Tenko rolled out of the futon and took it upon herself to organize her own and her brother's schoolwork that had been messily set to the side.  It was quite early, Tenko was always used to waking up before her brother and then trying her hardest to get him out of bed as well.  He lay sound asleep beside her in his futon.  Tenko shook her head when she saw him and pulled her pajamas off and got dressed into jeans and a small yellow T-shirt with the picture of a flower in the center.  Yellow was her favorite colour, and she could wear it as much as she wanted because her school didn't require the students to wear uniforms.  It wasn't until she was in junior high that she would be required to.  Tenko pulled her favorite yellow sock onto one of her feet.  She looked to the other foot, the one that was previously injured and felt that the pain was gone.  Tenko removed the bandage and saw that indeed her foot had fully healed.  The scar was even gone!  Tenko was amazed, there was no way it could have healed so fast!  She roughly pushed on her brother to try to wake him up, 'Shingo-chan!' she called as she shook him.
    His eyes slowly opened to the sting of the morning light, 'What?' he demanded in a raspy voice.
    'Look at my foot!'  She brought it right beside his face and he nearly screamed.
    'Get that away!  What are you doing?!'  He sat straight up, now wide-awake.
    'My foot, it's totally healed!  Isn't that amazing?!'
    He saw that it was healed and had to nod, 'Yeah, it is actually.  Wonder how that coulda happened.'
    Then there was a knock on the door followed by a familiar male voice, 'Hey, you're finally up, can I come in?'  It was Daisuke (well, no kidding')
    'Sure!'  Tenko was quick to answer after putting the sock on her healed foot.
    Daisuke came in with the familiar smile on his cute boyish face.  He was wearing his school uniform already, but his navy blue tie was horribly crocked.  His dark hair was messy from not being brushed, but none of that mattered to Tenko, she blushed and thought he was incredibly cute just the same.  'Good morning,' he said.  'I don't know when your school starts, but it's probably after mine, so I made some breakfast whenever you want some.'
    'Thank you!' beamed Tenko again.
    Shingo smiled, but he was embarrassed for his sister.
    Daisuke left and shut the door behind him, entering back into the kitchen.  He was met in there by Misami who was smiling brightly to him.  'Good morning, darling!  Did you have a good sleep?'
    He nodded, 'Did you?'
    She didn't exactly answer, just giggled and came closer to him.  She looked him over and shook her head, 'My, my' you have got to learn some things about taking care of your self appearance.  Just look at your hair!  Sure, you look good with messy hair, but really!  And your tie is crocked!'  She took it upon herself to straighten his tie and try to smooth out his soft hair.
    'Good morning.'  Yoshiko came into the kitchen with her fabulous smile.
    'Yoshiko!  G'morning!'  Daisuke turned to her as quickly as he could to get away from Misami.  He laughed sheepishly and thought about how lovely Yoshiko was in her school uniform.  'Come and have some breakfast,' he invited.
    'Thank you!' they both walked to the table, laughing shyly.  Seeing this and knowing that Daisuke had done that to get away from her made Misami burn with jealousy.  Her eye twitched and she felt like crushing something.  She walked in a huff to the bathroom and slammed the door.  She would figure out someway to win over Daisuke, or so she thought.
    'Ohayo!' Called Tenko as she came and sat at the table.  Shingo followed beside her and sat down without a word.  He was still very shy around Yoshiko.
    'Good morning, Tenko-chan, Shingo-kun.  How are you today?' Yoshiko asked.
    'Just great, and guess what.  My foot is totally healed!'
    'That's good!'  Yoshiko ate daintily and didn't seem at all surprised at the miraculous healing of Tenko's foot after it had been so badly injured.
    Daisuke couldn't believe it, however.  He was completely amazed at the fact.  'That is good,' he spoke plainly and tried to figure out how that possibly could have happened.  It seemed totally unrealistic, but Tenko was able to walk with no effort.  He shrugged and accepted it.  After all, nothing had been making any sense to him lately.
    Misami came out of the bathroom after brushing her hair out perfectly.  It was red and gleaming and just as wild as ever.  'Sis!  Darling!  School is going to start soon!'
    Daisuke looked to the clock.  'She's right, we better hurry, Yoshiko.  Could you two clean this stuff off the table before you leave?' he asked the twins.
    'Sure!' they answered together.
    'Thanks.  We'll see you later then.'  Daisuke walked to the door and put his shoes on.
    Yoshiko smiled down to them and stood up.  'Have a nice day!'
    'You too!'  Tenko said as Yoshiko followed Daisuke.
    'Itekimasu!'  The three high school students left the house while the two elementary school students just barely began to eat breakfast.
    They certainly were enjoying the breakfast too!  Tenko was practically inhaling everything in sight, Shingo had to quickly get what he wanted out of her way to make sure he could eat something.  'Isn't this nice, Shingo-chan?  Daisukeniichan is such a nice guy!'
    Shingo rolled his eyes, 'Since when have you called him that?'
    'Since now!'  She swallowed and then gave her brother a serious look.  'Shingo-chan' you're not' jealous, are you?'
    'Of course not, he is a nice guy.  I just don't think you should get so attached to him.'
    'I can get attached if I want, he's very easy to get attached to,' she giggled some more and looked to the clock.  'We should be going, we told Satoru-chan we'd be there early today.'
    'Yeah,' Shingo started cleaning up the table and Tenko sat there, staring ahead at a distant wall.
    She was thinking about a lot of things, about Daisuke, about Yoshiko.  About Satoru.  She sighed and spoke when Shingo came back from the kitchen, 'Can you believe we actually met Yoshiko-san and Misami-san?  For once, we meet more of our kind.'
    He gave her an odd stare, the kind a twin is not meant to give to their other half.  'Keep quiet, Ten''
    'Don't worry so much.  Anyway, we better go.'
    The twins finished getting ready for school, grabbing the last of their papers, combing some wild blue hair, and last but not least, putting on their shoes.  They cleared the table as Daisuke asked and left the door locked for security reasons.  Together, through the sunny shiny morning, they walked gleefully to school down the wide streets and under the blue sky.  Along the way, they saw several other children rushing off to school, most of them junior high students frantically trying not to be late.
    After the short, pleasant walk, they arrived at their school.  Even though being in the sixth grade put them as among the oldest in their school, both were tired of the simplicity of elementary school life.  They couldn't wait until junior high where new adventures would definitely take shape and mold their lives into something much more interesting.  Oh well, they would live with the good old sixth grade for then.
    'Ohayo gozaimasu!'  Satoru came running happily from a bench when he spotted the twins.  His soft hazel hair flowed and shined in the morning light and his joyous smile beamed like the sun.  This day, he was wearing a short sleeved white casual dress shirt, unbuttoned on top with a white T-shirt underneath, and khaki cargo pants that nearly made him look like a miniature businessman.  The sunshine also accented his peaches and cream complexion along with all of his other dainty, adorable characteristics.
    Behind him from where he ran was the school.  It was a very nice school, just built five years earlier, and had some of the best equipment for the children and staff to use.  On the outside it had a friendly feel to it, one of those that hints at being a nice place to be without even having to step inside.  The children loved it there, the teachers were very nice and very involved in their students' academic success and well being.  It was the place the twins had met Satoru nearly two years earlier and it was the place where they had shared so many good times and memories.
    'Hi, Satoru-kun,' Shingo slapped his gentle, feminine hand in a high five.  Tenko just smiled and blushed slightly.  She had a small crush on Satoru.
    From behind sneaked up another one of the friends.  She tapped Tenko's shoulder, who turned her head to finally see the face of her best friend on Earth, 'Mayuki-chan!' her eyes became dreamy.
    'Ohayo!' she sang in her flirtatious voice.  She looked to Shingo and smiled, 'Hi, Shingo-chan!'
