Part Two
Rotten eggs in his shoe locker -- that was her grand idea.
The problem was, she couldn't find any rotten eggs -- and fresh ones wouldn't be the same. Rika was horrified when Tsubaki asked her for rotten eggs and Aya's supply had run out.
She reluctantly decided that fate was not on her side and gave the idea up.
I guess I'm not cut out for these kinds of pranks anymore.
She realized that she was relieved at the thought of not going through with her plan -- it was one thing to pull pranks on friends just for fun, it was another thing to pull a prank for revenge.
I shouldn't let that guy bother me. She resolved she would keep her cool and be patient. I'm sure he won't bother me again.
* * *
"So, where's your name on the list?"
Hearing the now too-familiar voice, Tsubaki resisted the temptation to turn around and smack him in the face.
She tried to block his insolent snicker and concentrated on the list of student rankings -- hoping he would go away.
"I wonder how the great Tsubaki Sakura did."
How'd he know my name?
She could feel herself blushing -- the heat creeping up to her cheeks. She didn't like it that the guy was staring at her back and she couldn't do anything about it.
She didn't bother to face him. "My priorities lie elsewhere. I am quite satisfied with my academic performance." She made sure each word was laced with enough sarcasm and acidity to let him know that he wasn't welcome in her presence.
Tonami smirked at her sharp tone and was about to respond when he heard a commotion.
Tsubaki saw Yukino and Arima walking towards the list and was relieved to have the chance to escape. How she wanted to kick the guy's shin -- but she knew that this was her only chance to escape. She that fights and runs away...
* * *
Tsubaki headed for the coffee vending machine at the back of the gym. She knew that there wouldn't be anyone there. It was a perfect place for her to think about Tonami Takefumi.
What does he want with me?
She blew on her coffee to cool it and inhaled the rich aroma. Why does he pick on me? She took a sip.
Tsubaki grimaced as she remembered Tonami's mocking voice and arrogant stare.
She also remembered the agile and impressive way he dunked the ball. She also remembered admiring his form. He's handsome.
The thought had shot out of her brain without her realizing it. Am I falling for the guy?
She didn't understand why, but the realization comforted her.
* * *
Why isn't she fighting back?
Tonami had that same nagging suspicion last night. He had a vague cognition that the girl he was dealing with wasn't the same Tsubaki Sakura he left three years ago.
He grimaced when he replayed the last scene in his head -- the hurt she tried to conceal when she responded to his cruel taunt about her grades, the way her shoulders stiffened when he approached her.
He regretted his actions and didn't understand why.
I've waited for this moment for three years.
Tonami was wandering around his new school -- not really caring where his feet or thoughts would take him.
He stopped suddenly when he saw her.
Tsubaki was sitting on the bench beside the vending machine -- her hands clutching at an empty paper cup.
It was a perfect opportunity for an attack, but Tonami couldn't bring himself to go to her. He stood there, a safe distance away from her. He knew she was too deep in thought to realize there was someone nearby.
She's so beautiful.
Tonami's eyes widened when that thought hit him. There he was, standing meters away from his avowed enemy and he was content to gaze at her slender form. What am I thinking?
He hurriedly walked away -- afraid that if he stayed longer, all his plans -- his life's ambitions would disappear.
* * *
Should I call? He stood in front of the telephone -- coins in hand. He had done his research and knew she'd be home from volleyball practice right now.
Do I apologize? He gripped the coins more tightly -- feeling the edges dig into his palm.
She deserves everything I've done to her.
He resolved weakly -- somehow, even he had trouble believing it.
Tonami Takefumi remembered it all -- every taunt, prank and bitterness he experienced in the hands of Tsubaki Sakura.
And yet --
He sighed.
True, those sad memories were still in his mind, but they were vague and faded.
What was crystal clear to him were the other moments.
He smiled as he remembered the summer when she taught him how to ride a bike; remembered those moments when he was alone and she would keep him company.
Then why --
He remembered Tsubaki's last words to him before he left. I was nothing more to her than an obligation.
He heard someone cough and realized that there was someone waiting to use the phone. He mumbled an apology and walked away.
* * *
Three days had gone by without any incident from Tonami Takefumi. Tsubaki was relieved yet, at the same time, she missed him.
She walked down the corridor -- hoping to bump into him or catch a glimpse of him. She bumped into Hideaki Asaba instead.
"Hey, you better pay more attention to where you're going."
