the staircase.

"SERINUMA! NISHINA!" They rushed as they came to their aid. But was stopped to see something unusual.

Nishina was laying on her back as Serinuma straddled on top of her.

"Serinuma?" Nishina asked with concern,"Are you alright, You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

Serinuma's hair was in her face as she bent her knees and stood up unharmed from the fall, she kept walking. It was then even everyone realized she was still asleep!

"WAAAA!? WHO SLEEPS DURING A STAIR FALL!?" Nanashima exclaimed.

"WWWHHAAA?" Nishina remarked, "What should we do? Should we wake her?"

"NO WAY," Mutsumi and Igarashi said on cue.

"Don't you guys know to never wake a sleepwalker?" Igarashi said as he headed to follow Serinuma with a mutter of,"I'll follow Serinuma,"

Mutsumi too then decided to follow. Nanashima frown angry as he too almost took off but suddenly he turn to Nishina instead,"Hey, What's down here? You're basement?"

"Yeah I guess that's what you call it. But even so, it's fix up so there is an entertainment room with a theater plus another three extra bedrooms," Nishina said as she raised her arm to scratched her head.

Nanashima flickered his eyes and with a forceful hand he grasped her arm with a SNATCH!

"HEY!?" Nishina demand,"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

"You're bleeding," Nanashima said with cold eyes.

"huh? Where?" Nishina looked all over her body but still could see where the blood was coming from.

"HEy dont you see!? Look!," Nanashima took her arm again as he drew her bloody hand too her face,"SEE!?"

Nanashima was right, she did have blood on her hand. But it looked as if it was running down her arm rather then coming from it.

Nishima turn her arm around as she saw it coming from her elbow,"Huh that's funny. I can't feel a thing,"

Nanashima saw the open wound on her elbow as he then poked with his finger.

With a jolt sending chills up her body she screamed and with a slap, slapped his hand away with her other good hand,"OOOWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

"I though you said you couldn't feel it," Nanashima said.

"THAT DON'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO POKE IT! BASTARD!" Nishina said.

"Come on, I have to treat you. Where do you keep your medical supplies and first aid," Nanashima asked.

Nishima held her injured arm,"How ridiculous... I don't need to be treated. Go and keep an eye on those two pervs with Serinuma,"

"Huh? Don't be naive...Igarashi and Mutsumi wouldn't dare doing anything reckless in Serinuma's state that she's in," Nanashima said. He then sighed as he pulled out a small roll of bandages.

"You carry that around you all the time?" Nishima said with annoyed eyes.

"No...well....Only because it the was first time I met Serinuma...I was then set to the nurses office too after I...," He shook his head,"Never mind that now, just let me patch it up. You're getting blood everywhere." Nanashima said angrily .

"OKAY OKAY, Geez...," Nishima said with a non pleased expression.

Nanashima carefully wiped off all the blood and cleaned her wounder then banged her arm up.

"There, you're as good as new," Nanashima said with relief.

Nishina sighed,"How embarrassing," She said as she jerked her arm away,"Depending on one of my rivals to help me...," She said coldly.

"WHAT!?" Nanashima was offended,"HEY AT LEAST I-"

Suddenly there was a loud crash in the far room.

"Serinuma!?"

"Hey what's going on!?" Nanashima said as Nishima followed behind him.

In one of Nishina's storage rooms, there was an old china cabinet and old belongs which looked like from the 50's which had been storage in a time capsule. There Serinuma was...

"Stay back!" Igarashi warned Nanashima and Nishina. As he stood tall with his arm out standing his grounds.

What the...? Mutsumi?...Serinuma!?

There, waving a bat in hand Serinuma was sleepwalking as she mumbled and waved the bat around.

Mutsumi on his knees has he held his head in pain.

"MUTSUMI!?" Nishina and Nanashima exclaimed.

Nishina ran to his aid,"Are you okay?"

Mutsumi smiled despite the giant bruised bump on his head,"It's alright. I'm fine."

"like hell!" Nishina and Nanashima said in reaction to his face.

Serinuma wobbled a she mumbled some crap then she raised her bat and yelled,"YOU LEAVE SHINOMIYA ALONE!" Then she ran up to Igarashi with her bat.

With a SNATCH Igarashi grabbed the bat as he place his hand on her shoulder, then girding his teeth said,"Serinuma, Please wake up!" He shouted.

"ZZZZZZ" Serinuma plopped her head down.

"HOW CAN SHE STILL BE SLEEPING!?" Nanashima exclaimed in disbelief.

Suddenly with a swift of a turn, Serinuma was now in Igarashi's arms which annoyed Nishina and angered Nanashima.

"What Serinuma needs now, is sleep." Igarashi said.

Serinuma laid comfortably in a soft memory foam bed staying in her own spare room personally made by Nishina in her mansion.

"you think she'll be okay?" Nishima said in a whisper as she peeked into Serinuma's room.

"Yeah, all she needs is a good nights rest," Mustumi said with a smile.

~***~

It was half pass eight when Serinuma was greeted by the lovely warm rays of sunlight. She sat up and yawned fully rested as she greeted the room,"Good morning!" Then she looked around the unfamiliar room,"EHh....Just where exactly am I?"

