Italics: Character thoughts

Chapter 7: Speak Now

[Hikari & Takeru]

"Stupid aniki… didn't want… watch movies…"

"Takeru-kun, are you just going to stand there all day muttering to yourself, or are you going to help me with the decorations?"

The young blonde shook his head to stare at his female companion: a young brunette—who unlike most girls—sporting a short bob haircut and her mahogany-colored eyes reminded him of ripe cherries. Yagami Hikari, his best friend, was standing a few feet away carrying a green crate of various supplies and crafts. School had ended that day and the two of them found themselves once again preparing decorations for the upcoming spring dance that coming Friday. As part of the student council, they and four other students their grade were accustomed to staying after school however long was needed—Takeru especially, since he was the Student Body President while Hikari was the current public relations.

"Sorry," he replied and quickly fetched a white column that would later serve as an archway.

"Why were you sulking anyways?" Hikari asked as she began to walk towards the cafeteria.

He quickly caught up to her and defended himself: "I was not sulking."

The petit girl slightly turned her head so that she could see him in her peripherals. "Really?"

Takeru rolled his eyes and sighed, she was right and if he knew her well enough, then she was going to ask why he was feeling gloomy. He remained silent.

She stopped walking and turned her body to face him, her eyes now filled with genuine concern. "Takeru-kun, what's wrong?"

He smiled for just the briefest of moments because he knew her all too well, as she did him, and continued striding towards the desired location. "Aniki didn't keep his promise."

Following after him, "What did Yamato-san do? Or what didn't he do?"

"He promised we'd go to the movies yesterday to watch that new adventure/action film. You know… since my mom returned last Sunday and he's not around as much, I'd figured he… uh we…" He trailed into silence, but Hikari understood—if it's regarding the brothers and their parents, she found that Takeru felt better after talking whereas Yamato preferred to brood.

"So what happened? Was he too busy during band practice that he forgot?"

"No," Takeru sighed, "he stopped by after practice, but decided that he wanted to just stay home."

"And your mother?"

"She made dinner for the three of us and Yamato left afterwards. It wasn't what I expected because I was actually waiting all weekend to just hang out with my brother, but since last weekend after his 'date' with a girl, he's been rather moody the past week."

Hikari chuckled to which Takeru smiled.

"Yeah I know, aniki's notorious for mood swings. If you think I'm bad when I sulk, then he brings sulking to a whole new level."

"I never said you were bad."

"I bet you were thinking it," he smiled wider, oddly feeling better.

"If it pleases you, then yes, you were acting like a child," she teased.

"Hey!"

The playful girl then stuck out her tongue and rushed past him into the cafeteria. Takeru, on the other hand, tried to follow her with the same pace, but carrying the heavier column limited his intended speed.

After an hour and a half of painting props and constructing pieces, the six Student Body officers concurred it was best to go home and finish gradually before Friday—they were nearing completion so their spirits were optimistic at the progress.

"Okay everyone," Takeru directed, "we're moving all decorations into the cafeteria backroom instead of the drama room."

The remaining five students nodded and made way with the cleaning. Takeru and two other boys began lifting the half-completed archway towards the backroom while the girls gathered paintbrushes, markers, scissors and other small utensils into crates. One girl, the secretary, had become giddy and spoke of her excitement.

"Hikari, Akeno! You'll never guess who just asked me to the dance!"

Both girls turned with interest and eager smiles. Akeno, the historian, and Hikari exchanged a quick glance before the former responded, "Who asked you Sawa?"

"Kousei-san!"

Akeno was speechless where as Hikari beamed even brighter. "You mean your secret admirer? The one you think who's been dropping notes at your desk?"

"Yes!" Sawa was bouncing on her toes with the crate loosely held. Hikari and Akeno shared her glee and the three of them squealed together.

"What's going on back there?" Takeru's voice called from the distance.

"Nothing," the girls cried in unison before Akeno whispered at Hikari's direction.

