I'm really sorry for not updating so long. It's the end of the term right now at my school, so I had a lot of work to do. -.- Also, I won't be able to update next week because I'm going skiing in a small place without internet connection. Sorry! .

Thanks for all the alerts/favorites/reviews, it made me really happy! ^^ Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Please R&R!

Chapter 8: How to get yourself a lot of work

Rin woke up. Her alarm clock was ringing; it was an annoying and loud sound. At first she ignored it and snuggled deeper into her bed. The pillow was so soft and fluffy; the blankets were really warm and comfortable, in short: Her bed was heaven. Soon her ears couldn't stand the noise anymore. Reluctantly she stretched her arm to turn it off.
Letting out a yawn, she scratched her head and looked around. Her room was tidied and her school bag leaned against her desk. She left her bed, putting on her slippers and slowly moved to her wardrobe. After searching through it, she found her washed uniform. It smelled like lavender, probably because of the washing powder. She put it onto her chair, for now she only needed her jogging outfit. After brushing her teeth she left the house.

Her mother had gone to work already; she would have to make breakfast for herself later on.
Today the weather was nice, it was warm even though it was still early. Some birds were chirping, but there weren't any people, so it was quiet. It was a peaceful silence and Rin enjoyed it. Normal life was always so busy; there hardly was any time for relaxing. She breathed in the fresh air, then noticed Kaidoh in the distance and increased her speed. It took her some time to catch up to him, but she managed to do it without exhausting herself too much. He nodded, acknowledging her presence and continued jogging. At an intersection they parted ways, each of them heading for a different direction. Kaidoh planned on running some more while Rin was looking forward to a shower to wake her up completely and to breakfast because her stomach was already complaining.

Sometime later she arrived at her house, first having a shower, then dressing up in her uniform. She looked at the clock on the wall in the kitchen and noticed that she didn't have much time until school started. While swallowing her breakfast, she nearly choked and she had to drink some water. She took her school bag and left the house after petting a sleeping Kuro.

Rin entered her classroom. First subject today was math. She took out some notes and revised them.
"Can I borrow them, just for the test, I forgot mine?" Eiji was asking her with big puppy eyes.
Too cute, she thought, squeaking inwardly. Sighing, she lent them to him; instead she tried to remember what Oishi had told her and went through it mentally. Her thoughts were interrupted by a squeaking blond girl.

"Rin, Rin! How are you before the math test? Shizu-chan and I thought we should check up on you. Need any help?" Her hyperactive friend appeared right in front of her, the other quieter one following behind her.

"Nah, I think I'll be alright this time."

Her friends weren't convinced and stared at her with doubt on their faces.

"Really, I have studied and I'm not that dumb..."

"Okay, then we'll see you at lunch!" The blonde girl Rina bounced away happily while waving, Shizuka just nodded and left.

In truth, Rin wasn't so sure if she could pass the test. Sure, Oishi had tutored her, but only once until now. She inhaled deeply to calm down. Nervousness was the least thing she would need right now. The bell rang. Their math teacher walked into the classroom and collected the assignments for today. Then he handed the test papers out.

"This will only be a short review of what you have learned this term. You have thirty minutes."

Rin turned the paper and scanned it. There were ten different tasks. She started off with an easy question, and then solved the more complicated ones. She had some problems with one of them and wasn't sure if she did it right, but while returning the sheets, she felt more confident about getting a good grade. Pleased with herself, she didn't notice the next class, art, already starting. The teacher coughed, gaining the attention of every student in the room.

"As all of you know the school festival is held in three weeks, shortly before summer vacation."
Ah, right, nearly forgot about it, Rin thought.
"Our class will, together with class 3-2, perform the play 'Cinderella'-" Some boys groaned while the girls giggled in anticipation. "-and Moriyama-san, I want you to organize the performance with the help of Nohara-sensei, who is responsible for the drama club."
Immediately everyone turned to her direction and started whispering. Rin stared at the teacher in shock. She didn't have any experience with acting or something else concerning a play. Also, she was the manager of the tennis club and the Kantou finals were right around the corner.