Asaba rubbed the shoulder that Tsubaki had collided with.
"Sorry." She mumbled -- her thoughts elsewhere.
He winked. "No problem. It's just that I don't want you to get into trouble with the other girls for hurting poor little me."
Tsubaki had to smiled at his statement. "Or maybe you're the one who's scared to get into trouble for hurting me." She winked back.
Asaba grinned. In the next instance, he became serious. "You look like you've got a lot of things on your mind." He rested his elbows on the window ledge.
Tsubaki looked out the window, at the courtyard below. "It's nothing." She shrugged her shoulders.
Outside, the leaves rustled and danced in the breeze. The sky was clear blue -- no speck of white cloud marred the perfection. By anyone's standards, it was a perfect day.
But not for me. She sighed and looked at Asaba. "Hey, aren't your girlfriends going to be jealous or something?"
"Should I care?"
She cocked her head to one side and smirked. "You tell me."
She brushed away the errant strands of hair that had plastered themselves to her face because of the breeze. "I seem to recall this grand plan called the 'Merryland'. What happened to that?"
He laughed. "Not too well. It seems I'm not as charming and irresistible as I thought I was."
Her mouth dropped open in surprise. "You? Not charming? Not irresistible? Hah! When pigs fly."
"Oh, look! There's one now." Asaba pointed at an imagined something. "And there's another one."
Tsubaki chuckled. "I had forgotten about your sense of humor." She punched him lightly.
"Ow! Be careful. I bruise easily." He pouted and groaned.
"You big baby."
They laughed. In that brief moment, Tsubaki forgot all about her worries.
* * *
He had tried to stay away -- fought hard the temptation to look for her during breaks and after class. For three days he had waged a mental war with himself.
Tonami Takefumi was not in a good mood. He didn't understand his reaction to her. He grumbled and gritted his teeth. Three nights of restless sleep -- unable to make sense of his emotions and thoughts about Tsubaki Sakura.
Talking to Yukino had not helped at all.
Yukino was Tsubaki's friend. Arima introduced him to her. They had instantly connected because of their common frame of mind and backgrounds.
Yukino Miyazawa was smart, talented and popular -- and she had worked hard to be where she was. She had fashioned an outward image of perfection and excellence. She had lived her entire academic life as a completely different Yukino Miyazawa -- one who was hardly recognized by her family. All that changed when she met and fell in love with Souichiro Arima.
Tonami was always overweight as a child and that made him susceptible to bullies. He was never popular and was always the last to be picked for any game or activity. When he moved to Okinawa three years ago, he saw it as an opportunity to start anew. He exercised constantly until he lost all the unwanted weight. He worked hard mentally and physically to make himself irresistible and sought after. He achieved all of that.
And yet --
He realized who was standing there -- three meters away from him. Tsubaki. He frowned when he realized she wasn't alone. She was laughing at something Asaba was saying. He leaned on the wall and allowed himself to enjoy the vision before him.
She really is something. He watched the graceful lines of her throat when she threw her head back in laughter. He closed his eyes and reveled in the melody of her voice.
When he saw Asaba reach out to pat Tsubaki's shoulder, Tonami wanted to go over to them and shove Asaba away. He frowned at his intentions. Why would I do that? He studied her again. What is it about her that makes me want to do these things? He shook his head when he realized he had no answer -- no explanation to give himself.
He walked away -- even more confused and desperate for answers.
* * *
It turned out to be a perfect day for her. Tsubaki smiled when she realized it. She rubbed her hair vigorously with the towel. Volleyball practice had gone well. Her team was ready for the annual competition. She paused to wave goodbye at her teammates.
Finally, I'm alone. She loved being alone in the gym after practice. She was able to concentrate and focus in the silence.
She tossed the towel over her shoulder and heard a soft grunt. She turned around and found her towel draped over Tonami Takefumi's head.
It was a funny sight, but she dared not laugh. She waited instead for him to make a move.
He smirked and sat down on the bench -- watching her intently.
"What are you doing here?" She tried to keep her voice even -- tried to make herself sound as nonchalant as possible.
"You're going to practice, right? Since I have nothing better to do, I thought I'd watch."
"You-- you can't-- why-- why would you want to watch me practice?"
He shrugged. What am I doing here? "Because." He stood up and started to walk towards her.
She sputtered. "That's it? That's your explanation?" In her frustration, she threw a volleyball at him.
He returned the ball smoothly -- letting it bounce on his arms and then hit it with his palm.
