Episode 2: Cherry Colored Heartthrob

Tsuyoshi is waiting for Ai to give her handkerchief back. A guy with a girl handkerchief waiting outside the school gate is not something you see everyday, and will obviously cause some gossip by some female students! "But why she is taking so long?", wonders Tsuyoshi. "Ai-chan..."

While remembering the handkerchief event, unnoticed to Tsuyoshi, Ai is walking out of school. She does notice Tsuyoshi. "It can't be... What he is doing there? What I am going to do!" When a sakura petal lands on Tsuyoshi's nose, he sneezes. Ai feels this is her chance, so she runs pass Tsuyoshi, saying good-bye. Heh? That's Ai, but why she is running. "Ai, it's me", shouts Tsuyoshi. Of course, Ai will not slow down, but Tsuyoshi catches her. When Tsuyoshi stops her, she fall to her knees.

"Why do you fall down to your knees", asks Tsuyoshi. "I don't know why...", says Ai. Tsuyoshi gives Ai her handkerchief back. Hmmmm... A girl kneeled while a guy is giving her a handkerchief? This triggers more gossips as some students are passing by! OK, let's stand up, then. Tsuyoshi tries to give Ai her handkerchief back. Of course, washed. Wait, washed? Washed along with *cough* certain *cough* clothes??? No way! thinks Ai. She can't accept it back! When she tries to run again, Tsuyoshi touches Ai's shoulder to stop her. Then, Ai hits Tsuyoshi's hand. However, it happens that it was the hand Tsuyoshi was holding the handkerchief... And sends the handkerchief to the road... and a car passing by...

What we would do, then. Well, let's settle into this. Tsuyoshi goes with Ai to buy her a new handkerchief. That way, she will have no objections. And, of course, Ai doesn't have any objections at all, as she gratefully receives the new handkerchief. (By the way, the new handkerchief, just as the old one, has a letter A). That night, Ai is dreaming with the new handkerchief, still in the unopened box.

Next day, Ai speaks with Miyuki about previous day events, about the new handkerchief. She wants to thanks Tsuyoshi, as well to know him better. "How about a date", suggests Miyuki. "A date... A date?!" A half-scared Ai, says "No! No! No! I can't ask him for a date!". "Don't worry, I will fixed it", says Miyuki, but Ai is not convinced of that.

At the tennis courts, Minoru and Tsuyoshi are watching, not precisely game. This will cause Mizuho to scold them. Then, Haruhiko tells Mizuho he will tutor him on some move. (Yeah, yeah). There is no point to stay there, says Tsuyoshi to Minoru, let's leave. Minoru have other plans, he will look for Minatsu! Suit yourself, Minoru... When Minoru leaves, a girl with PE uniform runs past Tsuyoshi hitting him. Miyuki intentionally stops to do some stretching, then, letting Tsuyoshi to stare at her.

That was, of course, all of Miyuki's plan. Then, Miyuki suggests to a date, which Tsuyoshi accepts without hesitation. Miyuki, then runs out. Hmmmm... Who was that girl, wonders Tsuyoshi. Iijima Miyuki says Shinji as he pops out.

A date with a girl... I am surely lucky, Tsuyoshi says to himself while on his way home. Then, somebody calls for him. It's Mizuho and Miko. They have a favor to ask Tsuyoshi: help them on the spring cleaning of the temple. When it will be? What? The same day as with Miyuki's date? "I can't, I got something to do!" spills out Tsuyoshi. Mizuho replies, "well, no problem, we will ask Haruhiko, then". Haruhiko? That sneaky that guy wants to help so willingly?! But better have an eye on him!, thinks Tsuyoshi. At then end, Tsuyoshi agrees to help Miko. But why is Mizuho laughing to herself?

Eyecatch time!

Next day, Tsuyoshi runs to the Kamiyama temple, only to find a Haruhiko. Haruhiko discusses with Tsuyoshi, but Tsuyoshi wonders why he is doing there. They are interrupted by an old man, which Haruhiko calls "otousan" (father). "Otousan? How dare you", says the old man. Haruhiko, quickly keeps moving a (small) box.

