"No..."  Gai sank to his knees.  He lost.  He had lost to Shiro again.  
It didn't matter what playing ground he proposed--janken, checkers, Go, Old
Maid--there was just no hope for him.  And now he lost, of all things, at Go
Fish.  For some reason, in every game Shiro was able to tell exactly what he
was going to do next, just like when they fought.  He sighed miserably.
     Shiro just watched him.
     Gai shook his head.  What was the secret?  What could it be... how could
Shiro know exactly what he was going to do, every time and in every 
situation?  It was bizarre... "What's the secret?"
     His opponent blinked.  "You want to know?"
     Gai cursed himself for saying that out loud.  Now Shiro would know that
he's curious and... oh well, might as well go through with it.  "Yes. I do."
     "Well," a grinning Shiro began, "It's like this.  I want to sing..."
     "No, no!  No singing!  Bad, bad, bad!" a voice cried from the distance.
     Gai turned towards the voice.
     "Hey, Yuki."
     "Hi!" she greeted cheerfully as she ran up to the duo.
     Shiro cleared his throat.  "Anyway, as I was singing--er... saying, I'm 
not Shiro!  I'm really..."  He ripped off his mask.  "Gai Jacquard!"
     "What?!"  Gai shouted as he stared in shock at the face in front of him.
It was him, all right.  Every last detail.  The eyes, the hair, the mouth, 
the chin... "You can't be me! I'm me!"
     "Wait.  If Shiro's Gai, then what does that make Gai?" Yuki asked quite
intelligently.
     Gai/Shiro smiled evilly.  "I don't know. Let's find out."
     "Argh!" Gai cried as they grabbed him and ripped his face off.  "Wait,
that didn't hurt."  He brought his fingers up and felt his nose, his eyes, 
his mouth, his chin... it was completely different.  "Who am I?"
     "You are..." Yuki began triumphantly as she pulled a mirror out of 
nowhere for Gai to look into.
     "Shiro Yowarukaze!" Gai/Shiro finished.
     Gai stared at his reflection with growing horror.  There was Shiro's 
face, and it was laughing at him. Laughing and laughing and laughing...

                              Heart Heart High
                              Created by NeoPuu

                Episode 24: Hard, Hard Work! Saikyo Gets a Job!
                                 By Ardweden

     Gai awoke with a start to the sound of girlish laughter.  Frantically, 
he felt his face.  Good.  There was nothing out of place.  He blinked 
groggily a couple times, noting his surroundings: he was still just outside 
the school gates, and a group of schoolgirls were not far off; they were 
probably on their way home.
     "Must've fallen asleep," he muttered to himself.  What an awful dream!
Imagining that he was Shiro... of course, such a thing in reality would be
absolutely ridiculous.  Gai nodded to himself.  He was nothing like Shiro.
     Taking a glance around, Gai's eyes widened. He was asleep for just a
little while, thank goodness, but Shiro still hadn't shown up.  In fact, he
wasn't at school at all earlier that day.  He did tell Gai he'd be 
there...but now he was over an hour late, and Gai was tired of waiting for 
him.  Gai stood up and stretched, then sighed as he checked his watch.
     "Five more minutes.  That's all I'm going to give him."

