Fuko Kuzuha was a small girl. Most would say she was a klutz. But it didn't matter to her. She was happiest just to help others. This morning she was helping out Ruru Sohnjo at the Boarding house the students used as a shortcut to get from the dorms to the school. "So, Ba-chan. Have you heard from Sensei lately?" looking down at Kura Ge.'I bet you miss sensei, too.' she thought, waiting for the old woman to respond.
Not wanting to let the cat out of the bag yet, Ruru gave a general answer. "I spoke to Hibiki the other day. Told me that there is a job offer as a Kioshi he wants to check into." Fuko looked slightly crestfallen at ruru's words. It pulled at Ruru's heart. "Hibiki will be back here today. He has a meeting arround 2:30 so he will be here when you get out of classes today."
Fuko smiled at that. Then realizing what time it was, began to run. "Sorry, baa-chan, I'm going to be late for classes." and grabbing her school bag almost tripped out the door to the hill up to the school. Watching her go, Ruru reflected on how much Fuko had changed since Hibiki had left. 'She's growing into a fine young woman.' she thought. 'I hope her heart will accept what must be done.' and Ruru went to Hibiki's old room to make sure it was ready for him.
Fujio, Seiko and Miho were chating umong themselves as they walked toward the school. Seeing Fuko come out of Gochiso. "Hey Fuko, wait up." Miho called out to her friend. Upon hearing her name, Fuko stopped to look arround and see Fujio, Seiko, and Miho comming up behind her. "Hi Miho-chan. how are you this morning Seiko-chan, Fujio-chan." a bright smile on her face, Bigger than her friends had seen her wear in almost a year.
Seiko was the first to speak. "Your pretty happy this morning, Fuko. Did someone give you some good news?" she asked.
Blushing profusely, she smiled even more. "Hai, I just got some very good news." she said. Fujio pressed her for more information. "So what is it, Fuko. Are you going to tell us or do we need to resort to tickle tourture?" Fujio laughed. She had only recently felt free to do this with her friends again. Working thru her feelings and freindships with Akira and Fuko had been hard. butshe had finally worked up the courage to ask Akira out, since he haden't asked her or any other girl out since Hibiki left. Fuko squeeled as Miho started in with the tickling. "I'll tell, I'LL TELL" she said laughing. " Sensei is coming back today. Isn't that great?"
"Really? Any word where she will be working at?" Fujio asked. It was still hard to think of Hibiki Amawa as anything but the female Kioshi who shared so much with them, and not the bra man from Gochiso."No not yet, but sensei has a meeting at 2:30 to be a Kioshi here in town somewhere" Fuko said. "Want to come with me to Gochiso after classes today?" she asked. Miho and Seiko both wished to see Hibiki Amawa again, but were unsure about meeting him as a man. Fujio on the other hand imediatly agreed." Sure, I'll come, and so will Miho and Seiko, too." getting a nod in the affirmative from both of them. "Great", Fuko saidand entered the front gate of the school with her friends.