"...." Keiko was frozen stiff. She couldn't take her eyes off of Kakeru.

The violinist stood, and glared at Keiko.

Kakeru walked up to her, and looked at her.

Keiko took a deep breath as his dark brown eyes penetrated through her glasses, into hers. She followed his eyes as they traced down her body slowly.

Kakeru's frown tugged his mouth tighter, and he walked around her.

Keiko looked over her shoulders as he walked behind her slowly, and he appeared in front of her again. Kakeru reached out to her face, and she winced as he took a hold of her glasses, and slid them off.

She slowly opened her eyes, and blinked. She didn't try to focus, she knew she couldn't. She stared at the blurry figure of Kakeru blankly, uncertain of what he would do next.

"Could I have my glasses back, please? I'd rather not add to my vulnerability right now..." Keiko still spoke in a masculine tone.

"Unbelievable. Inconceivable." Kakeru muttered as she came closer to Keiko. He became clearer the closer he came. Keiko snatched her glasses from Kakeru, and pushed them back on her face. She swung at arm at him, "Back off, creep!"

Kakeru kept his eyes on her figure as he instinctively, without a flinch, blocked her blow.

Keiko gulped, and glared down at him.

Kakeru reached slowly, cautiously for a shirt button. "I must've been seeing things..."

The moment the thought connected, Keiko shrieked (sounding very girl this time around), and this time her arm connected perfectly with Kakeru's eye.

"AH!" Kakeru screamed, grabbing his face and backing away in a stumble.

Keiko was breathing heavily now, bringing her arms up to her chest in a defensive manner.

"...ah!...ah!" Kakeru held two hands over his face still.

Keiko was in a panic. Oh, cripes! He did find out!! Now my life is ruined! He'll tell Obari, and Otaru will know, and Anji will KILL me, and---!

Keiko's eyes overflowed with tears finally, and she fell to her knees, crying.

Kakeru's eyes widened in shock, and he straightened up from his hunched-over position.

Keiko pulled off her glasses, and sniffed. Her tears clung on her lashes, and her cheeks were flushed. She continued to bawl.

Kakeru watched her weep bitterly, and a bit of color went to his cheeks. He began to feel a twinge of remorse for the...girl. She's a girl.

"H-hey..." Kakeru spoke up, and lowered his arm. "Hey, dont' cry." He actuallys ounded sincere! He mentally applauded himself.

Keiko sniffled, and stopped crying long enough to blurt out a reply:

"Stop telling me what to do, you mean brat!"

Kakeru facefaulted at this, but quickly regained himself.

Keiko buried her face in her hands, and bawled louder. "This couldn't have happened to a worse person! Jiro would've been better than him! Mai would've been better than him!" She jerked her face up, and stared at Kakeru with red, puffy eyes.

Kakeru blinked, his right eye beginning to swell shut.

Keiko fell forward on her knees, and clutched the legs of Kakeru's pants. "Please! I'll do whatever you want! I'll be your servant for the whole year! Just don't tell anyone!"

Kakeru looked down at the pleading Keiko, and looked into her teary hazel eyes again. He felt his chest begin to tighten a bit. "Sure..." he quietly said.

"Oh!" Keiko hugged one of his legs, "Oh, you are too wonderful! OH, thank you! Thank you, thank you!"

Kakeru blushed a bit, and begain to try to shake Keiko off of his leg. "Uh...get off, please."

"Yes!" Keiko leapt away from him, and wiped her eyes, a small smile creeping its way back on her face. She put her glasses back on, and looked at Kakeru's eye. She gasped. "Omigosh, did you do that on your fall?"

Kakeru looked up, his right eye red and completely shut. "Uh...no...this was your elbow or some part of your arm..."

"Ah!!" Keiko put a hand to her mouth. "Good grief! I did that?!"

"You, or whatever possessed your arm."

"We need to get it under cold water!" Keiko took Kakeru, and led him to the door leading to the exterior of the building.

Kakeru lay flat on the grass beneath a tree as Keiko held the slowly running hose over his eye. His left eye gazed up at the sky--tinted red from the setting sun.

He let out a slow, quiet sigh.

Keiko knelt next to his head, looking down at him in silence. Forget about him being a dweeby jerk...it's hard, but forget it...

"So..." Kakeru's tenor voice hummed as he quietly begain his sentence. "Did you and Amuro-kun have a lover's quarrel when I saw you this morning?"

Keiko sighed, and looked at the hose. "Anji's my brother, dipwad."

"Is that the way to talk to your master?" Kakeru's voice was still calm and brooding, but it went up a bit in pitch.

Keiko clenched her teeth, and looked back down at him with a glare. His open brown eye gazed up blankly at her. Her face went blank, and she looked back at the hose, and blushed. "I'm not calling you 'Master'."

"That's fine." Kakeru replied, and sighed again as the water ran on his ye, and down the sides of his head. "Ah...that feels good..." he closed his other eye.

Keiko flatly stared down at him. "Don't enjoy it too much."

"So Amuro's your brother....that would make you..."

"Amuro Keiko." Keiko finished his sentence.

"Why?" Kakeru asked.

Keiko shifted a bit. "To solve the mystery of the music hall."

Kakeru smiled at that comment. "That explains a lot."

Keiko gently smiled back. "Does it?"

"Yeah." Kakeru opened his left eye again. "You've got nothing, do you?"

Keiko continued smiling. "Y'mean to say you're not behind it?"

"Not at all." Kakeru stated matter-of-factly.

"I dunno, seems y'hate Mai enough." Keiko replied.

Kakeru sat up quickly, and Keiko watched him with a blank face. He spun around, and faced Keiko, his legs folded. His face was inches from Keiko's.

"I don't hate Mai. Especially not enough to hurt her." Kakeru muttered quietly.

Keiko smiled again, this time smugly. "Could'a fooled me."

"Have it your way." Kakeru fell back on the grass, and Keiko put the running water back over his eye. "I'll just have to prove it to you."

"That will be interesting." Keiko replied.

Kakeru and Keiko both silently paused. Keiko didn't really mind, she was enjoying the peace. But Kakeru broke the silence.

"Do you still date, even if you're a guy here?"

Keiko facefaulted, and the hose began to run over Kakeru's nose.

Kakeru sat up, and began coughing. "Are you trying to suffocate me?!"

"What kind of moronic question is THAT?!" Keiko blushed furiously. "Don't take advantage of me!"

