Author's notes: I lost the original copy of this chapter, though thank the lucky stars, I eventually did manage to recover it. I never really intended to make a tanabata chapter, but I thought something to bridge the gap between the last chapter and the chapter I have planned for the Inashiro match would do some good.
LuxKlara: I'm ecstatic that you've enjoyed reading about Amaya. While I enjoy developing my OCs, I was rather worried that doing so would make the story boring. Thank you for your constant support. I'm still working on your suggestion, and while I can't say that I have any definite ideas so far, I think I understand the gist of it.
Sekai kun: I KNOW RIGHT! While I do enjoy the new juniors (esp. Kuki and Koshuu), I miss the seniors terribly. As you said, it's just not the same ;-;. Thank you so much for supporting the story and taking the trouble to read it!
rheascarlet: Aha, your suggestion does make sense. I have something in mind, but it'll be debuting in a later chapter. Once again, thank you for supporting the story all the way til now.
Time flashes by, and before Amaya knows it, the month of July dawns. In between finally having friends to communicate and share lunch breaks with, however, she still finds time to play shogi with Yuuki. Amaya thinks that it is in those moments that she truly feels at ease. Even with the looming weight of her last competition in mind. Chronologically, after that would be the Summer Nationals – Koushien.
Seidou hasn't reached it for six years and this year will be their seventh attempt. Amaya has seen the way Yuuki's eyes flare with determination when he talks about it, and she has no doubt that he intends to lead the team there. Amaya understands that ambition, even though it is left unspoken between them. She does not want to leave the karate team without at least clinching a gold medal either.
The topic of their retirement from their respective club activities does come into conversation occasionally during their shogi matches. While Suzune has dropped in on two exact occasions, the realisation that Amaya's habit of taking obscenely long periods of time to make a move has not changed (though it can now be matched by her shogi partner) has not encouraged her to return any time soon.
While Amaya does enjoy the lunch breaks she spends with the rest of the karate team, her time together with Yuuki feels different - but is always equally comforting.
"Are you going?" When Suzune broaches this subject, Amaya fixes her a blank look. The former sighs and clarifies the subject with her hands on her hips. "Tanabata?"
Given that her parents will probably be busy at work, and that none of her friends live close enough to attend the celebration near her house, Amaya doubts it. It seems a little pointless and lonely to go alone.
"Are you going with Yuuki?" Suzune presses on. Amaya stares at her. Why would Yuuki go with her? He has his own friends to attend the festival with. Plus, he would probably prefer spending his time practicing baseball to attending tanabata with her.
"He's probably busy with practice," Amaya mumbles, feeling strangely disheartened. "Hey, why would I even plan on going with him in the first place?"
"Can you really not tell?" Suzune demands, her voice tinged with exasperation. Amaya's puzzled silence is probably enough of an answer
"You're an idiot, Maya-chan!" That line is enough to reduce their maturity to that of a pair of elementary school students. As Suzune dashes out of the classroom with Amaya in pursuit, they manage to weave their way quite skillfully through the throngs of people mingling in the school corridor.
That is, until Suzune disappears into the next corner. Determined to catch up before she takes advantage of that blind spot, Amaya speeds up. That decision soon turns out to be a mistake when she ends up slamming into someone at a breakneck pace. Disoriented by the sudden upheaval, Amaya teeters backwards. Thankfully, she is saved from hitting the ground when someone reaches out and grabs her hand, pulling her to her feet. Amaya looks up to thank her benefactor, still somewhat in a daze.
Which is why she blanches upon realising that it's Yuuki.
"I– I'm sorry!" She squeaks, suddenly ashamed at her childish behaviour. Playing catch in the school corridors... Really, what was she thinking?
"Are you okay?" Yuuki sounds more concerned about her well-being than the fact that she has just knocked into him. Although he has probably escaped the incident unscathed - colliding with him is as good as running into a brick wall, Amaya finds.
"Yea... Sorry, again." Just as she tries to find more words to convey her remorse, Yuuki smiles in relief.
"That's good. You seem to be getting along well with your friends again." Ah, he probably noticed Suzune dashing past him moments earlier. These words finally bring a smile to Amaya's face.
"Yea, I'm glad too. Honestly, it's all thanks to you that I got the courage to patch things up with them." No matter how many times she says it, Amaya still feels boundlessly thankful for everything Yuuki has done for her.
"It was your courage, not mine," Yuuki points out, though instead of sounding annoyed, he merely seems to be reminding her that any credit is as much hers as it is his. "You don't need to thank me."
