Whatever the problem was with Noboru, he seemed intent on avoiding speaking of it. Especially when he made contrary statements about the fact he would tell them about major problems and yet wouldn't speak of whatever was going on here. It seemed he did not truly trust Sachiko with this. [b]"Fine, if it's some big secret for you, keep it to yourself."[/b] She told him, and then got up and left. There was no point trying to "change his mind" when she didn't even understand why he was doing this. Misaki had even less of an understanding of what was going on, and sat there for a moment, trying to figure out what just happened. [b]"Um.....see ya, Noboru."[/b] She said hurriedly, before getting up to chase after Sachiko.

Misaki caught up with her in the corridors some distance from where they were earlier. [b]"Hey! Sachiko! What's going on?"[/b]

[b]"Can't you tell? Noboru doesn't want to tell me why he's getting involved in something he's supposed to hate. Clearly it's none of my business to understand why a friend would act so bizarrely."[/b] She was a little angry at not being given any explanation. But perhaps more than anything, it just concerned her that there might be a major issue here and he just plain wouldn't tell her.

[b]"Well...I...."[/b] Misaki was never good at telling people things to solve problems or cheer them up. She knew this, but she also hated seeing Sachiko upset. [b]"Ah! I know! 'Just smile', right?"[/b]

Upon hearing these words, Sachiko stopped dead in her tracks, and simply glared back at Misaki. Then she stormed off into the school, to parts unknown. Misaki just stood there, too intimidated to go after Sachiko. [b]"But.....you always said to just...."[/b]

-----

Misaki had been wandering around aimlessly for a while. She didn't dare try and find Sachiko. For one thing, she was being really scary today. And for another, she knew there was nothing a ditz like her could do or say to make things better. She would just say something dumb and make her angrier. So she had resigned herself to just spending the rest of the lunch break walking around with no purpose.

Then, a girl in a really unique uniform passed her by and handed her a flyer, while chanting something about a "school idol club". Misaki recognised this girl; she was the one that had been around when Noboru had acted like a jester! Thinking about it, she realised she looked a lot like that magazine idol, Chiaki Nettu. In fact, she looked almost exactly like her, and even had a uniform that was totally Chiaki Nettu style. But Misaki knew better than to think a person like that would be caught dead in a boondock town like Warakuma. This girl must be a huge fan of hers, just like Misaki! She reached out and grabbed the girl by the shoulder, so she could stop her and talk to her. [b]"Hey! Did anyone ever tell you you're a dead ringer for Chiaki Nettu? Are you a huge fan of hers? So am I!"[/b] If she wasn't interrupted, Misaki would probably start ranting and raving about Chiaki Nettu. And at least for the time being, she had completely forgotten about Sachiko and Noboru.