GAH! Thank you all so much for the feedback! And thanks to all of those who wished me for my birthday! I know I said I'd put up two chapters at once, but I'm sick! Believe it or not, with a terrible sinus and itchy throat, so I can't stay in front of the computer for long periods of time, it causes a LOT of strain on the eyes.

=(

But nevertheless, here's the next installment, hope you like.

Shouko's heart was still feeling like a helium-filled balloon when she went to school the next Monday morning. Who would have thought that riding on the back of a Kawasaki would have improved her self confidence? She felt completely in control of herself, as though nothing could go wrong today. As she walked back to class after the lunch bell rang, she caught sight of Kazuki who was apparently talking to himself and making odd gestures with his hands. Feeling confident, she walked up to him.

"Good afternoon Hihara senpai."

Startled, Kazuki jumped at her voice, a characteristic which was usually associated with her. But Kazuki had a very good reason to be jumpy. How was it that she had just popped up when he had been looking for her all of lunch break? Haruki was acting very strangely since White Day. He knew his brother's university was always involved with some sort of social service or the other, but this one was just plain random and weird:

Adopt A Sibling.

Who would want to 'adopt' a sibling for a few weeks when they had their own kin at home? Yet that was exactly what Haruki had told him. He recalled the conversation he had with his brother on Saturday.

"Yo, Kazuki, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What?"

"Does that shy girl have any siblings?"

"Shy girl?"

"You know, the one that was with Hino san."

"Oh, Fuyumi chan? No, I don't think she does. Why?"

"There's this thing at my college where I can get extra credit by spending time with a younger student. It's called our "Adopt a Sibling' program."

"Why can't you just pick me? We spend all our time together anyway."

"That, would be cheating little bro. Just ask that girl if she's willing to have me as an older brother for a few weeks."

"But…but…"

"Kazuki, you owe me, especially after the fiasco with Hino."

"But why her?"

"She seems like the sort who doesn't get out much. I want to see if I can force her out of the nest."

"Fine. I'll ask her."

"Good boy."

Now, as Kazuki recollected the event, he wondered if he was just going to make himself look like an idiot by asking Fuyumi if she wanted to hang out with his older brother for a few weeks.

"Are…you all right, Hihara senpai?" Shouko asked uncertainly, wondering if she had done a mistake in approaching him.

"Yeah! Yeah, I'm good, I'm all right!"

He was sputtering, and he knew if he didn't ask now, Haruki would kill him.

"Hey Fuyumi chan?"

Curiously, Shouko fixed her amethyst eyes on her senior.

"Yes?"

"Ah…you're an only child right?"

The question was strange, and for some reason, Shouko felt herself withdraw back into her shell.

"Y…yes, I am an…only child. Why?"

"Ah…" Kazuki ran a hand through his hair, and wondered how to proceed, then decided there was no other way to ask except directly.

"My brother has a social service program at his college called "Adopt a Sibling'. He needs someone younger than him, and who's not related to him to spend some time together as an extra credit project. He wants you to participate as his sibling."

Now Shouko blushed, and stared at Kazuki. Haruki wanted her as a sibling for a program? How should she take that? Flattered, was what he decided she was, although her embarrassment crept back like a crab into her mind.

"Why me? I mean…I didn't mean any offence! But…surely, he must be knowing some other…juniors, right?"

Kazuki shrugged. He had long since understood that when Haruki specified something, he had his reasons for it, in spite of them not making sense until much later.

"Something about creating changes in another person's life… I don't know, he didn't tell me anything properly. Just answer me this much; yes or no?"

Shouko sweat dropped. Spend time with Haruki? Alone? Well, if it was for the sake of him getting extra credit then maybe it wouldn't be too bad…

But she felt her pulse accelerate at the idea. She had often wondered what it would be like to have siblings. Someone to confide things to, or to ask advice from. Well, this might be her only chance to get the experience. Although she was still feeling a little unsettled with the idea, she decided that maybe it wouldn't hurt to stick another foot into the puddle.

"All right Hihara senpai. Tell your brother…that I'll…be his…sibling."

The words hung in the air around her ears.

Did you hear yourself? You're going to be Haruki's sibling!

The thought of it caused an unexpected thrill to run down her spine.

"That's great! This will mean a lot to Haruki! Okay, he told me that if you're interested, you should meet him near Cherry Hill Park next Saturday by 11 A.M. all right?"

"All right then…Senpai. Tell him I'll be there."

Pleased at having handled the task so smoothly, Kazuki walked off to class. Shouko absently played with her tie bow as she passed through the hallways. For some reason, she felt like less of a moron around Haruki. He was one of the few people who she could speak freely with…almost like a brother. So would it make a difference if she played the role of his younger sister?

"Shouko chan!"

Turning, she saw herself surrounded by a bunch of her classmates.

"Are we still on for that half-sale shopping spree at the mall?" asked one of the girls.

"Shopping spree? When did i…"

"Last week. Come on Shouko chan, it was already settled that all of us were going together!"

No, it wasn't, she thought to herself.

As usual, you assumed I was coming because I didn't give you any other reply.

"No, I don't think I'm coming, Kimi chan."

"Why not? You were fine with it last week."

"Actually, clothes shopping is not really my thing. I'm not coming, I'm sorry. I have other plans for Saturday."

"Like what? Staying at home and burying yourself into a book? This could be good for you Shouko chan, getting out a little bit, you can't stay an introvert for the rest of your life."

She had hit a nerve, and an irritance that Shouko never knew she possessed filled her. She stared at Kimi straight in the eye.

"Now you listen to me, Kimi chan. Just because I don't want to hang out at the mall doesn't mean I lack a social life. I don't want to go shopping, and I would appreciate it if you stopped trying to force me into doing things I don't want to. I have other plans for Saturday, and though it's none of your concern, it does not involve a book."

With that, she turned on her heel, barely able to conceal her grin.

Woah. Where had that come from?

|/\/\/\/\/\/\/|

Haruki didn't mind doing social work. It always resulted in something positive, but his college's theme for this semester was very unexpected. It wasn't that he didn't want to spend time with Kazuki, but he already got enough of him at home. The second he caught wind that the new social program was "Adopt a Sibling" Shouko had immediately popped into his mind, and he had wondered if he could bring about a positive change in her life. The poor girl had such low esteem.

well? How's the idea? the next chapter will feature how the 'bonding' goes along. Leave a review please!