     Takeshi swallowed nervously as he ran across the street, his eyes fixed 
on the front door of the Shangri-la.  Saikyo was in there.  He originally 
came by to visit Yuki, but with the arrival of Saikyo he wasn't so sure he 
wanted to be anywhere near the restaurant... they were probably fighting 
already.  But that meant Yuki might get hurt!  And he didn't want that.
     Realizing he was approaching the restaurant a little too quickly, 
Takeshi skidded to a halt, almost smashing his face against the window.  
After glancing around, he peered in.  There wasn't much to see yet, though 
the dinner rush should be starting any minute now.  He spotted Moemi and Gina
cleaning off tables, but Yuki and Saikyo were nowhere to be seen.
     A knot began to form in Takeshi's stomach.  Where were they?  He pressed
his hands to the glass (followed by his nose) to get a closer look, but it
didn't help.  Where could they... wait... there!
     Saikyo walked out of a door, probably from the kitchen, with an older
woman.  The woman was speaking and Saikyo seemed to be paying close attention
to her, nodding and injecting a word or two every so often.  Takeshi couldn't
help but stare.  Why wasn't she sitting at a table, waiting to be served?  Or
arguing with the other girls?  Was she trying to get free food out of this?
Where was Yuki?
     It was then that he finally noticed what she was wearing: a waitress's
outfit.
     Takeshi fell to the ground and quickly picked himself up.  Saikyo was
working? She never had to do that, ever; her parents had enough money and she
had enough power to--
     Oh, right.  The bankruptcy.  Takeshi felt a bit of sympathy well up 
within him as he continued to watch the scene.  Now the older woman finished 
talking to her and walked back into the kitchen.  The restaurant was already 
filling up; Shangri-la was well known for high quality pastries at a 
relatively low price.  Gina and Moemi were taking orders... where was Yuki?
     Saikyo still didn't move from where she was standing.  Takeshi watched
her, forgetting for a moment about Yuki.  She looked so perfect--she had to 
be the girl he remembered from the ice cream incident years ago.  The 
waitress outfit suited her very well, and even the hat made her face look 
prettier, and she was turning his way...!
     Takeshi ducked under the window, holding his breath.  A few people gave
him strange looks as they walked by, but he was more afraid of being seen by
Saikyo than maintaining whatever reputation he had.  After a few painstaking
minutes he peeked into the window again, and was relieved to see Saikyo with
Yuki, serving various tables.  He continued to watch, sure that if he didn't
Saikyo would do something evil to Yuki.
     "Don't you know it's not polite to spy on people?"
     "Gyah!"  Takeshi jumped about two feet into the air and spun around.
"Gai?!? What are you doing here?" he asked, trying to calm his rapidly
beating heart.
     Gai smirked.  "Heh, you miss me?"
     "Well yeah, but... ah... aren't you supposed to be fighting Shiro right
now?"  Takeshi put a hand behind his head and laughed nervously.
     "He didn't show.  He wasn't at school at all today, though that's not 
new for him," Gai informed him with a scowl.  "As to what I'm doing here..."  
Gai lightly tapped the window with a finger.  "My family owns this 
restaurant."
     "Oh."  Takeshi turned back and watched as Moemi and Gina took orders 
from the seated patrons.  Yuki and Saikyo worked the same tables; apparently
Babette had assigned Yuki to training duty.  He sighed.
     "She's cute, isn't she?"
     Takeshi started.  He forgot Gai was there for a moment.  "Yeah," he 
agreed as he continued to look through the window.  His stomach growled.
     Gai laughed.  "Hungry?"
     Takeshi nodded mutely.
     "Let's go inside, then."

