Chapter 26: Necessary Sacrifices

Monday, July 2, 2012, Yu's POV

For almost three weeks, the status quo held. My four old friends and I ate lunch together, but didn't do much besides that. Satomi and I practiced our roles for Romeo and Juliet- they might not have been the ones we wanted, but they were the ones we'd been given in the hopes that we would play them well. Similarly, Sayuri did her best as club president as long as she believed the club needed her. Sakura divided time between her schoolwork, her other friends, her student council work and us. Hitomi prepared to say goodbye to us and marry a man who was perhaps a decent person, but whom she did not love. Kaoru and Kenji had to work hard- to stay on the team and get into a good school, respectively- and despite their struggles being similar, they didn't fully appreciate the importance of the other's.

It was hardly ideal, given that few of us could be entirely confident that things would continue to go well next week, much less next year. For now, though, since I could spend time with four of my old friends and two new ones, I could live with the way things were. Two years ago, I would have considered this the best I could hope for until I had to transfer schools again, since I considered all my bonds with people and attachments to places to be ephemeral. My time in Inaba had given me the courage to hope for more, but it also taught me to appreciate what I had, so I continued to do both.

Of course, the lesson I had learned that was reinforced the most strongly and often was that nothing lasts forever, and I was soon reminded of that the next time Kaoru's team came up.

Lunch Time

At lunch, Kaoru seemed to shuffle into his seat. He clearly seemed disheartened, but we were afraid to ask why until he spoke.

"Guys, you know how I said that if I didn't get my grades up on the finals, I wouldn't be able to play basketball anymore?" Kaoru said. "Well, the team didn't wait that long."

Sakura and Hitomi gasped, while my jaw dropped slightly. Kenji's dispassionate facade cracked ever so slightly- perhaps even he wasn't expecting Kaoru to be dropped so soon.

"Wh-what happened?" Sakura said.

"Apparently, the captain and the coach had been watching me ever since I barely passed the exams," Kaoru said. "When I did a pretty crappy job at the game last weekend, they benched me in favor of a newcomer with an athletic scholarship, saying that they'd made him serve as a benchwarmer so that he could pay his dues, but he's better than I am now."

"That hardly seems fair," Sakura said.

Kaoru smiled awkwardly, evidently appreciative of Sakura's comment but knowing that it changed nothing.

"Some people said that," Kaoru said, "but mainly about the new guy becoming a regular so quickly. Nobody's complaining about my being dumped, or even sympathizing with me. In fact, hardly anyone's willing to talk with me now."

"Is it perhaps possible that they are afraid of the team's leadership punishing them for their dissent?" Hitomi said. She didn't elaborate, but she didn't have to, since everyone here knew that she was speaking from personal experience.

"Could be," Kaoru said. "We run a tight ship here, and there's not a lot of patience for those who rock the boat. Of course, you don't get ahead by just following orders and keeping your mouth shut- you actually have to believe that the team comes first and put it into practice."

What Kaoru said seemed to be true, and I suspected that he was once no exception to the rule. His confidence might have taken a severe blow from this development, but I didn't think it was necessarily gone for good.

"So what now?" I said. "Surely there's at least a small chance of you working back up to the team?"

Kaoru sighed. Perhaps for him, the most difficult part about this was that there wasn't any hope of recovery, a bit like how breaking a limb is not nearly as bad as losing one.

"I talked with my folks about it," Kaoru said, "and they said that it was good that I spent some time in the spotlight, but now that I 'learned the extent of my ability,' as they put it, it's time to move on- hopefully with the lesson that I'm not cut out to be a pro athlete, as they put it. They want me to get some work experience with a friend of theirs over the summer, which means I won't be training with the team. Of course, they know I love basketball and are willing to let me continue to play until I graduate- as long as I pass my classes and it doesn't interfere with anything they have lined up."

Kenji, who'd been silent from the moment Kaoru delivered his news, finally spoke.

"So you've got a possible career lined up, while you don't have to completely give up basketball," Kenji said. "Good for you."

Kenji's tone was reassuring, but Kaoru clearly didn't see it as such. In the moment between Kenji's remark and Kaoru's reply, the emotion on Kaoru's face and in his voice changed from despair to anger.

"Oh, come on, Kenji," Kaoru said. "I hope you don't mean that you actually agree with my parents- it's not like you've had to give up on anything just because you're not good enough."

