Author's Notes: Konnichi wa minna-san! I'm back! Still nothing big happening that should keep me away from my beloved computer! Yay! Well, that's all I'm saying!

Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1 or 2.

Chapter 5 is dedicated to Jinenji since it's her birthday this month! Happy Birthday Jinenji!

Question Corner:

No questions that I know of!

Oh! Lavinia-is that your name?-I'm sorry I kinda blew up on you. I know it's not your fault. Don't worry about the fact that you live in a different country and don't know the customs. Heck, I don't even know them! If I made you feel bad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to!

And, Jinenji . . . did you tell your little sister about me and my story? Or did she find out herself? I thought it was interesting to see a sibling of a reviewer review my story, too. It was cool

PS: I did a little research on the Japanese schooling system to figure out how it works. Just wanted to give ya some kind of heads-up because some things about the school are gonna change, okay?

Anyway, here's Chapter 5! Picking up almost right where I left off last time!

Chapter 5

The next day, Sana walked into her homeroom class, calling, "Ohayou!" The few students there responded the same to her as she walked to her seat.

Sitting down, Sana waited for homeroom to begin. She'd come early today and decided to just go to class, even though students didn't have to. Some, however, did so that they didn't have to worry about being late. Sana didn't mind that much, but this way she didn't have to deal with stares, like yesterday. Also, it was refreshing to not be running to class, which she did frequently in the US. Ha! I was always late! she thought to herself.

The bell rang, and the rest of the students in the class flowed into the classroom. Fuka sat next to her and said, "Ohayou! Aya-chan's feelin' better, so she's gonna be in class today. I saw Aki-kun, too. Guess he won't be skippin' this time. Anyway, I hafta tell ya what happened last night. My-"

"I'll be starting homeroom now!" the sensei called over the chatter. "Minna-san, in your seats!"

The class replied, "Hai!" and sat down.

Fuka looked at her. "I'll tell ya later, 'kay?"

Sana smiled. "Sure."

As the announcements started to play over the intercom, the sliding door to the classroom slammed open and then slammed shut. The class, along with the teacher, flinched and looked toward the door. The teacher frowned at the youth.

"Hayama-san. I know school might not be your favorite way to spend your day, but at least have the decency to not be late and to not be so rude when coming into my classroom. Now take a seat," the teacher scolded him.

Hayama glared at him and stomped to his seat. He crashed into it noisily, with no regard for the disruption it might cause.

"Wow," Sana whispered to Fuka. "Someone is in an even worse mood today than usual. If that's possible."

"Hai," Fuka whispered back. "Somethin's wrong. He never gets like this."

Sana glanced behind and noticed that Hayama was muttering small, fetid curses under his breath. He was definitely pissed off about something. But what? Sana asked herself. It couldn't have been something that happened with his family, could it? No, it couldn't, that she was sure of. She turned her attention back to Fuka.

"Oi, Fuka-chan," Sana whispered, "do you think we should talk to him? I think he might feel better once someone talks to him. You know, comforts him. What do you think?"

Fuka stared at her. That was totally somethin' that Sana would've said. Man, Sachiko-chan is too much like Sana-chan for my likin'. She makes me feel as if Sana-chan's still here. Fuka shook her head. What am I talkin' 'bout? I don't needa get suspicious of Sachiko-chan. She's my friend.

Fuka sighed. "Do whatever ya want, girl. I ain't participatin' in it. Gettin' pummeled by Aki-kun isn't on my 'To Do' list. But if you ain't afraid, go ahead and try and talk to 'im. Gombatte; you'll need it if you're gonna try and talk to 'im when he's in this state."

Sana smiled at her. "Oh, come on, he can't be that bad when he's angry." Not that I can recall anyway.

Fuka gave Sana a look that told Sana that Fuka thought she was seriously insane, then sighed. "Whatever ya say, girl. Whatever ya say."

The bell rang, sounding throughout the school. Sana and Fuka stood up, grabbing their schoolbags. They walked out of the classroom, but stopped at a corner where they split, both of them having different classes first. Sana, Biology, Fuka, Health.

"Ja ne, Sachiko-chan!" Fuka called.

