Together Always

Memories

Author's Note:

OH MAN - Has it been forever! Sorry about that, I hope I haven't gotten rusty.

We take a break from Sakaki and Kagura, and focus on the Tomo & Yomi duo! Now, I like the girls, but they're also the hardest characters for me to write about but I always try my best. I do hope you'll enjoy it!

I truly believe that Toyomi's love depends upon subtlety and a sweet long-time friendship

Slight OOC I suppose…

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Yomi was living the campus life she had always wanted; she had her own place and the classes she had chosen to take were quite enjoyable, and she had earned a couple of new friends. All this would have been great if it wasn't for…Tomo.

No, her friend wasn't butting into her life like she always had for many years in the past, since grade school. In fact, once they had started college, Tomo had been calling Yomi practically every single day, mostly about her college life. Then calls began to lessen and the time length between those calls was growing longer. In the past month, Yomi had hardly received any news from her old friend.

A long time ago, Yomi would have found that to be a blessing. But now, she wasn't so sure. It was like Tomo had just…drifted away and that made Yomi feel very uneasy.

"This is Host Jikku saying that we've got a hot single coming up…" the radio chattered nearby.

Yomi glanced up from her homework papers at the calendar in front of her. What was more, tomorrow was her birthday. Would Tomo remember?

Of course she would! What kind of a friend forgets one's birthday? Still, Yomi was bit unsettled. Maybe I should call her…

So Yomi stood and walked across the room towards the phone as light rock music played in the background. She picked it up and dialed Tomo's number. She held it close to her ear, waiting for the usual excited reply that was typical of Tomo. But no shout came. She waited few more minutes, tapping her foot. Still no answer. Yomi checked her wristwatch, it was past ten at night. I guess she must be asleep…

But that only served to increase her anxiety. She put down the phone and paced the room. The music had now moved on to a fast-paced tune, which irritated her. So Yomi turned off the radio and sat down on her small bed. I have to relax.

Her homework was nearly done but she couldn't focus on it nor on reading a book like she often did on nights. So her best option was just to lie back on her bed, close her eyes and take a couple of breaths. Within seconds, she was fast asleep.

Yomi was walking down the streets of the familiar shopping district, calling her friend's name. "Tomo! Tomo, where are you?"

She found her sitting at a café and immediately ran up to her. "Tomo! There you are!"

Tomo stared blankly at her. "…Who are you?"

Yomi gasped, she felt like she had been punched in the gut. How could Tomo not know who she was? They'd been friends for practically forever!

"T-Tomo, I-It's me…" Yomi struggled, choking back her tears.

"…Sorry, but I don't remember you," the girl shook her head then she disappeared, leaving Yomi all alone.

"No! Don't go!" Yomi reached out after her but she was long gone. "Tomo! Please, weren't we best friends? You told me you wanted us to be best friends forever! Please…"

No response. Yomi lowered her hand as her surroundings began to darken.

"Please don't leave me alone…I don't want to be alone…!"

Then a white light shone through the darkness, followed by a faint echo of "Yomi…"

"Tomo!!!!" Yomi screamed.

Yomi bolted upright, drenched in cold sweat. It was two in the morning, still too early. She inhaled deeply, sighing. What a terrible dream…

Then she went back to sleep, forgetting it entirely.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggggg!!!

Yomi blinked awake to the sound of her alarm clock.

"Ugh…" she groaned, hitting the snooze button to shut it off.

She sat up, rubbing her tired eyes then put on her glasses. She looked at the calendar and remembered. It was her birthday, Tomo was bound to call anytime soon. She seemed to have a knack for catching Yomi just as soon as she woke up. The bespectacled woman sat in her bed, waiting. But no ring came.

Finally she couldn't take it anymore, she picked up the phone and tried to call her friend again. This time there was an answer.

"Yomi? No way, I was just about to call you!"

Hearing that voice made Yomi lose all the tenseness in her nerves, it was just a relief for her.

"Tomo…err, do you know what day it is today?" Yomi asked, fiddling with her dark auburn hair.

"Ah…" Yomi imagined Tomo putting a finger to her chin as she went into thought. "Oh right! It's November the twenty-second! There's that sale I have to find out, thanks Yomi!"

"Uh…but…" Yomi stammered then gave up. "Okay, Tomo."

"Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?" she asked.

"…Not really…" Yomi replied quietly.

"Okay, so…we'll talk later?"

"Yeah, I suppose, bye," Yomi hung up.

Tomo didn't even remember her birthday! Then again, maybe it'd occur to her later and she would call back, Tomo was kind of like that after all.

Yomi noted she didn't have school or work today and thought she might as well get the rest of her homework done. But she never made it back to the desk.

A hard knock on the door resounded throughout the room, causing Yomi to answer it.

She opened it up to see her apartment neighbor, a friendly brown-haired guy.

"Hey, she asked me to bring this to you," he said as he held out a note to her.

"Who?" Yomi asked curiously.

"Why don't you read it and find out?" he grinned slyly then waved back as he returned to his place.