     The Shangri-la was bustling with business.  Moemi and Gina had their 
hands full waiting on tables, and Yuki wasn't doing much better.
     Saikyo was having an especially hard time.
     She walked up to where a couple was seated and very... involved with 
each other, Yuki trailing not far behind.  "Here you go.  One basket of 
batards, just like you ordered."  Saikyo set a basket laden with bread on the 
table.
     Yuki sighed and shook her head as the man frowned.  "We didn't order
batards.  We wanted baguettes."  The woman nodded, then turned her attention
back to the man.
     Saikyo smiled a strained smile.  "No, you must be mistaken.  I'm sure 
you wanted batards."
     "We wanted baguettes.  Baguettes!"  The man slammed his fist into the
table for emphasis, causing plates and glasses to rattle.
     "Listen to me, you dreadful peasant.  You ordered batards!  It says so
right here!"  She thrust her notepad into the scowling man's face.
     The man frowned.  "Come on, dear.  Obviously the service here isn't as
good as I thought it would be."  He glared at Saikyo.
     "Wait!"  The couple started as Yuki took control of the situation,
stepping in front of Saikyo.  "Don't leave yet.  I mean... gomen nasai."  
Yuki bowed hastily before the customers. "Don't be so hard on her.  This is 
her first day here, after all... one moment.  I'll get the baguettes."  The 
couple blinked as a Yuki-shaped cloud appeared where she once stood, then was
replaced by the real thing.
     "Here," she panted as she replaced the basket of bread with another one.
"One order of baguettes."  The man grunted his approval as Yuki nudged Saikyo
with her elbow.
     "Let me know if you need anything," Saikyo complied with a less-than-
brilliant smile.  She and Yuki walked away.
     "Okay," Yuki told Saikyo in a low voice, "Always remember to agree with
the customer.  We don't want to lose business here."
     "I know what I'm doing!" Saikyo snapped.  "And I don't need a peasant 
girl like you following me around."
     Yuki shook her head.  "Do you want to get fired?  You have to do your 
job, you stubborn, stubborn girl!  I'm just trying to help!"
     "I don't need your help! In fact, I--"
     "Miss! I believe you're holding my food!" a rather overweight, middle-
aged man called from across the restaurant.
     "Coming!" Saikyo replied in an overly sweet voice.  She snatched the
basket from Yuki's hands and made her way to the table.
     Yuki stared after her in disbelief, and then she started fuming.  "I 
can't believe I'm stuck helping out Saikyo of all people!  I'm sure she's not 
such a bad person, but she can be so arrogant and stuck up and mean and--"
     "What's wrong, Yuki-chan?"
     Yuki blinked, startled.  "Oh! I'm just a little frustrated, Babette-san.
Training is hard work."  She giggled nervously.
     Babette placed a hand on Yuki's shoulder.  "It is.  But you're doing a 
fine job, Yuki-chan.  Why don't you take a break?  I'll have Gina help her 
out for a while.  Grab yourself a treat from the kitchen, okay?"
     "Hai!" Yuki grinned as she ran to the back door.
     Babette chuckled in amusement as she watched Yuki leave.  "Sometimes I
wonder about her..."  Still chuckling, she turned to get her daughter, only 
to see Moemi.  "Moemi-chan," she said as she waved her over.
     "Yes, Babette-san?" the dark-haired girl responded.
     "Would you happen to know where Gina is?"
     "Um... I think she's putting some dishes away.  Do you want me to go get
her?"
     "No, that's all right.  I'll speak to her myself.  Keep up the good 
work, dear."  Babette turned to the kitchen when Moemi stopped her.
     "Wait!"
     "Hmm?"
     "I have some things I need to take care of.  For school, I mean.  Do you 
think... well... can I leave before closing today?" Moemi asked quickly as 
she examined the floor.
     Babette smiled reassuringly at her employee.  "Of course you can, dear.  
I don't want this to get in the way of your schoolwork."
     "Schoolwork... right.  Thank you, Babette-san," Moemi said politely.
     "You're very welcome.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with my
daughter."  With that, Babette made her way towards the kitchen.

     Yuki walked out of the kitchen door with a satisfied smile on her face 
and a couple chocolate croissants on a plate.  She had worked very hard that 
day, and now she was getting a break!  "Yummy yummy yummy..." she said to 
herself as she looked for a place to sit.  Sometimes the perks of the job 
outweighed the payment.
     "Hey, waitress!  When am I going to get served around here?" a voice
yelled.
     Yuki blinked, and looked around.  Nope, Moemi, Saikyo, and Gina must 
have been in back or something... She turned towards the voice.  "I'm sorry 
sir, but I--Gai!"
     Gai grinned from the booth he and Takeshi were seated at.  "Hey, Yuki."
     "Hi!"  She made her way to the table.  "How are you... Takeshi!"
     "Um... hi, Yuki. How are you?"  Takeshi greeted.
     "Oh, I'm doing all right.  Did you know Saikyo's working here?"  Yuki 
sat down next to Gai, facing Takeshi.  She took a big bite out of a 
croissant.
     "Yeah, she must need money pretty desperately," Gai responded with a
smirk.  "Do you know what happened to Shiro?  He hasn't been around 
recently."
     Yuki shrugged.  "Not a clue.  He's probably sick or ditching class 
again."
     "Yeah, but even when he does ditch class he's around for my 
challenges..."
     Takeshi blinked.  "Worried about Shiro?" he asked with surprise.
     "No!" Gai snapped.  "I just want to defeat him once and for all! For
everything he's done..."
     "We know."  Yuki paused for a moment.  "What has he done to you, 
anyway?"
     "Well, um..." Gai began nervously.  "That's a bit personal."
     "Really?"  Yuki turned her attention to Takeshi, who nodded.
     "He wouldn't tell anybody.  It must have been something awful," the 
mecha geek confirmed.
     "All right.  I understand."  Yuki surprised Gai with a spontaneous hug.  
"But if you ever want to talk about it..."
     "I'll look you up. Thanks, Yuki."  Gai smiled.  Yuki returned it and
munched on her croissant.  Takeshi coughed.
     "So, did anybody see the latest episode of Amazing Techno Fighting Squad
Beta?" he asked.
     Yuki and Gai laughed, and the conversation fell onto much lighter 
topics.

