protector;

                    "T-Thank… Thank you!" And quickly, the child bowed so low that his head nearly touched the floor.

"Be at ease. There is no need to be excited-- in American dollar bills, that only amounts to twenty dollars." And yet, the smiling gleam in the child's eye was something Hiro'omi enjoyed. He leaned down to be face to face with him; knee put to the ground. Fingers curled around the child]s chin, and he pulled his head up physically. "What is your name?"

                 This was obviously pointless. Noi saw how he wouldn’t be able to get anything from this boy, plus he was incredibly scary to the child, so quickly he got up and made to leave; when conflict started, Noi was the first (and fastest) to leave.

"Stop." Hiro'omi says, tugging on the younger's arm. "I may be frightening, but I am not without mercy." Such a waste of life if Noi was to die; he might as well ensure he could eat tonight at least. Hiro'omi reached into his wallet, fishing out a crisp two thousand yen bill. "As soon as you are able to work-- do so. I am sorry that your life has gone down this path."

                  “Let me go, you’re hurting me!”

"Times might be hard on you. But thievery is not the solution." He let go just as Noi was to yank again, so the force of the child would send him backwards, hopefully.  "Do not attempt to steal from me again, or I'll cut off your fingers. Do you understand me, child?"

  "Hiroomi, knock it off!" He exclaimed, fidgeting as the older boy shoved his hands between his underarms. "People are going to start getting the wrong idea if you continue to do this in public! It isn’t cold in here, your hands have no reason to be so icy!"

"There isn't any need to act so rash, Akkey." He didn't move his hands, not one inch. He was warm and comfortable. "You know that I don't view you that way." And now, he was tapping his fingers against his ribcage. 

  "You’re part of the Nase family?" The youmu questioned, sitting down on the railing behind her. One wrong move and she would be falling to the concrete ground below her in a matter of seconds.

"I am. And I would suggest that you refrain from sitting there--" He points towards the railing, rusty and already falling apart. "It's not uncommon for people to hurl themselves from the roof."

                                “No… That’s okay I can’t afford it anyways…” Noi had simply wanted to read it for a second, not actually purchase it. The boy stepped back, giving the stranger enough space to feel comfortable enough to take the book, since Noi knew some might feel awkward in this situation. And now, while the guy is grabbing the book and maybe flipping through it, Noi would reach into the scarf wearing boy’s pocket and take his wallet. 

"Ah.. I thank you, then."  He stepped forward to reach for the book, but noticed Noi's prying hands. He swiftly grabbed at the others wrist, bringing him up to his face, near snarl across his visage. "I suggest that you do not do that, lest you want to lose a hand." 

  "It’s not like I will be of much help. Shouldn’t you be helping too?" Giving off a little smirk without notice the young female began to speak once more. "Why aren’t there many members?" Asking in curiosity she waited for her answer.

"It seems these days that not many people are interested in literature." He props his chin onto his hand, and sighs. "They're all more interested in their blogs, phones, and video games. Such is the way things move."

  His fingers gripped onto the fence as he looked at the sky, another tear falling down his cheek, hearing Hiroomi’s voice. “You know… I don’t need a reminder from you… I know whats going to happen.. I know I’m going to outlive a-all of you… j-just stop reminding me!”

"It's not something you can prevent, Akihito." For some reason, hearing Hiro'omi utter his friends actual name was enough to send chills down anyones spine. "And it most certainly isn't something to sob about." 

  "I’m not sure if you’re completely aware of it yet, but there’s actually a piece of clothing made to suit your needs." Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms. Hopefully, that would prevent any minor inconveniences. "They’re called gloves. You should buy a pair."

"Besides, yours have a certain warmth to them." 

  Tossing some of her lilac locks behind her, the female looked towards him to meet his eyes. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard of me, Spirit Warrior. I’m fairly popular amongst you people.” She informed, frowning softly and looking away again.

"My name is Hiro'omi Nase."

He passed many students, nearly knocking some over as he walked it to the stairs before getting up there, going to the roof.

He sat. He sat and he waited for the return of Akihito. He didn't return for quite some time. He had to manually get up and search for him, finally ending up on the roof. A deep sigh passed between parted tiers, and he rubbed at the skin on the back of his neck. "Akkey."

"We're in desperate need of new members, you see." He starts, flopping his hand lazily. "We need as many people helping us on the magazine as possible." 

  Inhaling sharply, her violet hair shadowed her cerulean orbs as she looked away from him. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken, I could never be one even if I wanted to.” Masumi responded before looking off to the side where the faint sounds of beeping horns could be heard from traffic.

"I see.." He replies, pausing only for a moment. "You don't need to speak of it, if you don't wish to."