"Okay…" Yomi opened it up and read what was written in it.

"Yomi, follow the letters to find me, Someone You Know Very Well." was all it said with an additional clue to the café which she frequented at the shopping district.

Yomi instantly thought of Tomo after reading it. Could it be possible? No…she's too simple to pull off something like this…

It could be a trap, she also thought but her curiosity was too great, she just had to find out!

So she grabbed a brown coat from the closet and put it over the clothes she had worn to sleep last night without changing; not very ethical but she really did want to find out who was the mysterious person. She was told that this person was someone she knew very well so that was the reason for her excitement. Old Yomi would have handled this situation with some maturity but all those years with Tomo had affected her normal personality.

As she made it outside, she noticed the sky was gray with clouds and the air was very chilly so she pulled her coat tighter as she headed for the shopping district.

As she walked by the stores, Yomi began recollecting memories from back when she and Tomo had always hung out at those places together. The cafés were one of their favorite spots, there they could share a lunch and just relax as the world passed by, Tomo always pointing out the interesting sights like dachshunds in tiny sweaters and comment their silliness which would either annoy Yomi or make her laugh. Those were the times.

Wait, was that Tomo just now? Yomi hurried over to a nearby girl. "Tomo?"

She turned but it wasn't her, just another girl with a similar hairstyle.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else," Yomi waved her off then took a look around.

She didn't see anyone that looked like they might be waiting for someone and just as she was about to give up, a waitress came outside.

"Excuse me, are you Yomi Mizuhara?" she asked.

"Yes," Yomi nodded. "Why?"

"Oh! I was told to give you this," the waitress reached into her skirt pockets and took out another piece of paper, giggling. "Here, good luck with your scavenger hunt."

"Scavenger hunt?" Yomi raised an eyebrow but the waitress had already gone back inside so she checked the letter. Indeed, it was another clue to the next destination.

And thusly, it was one of the first letters that led Yomi on a wild goose chase through the city, coming upon the occasional spot that would spark old memories.

It was getting dark when she reached the park, to find a bridge which she had been told was the last part of the hunt from her previous letter. She was cold and bit hungry, she had grabbed a simple chicken sandwich while on the run.

She walked down the empty concrete path, looking at the fraying yellow grass and bare trees around her. Once again, her memory flashed back the young summer days where she and Tomo would run and play in the small park near their neighborhood, rolling around in the lush green grass. It had been too long since they had last tried it, she was too old for such things now. Yet, she wouldn't mind being able to frolic across the field without being mocked now…

"Huh?" Yomi snapped out of her thoughts. She was alone now, standing on the cobblestone bridge which she had been searching for. She found a nearby wooden bench to the side, sitting under a lone glowing lamp post. I could use a break…

So she took a seat, stretching her legs as she leaned back. I wonder where that person is…

She didn't have to wait long to find out for from behind came an unmistakable voice. "Yomi, there you are!"

She whipped around and saw Tomo, it had been such a long time since she had seen her in person. Tomo still looked like her same, peppy self though she had grown her hair a bit longer.

"Tomo!" Yomi got up, running towards her. Tomo grinned and spread her arms, expecting a big hug.

THWACK!

"What was the big idea of leading me around like that?" Yomi yelled after smacking Tomo's forehead. "Couldn't you have gotten straight to the point!?"

"It's good to see you too," Tomo chuckled, rubbing her sore head.

"And…and…" Yomi had to say it. "Why haven't you been in touch with the past month? You didn't even wish me a happy birthday nor a gift! No, you…"

"Yomi, Yomi," Tomo patted her friend's arms. "That was your birthday gift."

"What was?" Yomi glared at her.

"The hunt," Tomo smiled softly. "It took weeks to get that into order, that's why I haven't been calling much lately."

"…" Yomi relaxed, now more intrigued than irritated. "Why would you go through all that trouble?"

"Because I wanted to make it a really special birthday for you," Tomo replied.

"But how…"

"Take a seat," Tomo gestured towards the bench and so they sat down. "Now look back on the places, did they remind you of anything?"

"I…" Yomi paused, thinking about it. It all made sense now, even the most unexpected places had always reminded of a moment with Tomo. Never just herself, Yomi. "Yes…a lot…"

What? The gift was a trip down the memory lane?

"…Why?" Yomi had to ask.

"Yomi, do you remember the first day we met?"

Yomi remembered.

It was the first day of grade school. Yomi was feeling bit awkward in her new class. Already into the first hour, lot of the children were getting along with each other. All except for Yomi. She sat apart from the class, fiddling shyly at her desk. She looked at a couple of girls talking freely together and sighed to herself. She would have liked to make friends too, but she was too nervous about what others might think of her.

So Yomi was pretty much alone. The lonely girl then thought she would pass the time by messing around in her notebook. However, that was rudely interrupted by a certain stranger.

As she reached for her pencils, she felt a presence nearby and looked up to see a raven-haired girl beaming at her. Yomi blinked perplexedly, saying nothing.

