Chahiro sat on the park bench fidgeting nervously. He knew Linda wouldn't be long but every minute passed by so incredibly slow. Chahiro saw people as they walked by, their thoughts playing out in his head. Every one of they reeling back, immediately identifying him as a boy in drag. Their thoughts always went to some crude perversion, labeling Chahiro as a freak. He knew any one of them could suddenly reel their hand back and beat him for what he was.

He shook his head and closed his eyes tight. He knew it was simple paranoia talking, but it still bothered him. He knew he shouldn't think that way, but him mind always seemed to go there every time he was outside. He wanted to be comfortable like this so badly! But now people were looking at him for his stupid inner conflict; a stupid, little kid in drag with his eyes closed tight and arguing with himself. It kept getting worse and worse! But it wouldn't get any better until he pulled himself out of it.

Chahiro forced his eyes open and saw a beautiful catgirl just down the sidewalk. He tried to look away but he couldn't help but glance at her from the corner of his eyes. She really was pretty! She turned and Chahiro's eyes shot to the ground but it was too late. She must have seen him because she started to walk over. Chahiro cursed himself for losing control and looking at her like that.

"Excuse me but are you Chahiro?"

Chahiro jumped with surprised. When he looked up, the catgirl was standing right in front of him. He could only manage a sheepish, "Yes."

"Cool! I'm Mia, Linda's friend. She's told me a lot about you."

"She... she has?" Chahiro had never heard about Mia.

"Oh, but this means I ruined her surprise! Linda was going to introduce the two of us today. Oh well, we can still act surprised, right," Mia said with a wink.

Chahiro smiled. "Yeah."

"How about this? You and I can go find her together. She has to be around here somewhere."

"Oh!" Chahiro said as he hopped up. "She has to be here. Linda is almost never late."

Mia nodded and began to lead the way. Chahiro quickly caught up to her. He couldn't help fidgeting with his skirt. He could only imagine what she thought of this boy she'd heard of who ran around in skirts. Mia looked back and saw him fidgeting and practically read his mind.

"You know, Linda told me a lot but she didn't tell me just how pretty you look."

"R-really?" Chahiro blushed, clutching the skirt.

"Yeah. I swear, when I first saw you, I swore you were a pretty, little girl."

"Thank you. You're very pretty too," Chahiro said, looking away while trying to hold back a silly grin.

Chahiro nearly jumped again when he felt Mia's hand on his head as she scritched his hair softly. "You're a cute kid."

Chahiro looked back at her and smiled. "Thank you."

Mia smiled back radiantly, "There we are! A smile! I knew you had one in you."

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Poor Chahiro. He's a very troubled boy, but it seems he's developed a new crush. Of coarse, one must ask how things will go when Chahiro finds out that Mia and Linda are already 'special friends.' Drama ensues! I love Seraph's Neighborhood.

-TB