Alright everyone. Thanks for all the support and reviews. Originally this and my other Appleseed fic were going to be updated alternately. But since the first chapter of this story almost has just as many if not more reviews than my whole Appleseed fic I decided to go ahead and update this one. And another thing, for all of you that read the manga and really know what happened after Yamato and Asahina started to go out then I'm sorry because I've only seen the anime and am really sort of going off of what I think might've happened so bear with me guys. Thanks again for the reviews and here's the next chapter. Seems pretty appropriate that I would update this on Valentines Day
Gray clouds were fast approaching as I stared blankly at the high jump bar from my position near the starting line. As usual, Asahina was all over my mind during practice. We hadn't spoken since lunch and practice was nearly over. We had been exchanging looks all through practice but never made direct eye contact. I don't know if I'm affecting her but she's definitely affecting me. I can't seem to get any faster than 11.53 seconds and I know that I'm much faster than this. I don't want her to think that I'm slacking off from being the best sprinter in Japan just because we're going out.
"Akitsuki, you're up," Miyamoto-senpai called from the starting line.
"Okay," I answered as I approached the starting blocks. I crouched down to readjust them to my starting position. By now I could do this without even looking at what I was doing so I spent the extra time to take a peek at Asahina. When I looked up she was already on a running start. She planted her feet and gracefully rose and weaved over the bar. She looked so flawless, so perfect. Everything she does is perfect. The way she jogs is perfect, they way she speaks is perfect, she even falls on the landing mat perfectly. She's smart, she's beautiful . . . . and she chose me, plain old Yamato. I sighed and turned my attention to the hundred meters of pavement in front of me. A few stray raindrops fell on my hands followed by a small rumble of thunder. I rose, walking to the front of my blocks and bent down. I placed my hands down behind the line and secured my feet against their respective blocks. I looked forward to show that I was ready.
"Let's hurry before it starts to pour down out here." Miyamoto started. "On your mark. . ." My eyes were locked on the finish line. This is my final sprint for practice today and it feels like everyone's watching. So I guess this is it. This is how I can prove myself to her, where I can show her that she didn't make a mistake. "Get set." he said again. I pressed my fingers against the line a bit tighter. This is the only place where I can achieve something at least close to her level. This is where I can try to give her what she deserves. All was silent for a spilt second. Then came the loud bang of the gun and the clink of my push off from the blocks.
I was nearly hypnotized by the constant tapping and scraping of my feet on the pavement and the pounding rhythm of my heartbeat. I was completely focused on nothing. My mind went totally blank, except for the thought of Asahina. Was she cheering for me? Was she even paying attention to me? What is she thinking right now? I'd give anything to know what she's thinking right now. Am I running fast enough? Will I beat my time? . . . My time! Before I realized it I was almost halfway down the track. I had to push, Asahina's watching me. I can't let her down. The finish was no more than twenty five meters away now so I started to accelerate in small intervals and kept going until I made it across the finish.
"Time." said one of the guys at the line. I came to a pounding stop and immediately doubled over with my hands on my thighs. Suspense built as it seemed like the world was waiting for the announcement of my time. I hope it was fast enough. I wasn't focused. I hardly even paid attention to my running style. I looked at my timer and through my peripheral vision saw Asahina looking at him too along with the rest of the team on this side of the track. "10.23 seconds." he yelled.
"Yes!" I yelled as I bounced around the entire field. "I broke my old record! I can't believe it!" Everyone applauded, even Asahina. A bright flash of lightning filled the sky followed by a loud and lingering rumble of thunder.
"Alright everyone practice is over. Get changed and go on home. See you tomorrow." Miyamoto yelled as people rushed around the feild in a mild panic. Everybody quickly gathered up the equipment and ran for cover inside the school building. I quickly followed, slightly upset that my celebration was cut short by bad weather. As usual, I'm the last one inside. Conversation was buzzing around the lockers as everyone put their school clothes on over their practice clothes. I opened my locker and unfolded my uniform. I removed my wet shirt and replaced it with my button up shirt; I slipped my slacks on over my shorts. I kicked my track shoes off and put on my outdoor shoes. I reached for my bag and noticed that my locker was empty except for my indoor shoes. I forgot my umbrella again.
"I'm such an idiot." I whispered to no one in particular.
"I know, that's why you have me." said a voice from behind me. I turned to the source and saw a completely changed Asahina with an umbrella in hand.
"Thanks a lot." I sighed with relief as I took the umbrella from her hand. "I really appreciate it."
"You don't have to thank me. Let's just hurry and go." Asahina said quietly.
"Right, lets go." I replied uneasily as I opened the umbrella at the door and waited for her to step under it. A now steady rain poured as we left the school. A few of our teammates waved and greeted us as we left. Not too many words other than goodbyes were said as we continued down the street. The only sounds were the raindrops steadily tapping on our umbrella and the occasional car passing by. The thunder and lightning seemed to have died down. She kept a fair distance from me, not so much as to be out of the umbrella but not so close that we would sometimes bump shoulders."So . . . um, nice practice today." I said, attempting to break the barrier of ice she had between us.
". . . Yeah," she replied distantly.
"I saw your last jump. Pretty impressive." I said again this time looking at her with a smile.
"Thanks," she said almost as distantly as before. I paused for a second, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't piss her off.
"I didn't think I would beat my time. I was hardly focused and kinda lost myself in thought." I chuckled with my free hand finding its way towards the back of my head again.
"Mmhmm." she said. By this time I was completely disheartened. I didn't even want to try to talk to her anymore. I really don't know what to do now. And as much as I don't want to there's really only one thing I can do.
"What's wrong, Asahina?" I asked in a more-concerned-than-annoyed tone that I hoped wouldn't start an argument.
"Nothing's wrong. Why would you ask me that?" she replied with a bit of annoyance in her voice as well.
"Well, you seem so distant lately. You seemed happy over the weekend and this morning so I just wanted to know if it was something I did or- -"
"No, no it's not you." she said quickly. "It's just . . . I don't know."
"Oh, well okay. But is there anything I can do?" I asked.
"No, it's okay. I'll be fine." she said.
". . . Okay" I said softly. She didn't say another word after that. We walked the rest of the way in silence. It felt so awkward, like we were starting our whole relationship all over again. Why does she make this so hard? I want to get closer to you but you won't let me. I quietly prayed for another car to splash her or another rumble of thunder so that she would jump to me for protection, so I can feel needed again. But we were nearing the apartment so the car opportunity was quickly fading and the clouds were starting to break as well. We turned the corner to the apartments. I withdrew the umbrella and handed it back to her as I followed her up the stairs. We turned the corner at our floor and stopped at our respective doors.
"I've got to clean the bath tonight so if you need me I'll be down there." I said as I reached for my keys.
"Okay." she said as she gracefully unlocked her door without any type of error. Or maybe it just seemed that way to me. I watched her until and opened my own door and closed it behind me. I threw my bag down and absently kicked off my shoes. I leaned against the door and let out a rather large sigh. I let my head roll to the right as if I could see through the walls and at Asahina. "What do you want from me?" I asked her, foolishly hoping for an answer. When it didn't come, I lifted myself lazily from the wall and started for my room. I rummaged through my drawers for my work clothes and pulled them out with reckless abandon. My whole mood from breaking my record had deplenished. All my energy was gone too. I wasn't sure how I would clean this bathhouse. All I wanted to do now was sleep. And maybe I would dream about her, how things were that day and that smile. That smile she had just for me. That's all I could ask for right now. For her to have that beautiful smile on her face . . . for me.
It feels a bit short to me. But my opinion doesn't really matter now does it? Review Please!!!!!
