Flutter
By Funakounasoul

Disclaimer: Azumanga Daioh doesn't belong to me and it never will!

Author's Notes: Yay! I've got less work to worry over! Congrats to me! Anyway, don't expect these next chapters to get as depressing as last chapter's. Everything's going to be happy and funny now...with the occasional sad moment, but happier nonetheless.


CHAPTER FOUR

The wind grew colder by the minute, blowing golden leaves around the streets. It was autumn after all. Of course, the students within the walls of the school building were not noticing any of it. They were all too busy with their class meetings, today's topic being the culture festival.

"So does anyone have any ideas for the culture festival?" asked the petite class president, Chiyo Mihama. As the class sat silently, Vice President Tomo stood next to Chiyo. Minutes passed and Tomo was growing impatient. Chiyo asked once more if anyone had any ideas, and once again, she was met with silence.

Finally, two people offered the ideas of cafe and haunted house. Though they were usual choices, at least their class was making progress. After helping Tomo write "cafe" correctly, Chiyo once again asked for more ideas. Unfortunately, no one else offered anything, so Chiyo decided to place a suggestion box on the chalkboard.

"So, you're going with a comment box?" Yomi asked Chiyo as she walked up to the small girl.

"Yes," Chiyo replied, "The only ideas were the haunted house and the cafe. I think we should at least have a few more choices than that."

"You have a point there. Let's hope at least one person comes up with something."

"Ooh, a suggestion box." Ayumu Kasuga murmured as she stared at the box. The girl wanted to contribute somehow, even if it meant to think hard. As she thought, Yomi awaited for the girl's answer. Suddenly, a small smile appeared on the Osakan girl's face.

"I know," she began, "why don't we have a sports festival?"

"Osaka," Yomi replied in disgust, using Ayumu's nickname, "did you hear what you just said?"

"Yeah, I said we should have a sports festival."

"What the hell are you thinking in that head of yours?"

Suddenly, Tomo's bouncy self popped up in front of the box, "So this is the so-called suggestion box?"

"Yeah, it is. Now are you going to put something in it or just stare at it all day?"

"Hmm..." Tomo reached into her pocket, bringing out a small object. As Yomi watched her, she inserted the object into the box, the thing making a quiet "clink" as it fell inside.

"Hey, what did you just put in there?"

"Five yen."

"You're supposed to put suggestions in there..."

"Really?" Tomo paused for a moment before continuing, "Well, the legend of this box says --"

"Oh shut up!" Yomi placed her hand on her head, obviously annoyed at Tomo's latest doing, "Honestly, I don't know how you come up with these things, Tomo."

"Do what?" the wildcat asked innocently.

"Your crazy ideas. Where do you get them?"

"Well now, that's for me to know and for you to never find out!"

The next meeting would turn out to be successful, as someone suggested a stuffed animal theme. For the next few days, class three prepared for the culture festival, collecting stuffed animals and creating simple costumes for all the students. Another costume was made, this one being a cute cat suit. Finally, after a few setting up the last few decorations, class three's "Fairyland" was ready to go.

"Wow, we sure have a lot of stuffed animals, don't we Sakaki-san?" Chiyo said as she set a bear on a table. The person in question, the girl named Sakaki, was fixing each stuffed animal. She seemed to be seriously into arranging the animals neatly. As she fixed the last animal, she nodded to herself, satisfied that the animal was in the perfect position.

A few moments later, everyone received a pair of ears, as well as a few other small things, to wear. Then, the cat costume appeared. Everyone gave their approval, giving the costume a "cute" rating. One person did not agree, however, and it was none other than Tomo. Apparently, the person wearing the cat costume was "wearing it wrong." She wanted to show them how to wear it properly.

"Okay, if you say so." The person said as they took off the headpiece. After revealing herself to the class, Osaka handed the costume over to Tomo.

"Now," Tomo exclaimed as she placed the headpiece on, "I'll show you how to really use this baby!" She raised her arms into the air, and began to hop around. Getting approval from the small group of girls, she proceeded to spin around. Facing the doorway, she dashed into the hallway unexpectedly. Tomo ran across the hall, going down a flight of stairs and repeated the actions until she reached the entrance of the school.

Meanwhile, a familiar brunette was making her way towards her shoe compartment. Just before grabbing her pair of school shoes, the sound of pounding footsteps echoed through the area. Taking her chances, she looked towards her left. There, she saw a huge cat looking right at her. The cat ran to her, flailing its arms around uncontrollably. The next thing she knew, she was on the ground while the cat proudly sat on top of her.

"Good morning Yomi!" the cat greeted the dazed girl in a familiar voice.

"Tomo. I should've known..."

A few seconds later, Yomi and Tomo made their way to their class. Tomo had taken off the costume's headpiece a while ago, complaining that it was uncomfortable. The two began their walk to their class, talking about the festival among other things.