Kenji bit his lip. It was clear that for him, the opposite was true- he'd essentially given up almost everything except his pursuit of academic excellence- but before I could say anything in his defense, he spoke.

"I won't," Kenji said, "but I will say that unlike me, you have a choice in the matter. The difference between your playing basketball and my studies is like the difference between wading in a kiddie pool and swimming the English Channel. You can give up and get out whenever you want if you get sick of the former, but if you give out midway through the latter, you drown."

I couldn't help but frown disapprovingly. While Kaoru didn't fully appreciate the significance of everything Kenji had sacrificed, Kenji, who never had any real hobbies, also didn't fully understand what it meant to love something, but eventually have to relegate it to a way to pass the time, if you didn't have to give it up entirely.

"Calm down, you two," I said, but as I said that, Kaoru glared at Kenji, ignoring my response. Convincing Yosuke and Kanji to not throw Namatame was easier, not only because of my status as the group's leader, but also because in spite of my doubts, I knew that we would not find the truth if we assumed Namatame was solely responsible. Here, in this debate, I could not be an effective mediator unless I remained impartial, but I didn't even know where to begin when the two refused to listen to the other.

"Easy for you to say, Mr. Almost-a-Valedictorian," Kaoru said. "Some of us have trouble just passing our classes. I've pretty much always known that I wasn't going to make it into college, but what really hurts is being told I'm not good enough at basketball- which isn't just something I love, but is the one thing I'm good at. Not that I think you'd understand, though, since you don't even enjoy school even though it's so easy for you."

"Do you think I don't need to study?" Kenji said, raising his voice in a way that I'd hardly ever heard him doing before. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be any better at school than I am at sports. You get out of school what you put into it, and if you don't succeed because you couldn't make the necessary sacrifices, you only have yourself to blame."

Kaoru's jaw hung open for a moment as he tried to articulate a reply. The silence only lasted a moment, though, as while his mind was unable to think of a good rebuttal, his impetuous nature refused to let Kenji have the last word.

"Fine, then," Kaoru said. "Keep on studying your ass off, if it's the only thing you can do. Maybe you'll end up somewhere good- not that I'd know, since I'm clearly too stupid to make it there."

Kaoru quickly got up and left, taking his half-finished lunch with him. After a few moments of awkward silence, Kenji silently got up and left in the opposite direction.

An awkward silence descended on the group. While my friends from Inaba had a fair share of arguments, there rarely seemed to be anything mean-spirited about them. Whenever one of us was out of line, such as Teddie acting perverted, Yosuke needling Kanji about his sexuality, or the girls throwing washtubs at us after accidentally going in the hot springs at the wrong time, we were relatively quick to forgive them, since those acts were not necessarily malicious. Here, Kenji and Kaoru had targeted sensitive spots for each other, and the argument had quickly spun out of control.

Sakura then turned to me.

"Do you think things necessarily had to turn out this way, Yu-kun?" Sakura said.

I sighed and shrugged. I knew of quite a few people who were scared to talk or think about various things. I'd always been of the belief that they should overcome their fears and face their personal issues, but I had to admit that this incident was proof that it didn't always end well.

"Well, both of them took things too personally," I said. "Then again, this disagreement had always been present, and only now did they try to address it."

Hitomi nodded.

"While I sympathize with Sakura-san, since I don't like to see my friends fight, I agree with you," Hitomi said. "Going through life without disagreeing with anything is no way to live. Too many people in my household are forced to suppress anything that might offend those they're dealing with- the maids with their masters and guests, I with my parents and fiance, and Mother with Father. You must obey your betters without even giving a hint of reluctance- it can be hard enough to deal with at home, so that's the last thing I want for my friends."

"I get what you're saying," Sakura said. "We're all supposed to be equals here, after all, aren't we?"

Hitomi smiled and nodded. She had no desire to lead others, believing that she did not have the intelligence or force of personality to be an effective leader, but she was kind to those others would consider beneath them, and perhaps that alone would inspire loyalty.

"For now, let's give those two some space," I said. "They need time to cool their heads, and we need time to think of what to say to them."

The more fiery and impetuous part of myself chafed at the idea of letting things sit as they were, but if waiting and thinking could be necessary to catch a serial killer, perhaps it would also be the key to resolving this conflict.