     Saikyo watched the trio from a safe distance as she wiped a table.  The 
dinner rush had died down and, while the Shangri-la was far from empty, 
things were going at a much slower pace.
     "Who does that Yuki think she is?" she muttered as she picked up a 
butter tray and wiped underneath it.  "Sitting and talking with her so-called 
friends while I'm stuck doing labor suited to people of lowborn status like 
her."  She swiped at the table viciously.
     Pausing for a moment, she checked the table.  Perfect.  She could see 
her reflection, and not a hair was out of place.  Saikyo smiled.  Her beauty 
was one thing that she promised herself she'd never lose.  Even in those 
dreadful peasant clothes it shone through.  She moved onto the next table, 
turning her attention back to Yuki, Takeshi, and Gai.  Really, they should be 
working, and she should be the one sitting and laughing and scheming (not 
necessarily in that order).
     Saikyo forced her scowl to turn into a smile as she continued wiping the
table.  Babette was coming her way.  "How are you doing, dear?" she asked.
     "I'm quite well, Babette-san.  This job is kind of fun, actually," 
Saikyo replied in her most sincere tone, resisting the urge to gag.
     Babette smiled.  "That's good to know.  I don't want you doing a job you
don't enjoy."
     "No, of course not!  This is a wonderful establishment."  Saikyo turned
her attention back to Yuki and company.
     "Are they friends of yours?"
     Saikyo didn't know how to reply.  "Ah," she began as she fumbled for
words, "In a manner of speaking."
     The older woman nodded.  "Go serve them."
     "What? But-"
     "They'll forgive your mistakes.  It's always easier to start with people
you know," Babette explained.  "Go on.  You have to start on your own
sometime."  She smiled encouragingly.
     Saikyo nodded and walked slowly to the table where Yuki, Gai, and 
Takeshi were talking and laughing.  She fumed silently.  How could Babette 
possibly ask her to wait on Yuki like some serving girl!  But... she took a 
glance backwards and saw Babette watching her as she cleaned the tables... 
there was no way out of this now.
     As soon as she reached the table, Saikyo cleared her throat.  All 
chatter stopped.  "Are you ready to order?" she asked in a syrupy sweet tone.
    Yuki stared at her in disbelief, half a chocolate croissant hanging out 
of her mouth.  Saikyo almost laughed; what a fitting picture!  "No, thank 
you," Gai said with a look that meant 'I don't want you touching my food'.  
"I'm not hungry right now."
     Saikyo nodded.  Hopefully Takeshi would decide the same thing.
     "Um," Takeshi said intelligently.  His stomach rumbled its opinion, and 
he blushed slightly.  Right.  He forgot to eat.  He picked up a menu and 
looked over, well aware of the eyes on him.  He scanned the treats, but they 
all had strange, foreign names that made no sense to him.  In desperation he 
turned to Saikyo.  "What would you suggest?"
     She was taken aback.  Saikyo never frequented this area, since it was
owned by the lower class, and it was her first day working there.  Glancing
around, her gaze fell on what Yuki was eating.  "How about a chocolate
croissant?"
     Takeshi shook his head.  "I'm allergic to chocolate."
     "Let me see that."  Saikyo leaned forward, looking at Takeshi's menu.  
The boy in question blushed an even deeper red.  "Hmm..."  Saikyo noticed the 
color of Takeshi's face and smiled.  "Well, you may want to try a crème puff, 
or..."  As she reached over to turn the page, she heard Takeshi gulp audibly.  
He muttered something about a having a couple crème puffs, but Saikyo didn't 
seem to notice.  Yuki and Gai just stared.  "The crème brûlée."  She 
straightened up and held her notebook ready.
     Takeshi blinked, noticing that Saikyo was standing again.  He shook his
head to in an attempt to clear it, and realized that he didn't remember a
thing she had said!  "I'll have...um..."  He could feel Saikyo's impatient
scowl.  Come on, think!  What to get, what to get...  "An Italian cream 
soda!"  Everyone facefaulted.
     "Excellent choice. Maybe the carbonated water will fill you up."  Saikyo
scribbled the order on her notebook and walked away, slowly.  She snickered.
Apparently she had even more of an effect on him than she intended.
     "She's up to something," Gai commented in a low voice.
     "Maybe. I don't know what, though," Yuki said.  "Takeshi?"
     He didn't reply.
     "Takeshi!" Yuki waved her hand in front of his face.  He didn't even
blink.  "Snap out of it, Takeshi!"  She shook him by the shoulders.
     "Wha?" Takeshi blinked a few times.  Yuki sighed in relief.
     "You had us going there for a moment.  Are you okay?" Gai asked with
concern.
     "Oh. Yeah, I'm fine.  I was just thinking, that's all."
     Yuki's eyes widened.  "Really? About what?"
     Takeshi shook his head. "Some stupid memory about an ice cream truck."
And Saikyo, he added silently.
     Yuki opened her mouth to ask about it, but was stopped when she noticed
someone moving in her peripheral vision.  "Moemi-chan!"
     Moemi stopped and waved.  Yuki jumped up to meet her.  "Ne, Moemi-chan,
you're back in your normal clothes.  Are you leaving early?"
     "Yes," she said in a small voice, then coughed and tried again.  "Yes, I
am.  I have things to take care of at home."
     "Yeah?  Do you want me to help?"
     "No, that's okay.  Don't worry about it, Yuki."  Moemi smiled at her
friend.  "Everything will be fine."
     Yuki began to say something, then closed her mouth and nodded.  "Okay.
See you at school tomorrow.  We can practice our spikes!  Volleyball tryouts
are in a couple weeks, you know."
     "Okay.  Bye."  Moemi waved and headed out the door.