"Me? But I-" She tried to protest, but was cut off.
"I am sure that you will do a good job. So, tomorrow we will decide the roles. Now, please take out your sketchbooks and show me the portrait you have drawn last week."

Class continued and Rin had to push her worries aside for the time being.

It was lunch break and Rin was sitting with her friends on the school's roof. They were the only ones there because others thought it was too hot up there, directly in the sunshine, but luckily for them the sky was a little clouded.
Each of them had their own bentos, though only Rin had made hers herself. Rina's and Shizuka's mothers were really good cooks, so their daughters have yet to try making something.

"That looks delicious, can I try a piece?"

Rin nodded and in seconds part of her lunch was gone, eaten by the small blond girl.

"How can you eat this much when you're this small?" Rin sighed. On Rina's lap was an already empty big box and she grinned at her black haired friend sheepishly, but then pouted.

"I may be small, but I have a growth spurt right now. Just wait, in high school I will be taller than you and Shizuka!" She claimed. "I'm even drinking milk everyday!"

Both her friends chuckled while Rina tried to look even angrier, which only made her cuter.

"So, how was the math test?" Shizuka changed the topic; she didn't want to tease the small girl anymore because she looked quite pitiful.

"Oh, it was alright. I think I have at least scored half the points." Rin answered. Rina stopped sulking and smiled at her friend, sparkling slightly.

"Really? That's good! Seems like your tutoring lesson paid off!"

"We won't know until the results are out." They continued eating for awhile and it became quiet, then Rina interrupted the silence because of boredom.

"I heard your class is going to perform a play and that you're in charge of it!"

"Yes,..." Rin let out a sigh. "...but I also have my job as a manager, the finals are coming up, and how can I plan this play in only THREE weeks?"

"Isn't Nohara-sensei helping you? I heaedr he is a really good actor and teacher." Shizuka tried cheering her up.

"Yeah, you're right. I'll manage somehow." Rin sounded a little more confident. It was nice to have friends cheering you up. She pondered whether she should tell them about this Atobe guy, but decided against it. They would probably support her mother and urge Rin to take this chance; out of them Rin was the only one who hadn't had a boyfriend yet. Both of her friends already had gone out with one boy at least and they always told her to find one herself.

"Sorry, I've got to go now. Sensei wants to tell me about my tasks."

Rin stood up and headed for the staircase.
Her friends waved.

"We'll see you later at tennis practice!" Rina shouted.

On her way to the teacher's office, she ran into the student council president who was holding a stack of paper and several folders.

"Do you need help?" She asked him and he accepted her offer, relieved about not having to carry everything alone.

"Moriyama-san, you'll help us out this year too, right?" He questioned her.

At first she wanted to say no, with the play going on and the tennis club, but he looked at her with big pleading eyes, the same ones that Rina used when she wanted something. She mentally sighed and gave in. They dropped the paperwork on the desk in the student council office. Then the president took out a thick file filled with papers.

"These are the plans for the festival of each class. Could you write them down on a list?"

Rin nodded and was handed the file. It was quite heavy, but the work was simple.

"I need them soon, so that I can plan the budget and materials needed. Thank you, Moriyama-san." He smiled at her and Rin left the room. She wished she had brought her bag with her, but she didn't, so she had to carry the file to the teacher's office. There her teacher was already expecting her. "Please sit down here, Moriyama-san." She did as she was told and put the file on her lap.

"You will act as the director of the play, tomorrow you will decide on the roles of each student. You can practice in the hall; there is enough space for everyone. Nohara-sensei will help you." After his explanations he handed her the script and a student list.

"I am counting on you, Moriyama-san." He smiled.

"Yes, sir."

And she left, loaded with even more work to do.

Rin had packed everything into her school bag and was now anticipating her next lesson. It was home economics. She liked the subject only because they would cook most of the times, else it was boring. The teacher entered and announced that they would bake chocolate muffins today. Eiji exclaimed a 'Yay!' and was shushed by the teacher.

"Now, please form groups of four people."

The girls all headed to Fuji and Eiji, surrounding them like moths flying around a light. The other boys watched them with envy. They managed to flee from their fan girls and grabbed Rin and some other girl standing beside her.