"How was I taking advantage of you?!" Kakeru blushed a bit himself. "It was just a question to make conversation!"

"Some conversation!" Keiko snapped back, and dropped the hose. "I think work's over for today." She stood, and walked back in.

"Hey! You forgot to--oh, forget it..." Kakeru stood, and turned off the hose. Touchy subject...?

Keiko didn't say a word to Anji as she walked into the room.

Do I still date...Keiko glared at her messed up bed. Was that an insult?! How stupid does he think I am?!

She tossed her briefcase on her bed, and unbuttoned her shirt. She threw it aside, and undid her bandage. "Don't look up."

"Huh?" Anji looked to Keiko, and (with a "gyah!") quickly looked back to his desk, his face red.

"Told you." Keiko rolled upt he bandage in her hands, her bare back facing her brother. She reached for the shirt she tossed on the bed, and put it back on. "All clear."

Anji looked back to Keiko, "How was today?"

"Could've been worse." Keiko fell back on her bed. "A lot worse."

Anji went back to his homework.

"Hey, Anji...Otaru was beat up again." Keiko rolled on her side. "What should I do?"

"Absolutely nothing." Anji replied calmly. He stopped writing, and looked up. He paused, and turned to his sister. "I thought that was taken care of."

"Me too..." Keiko sat up. "But I saw these bruises all over him today..." She paused, seeing the need to clarify. "Katsuhiko-sensei got him."

"Ah."

"...I don't feel right not doing anything." Keiko quietly said.

Anji stood up from his chair, and walked by Keiko, placing a quick pat on her shoulder. "That's what makes us men, and you a woman."

Keiko grinned impishly, and began to reach for one of her shirt buttons. "Are you sure that's it?"

Anji glared, and rushed out. "Don't start that!"

Keiko lowered her arms, and laughed quietly. She fell back on her bed, and stared at the ceiling. She recalled how peaceful Kakeru looked laying outside on the grass. his delivery completely transformed after he found out she's a girl.

It just didn't make sense...how could such a jerk change his behavior at something like that so quickly?

"Sempai? You there?" Otaru's voice came from the doorway.

Keiko shot up in her bed. Otaru?! She grabbed her shirt at the chest, and her eyes darted around for her bandage. No time! She looked down at the blanket she sat on.

"Sempai?"

"One minute!" Keiko called, and kicked off her shoes. She stood, and let her hair loose. She ruffled it a bit, and threw the blanket over her shoulders, and around her upper body. She put on her best groggy face, and walked to the door. She opened the door to the familiar smiling face of her companion.

"You never came to practice." Otaru said before Keiko could open her mouth.

Keiko looked away, and turned around. "Work was extensive."

Otaru followed her into her room. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah..." Keiko sighed, and held her blanket tighter at the realization of Otaru right behind her. "Just tired."

"Staci-san was asking for you today." Otaru's eyes were round. "You're very popular with the girls."

"Oh?" Keiko sat on her bed. Her chest never felt so good...

"I'd say so! T'be honest, it was surprising." Otaru pulled up a chair, and sat in it backwards. "I always thought I understood your relationship with someone popular like Amuro...he'd never have to worry about you stealing dates from him."

Keiko facefaulted.

Otaru nervously smiled. "No offense! You'd just think he'd be friends with someone of a higher image, that's all!"

Keiko sulked, and sunk deep into her blanket. "You're saying I'm unattractive..."

Otaru sweatdropped. "How do I answer that?"

Keiko huddled to a corner on her bed, a cloud seeming to hover over her head. "...the damage has been done."

Otaru smiled sincerely. I had no idea Sempai was so vain...

Anji walked out of the dorm, and observed the starry sky. He took in a breath of the crisp night air, and sighed. Sticking his hands in his pockets, he trotted down the steps with a light foot.

I don't even feel right about Otaru being beat up. Anji thought, walking past the main building of the Academy. But interfering with something that's none of my business...Otaru would automatically connect me with Keiko.

Anji walked up tot he front doors of the building, and pulled at them. They stuck.

"Locked?" Anji tried at them again, and the result was the same. The side doors might still be open...he turned around, and began to go down the steps. He saw a light shining from an open window in the corner of his eye. He turned to it. "Hmm?"

He walked onto the grass, and went up to it. The bottom of the window reached his collarbone. He put his hands up on it, and paused. With a grunt, he pushed up onto it, and entered through the window.

"Now that is odd."

Anji fell onto the floor at the sound of a voice.

Katsuhiko-sensei kept his attentions directed on the paperwork on his desk. "A student sneaking into my classroom. You were always bizarre, Amuro-kun."

Anji pushed himself into a sitting position on the floor. "K-Katsuhiko-sensei!"

"Your roomate isn't much bet--" Katushiko looked up, and his eyes widened a bit. He looked around the room,and saw Anji sitting on the floor. "Get off the floor, Amuro! This isn't a tea room!"

"Yessir!" Anji yelped, and ran up to one of the front row desks to sit in.

Katushiko massaged his temples in frustration.

"You've met my s-roomate, sir?" Anji blushed at his slipup.

"He's obedient, but seems a little too...emotional, at times." Katsuhiko looked to Anji.

Anji kept his eyes on the desk he sat at. "WEll, today was not one of his good days."

"...do you mean Chinen-kun?"

"...and other factors." Anji politely replied.

"He seems to me..." Katushiko stood from his desk, and walked towards Anji. "...Fujishige-kun, I mean, he seems to be attached to Chinen-kun." Katsuhiko held a sheet of paper in his hand. "It might be a goodt hing for there to be some interference, but I'm afraid..." he coughed a bit, "Excuse me..." he set the paper on the desk Anji sat at. "...I think you should play your part in this."

Anji looked down from Katsuhiko, and read the paper. "Co-ed Rally..."

"You will be spending more time together, I hope." said Katsuhiko. "I don't wish for an unhealthy relationship to develop between Fujishige and Chinen."

Anji blushed, and smiled. "Not a problem, Sensei! Kei's not like that!"

Katsuhiko turned back to his desk. "You will be partners when this project goes underway. I would recommend that you get a little more than just aquainted."

Anji nodded, and took the paper. He stood, and bowed. "I must be heading back."

"Yes. Lights out in ten minutes. I won't excuse you."

"Thank you, Katsuhiko-sensei." Anji walked away from the desk, towards the window.

"Amuro-kun, why not take the door?" Katsuhiko pointed towards teh doorway with the tip of his pen.

Anji smiled, his legs already dangling out of the window. "This way's faster."