Evening

None of us saw Kaoru or Kenji for the rest of the day. I suspect that while the two of them were angry at each other, they were also possibly ashamed of their outbursts, and couldn't bring themselves to face us.

Once I was home, I called Yosuke, and told him what happened at lunch.

"Well, it's like Sakura-san said, isn't it?" Yosuke said. "Those two guys aren't gonna listen to anything you or the girls- much less each other- say now."

"I know, Yosuke," I said. "Still, dealing with a feud like this is a bit of a new experience to me."

Yosuke chuckled awkwardly.

"So you talked to me," Yosuke said, "the guy who has at least two or three of his friends mad at him at any given time."

"I all seriousness though, Yu," Yosuke said, "I'm actually really grateful for the fact that the others don't stay mad at me for long. I've also started having that perspective, since a lot of crap happens to me, but not only is a lot of it at least partly my fault, I tend to bounce back. My motorcycle's fixed, any bruises from where the girls threw the washtubs at me have healed, and the Mystery Food X I had to eat... passed right through, if you know what I mean."

"That's good to hear," I said. "Of course, Kaoru still has to come to terms with his dream being broken, and Kenji still has a long way to go before fulfilling his. Perhaps they'll have perspective someday, but that doesn't mean that they can't bury the hatchet soon. It's probably not going to just blow over tomorrow, but I'd rather not have them stay mad at each other until we graduate."

"Fair enough," Yosuke said. "I suppose dealing with it is a matter of common sense- something you've got a lot more of than I do. Just remember one lesson I often learn the hard way- sometimes, the best thing to do might be to do nothing at all. If those two are dead-set on not forgiving each other, there's nothing you can do about it, but maybe you don't have to."

"Thanks, Yosuke," I said. "I'll keep that in mind."

No one person knew the solution to this problem, but by sharing my problems with the friends I trusted most, I could help think things through and help resolve the dispute. Of course, one key step was talking to each of the parties in question, so I hoped to do so as soon as they would let me.

Tuesday, July 3, Lunch Time,

I sat at the table with the girls. At this point, it dawned on me that we were now back to where we were on the second day of school- or perhaps even worse off, given the antipathy between Kaoru and Kenji. The sea of identically clad students in which we sat was now the white of a short-sleeved dress shirt rather than the charcoal gray of a uniform blazer, and it was disheartening to realize that this was all that had happened after months of effort. Yosuke's advice was sound, but it was a bit hard to put it into practice, so I at least had to ask how things were going.

"So, girls, have either of you seen the guys?" I said. I'd been running a bit late this morning, and couldn't really talk to Sakura before the teacher got there, so I wanted to hear if she had news, even if I had little hope of it being good.

Sakura and Hitomi nodded sadly.

"Well, I've been with you most of the day, Yu-kun," Sakura said. "But I did see Kenji-kun on the walk to school, and he said he wanted to stay clear of Kaoru-kun until he cooled down."

"I saw Asahina-kun while I was coming to lunch," Hitomi said. "He said that he didn't want to cross paths with Nishizawa-kun 'until he gets the stick out of his...'"

"Behind?" Sakura said.

Hitomi blushed. She didn't swear at all, so I had to wonder what she said when she got angry- even the prim and polite Yukiko occasionally cursed under exceptional circumstances.

"He did not put it quite so delicately, Sakura-san," Hitomi said. "Needless to say, though, his problem is the same as Nishizawa-kun's."

I nodded.

"Essentially, both of them have more or less incompatible worldviews regarding education, and take it personally when someone suggests they've wasted their time," I said. "When you think about it, we have our work cut out for us."

"My thoughts exactly, Yu-kun," Sakura said. "When you put it that way, it makes me wonder how they stayed friends for so long, even considering they were a bit distant last year."

I shook my head. The idea of two people who were very different but still got along was nothing surprising to me, because I knew friendship was more than about similarities to one another.

"Because, at least on some level, they respect each other's differences and value each other's company," I said. "Besides, it's not over yet, Sakura."

"You're right, Yu-kun," Sakura said. "So, where do we start?"

"First, let's talk to each of the two in question," I said, "to try to understand their perspective and get them to become more willing to understand the other's. It'll be fairly obvious that we want them to make up, but we shouldn't make it seem as though we're parroting the other guy."

"That sounds simple enough," Sakura said. "So who should approach them first?"

