"Well done girls" said Kurosawa sensei, "You all did well today. Congratulations Chiyo, you're getting on well with swimming now. Osaka…carry on the good work."

Osaka nodded. "Right Kurosawa sensei" she said as the girls walked towards the changing rooms.

Kaorin walked alongside Chihiro, Sakaki a short distance in front of her, trying to handle another one of those odd conversations between Tomo and Osaka, this one apparently involving vegetables.

"You swam really well today" said Chihiro, "It was really good."

"Thanks" replied Kaorin. "You did well too!"

"Do you like me Kaorin?" asked Chihiro.

"Huh?" asked Kaorin caught off guard. She was slightly confused- and hoped this conversation wasn't going where she thought it could go. "What do you mean?"

"Do you still like me Kaorin?"

"Of course I like you, why wouldn't I?"

"Well I just thought that maybe I was boring on my own, and you might be happier with Tomo and the others."

"No! No I like you Chihiro. I like the others too! You're still my first ever best friend remember Chihiro. Remember how long we've been together?"

"Yeah" said Chihiro smiling, remembering the past years.

"You should join me and the others too. You sometimes do, and that way you wouldn't have to feel left out either. I was worried about joining them, but they're really kind!"

"I guess I could do."

The two continued walking. Kaorin looked across at her friend. This would probably be a good time. She surprised her friend by gripping her in a tight hug.

"Kaorin?"

"Spur of the moment thing."

"Oh, ok."

"People are looking at us aren't they?" asked Kaorin.

"Yes." Slowly Kaorin let go of the girl and continued walking. Kimura had still yet to appear- he hadn't even attempted to spy on the swimming lessons. Even when he'd been suffering from the flu, he'd taken the time to drop by and watched their gym lesson in the winter. The man had vanished. She wasn't exactly sad at that.

---

Kaorin slowly traipsed past the closed classroom doors, her lunch having started a few minutes ago. She paused as a voice called out to her. She was sure she was forgetting something, an activity she was planning on doing.

"Kaorin! Kaorin please wait for a minute" called out Chiyo, trying to run down the corridor. "We have to talk remember."

That was right. Chiyo had said she was going to help her out today. She stopped and waited as Chiyo suddenly skidded past her. Finally stopping, she walked back to Kaorin, panting slightly. She stood, desperately trying to catch her breath as a small group of boys walked past.

"I said I'd help you write the letter remember Kaorin?" said Chiyo, "I want to help."

"Thanks Chiyo-Chan" replied Kaorin. "It's really kind of you to understand and keep it a secret for me, let alone help me."

"It isn't a problem Kaorin" replied Chiyo. "It's nice to try and help a friend…I mean help a friend. Then this way I can make you owe me many favours!" She paused. "Miss Kaorin, that was a joke you know" said Chiyo worriedly, thinking the older girl may believe she was only doing this for herself.

"I know that Chiyo-Chan" replied Kaorin.

"I'm just not up to the level of joking that Miss Tomo is at" said Chiyo.

"You're not as annoying either Chiyo-Chan" joked Kaorin, "And much cuter" she said, grinning. Chiyo smiled in reply.

"Thank you Kaorin."

"No problem."

"We should go to the library. It'd be easier to work there, and there would be fewer people Miss Kaorin."

"Oh, ok." She didn't realize she'd have to do it during lunch. She guessed she'd have to make some sacrifices to realize her dream. And compared to what some people would have to go through, this was nothing. Sakaki san. Yes, Kaorin definitely thought that was something worth missing lunch for. Soon she'd be with the girl. Soon. Her new motto, used to hide the truth that she was terrified.

Chiyo led the way to the library, Kaorin now beginning to feel nervous. It couldn't take very long to write a letter could it? Especially with Chiyo helping, it should be finished before the end of lunch, and then she'd give it to Sakaki. Then the moment would finally come. She hoped.

---

"This is difficult" said Kaorin, slumped on the desk beside Chiyo. The two were able to talk in peace. The library was closed, but the Librarian had allowed Chiyo in (Mainly owing to the fact she was so adorable). "Who knew it'd be so hard?"

"Miss Kaorin, I'm the one doing all the writing, and thinking" replied Chiyo.