Katushiko's mustache curved up as he smiled, and went back to his work.

Keiko sulked on her bed, and eyed Otaru. This is the ultimate in unfair! Why does it have to be Kakeru that knows?!

Otaru leaned forward on the back of Keiko's desk chair,and rested his chin on the back. "D'you want me to go?"

"That's not it." Keiko rose a hand slightly.

Otaru sat up, and stood up from the chair.

"Will you try to come to practice tomorrow?" Otaru pushed the chair back in under Keiko's desk.

Keiko nodded, and smiled sincerely. "You bet."

Otaru smiled back. "Good. See you tomorrow morning, then."

"Mmh!" Keiko watched Otaru head out.

Anji passed by Otaru as he walked in. The two young men got eye-contact for a moment, their faces blank.

Otaru smiled. "Good night, Amuro-kun!"

Anji blinked. "Uh...`night." He watched Otaru pass by, and looked to Keiko quizzically.

Keiko blankly looked back to Anji.

Anji shrugged, and went over to his desk. He set the paper from Katsuhiko face-down, and changed into PJs.

"He was here to check on me." Keiko let the blanket around her fall onto the bed.

"I didn't ask." Anji pulled off his shirt. The muscles below his shoulders flexed a bit as he stretched.

"Did I ask if you asked?" Keiko frowned.

"Do I care if you asked?"

"Did I ask if you cared?"

Anji pulled a pajama shirt over his head, and turned to his sister. "Do I care if you asked if I cared?"

Keiko glared back at him, knowing she couldn't keep up with him any further. She folded her arms in a huff, and Anji crawled into bed.

"I'm turning off the lights."

"Fine. I'll undress in the dark." Keiko replied.

"Don't wake me up." Anji said, and turned off the light.

Stupid. It's easy to undress in the dark. Keiko thought. She stood, and began to unbutton her shirt while making her way to the chest of drawers. Her foot hit something on the floor, and she tripped over it. She made a thud, but merely grunted in reaction to the surprise of hitting the ground.

"Oh yeah. Watch out for my gym bag." Anji muttered sleepily.

Keiko shoved up her glasses with her middle finger, clenching her teeth. She stumbled back up, and continued her venture to her pajamas.

Tomorrow, she'd be back to the old routine. She'd be all taped up and in pain.

But at least she could get a good night's sleep tonight.

Keiko was able to get into her pajamas without any more mishaps. Perhaps Kakeru would treat her differently, now that he knew the truth.

Keiko hung onto that hope as she fell asleep.

"That irrepressible brat!!!" Keiko growled at the doorway of the Amuro's room.

Anji buttoned his collar and glanced over to his sister. "What now?"

Keiko clutched onto a small note, her fist shaking. "Nothing..." She wasn't about to let Anji in on the secret between her and Kakeru. No matter how horrible the torture the violinist put her through...certainly none wold rival what Anji could possibly imagine.

Especially is all he's planning to hold me to is running worthless errands for him...Keiko shoved the paper in her pocket.

It was now Friday. A few days have passed since Kakeru discovered Keiko's identity. So far, all Kakeru has made Keiko do were trivial things. Fetch him water, photocopy things...

...however, once instance really got to Keiko. Kakeru made her run late to meet with Otaru at a tennis practice. And after she promised to show up! She knew it wasn't deliberate, but...

...at least Otaru was so forgiving at her tardiness. He didn't even ask why.

Anji put on a belt to match his shoes, and fixed his hair a bit in the mirror. "Kakeru getting to you again?"

"I dont' know how he does it..." Keiko sighed.

"He just does, huh?" Anji asked.

"He just does."

Anji tapped his right toe on the floor. "That's life." He headed to the doorway, and opened it to see Rina about to knock.

Both Rina and Anji's eyes widened.

"Rina-san." Anji blinked.

"Amuro-kun." Rina's face was the same.

"What are you doing here?" Anji asked as Keiko stood on her toes in the back of the room to get a look at Rina.

"I came here with Staci." Rina craned her neck to look over Anji's shoulder. "Is Keiko--?"

"Yeah, she's here." Anji stepped aside, and let Rina in. "I'm outta here."

"See ya, Anji." Keiko called, and then looked to Rina as her brother left. "Coming in to check on me?"

"I heard from Staci that you're living rather dangerously with the violinist Shiranui Kakeru." Rina replied.

"Well, as long as I obey his every command, I'm safe, right?" Keiko waved Kakeru's note in front of her. "Thus, I shall take my leave."

"Why not come to Phoenix first?" Rina said, holding her arms.

Keiko rose an eyebrow. "I have errands to run."

Rina smiled. "Why not do them as a girl?"

Keiko straightened up. "What?"

"Get your contacts." Rina said. "You've had a tough week."

"You don't understand." Keiko smiled out of misunderstanding. "Shiranui Kakeru has errands for me to run."

"Did he say that Fujishige Kei had to run them?" Rina smiled.

Keiko paused for a moment to think. She then smiled, and replied. "Well, I guess not..."

"Then why pass up the offer?" Rina folded her arms. "Time's a-wastin'."

Keiko walked over to her closet, and rummaged through her suitcase. "You realize I have no girls' clothes."

"I'm sure you'll fit into Chieko's clothes." Rina replied.

Keiko pulled out her makeup bag, and looked over her shoulder to Rina. She's certainly in a strange mood.

"Hurry up, before the 'no boys on campus after five' rule becomes a factor." Rina scolded.

"This is all I need." Keiko held up a makeup bag. "You hold it."

Rina took it. "D'you have your wallet?"

"Yeah." Keiko shoved her hands in her pockets.

Rina and Keiko headed out of the campus. Keiko was sour, and rina made several attempts to be sociable.

"How did he react?" Rina asked politely to the TUA student towering over her.

Keiko counted the money in her wallet. "...."

"How could he tell?" Rina made an embarassed face. "He...he didn't walk in on you in the public showers, did he?!"

Keiko turned a bit red, and an eyebrow twitched. Wh-what is Rina-san doing?!

"Ah!" Rina gasped, and turned red. "Your face!" She turned redder, and took a step back. "He saw you nude?!"

Keiko growled,and snapped at Rina. "SHUT UP ALREADY! WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT?!"

Rina blinked, sweatdropping.

Keiko stuffed her wallet into her pocket, and paced ahead. "Nothing like that ever happened. I shower alone." And besides, Kakeru'd be dead for seeing my body without consent...Keiko scornfully thought.