"Not me if you want it done today," I said. "I've got drama club after school today."

"I understand," Hitomi said, "and I think I can easily find Nishizawa-kun in the library. Should I also find Asahina-kun?"

"I can talk to him," Sakura said. "Kaoru-kun may still hold out hope of getting his teammates to change their mind, so he should show up to practice today."

"All right," I said. "Thanks for the help, and good luck."

I was glad that the girls were stepping up, and not just because I wouldn't have to miss drama club. At times, I'd wondered if I was the only one who cared about getting our group back together, so it was heartwarming to see Sakura and Hitomi match my efforts, when they'd previously been relatively passive individuals. Of course, if we wanted to eat together as a group of five again, Kaoru and Kenji would have to do the same.

After School, Hitomi's POV

I found Nishizawa-kun in the library, in the same place where Yu-kun said he'd found him on his first day back. He looked up from the book he was reading for class as he noticed me approaching.

"Nishizawa-kun?" I said as I approached. "Do you have a minute?"

"Hitomi?" Kenji-kun said. "I thought you might want to spend time with Kaoru- now that he's no longer on the team, and clearly doesn't intend to go to college, the two of you clearly have more free time than I do."

I grimaced. When two people fought, they had a tendency to say fairly cruel things in anger, like the two of them had yesterday. Since I was a mediocre student at best, Nishizawa-kun had always regarded me with a certain amount of pity, not unlike how an Olympic sprinter might look at someone who gasps for breath after a short run.

"Sakura-san is speaking with him," I said, "for the same reason that I want to talk to you. I want to understand why you two are at odds, and what I can do to help you work out your differences. The first step is to hear your side of the issue."

Nishizawa-kun sighed as he put his bookmark in place and shut the book.

"Well, the problem is that from a logical perspective, I don't see what's wrong with what I said," he said. "Varsity basketball is an exclusive club, so it's hardly realistic to pin all your hopes to it, and even worse to get so overly emotionally invested in it that failure becomes unbearable."

"The same way you do with your studies?" I said.

Nishizawa-kun couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

"You got me there," he said. "Of course, as I said to him yesterday, I can't fail here. Kaoru might think he's only good at sports, and maybe he's right, but I wish he wouldn't take it so harshly when I point out that his not making it big isn't as bad as my doing the same."

I sighed.

"I think I understand the feeling somewhat," I said. "After a certain point in your life, perhaps our age, you must inevitably choose what you will do with your life and forsake all other paths. Since I was young, my family has stressed that marrying well is not only the best thing I can do for my family, but also the only thing."

Nishizawa-kun was rendered speechless for a moment. It was the same reaction he'd given when I said I sometimes wished I'd been born male, even with my current lack of talent, so at least my parents would expect something out of me.

"Wow, I had no idea," Nishizawa-kun said. "Even my parents suggested that all this studying would eventually be for my own good. I have a hard time understanding what benefit getting married off could have for you."

I sighed. My parents had done relatively little to help me understand this, so I found it hard to explain to anyone else. It was a bit like how I barely got a passing grade on an essay about a book that I barely understood, with the teacher saying that while my essay was adequately structured and the basic thrust of my argument was sound, I did not adequately support my points with evidence.

"For now, let's simply say that they believe there is only one choice to make, and they want me to be prepared for- or perhaps resigned to- make it," I said. "As for you, Nishizawa-kun, did you not choose this path yourself?"

Nishizawa-kun shrugged.

"It's really just a means to an end for me," Nishizawa-kun said. "Regardless of what I do later in life, how well I do there depends on how well I do in school now."

Noticing the implicit message that I was taking time away from his studies, I decided to get right to the point.

"I understand that much," I said. "But at the same time, it's not your final goal, is it not?" Nishizawa-kun shook his head. "I thought not. If you don't do as well here, then perhaps you may find it harder to get what you want, but it's not as though you'd lost something important to you, is it?"

Nishizawa-kun seemed at a loss for words for a moment, then shook his head. I knew it was a difficult question, one that I'd never thought much about myself, but it was one he had to answer.

"Maybe not," Nishizawa-kun said. "For now, I do have to admit that I'm lucky, in a sense, and that success in school comes more easily for me than it does for Kaoru. Of course, I also make my own luck, and so should he. He's obviously not pro athlete material, but there's loads of other things he can do if he puts his mind to it- perhaps he'll know the answer."

