Chapter 7 Surprises

Ryu, Sakura, Shiho and Kenishiro had agreed that they would meet up early Monday morning and walk to school together. They planned to visit the Principal as a group and present their proposal for the university fair for the seniors. They wanted to show that they had given it much thought and that all of them supported the plan. They needed to have it approved as soon as possible so that they could start giving the go signal to the different universities and conduct the appropriate preparations.

They needed to get there before 7 so that they could talk to the Principal and have the letter to inform the seniors signed and reproduced quickly. They met at 6:30 and quickly made their way to school. They were lucky that the Principal was already there. They talked to him and were glad that they didn't need to explain much or do some convincing as the Principal quickly signed the letter.

Ryu then lead the way to the student council room where they started to divide the work. Kenishiro quickly got money to pay for the reproduction of the letter. He handed it over to Sakura. She was tasked to have it reproduced and hand it over to the senior class presidents while Ryu, Shiho and Kenishiro made the calls to the different universities and started the filing and computing of the costs that they would be encountering.

Time was against them. They needed to finish as much as they could and get the letters to the seniors before homeroom started at 8. Sakura ran to have it reproduced. Ryu and the others started calling the different universities to give them the go signal as early as they could so that they could prepare their various representatives and also for the student council to know what they would need.

By 7:45, Sakura was able to have the letter reproduced. She dropped by the office to hand the original to Shiho for filing and quickly made her way to the different classrooms after she had counted and assorted the different files in accordance to the class size that she would be giving the bundle to.

Sakura quickly made the rounds to the different sections while Ryu made his way to the faculty room and gave the senior class advisers copies of the letter. When Sakura found herself in front of the door of class 3-D, she gulped. It was Ryu and Shaoran's class.

Sakura took a deep breath and knocked and opened the door. Senior students who were there turned to her direction. She said, "May I speak to the class president, please?" Shaoran stood up and walked over to the door.

Sakura acted that it was purely professional business because Shaoran's girl friend, Rika, was also part of that class. She didn't want to start causing trouble. When Shaoran was near her, she took out the bundle that was labeled '3-D' and handed it to Shaoran. He took it from her and said nothing.

"These are letters about the university fair. Please distribute them to your classmates. The student council will meet the class presidents on Wednesday afternoon after school. If there are further instructions, kindly wait for Ryu-san as we are still fixing the final details." Sakura said.

Shaoran nodded and looked at her. Sakura knew that there were some things that he wanted to say but Sakura said, "Please count them if they are complete before I leave."

Shaoran went over to the nearest desk and started counting. Sakura entered the room and walked over a little to Shaoran. After a minute, Shaoran looked back at Sakura and said, "It's complete."

Sakura nodded and said, "A copy was already given to your homeroom teacher. Ryu-san already gave it. So if he asks if you guys already got a copy, please tell him. Everything that you need to know about the fair is already written there. Oh yeah before I forget, we are going to meet the senior class officers on Thursday and Friday after school. Kindly inform your other officers about it. Don't worry. Ryu-san will give you details and remind you guys every once in a while."

Sakura then took her leave and went to the next class. Shaoran was about to follow her but then thought against it. He read the letter and hid his reaction from his classmates, some had their eyes on him.

He then went in front of class and said, "Hey guys! Listen up! Kindly take your seats for a minute before the bell rings." As they followed his instruction, Shaoran quickly scanned who was missing. Everyone was in except for Ryu, which was understandable.

"The student council has released a letter about the university fair. I'll be passing it around. Class officers, if you haven't heard what Sakura said or something, the student council will be meeting with us on Thursday and Friday after class. If you have questions or violent reactions, save it for Ryu because what I know it is all based on this letter." Shaoran said as he started passing the letters around. When his classmates read the letter, they started murmuring and reacting. Shaoran said nothing. He went back to his seat.

Ryu-san. Shaoran thought. Since when did Sakura start calling Ryu Watanabe 'Ryu-san'? She would use to call him 'Watanabe-san' or 'sempai' and that was it. Since when did she start calling him that? He wondered if there was something going on between her and Ryu. He thought that maybe it had something to do with Sakura being distant with him lately.

Shaoran didn't know that he had it all wrong. The real reason was him. But how could he have known that? Sakura was rarely returning his calls and messages since the past week. Then it struck him. He could have laughed at himself right then. Ryu had asked her to call him that. But then again, it really felt weird for Shaoran to see things go they way they were. Somehow it felt that it hit a nerve somewhere deep inside.

Shaoran reasoned out that maybe it was all the stress the student council was going through. He figured that it was because they had their hands full. He knew that they had just finished their leadership training over the weekend. Maybe that was why it seemed that Sakura was closer to Ryu. Shaoran thought that the training had brought the entire student council together. He was partly right about that except about Sakura and Ryu. Shaoran shrugged it off.