"I want to," Amaya states firmly. "S– so I'll be bringing you lunch from tomorrow onwards." The idea is actually something she has only thought of seconds ago. But given how Yuuki seems to hold the frivolity of gifts with little regard, food seems like the best option.
"Like I said, you don't have to–"
"Pickled plum rice with green tea and soba, right?" When Yuuki realises that Amaya is not relenting on her proposal any time soon, he finally gives in. Maybe mentioning his favourite food aided in him yielding.
They venture back in the direction of the classrooms to continue their shogi match. Suddenly, Amaya recalls the subject which had sparked her chase with Suzune.
"Say... T– Tanabata is coming..." She finds herself stammering as she stares at the floor. "Will you... will you be busy on that day?"
"I'll be practicing baseball." Ah, of course. Yuuki's time will definitely be better spent practicing his favourite sport. Amaya has long known that. She'd even pointed it out to Suzune. So why does she still feel so disappointed now?
"But I have time after that. Do you want to go?"
Amaya blinks up at him, astounded. Did he... did he just invite her?
"Uhm... you're not going with your friends?"
"They're not interested in stuff like that." Amaya deflates at that line. Yuuki probably shares that sentiment - or, more accurately, that lack of sentiment. Is he forcing himself to go just to accommodate her? If that is so, Amaya would rather Yuuki reject her than force himself through the discomfort. However, just as she is about to assure him that he does not need to feel obligated to ask her, he beats her to it.
"Also, I think I'd enjoy going with you." Amaya does not know why, but that line makes her cheeks flush a rosy hue. "What time do you want to meet?" Yuuki turns his head to look at her. "Are you okay? Your face is red."
"I– I'm fine," Amaya insists, not knowing why she fees so flustered. As they settle the meeting time and location, she wonders why she feels so excited when Tanabata is still a week away.
Amaya checks her appearance in the mirror for the umpteenth time, smoothing down her floral lavender yukata as she does so. Despite desiring a more intricate hairstyle, the best she can make do with is a braided bun without Suzune's help. Amaya does not know why she has gone through the trouble of dressing so elaborately, when it'd be more than likely that Yuuki won't bother to wear a yukata himself (though she cannot deny that she's curious about what he would look like if he did).
Having been unusually nervous about her appearance, she has sent a photo to Suzune, seeing as the latter is much more experienced in dressing up when the occasion calls for it. The reply arrives in seconds as Amaya loiters outside her house nervously.
"You look great, Maya-chan! Have fun on your date and don't worry too much~"
"It's... Not... A... Date..." Amaya hisses as she types the words back furiously before hitting the 'send' button.
"What's not a date?" Startled, Amaya nearly drops her phone when Yuuki approaches her from behind. Spinning around, she is even more stunned to see that he, too, is wearing a yukata.
Upon realising what has drawn her attention, Yuuki explains. "Masashi wanted to wear his, so my parents brought out mine as well." When Amaya's face clouds a little at that unfamiliar name, Yuuki pulls out his cell phone and shows her a photo.
"That's Masashi. He's my younger brother. He may be coming to Seidou next year."
"He looks a lot like you," Amaya observes. Save the different hairstyle and the cut on his eyebrow, Masashi is indeed a spitting image of his older brother. "He's good-looking like you too..."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Never mind!"
As they approach the stalls, Amaya loses herself in the festivity and bright atmosphere. Perhaps Yuuki senses a change in her demeanor. He glances at her out of his periphery.
"You did your hair differently today," he comments. Amaya feels pleasantly surprised that he has noticed, though it makes her feel strangely self-conscious at the same time. Patting her hair to ensure that her bun it is still in one piece, she gives an awkward chuckle. "Ah, I actually wanted a more elaborate hairstyle compared to this, but I just ended up getting my hair tangled."
Her lack of feminine traits - especially ones concerning her physical appearance - is a running gag among her friends. Though Amaya knows that she is not exactly ugly or plain, the fact that she is part of the karate team seems to leave most guys with the impression that she is brusque and unladylike. And subsequently, unattractive.
"You look good the way you are now." That is probably why Yuuki's sudden comment leaves her a little taken aback. Amaya feels her cheeks redden as she whispers 'thanks' in reply, too embarrassed to properly look at the captain.
When she catches sight of the towering bamboo in the distance, Amaya's eyes light up at the shimmering tanzakus decorating the branches. She intends to pen down her wishes about success for her competition there. A part of her wonders if Yuuki will do the same - though given his devotion and resilience, she is doubtful he holds much faith in wish-making.
