Chapter 10 - Expectations

Nodoka hardly managed to sleep at all that night. After being 'in the bathroom' for over forty-five minutes, she had eventually gone back and attempted to sleep with Miyanaga Saki, but she had been irrational enough to be paranoid that she might even do something awful to the girl whilst she was asleep. Nodoka had even woken the girl up in her angst, who asked worriedly where she had been when she got back. She had fumbled at that and just mumbled something about the bathroom, and hoped that would end it. Nodoka fell asleep eventually but it was a fitful and pathetic sleep and not one bit did it resemble the refreshing rest she had received on the previous night.

She was currently struggling at the mahjong table, but she was barely aware of it. She had been hit to minus in 2 of the 3 hanchan she had played, and she couldn't think straight when she played against Amae Koromo after that, who routinely smashed her along with two Tsuruga girls, one of whom seemed to be a beginner. That didn't stop her from coming in third, ahead of me.

It wasn't just the lack of sleep hindering Nodoka, or what had happened last night. It was the girl herself. Miyanaga Saki. She had noticed Nodoka's strange behaviour almost immediately after she woke up, and had asked her if she had done anything wrong. Nodoka had never hated herself so much in her entire life. She had the best friendship a person could ask for, and she had ruined everything all on her own. She knew that now, that it was ruined. Done and dusted. She might have laughed at her own stupidity if it weren't so painful.

She had at first thought she would be able to salvage the friendship, but Nodoka had completely overlooked a significant problem when she had tried to analyse things; her own emotional state. It was not under her control anymore and she was finding it impossible to do anything about it. She was too depressed, too angry at herself and too frustrated about the time she was wasting to think clearly about anything. Her thoughts whirled relentlessly around in her head and it was driving her crazy.

"Ron, 7700 please" the president called. I played into another hand and I don't even care… and I'm bound to worry president too at this rate. Oh, come to think of it that was the last hand. I wonder how many points I have left if any, I haven't been keeping track…

A sweet, familiar voice from behind her spoke up "Haramura-san, are you okay?" she asked, the concern abundantly clear in her voice. This is too much. I can't face her right now. Nodoka realised faintly that the tears were coming. I won't be able to stop them, not with her so close, so worried and it's all my fault. I have no one else to blame. She stood up, desperately tried to hold back her tears and bowed to her opponents, who were staring at her with unmistakably worried expressions on their faces.

"Thank you for the game." She could not keep the trembling out of her voice. "Please excuse me" she managed, before turning and walking as normally as she could towards the exit. Once she was out of sight she didn't hold back. She ran.

Saki did not understand why Haramura Nodoka was playing so badly. She almost spoke up right then and there when she played into the first hand, but she held herself back. It was rude to interrupt a game whilst it was being played; her sister taught her that years ago, and Haramura-san wouldn't stand for it for a second. She needed to muster all her self-control to wait until the game was over at which point she immediately asked Haramura Nodoka if she was okay. To Saki's surprise she was so upset that she was unable even to respond and ran towards the exit.

"Erm, did something happen Takei-san?" she asked Kiyosumi's president, but she seemed confused as well, shrugging at her and telling her that she was about to ask the same question herself.

Saki had at first figured she must have done something to Haramura Nodoka. Maybe she was being too clingy with her; Saki had been all over her the previous morning after all, but Saki had good reason to think that couldn't possibly be it. Saki also thought she might have done something unintentionally to upset her, but she couldn't think of anything that could possibly have upset her quite so much. She had then unthinkingly asked her outright about it but that had upset her even more. I always screw up in these kinds of situations. I knew I shouldn't have asked her like that. I just knew it.

Watching Haramura Nodoka walk to the exit like that was hard. She was clearly hurting, and yet she was still worried about being polite. It was something Saki wouldn't have been able to do. The worst part was that she seemed like she intended to bear the pain alone. Saki thought they were close enough now that Haramura Nodoka might rely on her a little more, but it seemed that she still had a way to go.

"I'm sorry about this" she said to the onlookers. She followed Haramura Nodoka's example and bowed to the table. "Please excuse me as well." She turned to follow after Haramura Nodoka, making sure to walk and not run.