Sana replied, "Ja ne, Fuka-chan!"

The two friends walked away from each other and headed toward their classes. Sana was near the door to Biology when she heard a loud banging noise. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder to see that Hayama had punched a locker. She sighed. He is really pissed. I can't imagine why, though. She continued to walk to her class, ignoring Hayama, even though he was in her class as well.

Biology passed quickly and, surprisingly, without any comments from Hayama. After Sana had gone through History, it was Break.

Smiling, Sana bounded over to her friends. Hayama wasn't with them, though. Wonder where he is? She looked at Aya and asked, "Are you feeling better, Aya-chan? I heard you had the stomach flu yesterday."

Aya grinned and answered, "Hai. I feel better. Don't worry about it."

"Oh!" Fuka suddenly exclaimed. "Didn't Aki-kun have his karate tournament yesterday? We forgot to ask 'im how he did! And he'd worked so hard for it, too!" She shook her head and glanced at Sana. "Oh well. Anyway, have ya guys seen Sachiko-chan's hair yet? Isn't it cute?"

At that Aya and Tsuyoshi finally took notice of Sana's hair. Aya squealed, "Sou desu ne! I love it! Very kawaii!"

Tsuyoshi smiled. "Hai, it is. It looks good, Sachiko-chan."

Sana beamed and muttered, "Arigatou."

The four friends babbled on and on about random things––mainly contributed by Sana––until Break ended and they were forced to leave for their next class.

ccsccsccs

For some reason, the day seemed to fly by for Sana, who had just exited her last class and was now going to go home with her friends.

"Konnichi wa, Fuka-chan, Aya-chan, Tsuyoshi-kun!" She gestured to each of them. "O genki desu ka?"

"Genki desu," they all replied.

"So," Fuka said, "the auditions are soon, ne? Are ya nervous?"

Sana smiled. "Hai, they are," she answered. "Demo, daijoubu desu. Honestly, I'm not nervous."

"Well, that's good," Fuka said. "You're lucky to be able to be so calm. Knowin' others, I think that lots of people are gonna be freakin' out on audition day. Demo . . . you'll be fine."

Sana beamed. "Arigatou, Fuka-chan. For the extra confidence boost." She glanced at her watch. "Oh, I have to go! I need to get home! Gomen nasai!"

"Daijoubu," Aya said as she and the others turned left. "We'll see you tomorrow, Sachiko-chan!"

"Hai! Ja!"

Sana quickly walked home and as she entered the house, she remembered something. I forgot to talk to Hayama-kun today! She sighed. Oh well. I'll just talk to him tomorrow.

Sana decided to just go to bed, which she told Josh. She was really tired. As soon as she laid down on her bed after changing and eating a snack, she promptly fell asleep.

Glossary of Translations:

ohayou-morning. This is said to family, friends, and classmates, but only in the morning. 'Ohayou gozaimasu' would mean 'good morning.'

minna/minna-san-everyone, everybody, etc.

gombatte-good luck. Said to someone when they're going to a game, athletic meet, talking to someone they like, etc. It's a very commonly used word from what I know.

ja ne-see ya. Said to someone when the person will be seen again soon, or among friends. (Have I said this translation?)

sou desu ne-I see, true, etc. Usually used when talking to a person or when acknowledging the speaker, which in Japan is very important. If you don't acknowledge the speaker, it is considered very rude.

kawaii-cute. This word can be used to describe stuffed animals, dolls, people (usually girls), hair, pets, etc.

ogenki desu ka?-how are you? From my knowledge, this is a very casual and informal way of asking this.

genki desu-I'm fine. I'm not sure if this is the correct translation or reply to the phrase 'o genki desu ka?'

demo-but.

daijoubu desu-I'm all right. This may be incorrect.

gomen nasai-I'm sorry. Another way of saying this would be to just say 'gomen.'

daijoubu-it's all right/it's okay. It can also be used as an informal or quick way of asking 'are you all right?'

Author's Notes: Bad chapter, but I wanted to at least have something up for Jinenji's birthday. I've missed it by a week though. Sorry that this chapter was so choppy too. Ja!