Tomoe watched as Akirah took her planner out, pink pen hovering over the paper.

Of course it's pink, why wouldn't it be the tomboy mentally grumbled.

"Let's see, I have judo practice after classes as well. How about we meet in front of the Judo classroom at around 5?"

Mentally running through her schedule, she figured that was probably the best time. She'd apologize if she was late, if it happened.

*******************************



The elder Kaoru played with his eyes closed, trying to picture the garden that he adored so much. His playing was clipped, frustration evident with every note heard. As the song progressed, little by little, he had returned once again.

Everything was where he remembered - the piano, the little table, the trees. However everything looked a little paler, pastels instead of the vibrant greens.  Every note was reaching for that place, for the brilliance and life it once had and every attempt it ended up farther and farther out of reach.

Miki stopped playing with an ugly crash of notes punctuating his halt. Reaching into his pocket and clicking the stopwatch, he knew there was no need to retrieve it out of his pocket.

00:01:03. Again, the garden is dying...what can I do...

Putting the cover down on the keys, he picked up his bag and began walking towards the door. With one last glance at the piano, he closed the door to the room and proceeded to his classes.