Dear Reader,

LAST CHAPTER WOOT! It is now 2:00 in the morning and I am sooo wasted on lack of sleep! Wheeee fo' sugar!

I Don't own I!My!Me!Strawberry Eggs!

I don't own 'Time In A Bottle' by Jim Croce

WARNING: Blatant fluff! TO BE CONTINUED'S! LOVE IS IN THE FREAKING AIR!

NOTE: The last scene was inspired by the Opening Credits. One where Fuko is standing on the beach and basking in the wind and sun, Two where Hibiki is playing the guitar...

Here's to the ones that I long to kiss
Here's to the ones that I really miss
Here's to the ones that I'm dreaming of
Here's to the ones that I love!

(I so don't own that song and I don't know who it's by!)

Stay safe
Stay healthy
Sincerely,

Starr

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Now I fully expect you to call me... And send letters... And postcards... Everyday..."

"How does, once a week sound?"

"Fine... Ooooh, my baby cousin is going to go and be a teacher! I'm soo happy!"

"I already am a teacher..."

"Yeah, but this time you'll be a real teacher!"

"Ugh..."

"Now, be sure to bring your girlfriend the next time you visit!"

"She's not my girlfriend!"

"Yet!"

"..."

"Aaaaw, he's blushing!"

"Yeah, yeah... Thank's Yumeko..."

"Take care, baby cousin..."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"..I proudly present the class graduating from Saitow Sannaomiya Junior High!" The Principal actually looked the part of the proud teacher as the parents stood and clapped for their children. The children on the stage bowed to the audience before turning and bowing to their teachers. Fuko's eyes darted around the crowd. Her father wasn't there, but that wasn't surprising. There was only one man she really wanted to see. But he wasn't there. No tall woman. No tall man. No blue ponytail. No coiffed light brown. She walked down the stairs into the audience with the rest of her her class, still looking around. But disappointment was beginning to claw at her heart. Suddenly a flash of red caught her eye. She turned to look, just in time to see him sliding out the door.

"Don't let him escape!" Ai suddenly said from her shoulder, "He wants you to follow! Catch him!" Without a second thought, Fuko raced out the door, ignoring the calls of her friends behind her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The sun was setting when she finally got to the beach. She had long since lost him, but she kept searching, not wanting to give up. She stood there for a moment. It was late afternoon and the sun was just beginning to dip into the horizon. A cool breeze, tinged with salty tang, brushed across her skin and caused her to close her eyes, tilting her head back to simply feel. Along with the breeze came the sound of a guitar. Her eyes snapped open. It was the same song. The exact same song. Slowly she followed it, praying that it was who she hoped it would be. There. On the bench. He sat, playing his guitar in the setting sun. A small smile on his lips as he softly sang, calling her to him.

"But there never seems to be enough time, to do the things you want to do once you find them... I've looked around enough to know that you're the one I want to go through time with..." As the song faded away she simply stood there and listened. Feeling eyes on him he looked up and the smile in his eyes made her heart do a back flip. She smiled back, then sat down next to him, leaned against his shoulder and murmured.

"Play it again?"

TBC...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Until eternity passes away
Just to spend them with yourselves

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then, again
I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with