"I see," I said, having run out of things to say. "Perhaps Asahina-kun will understand that as well."

I checked my watch, and noticed that I had to get going in order to make it back home on time. I then took my leave, knowing that I had accomplished as much as I could in one day, and hoping Sakura-san had more luck with Asahina-kun.

Sakura's POV

I found Kaoru-kun standing near the gymnasium, staring off into space. He had his uniform on, but he'd done a somewhat hasty job of changing, as his dress shirt was not tucked into his pants, the top button was undone and his necktie hung loosely around his neck, each of which would earn him a reprimand from any morals committee member on their own. It had taken me a while to get used to buttoning up my shirt and blazer and tying my necktie after three years at a school with a sailor fuku uniform, so I naturally sympathized with those who were having trouble.

Upon hearing someone approach, he turned around, a bit surprised, but calmed down when he saw me.

"Oh, it's you, Sakura," he said. "Please don't report me to the fashion police- if no one finds out, your next meal out is on me."

"That's OK, Kaoru-kun," I said. "Just talk with me for a bit and we're square."

"Deal," Kaoru-kun said, as we moved into the shade of a nearby tree, out of sight.

"I'm glad to hear that," I said. "I was hoping to catch you when you left practice, but did you even go?"

"I did," Kaoru-kun said. "But then everyone kept looking at me funny, so I lied about having to go home early. The worst that could happen is that they tell me to stop showing up to practice, and I've already been cut. Maybe Kenji does have a point after all, but it's hard to admit to myself that the one thing I'm good at is nothing more than a passing hobby, and school, which I've never been any good at, is what's really important. I've probably known all this time, but that doesn't make it any easier."

I understood Kaoru-kun's depression all too well. Self-confidence was a relatively new thing for me, so the realization that it was poorly founded would have shaken me to the core.

"What do you mean?" I said. "How did you know all this time?"

Kaoru-kun cleared his throat.

"For a long time, no one really expected much of me," Kaoru-kun said. "My grades have always been so-so at best, and I didn't have any subjects I was really good at. Some people who have trouble meeting others' expectations feel as though they're not good enough, but in my case, I felt as though I wasn't good enough to even be given those expectations."

My parents were somewhat lenient by comparison, although they did often check in to make sure I was doing well enough. They believed that a good education would open many doors for me, even if they weren't as zealous as Kenji-kun's parents were. As such, I believed that they supported me, and if I'd found something that was important to me as basketball was to Kaoru-kun, they'd have cheered me on wholeheartedly.

"All that changed when I was a kid, and I started doing basketball in PE," Kaoru-kun said. "People started being impressed with my skills, and looking up to me. When I played intramural basketball in middle school, I thought I'd finally found my something I was really good at."

"You are good at it," I said. "I got into shape last year, but the only thing at basketball I'm any good with is the running part."

Kaoru-kun chuckled awkwardly, possibly unsure of how to take the compliment, something he appreciated hearing even if he knew that it didn't do anything more than improve his mood..

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sakura," Kaoru said, "but not everyone is this easily impressed."

"Who do you mean apart from your team?" I said.

"When I started playing basketball competitively, I thought my parents would be proud of me, but they hardly seemed to care," Kaoru-kun said. "They were happy that I'd found something fun, but they told me to enjoy it while I could, acting as though it was a phase or hobby, and not something seriously. It sounded like they were saying that the only thing I was good at wouldn't last forever, and once it ran out, I'd be just another loser."

I remembered that Kaoru-kun had once described his father as a middle manager in a company that was not especially large. Perhaps that was hardly a lofty aspiration, but my own father was largely content with having a similar job, since it gave him the salary he needed to support a family and enough money to spend time with his wife and daughter. Of course, while I hoped to one day work for the government, I realized that Kaoru-kun didn't necessarily have the same hopes that Dad, Mr. Asahina or I did.

"That sounds fairly difficult to accept," I said.

"Yeah, and that's more or less the message I got from Kenji yesterday," Kaoru-kun said. "It wouldn't sting so damn much if he was just talking out his ass, but it also wouldn't sting if he had a bit of tact."

I paused to think a moment, knowing that this situation was delicate. If I simply agreed with Kaoru-kun, it would make it more difficult to get into the frame of mind to apologize to Kenji-kun, but saying I agreed with Kenji-kun would likely only upset Kaoru-kun. As such, I decided to try something else, in hopes that it would help Kaoru-kun consider Kenji-kun's perspective.

