Well, we're coming up on the third quarter of the story, so keep reading and reviewing!
Chapter 18, "Today's Date: Chiyo and Osaka".
Most of the class didn't know what to expect when a calm, rational Yukari entered the room. "Ah, wonderful morning, class!" she greeted. They all looked on in suspicion. "Excuse me," Tomo called, "but are you Miss Yukari? Or did we get a cool dress-up substitute?" she asked. "Oh, Tomo, talk to me that way again and I'll have to KILL YOU." Yukari stated, apparently back to normal. Tomo responded by hiding under her desk and covering her head. "Alright, get out your work! Anyone who didn't get it done is going to pay!" she announced. All but two people set their work down; Osaka and Chiyo. "Remember our deal, Miss Yukari?" Osaka asked tentatively. "What? Oh, that's right! Never mind, you two." Yukari waved them off. "WHAT? NO! I will NOT stand for this!" Tomo erupted. "Yeah, I'm curious too. What gets them off the hook?" Kagura asked accusingly. "Well...it's a personal matter!" Yukari evaded. "Like hell, they probably bribed her!" Tomo accused, pointing a finger at them. "Enough! Turn in your work!" Yukari yelled. They did so, but not without giving glances at the exempt couple. Come break, Tomo decided to interrogate Chiyo, and whisked her away when Osaka wasn't around to protect her. After carrying her around school, she found a suitably sized locker for her purposes. "Tell me what you did to get outta doin' homework, or that's where you're gonna spend the rest of the day!" she threatened, opening the door for emphasis. "N-no! We just helped her out with Miss Kurosawa, that's it!" Chiyo cried frantically. "Is that so? Well, if I'm right, I should get out of P.E. homework since I tried to help her!" Tomo reasoned. "Now let go of me please!" Chiyo requested, squirming. Tomo blinked at her for a second, then grinned evilly. "Nope." She replied, and began forcing a frantically screaming Chiyo into the locker, when Nyamo happened by. "HEY! What're you doing?" she yelled. "Crap! See ya, Chiyo-chan!" Tomo dropped her out of her grasp and ran, Nyamo right on her heels. Chiyo was left to look on, gasping for air after yelling for her friend to stop.
"Hey, where have ya been, Chiyo?" Osaka greeted the small girl as she entered the room. Chiyo didn't respond, but shot a glare to Tomo, who was currently pondering a warning note from Nyamo. "Hey, what're you looking at me like that for?" Tomo asked, noticing Chiyo. Chiyo didn't respond to her either, and instead went to sit down. "What'd she do to ya, Chiyo?" her girlfriend asked. "She threatened to stuff me in a locker if I didn't tell her why we didn't have to do our homework! And then she tried anyway!" Chiyo huffed. Osaka set a hand on Chiyo's head, comforting her. "Don't worry, she's just like that. What do ya think happened to Miss Yukari, though? She seems...happier, I guess." She questioned. "Do you think she and Miss Nyamo got together?" Chiyo wondered, that having been what they talked about the previous night. "Hey, anyway, Chiyo...would ya want to go somewhere after school?" Osaka asked timidly, blushing. "What do you mean?" Chiyo asked, clueless. Osaka stared at her, halfway between thinking and spacing out. "Well...ya'know, out?" she stressed, and Chiyo finally understood. "O-oh...of course! I'd just need to get my work done." Chiyo answered, about to explode with joy. "Alright then!" Osaka answered confidently. When class started up again, they endured the rest of the class without any problem. "Well, I'll see ya in a while, Chiyo!" Osaka waved. "Until then!" Chiyo waved back, and they parted ways. Walking a short distance, Osaka entered her house and went to her room. Upon closing the door, she realized something. "I don't know where to go! Or what to do!" she cried, flailing her arms. "I've gotta think of somethin'! I'll look so...unorganized if I don't!" she contradicted her life's attitude, and walked over to her desk. She set her head down, trying to think. "I've gotta get it together! Get it together, get it... together..." she mumbled before sleep overtook her. She slept for hours...
