Chapter Ten
Yume doesn't normally do long runs in the morning. Especially runs through the park. Unfortunately, to get to the shops she wants the easiest way is through said park. So, Wednesday morning Yume greets store owners as she jogs. She plans the route in her head: cut through the park, three blocks up, one block left, and she's at the second-hand store. She should have an hour in the store, maximum, before she has to run back to her apartment in order to keep her sleep schedule and make it to dance in the afternoon.
Seeing Ryuji is a surprise.
"Hey!" he shouts back at her call. He waves like crazy until she gets a few steps away from him. "What are you doing here?"
"Errands," Yume makes a face. Ryuji grunts in understanding. A few kids beside him look between them with confusion. "What about you?"
The kid jerks a thumb towards some kids sprinting to the wall and back. "Mom's put me in baseball lessons this time. We do some training here on Wednesdays."
"Awesome," Yume says; her plans for the morning slipping away as she moves up the line of kids with the dark haired boy. "Do you play any games here?"
"Not on Wednesdays," Ryuji grumbles. The he brightens. "Hey, you should totally do our sprints!"
Yume blinks, eyes glancing up and down the line of people. She's, surprisingly, not the shortest one here. She fidgets, feeling slightly nervous at all the eyes turning on her. "Is that alright?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Ryuji asks with a big grin. "You can totally destroy Jiro! He got the best time last week!"
"She's a girl," a boy sneers from a few feet ahead of them. "We don't get timed against them."
Ryuji deflates. "Oh. Yah."
Yume feels something protective-like twist in her chest. Ryuji, from the few hours they've interacted, doesn't seem like the kind of boy to get unhappy over that. She puts her hands on her hips and stares defiantly at the snobbish boy who doesn't want a girl running with the guys. "Says who? I'm not even in your class. The rules don't apply to me."
"But the teachers only pair up boys with boys," Ryuji says, shoulders still slumped.
"I'm not in your class," Yume points out again. She smiles winningly at her sort-of friend. "I can just go beside the line and race him."
Ryuji slowly matches her grin. He turns to the other boy. "Hear that, Jiro? You got yourself a challenge!"
Jiro still doesn't look all that impressed by Yume. And that's fair. Yume is small for a four year old. Almost too skinny. Looks like a stiff breeze could blow her over. Jiro huffs and nods anyways. "Alright, alright. Just don't get caught by the teachers."
"Ee!" Yume nods. "Sounds good to me!"
"Yes!" Ryuji exclaims, jumping with energy. He sticks out a hand, and Yume smiles a little wryly as she high-fives him. "Oh, sorry guys. This is- er."
"Yume!" the girl greets the other boys and a couple girls. She flies away their names, making sure to greet each one. Ryuji huffs when introductions stretch on so long, they reach the instructors before he can get her attention again. "Good luck, Jiro."
"Kick his butt, Yume!" Ryuji encourages, fist pumping the air. Yume flashes him a thumbs up and quickly moves around the back of the instructors. "Come on guys, cheer. She's really good at running."
Jiro sends her another look when she gets set a few feet beside, and behind, him. The instructors look over, but don't do anything. She gets set, eyes zeroing on the far wall. The sounds fall away as she waits for the word.
"Ready boys? And… go!"
Yume takes off.
The other boys are all taller than her. Their four and five year old legs get more reach, and they all start off ahead of her. Yume's legs move faster. Halfway there, she steadies at their speed. Her heart pounds, her breathing comes quicker, and she leans forward more. Her hands are clenched fists as she pumps her arms.
As the wall gets closer, a few of the boys slow up. Jiro straightens, edging slower. Yume overpasses them, counting down the steps in her head. Her strides get longer. There is a shift in balance, and then she jumps.
Her body twists in the air, eyes locked on the wall over her shoulder. She brings one foot up, and lets the other fall behind her. Her back foot slips into place, taking the brunt of force. Yume grunts and throws a hand behind her to help push off the wall. Her other foot lands, and she shoves off. With a roll on the ground, Yume springs up and sprints back.