     "What was that all about?" Gai asked as Yuki sat back down.
     "I don't know," she replied as she took a bite out of her second
croissant.  "She seemed worried about something, though..."
     "Yuki!" Gina called from the kitchen door.  She ran up to them.  "Have 
you seen Moemi?  I was just going to remind her about tryouts... hi guys."
     "Hi, Gina."
     "Hey, Sis."
     Yuki giggled.  "I just caught her.  Told her about it on her way out...
where is everybody?"  She looked around the restaurant.  There was almost
nobody around; the flood of people thinned out to less than a trickle.
     Gina shrugged.  "I don't know.  Maybe nobody can stay late tonight.  
It's almost closing time, you know."
     "Oh no!  I spent all this time talking to Gai and Takeshi and--Babette-
san's going to be so angry with me!"
     "Relax, Yuki.  I'm sure Maman will understand."
     "Yeah," Gai said in agreement.
     Saikyo returned with the Italian cream soda.  "Here."  She deposited a
Tall, frosted glass of the fizzy, sweet drink in front of Takeshi, along with 
a straw.
     "Enjoy."  She was about to leave when she noticed a faint blush on 
Takeshi's cheeks (again).  Interesting...
     Takeshi forcefully turned his attention away from Saikyo and to Yuki.
"Anyway," he began, going from a conversation they were having earlier, "Do
you want to have a part in the Anime Club's production of Voltage Force V?"
     Saikyo's ears perked up.  She took a quick look around.  Good.  Nobody
from school was there except them, and everyone else seemed too absorbed in
their own separate conversations, be they with other people or themselves.
"Voltage Force V? I love that show!" she oozed, trying her hardest to
remember the details of the one episode she had seen.
     Yuki was in the middle of her second croissant at the time, and she
started choking and grabbing for a napkin.  Gai slapped her back until she
coughed up the offending bits of chocolate and croissant.  Takeshi didn't 
even notice.  "You do?" he asked uncertainly.
     "Of course!  How could you not love such a wonderful vision of the 
future?  It is shows like these that spark the imagination."
     "That's what I try telling people," Takeshi mumbled.
     She had him now.  Hook, line...  "And I can really identify with the 
lead female character," she paused, trying to remember the name, "Reiko."
     Takeshi's head snapped up.  Saikyo smiled winningly.
     Takeshi tried to make sense of the thoughts running through his head.
Okay, Saikyo likes Voltage Force V.  And she likes Reiko... maybe she'd want 
to be in the skit?  No, she'd never go for that.  Besides, she can't be 
trusted!  Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask...  And make a fool of himself?  He 
was already the school geek!  She's so beautiful... No!  Must stay true to 
Yuki!  He looked to Yuki for support, but didn't find any.  She, Gai, and 
Gina were all silent, watching.  It was his move.
     "I just remembered I have to do something at home gotta go now bye!"  
And with that, Takeshi ran out the door, trying in vain to control his 
burning face.