"I'm sorry, but we already have a group." Fuji apologized with his usual smile.

"Hey Rin, I heard you're good at cooking, I want try your muffins! I bet they'll taste great!"

"Thanks."

Every single girl in the room glanced at her which made Rin uncomfortable, but she ignored them.

"Let's start, shall we?"

First they got the necessary ingredients and made the dough. It was quite tiring for Rin because she had to watch Eiji, so he wouldn't eat the whole dough. Also, Fuji tried to mix in some spices that were most definitely not used for baking. The other girl wasn't much of a help either. She would just stare at Eiji and Fuji as if they were idols; she looked like she could faint every minute. In the end Rin managed to make a normal tasting dough enough for twelve muffins. She put it in the oven and prepared the icing. Eiji was watching the muffins bake.

"Look! They're getting bigger and bigger, nya!" He exclaimed happily like a small child.

After letting them cool down a bit they were ready for the icing. Fuji decorated them with some flower ornaments made from different colored sugar. The teacher complimented their muffins after eating one. Finally everyone was allowed to eat one too. It was delicious!

After the lesson Rin, Fuji and Eiji walked to the courts together. Some club members were already warming up. While Eiji and Fuji went to change into their tennis clothes, she headed to Ryūzaki-sensei. They greeted each other.

"Rin, I heard you'll be the director for a play, if it's too much work for you, you don't have to help us with practice every day." The coach told her.

"It's alright, also the finals are coming up." Rin assured her with a smile.

"Moriyama-san!" Oishi called her. He ran up to her and stopped in front of her. "We, Eiji, Fuji and me, won't be able to participate in afternoon rehearsals because of tennis practice for this week. I just wanted to tell you."

"You are in the play?" Rin was confused.

"I'm in class 3-2."

"Ohhh..." Now Rin understood, before she didn't know which class he was in.

"Everyone, please assemble." Oishi commanded and the club members followed; few minutes later Oishi was surrounded by boys, eagerly awaiting his speech.

"As you all know we will be facing Rikkai in the finals- a school who has won the National Tournament the past two years. They are strong, but we are going to get stronger and defeat them!" Cheering was heard and Oishi smiled happily.

"Now, get to practice!"

Soon the crowd disbanded and everyone did their regular activities.

"Did I sound confident enough?" Oishi asked Rin with a worried expression.

"Sure, Oishi-buchou." He nodded as thanks and turned to watch the regulars train. They were even more determined to win the next matches and were training hard, doing more than the usual training menus. Rin noticed Ryūzaki-sensei outside the cage around the courts, observing her boys with proud shining in her eyes. Then she noticed Rin's stare on her and turned.

"Why don't you help the first years with their swing practice, Rin?"

"Yes, sure." She answered and headed to the court where they were training.

"Rin-senpai!" They shouted when they saw her coming. She smiled at them.

"I'll be watching you practice and correct your mistakes."

"Okay!" The first years shouted in unison.

"Horio-kun, you have to stretch out your arm a little bit more!"

"You have to put your left leg forward and then move like this, Kachiro-kun."

She showed him how to move, then noticed a boy who looked exactly like Oishi, only in a smaller version and without bangs.
"You're Katsuo-kun, right?"

"Y-Yeah..." The boy stuttered. "Your swing is perfect! Keep the good work!"She complimented him which made him blush.

From the side of the tennis court the regulars were watching their manager.

"Rin-senpai's a good teacher, isn't she?" Momo commented.

"Well, according to my data she had played tennis for about seven years and even won some tournaments."

"Wow, then Rin-chan should be quite good at tennis, nya!" Eiji exclaimed excitedly.

"Saa, then why isn't she playing anymore?" Fuji wasn't in the girl's tennis club, nor had she ever told them about her tennis skills.

"She stopped because of an injury she sustained right before junior high school. She isn't allowed to do any sports regularly, except jogging or swimming, or to participate in P.E. lessons."

"Oh, so that's why I've never seen her running with the other girls during P.E., nya."
"Poor Rin-san." Kawamura said.

"Fsshhhh~" Kaidoh added in agreement.

"Well, let's continue practice."