    He swallowed nervously and could feel the heat on his cheeks.  Not only did Shingo have a crush on Uedo Mayuki, he had secretly become totally infatuated with her.  Everything about her intrigued him so much, just her very essence of being female began to interest him lately beyond anything else.  Sure, she was a pretty girl, and to Shingo she was a goddess.  Her hair was highlighted to be a light golden brown in the sun, it was usually fixed behind her head in a pony tail that came to just above her shoulder blades with some shorter bangs hanging and framing the sides of her face.  Her eyes were dark and fascinating, they could seem endlessly calm or stormy depending on her mood.
    Mayuki saw he was not answering, so she began to tell some gossip she had overheard some teachers discussing, 'Did any of you hear about the new transfer student we're supposed to get in our class?'
    'Transfer student?' asked Satoru, as cute as ever.  The twins were as clueless as he was.
    She nodded, she was proud she had such a story to tell, 'Oh yeah, I heard the teachers talking about it.  I guess she's coming from some school because she was getting harassed there for some reason, I don't know for sure.  But that means we'll be getting a new student in our class.'
    'When?' Shingo asked, a bit bashfully.
    'I don't' know, some time soon I imagine, any day.  I just hope she won't be all snobby and expect everyone to treat her as a princess or anything because she was     harassed before.'
    Satoru looked into the sky, 'Well, I can't wait to meet her, maybe she'll be into ballet too!' he sighed as he thought of the possibilities.
    'I doubt she'll be that bad,' said Tenko, 'let's just try to be her friend when she gets her, ne?'
    They all nodded when suddenly their teacher walked by them.  'Good morning!' he said in an energetic voice.  They looked to see their teacher, a very young, fit man in his mid twenties, full head of neatly cut black hair, and a wide smile.  He was wearing a dark navy blue suit that seemed to be ironed perfectly with a gray tie he always referred to as his 'power tie.'  He had a picture perfect smile that he often showed off in class, he loved to teach and he loved the kids in class.
    'Good morning, Mr. Kiyomura!' they recited together, all happy to see their spunky young teacher.
    'How is everyone today?' he asked.
    'Fine!  Oh, when are we supposed to get our new student?' Mayuki asked for the whole group.
    He brought his hand to his chin as if in deep thought.  'I don't know.  It's their decision, whenever the kid decides to show up for class, that's when we will get `em.'
    'Oh,' they had to be satisfied with that answer, although they did really want to know.
    'Well, see you in class.'  He walked off and entered the school.  They watched him go, quite unsatisfied.  Eventually, they all followed him inside the classroom and other students began arriving just before class began.
    For this particular week, the students had been doing some work in groups so the desks were all clustered together in groups of four.  Naturally, the four friends were their own group.  There was a big, long chalkboard at the front of the room with the teachers desk settled in the corner.  In their group, the boys sat next to each other and so did the girls, which meant they sat across from each other.  Directly across from Satoru sat Tenko.  He would often blush very cutely when he talked to her there, and she would do the same.  That meant that directly across from Shingo was, you guessed it, Mayuki.  Needless to say, that seating arrangement could get very interesting at times.
    When class began, they all took their seats and waited for the day to get underway.  It was nothing too exciting, math, history, grammar, stuff like that.  Shingo closed his eyes and opened them about ten minutes later only after Satoru had nudged him.  He couldn't help but doze off in class once in a while, but that didn't at all mean Mr. Kiyomura was a boring teacher; it just meant Shingo needed to figure out a way to get more sleep.  Tenko would often throw stuff at him if he slept.
    Shingo gave a sour look to Satoru and closed his eyes again.  Behind him quietly sneaked the teacher.  He knew Shingo was sleeping so he forcefully set his hand onto his shoulder and said, 'Shingo-kun, you're so attentive, maybe you can answer this question.'
    Shingo's eyes flew open and he looked up to see Mr. Kiyomura's snide face.  The class laughed at him, he felt rather dumb.
    'Serves you right,' Tenko giggled softly.
    'Uh'' he looked all around, 'question?'
    Mr. Kiyomura nodded, 'Yeah, go ahead, name the two main leaders of the Axis Powers and what countries they were from.'
    Shingo's eyes zoomed all around the room in a panicking fashion, he felt the stares of all in the room.  He racked through his knowledge of World War II, which is what they had been learning about, to try to come up with an answer that sounded convincing.  He took a nervous gulp, 'Axis power leaders,' he paused, '' the Beatles?'
    There was a long, deafening silence.  Then the class erupted in laughter.  Tenko buried her head in her hand and couldn't believe her brother's incompetence.  Mayuki giggled and Satoru wished Mr. Kiyomura would come and ask him that very question.  Little Satoru was a big history buff!
    Mr. Kiyomura sighed and removed his hand from Shingo's shoulder.  When he returned dejectedly back to the front, Shingo was relieved.  He knew he wouldn't want to ask him any other questions after that.  'Very creative answer, Shingo-kun.'  There were some final snickers and giggles.  He looked back over the class, 'Is there anyone who knows the answer?'
   Satoru's hand jetted up.  He was so excited, his heart was racing and everything.  Mr. Kiyomura nodded to him and Satoru recited, 'The leaders of the Axis Powers were Mussolini and Hitler and they came from Italy and Germany.'  His smile was almost blinding.
    Mr. Kiyomura was impressed someone had actually listened to his lesson.  'Thank you, Satoru-kun.  You're right.  At the beginning of the war, Russia was also allies with Germany and Italy, but after the Germans invaded, Russia left and later Japan joined.'
    'What about the Allied Powers?  What about Blitzkrieg and the Holocaust?' Satoru asked energetically.  He was so excited about history, it was so fascinating to him.  Some of the other students had never even heard about some of those things.
    'We'll get to those, don't worry, we'll even talk about Midway and D day if you're good.' He joked and then went on with his lesson.  Satoru was all ears.  He wanted to hear and absorb everything and try to imagine what it might have been like to have been there.  A lot of the other students were bored out of their minds.  Some were even about to follow Shingo's example and get some sleep.
    Shingo looked up to the ceiling, as bored as could be.  'Will this never end?'

    At the high school, things had been running smoothly.  Daisuke had gone through the normal morning routine and was safe in the classroom right in the middle of English class.  Shingo wasn't the only one who was bored and tried to sneak a few Z's in.  He stared forward to the blackboard and saw the image of his teacher growing steadily fuzzier.  He shook his head and looked again, he was barely even able to make her out.  The sound of her speaking English became garbled and seemed to swirl together as he tried his hardest to listen.  It all became a big ringing inside his head and as he tried to lean forward on the desk, he fell out of his chair and landed on his rear on the floor.  That got the attention of the entire class.
    Hiroshi looked down, 'What are you doing?' his voice was cold and dense, its usual way.
    Daisuke could feel his stomach almost eating itself as it growled.  He looked up to Hiroshi with swirling eyes, 'I'm' so' hungry''
    'You dork'' Hiroshi sighed.  Yoshiko giggled after she saw that and the obsessive girls in the class nearly squealed.  Ryuichi whispered a curse word regarding Daisuke under his breath from the back of the room.
    'Daisuke!  Are you alright?'  The teacher rushed over and spoke in English.
    Daisuke wasn't even about to pretend he knew what she had said, not then.  He got back into his seat and smiled weakly to her, 'I'm alright.'  His stomach growled again and he blushed.
    She looked to the clock and spoke in Japanese again, 'Well, lunch is in one minute, so just hang on.'  She trotted to the board to finish the lesson, to which no one was paying attention after what had just happened.  There would be stories told about what the most popular guy had just done.  Lots of stories'
    Some students left the class at lunch to buy some stuff to eat, Daisuke slowly pulled out his small bento that was thrown together that morning.
    As Hiroshi was eating, he gave a weird stare to Daisuke.  'What was that all about anyway?'
    'Didn't you eat this morning?'  Asked Yoshiko compassionately.
    Daisuke tried to remember, but it hurt too much.  'I guess I made breakfast for everyone but didn't get any myself.'
    'Oh, I'm so sorry!'  Yoshiko apologized.
    'It's alright.  Just as long as I can eat now.'  He dove right into his lunch.