That leaves the old man with Tsuyoshi. "Where is Miko-chan?", asks Tsuyoshi. "Miko-CHAN? How dare you to call my daughter Miko-CHAN? Miko, bring me the naginata", says the old man. Miko runs to her father with a staff, which Miko's father quickly grabs and "slashes" Tsuyoshi vertically and horizontally. It leaves Tsuyoshi dirty instead. Hmmm... What's this, wonders Miko's father. It is a mop what Miko was holding.

So, "Miko-chan, how can I help", asks Tsuyoshi, which Miko's father, angrily, says "Miko-CHAN?" "Calm, down, Kamiyama-san". Miko calms down his father; after all, Tsuyoshi came to help. Well, since you came to help, how about begin moving some boxes. Boxes, which boxes? THOSE boxes, as Tsuyoshi sees all the crates that are on the temple grounds!

Meanwhile, at Ai's house. She is wondering what to wear. This? That one? Or that other one? Ah! At the end, she chooses a long sleeve green dress... and daydreams as she puts some lipstick... Back to the temple, Haruhiko and Tsuyoshi takes a small break after moving a heavy crate. Both are tired, but when Mizuho brings some drinks, Haruhiko tries to act cool. But wait, there are still more to move!

Now, Ai is on the way to the park, where Tsuyoshi is supposed to have the date. She arrives early, so she will wait, while she checks the other girls that are waiting... At the temple, Miko's father says they haven't finished yet, as there is still more to move! Both, Haruhiko and Tsuyoshi sighs, but Tsuyoshi is more worried at the time, as it is almost 1 o'clock (when he is supposed to meet Miyuki)! Haruhiko stands which makes Tsuyoshi wonders where he is going. "Toilet", answers Haruhiko.

At the park, Ai is still waiting. A girl says "Tsuyoshi", but it isn't Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi, but another one... When Ai hears the footsteps of somebody running, she closes her eyes... But it is not Tsuyoshi, either... Back to the temple again, Mizuho and Miko tells Tsuyoshi that Haruhiko left. What? That bastard left??? Not to let the girls down, he quickly begins to move all the remaining boxes and crates. "Are you sure it is all right", wonders Mizuho as she sees Tsuyoshi carrying a big crate by himself.

Ai, still on the park, thinks it is late, already, and she begins walking... But somebody touches her shoulder. It's Miyuki. "What are you doing here, Ai, isn't it supposed you should meet Tsuyoshi?" Obviously, she didn't meet him. Miyuki is angry, but Ai does not care, as she is happy when she goes home. At the end, Tsuyoshi does show up... One hour later, that is! He is depressed, so he walks to Dogeza Cafe. While talking with the Master, Master notices there is a cute girl looking inside the cafe. When Tsuyoshi turns to see who Master is referring to, Tsuyoshi notices it's Miyuki.

Tsuyoshi quickly rush outside to apologize Miyuki, but Miyuki is angry. "Don't you know what is the meaning for a girl of a date?", says Miyuki. "But, that is not problem then", says Tsuyoshi, as she is there, and they could go on a date. Miyuki is still angry and says she does not want to go. When Tsuyoshi keeps asking why, Miyuki spills out that the date was meant for Ai, not her. "Minamisato Ai", asks Tsuyoshi. Miyuki dodged Tsuyoshi question, and, angry, run.

All the time Master was eavesdropping Tsuyoshi and Miyuki's conversation. After Miyuki left, Master asks about her. Why does the Master want to know so much about Miyuki? Because he has fallen for Miyuki!

That night, Ai is writing her diary. She writes her diary saying she is happy Tsuyoshi didn't showed up, as he was expecting Miyuki as his date, not Ai. [Note: Date of diary entry, April 10th]

Note: All images and characters are copyright of Elf, KSS Studios, and Pink Pineapple. They are being used without permission.