a feeling that this won't be the last time that he'll be patching her up though. >_> Kids these days.

seated in the passenger seat, staring silently at the passing scenery outside. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, but...

Dr. Shamal, how did you and Kaoko-san meet?

Hrm? Ah...

a cigarette clenched between his teeth as he drives.

Mission. It so happened that we were both chasing the same mark.

I found her hot. She thought I was stupid.

chuckles. He remembers that day well.

smiles. She wasn't surprised. Kaoko was still a very attractive woman. "What happened? Who got to the mark first?"

Technically speaking, she did. She wouldn't have been able to without a little push from my end, though.

... and thus, the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Sort of. I still don't know how we managed to become friends in the first place~

Kaoko's a lone wolf through and through.

Mm... but she's minding Kyouya-san on her own. Did she take care of him ever since he was a child?

Yep. I knew her before she got saddled with that skylark.

He must've been six or so when he came to live with her, give or take a year.

... not *that* young at all. I wonder what happened to his parents...

Why don't you ask him? Or Kaoko, for that matter~

... I don't know if I should... right now. Maybe in a later time. I certainly can't ask Kyouya-san yet, I think...

Hou. Why not?

shrugs. She thinks asking that would be too... forward of her .__.

... o_O

You should ask. If Hibaris are anything beyond batshit crazy, they're blunt.

... not *that* crazy, maybe ^^ But okay... I'll try..