"So how'd he find out?" Rina caught up with Keiko.

"Why are you bombarding me with all of these questions?" Keiko was beginning to get annoyed.

Rina could tell. She gave Keiko a threatening look. "Because I'm President, I need to know everything."

"More than Jiro, you mean."

"I already know more than Jiro." Rina said matter-of-factly. "I need to know more than Obari."

"This was your idea." Keiko said to the frantic Rina as they entered the dorm building.

"I know that, but...!" Rina nervously looked arund as they strolled downt he hallway. "I don't want it to go wrong!"

"What, if they see a male go into your room?" Keiko smirked.

"Not exactly..." Rina kept her voice low. "I mean, it'd ruin my rep...but what's worse, it'd be that I snuck you in."

Keiko had a vague idea of what Rina was getting at.

"Nothing personal, but you're kinda considered geeky on campus." Rina winced as she admitted the insulting truth, and looked up to observe Keiko's reaction.

Keiko sighed, disappointed, but not surprised. "I'm not too hot at TUA either..."

Rina giggled a bit, and walked up to her door. "Thankfully, there's college."

As Rina unlocked her door, she turned around to face Keiko, grinning. "Well, it's been fun!"

Keiko's eyes got wide, and she blinked cluelessly. "Huh?"

"...but I've really got to get some studying done now!" Rina's forced smile faded, and she stood on her toes to look over Keiko's shoulder.

Before Keiko could even process her next reply, Rina had her by the wrists, and yanked her inside.

The door slammed shut behind Rina, and she locked it behind her.

Keiko toppled to the floor with a yelp, and looked up to Rina. She tried to recollect her thoughts, but the look on Rina's face was...well...frightening.

"...let's get those clothes off of you." Rina slowly stepped away from the door.

"Shh!" Keiko hissed nervously. "Don't say that out loud, people will definitely get the wrong idea!"

"Off with them!!" Rina said before pouncing Keiko.

Keiko's waterworks switched on, and she screamed bloody murder.

Rina was far too quick for the slow and clumsy Keiko. In minutes, the TUA uniform was in a heap on one side fo the room, while Keiko was on the other side of the room, also in a pathetic heap.

Rina stood over her, her arms folded. "You can't shower with it on."

The heap replied. "I don't need a shower."

"You smell like a man." Rina replied. "Last time I checked, it's pretty rotten for a girl to smell like a man."

The heap shifted a bit. "Fine."

Rina knelt down and began to unpin the bandage. "You need to learn not to argue when you're not sure you can win."

Keiko grumbled as the gauze slipped off.

Rina rolled up the gauze. "It must've been painful."

Keiko looked to Rina.

"The kick you got."

Keiko blushed, and brought her hands to her breasts. "How'd you hear about that?"

"From Anji through Staci's gossiping to me." Rina walked in front of Keiko, and blushed a bit. "Good grief, you were able to pass as a boy with those?!"

Keiko covered herself. "Quit it!"

"Sorry!" Rina faved her hands. "It's...just...those are pretty tough to miss."

"And just how observant do you find boys to be?" Keiko replied. Now you see why I was so bashful a moment ago...;;;

"Let's find you some clothes..." Rina opened up her roommate's closet.

Keiko rushed over, her eyes starry. "Ah! Girl clothes!"

Rina slapped Keiko's hands away from the hangers she freely helped herself to. "You can't just take anything!" Rina lowered her voice. "Chieko-san keeps an inventory on her closet."

Keiko whined. "I knew this would be tough!"

"The only thing I can think of is to wear a uniform..." Rina took down a uniform neatly pressed and on a hanger.

"A uniform?!" Keiko frowned, and complained. "I can't look cute in that!"

"We'll just put extra effort in your face, that's all." Rina gave Keiko a curious look. "But it's not like you can go on a date."

Keiko grinned. I know, but do you have any idea how long it's been since I've been hit on?!"

"You've never been hit on." Rina took the clothes off the hanger.

Keiko blushed. Bingo. "How would you know that?!"

"I make it my business to know." Rina handed her a towel and a bath caddy. "Go shower."

Keiko wrapped the towel around her, and took the caddy. She gave Rina starry eyes again. "Are the soaps perfumy?!"

Rina sighed. "Yes, yes. Put on your contacts, too."

"Smelly stuff!" Keiko giggled, and skipped to the showers, humming.

Rina stared at the door, her eyes wide.

Keiko felt liberated entering the girl's showers. The perfume was a refreshing change from the stale deodorant soaps. The smell of men's cologne no longer made her giddy like it used to.

It took a minute for Keiko's eyes to get used to contacts after not wearing them for a while. But she felt ten times prettier with them. She rubbed the bridge on her nose, where her glasses formerlly rested.

After going through her age-old routine of moisturizer, concealer, powder, blush, and mascara, Keiko looked at herself in the mirror, her soaked hair clinging to her shoulders.

"Who's that girl, Sempai? She's cute!" she said with wide eyes and a high-pitched voice. She put her hands to her cheeks, and grinned. "Baaaaka! It's me!" She gathered her stuff up and headed back to Rina's room, a very lively kick in her step.

Rina looked up to the doorway as Keiko returned.

Keiko tossed Rina's caddy on her bed, and spun. "What a difference, huh?!"

Rina shoved underwear and a bra into Keiko's arms. "Hurry and get these on."

Keiko held up the undergarments, and sweatdropped. "Uhm..."

"They're all we've got." Rina replied. "And you won't fit in mine."

Keiko whined deeply in her throat, and squeezed into Chieko's panties. The bra fit fine, but the underwear were cut very small.

Keiko blushed, and examined herself in the mirror. "I feel immodest in these..."

"You'll be wearing clothes, Amuro." Rina groaned, and sat on her bed.

"Easy for you to say, you're not wearing them." Keiko muttered, and began to dry her hair.

After another fourty minutes, Keiko's hair was curled, and all that was left was to get dressed.

The blouse and vest were fine, but the skirt...

"Suck it in!" Rina grunted as she forced the zipper up.

"I AM!!!" Keiko bellowed, and held her breath.

The two girls were grunting as the zipper relunctantly went up.

Rina fell back, and Keiko leaned over, both panting.

Rina held her chest, and gasped for air. The fingers used to zip up the skirt were bleeding from gripping the zipper too tightly. She screamed. "AHH!!! MY FINGERS!!!"

Keiko straightened up, and took in a deep breath. "It fits!" she chirped, and spun around, the skirt swaying around her thighs.