Jiro is already running back; not having touched the fence.
Anger thrums through her and she sprints. Her eyes lock on Ryuji's yellow shirt, the world blurring around her. Her maybe-friend jumps and shouts, and she can hear his encouragement even if the words don't process.
"Run faster! You can do it, Yume!"
She is three feet behind Jiro when he jerks into her path. Yume would scream her frustration out if she had any breath. Jiro even looks over his shoulder. She sees him smirk when he turns back around.
If you're going to cheat, Yume thinks through the pounding in her head, then I am too.
"Jiro, get out of her way! Move! … Yume, run through him!"
You got it.
She starts lengthening her strides again, shifting her balance lower. Jiro takes another look over his shoulder, and then quickly snaps his head forward. Yume puts her head down, gaze still on Ryuji's yellow shirt, and charges.
Jiro stumbles when she slides past him. In the time it takes him to regain his speed, Yume's five steps from the finishing line.
"Yes!" Ryuji shouts, grabbing the girl after she runs over the line. Yume squeaks as they spin around. Dizzy and out of breath, she slumps to the ground. The boy cheers above her. "Take that, Jiro! Hey, guys, did you see that? Teachers, what was her time?"
"It doesn't count," Jiro sneers, out of breath as he sits down beside Yume. He looks slightly impressed, but also rather angry. "You aren't in the class, so you didn't really beat me."
Yume shrugs, too tired to remark back. Whatever makes you sleep at night, kid.
Ryuji looks outraged for her. "Dude, it doesn't matter! She kicked your butt, even after you cut her off! Why'd ya do that?"
"I didn't realize I cut her off," Jiro says easily, standing up and looking darkly at Ryuji. "So I didn't cheat, Sakamoto."
I call bull on all that, Yume thinks, standing up and putting her between the boys. She crosses her arms and stares blankly at Jiro. The boy glares at her, but gladly runs to the instructors when they call the best times from the groups over. "Don't run into me again."
"She didn't run into you!" Ryuji shouts at the boy's back. He huffs and kicks a rock. Yume turns and blinks curiously at the sulking boy. "Jiro's stupid, thinking he can get away with everything 'cause he's so good at baseball."
"Thank you," Yume says, still a little breathless. Ryuji looks up, confused. "For standing up for me. Thank you."
"Yah, it's no big deal," Ryuji shrugs. He doesn't realize how much it means that he stood up for her, not that Yume expected him to. "Thanks for racing Jiro. Hopefully now the others won't follow his every word."
"They do that?" Yume asks. At his nod, she snorts. "That's weird. He doesn't seem very nice."
"He's not," Ryuji says. Something behind her catches his eyes and he waves. "Hey, guys! Come over here!"
Three boys come join their little circle, and immediately congratulate the girl. Yume thanks them, and then listens thoughtfully as they complain about the teachers giving real baseball drills to the older kids while they're stuck running laps for the next hour.
"It's not fair," one of the boys says. "Why don't we get to play baseball?"
Yume stays and chats with them for a little longer before she explains she has to go. They nod unhappily and go to start their laps, adults not even paying attention. Ryuji hangs back, looking hesitant. "Will you be here this Sunday?"
"Ee!" Yume nods, smiling widely until he relaxes and smiles back. "I'll be here most of the afternoon."
"Great!" Ryuji says, starting to jog backwards. "Bye Yume! See you Sunday!"
Yume waves and walks back towards her apartment. She needs the nap before dance class. It's always possible to search the second-hand store tomorrow. Seeing Ryuji and meeting new people was worth more than getting an outfit. Now she knows what to do on Wednesday mornings. And she'll have to learn the names of the baseball group's instructors. The favouritism – and neglect – is rather gross to watch.
;;;
"That was awesome," Yume coos to Miwa. The older girl smiles and bows dramatically. The younger kids run up to their child-teachers, leaving the two off to the side of the classroom. "Do you think we can learn those moves for our part?"