Haramura Nodoka had clearly ran outdoors, but Saki had no idea which way she went after that, and so she was sure she was about to get lost. She shrugged to herself; she had to at least try to find her. She picked a random direction and walked, keeping to the path. She took up a quick pace at first but after very nearly tripping over on rough looking pavement she decided to take it slower.

Saki was in luck today, after no more than ten minutes of walking she spotted the pink haired girl she was seeking sitting next to a tree, hugging her knees and just staring blankly ahead. Thank goodness I found her… She broke into a run, unable to help herself and asked her if she was okay.

"I'm… I'm okay… I'm sorry Miyanaga-san… I didn't mean to worry you…" she said. She did not make eye-contact with Saki this time.

"Don't worry about it. Do you mind if I sit with you, Haramura-san?"

She shook her head at that. Saki smiled at her and sat down next to her on the grass. Saki wasn't sure what to say to the girl to make her feel safe, so she tried just simply talking about nothing in particular. "I'm having so much fun at this camp, Haramura-san! There's so many really strong opponents… so many nice people to meet and talk with… I met all of your friends from the Kiyosumi mahjong club… I've relaxed in the hot springs… It's so much fun, and we have so much time left!"

Haramura Nodoka nodded, "Yes… it's… fun…"

"But my favourite part about this trip… is my time spent with you, Haramura-san."

Haramura Nodoka looked back at her then. "Miyanaga-san…"

Saki had thought she had said the right thing when the girl smiled for a moment, but it didn't last long. She immediately looked sad again and looked away. "Haramura-san?" she tried.

"I'm so… so sorry Miyanaga-san… I've ruined everything…" she sniffed. The realisation that she was crying was hard on Saki.

"Haramura-san… I don't understand…"

She continued to look away without saying a word, so Saki wrapped her arms around and hugged her instead, making sure to be as gentle as she could. The action drew a startled cry from Haramura Nodoka's lips, but she didn't protest against it when Saki lay there resting her own head on the girl's shoulder, closing her eyes tightly. "Haramura-san… You don't have to bear it alone…" Saki told her, "Please don't bear it all alone."

Saki felt her jolt when she said those words, and suddenly the girl was hugging her back and crying into her shoulder. "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…" she sobbed. "I'm so sorry…" she repeated, "I really am so sorry…"

"Shhhh" Saki whispered. "Haramura-san you are shaking." Haramura Nodoka was normally so wonderfully and perfectly mannered, and so in control of herself and confident too. Witnessing her in such a state was having a profound effect on Saki, who was becoming increasingly concerned.

She wasn't very good with people, and didn't really know how to be there for them and Haramura Nodoka was sobbing frantically into her shoulder, only stopping her crying to whisper that she was sorry every now and again. Saki found her own eyes welled up with tears. I don't understand… Things were going so well… Things were really… going so well… At least I thought they were… She had been confident that her friendship with Haramura Nodoka was as strong as any she had ever had.

Saki did her best to comfort the distraught girl. She told her that everything was okay, that she was there for her, that she had nothing to worry about. Useless and pointless lines and other platitudes but Saki needed to do something, and she couldn't think of anything else. She'd read books all her life and yet the words that came so easily to the heroes and heroines in those books in times of strife were frustratingly out of her reach.

She gave up on words, and simply stroked and played with her hair and rubbed her back as gently as she could. She stayed sat down like that, stroking Haramura Nodoka's long pink hair for what must have been at least 10 minutes. Saki wouldn't have been able to tell you exactly how long it was however, she lost track of time in those moments. It really hurts to see Haramura-san like this.

When Haramura Nodoka eventually began to calm down she stopped stroking her hair, and gently broke off the hug so that she could look into the girl's bright blue eyes. She placed her hand on one of her shoulders, and with her other hand she brushed the side of the girl's face softly-as softly as she could to hopefully help stay the girl's tears. She wasn't sure why she did it, but when Haramura Nodoka's hand covered her own just as gently she knew she'd made the right choice. With one hand on her shoulder, and the other gently touching the side of her face, she looked into Haramura Nodoka's eyes and spoke to the girl as honestly as she could.

"I'm sorry… I don't know what is wrong… but I know that I would forgive you for anything. You mean the world to me, Haramura-san." Saki did not know whether she was saying the right thing or not. She was aware that she was no good with words, but she could usually get through to Haramura Nodoka by being honest so that's what she did, but her eyes were still welling up with tears. "Please Haramura-san, just tell me, okay?" she tried.

