Disclaimer: "Only the Ring Finger Knows" and all its related elements belong to Satoru Kannagi-sensei. The original concept for this story is NOT mine either. It is Kasumi Hayashibara-san's concept for the "Empty White Canvas" story (see her author's note on the last chapter of "The Untouched Ring"), and hence, it naturally belongs to her. She has generously granted me permission to use her idea to write this story. However, it does NOT mean that she will drop "Empty White Canvas". She will definitely return to it after she finishes "Endless Summer", the sequel to "The Untouched Ring". What I am really doing here is developing the idea as described in Kasumi-san's author's note into a full-fledged story. I have been intrigued by her idea for a while and would really like to try working on it. In other word, the details and the unfolding of events in this story are my own evil working, so come back to me if you have any problem with them. Therefore, this story should not be confused with Kasumi-san's story and vice versa.

I'm so happy with the positive review I got so far. To be honest, I was a bit on crack with the last chapter. I was playing with the idea of the kiss and decided to go for it to spice things up a little. (I'm still high right now, not because of drug but midterms. Sometimes I have to wonder whether studying psychology creates psychos *bad puns are bad*)

This chapter is more of a build-up one. I need something to relax me from my stress, hence the more than normal update speed.

**********

--Longing--

It was probably the tenth time Yuichi made a head-desk that day. Lectures at prep school were never known to be inspiring: such was the fate of all young souls who aspired to a place in that holy institution of knowledge known as the university. However, neither tedious lessons nor tricky homework could wreck his head that much. The real cause was a pixie with pretty dark eyes, which could challenge as well as pledge, and set hearts to flame in the process. Since that unforgettable day, his customary composed and confident self had been broken, giving way to a lovesick sentimental. During the week, in every second of his waking time, he was flooded with images of the day they spent together: the little conversations by the flowers, the kiss, and above all, her lovely smile that were as sincere and innocent as can be. He longed to see her again, to apologize for forcing himself to her, and most importantly, to confess his feelings. But tough luck for him, he had no clue how to reach her. It was a complete deadlock, something he had not experienced in the eighteen years of his life.

The quickest, and in fact the only solution he could think of was naturally to ask his father, the puppet master of this little drama, for the contact of the Fujiis. But his ego did not allow such a course of action, for it would mean admitting defeat to the old man. The memory of his father's manipulating him into the date was still fresh in his mind, and he opposed that kind of interference as vehemently as before as a matter of principle. Furthermore, he never liked the idea of showing his weakness to and seeking help from others, even when it was his own father. It was already humiliating enough coming home in depression with his cheek still warm from her slap. He had not breathed a word about what befell him, his parents so far had not alluded to that either.

Yuichi's hand searched for the handkerchief in his pocket, the glass shoe of his Cinderella. He closed his eyes and recalled the gentle expression with which she was giving it to him (together with the sparrow chick). He had been carrying her handkerchief with him as a charm with the superstition that it would lead him to its owner. Once or twice he did vaguely wonder why the initials were "F.W." while he clearly remembered, despite having called her by family name the whole time, that her first name was "Karin", but he did not give it any concern. The priority right now was to find her. Hundreds of times at least, in his imagination, he had pictured himself returning the handkerchief and confessing his feelings with all the charms he was blessed with. And in those happy visions, she would blush and fluster, perhaps be angry with him a little about his behaviour the other day, but gradually would graciously accept him.

Absorbed in his daydream, Yuichi did not notice that his classmate and president of his school's Student Council, Ninomiya Akira, was approaching him, so he was rudely brought from his rosy fantasy back to the grey reality.

"Yo, Kazuki! You'll get mauled by your fans some day if you let your guards down like that."

Yuichi quickly gathered himself together, and returned the courtesy with due decorum.

"Thanks for the concern. But don't you think you should take care of yourself first, Mr. President? Who was mobed by all the clubs for budget raise the other day?"

Ninomiya grinned easily, sat down to the nearest chair, and stared at Yuichi.

"What do you want, Ninomiya? You're creeping me out! I know my looks is above-average but I can't appreciate that kind of attention from a guy!"

"Na, don't talk nonsense! I need your help. We are hosting the inter-school art exhibition in early July, so we need more people to prepare for it. If you're in the organization team, it's easier to get volunteers." The president paused a bit, then added suggestively. "You can start right this afternoon after the class here, if you feel like it."

Yuichi nearly said "No!" right away to such a shameless attempt to exploit him, but an idea dawned in his head. Trying to calm his quickening pulse, he asked carelessly as if out of mere curiosity.

"What's the big deal about some exhibition?"

"It's not some exhibition, it's the exhibition! The whole Tokyo is in it. So it's big! You must help me! I beg you!"

