Chapter 3
It's been a week since I last saw that girl. Kujou Hotaru. I have never seen her around the campus nor during practice hours for club activities. Before I will go to my club practice, I would pass by the track and field club just in case I would see her there.
"And that ends our practice today. You're dismissed," I told all the members and they each headed to the club room to change.
"How were the regulars today, Yukimura?" Sanada asked.
"Impressive. They have improved so much since last summer's match with Shitenhouji at the Nationals," I responded.
"I think so too," Sanada agreed.
"How about you, Sanada? Have you completed that new technique of yours yet?"
"I still need a little more time. It is not an easy move and I need to improve my body in order to finally complete it," Sanada explained.
"I see. But I'm sure you will be able to do it."
"Yeah."
When we arrived back to the clubroom, we found the other regular members who just finished changing into their uniforms.
"Renji, have you gathered the data for today's practice?" I asked Renji who was putting his tennis bag on his shoulders.
"Yes, Seiichi. I'll try to make a more detailed compilation tonight and give it to you tomorrow at practice," Renji said.
"I'll leave it to you then."
As soon as I finished changing and put on my yellow and brown striped muffler around my neck, I went out of the clubroom and found Renji and Sanada waiting for me outside. Renji, who was in-charge of the club's key, locked the room.
"Where are the others?" I asked.
"They went ahead," Sanada said.
"I see. Let's go."
As we neared the gates, I saw a figure who was standing on the side of the gate who looks like they were waiting for someone.
One step…
Two steps…
Three steps…
The figure turned to our direction which revealed a very familiar face and made me stop on my tracks.
"What's wrong, Yukimura?" Sanada asked while also stopping same as Renji.
"Oh! Yukimura-kun!" she called out as she waved her hands. Kujou Hotaru. It's been a while.
THUMP THUMP
"Someone you know, Yukimura?" Renji inquired.
"Her name is Kujou Hotaru. Second year like us," I told them and placed my sight on the girl who was about 8 meters away from us.
"Kujou Hotaru?" Renji questioned. "I have no data on her. I have not seen her around the school since we started high school."
"I do not know her," Sanada remarked.
"Eh? I thought you would be classmates with her but I guess I was wrong," I said.
"But she's wearing the Rikkai school uniform though," Renji said.
I turned to look at her again and noticed that she was indeed wearing the school girls' uniform with a red muffler wrapping around her neck. She was wearing a pair of brown leather shoes with a pair of black thighs.
Maybe she noticed that we stopped walking since she jogged towards us with her bag on her left hand.
"Good afternoon, Yukimura-kun. And also Sanada-kun and Yanagi-kun," she slightly bowed her head with a smile forming on her lips.
"Good afternoon to you too, Kujou-san. And it's been a while," I smiled at her.
"Are you going home already?" she asked.
"Yeah, how about you?" I asked in return.
"Hang out with me for a bit, Yukimura-kun! Let me borrow him for today, Sanada-kun, Yanagi-kun!"
As soon as she said that, she grabbed my hand and quickly ran while dragging me out of the school.
"Where are we going?" I asked her while running.
"Don't ask! Just come with me!"
It was the first time that someone ordered me of what to do. I have always been the one to do that to the other club members but not the other way around. Of course, I follow the orders of my teachers. But it really was different when she said it. Her voice is full of energy and reassuring, it makes me feel like wanting to go wherever she takes me as long as she's with me. This girl was really an…enigma.
"We're here!"
We stopped and in front of us was a building.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"Seijo Hall. An orchestra will play a piece composed by my favorite musician Brahms. I already got two tickets so let's go."
She walked inside and I followed behind her. We got our seats at the very center and in the middle row. A perfect seat position indeed.
Fifteen minutes later, the orchestra entered the stage and started playing the Brahms 4th Symphony.
Was it a coincidence that we have the same favorite musician and taste?
After the show, we went to a near café called White Wishes and had a cup of tea and coffee.
"Did you like the performance, Yukimura-kun?" she asked,
"Yeah, I really like it. It was my favorite," I answered with a smile.
"Really? I'm glad!" she took a bite of her strawberry cheesecake which she ordered.
"Thank you for today, Kujou-san."
"No, no, I should be the one who should thank you for accompanying me. I'm sorry for suddenly dragging you here."
"It's alright. No worries."
"Then if I ask you to hang out with me again next time, will you come?"
I was surprised by a bit when I heard those words coming out from her mouth. I regained my voice and finally answered: "Sure, Kujou-san" with a smile on my face.
"Is tennis fun?"
"Tennis? Yeah, it's fun. We have always been so focus on winning during our middle school years that I have forgotten what does it mean to have fun with tennis but thanks to a certain cheeky boy, I was able to regain that feeling again," I told her as I was remembering the times when we were known as the champions for two consecutive years but lost the Nationals during my last year in middle school.
"…."
"Ah, sorry. You must have not understood what I said."
"No, don't worry. I understand. I was there during that match. Well, I was always there during your matches. You know, cheering for your school is a normal thing."
Again, I was surprised by what she said. She mentioned she was always there during our games but I have never really seen her. Or again, maybe I just didn't notice her? Or what?
"Kujou-san, when did you-"
"Oh no! Look at the time! I have to go, Yukimura-kun," she cut me off as she glanced at her wristwatch.
"Then, shall we go?"
I'll set these questions aside for now. Maybe someday they would be answered in the most unexpected way.
Thank you again for reading, guys! Please review! Will be very well appreciated. :)
