"Uhm guys?" Karin raised her hand as if she was in class.

"Karin, you don't have to raise your hand here. It's the field. We are all equals here." Yamato said with his usual smile.

"Y-yeah I know, but I didn't want to interrupt anyone." Karin fumbled with the end of her braid.

"Well, what is it Karin?" Hercules asked.

"Well since its Taka-kun's birthday soon, I thought we should have a surprise birthday party for him."

"What a wonderful idea!" Yamato exclaimed. "Alright, you just go on ahead and plan it Karin."

"Eh? B-but I can't…"

"Nonsense, Karin. I know you'll be the one most fitted for the job." Yamato beamed.

Karin sighed. Oh like usual, it is impossible to argue with this person.

"Ah Taka is here. Everyone act normal!" Achilles said and started and innocent whistle, which just had the total opposite effect.

"What's going on?" Taka asked curiously.

"Uh... w-well, you s-s-see. Uh… I mean." Karin tried, but she was just as unsuccessful as Achilles.

"Ah Taka. Well it was going to be a surprise, but now you are here I might just as well say it." Yamato came to the rescue. "We were going to measure our bench press again." Yamato being Yamato, made it sound like it was a big deal and luckily Taka somehow bought it.

They measured their bench press (which was no different from last, since it was only two weeks ago) and then went on with their regular training.

Oh man, I have to put together a surprise birthday party for Taka-kun, Karin thought while changing, what should I do? Well first of there is the guests. Who should I invite? Of course, Teikoku's first string. Maybe team Japan as well. And then there is food and drinks. I don't have money for all that. I guess I'll just ask everyone to give something, then. She picked up her bag and left the locker room. Ah it's going to be a big party then. Karin smiled. He deserves it.

"Uh excuse me, Yamato?" Karin caught him at the school gate.

"Ah Karin. Yes how may I help?"

"Well, uh. You see, I thought of inviting Teikoku and team Japan for the party…"

"Woaw, it's going to be a lot of people then." Yamato smiled.

"Yeah that's my point. What about food and drinks then?" Karin asked nervously.

"It will be alright. I will take care of the drinks and then you can ask the Anesaki and Suzuna on Deimon to help you bake something." Yamato said and winked. "If I remember correctly, your grades in household are quite high."

"Ah. Well yes. But I'm just as good as anyone else."

"Oh you're too modest Karin. Anyway, I have to go now. Do your best." Yamato said.

"I'll try." Karin said. Well, we don't have any cake books at home, so I'm going to have to buy one. Oh and I'm out of green and black inc pens as well. Karin thought and started to walk downtown.

"Karin, wait up." Someone called behind her.

"Ah Taka-kun. Hello" She said and bowed.

"Are you headed downtown?" He asked, all too used to her modesty.

"Y-yes. I need to buy some new pens, you see."

"I see. Do you mind if we walk together. I ordered this book that just arrived." He said.

"Sure." She stammered. Well I guess I can buy the cake book later then.

There wasn't much conversation. Karin asked how his classes had been today and he replied. Several times he made as if he were to say something, but it just ended in a sigh. Karin felt uncomfortable in the awkward silence and tried to make another conversation.

"Uh… What kind of book is it Taka-kun?" She asked.

"It's a novel called Norwegian Wood." He said and added when he saw that Karin had no idea of what he was talking about. "Murakami Haruki wrote it."

"Oh I heard about him. Is it any good?" She asked.

"You can borrow it when I'm done with it, if you like." Taka said.

"I would like that. Thank you." Karin smiled and Taka smiled back.

They went in the book store and Karin got her pens and Taka his book.

"Alright, see you tomorrow Taka-kun." Karin said and started to walk. If he leaves now, I can pretend to leave and then return to buy the book. But Taka followed her.

"Taka-kun? Uh what are you doing?"

"I live in this direction." He said.

"I-is that so?"

"Do you as well?" He asked.

"Uh… yes… That's why I went this way."

"I see." He said and looked down. "Then we can walk home together."

"Y-yeah." Karin said.

They walked in silence again. Aah, I have to start a conversation or something. This is so awkward. Oh I just remembered. I have to get a present for Taka-kun as well. But I don't know what he wants. Alright, what are Taka-kun's hobbies? Karin thought for a moment. Hyaa, I don't know his hobbies. How do I ask without him knowing that it's for his birthday present?

"Uh Taka-kun… uh… what other things than reading do you like to do in your free time?" She asked. He looked at her a little puzzled over the question.

"I enjoy relaxing and reading." He said. "Oh and music."

"Really? What kind of music?"

"Hmm… I don't really have that many preferences. If it sounds good, then I like it."

"Do you like classical music then?"

"Yes…" Taka hesitated a bit. "Especially piano."

"Really? Me too. Well I guess that is why I play the piano." Karin giggled. Eh? Wait a minute, she looked at him. Did Taka-kun just blush?

"This is my house." He said and pointed at a huge house. She walked by there every day, but she had never known that Taka-kun lived there. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See you." Karin stood for a while, but then she noticed that she was staring at the door where Taka had gone in. Oh shoot. It's rude to stare, she reminded herself and walked home.

She went in her bedroom and took her phone and texted Mamori:

Hello Anezaki-san. This is Koizumi Karin from Teikoku. We are going to have a surprise birthday party for Taka-kun. And I'm in charge of planning it and I was wondering if you could tell team Japan about it. I will tell you when and where when I know myself.

A few minutes later she got the reply.

Hi Karin-san. Of course I will tell them. Is there anything we should bring?

No. Well… I was wondering if you and Suzuna-san could help me with the food. I know that the distance will be a problem. But if you could just come the evening before the party, then we can work something out.

No problem. Though I have to ask Suzuna-chan first is she is available. I'll tell you when I know more.

Thank you very much.

Karin did her homework and then sat down at the piano to practice. After a while she went to her desk and took out a notebook and wrote something down, played a bit on the piano and wrote again. This continued for a while, until she got a text message and almost got a heart attack.

Suzuna-chan is available as well. Do you know anywhere we can stay for the night in Osaka?

Yes, you can stay at my place. That is the least I can do ask thanks.

Oh that would be great. Thank you Karin-chan.

You are very welcome.

She continued the writing and playing for a while, before she went to bed.