"This is great Sawa! You and Kousei-san, Eri and I," she thumbed the male vice president across the cafeteria, "ne Hikari, has anyone asked you yet?" she then proceeded to wiggle her eyebrows and tilted her head at certain boy's direction.

Said girl blushed and looked away dejectedly. "No…"

"What? You mean Takeru hasn't…?" Sawa stepped towards them forming a closed circle of the three gossiping females.

"No, I don't think he is," Hikari sighed, "I heard a girl in his gym class asked him last week… but… it's not like I care!"

"Did you ask him?" Akeno attempted to comfort her obviously discontent friend.

"No."

"And did he tell you he's going to the dance with anyone?" Sawa continued—a speech pattern the trio shared; when one of the three girls was having an off day, the other two would take turn asking questions till a point was proven.

"No, but—"

"Then I don't see why you're so worried."

"Wait a minute, I'm not worried."

"It's just a rumor Hikari; he'll ask you before Thursday."

"I know but that doesn't mean I'm going to wait."

"WHAT?" Akeno and Sawa shouted together.

Hikari blushed again, "Be quiet girls."

"WHY?" they ignored her.

"Daisuke already asked me and I don't want to keep him waiting. I told him tomorrow after school I would respond… and if Takeru doesn't ask me to the dance by that time tomorrow then I'm going with Daisuke. Now, will you two stop yelling?"

"Sorry, but I don't see why you can't just wait? I mean… don't you and Takeru… you know… wouldn't it be inappropriate to not…" Sawa was unable to make coherent sentences, but they all knew what she was trying to imply which caused Hikari frowned.

Is it that obvious that Takeru and I like each other?

"Don't you and Takeru like each other?" Akeno, the blunt one out of the three, stated which validated Hikari's thoughts.

"I know I like him…" the brunette weakly confirmed.

Akeno was unrelenting, "And does he like you?"

"I don't know…"

"Hikari."

"Akeno, maybe we should talk about this another time, I can see the boys coming out of the backroom," Sawa quietly interrupted.

Hikari and Akeno turned their hands at the three approaching boys who were laughing amongst themselves. Akeno sighed, dropping the conversation, and walked to towards the backroom with a full crate in her arms, followed by her friends—all three of them speechless, but as they approached the boys, they were able to hear their rather not-so-subtle conversation.

"Takeru, have you asked a girl yet?" The treasurer, Wataru, asked with a playful vitality and exaggerated poise; one arm slung around the young blonde's shoulder bending said boy's neck.

The three girls slowed their pace as they all waited for an answer—which went unnoticed by the three boys.

"No…" the president sheepishly replied.

Hikari sighed in relief and walked ahead of Akeno and Sawa who were both still interested in the boys' conversation. However, the two girls—who claimed to have been gifted with female extrasensory or something of that sort—had already known that Eri and Wataru were clueless as to who Takeru likes. It was apparent when Wataru made no indication of a certain short-haired brunette while Eri walked uncomfortably behind them; at least Eri had an inkling feeling of who he likes because Akeno had been dropping hints.

"Why not ask Yasu-san? Doesn't she have a crush on you?" Wataru asked.

"Uh… I'm not sure."

"Oh I think she does! Ne Eri, you're taking Akeno to the dance right?"

"Yes," the vice president replied before noting the distance between them and the girls. "Takeru, why don't you ask Hikari?"

"I… uh… I'll think about it," he stammered, but—truth be told—Takeru had already planned on taking Hikari to the dance; he just hasn't been able to ask her yet. Every time he came close to asking, he'd blunder and speak something else. But, as the days neared Friday, the more frustrated he became with himself for being so incapable of asking. The last time he attempted was on Thursday, the week before, when he and Hikari were walking home together. As they neared the intersection where the two would split, instead of asking her to the dance, Takeru had asked her something entirely different. The scene playing in his head:

He was walking behind her a few steps but she didn't seem to care. He knew for certain that she was still dateless for the dance because no one's asked her yet… or maybe, because she's been declining all offers—both possibilities made his stomach flutter.

"Hikari?" he eventually spoke.

She looked behind her shoulder at him and smiled an "hmm".

"I was thinking… do you think… next Friday?"

She giggled at this but felt certain that he would finally ask. "What about next Friday?"

"Next Friday I mean," he felt two things simultaneously: a blush and an idiot for being so incomprehensible, "do you think… you and me… uh, can you give me your notes for today's math before next Friday's test?"

"Oh…" a look of disappointment befell her face but she turned away before he could notice. "Sure, how about tomorrow during lunch?"

Takeru grimaced at his own stupidity and slumped his shoulders. "Yeah tomorrow during lunch would be best."

"So what Mr. President?" Wataru shook the young blonde's shoulder with the arm hung around his shoulders.

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking. What did you ask?"

The treasurer huffed in annoyance for having to repeat himself. "What do you think about Daisuke-san?"

Takeru's eyes widened for a second before furrowing he brows, "Why do you ask?"

"I saw him talking to Hikari earlier, probably asked her to be his date."

"What did she say?" he responded almost too soon it was suspicious.

"I uh… I don't know. When they separated, he wasn't sad like she had said no, but he wasn't happy either as if she had said yes. It was kind of weird to be honest, but personally, I don't think she said yes otherwise, knowing Daisuke, he would have jumped and shouted." Wataru removed his arms from Takeru's shoulder and began picking up the remaining parts of the archway.

"I see," was all Takeru could muster.

"I'm sure you do," Eri spoke and narrowed his eyes but continued cleaning the cafeteria—he then seemed to realize that Takeru actually did like Hikari.

The rest of the time spent putting away props and decoration was filled with conversations that focused on other things outside of who was taking who to the dance, something Takeru and Hikari were both relieved about. When the last of the materials were stored safely in the backroom till tomorrow, the six of them bid farewell and walked their respective ways home. Of course, the president and public relations walked together as they always did.

"So uh Hikari," Takeru began, his mind constructing scenes of Daisuke asking her, "do you have a date for the dance?"

They were walking beside each other at an equal pace so he didn't turn his head to judge her reaction because if he did, she'd knew he was staring at her with an uncomfortable expression. But when she did respond to him, he felt as if the weight of the world was taken off his shoulders and his heart resuming a more appropriate rate for a boy his age and size.

"No."

"Oh." He couldn't help a satisfied smile.

"If I did, you would know."

What did that mean? Takeru asked himself while frowning at her words.

"Was there something you wanted to ask me?" Hikari knew that if she wanted Takeru to ask her, then she would have to prompt him the right direction. Yes, she could have asked him, but she wanted Takeru to ask her because if he did, then that'd confirm her feelings of him liking her—needless to say she would internally scream like a little girl, definitely.

"Oh yeah, actually there is!" With a newfound confidence, he was finally going to ask her. Why he took so long, he didn't know.

But there was a pause—a silence.

"And that is?" Hikari spoke, masking her inner impatience.

"Oh yes. I was wondering Hikari…"

"Yes Takeru?" She turned her head at his direction with a hopeful glint in her contracted pupils as the teen widened her eyes.

"If you…" the boy sensed her stare on him and looked at her cautiously.

She smiled when they made eye contact and Takeru soon found his gaze at the pink hairclip holding back her fringe.

"If you can tell me where you bought your hairclip, I was thinking of buying one for my mom." Idiot!

"Oh…" Yet another disappointment. Hikari sighed and stopped walking.

Takeru turned around to look at her with concerned eyes. "Hikari, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry Takeru, but I just remembered I was supposed to meet with Miyako after school. We were supposed to…" she creased her forehead in consideration, "go shopping for dresses tonight."

"This late?" the blonde asked incredulously.

"Yeah, Miyako's older sister is taking us so we'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow Takeru." Hikari attempted to walk the opposite direction before Takeru caught her wrist.

"Dress shopping? I thought you didn't have a date."

She yanked her hand from his grasp and glared at him with a hostile temper, something Takeru didn't know she had. "What are you trying to say Takeru? That I need a date to go to the dance?"

"What?" Takeru shouted, "no, absolutely not! I was just thinking that since no one's asked you yet, I thought you would like to go with m—"

"That's enough, Takeru!" Hikari didn't allow him to finish his last word. How dare he?! She was fuming although she was trying her best to remain calm. How could he think that no one asked her yet? Was she that unattractive? Finally she spoke before stalking the opposite direction leaving a bewildered Takeru behind:

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Was it something I said?" he meekly called out to her.

"Next time," she mumbled under her breath, "don't think you idiot."

[Hikari]

From where she left Takeru, the young brunette grumbled the entire way to the Inoue family's convenience store. When Hikari stepped through the automatic doors, she was first greeted with a gush of wind and then Miyako's mother.

"Hello and welcome Hikari-chan! If you're looking for my daughter, she's towards the back."

"Thank you Inoue-san," Hikari bowed and went to where Miyako and that pretty girl from two weeks ago were conversing and giggling. Miyako instantly caught sight of the approaching figure and motioned her to join their conversation.

"Hikari! Hi! Where's Takeru? I thought you and Takeru walk home together?"

Said girl looked at Miyako and then her friend who was smiling. What was her name again? "I just wanted to stop by and say hi before heading home."

The lavender-haired girl raised one brow and smile knowingly, "So if you're here and Takeru isn't, then that must mean Takaishi blundered again. What'd he do now?"

Shaking her head, Hikari defended him without knowing, "Nothing! He didn't do anything at all."

"Riiight," Miyako quietly snickered.

"Miyako, stop pestering her," the pretty girl interrupted. Hikari looked at her and she must've recognized her confusion because she was introducing her. "I'm Tachikawa, Mimi. We met almost two weeks ago. You're Yagami, Hikari right? Taichi's little sister?"

"Yes, Mimi… sorry, I didn't remember your name."

"It's okay," the older brunette was smiling again. She was always smiling, a warm and friendly one which made Hikari feel comfortable.

Miyako spoke, "Mimi was just dropping by as well. We're talking about boys; want to be a part of our conversation?"

"Aren't you supposed to be working?"

Mimi giggled at the young girl's sass. Normally Mimi herself was the feisty one when in a girl group, but seeing the younger one with attitude was refreshing. Of course Miyako picked up after Mimi, but she easily loses her blunt honesty when she gets enraptured by a cute guy.

"I can work and talk at the same time. Mimi and I have been going at it for twenty minutes now."

"You should talk Hikari-chan! You'll feel better after confessing!"

"Please Mimi-san, call me Hikari."

"Only if you drop the honorifics as well," the oldest girl smirked triumphantly.

I'm willing to bet, she usually gets what she wants. Hikari smiled and nodded her head. "So what are you two talking about?"

The two girls looked at each other and giggled some more before Miyako responded. "Wouldn't you like to know? Anyways, I was just telling Mimi about our spring dance."

Hikari looked at Mimi who nodded in agreement. "And?"

"I was probing for advice as to how I could make a guy ask me to the dance, and do you want to know what Mimi said?"

The young brunette found herself oddly interested, was it perhaps she was also in the same situation as her working companion?

"Mimi suggested that I ask him, and that's exactly what I'm going to do tomorrow," Miyako finished with a confident nod.

Again, Hikari looked at Mimi who was simply nodding. "Really?" she asked.

"Absolutely," the elder brunette interjected, "believe me when I say I'm all for chivalrous men and romantic gestures, but sometimes it's up to us ladies to set things right with the boys. Because you know, sometimes these boys are as clueless and wordless as a newborn infant."

Hikari chuckled, "You're right Mimi."

