"Misakichi! Your grades are excellent!" a gleeful Tamayo looked at Misaki's grades in awe. "Sugoi!" Misaki Suzuhara blushed at Tamayo's comment.

"A...Ano...They're not all that great Tamayo-chan," she said. Somehow she had pulled off straight A+, with the exception of physical education which she had gotten an A-. It was simpley a miracle. She had even recieved a full scholarship to any high school of her choice.

Tamayo and Koutarous grades however weren't as good. Ever since the last semester of eighth grade had begun they slacked off without any worries. Now they regretted it, and were amazed by Misaki's excellent grades.

"Honto!" Misaki continued, "Your grades aren't that bad either." The two had managed C minuses in all subjects. Koutarou unfortunately recieved a D in arithmatic. Misaki knew har statement was anything but true. She just had said it to comfort her friends.

School had finally come to an end and the summer yet again began as quickly as it had left. The trio clammered and gossiped as always, but this time it felt different. It would be their last. No more were they junior high school students. It would be their last to walk together as a group on this path. Misaki would be going to another school. Koutarou and Tamayo were left with their humble selves.

"Well then,"Koutarou declared as they had finally reached the fork in the road, "Hope to see you sometime this summer Misaki." She smiled and knodded back as Tamayo clasped Koutarou's hand. Her smile grew more as she saw the two. She was happy for them that, and that they had each other.

But they had left her alone...in the sweltering heat. Her body was already worn from the "end-of-the-year" festivities. She wiped her brow with a Pifle Princess kerchief. Shouko-san's apartment was still a long way to go. It was and eight block walk from where she standing. The more Misaki thought of the pounding sun the more tired she felt; the lesser strength she had to carry on. She didn't exactly have the best stamina in all of Tokyo.

Thirsty and worn she found a near by bench to rest. Her head hung low to get the sun out of her eyes, and wiped her brow yet again. It's really hot, she thought. Misaki had the urge to get out of her warm uniform and find something more summer appropriate. No. All she wanted was some water.

"Misaki?" a concerned voice asked.

Her head shot upward. "Hai!" her heat confused mind blurted out, "OHJIROU-SAN!" He stuck out his hand, "Come."

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After making their way down the black pavement they settled themselves at a small fast food resturant.

"Arigato gozaimasu Ohjirou-san," she said contently as she sipped on her soft drink, "I owe you a lot."

He smiled sincerely once again and said, "I wasn't sure if you would like this place. It doesn't have a very nice setting." Ohjirou was right about that. The resturant wasn't sanitary, or at least didn't look like it. Dust a cumulated the air conditioners. Bits of paper napkins and straw wrappers were sprinkled on the floor. The employees were missing hair nets, and by the looks of their greasy hair, they hadn't showered much. Misaki had to admit it was probably the most digusting place her young eyes have ever seen.

But her responce said different, "Iie! It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"I am glad," a bell of relief rang in his voice.

Her mind eventually ran off somewhere. Her eyes gazed out the window watching the cars pass by. The horrible scent of burned fast food filled her lungs, but she never really seemed to mind. Her face straight and serious. Ohjirou grew with worry.

"Misaki?" he asked gently.

"Mm?"

"Daijoubu? You seem a bit distracted."

Misaki suddenly realized she was paying no heed to what Ohjirou was saying, "Gomen!" He smiled and let out a small laugh. "Nani?" Misaki asked confused. He laughed once again.

"Sorry if you felt insulted," he said, "I didn't mean to laugh." She smile understandingly and forgivingly. And once again silence touched their mouths. This was very unusual for the two seeing as they could never stop talking about something. But now, they hardly knew what to say. Something held them back from asking anything.

"Misaki," Ohjirou interupted Misaki thoughts, "Is there something wrong?" She shook her head, and gave him a false smile. But he knew better. His gaze seemed to pierce through her layer of contentment. He had seen right through her, and she knew that. Even though she didn't want to believe it.

"It's a about kaa-san," she admitted as she began to play nervously with her straw.

"Mmhm."

But Misaki couldn't continue. Instead she waved the thought away and said, "Nevermind." She didn't want to tell him. Somehow she couldn't.

"I want to know," his azure eyes flashed at her. She looked down at her lap and blushed with fury, "I'm sure Icchan-san has told you."

"Well, actually he hasn't talk to me since I arrived in Tokyo," he sat back in his chair, "He's been too busy, but I take it Shuuko-san isn't doing well."

"Hai," she whispered.

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Okaasan, Misaki thought not paying any attention to the television screen. Okaasan, what do I do?, her mind pleaded. She didn't want to waste her scholarship, but she was afraid of something else. Something only kamisamma knew. What if...no, she quickly dismissed the thought from head. She refused to think it. She refused to believe that such a thing could ever happen.

The phone rang. Misaki stood up from the couch to get it.

"Iie Misaki," Shouko appeared from the hallway, "I'll get it."

"Moshi Moshi," she said.

"Suzuhara-sama?" a voice said.

She smiled and said, "It's Shouko-san, Ohjirou. SH-OU-KO."

"Gome ni," he said. "I called ask if Misaki can join me tomorrow...for ramen and to practice."

Such a polite boy, she thought, "You mean like on a date?"

He laughed, "If you wish to call it that."

"Let me ask," she said. "Misaki! Ohjirou-san would like to ask you on a date." Ohjirou was taken aback.

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Let's just leave it at that shall we? Sorry if it's not well written. It's very intimidating if you real one of Kaji Hikage's fanfictions and then decide to write your own. I'M NOT WORTHY!!!!

Fanfiction was inspired by Misaki's character song FLY YOUR SKY.

So your wondering what's up with Misaki? You'll see in the next chapter. Till then Ja!

-Tsukiyama Umari