Author's Note: Hi guys! Thanks for the glowing reviews. Sorry for some spelling and grammar errors in the previous chapter. I'll try to be more careful next time. And I put "It All began with A Hit on the Head" as a title, but now I've changed it. Anyway, here's a longer chapter for you peeps. Hope ya like it!

Story Title: Love Hit Me!

Chapter Title: Hikaru (again, how creative…)

Author: Xaphania49

"Hmm… I wonder why Fuu-chan's absent…" Hikaru Shidou thought worriedly. It wasn't like Fuu to be absent, or be late, for that matter. She knew Fuu hated missing classes, and loved to learn. So why was Fuu absent?

She twirled a lock of fiery red hair absently. Surely nothing unpleasant had happened…?

She looked out the window, conjecturing about Fuu's nonappearance. She looked at the desk beside her Fuu usually sat beside her when they have the same class, or Umi Ryuuzaki, another friend. Fourth period before lunch was the only one Hikaru had alone; it was also the most boring. She found it easier and more entertaining to speculate about Fuu rather than listen. Honestly…

The bell rang, and Hikaru was among the ones to first rush out, as though eager, very eager, to leave the room.

"Hikaru!" a clear voice rang out.

Hikaru turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Umi Ryuuzaki squeeze her way towards her. Umi was tall and willowy; she had large blue eyes and similar-colored hair.

"Where's Fuu? I haven't seen her all morning," said Umi.

"I don't know; why don't we try calling her house?" suggested Hikaru.

"Good idea," agreed Umi, and they went to the phone booth outside the campus.

Umi went inside the booth and made the call. A minute later, she joined Hikaru outside. "Nobody's answering the phone."

"What could have happened?"

"I don't know, but if she doesn't come this afternoon, then we'll visit her home," proposed Umi.

They went inside the building to have lunch.

Hikaru straightened herself in her seat, and then slouched again. The room was slowly filling, yet there was no sign of Fuu. At the back of the classroom, some of her sixth-period classmates were being noisy. The boys were playing cards, taking advantage of the time before the professor arrived.

Where was Fuu? She wondered. It really wasn't like her to be absent. She was only out of class whenever she was away on contests or archery tournaments. Fuu never turned up late or absent just because she was sick; to Hikaru, Fuu and sickness didn't comply; she was too prudent to get sick.

Her train of thought was cut short when Fuu enetered the room, smiling as always. She still looked the same to Hikaru, but something was different, and Hikaru couldn't put her finger on it. Someone from the back called Fuu; Hikaru looked to see who it was. It was Ferio, that green-haire kid who loved to play soccer after class, Miss Emeraude's brother, the one who had gold eyes and a scar on his cheek. He was brash and daring, and quite unlike Fuu at all. As far as Hikaru knew Fuu, she had never exchanged words with Ferio.

Fuu turned her head, waved at Hikaru, and made a beeline for the seat beside her.

"Fuu!" exclaimed Hikaru. "Why were you absent this morning?"

Fuu smiled enigmatically, and fanned herself with her hand. Her eyes sparkled.

"Fuu-chan!" repeated Hikaru, pouting a little. "Why were you absent? It's not like you. I was worried something had happened!"

"Nothing happened," answered Fuu. "I apologize if I had worried you so much, Hikaru-chan."

"What? Then why?"

"I merely got a bump on the head yesterday. My glasses were shattered, so I had to go and buy a new one."

Hikaru suddenly stiffened, not saying anything.

"Hi…karu-chan?" Fuu asked timidly. "Are you all right?"

"A BUMP ON THE HEAD!" Hikaru near-shouted. "W-who did this to you! I'll fix him! I'll skewer him! No one has the right to give you a bump on the head!" Hikaru spluttered, furious at this injustice. Anyone who harmed peaceful Fuu had her to deal with! Fuu was sort of fragile to her, anyone who gave her a bump on the head had to be skewered! If anyone had tried to hurt Umi, Hikaru wouldn't mind as much; Umi was a spitfire. With Fuu, however, this was not the case. Fuu was much more timid, and would probably not be able to defend herself. Not that Hikaru knew; it was just Fuu hardly seemed the physical type.

"Calm down, Hikaru-chan, I'm perfectly fine, I—" Fuu's efforts to calm down an outraged Hikaru was cut by Ferio's amused voice.

"Shidou-san, it was me."

Hiklaru looked at him, her eyes smoldering. Fuu was looking a little worried. Ferio was part of the group who plaged cards at the back, and now he was standing up, his eyes dancing. He wove through the maze of chairs and stood beside Fuu.

"You—you did it?" she asked slowly, her voice trembling, which belied the fact that she was going to shout vey, very soon.

"Oh, Hikaru-chan, don't get yourself all worked up, it was only an accident, don't worry…" Fuu said very fast, attempting to pacify her friend.

"Ah! Fuu-san, how are you? Is your head all right now?" asked Ferio anxiously.

"Fuu turned to him with a smile. "Yes, I'm all right now. Thank you for asking."

Was it her imagination, or was Fuu smiling a little too widely? What… Ferio was actually concerned! What was happening? Hikaru was beginning to get suspicious. Ferio's next question brought her back from the land of assumptions to reality.

"Have you bought something to replace your glasses, Fuu-san?"

"Oh, yes," Fuu replied, smiling and tilting her head a little.

"Why aren't you wearing them?" Hikaru asked.

"But I am," said Fuu, widening her eyes.

"Oh, contacts!" exclaimed Hikaru with a happy smile. "They definitely suit you better than the glasses, Fuu-chan!" That was what Hikaru had been noticing but unable to identify: Fuu's lack of glasses. She was a little disappointed that Ferio noticed it a first. But only a little.

"I think so too," murmured Ferio, and Hikaru didn't need a magnifying glass to detect the blush creeping up Fuu's delicate cheeks.

"Thank you," Fuu muttered, hiding her face under the pretext of rummaging in her bag.