Rina was still holding her bleeding fingers, pitying herself in a corner. "They're bleeding...!"

Keiko frowned. "H-hey! You're supposed to look!" Her eyes got soft and large, and she spoke in an extremely feminine voice. "Oh! You could never even imagine that such an adorable girl would ever be mistaken as a boy!" She went back to her regular voice. "That's what I should be hearing!"

Rina sucked on her fingers, her eyes watery. "Chieko-san's much smaller than you."

Keiko grimaced, and stomped over to Rina. "Hey! Are you paying attention?!" she rose her bare foot to give Rina a light kick, when she looked in the full length mirror at her reflection. She shrieked, and brought her knees together. "You can see my underwear in this skirt!"

"Only if you stand like that." Rina looked up from her fingers, and her face was suddenly serious again.

Keiko put her hands on her thighs, and blushed. "It's immodest!"

"It's all we've got." Rina walked to her, and tried to pull the skirt down a little bit. "I guess it's asking too much to let it rest on your hips."

Keiko glared. "Watch it." She looked in the mirror again. "I woudln't mind so much if my thighs weren't so big." She pulle dup her skirt a bit to look at her thighs.

Rina sweatdropped. "Y-you'd willingly show that much skin?!" She blushed, remembered the time she did the same as Keiko did--looking at her legs in the reflection.

"If it looked decent, Rina-san." Keiko dropped her skirt. "Like you could, you've got great legs."

Rina blushed deeper, and remembered when Anji said the exact same thing...in front of the Yosei tennis player and Kanzaki-kun! --Making her look very vulnerable to each of the boys...making her look vulnerable to Kanzaki-kun! That Amuro idiot...!

In an angered hallucination, Rina lashed out at Keiko, thwapping her hard in the ribcage.

Rina snapped back to reality when her arm hit Keiko. Her eyes widened as she saw Keiko hunching over. "Amuro-san!"

"What was that?!" Keiko straightened up, a lethal glare on her face.

Rina nervously smiled, "Uhm! Uhm...!" Her eyes got wide and sparkly. "Oh! You could never even imagine that such an adorable girl would ever be mistaken as a boy!"

"It's too late for that." Keiko glared to Rina, rubbing her ribs.

Rina nervously smiled. "Well, should we go?"

Keiko put on some shoes. "I guess."

"We can run your errands first, if you like." Rina suggested. "Then we can go eat someplace. I'll treat!"

Keiko smiled. "Sounds good to me!" Wow, Rina-san...is Student Coucil Pres. that desperate for some company?

Rina browsed an aisle of music ahead of Keiko. She saw a name that caught her eye. She pulled out the sheet music, and read the title.

"Tschaikovsky's Violin Solo No. 7..." Rina's eyes lowered as she read what compelled her to pull it out in the first place. "...as played by--"

"Rina-san! Help me find this!" Keiko walked to the aisle, and looked over Rina's shoulder. "What's that?"

Rina opened it, and the complicated music made both girls dizzy.

"It's completely foreign languages..." Keiko blinked, and closed it. "Who's it by?"

"Tschaikovsky." Rina replied. "As performed by..." she tapped her finger on the name 'Shiranui Kakeru'.

"WHAT?! The creep is published?!" Keiko snatched the music from Rina, and read it for herself.

Rina timidly watched Keiko. Please don't embarass me in such a small store.

Keiko remained quiet, and smugly laughed. "Well, good for him." She slid back on the shelf. "Let's find the music we came here for, and go eat."

Rina nodded, "I'm fine with that." It's intimidating being in a store in which you know nothing about.

Keiko looked at her list, and led Rina to another corner of the store. "There's more this way."

Entering the store was none other that the violinist of TUA, Shiranui Kakeru.

The man behind the counter looked up. His eyes lit up, and he smiled. "Kakeru! I was wondering when you'd show up!"

Kakeru nervously smiled, and leaned on the counter. "I wasn't planning on it, actually."

"What's going on these days, that my star customer isn't able to come pick up his own music?" the man asked.

Kakeru blushed, and laughed. "You're talking nonsence, now."

"It's true, boy!" The man pointed across the way to Rina and Keiko. "Those two were just looking at your Tschaikovsky solo. They looked impressed to me."

Kakeru blushed, and stammered. "Wh-they did?!" He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, and looked over to the girls, still blushing.

"It looks like they need some help finding some music." The man smiled warmly. "Why not offer them your expertise?"

"You mean..." Kakeru turned around and leaned over the counter again. He had a frightened look on his face. "...you want me to go over there?!"

"And ask them if there's anything you could help them with." The man gave Kakeru a 'look'.

Kakeru gave the 'look' right back. "It's your job. I don't work here."

"Need I remind you of the discount I gave you for the replacement violin from last week?"

Kakeru straightened up, and frowned. Sighing,he walked towards the two, whose backs were facing him. Blushing, he cleared his throat.

The two girls spun around with a start.

Kakeru got eyecontact with Rina, and blushed deeper. "EXCUSE ME!" he blurted, and then quietly murmered. "Uh...can I help you find something?"

Blushing, Rina pointed to Keiko without saying a word.

Kakeru's eyes were lowered as he turned to Keiko, and the first thing he rested his sights on were the pleats resting on her thighs. He blushed deeper, and quickly pulled his eyes up to her face. His throat tightened as her hazel eyes widened and she gasped.

"N-no! I wasn't staring!" Kakeru stammered, and spun around.

Keiko took a step back. He's here!

Rina noticed the look on Keiko's face, and looked to the boy who just offered his assistance. Ah! Of course! "Are you Shiranui Kakeru?"

Kakeru lifted his head, and turned around. He was blushing still, but not as intensely. "...I...I am." He looked back to Keiko, and this time his eyes fell on her mouth. His own mouth went dry, and he went bac to her eyes. This time she smiled at him, and he felt a little better.

This is too funny! Keiko's thoughts were filled with laughter. He doesn't recognize me! What's more, I'm making him blush!

Kakeru bowed down a bit, smiling nervously. "Is there something I could help you find, Miss?"

Keiko found herself blushing at the upward glance Kakeru gave her while bowing. His shirt's top two buttons were undone, and she saw his collarbone clearly. She licked her lips, and spoke as gently as she could. "I'm looking for Vivaldi's Complete Works..."

"Ah! I'm working on that right now!" Kakeru straightened up. "You found Vivaldi, but this is just sheet music." He looked down, and politely offered Keiko his arm.