Her volleyball instincts kicked in and she lunged at the ball -- not letting it hit the ground.
He's a pretty good player. She skillfully blocked an attempt to smash the ball.
She had let her guard down and was playing with enthusiasm when he suddenly stepped away and let the ball drop and then roll away. He turned to leave the court.
"What do you want from me? Why do you do this to me?" She clamped her hands to her mouth when she realized she had shouted her thoughts.
"I don't like you."
His simple statement reverberated through her body. She was stunned. "Why?" She managed to whisper.
"Do I deserve this?" She murmured.
She watched him walk away -- unable to think of anything to stop him. He doesn't like me.
She had never cared about what people thought or felt about her. But this one was different. His words cut through her like a knife and was now twisting in her gut.
She wanted to cry -- she knew that was what he expected her to do. She took a cleansing breath -- a vain attempt to calm her frazzled nerves.
* * *
The next day, she decided to tell her friends about it. Aya and Rika were very sympathetic and offered words of encouragement.
Tsubasa folded her arms across her chest. "It's him, you know. He's our Tonami Takefumi. He's changed a bit, but I recognize him." She looked at her friends -- all of them silent now. "I think he knows that I know."
"How--"
"I just do. We walked past him down the hall one time and I looked at him and knew."
Tsubaki understood what Tonami was doing to her. "Revenge." She whispered breathlessly.
Tsubasa nodded. "Uh-huh. I think he wants to prove something to you." She reached over and took a cookie from Rika's bento box. "He's doing it all wrong, though." She added softly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You'll find out, eventually." She reached out and patted Tsubaki's arm. "Don't worry. It's not going to be as bad as it seems."
Tsubaki was in a daze. She stood up and hastily packed up the lunch she had forgotten to eat. "I'm going to go and think about this."
She walked around until she found an isolated area. She climbed up the tree and leaned on the trunk.
Why do I feel like this? She stacked her hands behind her head. She remembered the things she had done to and with him three years ago. I treated him so badly then. She thought glumly.
It's too late to apologize for that, though. She took out an apple from her lunch bag and took a bite. She heard footsteps and looked down. Speaking of the devil. She took another bite of her apple. She remembered that she had another apple in her bag. Just one shot. She took it out of the bag and took aim.
He didn't know what hit him. "Ouch!" He looked up and saw Tsubaki Sakura sitting on a branch.
He climbed up to her. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed some time to think about a few things."
He didn't know what to say. Deep down, he knew he was the cause of all her worries. In his original plan, he should be ecstatic right now -- having done what he had set out to do. But he felt terrible instead.
He stood there, silently looking at her.
She closed her eyes, unable to meet his stare. She inhaled deeply to calm herself.
She looks so peaceful. So beautiful. He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. He jerked back when he realized what he had done.
Her eyes flew open. "Why did you do that? I thought you didn't like me."
"I don't like you."
She touched her lips with her fingers. "Well, that's too bad because I like you."
"What do you mean by that? Didn't you hear me? I just said I didn't like you."
She shrugged.
"Just because you don't like me, doesn't mean I should feel the same towards you." She looked him straight in the eye. "I happen to like you."
His emotions ran riot within him. He was hyperventilating. "You can't -- that's not what-- I have to go." He started to climb down the tree.
Tsubaki was surprised with her own admission. Like him? She watched him walk away. I do.
She realized she had always felt that way -- even when she was younger. Back then, she didn't know how to express her feelings. But now --
It all became so clear to her.
* * *
Author's Notes:
- Is it possible for Tonami Takefumi to be this vindictive? I think so. Love and hate are twin emotions (not opposites) -- the extent of one's "hatred" (for lack of a better word) is usually in direct proportion to the extent of one's love for that same person.
- In the anime, when Tonami encounters Tsubaki walking with Aya and Rika (Tsubasa is riding on Tsubaki's back), Tonami comments that "Tsubasa knows". Tsubasa is a very perceptive person, so I'm guessing she did know.
- I had to struggle with the "volleyball" scene as I do not play that sport and I'm not very familiar with the terminology. (So sorry.)
- Did Tsubaki really like Tonami since before? I guess she did. I don't think someone would willingly hang out with anyone if they didn't like that person in the first place.
Why did she treat him so badly? That was the only way she knew how to act and treat people (and if you think about it, this is how she treated Aya, Rika and Tsubasa, when they were younger, too.)