The Summer arrived and Inari is done with her sophomore year of College until she comes back in September.
Ever since that horrible family dinner Kunimitsu and Inari stayed apart. Their parents are still trying to get them to date but that's not happening. Since Inari is leaving Japan for the summer. Joshie decided to travel with Inari's family. After saying goodbye to everyone they head to the airport.
When Autumn arrived everyone came back to College except for Inari. She had other things to do before she returns to Japan. Two weeks went by. The Seigaku team ran laps and practice Tennis.
Valneena walks over to Tezuka then taps him on the shoulder. He stop swinging his racket to look behind him. He glance at Val then turn back around.
"Don't ignore me Tezuka. So, where's your short girlfriend?"
Tezuka looks over his shoulder.
"Excuse me?" He asked.
"Ha! I knew you two weren't dating. I haven't seen her around lately. I guess she dropped out. Now, when are you taking me out?"
Val hugs him from behind. Tezuka sigh then free himself from her clutches. He moves away from and continue to practice his swings.
"Hey! Don't ignore me! What do you see in that tiny little girl?! She's not even pretty."
Tezuka scowls then continue practicing. If she don't move. He might hit her with his racket.
"Leave Val." Tezuka is serious.
"Fine, but this isn't over."
Val turns around and walks away. Fuji scolded.
"She's so annoying." His friends nod.
That same day Inari returned to Japan. She just got off the flight last night and the next day, she went back to College.
Joshie knew she was back but she didn't tell the guys. Inari wanted to be alone for a while.
After class Joshie walks around the Campus with the Seigaku team. When she couldn't keep it to herself about Inari being back she finally told them.
"She came back yesterday and you didn't tell us?" Momo asked.
"Sorry, Inari wanted to be alone for a day."
"I wonder what went on during the trip?" Fuji asked.
"Nothing. She just miss being home." Joshie answered.
"Can you guys keep it down? I'm trying to play my game before the next class starts." Inari said.
Her friends walk over to see her. Inari is sitting under the tree playing a game on her phone.
"There you are." Kikumaru said.
Inari puts her phone down. "Hey." She waves to everyone.
"You cut your hair." Inui said.
"Yeah, but I said it's too short." Joshie said.
"Well I like it." Inari said. She stood up. Once they were done talking she turn to Tezuka.
"Hey. I heard you won a Tennis game in Germany. Congrats."
She jab him on the arm.
"Thank you. Welcome back Inari."
She nod, gather her things then head to class. Joshie said goodbye then walks to class. The guys wave.
"She's different." Tezuka frown.
"What do you mean?" Oishi questioned.
"Yeah, she just cut her hair." Momo said.
"Not her appearance. Her personality. She's... Distant."
After the last class Tezuka walks to the parking lot. He was about to get in his car until he notice Inari.
She's heading to work around this time and he's debating should he talk to her or not? He thought for a minute then made up his mind. Tezuka sigh then calls out to her.
"Inari."
She heard someone calling her name so she turns around. Inari waves to him then kept going.
"Inari wait." He walks over to her.
"What's up?"
"Are you okay?"
She smile. "Yeah why?"
"I'm sorry. It's just that you seem different."
She shakes her head. "I'm fine. I got to go Tezuka, bye." She turns away.
"You sound upset."
She shook her head. "I'm not. See you around."
Inari walk away. "Do you need a ride to work?" He asked.
Inari took out a key and press a button. The headlights on a Purple beetle flashed. Tezuka raise an eyebrow looking intrigued.
"You brought a car."
She nod. "I sure did. I finally earned enough money. I brought her in London. And I got a good deal on it. Isn't she lovely. She's small, just like me."
"I see."
She nod. "Thanks for offering to take me to work, but I got this."
She walk over to her car.
"Oh um. You forgot to um... Kiss me on the cheek. Like you... Always do."
She smile at Tezuka then walk over to him.
"I won't do that anymore. Friends don't kiss. See you around Tezuka."
She jabs him on the shoulder then walk back to her car. Tezuka turns away to leave. He didn't know how to feel. He actually wanted Inari to kiss him, but she's different now. Kinda, cold. He thought there's no way she could like someone like him anymore.