Lots of thanks for mangafairy, mini-ares, secretfire33 and YarningChick (YC) ^^
I'm so excited about this chapter! (I hope there's no grammar errors this time). But hey people, check out YC's stories. It's very good and amusing ^^

Disclaimer : I Don't Own The Cat Returns Or Any Of The Characters. There.

Chapter 3: The Anticipation

"Haru? What's wrong? You've been daydreaming for three days now! And you're still smiling like a fool!" Said Hiromi.

There's concern in her voice. They're sitting inside their classroom, facing each other.

"Oh, look who's talking. You're also smiling like a dumb back then." Haru countered. Still smiling, Hiromi blushed. Then something clicked on her head. There's a dangerous smirk on her face. 'Uh, oh. Did I say a wrong word or what?'

"Now, now, Haru my, dear. Let's hear who's making you smile like me back then." Now, it's Hiromi's turn to smile devilishly, while Haru started to blush.

"What are you talking about?" Haru tried to play dumb. But it didn't work at all.

"Tell me, Haru! Who's the man?" Said Hiromi grabbing her shoulder. There's fire in her eyes.

'I'm in trouble.'

After Baron's and other's visit, Haru was living her life with a renewed spirit. But her sudden change of behaviour made her friends (Especially Hiromi) get curious. After all, who's not curious when their Haru kept smiling and writing 'SUNDAY' and 'BARON' in her notebooks. Well, Hiromi was the first one to be able to ask her.

"Uhh. You're not going to be interested, Hiromi. It's long and boring."

"I am REALLY interested." Hiromi countered, still with a flaming spirit in her eyes.

"Well, there is this… man…"
"I KNEW IT!" She suddenly stood and screamed loud. "GUYS! LOOK WHO'S GOT HERSELF A MAN!"

After Hiromi said that everyone in the class looked at Haru. Some girls gasped and had tearful eyes (They're Haru's secret admirers) and like hungry reporters, they're all in front of Haru in a matter of seconds and asking variable questions to Haru. (Wow, you must be wondering how Haru can get so many friends in two weeks).

"What's his name?" "Is he in this class?" "What about Machida?" "How long have you guys been together?" "How old is he?"

Now, Haru's head was spinning and she's very confused as to what to do. "What's his personality like?" " Is he better than Machida?" Her patience was running low. And..."How---"

"GUYS!" Haru screamed. "Really, it's not a big deal. We're just friends. That's all."

Haru said. There's a sad frown in her face. The crowd slowly ceased. Some girls muttered 'sorry' to her.

"Sorry Haru. I guess, I overreacted and became too excited. It's not everyday that you're acting like this." Hiromi frowned.

"It's okay Hiromi. I know you're just curios."

"Well then, are you going to introduce me to this man, or what?"

"Uhm... I can't promise you that... He's kind of... busy."

"Busy?"

"You see, he's really...far away from here.. and he got himself a company to lead(The Cat's Bureau)."

"I see... But if you're going to meet him, call me. Okay?"

"O-okay.. I guess.." Then the school's bell rang and they continued her lesson. 'There's no way she's going to meet him..' Haru sighed.

After school, Hiromi went on a date with Tsuge. Haru didn't want to bother those two, so... She tried to kill some time with quilting. She's actually a fast learner.

The days seemed to pass very quick. Before she knew it, it was already Saturday night. And the problem was...

"What am I going to wear?" Haru had completely forgotten about that. She searched and searched in her wardrobe, but she didn't have a gown to wear! There was no way she was going wear her mother's. It was old fashioned and knitted. She sighed and sat on her bed. Suddenly, there was a knock from the door.

"Come in."

"Haru?" It was her mother with a slightly confused face and she was holding a shopping bag. It seemed that she's just returned from her daily shopping. "What's going on here? Your room is a mess!"

She walked towards Haru, sometimes avoiding the clothes which were laying on the floor. She sat beside her.

"It's nothing, Mom.."

"You know that you can tell me anything. Right, Haru?" She said gently.

"Well... You know, Baron..."

"Baron? Are you going to date with him tonight?"

"N-No! It's not a date! We're just going to a friend's wedding ceremony together this Sunday..."

"Oh, really?" Her mother laughed a little. Her daughter's expression now was priceless.

"Yes... But the problem is that I don't have a gown to wear tomorrow..."

"Well.. I have this gown I just bought today." She brought out a beautiful light gray gown from her shopping bag. It was a sleeveless and knee long gown with little silver flowers all over it. There was also a silver silk choker for accessory.

"Oh mom... This... This is perfect!" she hugged her mom happily. "Where did you get it?"

"Well.. I bought this gown as soon as I saw it.. I thought that you didn't have any gown to wear. But every girl needs one. Besides, it's perfect for you. It's really a coincidence, isn't it?" She laughed and they continued their hug.

'I can't wait to meet Baron.... It's just a matter of time now....' She thought happily.

And CUT! Sorry, I gotta stop here =P
Is it getting better or worse? R&R pleaseee ^^

Love,

Lorie