An art exhibition! With participants from all Tokyo schools! Coupling this new information with his firm memory that Fujii Karin had an art assignment, it was likely that she was preparing for this occasion. She would perhaps even come to his school on the day of the exhibition. Thus, by being inside the organization process, his chance of finding her would be higher. That bright prospect made his heart swell with hope. Feigning hesitation to buy time to select his words so that his motives could be concealed, Yuichi said with the trademark condescension of the Kazukis.

"Fine, fine. I'm in. But my price is high. Remember that!"

The president grinned toothily, seeing that his goal was accomplished. "Thanks. You won't be bored, I promise! This exhibition is big. Who knows what you will see there!"

Yuichi nodded and gestured his classmate to go away. It was slightly disturbing that Ninomiya's remark was strangely reminiscent of what his father had said about unexpected things coming from meeting people and the like. But on the bright side, finally there was some hints for the puzzle. Smiling satisfactorily to himself, Yuichi stretched his tired muscles and prepared his brain for the next lecture.

***

As promised, Yuichi accompanied Ninomiya to Ryokuyo after class at prep school. Seeing the place busy in a summer afternoon, he clearly grasped how important the event really was. Like the president had predicted, his participation was heartily welcome, mainly thanks to his status as the school celebrity. When they left the organizational team's headquarters, Ninomiya said with a triumphant smile.

"See? Didn't I say that they're happy to get you? Be glad that you're so appreciated."

"Na, it's just talk. They're happy because they snare another slave. Thanks to you." Yuichi retaliated with a mocking tone. "Is it all? I have to go all the way from prep school under this heat just for that?"

"If you really want to work, go to the gallery. They're cleaning there. One more helping hand should be good. But I can't go with you. I have to meet with the treasurer in five minute. Bye!" Having spoken that with rocket speed, the president dashed off and disappeared within seconds.

Yuichi struggled his shoulders a bit. Now that he was already there, doing some manual work should not hurt. Besides, perhaps it was a kind of price to find his Cinderella. With such philosophy, he headed to the place.

***

At first, Yuichi seriously doubted his decision to help out at the gallery, for he seemed to be rather a disturbance. When he showed up, all the girls were flustered, and one or two guys frowned a bit. Luckily, the instructor of the art club, who was in charge of the site, immediately directed them back to work, and after hearing his explanation, assigned him the task of boxing and moving the paintings to the storeroom nearby. He quietly accepted the arrangement and quickly set to work, ignoring all the giggling and whisperings behind his back.

The collection of students' artworks was one of the prides of Ryokuyo, and Yuichi could see the reason, even if his interest in art was just lukewarm as best. Most of the paintings he were taking care of were really interesting, and he could not help admiring a bit before packing them away. When he came to an impressionistic painting of a morning dew perching on the graceful curve of a grass leaf, he had a discovery that nearly caused him a heart attack. The painting was signed at the right corner with the Latin letters "F.W.", and most importantly, they were in the same sketchy style with the little loop at the end of the "w" as the initials on her handkerchief. To make sure that his eyes and mind did not play tricks on him because of some failure in his circuits under the recent emotional upheavals, Yuichi took out the handkerchief, pretended to wipe his face, and shakily compared the signature with the initials. An indescribable sensation filled his whole being at the revelation. It was no doubt! They were the same! He suddenly felt like singing right then and there, but remembering time, place and occasion, kept himself in check. Surely the reason of his working for the exhibition was to find Fujii Karin, but even in his most optimistic estimation, he had not expected the result to come that fast. Even better, she was in the same school as him, something he did not even think of. His mind intoxicated with thoughts about honey and flower, he did not spare a glance for the painting's accompanying tag, and hastened to get his task done with a full vigour.

***

"Thank you very much, Kazuki-san! You have been a great help!"

"It was nothing! Sensei, could you..."

Before Yuichi could finish his request, the art instructor already turned to another student. He bit his lip frustratedly, as he had missed the chance to get some information about his runaway beauty. Detecting a group of girls approaching him from a corner of his eyes, he left the gallery as fast as discretion allowed to avoid a worthless exchange, because he knew for sure he would not be able to hide the irritation.

Impatient as he was, it seemed that there was nothing he could do at the moment. He dared not ask anyone besides the art teacher and Ninomiya. Just imagining about the girls' reactions when he inquired them after another girl gave him cold sweats, and his own experience proved the myth about boys being better secret keepers painfully wrong. And this issue was so important for him to carelessly reveal to just any person. But the instructor was too busy to attend to him, and he had no idea about the president's whereabouts.

Wishing for some quietness to sort out the situation and come up with a strategy, he opted to leave the school by the small gate, an exit of which very few students knew. As he expected, aside from the part designated for the exhibition, the school was completely empty. The solitude together with the calming sound of evening wind running through the leaves soothed his nerves, which had been over-strained since the fateful date. Such atmosphere suited him, so he did not leave immediately for home, where he would have to pretend everything was alright again, but took his time to wander instead to the close by clock tower, which perfectly served his search for a tranquil haven.