     The group sat and stood in silence for a few minutes as the rest of the 
patrons left the Shangri-la.  Finally, Gina dared to speak up.  "Saikyo, do
you have a crush on Takeshi?"
     "No!  Certainly not; why would I wish to date a disgusting commoner like
him?" she snorted.
     "Because it seemed like you were... hitting on him."
     Saikyo smirked.  "Believe what you like.  It matters not to me what you
peasants think.  But trust me when I tell you that Takeshi holds no interest
for me.  Not in that way."
     Yuki's mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to regain 
control over her vocal chords.  "But why..." she started to say.  Then it 
clicked.  Everything Saikyo told her came back in a flash.  There were no 
such things as friends.  She intended to be strong.  She wanted revenge on 
Asako.  And to do that...
     "You... you want to use Takeshi, don't you?" Yuki cried indignantly as 
she stood.
     "So you can be taught.  I was beginning to lose all hope for you," 
Saikyo smirked.  Ah, the look of horror on Yuki's face.  She missed it for so 
long. Then she started laughing.  "OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOACK!"  Something cold, and 
wet, and sticky splashed onto her face, cutting her laugh off.
     "How could you even think of that doing that!" Yuki yelled.  "You mean
mean nasty cruel evil manipulative girl!  Takeshi might be a geek, but he's 
my friend, and I won't let you do that to him!"  She waved the glass that 
used to hold Takeshi's Italian cream soda for emphasis.
     "You filthy peasant girl!  Die!"  Saikyo tackled Yuki to the ground,
pulling at her hair.
     "Girls!" Gai shouted.  He grabbed Saikyo by the shoulders and tried to
pull her off Yuki, but by doing that he only helped her tug on Yuki's hair
more.  "Help me out, Gina."
     His sister nodded and ran to the other side of the scuffle.  She took 
hold of Yuki. "One."
     "Two."
     "Three!"  Gai and Gina pulled in opposite directions and succeeded in
separating Yuki and Saikyo just in time for Babette to walk in from the
kitchen.
     "What's going on here?!" She looked at Yuki and Saikyo, the latter of
which seemed to be on the verge of crying.
     "I'm... I'm sorry, Babette-san.  I didn't mean to start a fight, really 
I didn't.  But," Saikyo sniffled, "But Yuki threw the Italian cream soda at 
me and I--"  She burst into tears.
     Babette glared at the other teenagers present.  "Saikyo, why don't you 
go wash up and leave.  I think the others and I need to have a talk.  I'll 
see you tomorrow."
     "Hai, Babette-san."  Saikyo bowed and wandered to the washrooms, crying.
     "Now, will someone tell me what's going on?" Babette repeated.
     "Well, Saikyo said some mean things about Takeshi, and Yuki got really
upset and splashed her with the soda--"
     Babette nodded.  "That's enough."  She turned to Yuki.  "Yuki, does what
Saikyo said warrant you acting in such an unprofessional manner?"
     Yuki looked guiltily at the empty glass she still held in her hand.  
"No, Babette-san."
     "You do know that there are consequences for your actions, and that you
can be fired for this?"
     "Yes, Babette-san."
     "Yuki, look.  I know you don't like Saikyo.  And I don't know why; she 
seems like a nice enough girl.  But even if you don't like her, that doesn't
mean you can't work with her.  Do you understand?"  Yuki looked at her feet
and nodded.  "Good. I'm not going to fire you."  Yuki blinked, then turned
her face up.  A smile started to form.  "But as punishment, I want you to
finish closing for me. By yourself."  The smile disappeared.
     "Okay."
     "Gina, Guy.  Don't even consider helping Yuki.  She needs plenty of time
to think about what she's done."  The twins looked hesitant, then nodded.  
Gai raised an eyebrow at Yuki, who flashed a small smile at him.  "I want you 
two to go home," Babette continued, "You have studying to do.  I'll be in 
back when you're finished, Yuki."
     "Hai, Babette-san."
     She wanted to wait for Babette to leave so she could talk to her friends
for a moment, but the pastry chef would have none of that and ushered them 
out the front door.  Then she went into the kitchen.
     Yuki sighed and started stacking chairs.  It was going to be a long 
night.

