After class ended Aren walked out of the gym with his friends. Sal separated to go try out for the archery team. As the group headed for the exit, Aren stopped and looked back.

"I think I'm gonna pass tonight, boys." Aren scratched the back of his head and smiled.

"Aw not you too, Saveli!" one of the guys whined.

"First Tamsin and now you?" another shrugged. "More ladies for us!" The rest of the guys cheered in agreement then marched off. Aren laughed for a bit as a different person approached cautiously.

"You didn't have to do that." a soft masculine voice said with guilt. Aren turned around.

"Nah! It's been awhile since we last hung out, Tori!" Aren gave a cheeky grin. Tori gave a small smile back. "You're more fun than those guys anyway!"

"Th-thanks." Tori blushed lightly. The pair departed the now empty school together. They passed by a park along the way to an arcade. They played there for a while then continued on their way. At the arcade, they played various games while they talked.

"So you really got into a fight with Murasa?" Aren asked. Tori grimaced.

"Yeah, I can't believe that guy." he groaned in response.

"Gah! He's such a dick!" Aren growled. "I'd love to give him a good beating!" he formed his hand into a fist.

"He's actually pretty deft, none of us could even scratch him." Tori sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Seriously?" Aren whipped around with wide eyes. Tori nodded.

"He hurt Kouki and Noriko pretty bad." he shrugged and exhaled deeply again.

"That's unforgivable! What they're doing is outrageous!" Aren buried his face in his hands in frustration. "I can't believe I never knew..."

"I had no idea you were one of us or I'd have told you...I swear." Tori slumped back. "But I'm happy it's you." he turned to face Aren, who's face beamed in response. They played for a bit longer then left to Gentle Leaf Cafe, the tea shop that Syrus and his sister showed them. They talked more over drinks. "How have things been on your end?" Tori looked over concerned.

"I could end world hunger and my parents wouldn't care!" Aren groaned satirically and put his head on the table.

"Oh...sorry." Tori sighed. Aren shook his head.

"Not your fault..." he assured his melancholic friend. "I'm gonna try out for the basketball team tomorrow..." Aren announced. "Whatever Teddy does will probably overshadow it, like always." he let out a long sigh. Tori looked down. Before he had the chance to speak the door opened. Aren and Tori turned to watch none other than Alex and Arlin walk in. "Damn this is bad!" Tori looked over to Aren in a panic. His face contorted with rage. Tori grabbed Aren's arm and pulled him outside. "H-hey!" he growled. Tori held on tightly.

"What do you honestly think you can do here?" Tori reprimanded. "You can't even transform!" Aren reluctantly relaxed. "Just go home for now, we have a long day head of us tomorrow." Tori released Aren's arm and summoned his hammer. Aren looked on in awe.

"O...ok..." he examined it for a bit then walked off. Tori made his way to his aunt's house. The sun was nearly gone by the time he got to the door. He tried his key, it was already unlocked.

"Oh, look who's back from his date!" Zeka mocked as Tori walked in.

"It wasn't a date!" Tori snapped back. Zeka laughed at his reaction.

"You have fun with your little boyfriend?" she continued on.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Tori roared back, his face flushed bright. Sai started walking down the hall toward them.

"Why couldn't you do everyone a favor and stay gone?" Zeka's voice was laden with contempt.

"STOP!" Sai rushed out to them and shoved Zeka away. Her usually calm eyes filled with loathing. Zeka began laughing more.

"No...she's right." Tori lowered his head. "Mom and dad didn't want me...I was only in the way." he uttered in defeat. He pushed passed his sister and rushed down the hall.

"Tori, wait!" Sai called out but he had already reached his room and slammed the door. She swung around to Zeka once more and scowled. "Really?"

"Oh, don't give me that!" she sassed back. "I'm doing him a favor." she asserted and began to walk away. Sai raised a fist in an attempt to strike her cousin but paused then followed after Tori. In his room, Tori had thrown his things to the ground, took off his jacket and sat on his bed. He held his knees to his chest and lowered his forehead onto them. "Why..." Tears began to fill his eyes and streamed down his cheeks. "Eleven years and nothing changes..." After crying for a few minutes, he stopped himself.

"No..." he declared aloud. The faces of everyone flashed in his mind. Smiling, laughing alongside him. Things were changing for him before his eyes without him ever noticing.