"I can't really argue with the part about tact," I said, "but Kenji-kun once told me something interesting. He once said that the path he walked was the 'safest' possible one, planned out so that he can be as close to 'set for life' as he can be. He actually said that he found it kind of admirable that people like you were able to try for something so ambitious."

Kaoru-kun, usually one to speak from the cuff, was stunned into silence for a moment.

"He never said anything like that to me," Kaoru-kun said skeptically.

"He might if you talk with him," I said. "Hitomi-san's talking with him at the moment, so maybe he'll be more amenable to reconciling to you."

Kaoru-kun sighed and shook his head.

"I'll think about it," Kaoru-kun said, "but I don't think he's going to change his mind today or in the near future. He's got too much invested in school, like I did in basketball."

"So in other words, it's something you have in common," I said.

Kaoru-kun chuckled.

"Yep, you hit the nail on the head," Kaoru-kun said. "We're both stubborn guys who can only do the one thing we're good at the only way we know how. I'll think about what you said, but don't expect anything immediately- I'd rather not apologize until he's willing to do the same."

"Fair enough," I said. "I also think Kenji-kun was a bit out of line, which is why Hitomi-san's talking with him."

As we got ready to leave, Kaoru-kun, after tucking his shirt into his pants, let me help him with his tie, something that Yu-kun had often done for me. At times, I believed that Yu-kun had everything figured out, so it was refreshing to hear that he trusted his friends to help him when he needed it- in this case, by talking with Kaoru-kun while Hitomi-san spoke with Kenji-kun. Doing this one favor for him wasn't quite enough for me, but for now, I was glad to help, and hoped we could resolve this dispute amicably and soon.

Yu's POV

At drama club, we worked on practicing our roles for the play. After I accidentally flubbed a line during practice, Satomi pulled me aside while Nakasuga-san and the others rehearsed the scene in the Capulet family tomb.

"Is something wrong, Yu-senpai?" Satomi said when the two of us momentarily took a break. "This time, you're the one who seems down."

I couldn't help but chuckle. At some point, I'd gotten used to my role as someone who helps others with their problems, so I occasionally forgot when others helped me with mine, particularly around the time Nanako was kidnapped and ended up in the hospital.

"Well, it's two of my friends," I said. "They had a fight and aren't speaking with each other at the moment."

"That happens sometimes," Satomi said. "But then again, it wouldn't be interesting if you always agreed on everything, would it?"

"Not at all, Satomi," I said. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."

Satomi nodded.

"Sayuri and I often have similar beliefs, but there are many times when we disagree," Satomi said. "We often had quite a few thoughtful- but also civil- debates over a lot of things related to acting, such as whether so-and-so got a certain role right, or the various literary merits of certain plays. It's certainly a lot more meaningful than just agreeing and calling it a day."

"I know," I said.

"Then again, you can't always just agree to disagree, particularly on issues that are important to you," Satomi said. "The president of our old drama club two years ago- a yearmate and former friend of Sayuri's- ended up upholding the status quo even though it wasn't working- particularly casting based on seniority- and took it personally when Sayuri objected, both of which cost her Sayuri's respect and friendship. Of course, Sayuri still had to obey her as long as she was in the club, which she did, as she reluctantly stuck around until we graduated."

Satomi's underlying message was difficult to accept but no less true. It's all well and good to stress the importance of respecting differing opinions, but it's significantly more difficult to do so in an issue with actual stakes for you. Apparently, Saki-senpai had suffered from this toward the end of her life, since her father considered Junes a threat, and her working there a betrayal of her family and their business. Perhaps Mr. Konishi was wrong to blame all of Inaba's woes- particularly those of his fellow small business owners- on Junes, but he was not wrong to feel desperate, having seen so many businesses shutting their doors and not knowing if his would be next.

"Not unlike what happened with you and her?" I said.

"You could say that," Satomi said. "Of course, Sayuri has the deck stacked against her in some ways, which is part of the reason why she does things the way she does, even if it's also an excuse on her part."

I took a small amount of comfort in what Satomi was saying. She still didn't agree with what Sayuri was doing, but she was trying to understand, which was a start. Perhaps once we saw this play through to its successful conclusion, everyone would be better off.

