Rika looked around her old playground, full of children, trying to spot the one adult out there. It wasn't hard, as much of his torso stuck up above the children's heads, and she found him laughing at some children playing a game. Her heart leapt when she saw him laugh, and if she hadn't loved him before, there was no doubt in her mind that she did now. She couldn't help it; he was so kind and good. She wanted to know him better, she wanted him to be happy.

Terada turned slightly and caught sight of her, and waved to her raising his arm high. He watched as she smiled and walked over to him. She really had grown up, he thought. There was a gentle softness about her, something delicate that his instincts told him to protect, though he didn't understand why.

Rika smiled as she stood next to him. "Are you sure you don't mind doing this?" He asked.

"Oh, no, I don't mind!" She quickly replied, flashing her smile up at him. She'd always had such a sweet smile when she was younger, and while it was still sweet, there was more to it now, something that pulled his heart and made his cheeks heat up.

They walked around the playground in that slow way that teachers do and talked.

"It's so nice having you here," He said conversationally. "It can be pretty lonely doing these breaks sometimes if you're on your own."

"Lonely? But there's all the children here as well," she said as she looked around the playground.

"Well," he said, looking embarrassed at himself for saying it, "The children are nice, but I can hardly talk to them, you know, have adult conversations with them. Besides, they're usually too busy playing to talk to the teacher," he said with a smile.

Rika looked up at him when he said this, and thought for a moment before saying, "Well, I'm an adult now, so feel free to have adult conversations with me." She smiled up at him.

Terada blushed, partly because she looked so nice and sweet when she smiled, and partly because his mind conjured up all sorts of interpretations of adult conversations, things he shouldn't be thinking. What's wrong with me, he thought.

"So, about tomorrow," he said, trying to get his mind as far away from 'adult conversations' as possible, "I was going to have the kids do a warm up lap, then they could do box jumps, then after we've gone through those we could…"

Rika listened to him as he described the run down of what would happen tomorrow. He had such a nice voice, she thought. Something reassuring and comforting about it that made her want to listen to him all day, be near to him as much as possible. She found herself wondering if he was single, but quickly stopped herself. Even if he was, it didn't change the fact that she was so much younger than him and he had once been her teacher, there was no way he would ever look at her any differently then he used to. It was okay, though. She was happy just loving him, as long as he was happy.

"Rika-chan?"

She jumped and looked up at his concerned face. "Yes?"

"I lost you for a minute there, but it seems you're back now. Everything all right?"

"Oh, yes. Sorry," she said, blushing. He looked like he wanted to ask her what she'd been thinking about, but thankfully, he didn't. He's so nice, she thought. How can he not have a girlfriend? That thought bought her down a little, but then if he did have a girlfriend, and if he was happy, then who was she to be jealous. She couldn't help but feel a little twinge of jealousy for a woman that may or may not exist, though.

Terada looked at her curiously as she blushed. She'd definitely not been paying attention, but what had she been thinking about? He decided he shouldn't be nosy. Perhaps she was thinking about him…? Where did that come from, he thought, suddenly realising what he'd just thought. Why on earth would she be thinking about him? And why did that idea seem so appealing? He didn't want to think about it though. Rika used to be a student of his; she was only, what, in her early twenties? She wouldn't want a man who was already in his mid-thirties. Not that he wanted to be with her, he thought, perhaps a little too hastily. He shook his head a little, trying to dislodge these thoughts simply with movement. Like that was going to work.

The bell chose this moment in their sudden awkward silence as they both thought long and hard about the person walking next to them to sound the end of the dinner break. The children around flocked towards the entrance, albeit somewhat reluctantly. The two teachers turned and watched the children move sluggishly inwards to return to lessons.

"We'd better be getting in," Terada said, looking at Rika.

She smiled up at him and said, "Yayoi-san will be wondering where I've gotten to."

He returned her smile and said, "Well, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Okay," she said, hoping her nervousness wouldn't show through in her voice. "See you tomorrow," and with that, she went in after the children. Terada stood for a moment, thinking about her cute smile, before blushing at himself and shaking his head. What is getting into me? He thought. With a sigh, he went inside, wondering vaguely what tomorrow would bring.

That last paragraph had to go through so many changes…

Yay, I return. What's with the glares? Ah, yes, well, I know it's been nearly eight months since I updated this fanfic… Oh, you hadn't realised it had been that's long… Heh, well… Look, I don't have a decent excuse, but I'm trying to mend my ways now, so forgive me..? Please? I hope this chapter somewhat makes up for it. Even if it is a bit short...

DarkAngelKat: Hooray, this is a favourite of yours? I'm touched! And I wasn't even aware I had a style. The story isn't dead, I promise, look, see, new chapter! I said I'd update it, didn't I?

KystalSakura: Heh, it took you a long time to review last time, it took me a really, really long time to update. Eep. I wouldn't be surprised if you'd forgotten all about it. I'll try and be better about updating, really I will. Call it an early new year's resolution. And thanks for the permission to rant.

Saturnki: Ah, there is a distinct lack of Rika/Terada fanfics. I have got plans for another one, but that one is more of a fantasy one. Oh, and I can't really write it until I finish Spring, cos the storyline would spoil Spring… I can say that if I wrote that one it would be called Summer. Heh, I'm glad my story has bought some happiness into your life. I can't wait to see how they develop either…

lightcard: Ah, yeah I know, I'm disappointed to only have three chapters out as well. I'm trying to become a better writer and update my stories more, so hopefully things will be going better. I hope you think this chapter is as great as the rest of it.

Saline the Salt Lake Queen: So you like Myaki and Yayoi, then? I think they're a bit weird sometimes, but hey, who am I to judge? Hey, do I get my next chapter of Jocasta for this, or do I have to update Coffee Bad first? I'm staying on my lazy arse, but I'm also updating, so there. Hope this pleases you.