Miwa pats the girl's head, making Yume squawk and try to straighten her messed-up ponytail. "You won't do the larger jumps for another year at least. How good are you on your toes?"
"Not that good yet," Yume says, dejectedly.
Miwa nods. "Only the best of your group will learn the parts for the front row. Don't be sad if you get put in the back, I think it's the most important!"
Yume can't help but think that sounds rehearsed. "Is that what the instructors say?"
"The one teaching high school says so," Miwa says with a quick nod. "But she's really good; almost all of her older students got into collage last year! That's why she doesn't teach us anymore."
Yume nods, hiding the faint interest buzzing under her skin.
"Alright, girls!" the instructor of Yume's group calls out. "That's it for today!" Yume zones out as the speech about practicing and following the older girl's examples is repeated once again.
Almost like an NPC script.
Yume shakes her head to clear the thought. Jokes like that are only good when in the right mindset. She doesn't need to be questioning reality.
"What are you doing today, Miwa?" Yume asks, following the girl to the change room.
"I have a dentist appointment." Miwa makes a face. "How about you?"
"Ms. Eguchi should be home today," Yume says, flinching at the unintentional bitterness in her own tone. Lighter, she says, "Her oldest son has a baby girl now."
"Oh," Miwa coos, changing into her day clothes. "What's her name?"
"Midori," Yume says. Quickly she throws on pants and one of her father's hoodies. She doesn't feel like changing today, even though she has time. "She isn't coming home from the hospital for another week, something about premature. I won't get to meet her for a long while…"
"I'm sure Ms. Eguchi has photos," Miwa tries to comfort the girl. Yume doesn't have the heart to tell the sweet mentor that the younger girl is just being a brat; jealous that the woman she looks up to and spent time with is away and focusing on another child. She isn't feeling abandoned; sheisn'tsheisn'tsheisn'tshe- "Is she picking you up? Maybe we can beg her for pictures."
"Iie," Yume chirps, shaking her head. "Ms. Eguchi is still with her family at the hospital." And probably will be until visiting hours are over. And then staying at her middle child's house since it's the closest to the hospital. "I'm walking home today."
Miwa smiles and packs her things away. "Do you want to walk out with me?"
Yume pauses and looks over. She hesitantly nods, feeling her gut twist a little. "I can walk with you to the front?"
"Eh?"
"Ms. Okumura and I are going to wait for her ride again," Yume says with wide eyes and a cute smile.
Miwa pauses and looks over at the little girl, concerned. "Alright. We'll go to the front."
Yume lifts her less-stuffed bag and waves at Makoto as they pass. The older girl smiles shyly and waves back before she starts changing. Yume smiles widely, a skip in her step making Miwa giggle.
"Are you alright with Ms. Okumura?" Miwa eventually asks, quiet. Yume looks up, but the older girl won't look at her. "She isn't forcing you into anything, is she?"
Yume's eyes go wide with real surprise. "Iie! She is really nice and friendly. What… what would cause you to ask that?"
"Just rumors," Miwa sighs, shaking her head. She sends the small girl a smile. "Don't worry; I'm glad she's good to you. If she ever does anything you don't like, though, tell me. You don't have to hang out with her, okay?"
"I want to be her friend," Yume says, honestly. It is rather touching the older girl is taking her mentor job seriously. But Yume does like Haru. The image of the rich girl crying in the bathroom flicks through her mind. The girl who also looks for some acceptance. The older girl with an un-fostered vicious streak. "She is very nice. And small like me. We need to stick together."
Miwa lets out a small laugh and says her goodbye, still looking concerned for the girl. Yume gives her a hug and assures her Haru wouldn't do anything to hurt her. Miwa shakes her head, hugs her back, and leaves the building.
Yume backtracks to the large studio. She peeks inside, and then frowns at the sight of an unknown woman stalking up and down the rows of girls.
"You don't feel the pain," the woman snaps, her hand wrapping around a girl's arm and holding her steady. The girl looks dead tired, but sucks in a deep breath and seems to hold it. The woman releases the girl and continues her march. "You will hold that pose. You will practice these positions until you get them right. It's better to get them right now, than have bad habits later, girls."