"This might sound like a strange question," I said, "but how do you like the uniform?"

Satomi shrugged with a slight frown on her face.

"It' isn't something I'd choose to wear, but it's not so bad by itself," Satomi said. "Rather, the main thing I hate is all the rules associated with it. You have to button the shirt all the way up to the collar and tuck it into your pants or skirt. You have to tie the necktie properly. You can only wear certain kinds of shoes and socks with the uniform. Your skirt can't be too long or too short. The list goes on and on."

"I see," I said. "Sayuri probably told you this, but this is one of many rules she has to put up with, even if she can't change it."

"I know," Satomi said, "and it's probably too much for me to ask her to change everything, even if she's president. Still, it might be nice for her to get the ball rolling, and at times, she seems afraid to even give it a push."

"Well, what about you?" I said. "Surely there are things you can do apart from simply relying on Sayuri to change everything?"

Satomi sighed and shrugged.

"Maybe there are," Satomi said. "Of course, the club leadership is responsible for deciding club policy, making casting decisions and so on and so forth. Sayuri can't do everything, but she's the only person who'd listen to me as an equal. She's not obligated to do everything I say, but if I can't convince her, who will?"

My heart sank a little. While Satomi had started to understand Sayuri's position, it also meant that she was beginning to despair and give up on hope of change. I wondered if Sayuri felt the same way on some level, and while I hoped that the two girls would understand each other's point of view and remain friends, I didn't want them to give up on their desires and personal goals.

"Of course..." Satomi said, "I'm still less than halfway through my high school career, and that's too long to wait around for something to happen. For now, I'll play my part, and once the play is over, I'll take action- assuming I'll have thought of something by then."

"Good luck, Satomi," I said. Satomi was developing her own initiative, so I hoped she would be able to put it into a solution that was best for the club as a whole.

Evening

Soon after I got home, I got a call from Sakura, who told me everything that she and Hitomi had discussed.

"That's good to hear," I said. "It sounds like you're making progress."

"I know," Sakura said, "but the two of them won't just bury the hatchet instantly."

I paused.

"Still, I think you're right, Yu-kun," Sakura said. "You do sometimes have to be willing to risk conflict if you want meaningful relationships with others, particularly by being honest with yourself and your friends."

"I know, but that doesn't necessarily have to mean that it's inevitable," I said. "Some people's disagreements aren't easy to resolve, and can make it often impossible for them to get along."

There were many people I'd seen on a regular basis in Inaba, but I'd never gotten along with. Kinshiro Morooka, also known as "King Moron" pegged me as a pervert and troublemaker from the city and put me on his "shit list" the moment we first met- I think he would be rolling in his grave if he knew I was going out with Yukiko, whom he gave a fair amount of grief for an honor student. Hanako Ohtani was obnoxiously egotistical, and refused to consider the consequences of her actions for her or for others. Noriko Kashiwagi seemed polite enough to me, but she antagonized my female classmates out of some misplaced jealousy. Mitsuo Kubo lusted after Yukiko, and eventually murdered King Moron and tried to claim credit for the other two murders in a twisted desire to fill the void in his heart. All these people were fundamentally incompatible with me in one way or another, and the more I got to know them, the more I realized this.

"Of course..." I said, "I still don't think that's the case with Kaoru and Kenji. They might seem to have opposite personalities at first glance and be at odds now, but they have a great deal in common, which I think will help them get along in the end. It's all up to them, and I, for one, believe in our friends."

"So do I, Yu-kun," Sakura said.

Our conversation soon ended. Perhaps my old friends had little in common, but it was touching to see that Sakura and Hitomi were invested in keeping it together, even if Sakura now had other friends, and Hitomi would have to say goodbye to us. As for Kaoru and Kenji, it was up to them to understand each other's point of view, but since they were more similar than I thought, I believed they could do so. For one of the first times since I got back, I realized I wasn't the only one who valued our bonds, and was glad for that.

Author's Notes

Thank you for the reviews

sweetestofpeas: At this point, Naoto is on the path to understanding how Kanji feels about her, but it will take Kanji developing the nerve to confess before things go forward.

The argument in this chapter won't be resolved immediately, and when it is, things won't quite be the same as they were before. The next chapter and the ones after it will also build up to a fairly significant development with Yu and Yukiko's relationship.