Haramura Nodoka nodded slowly, "I'll try" she whispered, and closed her eyes. After a few moments she began, "Last night…." She opened her eyes, but ended up looking downwards. "I… I… " She looked up into Saki's eyes. "I can't do this, Miyanaga-san. I really can't!" She averted her eyes, obviously just ashamed of herself. Haramura-san is working too hard… I need to help her this time.

"Just do your best to remember your trust in me. Believe me when I say I will forgive you. I promise I will."

Haramura Nodoka forced herself to look into her own eyes. Haramura-san is so strong. She started a broken, stuttering speech, but she kept her eyes transfixed on Saki's throughout. "Okay… well…. I ki… I k-kissed you… Well no. Well yes… but at first it was playful. I promise you… I promise you it wasn't weird… I don't think so at least…. But… I w-wanted to do it… to your… I… wanted to k-kiss you… o-on… on your…l-l-lips… I'm so sorry… I was so close to doing it… I wanted to k-kiss you and I don't know why." She looked downwards then before continuing, "That's… that's not true… I know why… I'm so sorry… I think I'm f-falling… I didn't mean to but… I think I'm falling in…lo… but… I… I… didn't mean to… I didn't!"

Haramura Nodoka's face was a mess of tears when she looked back up and into Saki's eyes, which were wide open now. "I…" she said quietly before pausing, but when she resumed her voice had a strange frantic quality to it that seemed entirely foreign to Haramura Nodoka's nature, "You trusted me, Miyanaga-san! You trusted me and then I paid you back with betrayal! I betrayed your trust in me! I am so awful and I am so sorry… I really am so sorry."

Haramura Nodoka dropped her eyes from her own again. She did her best to continue but her voice was back down to a whisper. "Please still be my friend… I know it's selfish… and I have no right to ask… but please… please be my friend. Please don't think that I'm creepy. Please forgive me. You promised me that you would forgive me." The tears ran freely down the girl's face, and showed no indication of letting up.

Saki had no idea that this of all things was the problem. She really thought I was going to think she was creepy… and she still told me… she's so brave… Her hand was still gently holding Haramura Nodoka's face. She hesitated in thought, but quickly made her mind up. It was her turn to be brave now. She leaned forward in a motion fast enough that Haramura Nodoka did not have time to protest and kissed one of her beautiful blue eyes, as gently as she could, just as it fluttered shut. Saki withdrew backwards and smiled at her.

"Stop crying, Haramura-san" she said cheerfully; she knew what she needed to do now. She leaned forward and kissed just below her other eye, as beautiful and as mystifying as the other. She kissed her just where her tears were yet still forming. "Tears tears fly away," she chanted happily, confident at last. Haramura Nodoka was still trembling slightly, but was now staring at her in silence. Saki took that as a good sign.

She leaned in to Haramura Nodoka's face, and pecked her on the nose. "I'm really sorry, but I was awake… when… last night… I really am sorry." she whispered whilst their faces were mere inches apart. She couldn't help but smile as she did it despite the hurtful mistake she had made that night. Doing her best not to tremble too badly, she leant in towards her beautiful face again despite feeling Nodoka's body stiffen slightly. She softly touched the girl's lips with her own, their noses brushing past one another so gently, so softly. Please… Please accept my feelings Haramura-san.

She held her lips against Haramura Nodoka's for several seconds, barely able to endure it, barely able to break herself away. When she opened her eyes she saw that the girl's eyes were shut firmly, which brought an unbidden smile to Saki's face when their lips finally parted.

With their faces still just inches apart she spoke to the girl in less than a whisper."I've… I've always thought you were beautiful, Haramura-san."

She let go of her face and carefully ran her hands through her beautiful long pink hair. "Let's… Let's call this even, okay?" Her heart was still pounding as she gently stroked the side of the beautiful girl's face. "I… I have wanted to kiss you too… and I want to kiss you more..." Saki let go of her then, withdrawing backwards. "Please don't be sad about anything like that anymore, okay?"

Haramura Nodoka finally smiled back at her.

