TODOKANU OMOI- My Friend's Love

Chapter 7

The poet was good. Even Yaten had to admit that, although she reminded him of Jiro in his anime moods. He had never really been interested in poetry; that was Taiki's passion. Ami, however, was entranced by the reading, so Yaten endured. Besides, the coffee was really good.

"That was so romantic," Ami sighed, clapping as the poet bowed, concluding her performance.

"Maybe," Yaten grudged, clapping that the performance was finally over.

"What didn't you like about it?"

"I don't think dying for the one you love is very romantic. It's kind of selfish. If you loved someone that much, you'd want to live for them, to keep them from being hurt."

Ami paused, thoughtfully. "I never thought about it that way before."

"Besides," Yaten sipped his coffee. "She reminded me of Jiro in one of his speeches."

Ami laughed. "Speaking of Yamada, how did you become friends?"

"What do you mean?"

"You are the only one in school that actually hangs out with him."

Yaten studied the cup in his hands. "I don't know. He sort of... 'found' me one day, and then I could never get rid of him." /And after a while, I didn't want to./ "He kind of grows on you. Like mold."

"Only you would compare someone to mold."

"What else would you compare him to?"

"I don't know. I'm not a poet."

"Then we'll ask her." Yaten gestured towards the young woman who was taking a break.

"Yaten!" Ami gasped, trying to decide whether to smile or be exasperated. "You can't do that!"

"Why not?" Yaten had a mischevious glint in his eye. "She's a poet. Similes are supposed to be her specialty."

The young woman had just reached them, a knowing smile on her face. She obviously thought that she was being called over to compose a love poem for a happy couple. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yeah, I've got this friend who's really annoying and an otaku-" As Yaten explained exactly what kind of a poem he wanted , Ami tried very hard not to laugh. /I can't believe he's doing this!/ she thought, holding her mouth with her hand at the poet's expression at her 'assignment.'

Though she obviously found the assignment distasteful, the poet managed to produce something that nearly described Jiro Yamada to a tee. And the large tip Yaten gave her helped to assuage her feelings.

"How was that for poetry?" Yaten asked as the poet walked away to prepare for her next number.

"In the vein of Ogden Nash, it was quite good," Ami said, trying to keep a straight face. "But, poetry is supposed to be romantic."

"Who said?" Yaten asked.

"Well, it just.. *is*. Taiki used to-" Ami quickly clapped her hands over her mouth, a slow blush rising on her face. She was out with Yaten, not Taiki. Why, oh why did she even *say* that?

"-recite poetry to you," Yaten finished, all traces of humor gone from his face. "Yeah, he probably would have."

"Yaten, I didn't mean-"

"Forget it. Just forget it."

Ami shook her head. What happened? She hadn't meant to mention Taiki, especially not in front of Yaten. She felt the mood chill quickly, and grabbed her coffee cup, wanting something, anything to do. "I'm sorry," she murmured, wondering if there was a long line for the woman's bathroom.

Yaten looked at her, then sighed. "It really bothers you? Arguing?"

"I've... never been good at it."

"Not even with Rei as a friend?"

A smile creeped back onto Ami's face. "She never argued with me. Only Usagi."

"Tell me about it," Yaten groaned. "That seems to be all they ever do."

"And you and Seiya aren't the same way?"

"That's... different."

"In what way?"

"Seiya needs his ego deflated every now and then. If he gets too big a head, his shirts won't fit any more." Yaten thought for a while, then added, "besides, if he gets too used to having his own way, he won't be a good leader. He needs to be challenged, to be made to think about his decisions. That way, we know he's making the right ones when he has to decide quickly."

"Funny," Ami gazed at him fondly. "I never realized you had such deep thoughts."

Yaten sipped his coffee, smirking slightly. "There's a lot about me you don't know."

"True," Ami smiled. "But I'd like to find out."

****

The streets of Juuban were a lot quieter than the crowded streets of Shibuya. Ami looked up at the sky, with its sheen of twinkling stars. Despite that incident at the coffee shop, tonight was turning into a perfect night. They had played some video games at an arcade (Yaten was still in shock at being beaten by her), eaten dinner at an Indian restaraunt, and now they were walking to her house.

It reminded her very much of a night, nearly three weeks ago, when she was out with another young man. One who never felt the same way she did about the night sky. It felt like deja-vu.

Only this time, it felt right.

It also felt like a very short walk from the station to the front of her house. "Well, we're here," Yaten said.

Ami nodded, trying to think of something to say. "Thank you," was the best she could come up with.

"Don't mention it." There was another nervous pause; somehow Ami couldn't bring herself to look in his eyes. "I'll see you on Monday, then."

"Okay." Ami opened the gate to her house. "Good night."

"Good night."

/Well, that's that,/ Ami thought, slowly walking to her door. Although she was happy, she was also vaguely disappointed. But she couldn't put her finger on why. /Oh well. I'll see him tomorrow at school./

Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard him call her name. "Yes?" she turned about.

"You forgot something."

"I did?" Ami rushed back to the gate, trying to recall all that she had brought with her that night. There hadn't been a forecast of rain, so she hadn't taken her umbrella. Or had she? "What?"

"This." Quickly, as if he would loose his nerve if he hesitated, Yaten leaned over and kissed her.

****

"Knight to Queen 4, and checkmate," Taiki couldn't help but smile as he claimed his victory.

Seiya stared in disbelief at the move, then slumped back into his chair. "That's four games you've won already. And we've only been playing two hours."

"You keep making illogical strategical moves." Taiki explained, rearranging the pieces on the board. "You attack full force, with no thoughts as to who to sacrifice in order to get what you want."

"I hate losing pieces."

"Sometimes you must sacrifice." Taiki gave him a wistful smile. "You'd never make a good strategist."

"It's a good thing I'm a Sailor Scout, then," Seiya grinned at him, then straightened up. "One more game. I'll beat you this time!"

"I'm home!" