Hey:) It's the next chapter... the wind is blowing and I promise that in chapter 20 it will blow right into Akira's face.

Chapter 19

The wind

Hikaru stood on the school roof and looked up to the sky. His long hairs were put in high ponytail leaving bleached parts to flow around his face. His cloths were made from soft silky material that fit his body perfectly, upper part was reminding of kimono that Sai once wore. Girls even put mascara and lip gloss on him – so his eyes shined more and his lips stayed soft all the time, or so they said. He looked as if he was rich boy. "It's not me." he mumbled to himself

"Those clothes look good on you." Shelly appeared next to him "We must go; the students are waiting for you in Great Hall. Whole school wants to see you off and wish good luck."

"They would do anything to please you – I'm not the one who they want to see." Hikaru played with his fan "Isn't that right?"

"That's not true – you had become one of us. You gained their true approval as a teacher." Shelly put her hand on his "We will all pray for your return – but if that would mean that your wish won't be granted we will resign from it..."

"I no longer know what I should wish for." Hikaru bit his lip "I want to play Akira, but now that I'm to go, I would like to stay. This school is safe place that helped me out in more than one case. What would I do if I didn't come here and if I should really go – those are questions I don't have answers for."

"It was you who helped us." Shelly stated the matter with calm face "We rely on you more than you realize Hikaru, on your love toward us and wish to go further and further. We learned from you that we cannot give up. I myself learned much about love, you were the wind that blew by this place leaving it changed to same point."

"Shelly." Hikaru said softly "I'm truly sorry, even if it's you... I'm still"

"That's all right, it's a bit bitter for someone like me to loose, but it happens... I wonder if it wasn't the reason – I mean maybe, I have grown to love you so much because I couldn't have you. You were first person to refuse me."

They entered Grand Hall – Hikaru slowed down to let her pass a first and went one step behind her (in such formal meeting he decided to follow old rules, saying that Etoile is first person in whole school). Only few times up until now he saw students of all levels at once. Grand Hall was huge room divided into five parts. Main part was for class representatives, School Council and Etoile. Four walls marked four other divisions (elementary school, middle school, high school, and university students).

"She's our Etoile." elementary students whispered "How beautiful, he must be the one she cares for – they look so good together."

"Hello everyone." Shelly smiled softly as she reached her destination. She was standing face to face toward class represents with Student Council behind her. "I hope that you are all well. Report's in." she ordered.

"Elementary level, class 1-A... all present." said girl with scared face, it must have been first time that she was to report on formal meeting "We...we... hope that you are felling well, Etoile-s...sama." then she looked at Hikaru and with small bow she added "We pray for you well being Hikaru – sama." she blushed "I'm sorry Hikaru – s...sensei"

"Either is fine." said Hikaru "And both were well said."

After that each class welcomed them in similar way. For most she kept on smiling as it ended she spoke - her eyes stopped on Hikaru "We will send off very important person, in short time Hikaru became part of a Student Council, person that was adored by me and many other people" she looked at Deryl who now stood right beside Hikaru "He even became a teacher and lead his students to finals of International Go Tournament. Here is no reason to hide the fact that he may not return from Japan." students listened calmly, they all realized that some reason drove Hikaru here and all that was prepared to let him find the best place to be. "In Japan many hardships awaits him, many memories that he would gladly forget – but we all know that hiding is even worse than pain."

They knew that, each one of them was running away from something. It was good to see how one of them could go and face his world – such thing would give them hope that their lives can be better in the future. That there won't be a reason to run – on some day in the future.

"But he is still one of us." Etoile took over again "That's why you are here, do you remember the rule that binds us no matter where we are?"

In silence everyone nodded – Etoile looked at girl that spoke first – little girl from elementary school. Girl bowed and spoke with her hand on heart "We are being proud members of St. Peter Academy, as such we see ourselves as one mind and soul. Under any crisis we would help another; we would endure any pain for Academy. We are bind by Student Council regulations, but if by any means Etoile broke oath to justify settle our matters... we... we would replace her by more fitting candidate. No matter what happens we sworn to each other to support and protect one another."

"Good girl." said Etoile "Hikaru may leave, but as one of us he has right to ask for support from any of you."

"If I could help don't fear to ask me as well." said Hikaru, he wanted to crave this moment in his heart, that feeling he had inside his soul – love, that is pure and eternal. The feeling of being needed

Japan, few hours later

Hikaru sat on the hotel chair and waited as Deryl went to check on their rooms, Shell sat right next to him and kids went to got something to drink. Etoile looked a bit troubled her eyes were on Hikaru who was acting slightly off ever since they left the Academy.

"If you don't want too, we should return." she said

"No, I just – just cannot focus now." his eyes drifted from hers.

"You are afraid, but that's normal. Don't fret over the things you cannot change – on the other hand if they can be changed just say, they will." Shelly put her hand on his shoulder "We will do as you want. Do you want to visit your home?" she asked softly "Or maybe some other places? Say?" she insisted "We have entire day for you to enjoy."

"Hikaru?" soft voice asked from behind, Akari looked shocked by Hikaru look "Is that really you?"

"Akari, so good to see you." he pulled the girl in a tight hug and laughed "You are more of girl then before."

"Geez, Hikaru! Quit acting like a kid, I was a girl all time along." Akari eyes landed on Shelly, with smiled of understanding he bowed her head to her "You must be the one. Mysterious Etoile..." she said with faint laugher "Thank you."

"It's nothing." Shell held her hand out to the girl "I did as I always do – what it think is right. I also didn't do that only for him." Etoile smiled softly "You and Hikaru will never understand how much good thing he brought in to us. Thanks to him many of the students will leave Academy to try. That alone is payment greater than money."

"As expected from our Etoile." Hikaru remarked "Everything has two sides." he looked at Akari "You see, Shelly is most wise person in the Academy and manages all social and personal affairs there. Nothing can happen unless she let it."

Soon they went to room that were reserved for them, Akari stood in Hikaru room a bit shocked "That's high-class room Hikaru."

"Is it?" Hikaru put out the stones and board that were in big box and pointed at the Goban "Let's play Akari."

"Sure." she was still a bit restless "Are you sure its fine? Can you afford it?"

"I? No, no... But if I wanted to change it, I would probably put this hotel I trouble." he laughed "If I did Shelly and Deryl would think that I didn't liked it or that it was damaged in some way. That's why I cannot say such things and you better not too."

"So, it's paid by school?" she rested before the board "It's in deed high-class school."

"To be more exact – by Deryl father." his response was quick and solid "Or maybe, by Shelly or some other student. We don't care for such things – someone cared for me enough to go ask and book it for me, so I have no right to complain."

"That Academy must be great thing." she said quietly while placing her handicap "You had became part of it – you say 'We'."

"Yes, I do. After what they did for me – regardless for the reason, I must be grateful. I am, very much. To tell you the truth I still think about what I should do: stay or return. For now I still don't know."

Next day

Hikaru opened his eyes to see what was causing such a noise in his room... it turned out to be Shelly that knocked to his taras window with her cutest smile on the face "Wake up sleepy head! We must leave in two hours!" he frowned and mumbled something but she didn't listen "No way! We must dress you up!" He had to give up and got up.

They indeed were spending a lot of time in dressing him up, silky cloths in many designs waited for him in dress room. But Shelly picked one especially for the occasion...

Black pants and long blouse that was looking a bit like short kimono, it had silver peals of roses scattered on it. It was master piece that she prepared herself. She put his hairs up leaving bleached parts to swing around his face and worked at his makeup.

"Perfect." she said "Legendary Sai is going to steal hearts." she joked "You are perfect."

"Thanks, but I would pass on stealing hearts for now." he laughed "You look great yourself. You are going to steal more than I." he complimented her choice of clothing, jeans and blouse that resembled his with one difference (blouse itself was silver and peals were black). "But I hope that didn't pass them around to everyone. We would look funny."

"No." she stopped for a second and took something out from her pocket "Deryl wants you to have something. I should have thought of earlier, but it was going so quick... You must have noticed that all have something with Academy Emblem. Its different thing for each one of us." she looked at her ring "He ordered this for you. Hoping that you would like to wear it today, it's the same as his." he took out the gift and stopped breathing for a sec. it was a delicate pendant that would complete his clothing for that day.

"You will spoil me horribly. How will I return to my reality?" he asked

"If you cannot – just don't." she said while hugging him tightly "We do hope that we will have you forever." she kissed his cheek lightly and left "Even though we know how you feel. Just do like you wish, there is nothing above that Hikaru. We are leaving in few minutes, I'm going to check if cars I rented already came." she waved her hand and went off.

"What I want? I would love to know that, Shelly. I really would love to know."

Things are looking up it seems and the climax is soon to come. What will happen when akira meets the new SAI? How will he react to seeing hikaru? How will Hikaru's friends react to the new look? Find out soon!!

Until next time….

A/N: hey all sorry about the wait but my dear Eos-hime who is helping me write this out has been sick. She still is but she was kind enough to send me the newest chapter. Lets all give her a warm thanks for this wonderful chapter ^_^