Onoki grumbled to himself as he sat down. This was great, he was hoping to get at least SOME time alone with Ryomo... this kid was definitely going to cut into some quality time. He cuddled his bag to his chest and sighed. The girl was trying really hard to make them get along so he may as well try.

He nodded as she told him about her hometown in the mountains... sounded peaceful. He was a little envious of that.

"Ten years? You guys go to school together or something?" he asked, brushing back a few loose strands of hair that fell into his eyes. Then it suddenly hit him about what was odd about Ryomo's story! "Wait a minute, you can't swim Ryomo?"

Ryomo turned away flustered and a bit upset.
"Yeah! So what of it? A lot of people can't swim." She folded her arms. "I can move water, what do I need to learn how to swim for?"

She tried to hide her face as best as she could. She knew she was blushing in embarrassment. 'You would think as brown as I am, it wouldn't show.' she thought angrily to herself.

[ Edited Jul 14, 2012 ]

Onoki grinned. She was even cuter when she blushed! He could almost feel the lightbulb going on in his head.

"Heeey! I can teach you! I was pretty good at swimming before I moved!" he was almost jumping with glee. Bikini time! Yeah!

"Hmph. I'll consider it." She replied while avoiding eye contact. "Anyways, how long 'till we get there?" she asked quickly.
At this point, any topic that didn't revolve around her was fine. She hated being the center of attention.

"No... I met her when she was five... I can tell you, but..." he said, confused at why Okoni may not like him.

As for Hotaru, she was feeling weaker. She could tell because she wasn't being bouncy. Ryuu looked at her. He tilted his head, confused. She looked slightly paler than she usually was...

Ryomo noticed Ryuu's concerned look.
"Hotaru, are you ok? Is it motion sickness? I get like that too sometimes. You look a little...off." She said.

"I'm fine," she said. Ryuu shrugged. He took out an apple and ate it. The train suddenly bucked and came to a stop. Hotaru jumped up, senses fully aware. Ryuu shook his head. "Hotaru, if anyone goes, it shouldn't be you." he said. Hotaru slumped back into her seat and blew hair off of her face.

"You want something to eat, Taru?" Onoki questioned, noticing that she indeed did look a little pale. "I brought heaps of food if you want some."

He rummaged around through his bag and fished out a chocolate bar which he started to much on. He noticed the landscape outside changing from forest to mountains.

"We must almost be there by now."

You would think someone threw gold in front of her, the way her face lit up when she heard the chocolate wrapper.

"You wouldn't happen to have more candy, would you?!" she asked as she clasped her hands together and stared Onoki dead in the eye.

She was a sucker for candy. Sweet, sour, she didnt care. Hell, she'd probably go with strangers if they offered and she felt she could defend herself if needed.

[ Edited Jul 16, 2012 ]

Ryuu scratched his head. "I heard that there was a doctor in the place we're going. Completely free. What's more, I heard she was really good." he said. Hotaru noticed there were people pointing at her and giggling, and she blushed, embarrased.

~time skip~
Ryuu was carrying Hotaru on his back, since she had taken a nap. Hotaru woke up, just in time. "We're here, at the clinic of Ao!" he said.