"Let me guess Hikari, Takeru… that was his name right?" Hikari nodded at Mimi. "If what Miyako's suggesting is true, then this isn't the first time he made a mistake of telling you something right?" Another nod. "And he's the one you want to go to the dance with?" Nod. "Well Hikari, you have two very simple options. The first, you ask him yourself or the second, you wait for him to put on his big boy pants and have him ask you like they do in fairy tales."

Hikari pondered. Of course I want Takeru to ask me, but Mimi's right. If I ask him, then it'd be unfair to Daisuke who actually asked me.She looked at two girls before her and bobbed her head once at her decision.Saying yes to Daisuke isn't out of pity, I like a guy with confidence, she reassured herself. "Thank you Mimi," Hikari bowed, "I know who I'm going to take to the dance."

Mimi squealed and clapped her hands. "That's wonderful! Now here's a serious question. Do you two have dresses picked out?"

They shook their heads in unison.

"I was just thinking about wearing one of my older sister's dresses," Miyako eventually responded with an apprehensive look—an expression suggesting she didn't look forward to wearing her sisters' dress. "And you Hikari?"

"Actually Miyako," she then looked at the brunette, "and Mimi, I was hoping we could go shopping. I told Takeru we were going to shop for dresses today, but it's already too late, and my mom would kill me for being out this hour."

"I have an idea," Mimi spoke excitedly causing the younger two to look at her. "I have dresses and accessories at home that you two can look at and borrow for the spring dance!"

Hikari was quick to speak, "As much as I appreciate the idea Mimi, I wouldn't want to ask that much of you… you barely know me."

Mimi surfaced another smile, "Hikari, I am fine. If you're a friend of Miyako, then I have no problems trusting you. And besides, I already have perfect dresses in mind for the both of you. This dance is more casual than it is formal right Miyako?"

"Yup, casual dresses and anything spring-y is the theme," the lavender-haired girl replied with zeal. "Oh Mimi, I would totally love to wear one of your dresses! You always had the best ones! Please Hikari, let's go over there right now. I'll ask oniisan to drop you home so you don't have to ask Taichi-san."

Sighing and finding herself trapped, the youngest female agreed.

"Great!" Miyako raised a fist. "Okaasan!"

"What?" the Inoue mother shouted from the registrar, keenly aware of no customers.

"I'm leaving early today. I'm going to a friend's place! I'll call oniisan to get me!" And with that, Miyako hurriedly removed her apron while rushing Mimi and Hikari out before her mother had much to protest.

[Takeru]

Groan. A low muffling sound was emitted from a certain young teen for the umpteenth time that afternoon. Despite having the television on, Takeru's wordless cries were louder than the sounds coming from whatever show was currently airing—not caring what was on, he just needed background noises. He was lying in one of the living room's loveseat on his stomach; his head was buried deep in a couch pillow, arms resting beside his body and his longs went over the sofa's armrest.

A loud pathetic sigh.

"Will you stop it already?"

Takeru turned his head so that the left side of his face was against the pillow. He could see his brother, Yamato, sitting on the opposite couch with his legs crossed at the knee writing in a notepad—the one where he specifically writes his "music" in. The younger of the two said nothing as he just stared.

Yamato raised his gaze from the notepad to Takeru and saw the forlornness in his brother's equally sapphire-blue eyes. "Are you going to tell me now why you've been groaning since you got home?"

"You didn't tell me what's been bothering you for the past week… and you brooding is worse than me groaning."

"I wasn't brooding last week," Yamato narrowed his eyes.

"Yes you were."

"Takeru," his voice warned sternly.

"You wouldn't understand."

An eyebrow rose, "Really?"

"You wouldn't understand."

He rolled his eyes now.

The younger blonde sighed. "Promise me you'll take this seriously?"

"Have I ever not?"

"Yamato…"

"Okay okay, Takeru. Now tell me little brother, what is troubling you?"

