A/N: It's here, after nearly four years of writing. Book 3 has finally arrived. I am persistently writing and editing this one, and will make every possible effort to update regularly. After all, you guys deserve it.

Thank you for your continued support.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own CLANNAD. CLANNAD is the property and © 2008 Visual Art's/Key. Names, characters, places, and incidents (hereby referenced in the past tense) are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Please support the actual release.

CLANNAD クラナド

BOOK 3

-Ushio After-

Chapter I

Ushio ran, tripping over her own two feet in her anxiousness to get to class on time. It was her freshman year at Hikarisaka Private High School, and she wanted to make a good impression. She reached the bottom of the cherry blossom where her parents first met, and ran out of breath. Ushio stood there, bent over, gasping violently, clutching her chest. She was not made for such strenuous activity. A cool breeze wafted by, blowing the cherry blossoms around, creating a slight fantasy effect. The girl enjoyed it, but cried out when the wind blew harder. Ushio ran up the hill, suddenly remembering the opening ceremony.

Can't be late! Can't be late! Ushio thought frantically. Finally, she saw the school gates, and excitement coursed through her. Suddenly, she collided with a large something and was on the ground. She whimpered in pain as a sharp stinging sensation coursed down her spine. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, willing herself not to cry, and when she opened them, a hand was before her. Ushio stared at it, momentarily struck dumb, and allowed her eyes to travel up to the owner of the hand.

The boy had deep blue hair, fringed with black, with eyes that were just as blue. He was also very tall. Ushio guessed maybe 5'9. He reminded Ushio of her father, or Uncle Yoshino. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Well, are you going to take my hand, or sit there all day?" he asked.

Ushio let loose a tiny gasp and accepted his hand. She picked up her bag and stared at the ground, quietly thanking the tall boy.

"No problem. My name is Hajime. Hajime Kuromaki, but my friends call me Hime for short. What's yours?" he spouted.

This sudden show of attention was slightly frightening for Ushio. Her face burned red and she fidgeted, unsure of what to say. She opened her mouth, only to have a squeak escape. She immediately slapped a hand over it, and grew an even redder shade, if that was possible. Hajime laughed and placed a hand on Ushio's head, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut.

"You're pretty cute, you know that?"

Ushio looked at the ground, deeply embarrassed as Hajime sniggered. He looked over to the school entrance, where hundreds of students milled about and once again turned his attention to the silent girl.

"You don't have to tell me your name yet, but we should get to class, you know!"

Ushio nodded, playing with the straps on her school bad. Hajime noticed.

"Would you like me to carry that for you?" he asked. He took the bag, not waiting for a response. "What class are you in?" he asked as they walked down the path to the school.

"1-D," Ushio said quietly. Hajime swung Ushio's bag over his shoulder with ease.

"You a freshman?"

Ushio nodded, still freaked out by this show of attention. Hajime looked down at Ushio.

"I see. I'm a junior. Let me tell you, high school isn't going to be easy! Some of the seniors and juniors, and maybe even a few sophomores, are probably gonna pull some pranks on you."

Ushio nodded. She already knew this. Her dad and Uncle Sunohara did that all the time when they were in school.

"You still haven't told me your name yet, Little Miss Nameless," Hajime said. By now, they were in the entrance hall of the school. Ushio stopped. Hajime stopped as well.

"U-Ushio… Okazaki," she whispered. Surprise was etched on Hajime's face.

"Okazaki? Are you… Tomoya Okazaki's daughter?" he said, now standing in front of Ushio. Ushio nodded, too afraid to say anything else.

"Well, well," Hajime said, hands on his hips.

Ushio looked up at him, confused. Hajime grinned.

"Let me show you something!" he said, grabbing Ushio's hand.

"Uwa!"

Hajime laughed as he dragged Ushio down the hall.

"Ha! You even sound cute!"

Ushio's face burned. They soon reached their destination. There were pictures of past students on the wall. Ushio stared in awe at them.

"This is the Room of Notables. The staff frame pictures of students who performed noteworthy or spectacular feats of courage and service to the school and community, and place them here."

Ushio stared. There were photographs of past student presidents, club leaders, team captains, class representatives, and more. Hajime pulled Ushio down the room a bit and pointed at a particular photograph above them.

"Tomoya Okazaki. He's your father, isn't he? You have his eyes."

Ushio stared at the large photo of her father as a student. He wasn't smiling. Of course, Ushio knew why; he had gone through so much suffering when he was her age. She stared at his half-lidded eyes. They were full of pain, anger, regret, and strangely, hope. She was enthralled. She nodded and touched the picture.

"Apparently he challenged every sports team on campus, and won every match, all with a bum shoulder, too. The man's a legend here on campus among the sports clubs."

That's my Daddy, Ushio thought, pride swelling inside for her father. Hajime put a hand on Ushio's shoulder, breaking her out of her reverie.

"Anyway, we better get to class. Just thought you might be interested."

Ushio nodded and followed Hajime out of the room. Hajime dropped her off at 1-D and headed for his own class.

This year be interesting, Ushio thought, and smiled.

A/N: That was Chapter I. I hope you enjoyed it. Also, please inform me if you like Hajime, or if he needs adjustment as a character. The last thing I want is to make a potential Gary Stu/Mary Sue character.