The next day was a normal day, I guess. Still, being teased by the twins, and being met up by the entire gang. But something, or rather, someone, was missing. But who could it be?

"Hey," I said. "Someone's missing..."

They all stopped talking and look at each other questionably.

"Okay then," Shinju said. "I'll check."

Shinju took a little notebook. Smart! You just need to check on who on the group is missing!

"Akane?"

"Here!"

"Ayako?"

No response.

"Ayako?"

Still no response.

"Oh, so Ayako's missing." Shinju said while looking at her notebook. "Wait, AYAKO'S MISSING?!"

The others paled. I wonder what's the problem with that...

"Let's split up!" Shinju planned. "Yuki and Akane, look at the classrooms. Miki and Yumi, look at the rooms on the second floor. I and Masami will look at the rooms on the first floor. Boys, go find her in the courtyard. Maybe she's just wandering around... I hope..."

"Roger!" We saluted and dashed to our designated spot.

I and Miki had been running from the sakura tree to the second floor. Eh, it still is a long way to go... T^T

"Miki?" I asked her. She looked back at me. "It seems like Ayako's a big trouble. Why is that?"

"Well," she nervously chuckled. "She is, and there was one time where we all got dragged into a mess since the school council said it was our responsibility to look out for her because she's our friend. And because of that, we did a community service for a week."

"So, she's like the female version of Shou huh?" I sweat-drop.

"A little, only that she gets in trouble because she's... quite an airhead..."

We first looked at the Music Room, and saw the host club-er-people looking at us questioningly.

"Sorry for disturbing!" Miki exclaimed while bowing. "But did you see Ayako? She has curly hair that's tied in two."

"Sorry, we didn't." A girl from the room said.

"Oh," I muttered. "Thank you by the way!"

We went to another room, and the same thing happened. It lasted for a total of 6 rooms. That was, until we've reached the Cooking Club's kitchen. We saw a familiar yellow head munching on some cupcakes.

"Ayako! What are you doing?!" I hissed at her.

She turned around before smiling real big.

"Miki! Yumi! You should try these! They're amazing~" Ayako said dreamily.

I and Miki looked at each other before turning back to the cupcakes. Eating some won't hurt, right?

We both grabbed a cupcake before munching on it. Mmmmm... So delicious!

"Delicious~!" Miki exclaimed.

Ayako nodded in agreement. We ended up eating every cupcake, and it was a fair share.

"I'm full!" Miki said while rubbing her stomach.

"Me too!" Ayako replied and they ended up chatting.

I didn't focus on them since I heard very faint footsteps and voices.

"Shhhh..."

"Eh?"

And that's when I heard the door clicking. I panicked and dragged both Miki and Ayako down a cabinet. On time too, since the door opened and it revealed two girls talking. I opened the door of the cabinet a bit, enough to see through the hole, but not to see us.

"What did you see Yumi-tan?" Ayako asked.

"Shhh!" I placed a finger over my lips. "There are people in the room."

They then crowded over the peeping hole.

"Ah! I'm so excited for my little sister's birthday!" One of them spoke.

"Good luck at surprising her!" The other grinned. "I'm sure she'll love the cupcakes you've baked!"

I gulped. Now, I feel guilty for eating the cupcakes.

"And I'm pretty thankful that you've allowed me to bake the cupcakes here! Thank you!" The other bowed.

"Anything for my bestie!" Her friend winked.

"I should be going now!" She said. "I'll bring the cupcakes------- WHERE DID IT GO?!"

"Eh? What happened?"

"THE CUPCAKES!! THEY'RE GONE!!" She sobbed. "I gave my all in it! Now I don't have anything to give to my sister..."

Her friend comforted her by rubbing her back and saying comforting words at her. My guilt is starting to eat me up. I looked over at Ayako, and she looked serious. She opened the cabinet and got out. Ayako, what are you doing?!

"S-Sorry!" She bowed. "I ate the cupcakes! But I'll try and help!"

Her friend looked at Ayako coldly. "How will you help? You already ate them!"

Ayako bit her lip. "I-I'll buy time while the two of you bake!"

Her friend eyes softened. "Will you really do that?"

"Yes!" Ayako exclaimed. "It's my fault, and it's my job to correct it."

Ayako... I stared at her. At the corner of my eye, I saw Miki getting out of the cabinet.

"I'll help too!" Miki said. "I also ate the cupcakes..."

"The two of you..." I said while going out. "I'll help!"

"T-Thank you..." She stood up and wiped her tears.

"What are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Ayako said, grabbed each of our hands and dashed outside the room.

"But wait!" I said, making her stop. "How will we know where the party is being held?"

"I'm guessing it's in their house." Miki answered. "I heard her sister doesn't want going out."

"Then, where's her house?"

"Don't worry, I'll lead the way!" Miki enthusiastically exclaimed and ran.

I and Ayako quickly followed. We ran towards the street, but I stopped.

"Why'd you stop Yumi-chan?" Miki asked.

"I'm making sure that there are no dangers lurking around the corner like a truck..." I lowered my voice in the truck part.

"We have no time to lose Yumi-tan!" Ayako exclaimed and ran while dragging me.

T~T

Please don't show up Truck-san... I shuddered and closed my eyes at the thought.

"Here we are!!" Miki exclaimed.

I took a little peek to see a green-colored house. Ayako released me from her grip and rang the doorbell. The gate opened after some seconds revealing a woman with a phone.

"Who might you be?" She asked.

"We're here because Miu-tan sent us!" Ayako said.

She didn't include the reason why... I thought.

"Oh, come in!" She said and opened the gate. "You're here to entertain them, right?"

"Yup!" Ayako exclaimed. "Now where's the paint...?"