He's being condescending, that bastard, Takeru inwardly scowled, but knew all too well that as much as his older brother enjoyed teasing him, he meant well. "You know how my school is having the spring dance this Friday right?"

"Yes."

"Well… I don't have a date yet."

"You still have three more days to ask."

"This is where it gets difficult," Takeru paused, "I asked her today—"

"So she rejected you? Is that why you're so miserable?"

The younger sibling sent the older a death glare.

"Sorry, continue."

Takeru sat up and took a deep breath. "Okay, when I first asked her, I was feeling rather confident, but when I caught her looking at me I stared at her back, and that's when I couldn't do it anymore so I blundered; I asked her something entirely different and she seemed rather disappointed that I didn't ask her to dance like I wanted to, so instead she suddenly had to go dress shopping which I thought was weird because she told me she didn't have a date and then I asked her 'why do you need to go dress shopping' and she completely took my question out of context and now she's mad at me because she thinks I think no one's asked her yet which might have made her feel insecure… and then she just walked away."

Yamato looked lost, but he was actually surprised his brother could ever ramble like that—he was the more eloquent one of the two and was generally better with words so Yamato thought.

"Was that too much information?" Takeru had finally asked when Yamato didn't respond.

The elder blonde shook his head, "No… well, that was the first time I've ever heard you talked like that, but I did ask what was wrong so—?" He was just as confused as his younger brother.

Takeru laughed light-heartedly.

"Why are you laughing?"

"It's just…" he chuckled again, "I guess Ishida men are not good at expressing themselves. Dad had a tendency to disappoint mom, everyone thinks you're distant and aloof all the time when really, you're not, and now, instead of asking a girl to a dance, I ask her where she buys her hair clip."

Yamato found himself smiling and felt a great urge to console him. "Hey man, don't worry about it. I'm sure she," knowing full well of who 'she' was, "likes you back. She's probably just feeling a little impatient that you've taken so long. Why don't you call and ask her right now to be your date for the dance." He finished with a smile and rose from his seated position.

Takeru followed his movement in confusion. "Like now now?"

"Yeah, the longer you wait, the longer you'll lose your resolve. I'm going to my room to give you your privacy. If Nancy comes back while I'm still in my room, tell her I've already prepped dinner in the fridge."

"I wish you'd stop calling mom that," Takeru shouted at his brother's retreating form. He then grabbed his phone and navigated to Hikari's contact. He immediately pressed the "call" button and waited for her to answer.

The first ring… nothing.

The second ring… nothing.

The third ring… nothing—he was beginning to feel anxious.

The fourth ring… "Moshi moshi."

"Hikari-chan, there's something I need to—" he was about to ask, but remained silent when from the other end, he could hear shuffling sounds as well as two other girls speaking to Hikari. One of them was Miyako, but who's the other?

"Takeru," he could hear her beginning to speak; she didn't sound frustrated like earlier, instead strangely calm. "I'm with my friends right now looking at dresses, unless this is important can it wait?"

Feeling almost defeated at her bluntness, the blonde was about to comply with her request, but instead he refused. "Sorry Hikari, but it cannot. I want to ask you right now if… you'd like to be my date for the spring dance."

There was a momentary silence before she spoke. "Takeru, I'm sorry, but I will have to say no. I'm going with someone already… I'm going with Daisuke."

The boy's eyes widened profoundly and he felt betrayed by her, a great sense of despair overwhelmed him and he was no longer in the mood to talk. Despondently, he asked her the only question that he could think of: "When did he ask you?"

"It's not important when he asked me," she was then quiet. "Please don't take this the wrong way Takeru, but I have to go now. I will see you tomorrow. Bye Takeru-kun."

For just a millisecond, Takeru felt comforted by her use of the honorific—at least that must mean something. "Yeah… okay, bye Hikari-chan."