    Aya came forward, 'Congratulations, Dai-kun!'  She presented a box covered in pink paper in front of him.
    He stared at it, rice stuck to his face.  He looked blandly to Aya, 'What is this?'
    'Don't think it's from me or anything, it's from the girls in the back of the room.  They heard you made it on the swim team so they made you cookies and asked me to bring this up to you.'
    He looked back to the bright pink package.  'Oh.'
    'Man, can you believe that?'  Hiroshi pounded his back, 'Beautiful women made you cookies?  That is so sweet!  You are so lucky!  You better eat all of those and then tell them how much you appreciated them!  After all, if beautiful women made me cookies-'
    'Hiro, we're eating.'
    'Well,' Aya said finally, 'I'm going to go get a sandwich, just wanted to drop that by ya.'
    'Thank you.'  Daisuke promptly went back to his lunch.
    Hiroshi stood up and stretched, 'Let me go with you, after all I gotta drain the main vein.  See ya guys in a bit.'  The two walked out of the classroom, leaving Daisuke and Yoshiko alone.
    He smiled over to her after the silence got to him, 'What would we ever do without Hiro?'
    'He certainly brings life to this place.'  She took some dainty bites from her lunch.
    Daisuke thought about a good conversation starter.  Even after being around Yoshiko for a little while now, he was always so nervous.  He had to watch himself with what he said, he didn't want to make an idiot of himself in front of her.  When he finally thought of something, he said, 'Pretty weird how Tenko's foot was all healed this morning, huh?'
    A small smile parted Yoshiko's savory lips.  She nodded and finished her lunch.
    Daisuke thought, Ok, that didn't work.  He tried again to fire up a conversation, 'Just seems weird to me.  I mean, it defies logic, you know?  That foot was badly injured, no way it could have been totally better this morning.  Unless the kid can heal super fast''
    'When is your practice over tonight?'
    Daisuke looked to her.  That was an obscure question out of no where.  Weird, she didn't seem to want to talk about Tenko's foot at all.  'Probably around 4:30.  Sometimes 5.  Between 4:30 and 5.'
    'A long time'' Yoshiko appeared to be in deep thought as she stared forward down to the ground.  Daisuke knew she was thinking something, he just couldn't figure out what.  'I hope your practice goes very well,' she smiled beautifully at him.
    Daisuke was very perplexed, but he nodded and thanked her.  After that there was a brief greeting from his 'fan club,' but it was nothing too exciting.  When class started again, Daisuke found it especially difficult to concentrate.  What exactly was Yoshiko thinking?  What was she going to do?  And above all, the questions that had been eating away at him ever since they first met, WHERE THE HECK DID SHE COME FROM AND WHAT WAS WITH THAT WEIRD VISION THING???  So many questions, so few answers.
    Finally, another session of numbing school was over.  Daisuke got his duffel bag, which had been squished inside his tiny locker and was standing in the middle of the hall as Misami, Yoshiko, Aya, and Hiroshi approached.  'I'll see you guys later, tell the twins where I am, alright?'
    'I will, have a good practice!' Yoshiko gave that classic smile again.
    Misami approached with pouty lips, 'Are you sure I can't be your speedo consultant?'  Daisuke just blushed and Misami was pulled to the side by her sister.  Yoshiko waved to him, he thought it was the cutest thing ever, and she and Misami walked down the hall to go home.
    Daisuke kept his eyes on them until they could no longer be seen through all the people.  He sighed dreamily and felt his ear being pulled.  The pain seemed to shoot through him, he turned and yelled into the face of the culprit, 'LAY OFF THE EAR!!'
    Hiroshi frowned, 'You have to run along to practice now, stop daydreaming.'
    'Daydreaming?  I was not!'  Daisuke defended.
    Hiroshi rolled his eyes and smiled in his most hentai way, 'Yoshiko is sweet to daydream about, I don't blame you.  But, just don't think about Yoshiko too hard during practice, if you know what I mean.'
    Daisuke blushed brightly, 'You idiot!  Get your sick mind out of the gutter already!'
    'Whatever, see ya later.'
    'Bye.'
    Hiroshi walked down the hall looking as if he was very proud of himself.  Daisuke almost wanted to strangle him.
    'Shark man!'  Osamu ran up to him, 'Come on, we have practice!'  They both ran to the locker room, changed into their swimming gear and met out by the pool.  Guchi and Ryuichi had been talking when they saw the two.
    'Hey hey, Shark man, whaddup?'  Guchi gave him another high five.  Ryuichi just glowered, turning his head away.  'Ready to show these ladies how to swim, captain?'
    Daisuke paused.  '' Captain?'
    Guchi nodded, his dark eyes flaring with life, 'Captain.  You deserve it.'
    Daisuke smiled uncontrollably and turned to see the other members of his team.  Most of them were good old buddies from years pervious, but there were some new faces too.  He couldn't believe it' captain!  That was such an honor and such an awesome person to be.  He felt like he was expected then to give some big long speech, so he decided to say a few words, 'Wow, this is beyond what I expected!  Well, my name's Daisuke.  And uh' I guess I'm the captain!'  The guys all shared a laugh, but Ryuichi just rolled his eyes in disgust and remorse, 'Ok,' he couldn't think of anything else to say.  'What are we waiting for?  Let's do some swimming!'  They dove into the water and practiced the basics, to get back into swimming, nothing strenuous.  Daisuke smiled as he saw the members of his team trying and working their hardest to improve their abilities.  He was truly honored to be the captain of the varsity swim team for his high school.

    The afternoon came quickly and the dusky sun was brimming along the horizon.  Yoshiko could be heard humming a sweet melody as she took it upon herself to water the delicate purple irises she picked on the way home and displayed in the center of the table, set into a fine white glass vase.  She smiled and felt the velvety petals of the natural work of art glide between her fingers.
    Misami came in through the kitchen and was about to loudly speak when she observed her sister.  She seemed to be so happy, so relaxed, humming and watering the flowers.  Misami smiled and spoke softly, 'They're beautiful.'
    'Yes, I found them in a field on the way home.  I'm sure Daisuke-san will appreciate them too.'  She stood up and turned to her sister.  There appeared to be something eating away inside her, like there was something she was dying to get out.  Yoshiko slightly cocked her head to the side, 'What is it?'
    Misami looked seriously at her, putting her usual peppy self aside, 'Sis, what do you think we should do?'
    Yoshiko was confused, 'Do?  What do you mean?'
    'You know!  Darling' or rather, Daisuke, is very sharp, he will pick up on it sooner or later.  What are we going to do?  Now that we're staying with him he'll see things' we can't hide our identity forever.'
    Yoshiko promptly turned back around, directing her eyes to the flowers, 'You don't need to worry, things have been going fine so far, there's no need to disrupt that.'
    'Don't pretend that's how it is!' she set her hand on her sister's shoulder, 'It'll be even harder now that we know about the twins too.  Already he knows that we're very different' he's going to want to know why.  Has he ever asked you where you come from before?'
    Yoshiko sighed deeply, 'Several times' but there was no way I could tell him.  I know it would go against every promise we made.'
    'But we're here now staying with him.  I know we can't tell him, but I hate it!  Don't you think he has the right to know?'
    'Of course, but'' Yoshiko sighed again and then suddenly thought about the previous night when she was out under the stars.  A comfort seemed to come over her as she thought of this.  She smiled and went on, 'Last night I made a wish.  I wished that I may be able to share with Daisuke-san all about me, all my secrets, even though it would break all the rules.'  She closed her eyes and remembered the serene scene, 'And then, a bright shooting star shot across the night sky and the most comforting feeling came over me.  I think my wish had been granted.'
    For a moment, Misami was quiet.  'Does that mean you're going to tell him?  You'd go and break your oaths like that?'
    Yoshiko stood silently.  Misami's eyes drifted to the flowers also, her hand returning to her side. 'Sis' I know he deserves to know, but do we really have the right to tell him?  If we did, some really bad things could happen' we could be exiled''
    Opening her eyes again, Yoshiko focused straight ahead.  Her lips grew tight, but she managed a small smile and nodded determinably, 'I know the risks, but I feel with all my soul that Daisuke-san should know.  Right when I first saw him I knew he was special.  Yes, Misami, I am going to tell him everything.'
