AN: I had a hard time writing this too cos I as before said... I don't know how to write a heartbroken individual. Let alone Tomo. I should get some heartbroken lessons. 11 chapters in and we FINALLY get to who I planned to be Tomo's actual love interest. I was keeping it a secret from you all! Hope they weren't too OCC

Chapter 11

Tomo didn't even go to meet Mieko or any of the others for tennis after school let out. She rushed out of the building, happy to be free of the oppressive air that enveloped her.

She tried to keep her shoulders up as she strolled on, clutching her leather bag in front of her. Sakuno had apologized for being the one to break the news to her and even Mieko-san said once Kiyoko-buchou graduated she's ask the couch to let them switch, as she didn't think she was cut out for captain position. Still, it wasn't the fact that Mieko got captain that nagged Tomo. She wanted to know how and why Momo chose Kiyoko-buchou, and why Buchou would act so spitefully.

"Tomo-chan!"

Tomo turned to see Sakuno, Ryoma and Mieko running towards her.

"You rushed out really fast! We didn't know where you went!" Sakuno gasped when she was at Tomo's side.

"Yeah, you usually wait up," Ryoma scowled.

"Oh," was all Tomo managed to reply. She loved her friends, but she really didn't want to see them. And why was Mieko-chan here too?

"Aa, Tomo-chan! I just want to tell you that I'm going to talk to Isumi-fukubuchou about her sister. Maybe that will change her mind," Mieko started.

"What does it matter now?" Tomo shrugged, indifferently. "Kiyoko-chan obviously doesn't like me since I'm her… boyfriend's ex."

"Tomo-chan!"

"Whatever," Tomo turned and stomped off.

Her feelings were constantly switching between anger and sadness and she really didn't like how she was taking it out on everyone around her. They only wanted to help her feel better, and the reality of it was, they just couldn't.

Tomo was glad that no one followed her away from the school yard. Her brothers were occupied with some friends after school, so she didn't have to rush home and she really didn't want to go there anyway. Instead she found herself drifting through the neighborhood and before long found herself in a small playground near her home.

She observed all of it and wondered when really was the last time she had fun here. When growing up she would sit on this see-saw, slide on this very slide, and swing on that swing. She felt herself at peace as a small breeze flitted past blowing through her skirt, tie and hair.

Letting a small nostalgic sigh pass from her lips and she made her way to the deserted swing set. It was so quiet, and although Tomo wondered where the children were she couldn't help but be thankful for their absence. She sat there like a statue and planned her next move.

Tomo knew that she should let it go… ok she knew she should give Momo a good old fashion yellin', and then she should let it go. Still, a part of her still held on to whatever they had even if it were tainted now that she knew he had been cheating on her. Tomo clinched her teeth. This moping around and feeling sorry for herself just wasn't working and neither was it worth it. She had to take action!

Tomo stomped over to the swing set and violently plopped her self down, ignoring the thump and rattling of the chain as she fished her phone our of her leather bag. She dialed the number of just the person she needed to talk to, and if they didn't answer then they would surely have hell to pay.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Momo here! Leave me a message, ok!"

Tomo was so angry. How dare he not ever answer her calls!? How long had it been now? 3 days? Tomo let out an exasperated growl.

Beep.

"TAKESHI MOMOSHIRO, you idiot! I know you're hiding! Why else would you not return any of my calls? Ryoma-kun and Horio told me all about your new little girlfriend! I think that's a new low, especially for you!" Tomo's message started out as forceful but her voice was getting shakier as she progressed. "If that's the kind of guy you are-- If that's the kind of guy you are then I'm just glad I found out now. I… I hate you, Takeshi-kun! I hate you!"

A large sob escaped from Tomo's lips and she quickly hung up the phone, not wanting for him to hear her begin crying like the big baby she was being. She covered her face and let her phone slip onto the ground while she sat on the swing, a lone stationary girl, crying in the quiet park.

--

Tomo didn't know how long she sat there with her face in her hands, but she stayed that way even when the tears had stopped falling.

"Aa--" a deep voice began, with a hint of uncertainly.

Tomo quickly lifted her face and there crouched down before her was a familiar boy who held such gentle and tender expression on his face.

"Osakada-san?" The boy gasped when their eyes met.

"O..Oishi-sempai!" Tomo gasped as well. Knowing Oishi-sempai, he probably saw a girl who looked distressed sitting in the playground and went to help her. It was only coincidence that the girl was Tomoka Osakada. What a coincidence it was!

"Osakada-san, you were crying!" Oishi said, the first one to find his voice.

Tomo turned her head away from his and attempted to wipe her puffy red eyes with the back of her arm.

"Here," Oishi said, pulling a tissue from his pocket and handing it to the girl.

Tomo thanked him quietly and proceeded the wipe her face.

Oishi got up from his crouching position and took a seat on the swing beside Tomo's. They sat in a silence, without Oishi saying a word to disturb the girl She hadn't asked him to go so he was sure his presence wasn't completely unwelcome.

Tomo didn't know why she didn't ask him to leave herself. She was so adamant about being alone and yet something about Oishi made her feel more at ease. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to speak but he didn't pressure her and finally the words were flowing from her mouth.

"Takeshi… Momo-chan dumped me on Saturday." Tomo began with a smooth and unaffected voice.

Oishi's eyes widened in surprise but he didn't interrupt her.

"I don't know how to feel right now. I feel do pathetic because I just want to bad to see him and-- I don't know… but it's all so utterly ridiculous because I just found out that he's been cheating on me. Sempai! You must think I'm so stupid!"

Oishi shook his head. "Not at all, Osakada-san. I think you have every right to feel upset, angry, sad, everything."

Tomo sighed loudly. "I don't feel so good. I keep wondering what I did wrong. Was I so bad to him that he had to cheat on me with Kiyoko-buchou! It doesn't make any sense."

"I don't tink some people need reasons to do the things they do," Oishi replied.

"But that doesn't make sense," retorted Tomo, her voice raising in inflection.

Oishi made no reply.

Tomo suddenly jolted up from her slouching position.

I'm sorry, Sempai. How have you been?" Tomo asked. Suddenly becoming aware that sitting beside her was a boy, or rather man, she hadn't seen in maybe a year.

Oishi only managed a light chuckle.

"The same. I've been busy with school and I have a part time job."

"Me too," Tomo replied… "The part time job and school part. I only work weekends."

"That's really responsible of you. When I was your age I wasn't even thinking of that."

Tomo let out a chuckle. "Oishi-sempai! You make it sound like you're so much older!"

"Haha, I guess you're right! It's not much of a difference between us after all," Oishi laughed too.

They shared a quick laugh over it and when it was over their smiles lingered.

"See, that's the Osakada-san I remember," Oishi beamed.

"Wha--?"

"She was always yelling really loud and having a smile on her face."

Tomo's eyes widened in surprise but she quickly furrowed her brows and her best attempt to look offended.

"Who are you callin' loud!?"

Tomo stood and shook her fist and Oishi backed away in his swing and flinched. They stared at each other a split second before Tomo burst into another fit of giggles.

"Sempai! I wasn't going to hit you for real!"

Oishi blushed out of embarrassment. "So you wasn't."

Tomo grinned. Tomo's day was so gloomy but just talking to Oishi made everything seem a lot better. It hadn't erased her problems but the laugh did wonders to alleviate her stress. Tomo brushed her skirt and bowed in a way most would never think to see her do.

Tomo wasn't as impolite as she was loud. She put on her best face and said the next few words with all of her heart.

"Thank you, Oishi-sempai."

-to be continued-

AN: hope they weren't too OCC. thanks for reading. please review!