Nodoka was not sure what was happening. She had told Miyanaga Saki about the awful thing she had done and suddenly she was being kissed. Miyanaga-san…is kissing me! She never could have imagined that her heart could feel so unstable and yet so wonderful at the same time. She couldn't actually do anything apart from be helpless as Miyanaga Saki assaulted her with those wonderful, soft and girly kisses. At first she tried to resist. She did not deserve such affection, and didn't want Miyanaga Saki to force herself.

She had even brought up her hands in an effort to dissuade the advancing force, but her body gave in feebly once the first kiss had found its mark; after that she could not have resisted even if she'd wanted to. Each kiss sent daggers through her heart, and she was powerless before them. The hands who had thought to deny her were dangling uselessly by her sides by the end. Miyanaga Saki then told her not to be sad, which almost caused Nodoka to break down crying all over again. Doesn't she know how adorable she is? How wonderful and kind and honest she is? How can I be sad when the girl I love is kissing me like this?

"I'm never sad when you are near me, Miyanaga-san." she told her honestly, her voice breaking slightly as she said it. She took the cute girl's hand. "You really are so wonderful."

"Thank you…" She then looked downwards, and spoke in a near-frighteningly worried voice, "D-Do y-you… W-Will you accept my feelings?" she asked.

The question was quite a shock for Nodoka. "Y-Yes… Of course… I thought… I thought that was obvious" she said with a smile. She closed her eyes and tried again, "Nothing would make me happier, Miyanaga-san."

Miyanaga Saki smiled beautifully then. "Thank you Haramura-san. I am so happy."

Nodoka blushed at the mere sight of that smile, "Miyanaga-san…"

Miyanaga Saki suddenly blushed deeply and looked down. Nodoka was slightly concerned until she explained in a small voice, still staring downwards, "It's… starting to feel a bit awkward calling each other by our last names…"

Nodoka, who was also feeling the embarrassment of the situation, nodded. To think, we kissed each other like that before we ever used each other's first name. "Y-yes… it is..." she managed.

Miyanaga Saki looked up at her, smiling but still maintaining the significant blush. "It would make me happy to hear you call me Saki, Haramura-san." she said shyly.

Feeling shy herself, Nodoka forced herself onwards. "M-Me too. You can call me Nodoka!"

Saki nodded, and hesitated slightly. "N-Nodoka….chan" she said softly and even carefully, as though just saying it would cause unknown manifestations to occur. It is so wonderful to hear her finally say it, after all this time.

"Yes?" she hesitated. It's my turn now… "S-Saki….san" she tried. Her voice sounded weak and stilted to her and she felt embarrassed even as she said it.

"Yes?" Saki said slowly, smiling beautifully, and they just knelt there looking at each other for a moment.

Saki was the first to break the silence, "U-um… it's still kind of embarrassing…"

Nodoka nodded, "It is… just a little bit…" She smiled when I said her name, though. That alone was enough to make any embarrassment worth it, Nodoka knew.

They walked along the pathway on the way back to the main building hand in hand. Nodoka smiled to herself. I want to kiss her again. She gave Saki's hand a squeeze, to which Saki squeezed right back. As she walked, Nodoka found herself stealing glances at the cute girl who had kissed her in that way.

"Saki… san?" Calling her by that name was definitely going to take some getting used to. "You didn't get lost, Saki-san." I'm glad she didn't get lost. I'd still be depressed, and I would be responsible for getting this girl lost when it was getting close to being late out. Saki just laughed bashfully at her comment which Nodoka didn't mind at all. Her laugh is adorable.

She held Saki back almost on a whim, and Saki turned to her, confused. "I… I want to k-kiss you again," Nodoka admitted, feeling the blush spreading on her face.

"I'd… I'd like that, Hara… I mean Nodoka-chan." Saki smiled at her own stutter, then continued, "You… you don't have to ask…" Saki leaned in surprisingly boldly for someone with such a deep blush on her face and kissed Nodoka. Her lips are so soft and sweet. She smells so nice. Nodoka was faintly aware that their hands were interlocked together between them, and the kiss was somewhat less awkward than their first. Nodoka would never forget that kiss and it would forever be one of her happiest memories, but she would look forward to future kisses with enthusiasm as broke off her kiss, and looked into Nodoka's eyes, still smiling.