    Misami was both happy and frightened to hear it.  She was glad that there would finally be no more confusion between them, that they could finally fully understand each other and become close because of that.  On the other hand, she was terrified of the intense risks they'd be gambling with by telling him all about themselves.  All in all, she wasn't quite sure how to feel.
    'But,' Yoshiko spoke again, 'Daisuke-san is the only one I will tell.  No one but him gets to know.  This will be the ultimate secret between him and us.'  Misami nodded.  'After all he has done for me, and you and the twins' he really does deserve to know.'
    'Yeah, now all we need is for him to come home before we change our minds.'
    'We're home!' two similar voices were heard from the entryway.  Soon, Shingo and Tenko both made their way to the table.  They were all smiles and bundles of delight.  Soon they discovered the mood in the home to be quite serious and the bright smiles faded slightly.  'Hey, what are you doing?' asked Tenko in her cutest, most innocent way.
    Looking to them determinably, Yoshiko turned the other way, 'Never mind.' She walked away.
    Misami was shocked, her sister would NEVER act that way to anyone!  She looked in the direction she was going.  'What the'' she looked back to the twins who were as shocked as she was, 'Wait here a minute, ok?'  Misami zoomed off after her sister.  The twins were left, vague and confused expressions on their faces.
    Yoshiko turned the handle for her bedroom when suddenly another hand was placed firmly over it.  She gasped and whirled around to see her sister's stern gaze, 'Sis!   What was that back there?!' she demanded.
    Yoshiko blinked and looked downward, ashamed.  'I' I'm sorry'' she whispered, 'but I don't think the twins should know what we are going to do''
    Misami released her hand and looked on to her, disbelief shining in her deep blue eyes, 'Why not?  Why can't they know about it?'
    It took her a moment, it almost seemed to hurt Yoshiko.  'Because,' she paused, 'we know it's unspeakably against the rules as it is' if they find out we're doing something that we can get banished for then-'
    'Tadaima!'  Daisuke called from the entryway.  Yoshiko gasped again once she heard his voice.  She could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears.  Everything just seemed to be happening too soon, too seriously.  She couldn't take it and escaped into her bedroom.  Misami stood in the hall and watched the door slowly shut.  She thought about going after her, but decided not to.  She just sighed and stared aimlessly down with the things still fresh in mind.
    'Okaeri nasai, Daisukeniichan!'  Tenko came running excitedly and met Daisuke with a huge smile.
    'Thanks,' he took off his shoes and lazily dropped his school and swimming supplies by his side.  He looked around and his eyes stopped again on the small one, 'What's been going on around here?'
    Shingo then came beside his sister, he wasn't as bubbly as she was.  Tenko glanced to him and put a finger to her chin, 'I'm not sure'  We just got home too in fact.'
    'Just seems really quiet.'  Daisuke walked to the hallway and saw at the end Misami standing in front of her bedroom door.  He thought it was odd she hadn't run to him, attaching herself.  Something was definitely different.  'M-Misami'?'
    She looked up to him, her eyes full of many emotions.  Instead of giving any sort of explanation, she just spoke plainly, 'Sis would like to speak with you''  Daisuke blinked several times.  Yoshiko wanted to speak with him?  Naturally, he wondered why, but didn't bother asking Misami.  She didn't seem too keen on talking at that moment, for once.  Swallowing nervously, he nodded and made his way to the door.
    It returned again, the nervousness.  He could feel a small blush on his cheeks and a sweat bead run down his face.  His heart raced as he reached his unsteady hand to the doorknob.  He turned it and slowly the door crept open a small crack.  He was very slow in his movement.  Misami watched him do all this, many fears running through her troubled mind.  As Daisuke continued to take his sweet time to enter Yoshiko's bedroom, Misami pushed him and he fell unsteadily into her room.  After all, she just wanted it to get over with and Daisuke was making it very difficult just standing there like a paralyzed dunce!  She then shut the door and backed up against it.
    'H-hey, Misami!  That wasn't very nice!' he called out as he sat up, picking him self up off the floor.  'That hurt'' he whispered as he rubbed his forehead, where he had fallen.
    'Daisuke-san?'  A sweet, melancholy voice sounded from within the room.
    Daisuke then got his bearings back and looked into the room to see the lovely Yoshiko sitting on her futon, looking at him questioningly.  He blushed more and tried to explain, 'Well, um, I, uh, just thought I'd, umm'' his thoughts became jumbled.  Yoshiko looked to him with consideration, her face lighting up a little again.  Finally, he cleared his throat and took a deep breath.  He looked back to her with more seriousness, 'Misami said you wanted to speak with me.'
    Yoshiko looked to the side.  There was no way out of it, she would have to comply.  Sighing quietly, she nodded her head once, 'Yes,' she said, Daisuke was barely able to hear her.
    On the outside of the room, Misami's ear was planted firmly on the door.  She wanted to make sure she didn't miss a thing, not a single thing!  'Oh, why don't they say something already?!  I'm about to jump out of my skin here!!  And they'd better behave themselves in there all alone!' she said through clenched teeth.
    'Misami-san!  Whatcha doin'?'  Tenko asked when her and Shingo came up, as loud as ever.
    Immediately, Misami hushed her, covering her mouth with her hand.  'Shhh!  You have to be quiet!'  She immediately went back to eavesdropping, planting her ear firmly on the door again.  She wasn't gonna miss anything!
    'What's going on?' Shingo asked in a whisper.
    Misami thought about what Yoshiko had said, but she knew that she could trust the twins.  She decided to let them know, after all, there shouldn't be secrets since they're living together.  ...Right?  'Sis is going to tell him everything.'
    The twins couldn't believe it.  'NO WAY!' they nearly yelled, but caught themselves before anything but a whisper could get out.
    'Shhhh!'  Misami hushed again.  'But you have to swear you will NEVER tell ANYONE, promise?'
    'But,' Shingo fussed, 'that's totally against the rules and promises we all made!  She could get in such big trouble, she could even be banished!'
    'Which is why we're not going to tell anyone, right?'
    The twins looked to each other and then back to Misami.  With much force, they agreed.  'But ONLY because we're staying with Daisukeniichan.'  Tenko said, 'If it were anyone else, I wouldn't agree at all.'
    'Alright, thank you guys so much!'  Misami could hear some muffled talking and promptly went back to her place at the door.  She hoped she hadn't missed anything juicy or otherwise!  The twins looked at her funny, but then joined to hear the conversation, they wanted to witness it also!
    On the inside, it really hadn't been much of a conversation.  Daisuke looked down, embarrassed and shy.  Yoshiko just didn't know how or where to begin.  Finally, she broke the awful silence that had been so prominent.  'Daisuke-san,' she said in her gentle way, 'it might help if you came a little closer''
    When Misami heard that from the other side of the door, she nearly screamed.  She obviously thought they were doing something unspeakable.  'What do they think they're doing in there?!?!?!'
    'Shhh!'  The twins hushed her.  'She'll get to it, she'll get to it.'  They repeated, completely confident.  Misami went back to listening, but swore she'd bust in if she suspected anything.
    Meanwhile, Daisuke had scooted closer and was sitting on Misami's futon, right in front of Yoshiko.  He could get a good look at her face then.  It was as sweet and gentle as ever, but it also seemed very different.  He could tell there was a lot in there that was bothering her.  Her eyes weren't as bright, her personality not as lively, he figured she wanted to get something off her chest.  He wanted to hear her out, help her get back to her normal, wonderful self.
    She had been looking down and when she looked back up, her eyes met his.  The afternoon light that illuminated the room in a soft orange made both of them notice the beautiful subtle features of the other's faces.  She tried to channel her thoughts, despite the distractions.  'Um'' she began, 'I don't really know how to say all this''
    'What is it you want to tell me?'  Daisuke provoked soothingly.