Just as the bell sounded, Ryu walked in carrying his bag and went over to his seat. Shaoran handed him his copy of the letter which he took as their homeroom teacher also arrived. They stood and greeted the teacher before sitting back down.

Before the homeroom teachers could start, the P.A sounded. It was the Principal. "Good morning, students. As you might have seen, we have a new fountain near the entrance to the campus building. It was done over the weekend. The school did not hire any professionals or workers for the job. Rather, it is our very own student council who made it from scratch. Homeroom teachers, if you would please open your television sets." He said.

All the students seemed shocked at the accomplishment. Ryu, Sakura, Shiho and Kenishiro were just as surprised that it was announced. Clearly, they thought that their fellow students didn't need to know what they were made to do during their leadership training.

When it was being announced, at the start, Sakura had her head slightly bent already as she was hearing the words. When she heard the Principal give them credit, she couldn't help close her eyes as she started to blush. She could have just died out of embarrassment as all eyes in her class turned to her in shock and amazement. She opened her eyes and just gave them a small bow with her head, not getting up.

It was the same in Shiho, Ryu and Kenishiro's classes. All eyes turned to them when their classmates found out that the new fountain was made by them. They said nothing, just like Sakura.

Shaoran was a little dumbfounded as he was completely taken by surprise. It was what they were doing the entire weekend and Sakura hadn't even bothered to tell him that. Usually, with that sort of thing, Sakura wouldn't hesitate to relate the experience to him. It was weird, he thought.

When the homeroom teachers opened the TV, a video started playing. It showed clips of events that had happened during the weekend while they were doing the project. It showed when they were given the tasks by Narumi.

The next scene was when they started the project, with Sakura teaching Shiho how to replant and Ryu and Kenishiro looking over the plans and deciding how to start. It showed the moment Ryu tested the pipes and they all got wet. It also showed when Ryu slipped and injured himself and what Sakura and the others did to help.

The video also contained shots on where they had lunch and moments where they were laughing and taking pictures. The last shots were when they had completed the project and opened the fountain for the first time and Narumi putting in the fish in the newly made fountain.

The students seemed to enjoy watching what their officers did over the weekend. Again, the student council was really surprised because they had no idea that they were being filmed and that they would actually show the student body that.

Sakura couldn't help but blush in her seat. She really could have just died there on the spot. Ryu, Kenishiro and Shiho weren't so different. They couldn't make out the appropriate reaction to give. They were just taken by surprise like the rest of them that it seemed that they didn't know how to react.

"The reason why I have chosen to announce this and show this video is because I want to let everyone know what convinced the review committee to approve our accreditation. They have been watching the halls of the school during the past weeks by sending in their representatives. They have also reviewed our curriculum and teachers, staff and the campus itself. But the convincing moment for them was when they witnessed the leadership training of our student council last weekend and seeing for themselves the capabilities and leadership skills that our officers have. While undergoing a project that they really had no idea how to do and being able to accomplish it successfully, they were able to fix the seniors' university fair, again last weekend. As of this morning, all the universities have been informed and have confirmed on the schedule. With this development over the weekend, the committee did not have doubts in approving our petition for accreditation and receiving a higher level. Well done, student council. Well done, to all our students. Good day." The Principal said and it was over.

Sakura and the others didn't know that the accreditation was over and it was finalized. They were surprised that the entire time, they had been watched by the review committee and were part in the convincing of the panel. It gave this sense of accomplishment but mostly a sense of relief to all of them. They wished that now the review period was over, things wouldn't be in such a tense pace anymore. Every one in the student council wished that and shared the sentiment.

The students seemed to celebrate too that the review period for their school was over. It brought this sense of pride and accomplishment to their school. The teachers congratulated their students and their fellow students too were telling them that they did a good job.

Ryu, Sakura, Shiho and Kenishiro stood and humbly bowed and thanked their fellow students and teachers for the support that they have given and promised that they would continue to try and strive in their positions.

Lessons continued that day as that was put aside and the real work started. At lunch, Sakura ran off to meet Ryu and the others at the student council office to start with the serious preparation for that weekend's first university fair. They had to lay out a plan so that they would know how to go about putting up the booths and preparing the students themselves for the event. They all knew that the seniors wanted answers on why the fair was divided into two and why it was placed on a weekend.

"Who knew that the Principal would do something like that this morning? I mean, I was completely taken by surprise. I didn't know how to react." Sakura commented as they sat around the table in the student council office.

"That goes for me too." Shiho said, almost laughing.

"Actually, me too." Kenishiro said, as he smirked a little.

"Well, not for me." Ryu said causing all to look at him in surprise.