It was Nodoka though, who began talking first. "Saki-san… I've been wondering… If you were awake when I… when I k-kissed you yesterday… why didn't you say something?" Saki blushed suddenly at her question, so cutely. Nodoka leaned forward and kissed her; to not do so whilst she was blushing like that would have been a crime in Nodoka's opinion. Saki gave a surprised "Oh!" when Nodoka moved in, but she found she could probably get used to kissing this girl, and she thought it were past time that she were the bold one.

When the delightful kiss was over, Saki looked back at Nodoka but quickly dropped her eyes. "Erm… I don't know. I wasn't really awake… at first at least… when you kissed me… but I wasn't really asleep either… I guess I was embarrassed… I… I didn't think… it was r-romantic… I didn't think you liked me like that… so I was scared… I was scared that you would notice how fast… how fast my heart was beating…" she continued looking downwards, obviously embarrassed. She really is so wonderfully honest and cute… "I'm really so sorry… I was scared and just pretended to be asleep… I was relieved when you left… If I'd known how upset you were I…"

Nodoka cut her off, "Miya-…Saki-san… You don't have to apologise for anything at all…. It was my fault. All of it. I should have just been braver and confessed to you instead of causing this… mess… I like the idea of calling it even… like you said. Let's do that, okay?" She asked, giving Saki a smile.

Saki shook her head at that, returning the smile. "Nuh-uh Nodoka-chan, I'm glad it happened like this."

"You're glad?" Nodoka stared at the girl stupidly.

Saki smiled and bashfully explained, staring down at the floor, "I'm really glad I was finally the one… who came and found you… instead of the other way around…"

This girl... She really does know how to make the pain fly away. Nodoka found her eyes threatening to water all over again. She had never been so happy that her analysis of something was wrong. Out of all the outcomes she had predicted whilst she was thinking things through that night, this result had never occurred to her as a possibility. Saki made to continue walking in the direction of the main building, but Nodoka didn't budge. The girl… My girl… turned and looked back at her thoughtfully.

"Saki-san…" Nodoka started after a moment, "I want to kiss you again."

Hisa was playing mahjong against Amae Koromo, Maho and the Kazekoshi girl she had played at the prefectural final, named Bundou. At least I'm not last, I suppose. Hisa found that she could not deal with Amae Koromo. Maho was the only player to win a significantly large hand aside from Koromo, and apparently Koromo could not even use half of her power right now; something to do with the moon, according to Ryuumonbuchi Touka who was watching their game. Maho was in second place for most of the first hanchan but Koromo had directly hit both her and Bundou often enough that Hisa ended up in second place by the time Bundou went bust.

Hisa won just a single decent hand during their first hanchan. She managed to evade Koromo's control, which was apparently lacklustre compared to the control Nodoka had been up against on the night of the tournament, by calling tiles in quick succession and then won with a single hell wait on a pair. Hisa quickly decided that it was fortunate that she chose Nodoka to play against the girl. I almost sent Maho up against her. Hisa might have laughed at the idea now, in hindsight, but to be fair to Maho she was the first player to win an expensive hand besides Koromo herself in the game, and it was bigger than any of the hands Hisa managed to complete. Hisa had won a few smaller hands, but Amae Koromo's hands were typically much bigger and she won more hands in total as well, dwarfing Hisa's overall score.

Hisa now knew that no one besides Nodoka at their club would have been able to compete against her, something she would have to fix on this trip. Hisa initially thought Yuuki might have been able to give the girl a run for her money in the East round but when they played she was soundly beaten, her hands coming together far too slowly compared to Amae Koromo's incredible speed. Hisa would have to work on that with Yuuki this trip, many of the national teams would be playing their aces in the vanguard position. As it stood she was going to be slaughtered.

She spent a few minutes wondering what Nodoka could possibly be so upset about, but quickly realised she didn't have even the slightest of ideas. The girl had been on cloud nine since Miyanaga Saki had arrived, and Hisa was originally expecting her to stay that way for the entirety of the trip. Yet for some reason the girl was more upset than she'd ever seen her this morning, and she was absolutely terrible when it came to playing mahjong. Hisa was not overly worried until she realised that Miyanaga Saki was also in the dark as to why she was suddenly so upset.

She still left Nodoka in her hands however who Hisa was sure would have more chance of helping her than anyone else, Hisa included, but she was still concerned. That was of course until the two girls walked back in together, hand in hand with Nodoka looking absolutely euphoric. That girl sure is good at dealing with our princess. Hisa decided she'd have to ask Miyanaga Saki her secret. On second thought maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea. She laughed to herself at the idea.

