Over the next few days, Oni and I became even closer as I struggled to find myself. In the process, she began to develop her own personality. She and Ran came over often, and we all spent time trying to coax new words out of her. She stayed with Ran in his new house because he blurted out in embarrassment that he was her food. Ran liked his new house, and I liked that I didn't have to hear him "feeding" her.

Oni obviously wanted him as much as he wanted her. They held hands ...