Keiko looked at Kakeru's arm, and up to his face.

He was smiling down at her, his pale skin a little colored. "I'll show you the Collective Works section."

Keiko smiled. "Lead the way." She took his arm, and winked at Rina, signalling her to follow.

Rina followed behind, a confused look on her face. They seem to have a good relationship to me.

"...there's so many things here!" Keiko said out loud.

"Yeah. I'm always surprised to find something new here each time I come." Kakeru never sounded this polite at school, not even to the teachers!

This Kakeru's not too shabby...Keiko held his arm a bit tighter. I wonder if I could get him to treat me like this at work.

Kakeru looked down to Keiko, and blushed again. It's getting late...I wonder if she'd accompany me to Piccolo's...

Keiko looked up to Kakeru, and smiled. "What's wrong?"

Kakeru stiffened, and looked to a shelf. "N-nothing! Let's get that book."

Keiko cutely smiled, and chirped a lively. "Mmh!"

Kakeru blushed again, and looked to the shelf they approached.

Keiko let go of his arm, and he reached for a few books. Keiko turned to look at Rina, grinning.

Rina blinked, wondering what was so funny.

Keiko turned back to Kakeru, her face going back to a gentle smile. He's checking me out! Oh, could I get him good for this!!

"Here it is..." Kakeru handed Keiko the book. "Vivaldi's Complete Works..." he bashfully put his hands in his pockets, building up the courage to ask her out. "Um..."

Keiko opened the book, and gasped. "Wow! You're playing this?" She looked up to Kakeru with wide eyes.

Rina looked at the book over Keiko's arm. Even more complicated! I'm even more intimidated!

Kakeru lowered his head, his face clearly several shades redder. "It's not that big a deal..."

Keiko took his arm, and gave Kakeru her cutest smile. "You're so talented! I saw that published violin solo of yours!"

"Y-you did?" Kakeru smiled, and laughed nervously.

Keiko nodded. "I've never heard you play, I bet you're amazing!"

Kakeru laughed again. "You're embarassing me."

Rina turned away from them, and tried to figure out what was going on. Amuro-san behaved as though they hated eachother...She examined the two shamelessly flirting with eachother. Of course! This is a shoujo! They must have one of those 'I-love-you-but-would-rather-clobber-you-than-admit-it' things going! She sighed, and turned back around to witness the continuing exchange between Kakeru and Keiko. You are such a slacker, Amuro-san. Can't you even have a creative romance?

Keiko gasped, and stood on her toes to get a closer look at his face. This will get him for sure!

Kakeru stumbled backwards a bit as she grew close. Oh, man, she smells good...

"...is that a black eye?" Keiko put her hands on Kakeru's shoulders to remain steady on her toes.

Rina blushed. Sh-sh-she touched him! Her eyes jumped to Kakeru's hands, which were shaking a bit. This is intimate! They might--they might...!! She began to picture the two in a romantic embrace, and she took a step back. M-maybe I shouldn't be here!!

Kakeru's hands clenched to fists, and he turned away, putting a hand to his eye.

Keiko nearly fell on her face at this, but quickly caught herself.

"It was an accident earlier this week...nothing." Kakeru nervously smiled to Keiko. "Um, anyway...I was wondering--"

"That elbow really left a mark on you, huh?" Keiko kept her effeminate smile and voice, and casually commented on it.

"--if you would like to accompany me to--" Kakeru's bashful smile went blank suddenly, and his face shot up to Keiko, who still smiled cutely. "--wh--"

"--just running your errands!" Keiko held the book up against her thighs, and bent over. "Betcha didn't expect this!"

Rina's breath grew short. "He didn't know?!"

"Y...y..." Kakeru stammered, and his blank face slowly grew angry and flushed. He roughly grabbed one of Keiko's arms, and pulled her close.

"OW!" Keiko yelped, and Rina grew frightened.

"Amuro-san!" she cried.

Kakeru grew quiet. "Go pay for the BOOK!" he shouted the last word, and threw Keiko to the floor.

Keiko hit the floor, and Rina ran up to the two.

"Stop this now, or I'll report you to the Headmasters!" Rina ordered.

Kakeru folded his arms. "How would you report it? You have no business doing so, since she's not a Phoenix school student."

Rina took an apprehensive step back. He's right.

Keiko pushed herself up, and held her arm. "Ow..."

Kakeru glared down at Keiko, his face quivering with anger much like once before.

Keiko looked rather helpless on the floor, holding her arm.

Rina bent down next to Keiko, and whispered to her. "Head straight for the register. Don't even look at him."

Keiko blinked, and turned to Rina with a surprised look on her face.

"Get up." Rina began to urge Keiko nervously.

Keiko staggered up, and Rina took her arm, giving Kakeru a quick glance.

Keiko shamefully kept her head lowered as she approached the register. Kakeru grudgingly tailed her, his furious, dangerous eyes burning into her back.

The owner of the store looked confused as he saw the now humbled Keiko being followed by the levid Kakeru.

Rina took advantage of her height (or lack thereof), and hid behind Keiko.

Kakeru took the book from Keiko roughly, and handed it to the owner. "Put it on my balance."

"Uh..." the owner looked to Keiko, who stared at the counter.

Kakeru let out one of his famous exhasperated sighs, and rested a hand on top of Keiko's head. He pushed down on her head degratingly, and she blushed.

"This is the...guy...I told you about. The one that destroyed my violin a few weeks ago." Kakeru blushed as well, still embarassed about evening thinking of asking this sloppy troublemaker out.

The owner adjusted his glasses, and leaned forward on the counter.

Keiko leaned back a bit as the owner examined her closer.

"..." the man looked up to Kakeru, who blinked in reply.

"...looks pretty hard to mistake to me."

Keiko blushed a deep red, as did Rina.

Is that all they can notice?! Rina grimaced.

Kakeru's face matched Rina's. "Beneath all the goop and makeup, you'd believe it."

Rina cautiously looked to Keiko, and quickly backed away.

Keiko could easily tell that was an insult. She made a fist, and shook it at him. "What him to see if I punch like a girl?!"

Kakeru gave Keiko an unamused glare. "Pay the man."

"You do it! It's your music!" Keiko snapped.

"I gave you my money." Kakeru replied.

Keiko paused, and then dug into her vest pocket. "That's right."

The owner and Rina both looked nervously on the feuding classmates.