She hung up first leaving him staring at Yamato's once occupied seat. He needed a distraction right away, and thankfully his brother was still here. The younger blonde then decided that the elder blonde was going to be just that.

[Taichi]

Next day.

It was the beginning of first period at Odaiba High School where Mimi, Taichi, and Yamato were practicing an exercise set forth by Noriko-sensei.

"Mimi," Taichi whispered, although it was unnecessary as Noriko-sensei encouraged her students to work together before she began instruction.

"Hmm?" Mimi hummed while tapping her pencil against her lips.

"Did I write these correctly?" he was about to hand her his sheet of paper when Noriko-sensei called for their attention. Taichi stiffened slightly.

"Class, I've decided to forego volunteering this morning so I will be calling students to answer the exercises. We have a lot to talk about today so let's not waste time."

Don't pick me don't pick me, the brown-haired male pleaded all the while avoiding the sensei's searching eyes like so many other students were doing.

"Ishida-san, you first." Then she called on another student.

Taichi exhaled a breath of relief; he dodged those bullets.

"Yagami-san, you're third," and she continued naming three more students to finish the rest.

Crap! He looked down at number two and prayed to Kami that he was right. He liked attention yes, but only when he was in his element such as in sports—specifically football. It wasn't long till a paper arrived on his desk: a paper with very pretty and neat handwriting, a feminine font that definitely belonged to Mimi. He looked at her with mild bewilderment but grinned gratefully when he saw her smiling.

From across the room, they could hear Yamato speaking in Japanese only to be interrupted and reminded again to use English.

"The example," he began in English without so much of an accent, "needs to be revised." But as Yamato read the long sentence, it was evident to Noriko-sensei and Mimi that he hadn't yet achieved fluency—it would take more than three years to do so, and Noriko-sensei had expected that all, except one or two, of her students would retain the accent.

Yamato had finished and Noriko-sensei approved of his answer by moving on. Taichi looked over to his best friend who seemed unfazed by what just happened and exuded a cool unattached expression. However, what caught the brunette's attention was what occurred next: Yamato turned his attention to Taichi's side of the room and after a few seconds the blonde looked flustered but turned away smiling.

What was that? Did I do something embarrassing?Taichi had believed he was the cause and caved his brows in consideration but his sight soon found the back of Mimi's head. She wasn't looking at Noriko-sensei; she was directed to where Yamato was sitting. Realization dawned him and he felt the sudden the need to tease his best friend. Ishida was blushing because of a girl? What's going between him and Mimi? Oh that punk! This is too good! He was chuckling to himself and ignored his name being called not once, but twice! The third time however caught his attention.

"Please stand Yagami-san."

"Yes sensei!" Taichi instantly rose and read Mimi's answer—of course his answer was the same as hers, but he felt assured reading the girl's. He carried out the response with a much heavier accent that Yamato's, but he didn't really care. Taichi knew his English wasn't as great as his friends just as they were not as athletic as him, except for Sora that is. He was given the nod of approval and sat down in huff of content. He returned Mimi's paper to her when the Noriko-sensei moved on to the next student and received yet another one of her smiles.

It was five minutes before the first period was about to end when Noriko-sensei ended the day's lecture. "Class, I have an important announcement to be made," she started while pulling her platinum blond hair into a low ponytail. Finished, she dropped her hands to her hips and stared at her class with a harsh face. With a heavy sigh, "It is that time of year for your annual excursion. This year, the trips will be either Kyoto or Shirahama—"

The students burst in volumes of merriment and animated cheers as the excitement compelled them to ignore whatever Noriko-sensei had to say. Truly they were high schools students, but the certain news caused them to behave like children back in grade school. Most students rose to their feet, arms raised and hollers of "yeses" and "wooh's". However, a select few, such as Yamato—upholding his cool image—and Mimi—utterly confused at her peer's enthusiasm—remained seated.

The scene was just as Noriko-sensei expected and had allowed the excitement to die after one minute. She cleared her throat with impatience indicating everyone to return to their desks as she was about to speak again. Her students did as she bade and watched their sensei with a vigor youth in their eyes.