"What's so funny, president?" Maho asked her, startled.

"Oh, nothing at all. Let's get back to it." She discarded a tile. I'm going to win this time.

Later in the day, a small crowd gathered to watch Miyanaga Teru play. Apparently she was having trouble against someone who was not her sister and so Hisa found herself a position to watch. Miyanaga Teru was playing with 2 other girls from Shiraitodai, with Hirose Sumire was on her left and Oohoshi Awai was on her right. In the opposite seat to Miyanaga Teru sat Ryuumonbuchi Touka. Miyanaga Saki and Nodoka were stood huddled together and were watching intently, and Saki looked like she was upset.

Several Ryuumonbuchi members were also watching, and they also seemed to be as concerned about what was going on as Saki was. Hisa watched with interest. She was pretty sure she knew what was happening, but she didn't understand Ryuumonbuchi Touka at all. She seemed like a solid player usually; similar in style to their own princess even, but sometimes she just seemed to become insanely strong. Judging by the concern on the faces of Ryuumonbuchi, Hisa assumed the power or ability or whatever it was wasn't all good.

So far it seemed that Miyanaga Teru had won the first hanchan by a huge amount of points, but the current hanchan was neck and neck with Ryuumonbuchi Touka and Miyanaga Teru in first and second respectively. The other two girls didn't seem to be in the game at all and Hisa found herself contemplating what triggered it. The girl had been triggered in the final hand of the Vice captain's last hanchan at the team tournament at least. That was after she had been directly hit multiple times by Tsuruga's Momo, who had proven to have some kind of stealth ability Hisa had realised after playing against her herself at the individuals. That must be it. She moved over to Nodoka and Saki and asked them what the score in the first hanchan had been.

"Onee-chan knocked that girl to minus…" Miyanaga Saki replied, almost in a whimper, "but then she suddenly changed…" Miyanaga Saki… is trembling? Ryuumonbuchi's Touka really is something, making the fearsome Miyanaga Saki shake like this. She was also currently ahead of both Miyanaga Teru and Oohoshi Awai in the hanchan. It seemed Hisa had been correct in her previous deduction. The power was clearly somehow triggered when she was getting beaten badly at the table.

"Saki" Miyanaga Teru called out after they were done. Teru had won the second hanchan in the end but she had done it by extending her dealer streak by attacking Oohoshi Awai and Hirose Sumire. She hadn't been able to directly attack Touka at all. "Come swap with Awai, you should play this girl as well."

Miyanaga Saki seemed hesitant at first, but made to move to the table. Such a diligent and obedient sister. Nodoka seemed concerned, but let her go. I guess she wants to watch this too. The Ryuumonbuchi girl Hisa played against at the team tournament, Hajime, didn't like that at all. She spoke up, "I don't think that's a good idea, Miyanaga-san. Touka needs to rest." She seemed genuinely concerned. Miyanaga Teru looked up at her with that neutral expression she seemed to constantly wear, and then she focused her attention on Touka. When Touka said not a single word, Teru nodded.

"Good game" she said calmly, and made to rise, but then her garnet red eyes found their way to Nodoka, which immediately put Hisa on high alert.

"Haramura Nodoka," she started, "You should play instead." There was a murmur at that. Much had been made of the rules at the camp so far, by Hisa herself for the most part and they were clear that these girls were not allowed to play against each other, doubly so even. Not only were they part of the same team tournament, but both were also qualified for the individuals.

Nodoka was evidently startled by that who hesitated before she replied, "I really want to, but the tournament rules clearly forbid such an action." Nodoka was too proper to do such a thing, and Hisa judged that she had made a smart decision, especially with so many witnesses around.

Teru just shrugged. "Don't you want to play against Saki?" she asked. Wow. This girl does not hold back. Hisa realised she ought to step in here, for Nodoka's sake more than anyone elses. She knew that Nodoka might not be able to turn Miyanaga Saki down, regardless of which rules were being broken.

She stepped forward. "No no, I don't think that's a good idea, Miyanaga-san. All it would take is one person accidentally mentioning this to the wrong person, and suddenly both of our schools would be at risk of some serious trouble."