Keiko gave the owner the payment, sighing. "Give him the change." she turned around,and took Rina's wrist. She glared at Kakeru, and spoke. "I did your errand. I'm going to enjoy the rest of my evening without you now."

"My heart breaketh." Kakeru retorted.

"I'd believe it." Keiko said before exiting with Rina.

Kakeru clenched his teeth, and as the door closed completely, he shouted back, "Not over such an uncultured, worthless CROSSDRESSER!"

The owner set the change on the counter. "You seem unusually irritated."

Keiko began to walk away from the store in a huff. "I'm hungry!"

Rina walked next to her. "He didn't know it was you?"

"Of course not. It's not every day I wear my contacts and makeup." Keiko replied. "I was just doing that to get to him."

"Well, it worked." Rina rose her eyebrows.

"Good. He deserves it." Keiko smirked. "Maybe now he'll quit antagonizing me."

"He does that sort of thing, even though he knows you're a girl?" Rina's eyes were wide.

"Of course!" Keiko gave Rina an amazed look. She paused, her face relaxed. "Well, he doesn't do anything like he used to...now he just bosses me around."

Rina and Keiko approached a smal Italian cafe.

"Piccolo's?" Keiko read the sign.

"Yeah. It looks quaint, but the food is the best." Rina said before entering.

Keiko looked around, and got a bit nervous when she viewed the candle-lit surroundings. There were quite a few young adult couples, and this suddenly made Keiko rather bashful.

...it could've been worse. She could've been in her TUA uniform.

They found their way to a table for two, pushed up against a wall. It was a rather cosy spot, in-between an elderly couple and a group of college-aged guys. Keiko--unfortunately (for her anyway)--happened to face the couple, her back facing the guys (who were probably worthy of being checked out).

Rina smiled impishly when she realized Keiko's obvious disappointment. "It's better this way. You can focus on the questions I have to ask you."

Keiko nervously smiled. "Is it bad manners to order before getting into a huge conversation?"

Rina blinked, and straightened up. "What do you mean?"

"Otaru does the exact same thing to me...opens up a huge conversation that causes me to lose my appetite." Keiko opened up a menu.

Rina grinned wider. "Maybe he's looking out for your girlish figure."

Keiko glared across to Rina. "That's not funny. You've not the foggiest of how tempting it gets to just come clean with Otaru."

Rina's brow furrowed, and she frowned. "And then what?"

Keiko blinked, and her eyes widened.

"Do you actually think things could go the same after he found out?" Rina said, resting her hands on her menu. "You're sorely mistaken if you don't think it'd affect him."

Keiko smiled. "You don't know Otaru."

"And you're kidding yourself if you think you know men well enough to make a judgement call." Rina replied with complete seriousness.

"I think you're putting Otaru in a box, here." Keiko sipped the water set in front of her.

"Maybe, but notice how Kakeru has reacted. Both times." Rina replied, "And that's from someone who suppossedly can't care less about you."

Keiko set down her glass of water rather clumsily. "Kakeru's got a nasty temper."

Rina didn't answer Keiko as she read the menu.

Keiko squinted a bit at Rina, the candlelight causing a glare in her contacts. She lifted her menu in front of her face. None of the words seemed to make sense...but she couldn't seem to focus.

Rina closed her menu, and Keiko did the same.

Rina quirked an eyebrow as Keiko calmly ordered the same as she.

"What? Can't I eat squid?" Keiko said in reply to Rina's expression. "Would it be rude for me to order a salad?"

Rina shook her head. "No--I mean--go ahead." She was a bit taken aback by Keiko's sudden bitterness. "He gets to you that much, huh?"

Keiko sighed, and sat back. "He seems to beg for an arguement. His face is a challenge."

Rina nodded, and drank her water. "He's a lot like Obari."

Keiko furrowed her brow. "He's not a thing like Obari-sama!"

"'Obari-sama'?" Rina repeated, and giggled. "That's what you call him?! No wonder they think you're gay!"

"Don't ever compare him to that violin brat." Keiko threatened.

"At least the violin brat isn't--well..." Rina caught herself, and tried to go on to another subject. "At least he looks a bit like Obari, right?"

Keiko leaned over the table. "You were going to say something. What were you going to say?"

"Nothing. Forget it." Rina took a piece of bread, and took a bite. "Kakeru knows Obari well. Maybe he'll tell you."

Keiko plastered an evil glare on her face. "He's gotta speak to me to do that."

Oh, that's right!" Rina sarcastically gasped. "You just completely humiliated him not only in front of the Student Pres., but right when he had gathered the courage to ask a girl out!"

Keiko straightened up at that. "He was going to ask me out?!"

"No, he was going to ask me out." Rina ran her eyebrows quizzically.

Keiko blushed a bit, her eyes widening. "Oh."

"IDIOT! DUH, he was asking you out!" Rina's face grew red.

"Oh!" Keiko blinked, and blushed redder. "Oh...I didn't know..." her voice grew quiet. "I don't get asked out that often."

"And you think I have?" Rina replied. "It's called being observant. You just shut up and look around. You see a lot more."

"Mmh." Keiko appeared to be greatly humbled by that, and in actuality, she was. However, inside her mind, resentful thoughts still battled.

Rina began to dig into her squid as it was set before her. She slowed her serving as she saw the Keiko's plate was already empty.

"...." Rina blinked, and bgan to put a few on Keiko's plate. "Wow, you've got an appetite tonight, huh?"

Keiko rested her forehead ont he table, and let out a moan. "I didn't know he was so serious."

Rina frowned, and nervously smiled. "H-here! You can have some of mine!"

Keiko's shoulders slowly rose, and lowered. "I may have blown my only date of my high school career."

"And you would've wanted it with Shiranui-kun?" Rina peeped.

Keiko jerked her head up, her eyes aflame with anger. "Never."

Rina nodded. "I rest my case."

Keiko rested her forehead on the table again, making a quiet 'thud' (all the while the silverware and dishes making a loud 'clank'). "Then why do I feel sorry for him?" she whimpered.

"Because you're too soft." Rina put a piece of squid in her mouth. "Same reason you keep getting involved in Otaru-kun's problems."

"Women are supposed to be soft." Keiko kept her face on the table.

"Not when they're pretending to be men."

Keiko went silent after that.

Rina went back to eating her squid, when Keiko lifted her head again. "What do they look like?"

Rina blinked.

"The guys behind me. They're cute, right?"

Rina flatly glared at Keiko. "Even if I wanted to, I coudln't see over you to tell."