"Are you going to write down a wish on the tanzaku?" When Yuuki shakes his head, Amaya debates whether to continue with her plan. It will be rude to leave Yuuki waiting, especially when he made the time to attend tanabata with her.
Perhaps sensing her internal dilemma, Yuuki suddenly changes his mind. "If you're writing one, I'll write one too. About Koushien," he decides solidly. Knowing that nothing will change his mind when she sees that resolute light in his eyes, Amaya smiles, half-embarrassed.
After securing the paper for their tanzakus, Amaya sets to writing immediately - "I wish to lead Seidou's Female Karate Team to greater heights..."
Amaya pauses. Her handwriting is tiny enough to make space for another wish. While it feels rather selfish for her to add anything more, she writes down the first thing that comes to her mind.
"I wish to be able to continue making great memories with my friends and Yuuki-san."
Satisfied, Amaya prepares to attach her tanzaku to the bamboo. The lower branches, however, have already been filled. Frowning, Amaya stands on her toes to reach the taller one. But even then, the nearest branch eludes her by a few inches.
"I'll help you," Yuuki offers, having already finished tying his tanzaku. Amaya nods apologetically and hands it to him. Their fingers brush, and Amaya feels a sudden jolt at that contact. Her face is hot. Is she coming down with a fever? As Yuuki is busying himself with the tanzaku, Amaya wanders away, hoping that a breath of fresh air away from the crowd will help. In doing so, however, she ends up bumping into someone. As Amaya turns around to apologise, she freezes in astonishment upon realising that it is someone she recognises.
"Kominato-san!" Amaya stares at the second baseman in a mixture of surprise and dismay. What is he doing here? Is the rest of the baseball team here as well?
"Are you here with our captain? Ara, how sweet of you two. It's so lonely when you come alone." Already, Ryousuke is making veiled comments about her friendship with Yuuki. Among everyone, he seems the most cynical regarding the nature of their relationship - though he has only expressed it through jibes and soft remarks (that insinuate much more).
Refusing to give in this time, Amaya forces a smile. "It is lonely being here alone. So why don't you get a girlfriend, Kominato-san? I'm sure some girls wouldn't mind a boyfriend shorter than them," Amaya's grin widens, exulting in the way Ryousuke's casual smile falters slightly.
"You've learned how to talk big," Ryousuke smirks as he takes a step closer to her. Although he is so near that their foreheads would touch if he were to lean forward anymore, Amaya refuses to move away. Not when Ryousuke actually manages to sound half-impressed at her comeback. Moderately buoyed at her success, Amaya is about to make a retort when Yuuki grabs her shoulder.
"Are you ready to go?" For some reason, he sounds... annoyed? Certainly, there is a mildly impatient note in his voice that Amaya has never heard before. Before Amaya can voice either her assent or concern, however, Yuuki is already guiding her away after a brief "Goodbye" to Ryousuke.
Just as they leave, Kuramochi returns from a nearby stall with an armful of prizes he has just won. Despite the fact that he has been playing the games when the events have unfolded, his sharp eyes have still managed to capture everything.
"Ryou-san, that was sneaky, even for you..."
"Did you say something?"
"N– Never mind!"
"Yuuki-san... Are you angry?"
Yuuki continues walking, keeping his eyes straight ahead. Amaya is beginning to wonder if he can even hear her when he finally deigns her a reply.
"I didn't like it when you were talking to him." Amaya can only assume that the 'him' in question refers to Ryousuke. "For some reason, my chest felt tight."
They have ended up at an empty spot near the fireworks display. Amaya slows her pace as she processes what Yuuki has just told her. For some reason, the captain almost seemed troubled when he said those words. This is probably the first time she has seen him unsettled by anything.
When Amaya looks up at Yuuki, he is already gazing down at her, an unreadable emotion in his eyes. Her heart starts to beat at a faster pace. For some reason she cannot place, she wants to close the distance between them.
"Yuuki–"
BOOM!
The fireworks have started. With a start, Amaya steps away from Yuuki. The spell is effectively broken. Yuuki himself seems a little stunned, though not much of his actions - besides his momentarily widened eyes - betrays it.
They stay to watch the rest of the fireworks. As Amaya admires the entire display, certain that she this night is a memory that she will never forget, Yuuki's earlier words disappear along with the fading colours in the night sky.