Teru seemed like she might continue her assault anyway, but instead relented. "Very well then" she said neutrally. "Do you perchance know where Amae Koromo or the pro is?" she asked. She does not even stop for a breath, this one.

Teru was slightly concerned. Her sister barely played any mahjong that could be considered useful training for her since they arrived. She joined in with the training sessions, but she had not done much playing of players outside of Shiraitodai, and had barely played against Amae Koromo or the pro at all. She also wasn't playing any mahjong in her free time, which she spent the majority of off somewhere with Haramura Nodoka. Teru somehow doubted that whatever they were doing was out of a desire to become better mahjong players.

Teru wasn't about to reprimand her sister for these things, she was happy that Saki was enjoying herself for once, but she did want to set up a real training session for them. So far Saki had only played one match that was genuinely challenging that she could not have gotten simply training with Shiraitodai, and Teru planned to change that. It was a shame that it was not a full moon, really. Amae Koromo was certainly a national class monster, but her control wasn't that hard to break, at least during the day. Not for Teru. She had not let the girl get to the last round at all whenever they had played so far, and her sister was better at breaking Teru's win-streaks.

It was almost time for bed, and Nodoka was watching Saki play mahjong against Amae Koromo, the tall green haired girl who had played against Yuuki at the team match named Inoue Jun and another green-haired girl who was a Shiraitodai substitute player by the name of Seiko Matano. Saki-san is so talented, and so adorable. Nodoka was always in awe when she watched her play. She made decisions that Nodoka would never even dream of, but they always seemed to work out in her favour, but she also frequently made perfectly logical decisions as well. After two hanchan, in both of which Saki came top, they gave up and Saki turned around and smiled up at Nodoka. I'll never tire of her smile.

"You were so amazing, Saki-san" she told her truthfully. Saki blushed at that but said nothing. She held out her hand and Nodoka took it gratefully. My Saki-san. They walked towards bed. They hadn't said anything but it seemed they would be sleeping in Shiraitodai's room tonight. It would be the first time they slept together after Nodoka had thought about kissing her in her sleep. She would never have dreamed that she would be so comfortable with the idea of going to bed with Saki again so soon, and so completely guilt free. Yet another thing I owe her.

The club president called out to Nodoka suddenly. "Haramura-san. Could I speak to you for a second?"

Nodoka frowned. Haramura-san? She hasn't called me that in ages. She looked back at Saki, "I'll be right there" she said, watching her go before turning to the president. "Yes, President?"

"You feel better now then?"

"Yes, sorry for worrying you earlier. I was just being silly."

"That's good to hear. I've noticed that you and Miyanaga Saki are on a first name basis now." It wasn't a question, and Nodoka felt herself getting embarrassed. She did her best to get herself under control.

"Yes" she responded as calmly as she could. The president smiled dangerously at that.

"You know, people are starting to fear playing against Miyanaga Saki whilst you are watching" she teased. Nodoka didn't know what to say to that. "What happened between you two? You went from being absolutely distraught to looking like you'd won the lottery within less than an hour."

"Erm, ah…." Nodoka realised she was floundering slightly too late, the presidents eyes were full of amusement. "It was just a misunderstanding on my behalf," she assured her unconvincingly, "it's nothing to worry about."

"Nodoka" the president said. Nodoka listened up at that, suddenly the president sounded oddly serious. "I'm going to come off as cruel here, maybe, but I think you need to start pacing yourself. You are going to have to say goodbye to her in a few days. Are you prepared for that?" she asked.

"I did it before, president. Please don't worry about me." Nodoka didn't want to think about that. Not at all.

"It might be harder this time" she replied. "Well I probably shouldn't be poking my nose into your business anyway. Go on, I'm sure she's waiting for you."

"Thank you president, have a good night."

The president returned her pleasantries and went in the direction of the mahjong room. Nodoka went and fetched her pyjamas and Etopen from Kiyosumi's room, before turning and heading for the sweet girl. The president's words worried Nodoka. Saying goodbye to her… I don't want to. She pushed the thought away. She knew she was being childish, but what else could she do apart from make the most of their time together?

It was still fairly early, but Nodoka didn't want to wake anyone up. She opened the door as quietly as she could and closed it carefully behind her. Saki was already curled up in bed, fast asleep. Nodoka crept up to her. She couldn't help but stand there for a moment, admiring her girl sleeping. She would never get tired of watching Saki sleep, she realised. The president's words forgotten, she carefully undressed, put on her pyjamas and climbed into Saki's futon.

