Hey guys. Review per chap, please. If you don't review, I won't finish the story. Ok? :]

`Love, Trixie.

---

The doors to the greenhouse opened, but she didn't notice. Even as the six students went in through the doors, she continued looking up, unconsciously staring into space.

The others didn't want to approach her yet—maybe she had a problem, and they decided to give her space for now. Hikari would talk to her later.

Tadashi walked across the greenhouse and approached the lying figure on the sofa, noting that her eyes were open but she didn't seem to be looking anywhere in particular; spacing out was a better statement for it.

Wanting the heavy atmosphere to be lifted and to get Akira like she usually was, Tadashi said rather loudly, melting it with much sarcasm, "Hey, Akira, you do know that we have nothing to eat, right?" He closed his eyes, expecting a blow from her, but when she didn't, he opened them to stare at her. Her eyes blinked, adjusting to the light, as if she had just woken up. Man, he thought, whatever's wrong must be really bad if she continues spacing out like this.

She sat up and saw Tadashi standing there, realizing that he was probably speaking to her. "Uh, come again?"

"I said we have nothing to eat." Now that she was listening, she would hit him, right? Right?

Well, he was wrong.

"Yeah.." she said, standing up. "Thanks for reminding me, Tadashi. Tell the others I'm sorry for my tardiness." She got off the couch and made her way to the kitchen. Her attitude surprised him—she hadn't hit him or got annoyed with him once. And she was all about formality now.

Tadashi made his way to the table, where the other members of the SA were gathered.

"Did you talk to her?" Hikari's voice boomed over the awkward silence.

"Yeah, I did."

"And..?" Jun asked.

Tadashi sighed. "She seems out of it today. Anyway, she told me to tell you guys that she's sorry for her 'tardiness'." The emphasis in the word was clearly acknowledged by every one of them.

"She said that? 'Tardiness'?"

"Yeah, she pretty much did," he said, taking a seat opposite the empty seat where Akira usually sat. He sighed again, not looking at the faces staring intently at him now. He knew that they were just really concerned about Akira—he knew he was too.

What was wrong with her? Was she having problems? And why was she not telling anyone?

Maybe it's because she doesn't want to worry you guys about it, his mind told him.

Then he thought, Wait, how can my mind asking the question be different from my mind answering the question? He knew he should be thinking about Akira right now, and he knew the thought was completely and utterly random, but still, you know. He wanted to know.

Maybe those two voices are the same, it replied to him.

Am I smart enough to answer my own questions? He queried.

Yes, you are, it responded. The answers are right in front of you, waiting to be discovered.

Wait—what is that supposed to—

They are simple truths that you yourself are not sure of, but somehow, a part of you is saying it is true. You answered your disbelief to the voice telling you those facts, and for that, it is stored behind, forgotten, and when you need it, you just might realize it too late.

I really don't underst-

It cut him off again. You will. Think hard.

Heyy! He called. I'm not done talking to you! His thoughts screamed as the voice faded away.

He was about to scream another retort to the voice in his mind—who was probably him, anyway—when the smell of sweet pastries fluttered to him.

He looked up to it, seeing Akira approaching them, carrying a tray full of newly baked and fresh pastries. She distributed, leaving Hikari for last. When she put down her friend's food, she put a bit more and said, "Gomen, Hikari. Please forgive me for how I acted earlier," she said, bowing her head down.

"Don't worry about it, Akira." Hikari said, and as she lifted her head, she was greeted by the girl's usual smile and cheeriness. "And if anything's the matter, remember, you always have us," Hikari added.

Akira looked around at the faces smiling up at her in this room. It's good to know there's still a little bit of happiness for me in this world, she thought as she smiled back at the people around, the ones she can really call her friends.

---

Is it ok? :] Remember what I said about reviews! :]