Yume blinks, taking a good long look at the woman when the lady grabs another girl. Crooked nose made more obvious by the reading glasses. Short hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Face drawn in… not quite with anger, but definitely with irritation. Wearing a turtleneck, even though it's rather warm out.
Then again, Yume is wearing a sweater. She has no room to judge.
Yume waits beside the doorway for the class to end. Her frown doesn't quite leave until the woman snaps out they're done for the day. The girl doesn't under the woman's need to be rude about every command. The instructor stalks out of the room, not noticing the girl. Yume blinks, feeling confused about the whole thing.
"Ms. Okumura," Yume calls, sticking her head into the room. Haru's head snaps towards her direction, relief flashing on her face for a spit second. Haru quickly excuses herself from the girls crowding her and briskly walks towards Yume.
"You can call me Haru, Yume," the older girl mutters, leading the way to the change room. Yume smiles brightly, almost jogging to keep up. "How were your lessons?"
"Good," Yume answers, tugging her sleeves up to her elbows. She readjusts her bag, blocking Haru's back just as they round the corner. "How were yours? Your teacher seemed rather strict."
"Madam Himura just wants us to be our best," Haru says, not sounding too happy towards her teacher. "She normally teaches the afterschool girls, but today…"
Yume frowns and sits down as the older girl changes. "Is she allowed to grab you all like she did?"
"Er." Haru keeps her gaze focused on the bench as she puts on every day clothes. "I believe so. She is not bad. She is just trying to help."
Yume's teeth click together. That sounds so rehearsed Haru could win an Oscar.
Yume glances over at the older girl when Haru stills violently. Patting down her dress, Haru calmly asks, "What happened to your arm?"
Yume looks down, and fixes her bandages. "I tripped at the park the other day. It's just a bit of road rash. No need to worry."
Haru relaxes, nodding. She nudges the girl up, and they escape before the rest of Haru's group can get to the room. Haru pauses at the front of the building, and Yume peeks around to see why.
"Hi, Ms. Niijima," Yume says with a bright smile. "Are you waiting for your family?"
"Hello, Yume," Makoto says with stiff politeness, eyes darting to Haru and back. "Ms. Okumura. Yes, I am waiting for them."
"Will they be by soon?" Yume asks. When Makoto shakes her head 'no', Yume whispers to Haru, "Can we invite her to stand with us?"
Haru's lips thin, but she nods.
Yume smiles winningly and walks up to Makoto. "Would you like to wait with us, Ms. Niijima?"
"Where?" Makoto answers quickly, eyes flickering to Haru again.
"A few blocks that way," Haru whispers, hand gripping Yume's sweater subconsciously. Yume reaches back and laces her hand with the older girl's giving it a squeeze.
Makoto looks between the two with uncertain hope.
"We'll come back after," Yume says, holding her free hand out for the girl. Her bag slides down her shoulder a little, but Yume doesn't move. "But if you really want to stay here, that's okay."
Makoto looks at the road, and then back at the girls. She grabs Yume's hand, and stands.
Yume pouts, looking at the older girls. "Why are you both taller than me…?"
Haru giggles and hugs the girl.
Makoto goes to release her hand, but Yume holds strong. The more experienced dancer tries to comfort the girl. "Er, well… you are younger…"
"It just makes her easier to hug, right Ms. Niijima?" Haru giggles.
"Sure," Makoto sweat-drops. "Well, uh, can you show us where to go, Ms. Okumura?"
"Just Haru, please," the rich girl says, releasing Yume. The younger girl huffs, gripping both their hands tighter. "It's this way."
Yume coaxes the girls into talking as they walk. Makoto is shy, while Haru is quiet, making a lot of dead-end conversations until Yume can get them chatting with each other. The topic that sticks is scary books. By the time Haru is picked up, all three have lists of recommendations.
"Thank you," Makoto says softly, picking apart the orange Yume ran and got her.
