She knocked and entered.

"Misaki-sensei."

"Imai, congratulations again. Your entry came in first for the Junior section. On top of your monetary reward, the principal has decided to give you and one friend an all-expenses paid shopping holiday to Central Town this week. Here you go."

"Thank you."

Hotaru showed no trace of emotion as she took the voucher.

"You and your friend may go the day after tomorrow. See you in class, then."

She liked her ability-type class teacher. Succinct and no-nonsense. Unlike...

"Narumi!"

"Ah, Misaki!"

As Hotaru stepped past Narumi-sensei and out the door, she thought he looked a little sheepish.

"Okay, okay! I admit it! I went into the greenhouse and took-"

"You took WHAT?"

"I needed the-"

"NARUMI... YOU..." Misaki shook his head resignedly. "You know, I didn't even know that, but trust you to come and tell me yourself."

"You didn't?"

Narumi kicked himself. "Geez, shouldn't have said-"

"Yes?"

"No...nothing. Then what did you call me and give me a fright for?"

"Imai Hotaru has permission from the principal to skip one day of school this week. I thought I would let you know. You're her form teacher, aren't you?"

Narumi shifted uncomfortably.

"Hey, just because I'm often absent from class doesn't mean you have to be so sarcastic."

"I wasn't being sarcastic, that was just your guilty conscience. Anyway, Imai gets to bring one friend along. I suppose she'll pick Sakura."

"Hmm... Mikan?"

Misaki looked suspiciously at his ex-classmate.

"What's with that sudden grin?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing."

Narumi clapped his hands in glee and moved towards the door.

"The day after tomorrow, is it? Well then, adieu!"

He gave a cordial wave and swept out of the room.

Misaki gazed after him. What on earth was Narumi up to now? Up to no good, for sure. Misaki decided that he had better keep an eye on him.

Narumi tapped the pencil on his desk and smiled to himself.

"Well, well, Sakura Mikan-chan."

His fantasy was cut short abruptly.

"Well, well, Narumi."

"Oh no, Misaki! When did you..."

Narumi quickly flipped over the sheet of paper he had been writing on, but he was too slow for Misaki's sharp eyes.

Misaki narrowed his eyes.

"A big heart-shape with 'Nogi Ruka' and 'Sakura Mikan' written in it. I don't like what I think you're thinking."

Narumi coughed and protested mildly.

"But don't you think they would look cute together on a wedding cake?"

"For heaven's sake, Narumi, they're only ten!"

"Nonsense. Kids these days are fast, okay. Remember Snow White?"

"If I remember correctly, that had been your crazy idea."

Narumi sighed.

"Too bad it fell through. But it's okay, I have another plan."

Misaki raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Still in the developmental stage. But I think I'll teach class the day after tomorrow."

"Hmm... For once."

"Ouch."

Narumi rubbed his forehead in mock pain.

"Feeling pretty malicious today, aren't we? However, I think the children will enjoy my enrichment lesson very, very much."

He flashed a grin at a doubtful Misaki.

Blissfully unaware of Narumi's little plans, the various students of Class B were enjoying their free time.

"Ogasawara-san, will you be heading to your lab? Could you help me pass something to my brother if you see him?"

"Oh, Shouda-san! Actually, it's Anna-chan's lab we're going to, but sure."

Nonoko took the note from Sumire.

"Anna-chan, Iinchou, should we be going off now? The fruit tarts will take quite long to make."

Her two classmates nodded in agreement. Then Anna frowned.

"But, I don't know how much to make since we don't know if Natsume-kun is coming or not."

"Ruka-kun said that he would ask Natsume-kun, but I don't think Natsume-kun came to lunch at all..."

"You're right, I don't remember seeing him. Um... Shouda-san, do you know where Natsume-kun or Ruka-kun is?"

Sumire briefly looked up. "N...no. Why should I?"

"But, aren't you the president of the-"

"Yes, yes! But, I don't stalk them around! Anyway, don't disturb me."

Annoyed, Sumire buried herself in her work again. Nonoko thought for a while.

"We can assume he's coming first, Sonoo-senpai can take back any extra. Anna-chan, you brought all the ingredients to your lab already, right? Let's go."