"Yes, but I'm providing the spirit" said Kaorin moping. "Just getting this out of the way would ease my mind."

"You can't hurry love Kaorin, no you'll just have to wait. Love doesn't come easy but hopefully this letter will help."

"I hope so."

"You really want to be with Sakaki don't you?"

"She's my first, my last, my everything" replied Kaorin. She looked up at the clock the minute hand slowly moving along. "Oh time goes by, so slowly."

"And time can do so much" said Chiyo holding up her hand. "It hurts; we've tried so many different letters."

"Don't worry Chiyo, I'm sure it'll be over soon" replied Kaorin.

"I hope so. We have to write an essay in our next lesson" said the girl, gingerly holding her pen.

The two sat, alternating between Kaorin and Chiyo scribbling on the paper. Chiyo was the last to write, and finally handed it to Kaorin.

"What do you think?"

Dear Sakaki

I forget exactly what day it was when we met at this school. It is something I regret, as it was the day I met someone I considered truly special. I have long had feelings for you, but I was confused and scared never able to confess to you until now. As I write this I think of you and the kindness with which you treat everyone. The way you make me feel. I always thought it was wrong, my heart feeling it to be true, but my head saying no. But I cannot deny my feelings anymore. I love you Sakaki. Perhaps it may be hard for you to accept, but I will be there waiting for you. One day I hope you will be there for me too.

Kaorin placed the small piece of paper down on the table and turned to Chiyo.

"Well, what do you think Chiyo-Chan?" asked Kaorin. She waited eager to hear what her smart friend had to say. She was happy with it- far better then merely Hello, I love you, the end.

"Well it's not the best thing I've ever written, but I still think it's pretty good" said Chiyo smiling. "Especially considering neither of us had any idea of what we are doing."

"Yeah it's great" said Kaorin. "I'll go slip it into Sakaki's locker. At the moment she'll probably be dealing with Tomo."

"Right."

Kaorin nodded, stood up gripped the piece of paper and then sprinted away. Chiyo sat, before a faint feeling of horror past over her, and she climbed down from the chair, picked up her bag and desperately tried to run after the older girl, calling out her name.

Kaorin gently prodded the rest of the note through the thin gap, and slowly backed away smiling. She turned and yelled out as Chiyo ran into her, and then fell to the ground, the bag not breaking her fall. Chiyo held back the tears- more important things at hand!

"Miss Kaorin, Miss Kaorin!" said an exhausted Chiyo.

"What is it Chiyo-Chan?"

"You did remember to put your name on the letter right?"

A blank look crossed Kaorin's face. "Huh?"

"I merely wrote the last sentence and handed it to you. You did write your name on it before you rushed off…right?"

Kaorin buried her head in her hands as Sakaki pulled open her locker. Chiyo watched Kaorin running down the corridor as Sakaki glanced around confused, holding the letter. An anonymous lover… Chiyo didn't know whether it'd be a good idea to talk to Sakaki, and so decided against it, waiting for Kaorin's response.

---

Chiyo sat on one of the benches outside of school, slowly drinking a carton of orange juice. School had ended, and Kaorin hadn't returned after lunch. She'd gone home sick, Chiyo the only one knowing the true reason. She watched worriedly as a dishevelled looking man approached her. The worry didn't disappear when she realized it was Kimura. The man sat down beside her.

"Miss Chiyo."

"Kimura sensei."

The two sat in silence for a few minutes, Chiyo slowly sucking up the orange juice. Finally Kimura broke and turned to the girl.

"You have to help me!"

"What?"

"M-my wife might leave me and I need help!"

"But why me?" asked Chiyo.

"Oh please, you're smarter then your friends and your teacher. You are the little genius of our school!"

"Er…maybe?"

"I might see you around. Oh and Chiyo- beware that new teacher" said Kimura before walking away.

Chiyo placed the empty carton in the bin. Why would she have to worry about Mr Koshi? Kimura was the slightly dodgy teacher- and she wasn't fully sure why yet. And why did everybody think she could help them?

Authors Note: Chapter 7, wow I never thought I'd see that when I started this story. Regarding Chiyo, I just thought I'd have a running gag of older people relying upon her. Also the next chapter should be slightly 'different'.