"Hey, what's your name? I'm Tomo. Are these glasses? Can I try them on?" the girl said in one rapid breath.

She reached out for them before Yomi could protest and put them on.

"Whoa…" she awed, wobbling about. "How do you see in those? Everything's all spinny!"

"Hey!" Yomi shouted, standing up. "Give them back now before you break them!"

Tomo fell down on her bottom onto the floor then looked up at the taller girl, giggling.

"You're funny! I just wanted to try them on, not break them!"

Yomi swallowed, her clenched hands shaking slightly out of temper: "Just please give those back!"

"All right," Tomo took them off, handing them toward her. "But really, I wasn't gonna break them, you should lighten up!"

"Hmph…" Yomi balanced her glasses back on.

"What's your name? You still didn't tell me!" Tomo asked rather excitedly, pointing at her.

"…Koyomi…" she replied quietly.

"Koyomi…" Tomo tilted her head. "Koyomi…Koyomi…Koyomi…"

She kept on repeating her name.

"…What's with you?" Yomi raised an eyebrow.

"Koyomi…" the hyper child paused for a moment then yelled out brightly. "Ah, why don't I just call ya Yomi instead?"

"…Yomi?"

"Yeah, it's shorter and more easy to remember!" Tomo replied giddily.

"That's just stupid!" Yomi snapped at her but she only giggled again.

"I like you!" she smiled. "We should be friends!"

"…Friends?" Yomi settled down at that comment.

"Yeah! Maybe we can even be best friends forever!" Tomo spread her arms in triumph.

"…Really?" the bespectacled girl formed a small smile.

The girl may have been bit excitable for her taste but she was the first person all day to have talked to her. What was more; she wanted to be friends too! She couldn't be more happier.

"All right, starting of now as new BFF," Tomo took a dramatic stance with an arm raised. "We shall play tag in the classroom!"

"Wait-what?" Yomi stuttered.

This was going bit far…fooling around during class?

"TAG YOU'RE IT!" Tomo slapped her then dashed off. "TRY TO CATCH ME!"

"Oh! Um…um…" Yomi stammered, unsure what to do. "I don't wanna get into trouble…"

"Don't just stand around, catch me!" Tomo stopped in front of her then circled around the room once again.

"Um…okay!" Yomi said determinedly as she went after her new friend.

As fast as she could go, she couldn't catch up with Tomo's pace but that ended shortly. As Tomo rounded a corner, she tripped and knocked down a bookcase in the process. As the books went flying, Yomi fell over one and landed on top of Tomo.

"Whoops! Watch yourself!"

They looked at each other then broke into a fit of laughter.

"That was fun!" Yomi exclaimed.

Afterwards, they were sent to sit in separate corners but it had been well worth it. They would never forget this day for years to come. For that was the fateful day where their friendship had begun, throughout those years they had gone through many experiences together and never drifted apart just how best friends forever should be…

Then college happened, and both were forced to separate in order to pursue their dreams. But they never forgot each other…

"Yomi, I wanted you to know that no matter what we'll always be best friends forever," Tomo sighed. "So I thought this would be a good day for us to get together again and think back to the great times we've had…"

"Tomo…that's…" Yomi couldn't finish her sentence but her friend understood the appreciation.

"Happy Birthday Yomi," Tomo smiled, leaning on her shoulder in a half-hug. "From your BFF, Tomo."

"Thank you…" Yomi sighed softly, returning the hug.

"So…how's it been going at your school?" Tomo asked, tilting her head.

"Well…" Yomi paused.

Yes, she was enjoying it all but something was missing…

Then it clicked. Tomo wasn't there, not a big part of it at least. Despite the new friends she had gained, without Tomo, Yomi was lonely.

"…I miss you Tomo," was all she said. "…So much…"

"Wow, really?" Tomo blinked then she softened. "Aw…shucks, I miss you too."

"It's just not the same without you," Yomi admitted. There, she said it.

"I have to admit, neither is it without you too," Tomo agreed.

"Even though you can be really annoying at times…"

"And you can be so bossy…"

"I really miss you," Tomo and Yomi said at the same time.

A moment of silence passed, Yomi blushed slightly though she wasn't sure why. Tomo just laughed. "Wow, at the same time, that was really cool!"

"Hee, I suppose so," Yomi giggled lightly, her cheeks still pink. "Oh…it's snowing…"

Snowflakes had begun to fall, like tiny shooting stars against the evening sky.

"Wow…" Yomi awed.

"Want to come to my place?" Tomo offered as she stood up. "It's closer."

"That'll be fine," Yomi nodded and so both girls headed down the sidewalk.

After some quiet walking, Tomo spoke. "You know, I've also been thinking over this for a while…since we really miss each other, why don't we move in together? "

Yomi thought about it and smiled. How could she say no? Us together…again! Like how it should have been in the beginning.

"But…how will we make that work," Yomi mumbled. "The colleges…"

Tomo laughed and put an arm around Yomi's shoulder confidently. "We'll find a way to make it work, we always do!"

That was true. After all, they were best friends forever.