The last time they had seen each other, Fuu and Ferio didn't parted on good terms. It wasn't because they had a fight or something... no, wait, they did fight, but it wasn't like the classic lovers' quarrels, with dishes flying around and stuff: she was simply too quiet to get angry at all, and even if he was a bit hot tempered, he didn't like to be in contrast with people in general. Nonetheless, that time it happened and almost a month and a half had passed without them making up. And now Fuu was waiting for the next week-end to go to Cephiro and try, once again, to make Ferio understand why she wanted to wait after college to move in the other world and spend the rest of her days with her beloved Prince.

With a sigh, Fuu thought back to all that had happened in those six weeks and that prevented her to go to Cephiro: first, there were the end-of-term's exams -and she wanted to get back in first place- and then there was her pregnant sister, whose husband had to leave for an oversea business trip two weeks before the due date. The exams went exactly as she had planned, as for Kuu... her baby had to be evicted, to use Mrs. Houojii's words. And now, there was nothing more between her and Ferio, unless an astronomical conjuncture caused some last-minute trouble.

"A penny for your thoughts." Fuu rose her eyes on her classmate, who was sitting nonchalantly on the Wind Knight's desk: Hoshiko was -before meeting Hikaru and Umi, of course- one of her closest friend and they had known each other since kindergarten. The girl put a curl of her chestnut, long hair behind her ear and added: "It can't be Kuu, since she gave birth last week-end."

"Actually, Asa-chan is born on Monday's early morning. But yes, you can say it was on the week-end, since Onee-san spent the whole Saturday and Sunday in labour..."

"Ah, no! I didn't ask for such details and you, don't change the topic!" Hoshiko interrupted her, then she leaned toward her and whispered: "Is it about that boyfriend of yours?"

Fuu almost fell from her chair. "Boy what?" Then she looked around, to check if anybody was paying attention to them, and hissed: "How do you..."

"You know, ma'dear, I've got quite a good earring..."

Flashback

"Houojii-san?"

Fuu turned her head, just to meet the Bridge Club president. "Hello, Inoue-san, if it's about you club's budget, it'll be..."

"It's... it's not about that." The boy blushed slightly, scratching his cheek. "I've... I've got tickets for Sunday's Liszt concert, and I was wondering if you would like to come."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not free this week end. However, I think there are a couple of people interested in it, at the Music Club, aren't they, Hoshiko-san?" she ended, turning toward her classmate, whom nodded.

"A-actually," he persisted, placing himself in front of her, his face turning a deeper shade of red. "Actually I... I like you and... I would like you to be my girlfriend" He stammered, then added, more to himself: " Damn, I really suck at confessions..."

Hoshiko grinned, looking at Fuu's flustered face, waiting eagerly for her reply.

"Oh-uhm... I... am sorry, but I'vegotsomeone - I'vegottostudy a lot if I want to get into my first-choice university..."

End Flashback

"... and then you left without giving me any explanation!"

The Magic Knight of Wind looked as if she would bury herself deep into the ground: for three years she had been able to kept her relationship with Ferio a secret, and now she wondered if Hoshiko had tracked Hikaru down for information. "Please, tell me you kept it for yourself!"

"As silent as the grave. For the moment." She grinned. "Do you imagine what a scoop it would be for the school's newspaper? I wanted to hear every single detail from you yourself first." Fuu sighed in half relief. "Sooo, tell me, ma'dear, do I know him? Is him from our school or not? How did you meet? But most of all, what kind of boy is he? The problem I have with you, Fuu-chan, is that I cannot imagine anyone at your side: is he brainy? Sporty? I hope not an otaku or a visual key fan!"

Fuu felt outraged and was ready to reply with a sound "No!", when the door opened: as quick as lightning, all the students who where out of place went back at their respective desks, and greeted their home room teacher, followed by the headmaster himself and what looked to be a transferee student. Curiosity swelled up among the students, none of them heard about a new classmate in the previous days: Hoshiko glanced at Fuu – after all her mother was one of their school's most known teacher – only to get the most puzzled expression as a reply to her silent question. The headmaster cleared his throat and exchanged a look with the teacher, as to ask her who of them should talk first.

" I know this is sudden and that you may be confused, " started the teacher, «but today, our class was assigned a transferee student, so I would like you to welcome... " she hesitated, looking at the man and the boy on her left, and then her voice got on a slightly higher tone. " I would like you to welcome Prince Ferio Xepphirine. "

A murmur rose in the class. Fuu just wanted to dig herself a nice, deep hole: what was Ferio planning by coming on Earth? But most of all, would he act with her exactly as in Cephiro? Not that she minded, it's just that it would make things difficult with her family and friends.

" His Highness, " resumed the headmaster, " is come in Japan to learn as much as possible from our society: his homeland, Cephiro, has opened up only recently to foreigners and he wishes to use his time here to improve his country condition. Our school has the honour to have been asked to help him, so we want all of you help him learn from our scholar system. "

Most of them -especially the girls- replied with a warm yes.

" Well, I'm glad to hear that. " ended the teacher. " Oh, and would you like to be Prince Ferio's guide, Kisaragi-san? "

Hoshiko stood up, a wide grin on her face. " Of course, madam! "

" I meant your brother: after all he's the class representative. "

" Nii-chan's still at the hospital and he won't be dismissed before the next week, so... I could take his place until he's back. "

Fuu felt a pang of sudden jealousy: she hadn't missed Hoshiko's expression during the whole time and, if she did knew her friend as much as she thought, the Wind Knight felt she was intrigued by that charming, foreign prince. A shame, she didn't wanted them to be rivals – especially since she knew it was a lost battle for Hoshiko.

" I don't think it would be a good idea, but I'd appreciate if you would warn your brother, " replied the teacher with a sigh. " In the meantime, would you take Kisaragi-san's stead, Houoji-san? After all, you're in the student council. "

Fuu opened her mouth to reply, then closed it and whispered a weak yes madam.

The headmaster left, leaving the teacher in charge of Ferio:she told him were his desk was and, as he passed by her, Ferio smiled at Fuu and said, kissing her hand: " If i do recall well, in such circumstances here in Japan someone uses to say: please, take care of me. "

I had this idea turning in my mind for a long time, and I hope His Cuteness will allow enough time to continue it! XD