    'Well,' she thought about everything she wanted to say, and couldn't believe she was actually going to go through with it.  'You remember when you were curious about where I came from and why I did certain things, right?'
    He paused, 'Yeah.  In fact I'm still curious'' he didn't want to put pressure on her again.
    Yoshiko bowed her head a little, 'Would you' still like to know?'
    'Huh?' he couldn't believe what he was hearing.  She actually was going to tell him, he jumped into the possibility, 'Certainly!  I mean, if you wouldn't mind sharing''
    She smiled a little, but it didn't last long.  Her head bobbed once more in a nod and she turned her green eyes back to him.  'I'm going to tell you just because I can sense you are a very special person and already you mean a great deal to my sister and me.  But please, Daisuke-san,' she came closer, looking desperately into his eyes, 'you mustn't let anyone know about what I'm going to say to you right now.'
    Daisuke looked into her serious eyes and nodded.  It all seemed pretty heavy.  'I can't tell anyone?  But what about Hiro?'
    She shook her head, 'I'm breaking every rule created by doing this, but I want to tell you since I know you deserve to know.'  Daisuke could accept that, and nodded solemnly, promising never to tell a soul whatever it was Yoshiko had to say.  She was glad and continued, 'And you probably aren't going to believe a word of what I'm about to say''
    'Oh, sure I will,' Daisuke assured.
    Yoshiko was still unsure, 'Just listen to what I have to say and please believe everything.  It is all truth, no matter how impossible and improbable it seems to you.'  Daisuke nodded.  It seemed to get more serious by the minute.  Yoshiko took a deep breath and began to share with him her secrets he had been so earnestly wondering about, 'My home isn't anywhere near here.  Its far, far away, far away from anything around here.'
    Daisuke waited to see if she would elaborate, 'Well, where is your home?'
    She bowed her head again and looked dead on forward.  Her eyes seemed to dance in the afternoon sun as they shone with seriousness and serenity.  In a voice almost inaudible, Yoshiko whispered the name of her home, ''Aven''
    Daisuke could hardly hear that.  'A-Aven?'  She seemed to freeze as she nodded once more.  Daisuke tried to think, 'Well, that sorta sounds familiar.  Isn't that a place in America, like in Massachusetts?'
    She looked back to him, her face was full of disillusion.  She gave a bewildered smile that actually turned into choked giggle.  Daisuke moved his head to one side, he couldn't get what was so funny.  'No,' she said through giggles.
    Daisuke laughed a little also, 'Well, I've never been too good with geography.'
    Yoshiko wiped her eye and her face turned serious again.  'That's alright.  No one here has ever heard about my home before.  You're the first one ever who gets to hear about it.'
    'I'm the first?  But surely someone has heard about it before' right?'
    Yoshiko took another deep breath to calm herself and collect her thoughts.  'First of all, the reason you and no one else has ever heard of Aven is because it is no where near here.  By that I mean' well'' she felt her confidence growing weak.  Daisuke waited patiently and provoked her to continue.  She looked to him, weakly, and said slowly, 'Aven is' a planet' a planet much like Earth.  It is very far away, so far that no one on Earth will ever create a telescope strong enough or satellites advanced enough to be able to detect it.'  As she said that, she could see the expression on Daisuke's face steadily growing thinner, as if there really was no expression at all.  He just stared straight ahead at her with his face blank and his mind swirling, trying to absorb all she had said.  She sighed and looked to the side, 'Forget it' I knew you wouldn't believe me''
    Daisuke shook his head several times and came out of his trance, 'Oh, no, Yoshiko, please!  I-I do believe you.'  She kept her head turned and did not say a word.  Daisuke closed his eyes, 'I'm sorry.  It's just that I'd never begin to think' I mean, I'd never suspect'' he looked back at her, 'Are you serious about all this?'
    Yoshiko turned back to him and could see the wonder and intrigue in his beautiful eyes, 'Yes, Daisuke-san.  I am very serious.  I come from a different planet and that's why' that's why I didn't tell you anything before.'
    Daisuke looked through a window covered in a lacey white curtain to see the afternoon sky.  He did this for what seemed like several minutes.  Both he and Yoshiko were completely silent.  'That is'' he stretched out his arms and laid back on Misami's futon, 'unbelievable!'
    'I know, but it's nothing but the truth.'
    A smile came to his lips.  Normally, if anyone else had said they came form a different planet, Daisuke would have slowly backed away and prepared to call the funny farm, but not with Yoshiko.  Everything she said was so genuine and so truthful, he knew what she said was true.  She really did come from a different planet named Aven, he just knew it.  'That's amazing.'
    Yoshiko almost thought she heard him wrong, 'You mean you actually believe me?'
    He turned his head so that he could see her plainly and nodded, 'Of course.  I know you wouldn't ever make anything like this up, Yoshiko.  And besides that, I can just sense you're serious.  Something inside of me' I don't know what it is, but it's telling me that you're telling the truth.'
    She was so happy.  A brilliant smile came to her lovely face, it was her way of expressing her gratitude to him believing something that was so important.  'I'm so glad you feel that way.  I know it seems impossible, but it is true.  Thank you, Daisuke-san.'
    He nodded and turned over onto his side.  'So you're an alien, huh?'
    Yoshiko giggled, 'I guess you could say that.'
    'Well,' he laughed lightheartedly, 'you're a heck of a lot better looking than any of the aliens they have on TV shows and stuff.'  When he realized what he had said, he blushed and Yoshiko blushed too.  Before all the embarrassment could settle in, he changed subjects, 'So, now my question has been answered.'
    'Yes,' she paused, 'but that's not all I wanted to tell you.'
    'Oh?' he blinked.
    Yoshiko laid down on her futon on her side, facing Daisuke.  He blushed as he thought of the position they were both in, but found comfort in being able to stare deeply into Yoshiko's magnificent eyes.  'On Aven, Misami and I lived in the huge capital called Gelae.  It's the biggest, most spectacular city in all of Stilatial.'
    'Stilatial'?' Daisuke was just a bit confused.
    'Oh, I'm sorry.  Stilatial is the name of the solar system and galaxy that Aven is in.  Like the Milky Way Galaxy, it is the Stilatial Galaxy,' she explained, Daisuke nodded as he understood, or tried to understand.  'Oh, you should find this interesting!  Well, do you know much about astronomy?'
    Daisuke's lip raised to one side, 'Not too much, but I've always been fascinated by the Universe.'
    'Have you heard of the M31, or Andromeda Galaxy before?'
    Daisuke nodded, 'That's the closest neighboring spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, right?'
    'Yes, and to me, that is home.  What is Andromeda Galaxy to you is Stilatial Galaxy to me.'
    His eyes widened like saucers, 'Seriously?!'
    She nodded, giggling again, 'So in astronomical terms, we've really been neighbors all along!'
    'No kidding!' he looked back out the window, unable to help the grin on his face.  'That is very interesting!'
    She smiled onto him, feeling a deep cosmic connection.  'Long ago on Aven, there were many great scholars and those just curious about the Universe.  They would often look up into the vast night sky and ponder the existence of life and whether there were any other forms of life that existed in the Universe outside Stilatial.  With the creation and perfection of new, amazing technology, we were able to explore deep into our own galaxy and the two dwarf elliptical galaxies right near Stilatial.  And the search for life was a great success, some of the most incredible beings became friends to us and helped connect our planets on good terms.  Some time ago, we were also able to discover another planet in the Milky Way Galaxy very far away that was extremely similar to our own.  That planet was Earth.'
    Daisuke followed her every word, speechless for a time.  'Amazing,' he whispered again, captivated by her story.
    She smiled and went on, 'Earth and Aven are very similar in all ways.  We discovered this and immediately wanted to study Earth since it was so much like Aven.  So, that's how the Earth Missions began.'
    'Earth Missions?'