Chiyo sat on her bed, enjoying Mr. Tadakichi's company. She patted him on the head, looking up to the ceiling. "She...isn't she coming?" she wondered quietly, afraid that Osaka might have forgotten about her. "She wouldn't...would she...?" she questioned, not wanting to imagine if Osaka had truly forgotten her or not. It was well into evening now, and she was about to give up when her when a buzz came in from her gate. Smiling, she ran out the door and out to her girlfriend. "Osaka! I was beginning to think you'd fallen asleep or something!" she greeted. "Hehe...yeah, pretty silly, isn't it?" Osaka agreed, putting a hand behind her head. "Well, where should we go?" Chiyo asked her enthusiastically. "Uh...well...maybe a movie?" Osaka suggested, mentally smacking herself for making such a predictable plan. "Alright! Let's go, then!" Chiyo agreed, causing the larger girl to face fault. 'Well...at least she's pretty easy to please...' Osaka noted as they started off. Through the movie, Chiyo unconsciously clasped Osaka's hand, focused more on her girl than the movie. 'How can I make it up to her? I wouldn't know what to do if I asked her out! There's gotta be some other way!' she pondered. She continued her train of thought until she felt something tugging on her arm. "Chiyo? You awake?" Osaka asked, waving her other hand in front of Chiyo's face. "Ah...oh! Yes, I-I'm awake! What is it?" she inquired. "...The movie's over..." Osaka replied, giving Chiyo and odd look. "Hey...Osaka? Chiyo-chan?" A familiar voice called. They looked up behind them, and found the owner. "Miss Kagura! Miss Sakaki!" Chiyo exclaimed.
"Wow, I didn't think we'd meet you here." Kagura told them as they exited the theatre. "What the hell? Is it over already?" another voice questioned angrily before they could respond. "Tomo? I suppose Yomi should be around somewhere." Kagura surmised. "Yes, the movie just ended." Sakaki informed a fuming Tomo. "Damnit! It's all Yomi's fault! She wanted to freakin' spruce before we left!" she shouted, but stopped when an object hit her in the head. "Shut up, Tomo! You don't even have any room to talk." Yomi screeched, pinching the other girl's cheeks. "Hey, let's go to Chiyo's place!" Tomo suggested, throwing Yomi off of her with little effort. "Actually...well, don't we always?" Yomi gave in. They walked the distance, talking about the movie and what else had gone on that day, when Chiyo suddenly stopped. "What's wrong?" Tomo asked, then looked towards her house; lights were on, and a rather expensive looking limo in the driveway. "...My parents are home..." Chiyo whispered, looking from her home to Osaka. The latter gulped nervously and looked back to her. "I think we should wait..." Sakaki imposed. "Yeah, maybe later, Chiyo-chan!" Kagura agreed, and they started off. "Aw! But I'm hungry!" Tomo complained. "Save it!" Yomi hit her on the arm and dragged her away. "O-Osaka...?" Chiyo stammered. "Yeah, we should do it now..." the lightheaded girl replied. They slowly walked up the driveway, and entered the house. "Mom? Dad?" Chiyo called, but only received a responsive bark from Tadakichi. The dog soon entered the room, and was followed by a medium-sized man. "Ah, Chiyo. It's good to see you!" he greeted. "Dad!" Chiyo squealed, running to him. "Has everything been alright since last time?" he asked. "Yes. Isn't Mom here?" Chiyo inquired, looking about. "She'll be here any minute, she went out to take care of some things." Her father answered. Osaka took him in; about a few feet taller than Chiyo, brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses. He was rather slim too. "Is this one of your friends?" he asked his daughter. "Ah...yes. Dad, this is Ayumu Kasuga." Chiyo told him. He stretched and went to sit down. "Is she the one?" he asked in a serious tone after a long pause. "Y-yes..." Chiyo answered, a light blush evident on her cheeks. "I see..." he said thoughtfully, tenting his fingers and looking Osaka over. The vacant girl became anxious and afraid under his gaze; it was like a hawk's, ready to strike her at any moment. After a few moments, he let out a small chuckle. "I think we should discuss it more when your mother arrives." He suggested. He then looked to Osaka. "I'm quite pleased to meet you. My name is Tashru Mihama." He shook her hand. Osaka wasn't quite sure to think, but she wouldn't complain if she hadn't been detested...yet.
Well this is Number 18. 19 will decide critical events, so you MUST read it if you like this story! R&R as always!