"What is it Kaorin?" asked the small girl as she invited Kaori to sit down. Kaorin paused, unsure how to approach the subject, how to start. "Kaorin?" asked Chiyo, now sounding slightly concerned.

Kaorin slowly moved forward to the younger girl. This was definitely a new low. Turning to an eleven year old for help with her love life. What would she have to do next- what could she do next; surely this would be classed as a 'last resort' wouldn't it?

"I have something I want to tell you. Something personal. I want you to keep it a secret, I can trust you to do that can't I?" she asked, ending almost desperately.

"Of course you can Kaorin" replied Chiyo.

"Do you know about love?"

A faint smile passed across Chiyo's face. "Yes I do. Kind of. I've read about it and seen movies. Why?"

"Well, erm I've kind of fallen in love with someone. I've been feeling like this for a long time, and now I finally understand and accept it."

Chiyo smiled broadly. One of her friends was in love! She'd never experienced anything like that at her old school before she'd moved up a few grades. She moved forwards. "So who is it Kaorin? Ryo? Shogo?"

"Not quite" replied Kaorin. "It's a bit complicated." Her voice fell quieter. "You promise to keep it a secret for now?"

"Of course!"

Kaorin pushed herself slight closer to Chiyo and spoke in a hushed tone, listening as Osaka apparently tried to clean up the drink she had spilled. "Sakaki-san. I like Sakaki-san Chiyo."

Chiyo paused momentarily. "What?"

"I-I, well you." She stopped. "Chiyo, I love Sakaki-san!" It felt so good to finally say it out loud, actually tell someone of her true feelings.

Chiyo remained still, silent. Kaorin stood in silent horror, staring at the girl. The girl hadn't responded yet. What was she thinking, did she like it, hate it? Perhaps the girl didn't know what it meant; she was only a child after all. Maybe she was trying to think of something to say so as not to be offensive, or she might find it horrible. Kaorin hung her head down slightly. This was probably just a mistake.

Finally Chiyo looked up. "T-that sounds wonderful!" she exclaimed. She shocked the older girl by suddenly reaching across and hugging her. "It's so sweet! So how did Sakaki respond Kaorin?" she asked.

"Well, you see, I haven't actually told her yet."

"Oh."

"So I suppose you're wondering why I told you?" she asked.

"Maybe" said Chiyo slightly suspiciously.

"Well it's kind of funny, but I decided I could really use someone's help, and you're the smartest person I know and I knew you could help, so I'm asking if you'll help" rambled Kaorin nervously.

"Sure" said Chiyo.

"What?" Kaorin hadn't been expecting such a sudden, positive answer.

"I'll help you. I've read so many books that had romance; it'd be nice to help someone find their true love."

True love. Kaorin blushed slightly. Chiyo had been the first person other then Kaorin herself to comment on it like that.

"Did I miss something?" asked Osaka stepping back into the room.

"Oh no not really, we were just talking about the trip to my summer house, and how fun it'll be."

"Yeah" said Osaka sitting down. She turned to Chiyo. "I have a question to ask you."

"What?" asked Chiyo concerned. She'd already had a friend declare their secret love for another friend, what else could she find out today?

"I was wondering if I could use you in a story."

"Huh?"

"Oh, well…" said Osaka blushing. "I've decided to try and write a story, and I really wanted to have you in it…if you want."

"I don't mind" said Chiyo. A friend confessed to only her, and another wanted to have her in a story. This was a good day. The phone began to ring.

"It's Sakaki."

---

Kaorin stood with Chiyo as the stepped into the large mall, automatic doors slamming shut behind them and scaring the younger girl. The two turned and faced each other.

"Let's find Sakaki and follow her for a bit, just to know a bit more about her" suggested Kaorin, "Before meeting her."

"Isn't that called stalking?" asked Chiyo.

"I don't know" said Kaorin brushing off the question. "Look there she is!" called out Kaorin, ducking down behind a bench, Chiyo remaining standing, her head barely above the level of the bench. Chiyo glanced down at Kaorin who was close to the floor.

"You'll never talk to her if you're like that."

"I guess that's true. Let's follow her."

"You know, I'm not too comfortable with that."

"So what if you're not comfortable, lets do it" snarled Kaorin.

"Ok then" said Chiyo backing away from the older girl scared. Kaorin desperately apologized to her.

Slowly they began to walk after Sakaki, always attempting to stay behind large crowds. A few times Sakaki turned and came close to seeing the two- at one time she was certain she'd seen Chiyo's pigtails moving through the crowd. Kaorin watched as Sakaki briefly visited a clothes store, picked up a few snacks, and stood lingering outside a pet store for over five minutes. Finally she turned away and continued walking, moving out of the way of the other people. Kaorin growled as a woman gave Sakaki a foul look even though the tall girl moved and she hadn't moved aside at all.

"Please just let it go please Miss Kaorin!" said Chiyo, gripping her arm. Kaorin nodded and stopped trying to break free of Chiyo's grip.

They stood and looked on as Sakaki stepped into a large bookstore. They paused, and then decided to walk into the room, and tried to remain hidden behind the larger displays and plinths. Kaorin peeked around the corner, spotting Sakaki in the pet care section.

"Oh yeah, she wants to look after Mayaa."

She turned back to Chiyo. "She's just browsing at the moment." She turned back and looked out again. Sakaki was walking right towards them, no chance to get out of there. "Alert, alert she's coming!" said Kaorin in a hushed voice.

As Sakaki turned the corner both girls reached out for books. Sakaki spotted them.

"Hi."

"Oh hello Sakaki-san."

"I'm still meeting with you?"

"Yes, of course" said Kaorin, "I was just reading up on…Torture methods of the 17th century."

"Yeah Sakaki, we're looking forward to you turning up. I just wanted to read about A history of h-h-hentai!" Chiyo shrieked and slammed the book shut, placing it back on the shelf.

"Well never mind, what are you doing here?" asked Kaorin desperately, trying to move away from their pathetic attempts at excuses.

"Oh, I was just…" she held up a book entitled Cat care for beginners.

As Chiyo looked through a collection of paperbacks on special offer, Kaorin walked with Sakaki up towards the counter.

"So how is Mayaa?"

"Still good, staying at Osaka's at the moment. She seemed to really want to look after Mayaa."

"Sure you can trust her?" joked Kaorin.

"I suppose so" replied Sakaki, smiling. Kaorin felt her heart melt. A rare smile from Sakaki, all for her! As Sakaki handed money across to the cashier, Kaorin swooned behind her, and slowly followed her as she walked away.

The two rejoined Chiyo and stepped back out into the crowded mall. Chiyo turned and looked up at the two behind her.

"We should probably get back, we left Osaka on her own in my house" said Chiyo. She suddenly noticed how both of the older girls began walking at a faster rate. They stepped outside, the sun particularly hot this day. They spotted Yomi and Tomo outside, Tomo busy flicking Yomi across the back of the head with a rubber band. Just before she turned to hit Tomo, Chiyo rushed over to the two.

"Hi! Please don't fight."