"It is important that you all listen to me very closely for the next three minutes. By the end of today, Kouchou-sensei will inform all homeroom advisors where their class will be going. This year, half of the school will go to Kyoto while the other half visits Shirahama. This will be a three day, two night trip during the last weekend of May. Are there any questions before I finish with a final statement?"

No one said anything, too thrilled were they to speak properly.

"All homeroom advisors reserve the right to deny any student the excursion if the student is failing one of their classes or," she rose her voice at the alternative, "if a student is asked of houkago no inokori (1) for reckless behavior anytime from now to the day before the trip. I do not wish to do this, but I am not reluctant either, do I make myself clear?"

Nods and yeses were the student's replies.

"Tomorrow in homeroom, you will be given permission slips and the sooner you return it signed by your guardian, the better." Noriko-sensei turned to her desk to gather her belongings all the while smirking. She knew that from now till the end of May, her students would do all that they can to not anger her. It was times like these when she most enjoyed being a sensei.

Taichi and his blonde-haired best friend walked out of the classroom as the lunch bell rang.

"I'm so excited Yamato! Kyoto!? Or Shirahama!? I can't pick! Where would you go?"

Sapphire-blue orbs were rolled as the male teen placed his hands in his uniform's slacks.

Taichi swayed vigorously, hitting Yamato in the process on purpose.

"Hey man, watch it!"

"Dude! I'm so excited!" Taichi squealed.

"Kami, help this man," Yamato muttered and looked away.

"Hey look, it's Mimi!"

"What?" Yamato looked back at Taichi and followed to where he was pointing. Sure enough, the caramel brunette walked amongst a crowd of descending underclassmen.

"C'mon, let's join Mimi," Taichi commanded as he rushed behind her.

Yamato didn't need to be told what to do, so instead of "following", he joined her.

"Taichi! Yamato!" Mimi cried when she saw them approaching her. "Lunch rush huh?"

"It's always like this!" Taichi commented. "Being a first year sucked!"

The female giggled.

"Where do you want to go on the school trip Mimi?" Taichi couldn't resist the urge to ask—actually, he was already planning on asking all of them during lunch.

"Shirahama of course!" she spoke with conviction. "Although this is very new to me, I love Japan school! Back in New York, we always toured locally unless we went in smaller groups."

Taichi and Yamato considered her before the later asked "why Shirahama?"

"The beach! I've already got my swimsuit picked and I want to start tanning early for my summer body."

The boys stumbled on each other but each quickly caught their balance. "MIMI!" they shouted in unison in the sea of students.

She laughed. "Boys…"

They went through the cafeteria before walking to their usual spot, but as they approached, a scene was occurring without them. Koushiro was on the floor, angered and emotionally disturbed, while another boy was standing a few feet away from him. Between them stood Sora, pleading for Koushiro and the other boy to stop their fighting. But Koushiro wouldn't have any of it as he ignored the redhead completely. He stood up slowly and shakily, then shouted at the other student, patronizing him of something the trio and Sora were clueless of. Koushiro's action caused the boy to lash violently but was halted momentarily when Sora grabbed his wrist before he could attack their friend. A careless mistake of Sora's as the boy shoved her tactlessly to the hard ground before turning his attention back on Koushiro whose face was now contorted with concern and guilt.

Having witnessed the sight of his befallen best friend, Taichi dropped his tray of lunch and ran rampantly into the scene. "SORA!"

(1) houkago no inokori = staying after school and talking to a teacher one-on-one; closest thing to an American school detention so I've been told.

A/N: As I promised, other characters in the limelight and who better to be focused on than Takeru, Hikari, Taichi, and... Koushiro? Hmmm... Anyways, thank you all for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing. See you next time around. Nope, not changing title and rating yet.

Speaking of next time: Consequences and a date... but is it?