    Nodding, she continued, 'Avenions, that's what we're called, and others from Stilatial can apply to be able to come to Earth on Earth Missions in order to get the spectacular experience of studying and gaining a greater knowledge of the planet that is so much like our own in a whole different galaxy.  My father came to Earth when he was about my age and he fell in love with everything about this world.  When my sister and I were growing up, he would tell us stories about Earth and about what a wonderful place it is.  That made me excited to want to be able to someday go to Earth, so my sister and I applied and we were accepted.'  She smiled and looked into Daisuke's sweet eyes, 'It has been a wonderful dream come true to finally be able to come here, and to have you help me so much and take me into your home' that means more to me than anything.'
    Daisuke smiled back to her and could feel his heart practically melt.  'Having you with me has been the best thing that's ever happened to me.'
    They were looking into each other eyes, almost getting lost in them.  Finally, Yoshiko stopped her staring and continued, 'I'm sorry to say, but Aven's technology is much more advanced than Earth's.  That's why we were able to discover you here so long ago.  But the land and climate is so similar, both our worlds really share a lot in common.'
    'Amazing!' he said again, it seemed to be the only thing he could say.
    'It is.  It's exactly how my father said it would be too.  No, it's better than my father said.'
    'Where did he go when he came to Earth?' Daisuke was curious.
    Yoshiko smiled, 'Tokyo.'
    'Really?!' he nearly shot up, but it was much more comfortable lying on his side.
    'I'm so excited to be able to be in the same place my father was in.  And already I can see why he loved it so much.  I really love it here.'
    'But don't you miss your home?' Daisuke asked.  That caught Yoshiko's attention.  'Do you sometimes wish you could go back?'
    Yoshiko thought deeply about that, 'Sure, but I've become too attached to this place, I want to stay to learn and study Earth and how other Earthlings my age act.'
    'Well, I'm sorry you had to meet Hiro, but not all us guys are like that!  He's just one bad apple in the barrel.'  Daisuke shook his head when he thought about the perverted one.
    Yoshiko just giggled again, 'I understand.  Some of the boys back home are just like him too.'
    'I'm so sorry''
    Giggling more, she brushed it off.  'Even though we are so much alike, there are some things that do set us apart.  I'll show you.'  Yoshiko sat up again and immediately closed her eyes.  Daisuke lifted himself up and wondered what she was about to do.
    Yoshiko brought her small, dainty hands together up to her chest and immediately, the figure on her forehead began to glow a bright blue.  Soon, the entire room was embraced in a blinding, impounding blue light that came from Yoshiko.  Daisuke gave a small yelp and shaded his eyes from the supreme brightness.  At the same time he was wondering what the heck was going on, he opened his eyes a little so as to not miss anything.  When he did, he could barely see the outline of Yoshiko amidst the pillar of light that had now become a dazzling white.  Everything was white, but miraculously, the light did not hurt his eyes.  He opened them completely and returned his hands to his side.  There she was.  Her eyes were still shut and her long, beautiful hair seemed to be flowing slowly and gracefully in the power of the light.  Her clothing seemed to move as if being blown on, but it was also in a gentle manner.  Daisuke could only stare at her with amazement and he could feel his own hair and clothing flowing in the power of the light.  Yoshiko's eyes opened finally and she looked to Daisuke, a refreshing smile on her lips.  When their eyes met, another spectacular vision of the Universe unfurled before Daisuke's eyes, surrounding him with eternal majesty in a single instant.  Yoshiko's lips moved and a sweet whispering voice flowed all around, into Daisuke's mind.  It was impossible for him to tell what the language was, but he could understand the words in his heart.
    All too suddenly, the figure stopped glowing and the light and vision vanished to reveal the normal room again.  Yoshiko felt some dizziness and lost her balance, falling forward.  Daisuke gasped and caught her in his arms.  She fell silently and almost magically to his chest.  There, she rested.  A huge blush came to his face as he stared down onto her.
    'Sis just totally wiped herself out!'  Misami scooted away when she saw the light emerge under the door.  'She knows that if she uses her powers for no reason like that it'll exhaust her, what does she think she's doing?!'
    'She just demonstrated to Daisuke-san!  She must have told him everything about us'' Shingo and his sister looked to each other, both were sure of it.
    Misami looked back to the door and wished she could go in there, but kept herself back.  She decided to go ahead and let her sister continue whatever it was she had begun.
    'Yo-Yoshiko'' his voice was weak as he set a hand on her smooth hair.
    She was breathing heavily and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.  Daisuke was blushing madly and decided to lay her down on her futon again.  She had her eyes shut and was still deeply breathing.  'I'm sorry''
    'Are you alright?'
    She breathed more and nodded, 'Yes, I shouldn't have done that though.  I just wanted to demonstrate my powers for you.'
    Daisuke paused as he sat next to her, 'So that incredible vision I saw when we first met' that was you''
    She opened her eyes and looked to him, faintly smiling, 'Yes.  I could sense a valiant aura about you and knew right off you'd be someone who'd deserve to know what no one else on Earth can.'
    Daisuke was silent.  He was pondering deeply and trying to figure out a lot of things for himself.  Recognizing this, Yoshiko went on, 'Avenions posses natural powers like what you just saw.  You know the shape on my forehead?'
    'Yeah,' he said.
    'That is the symbol that allows me to use my powers.  I can heal small injuries like Aya-san's finger and last night I used my powers of healing to heal Tenko-chan's foot.'
    'So you're the one who healed her?'
    She nodded, 'Healing is my greatest ability.  I can also do telepathy too, as you found out the other day.  If I'm with others my powers become even greater as they combine with the powers of others and I can even do things I can't do normally.  Misami has special abilities too,' she caught her breath, 'everyone has their own individual skills and powers.'
    'Remarkable.  It sounds like you're the supreme species then.'
    Yoshiko looked to Daisuke.  A weak smile came to her lips, 'No one is supreme to anyone else.  We just have special abilities, but while we're on Earth, we are forbidden to use them.  Since I felt special prompting regarding you, I'm afraid I am guilty of breaking that rule.  But as long as we use our powers to help others, I believe it's not punishable.'
    He nodded, 'You don't want anyone to know who you really are so you try to blend in as best you can while studying and learning about Earthly life.'
    She was a little surprised, 'That's absolutely right.  You understand perfectly, thank you.'
    He gave her a confident look, 'I catch on quickly.'
    She laughed, regaining some strength.  'Well, I have to admit that I'm glad you know about me now.  I was really unsure at first and that's why I never told you all those times when you asked before.'
    'I feel very privileged to be told and now I feel like I can finally understand you,' he said quietly.  At that moment, Daisuke felt closer to Yoshiko than he had ever thought he had before.  He finally knew all the little details and secrets he had been wondering about.  It was great to be able to understand her better, and because of that, Daisuke felt his secret love for her bloom even more and even stronger.  'Thanks for telling me.'
    'Thanks for listening.'  She smiled.  He took her hand and helped her sit up again.  They were looking deeply into each other's eyes, a new bond of understanding linked between them.  Sure, they were blushing cutely and shyly, but the moment seemed greater than just another fickle moment of infatuation.  Daisuke slowly began moving his head to Yoshiko, his lips yearning for hers, when the door burst open.  Of course, you all knew that just had to happen!
    'Sis!'  Misami and the twins burst in.  When Misami saw the position they were in, their hands joined, staring up at her, she paused.  She gave a look of jealous exasperation and loudly cleared her throat.
    The two quickly released hands and turned in opposing positions, bright red.  'Yes, Misami?'  Yoshiko wanted it to appear as if nothing happened.
    After giving a death glare, she went on, 'So, THIS is what's been going on?!  What about telling him about us, hmm?'
    Yoshiko turned to face her sister, 'I told him.'
    'You' you did?' she was taken aback.
    'Yes,' she nodded and looked to Misami, smiling, 'Just like we talked about.'
    'Daisukeniichan!  Now you know all about us!'  Tenko squealed, Daisuke turned his head to her with a vacant expression.
    'Us?  You mean'' he pointed his finger to the twins.