     Saikyo laughed as she completely closed the bathroom door.  Maybe 
working at this restaurant won't be so bad.  She turned the faucet on to wash 
up, happy little thoughts of revenge entertaining themselves in her head.

     Moemi looked from the crumpled piece of paper to the phone and back 
again.  She wasn't sure if she wanted to go through with this... but she 
still remembered Asako: the old Asako, her best friend before Saikyo "chased" 
her away.  And even though Yuki and Gina were wonderful friends and she 
didn't want to lose them, she also wanted Asako back.
     After all, it was partially her fault.  If she was there for Asako, 
maybe she wouldn't have changed this way... Moemi nodded.  She was strong, 
she had to believe that, and she'd prove she was strong.  And then she 
wouldn't only have friends, but she'd deserve them, too.  "I'll bring Asako 
back."
     Taking a deep breath and gathering all the courage she could muster, 
Moemi picked up the receiver and dialed the number.

** stars ** stars ** stars **

Next time, on Heart Heart High:

"I won't do it!"
"What's wrong with you?  Can't you see that--"
"Who are you to tell me how to run my life, anyway?!"

Episode 25: Odd, Odd Times! Who's Good, Who's Bad?

** stars ** stars ** stars **

Author's Notes: 

I'm an official Impro author now!  Wai! ^_^

... I suppose I could put something about continuity here, but you've all 
heard it before.  I hope that what I tried to do in this chapter is pretty 
clear... if anyone has any questions about it contact me.  Don't be afraid to 
ask!  I'm a nice person.  Really. ^_^

Other stuff, lessee... oh yes.  "Maman" is not a typo.  It's French for 
"Mom". :P

Special thanks goes to all my pre and proofreaders (I had a lot of ‘em; you 
know who you are ~_^).  Also, I'd like to thank Lawrence for the crème puff 
joke, Ravi for reminding me that crème brûlée isn't usually splashable, John 
Evans for formatting and stuff, Damien Roc for forcing me to sign up for this 
thing, and The Marshmallow Formerly Known As Puu for starting this Impro in 
the first place.

Speaking of Damien, he convinced me to sign up for Nightmare Fighter Yumeko 
on "Beware the Radish".  Yes, that was a shameless plug that just went by.  
And yes, I'm going to be freaking out about another part soon.  DAME!  IT'S 
ALL YOUR FAULT!

Any comments, questions, and stuff are welcome at ardweden@netscape.net

Thanks for reading!

Ardweden

<pshaw> The word "thrust" is hidden somewhere in this chapter! </pshaw>