After the door slid shut, silence hung in the air. Everyone's brains were furiously processing what had just happened. They had successfully taken 5 cards, no more than that, from Chi-kun. Screams resounded in the small clubroom as no one could contain there excitement any longer. They had a new addition to their team. Not only would their club be able to continue, but the addition to their team was the strongest karuta player in Japan, and was technically the strongest karuta player in the world, Chi-kun.

Strangely though, Desktomu-kun simply stood there, his expression unreadable. Puzzled, Taichi couldn't help but query," Desktomu-kun, is something wrong? Why aren't you happy? I mean we successfully got Chi-kun to join our team." In his excitement, he was rambling.

Desktomu-kun remained silent, almost as if he was having a mental war with himself. Finally, he seemed to have solved his dilemma as he hesitantly spoke up, "It's not important, but don't you think Chi-kun is really similar to someone? Almost like he is Ayase..."

"Nah, you must be mistaken." Arata cut in quickly, grimacing as he spoke," Maybe their names are too similar. Chi-kun's name just has the same 1st syllable as her that's all. You're thinking too much." Arata gave a weak laugh as everyone lapsed into silence yet again. The tension in the air was omnipresent, almost like a hateful presence that was always there no matter how hard they tried to run away from it.

"I guess you're right. I'm sorry." His eyes cloudy, Desktomu-kun responded simply before grabbing his bag, ready to head home. Just as he was about to step out of the clubroom, he spoke with his back towards his solemn club mates, "Arata, she's long gone. You... can't avoid reality anymore. Accept it. Taichi, and everyone too. She told us she'd never return. We... we have to move on. Without her."

Having said his part, he quickly left the room, silent tears streaking down his face as he ran away with all his might from the barely audible sobs emanating from the little clubroom.