"For what?" Yume asks, orange hanging from her lips.
Makoto's lips twitch up and she hangs her head to cover the smile. "Introducing me to Haru, keeping me company, and this." She holds up the fruit.
Yume looks over, truly confused. "Of course. We're friends, right Ms. Niijima?"
Makoto smiles at the sidewalk. "Yes. We're friends." She peeks over at the girl. "So you can call me Makoto."
Yume's smiled so hard today that her cheeks. She nods quickly. "Un, Makoto!"
They sit and talk until Makoto has to run for her parent's vehicle again. Yume walks home, stopping to grab a few instant-dinners. As the clerk rings up the items, little Yume flexes her hands. The young girl lowers her head, wiggling her fingers in front of her eyes.
Futaba, Haru, Makoto. If she counts Maki, Miwa, Ryuji, and Sojiro, then that's more hand a handful of friends.
Yume smiles, ignoring the aching in her chest. There's a hole she knows won't be filled by these people, but the thought of new friends are a balm to the wounds left behind.
And one day, Yume hopes at least one of those people get a special place in her heart.
"Hey," a gruff voice says.
Yume looks up, eyes widening at the sight of Sojiro. "Hello Mr. Sakura!"
"Where have you been, kid?" the man grunts, just standing there, glowering at her.
Yume tilts her head. "Dance lessons."
"I know you have those," Sojiro snorts, waving the excuse away. "I mean why haven't you been coming by Leblanc for dinner? Or lunch, for that matter."
Yume's mouth opens and closes a few times. "I'm sorry."
He snorts again, expression softening. "Come join me for dinner, kid. Futaba's been asking about you, and I need some new stories to tell her."
"Ee!" Her voice cracks and her cheeks hurt from smiling, but Yume can't stop as she throws her arms around the man's leg. "Thank you, Mr. Sakura!"
"Don't thank me, Yume," Sojiro grunts roughly, but she can hear the smile in his voice. "You don't know what Enomoto's got on the menu tonight. And we're only doing this if you'll spend the rest of the week eating dinner at Leblanc!"
"Ee, ee!" Yume agrees, releasing the man's leg when he pulls on her dance bag. She blinks in surprise when he takes both the clothing bag and food bag.
"I'm not keeping your sitter, am I?" he asks, eyebrows drawing together at the sight of the instant food.
Yume's heart skips a beat, and then she smiles widely and shakes her head. "Iie! Ms. Eguchi is supposed to be home tonight!"
She feels guilt spread through her as the man looks interested in the gossip. "Where's she been?"
So Yume tells him, leaving out the details she isn't supposed to know. They spend a nice, calm dinner together. The man walks her to the door of the apartment building, where she gives him one more hug and her thanks.
He gets down on one knee and pats her head. "Thank you for calming Futaba when she phoned. You can always call Wakaba or me if you need someone, alright?"
Yume shudders in a breath, throat closing. She chokes out an 'ee' with a nod, and then asks if she can get their numbers. He smirks and hands her a paper, already written with the numbers. He pats her again and tells her to stay safe.
And right then, Yume is sure he knows she doesn't have anyone but Ms. Eguchi checking up on her. She clutches the paper to her chest and memorizes the numbers. Yume looks up and watches until Sojiro is almost out of sight. Then he turns, and she waves and shouts her thanks.
He smiles and waves back.
Something in her chest relaxes. Her throat opens up. Her cheeks hurt from smiling, but she can't stop.
Not until, that night, she finds the one thing that could kick-start her involvement with the game.
'Takara Himura; Tokyo: Ballet Studio; Cabaret'
The medium-low level dungeon belonging to the high school girls' ballet instructor, Madam Himura.
A/N: Thanks for reading!
Thank you, Harukawa Ayame, for your review! You're right; Yume has no idea who the real cast is. She's convinced that the main character is Tetsuya, because what she found on him fits her opinion of a Persona protagonist. How that will go for them, well… :) Thank you! I was worried about writing angst in multiple chapters, and I'm glad to hear it's liked! Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!