    Tenko covered her mouth and her eyes grew wide, Shingo wished he were invisible.  'No!  No, we're not Avenions, we've never even heard of Aven before, hey Shingo-chan, what's Aven?'
    He sighed folding his arms, 'Forget it, Ten.'
    'Yes, darling, the twins are also from Aven.  We've all been sent here on Earth Missions, what a lovely coincidence we're all staying here with you!' winked Misami.
    'Heh, yeah, lovely coincidence alright'' As if his life couldn't get anymore complicated'
    'So, I can see you took it rather well, you don't think we're all crazy nuts,' observed Misami at the fact that he hadn't yet left the room screaming and tearing his hair out.
    'Well, after some of the things I've seen, I'm not too surprised by it,' laughed Daisuke.  It was true too, he had suspected all along there was something very different about them.  He just wasn't really expecting it to be that they were really aliens.  That was a surprise.
    Misami went over to Yoshiko's other side and knelt down, putting a hand on her shoulder.  'How are you?'
    'I'm fine now.  Using so much of my powers just really wore me out.'  Yoshiko was between Daisuke and Misami.  'I could use something to eat though.'
    'That's a good idea,' Daisuke helped Yoshiko up.  He couldn't really think of anything else to ask her, he observed that both species obviously needed food for survival and figured that their genetic make up and anatomy was very similar.  If it weren't for that thing on their foreheads and tawdry hair color, Avenions and Earthlings would be identical!
    They all walked to the kitchen and Daisuke prepared dinner, vowing that the next day he would have to go shopping.  Fortunately, he was able to make gyoza from a package he found on the bottom of his refrigerator.  Normally he would make it from scratch, but he didn't have all the ingredients.  Daisuke brought the food to the table, proud of himself to be able to pull off something for them all to eat.  'It's not much, but I think it'll do for now.'  He sat down at the end of the table, taking his chopsticks in hand.  Yoshiko and Misami were to his right and the twins were to his left.  He smiled and they all recited together, 'Itadakimasu!'
    'So yummy!' Tenko had gyoza and rice and tried not to speak with her mouth full.
    'Thank you.' Daisuke had some also, it was surprisingly good.  Yep, he was a great cook even with packaged things.
    After Misami had finished (she was the first done) she looked to Daisuke sitting at the end of the table, as if he was the supreme head or something.  She couldn't help but wonder what it felt like to be in his position, having these aliens staying with him, being the most popular guy in school' how did he handle it all?  'Darling?'
    'Yeah?' he asked, rice on his chin, Misami thought that was cute.
    'Is there anything else you wanna know about us?'
    'Uhhh'' he thought a long time, 'I think I need some time to take in all I've heard already, so not right now.  I'll let you know later though.'  He went back to eating.
    Misami had to accept that.  She knew there was more he wondered about, he just needed time.
    Yoshiko looked to the twins.  They were so cute, she thought, so young and carefree.  She almost felt like an older sister to them and took it on herself to look after them also.  'How did your day go?'  She asked.
    'It went alright, Yoshiko-san,' Shingo was smiling and more than happy to talk to Yoshiko.
    'Yeah, and we heard that we're going to get a new student in our class sometime soon.  Oh, I hope she'll want to be friends with me!'  Tenko was very very hopeful.
    'I'm sure she will, you'd be a great friend to have.'
    Tenko beamed, 'Thanks, Yoshiko-san!'
    'Shingo-kun,' Daisuke finally said.  Shingo turned his head to him, 'Did you say you're in the same class as Satoru-kun?'
    He nodded, 'He's my best friend and the only reason I'm passing history'' Shingo thought about his experience earlier that day and how much he never wanted to relive it.
    'Did he say anything about his brother today?'
    'Hiroshi-san?'  Daisuke nodded.  Shingo thought, 'Not that I remember' he doesn't like talking about him that much, when he does he just says how mean he is to him or how he's always in his bedroom making weird sounds''
    'Ohhhhkay!!!'  Daisuke slammed the table with his hand to try to change subjects.  Yet again, he was embarrassed because of the great Hiroshi.  'Anyway, I was just wondering because he seemed pretty bummed about loosing all his money.  I just wondered if he got it back, I forgot to ask him today.  Guess I'll try to help him get it back somehow.'
    'Why bother?'  Misami asked bitterly.
    'He's my friend.  We're supposed to help each other.'  Daisuke took his plate and asked if anyone else was done with theirs.  He took them to the kitchen and started to wash them.  He sighed.  That day had been very weird.  All the things he had learned, all the things he had done' just everything about it.  He watched the hot water come out of the faucet and flow onto the dirty dishes with the white puffs of steam flowing up and disappearing in the air.
    He leaned on the counter top and stared forward through the white steam.  Was it all a dream?  No, they really were serious'  They really were from some place totally unknown to anyone on Earth.  Besides him.  Yoshiko, the girl of his dreams, his lovely flower, was an alien.  That was mind boggling.  As Daisuke thought of that, he nearly burned his hand in the scolding water, he wasn't paying any attention to anything around him.  It was just such a weird thing to think about, and yet, it was true.
    Just then, after his intense moments of deep thought were ended, he heard a small sound behind him and turned to see Shingo.  'What's up?'  Daisuke asked, trying to make it appear that he was normal and that he hadn't been thinking about how bizarre it was to be in love with a girl that wasn't even his own species.
    Shingo looked around, 'Daisuke-san, umm I, I was just wondering' well' do you think I could talk to you a little later?'
    Daisuke was slow to nod, 'Sure thing.'
    'Thanks!  Oh, and is it alright if Tenko-chan and I watch TV?'
    'Go ahead, my home is your home buddy!'  Shingo smiled and zoomed out of the kitchen and plopped by his sister in front of the glory of the HDTV.
    Daisuke went back to scrubbing dishes.  'That was odd.'
    Before long, Yoshiko strolled in.  She looked to Daisuke, he didn't see her there.  She looked at his strong, beautiful profile and saw how he scrubbed the dishes so powerfully.  He really was a great guy.  As soon as she gathered the courage to approach him to thank him one more time and say how much she was happy to be staying with him, Misami appeared and came to his side.  'Good work, darling!  Let me help too!'
    'Mi-Misami!  You scared me!'
    She splashed some of the hot water around, 'Gomen!'  Daisuke and her just laughed.  Yoshiko saw what a good time they were having together and decided not to interrupt.  She passed them with her gentle smile and went down into her bedroom, she wanted some time to herself anyway to reflect on her decisions and imagine their outcomes.
    The dishes had been washed, with the help of Misami.  Daisuke walked to the living room and found the twins in front of the TV, almost as if they were merciless before it.  Misami jumped down beside them excitedly to join in watching the music program.  Shingo turned to see Daisuke and it looked as if something flickered back inside his head.  He stood up and went to him, 'Can we talk now?'  He asked.
    Now, for Daisuke, that depended on exactly what he wanted to talk about.  Before he knew what he had agreed to, Daisuke nodded and Shingo led him down to his bedroom and shut the door.  Daisuke sat cross-legged on the floor and Shingo did the same, facing him with a smile.  Daisuke looked around the room, 'Uh, what did you want to talk about?'  Already, Daisuke felt warmth on his cheeks.  He thought he knew exactly what he wanted to talk about and that was the one subject Daisuke was helpless in.  He swallowed nervously, he could hear his heart beating.  It had to be about' that' Shingo was the right age and all'  When Shingo was about to talk, Daisuke nearly collapsed.
    'I was just wondering'' he looked downward, anywhere but his eyes.
    He nodded, sweat on his face, 'Go on.'
    'Well'' Daisuke leaned forward and Shingo looked back to him with bright green eyes, 'do you think you can help me with my homework?'  Then, Daisuke did collapse.  'Uh, Daisuke-san?  Are you alright?  Your face is all red''
    He sat up, 'Fine, just fine!  Homework?  Sure, I can help you!'  He felt dumber than mud and also a little guilty for thinking that Shingo would want to talk to him about' Well, no need dwelling in the past!  Daisuke was more than happy to help Shingo with his homework and more than relieved at the same time.  He felt better being able to help Shingo out, he almost felt like a big brother.  That was great, he didn't feel lonely anymore.