"Are you awake?" she whispered softly, once she had settled, but got no response. She smiled to herself. She lay down next to the girl and simply watched the cute girl for a few moments before stroking the girl's hair out of her face. Their faces were inches apart when Nodoka took the girl's head gently into her hands. At the mere idea of what she was about to do Nodoka felt herself blushing, but she was too close to back down now. She kissed the sleeping Saki lightly on the lips. I really did want to do that, Saki-san.

She then kissed the girl just as lightly again, but the girl stirred and spoke suddenly, "Nodoka… chan… I'm sorry…"

Nodoka almost jumped out of her skin. "Oh..! I'm sorry Saki-san! I didn't mean to wake you…"

"No it wasn't that… I wasn't… asleep… I'm sorry… I should have said when you asked…"

Oh my god… She was awake… Nodoka felt her face burning and could not bring herself to respond. Nodoka rolled over quickly to face the other way, unable to calm down or say even a single word. I am so embarrassed… I should have… I shouldn't have done that… She's going to think I'm so creepy… After a few minutes passed she felt she was calm enough to say something. "Saki-san… I… I-I'm really sorry… I shouldn't do that kind of thing… I won't do it again… I promise." she said without moving, still facing away from the girl. Nodoka could not even be sure Saki was still awake.

It was a small, embarrassed voice that responded after a moment of silence, "N-Nodoka-chan… That's not it… that's not it at all… I wanted to be asleep so that you could… but I was just… I just couldn't… I was too excited… to fall asleep…"

Nodoka turned over at that, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping open quite rudely. She was excited about me kissing her whilst she was asleep? She knew I was going to do it… Of course she did… I all but told her about it… Why am I such an idiot? But how on earth can she say such things out loud? Saki's body was still faced towards her, but she was looking downwards, obviously humiliated. Nodoka reached her hand out towards her face and stroked the hair that had fallen back there. What can I say to make her feel comfortable again?

"Saki-san… I… I can't wait to k-kiss you whilst you are asleep." Nodoka involuntarily looked down away from Saki's face as she said it. I can't believe I said that.

Nodoka was happy when she noticed that Saki was smiling and looking at her again out of the corner of her eye. Well my plan worked, but now it's me who can't look at her. I am so hopeless. She felt like she literally couldn't look at the girl after the comment, either.

Saki was determined to outdo her however, grasping Nodoka's hand and interlocking their fingers between them, "Do you want to kiss now… as well?" she whispered, and unlike Nodoka she was strong enough to keep her gaze on her own eyes as she did so and she somehow managed to keep it up afterwards as well. Nodoka just nodded once.

Nodoka didn't think there could possibly be a better way to fall asleep than to be face to face with her girl, kissing her when she felt like it, receiving those wonderful and soft kisses when Saki felt like it, all the while staring into her eyes. By the time she fell asleep she was feeling so happy and relaxed that she wouldn't have traded those moments for anything, not even a sleeping kiss.

When Nodoka came to, she recognised the light breathing that indicated the room was full of sleepers. She looked down and found that Saki was resting her head on her chest again, and was still fast asleep. Nodoka felt herself blushing heavily, but did her best to stay quiet. Fortunately, after going over what happened when Oohoshi Awai had tortured her in her head, she had come up with a plan in case this happened again.

She carefully rolled Saki onto her back, using her hands to make sure Saki's head and back were well supported until she was safely on her pillow. Just as planned. She smiled to herself and watched Saki for a few moments. She contemplated kissing the now surely sleeping Saki, but quickly dismissed the idea. The room was full of Shiraitodai students and even the girl's sister, if even one of them happened to see her kiss the sleeping beauty quite a scandal could break loose. She carefully stood up and changed as quietly as she could. She was about ready to leave when Saki murmured in her sleep.

"No… do… ka… cha…" Nodoka's eyes widened. Oh my god- She said my name! No doubt about it! Nodoka couldn't believe how happy such a silly thing made her feel as she made her way down towards the bath.

Note: I am fully aware that their relationship progresses (way) faster in my story, and I apologise about the kiss scene. It's the first kiss Scene I've ever written, so bear that in mind please.