"Say Tomo," Yomi began, changing the subject unexpectedly, "Why did you come all that way just to attack me?" Tomo placed a paw on her chin and thought carefully. For a brief moment, Yomi thought the girl looked cute, but shook it off as soon as Tomo looked up.

"What can I say? I just gotta be with you. We're like jell-o and whipped cream!"

"Wait -- Jell-o and whipped cream? I thought we were bread and napkins."

"Ah, whatever. Same thing."

The two walked a few more feet before Yomi continued the conversation, slightly blushing, "You know...you kind of looked...cute back there."

"Oh? Really? Did I hear right? Did you just say I looked cute?!" Tomo began jumping up and down, much to the taller girl's embarrassment. In fact, Tomo was blushing herself and was hiding it with her sudden, hyperactive activity.

"H-hey! Don't jump around! J-just don't tell anyone!"

"Oh, so you want to look like a grumpy old woman?"

"NO! Sheesh, Tomo, have you ever considered being serious?"

"Yeah, but that's usually when I'm bored and have nothing to do. Come on! You know I have so much energy to waste!"

"Apparently, all that energy's wasted on annoying me..."

"Well, it's 'cause you're so --" Tomo stopped suddenly. Yomi turned towards her friend, wondering what made her stop her usual bantering so abruptly. Tomo struggled bringing out her next sentence. It was especially hard when Yomi noticed the girl turning red.

"It's because...because...Hey, look! There's our room! Race ya!" With that, Tomo dashed towards class three, laughing all the way while hiding the ever-growing blush on her face. Yomi walked the remainder of the way, still carrying the headpiece Tomo had given her. The bespectacled girl was left to wonder what made Tomo so nervous all of a sudden.

After the culture festival ended, everyone headed home. A few people, however, were still within the walls of class three. Tomo, Chiyo, and Osaka were sitting in the room, exhausted from the day's activities. Yomi entered the room, sighing deeply. Explaining her sadness over the end of the festival, Tomo decided to hold a victory parade around the school's track. The girls headed outside, including the ever-mature Yomi, and marched along the track as the sun began to set. The mini-parade seemed to soothe Yomi. Deep down, she felt like a child again, marching along with her friends. The parade ended after the third lap around the track, and everyone went their separate ways.

While they were walking home, Yomi brought up their morning discussion, "Would you like to tell me why you freaked out earlier today?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Yomi sighed, "You know what I'm talking about," she paused, placing her hand on the shorter girl's shoulder, "Come now, you can tell me anything."

Tomo looked at Yomi, then at her shoulder. Looking back at Yomi, she noticed the girl had moved closer to her. A blush began crawling up her face -- just the fact that the two were so close made Tomo feel lightheaded. Yomi noticed this as well, and a blush formed on her face as well. Moving back, Yomi asked Tomo once more.

"Well," Tomo began, "you see...when...uh...Here, let me show you!" She ran up to the other girl and litterally gave the girl a bear hug, "There! The reason I pick on you so much is because you're my best friend. You never seem to get truly angry at me, and you're the only one who knows that I can be nice, too..."

"..." Yomi was at a loss for words. Tomo had once again revealed another secret, but this time she felt like she was not telling her everything. In addition, Tomo had been hugging Yomi for a couple of minutes now, not moving an inch. To her, having Tomo in her arms for so long felt strange, yet wonderful. Once again, the dreaded blush appeared on Yomi's face, and luckily, Tomo was not paying attention this time.

"...and that's why I'd like to thank you again, Yomi." Yomi snapped out of her thoughts. She had spaced out during Tomo's speech. Fortunately, she heard enough to know how to reply. She thanked the smaller girl back, and finally returned the hug wholeheartedly. Before letting go, the girls heard a cough. Turning around, they noticed a girl with short, spiky hair staring at them. The girl was apparently having her evening jog and had noticed the two a while ago. Noticing the fact that they had not moved in over ten minutes -- she was on her way back home at this time -- she took it upon herself to end the affectionate embrace.

"Sorry to bother you," the girl began, "but you've been like that for a while now. Could you, like, go somewhere more private?"

The two turned completely red. They apologized quickly and ran home. The girl only stared, shrugged, and headed home herself. When the two arrived at their farewell point, they looked at each other in confusion and embarrassment.

"Yomi...Did we really look like --"

"Um...No! Of course not! That girl's just got a dirty mind."

"Yeah...dirty. What's up with people these days?"

"I have no idea."

Arriving at their own homes, the two went straight to their rooms. They changed into their pajamas and sat on their beds. Looking outside, the two stared into the cloudy sky and sighed. Turning off their lamps, the two proceeded to sleep, wondering why something always interrupted their intimate moments.

TO BE CONTINUED


Blushes galore! It seems the two are getting closer...Will there ever be a moment where they won't be interrupted? Hmm...That's it for this chapter, as well as this year. Yep, next chapter takes place during second year! Time jump! That's all I'm going to say, so I'll shut up now and let you review.