Keiko stood. "Then I'll just have to look."

Rina tried to reached across the table to stop Keiko. "Amuro-san!!"

"Easy, Rina-san. I'll just steal a glance on my way to the ladies' room." Keiko grinned and gave Rina a victory-v before heading towards the restroom.

Rina sighed, and picked at the remaining calamari on her plate. "Quick recovering. I can't tell when to take her seriously." She paused, and stared at her calamari. Her nose twitched as a rather devious thought crossed her mind. Don't do it, Rina. What about your image? Her lips quirked to a smile as she discreetly took a peek at the college guys at the other table. Her smile got a bit wider, and she looked back to her plate. Silly.

Keiko washed her hands roughly in the sink, as she glared down at her hands. She turned off the water, and let them drip for a moment. Her expression relaxed, and she noticed how her hands really gave herself away. Her fingers were way too thin to be a man's.

I guess I have them in my pockets so often, no one notices...Keiko thought as she reached for a paper towel. She looked at her reflection in the mirror as she dried her hands. The face she saw surprised her for a moment.

With one hand, she pullsed her hair back. She noticed how her shoulders were no longer back, and her chin no longer raised. She let her hair go, and straightened up.

I've been so concious of fighting my female ways, I've almost lost touch with it...Keiko frowned in the mirror. Her expression had even begun to lose its feminine softness. She smiled at her reflection, and her face warmed up immediately.

I knew I couldn't lose it...she winked, and held up an index finger to her reflection.

"Hang in there, Keiko!" she whispered, and left the restroom.

Rina was on her salad when Keiko returned to the table.

"I hope you don't spend that much time in the bathrooms at school." Rina teased.

Keiko giggled. "Of course not. You wouldn't want to."

Rina giggled back. "Forget I asked!"

Keiko started on her salad. "Yummy."

"I love their salads here." Rina stabbed some romaine lettuce with her fork.

"No, I mean behind me." Keiko grinned widely, and munched on a forkful of lettuce.

Both girls furiously giggled.

"You did look!" Keiko picked up her glass of tea, and rose her pinky finger. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

Rina smiled, and finished off her salad. "Tomorrow's Saturday."

"So?"

"...well..." Rina paused. "...that means another tennis tournament."

"Uh-huh." Keiko stuffed a leaf of lettuce in her mouth, and gave Rina a blank stare.

Rina sweatdropped. "I guess you don't go to those, huh?"

"Get real. On my only day to sleep in?" Keiko set her fork down on her plate. "And Mai's always there. I can't let her near me..." Keiko's eyebrow twitched at the thought.

"Right, right..." Rina sat back as the waiter took their plates. "Not very supportive of your brother?"

Keiko snorted. "He's got the support of my family and both schools. What difference would it make if I came to his games or not?"

Rina didn't answer that. She sipped her tea, and shrugged.

"Anyway..." Keiko looked at her watch. "Curfew's in an hour."

"I know..." Rina faded off, and then looked back to Keiko. "How'd it feel to be a girl again?"

Keiko shifted in her seat. "The underwear is still too tight..."

Both girls giggled.

The girls didn't discuss anything of much importance as they were served their main courses. Keiko had to be honest with herself--she was enjoying Rina's company, and it surprised her. Rina wasn't the type to strike her as being personable. Sure, she was Student President...Keiko even voted for her, but...mostly because anyone was better than Toseki Mai.

Keiko impishly grinned as they left the cafe.

"Y'know, I think those guys were checking us out as we got up!" Keiko winked.

"I thin they were looking for our parents because we were giggling so loud." Rina replied good-naturedly.

Keiko whined deep in her throat, and put her hands behind her back. "Killjoy."

Rina giggled quietly, and looked at the sun setting. "I guess I won't see you tomorrow then."

"Possibly not, unless Kakeru orders me to scrub the courts with a toothbrush or something." Keiko sighed.

Rina smiled sympathetically. "Be easy on him, you hurt his pride today."

"And when did we start playing Miss Compassion, hmm?" Keiko flatly glared at Rina.

Rina glared back. "When you decided to play Miss Heartbreaker."

"That's a stretch." Keiko snorted. "Even if he did have a heart, I certainly dind't break it."

"Have it your way." Rina folded her arms, and sighed."

"I will."

"Fine."

"Fine."

There was silence for a moment.

"S'his own fault." Keiko muttered below her breath.

"What's that?" Rina looked to Keiko, her eyebrows arched.

Keiko rolled her eyes and sighed. "Nothing."

As the two approached the Phoenix School's gates, they noticed they were already closed.

"Not good..." Rina mutered, and turned to Keiko. "Let me bring out your clothes, so you won't get caught over here. You can change when you get back."

"When I get back?! W-wait!" Keiko walked up to Rina as she used a key to unlock the gate.

"It's safer for both of us that way. Wait here." Rina locked the gate behind her.

Keiko frowned as she waited for Rina. How was she going to sneak herself into TUA in a red uniform?!

...maybe through the back...run through the gym, into the courtyard--then into the music hall...and she could change in Ken's office...clear sailing from there.

Rina returned with Keiko's clothes in a shopping bag. "Sorry for this..."

"It's alright, I've got it figured out." Keiko pulled the bag through the gate. "Have fun at the game."

"Sleep well."

"Thanks." Keiko gave Rina a quick salute as she hurried off.

Rina folded her arms and leaned against the gate. Maybe Amuro-san can pull this off.

Keiko untied the bag as she walked through the unlit gym. It was past curfew now, even though the sun was still out.

The courtyard was dimly lit with the light of the setting sun, but Keiko didn't waste any time admiring it. She hurried over to the door leading to the music hall, and glanced over her shoulder to make sure the door closed behind her.

As the door shut, she got eyecontact with someone who was quickly passing through the courtyard. Her heart jumped when she identified it as Otaru. She quickly hurried into the depths of the music hall, so she would not be seen.

Otaru didn't immediately stop at the sight of Keiko's true form. In fact, he had to retrace his steps and re-enter the courtyard. On his return, however, Keiko had already made it into Ken's office.

Keiko had to catch her breath. I wonder if he got a good look at me. I wonder if he'll tell me about it next time he see me--Kei, I mean! Where do I hide these clothes?!

She took out her contacts, and slipped on her glasses.

Farewell, Amuro Keiko...for a few months, anyway.

But girlish ways are not something easily said 'goodbye' to.

End Episode Nine

Go on to Episode Ten

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