Ryu smirked and said, "I think I looked stupid for not being able to say anything. I don't know about you but that's how I felt because I was dumbfounded. I was so surprised to find out that through all that, we were being filmed all along and might I remind you I was the one who slipped and got injured and well made a slight mistake getting us all wet."

The others started to laugh, getting on what Ryu was saying. He did have a point. Compared to all of them, Ryu probably had the most embarrassing thing happen to him.

"I appreciate the support guys. Next time I'd laugh too." Ryu said sarcastically.

"Oh come on, we were all just having fun. We didn't know that it was going to be broadcasts throughout the school. Besides, you're the one who brought it up." Sakura commented, still laughing a little.

"Think about it this way, Watanabe-san, we were all fools not to notice that we were being filmed. I think when Yamaguchi-sensei was doing the presentation and announcement this morning, we were all dumbfounded and looked stupid for being all surprised and stuff." Shiho said.

"I don't know about you but I would rather not admit that I looked stupid, thank you very much. It's enough that I really looked stupid, I wouldn't go around admitting it. Who knows? Maybe this room is bugged and it will get announced all over school again. Then we really would be laughing stocks instead of the student council." Kenishiro said.

They all started laughing again. "The thing is you just admitted that by proving your point. But don't go on now and start being all paranoid that we might not get things done." Ryu commented. Kenishiro smirked.

They then started working again. The mood was light as they kept on checking the clock every once in a while so that they would know if they should be heading back to class. They didn't want to be late. They knew that even if the review period was over, being tardy was still not acceptable especially for officers like them.

They started to lay out what they needed to talk about. They started to jot down important points that they needed to go and discuss when they met again that afternoon after class. They were able to come up with explanation to the seniors, booths, budget, food and drinks for the university representatives, physical arrangement, who was in charge of where and budget for the entire thing.

After a while, they all headed to class for their afternoon lessons. Sakura then remembered that she was going to start with her ice skating that evening. She was glad that at least she still didn't have cheer practice so she could go home and get ready for that later.

When Sakura was making her way to her classroom, Shaoran and Rika seemed to be coming down the stairs, heading towards their classroom. Sakura guessed that maybe they had lunch on the roof or something as Shaoran was carrying the lunch boxes. She stopped by the foot of the stairs a little surprised with the encounter. She bowed at them. Ryu saw it and quickly made his way to Sakura. He then laid a hand on her shoulder which made her turn. He smiled at her.

"Come on. I'll walk you to class. Oh hey! Shaoran. Rika. I didn't notice you guys." Ryu said as he stood next to Sakura.

She looked at him but hid her surprise. She said nothing. Rika and Shaoran stopped walking a step from Sakura and Ryu. Rika smiled at Ryu and said, "Hey, Ryu. Are you walking Sakura to her class?"

Ryu nodded. Rika seemed to smile broadly. Sakura knew why she did that. She smiled a little so that Shaoran wouldn't suspect anything. "Well anyway, I'll see you guys in class. I'll just accompany her upstairs. Come on Sakura." Ryu said as he took her hand and started to lead her upstairs. She allowed herself to be led as she bowed again at them and smiled.

Shaoran said nothing. He was stoic as ever. Sakura chose not to notice. When they were out of view of Shaoran and Rika, Ryu let go of her hand. Sakura said, "I don't know what that was about but thanks…I guess." She smiled a little.

"You're welcome. You seemed to be in trouble a little. We need to look out for each other, you know. So of course it's my pleasure to help you out." Ryu said as he smiled at her.

"They might think that something is going on between us. I hope that it might not affect you, especially if you are courting someone." Sakura said.

"Ah, don't worry about that, Sakura. Let them think what they want to. I don't mind being linked to a beautiful girl like you." Ryu answered which made Sakura blush. She didn't say anything. "Besides, I'm not courting anyone right now. Maybe soon but not yet." Ryu added as they stood in front of her classroom.

"If you need rest-back later, I can come and pick you up from class." Ryu offered.

Sakura laughed and replied, "It's nice of you to offer but I can manage getting to the student council office on my own thank you very much. Go on before you get late or something." Ryu just grinned and headed on his way.

But before he did, he turned and told Sakura, "If you have a problem with Shaoran, or Rika for that matter, don't let it get to you."

Sakura was surprised with the comment. He smiled at her. She smiled back warmly. It was a sudden comment but she figured that it was what she needed to hear at the moment so she was really grateful for it. She gave him a nod and went inside the classroom as he went on his way.

(to be continued…)

This are beginning to get complicated. That's all I can say because I might spoil the next chapters. Hehe. Anyway, thanks for reading this far. Thanks to those who reviewed too. Please do continue to review and read the later chapters. Thanks.

Michiko