    The end of the day crept its way back over Tokyo.  Tenko and Shingo worked a little more on homework, but fell asleep in the middle of it.  Misami secretly took the phone hostage and proceeded in calling every one of the numbers the boys in her class gave her.  Yoshiko came out of her bedroom and found the hallway quiet and dark.  Across the hall, she saw Daisuke's room.  His door was open a crack.  She wished to say good night to him and approached his door.  Right before she was about to knock, she heard what sounded like singing inside his room. 'Yeah yeah yeah!  You gotta tell me you love me, baby!  You gotta let me know!  Wohoo!!'
    Yoshiko opened the door and peeked inside.  She spied Daisuke in nothing but his boxer shorts with headphones over his ears, holding onto a small personal CD player.  He was dancing and singing rather outrageously and had no idea he was being watched.  Yoshiko's eyes peered at the sight, she could feel her jaw lower and her cheeks turn red FOR WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FREAKIN' MILLIONTH TIME!  (sorry, I just think that they're adorable when they blush! ^_^)
    Daisuke kept doing his funky dancing and singing.  When he opened his eyes, he saw Yoshiko and felt all sorts of humiliation and embarrassment.  Immediately, he stopped and let the music blare in his ears.  He looked down at himself and nearly turned red all over.  Yoshiko turned the other way, 'Excuse me!' she covered her flustered cheeks with her hands.
    'Wait, Yoshiko!' Daisuke grabbed some jeans and tried to pull them on while running after Yoshiko, it didn't really work too well.  He ended up falling on his face.  He caught Yoshiko right outside his door and tried to explain things, 'I'm sorry about that.  Wow, that was REALLY embarrassing.  I used to always sing really loud and stuff when I lived alone, guess I just forgot'' he couldn't help but keep blushing.  That was the most embarrassing thing he had ever done in front of Yoshiko!
    'It's alright'' she couldn't look into his face.
    He sighed, 'Well, guess I'll see you in the morning then.'
    'Wait!'  She turned her eyes back to him right before he went back into his room.  She giggled finally, it was pretty funny after all.  'Sorry' Thank you for today.  It really means a lot to me to have someone who knows.'  He didn't say anything, he didn't need to.  All he did was smile and nod, which made Yoshiko feel like the most important person ever.  'But remember, don't tell anyone.  It's a secret only you may know about.'
    'My lips are sealed.  Your secret is safe with me.'
    'Thank you!' she smiled, 'Good night, Daisuke-san.'
    'Good night, Yoshiko.'
    They departed to their separate rooms, but in a way never left each other.  The strong bond between them was unbreakable and they knew that from then on, it would only become stronger.

    'MIZUNO SUCKS!'  Ryuichi flung another dart into the enlarged photo of Daisuke hanging on his mantle in his divine billiard room.  It hit him right between the eyes.  There were many other darts sticking around his photo, quit a bit of evidence of Ryuichi's strong aversion for his rival.  He sat down in the elegant, red leather chair in front of the fireplace and thought about his hatred for Daisuke.
    The billiard room in Ryuichi's huge home was nothing less than superb.  There was a large pool table in the center, the fireplace and mantle with the darts poking out, the expensive red leather armchair sitting over the grizzly bear rug, and even a bar in the corner.  Near the other side of the room there were stationary bikes and exercise equipment, along with an antique player piano Ryuichi's dad won in an auction in London.  Right beside the billiard room was the pool complete with a diving board.  Everything any guy wouldn't mind having, and there Ryuichi was, staring into the fire.
    Practice that day really dug under his skin.  The fact that Daisuke was the captain, that he was Mr. Popular, that he had all the girls including Yoshiko!  That was enough to make him, too put it simply, pissed.  As he looked longer into the fire, he could feel his jealousy grow.  'Enjoy it while you can.  I'm gonna make sure someway you crash and burn like the little (bleeping bleep) you really are.  And Yoshiko will see the loser you really are.'  He laughed as he played with the last dart in his fingers.  Ryuichi stood up and tore Daisuke's smiling picture from the mantle, removing the darts from it.  It had several little holes in it.  Ryuichi threw it in the fire and aimed the last dart to it, pinning it against one of the burning pieces of wood, again, right between the eyes.  He watched a second as the orange flames flickered around it and warped the edges.  Ryuichi smiled, 'Good night, Daisuke-chan.'  Ryuichi left, laughing, and the picture smoldered and eventually was completely swallowed by the dancing orange flames.

    'OHAYO GOZAIMASU!'
    Daisuke had to run for his life away from the squealing fan club.  They all heard that he had become the captain of the swim team and it was all the more reason to swoon over him.  Speaking of which, Daisuke had eaten those cookies the girls made for him.  He was going to go and thank them until he saw they were a part of the raging mob.  He made it to his seat right before the bell.  It was his usual morning routine.
    'DAI!'  Hiroshi seemed especially excited this morning, he came and hugged Daisuke.
    Daisuke was worried, really worried!  His face nearly turned green as he looked shocked with his arms around him, 'HIRO?!  WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!!'
    He unhanded him and looked with starry eyes to him, 'You'll never guess what happened to me last night!'
    'Umm' do I really want to know?'
    'I was walking down the street after my mom made me go to the store and' GUESS WHAT I FOUND ON THE ROAD!'
    'A brain?'
    'BETTER!  I FOUND ¥500,000 IN AN ENVELOPE!!!!!  MY MONEY PROBLEMS ARE NO MORE!!'
    Daisuke's eyes widened, '500,000?'  Hiroshi nodded.  'That's a lot to find just on the road!  Are you sure it didn't belong to anyone?'
    'Ah, finder's keeper's''
    'Ok class,' Mr. Shizumo began, gearing their attention to the balding man.  His squinty, wrinkly face seemed even more pathetic looking than normal.  'I have something to ask all of you fine young people.'
    'He seems worried about something,' Yoshiko observed.
    'Yeah, probably accidentally waxed his car with his toupee.'  Hiroshi laughed to himself.
    'I was on my way home last night and something very important must have dropped from my briefcase.  It was a white envelope and inside was ¥500,000.'
    Daisuke looked to Hiroshi and it looked like death had crawled over him.  He sighed, 'Poor guy''
    'Does anyone know anything about this?  It is very important I get it back at all costs.'
    'No' no way!'  Hiroshi whimpered.  'But I found it' it was too replace my debt' and' I was going to subscribe to so many magazines with that!'  Hiroshi cried.
    Daisuke and Yoshiko looked onto him with sympathy, but there was more disgust in Daisuke's eyes.  'You've got enough of that crap as it is, just give it back to him.'
    Before Hiroshi could refuse, which he was bound to do, Daisuke grabbed his school bag and opened it.  He made his way around and finally found the white envelope in the bottom.  Hiroshi pulled it out and sighed.  'Well, it was nice while it lasted'' he looked back to Mr. Shizumo with eyes as sad as they could be.  Collecting all his moral strength, which was few, he handed the envelope forward for his homeroom teacher.  'Take it, quick, before the pain hits!'
    Mr. Shizumo took the envelope with gratitude, 'Thank you, Hiroshi-kun.  Now I can finally get Squawky that ultra bird bath he wanted!'
    Hiroshi felt his eye twitch and would have fallen over sideways to twitch uncontrollably if it weren't for Daisuke being there.  Daisuke just looked at him with a sideways smile when he thought of the irony in the situation.  He began to laugh.  Even if it was unfortunate, it was funny!  Yoshiko couldn't help it, she laughed too.  Hiroshi recognized the humor and laughed, although then more than ever he could feel the emptiness of his wallet.  Daisuke wanted to help him get his money back, but for now, all he wanted to do was laugh at Hiroshi.
    Another typical day was unrolling before them.  Daisuke would make sure and remember all he had heard from Yoshiko.  The friends would have another good day together, especially now that for Daisuke the mysteries of his beloved Yoshiko had been revealed.