As stepped out of the room as walked down the hall she turned to the large living room by the kitchen,"Oh...I'm at Nishina's place,"

Suddenly a door open and Nishina walked out of the room rubbing her eyes,"Oh good morning, Serinuma,"

"Morning!" Serinuma said with a happy expression.

"You sure are in a good mood," Nishina said.

"I feel a lot better that I got a full night's rest," Serinuma said with a smile.

"I'm glad," Nishina smiled gently.

Suddenly down the hall Igarashi stepped out of the spare rooms as he walked to Serinuma and Nishina,"Oh good morning Kae Serinuma!"

Startled she turn with a jump,"Ah!? wh..what is Igarashi doing in Nishina's house!?..and...SHIRTLESS?" Her face turn red.

"AH Go and put a shirt on!" Nishina exclaimed flustered.

"OH well...we stayed the night," Igarashi said with a slight chuckle,"We were all worried about you,"

"We all?" Serinuma questioned when suddenly Nanshima and Mutsumi stepped out of the room rubbing their eyes,"What's all the commotion?"Nanshima asked.

"Wha? All you guys stayed the night!?" Serinuma asked flashed in the face.

"Don't you remember Serinuma? we plan to go to the beach all day today!" Nishina asked.

"Yeah, a day for Serinuma and her friends to relax," Igarashi said with a smile.

Serinuma turned her face from Igarashi, it was difficult to look at him without a shirt.

"Well lets all get dressed pack up our swimwear! We can eat before we leave!" Nishina said.

So they all went back into their rooms and got dressed and brought out their beach bags to the living room as they all gathered around the kitchen,"Let us men cook for the ladies," Mutsumi suggested with a gentle smile.

"Igarashi you can make biscuits, while Nanshima can make the bacon and I'll make the eggs," Mutsumi said.

"Hey don't order me around," Nanshima said.

"Wait, is that what you guys what to eat anyway?" Igarashi asked as he turn to Serinuma.

Her mouth drooled as she imagined eggs, bacon, biscuits and...,"Pancakes. Don't forget Pancakes,"

They chuckled as they began preparing the food.

"While we are waiting, Nishina do you want to watch TV?" Serinuma asked.

Serinuma? You want to watch TV?, Nishina thought to herself. Hmm, maybe its progress, "Sure I don't mind," Nishima turned her boster stool around as she flipped a switch on the remote as the cabinet doors slide open revealing a 32 inch screen.

She flipped threw the channels until one caught her attention.

"...Hayato Shinomiya was last seen with a man police are calling The Mask," The news anchor women paused as an image of Hayato Shinomiya along with a surveillance image of the man in the mask.

Suddenly with a flipped of the switch Nishina turned the T.V off,"Why do they keep broadcasting it," She spat threw her teeth.

"That poor boy," Serinuma began,"I'm sure his family is troubled by it...Nishima...Where you close to Hayato Shinomiya?" She asked in wonder.

Everyone's mouth dropped.

"That names does sound familair...did he go to our school?" Serinuma asked.

"I can't believe it..," Nanashima said in shock.

"You don't remember him?" Nishima asked.

"No," Serinuma said.

They all blinked with shock.

Suddenly the boys along with Nishima all huddled in a circle.

"What should we do?" Nishima asked.

"No this is good," Nanashima said.

"With Serinuma not worrying about Shinomiya she can actually be free from all that burden," He told.

"I hate to say this but I too have to agree," Igarashi said.

"I too," Mutsumi said.

"So just for the day...Let's all just pretend and go along with it," Igarashi said, "Agreed?"

"Agree."

~***~

"WWWOOOOOOOOWWWW!" Serinuma beamed as she stepped onto the sand of the beautiful beach.

The beach was beautiful with a warm breeze as the sun lightly kissed her bright skin. She filled warm and cozy! The sand beneath her feet was not too hot and not to damp as she walked along the sand with her bright blue bikini.

"YEAH! IT'S TIME TO KICK IT BACK!" Kanashima said dropping his swim back holding a beachball.

Nishima was dressed in her school swimsuit holding a floaty tube as she stood with her hand on her hip watching Serinuma,"It's nice to see her smiling for a change."

"I agree," Mutsumi said standing in his red swim shorts.

"well, it's about time to enjoy ourselves," Igarashi said with a smile.

"LAST ONE IN THE WATER IS A ROTTEN EGG!" Igarashi said running dressed in black swim-trunks as he splashed Serinuma with the water.

Serinuma smiled brightly with rosy cheeks as the scene looked like a movie.

"Hey don't hog all the fun!" Nanashima said as he too jumped into the water and splashed lightly at Serinuma.

Serinuma laughed as she too splashed at Nanashima, without a single stressor on her mind. Yes this is good. For Serinuma to relax and perhaps forget all the bad.

_______________________________

heyyyooo kittens! > So I wanted to post this Ive had this up in my drafts forever and I just wanna get this story done! uugghhh! So tried to looking at it. but hopefully you all enjoy reading it. I will post more updates as soon as I can. I just have three stories I have in my head I want to put down so its a bit of bouncing around. So yeah there'll be times were i don't know how to spell so please forgive me! anyway until next time! MEOW!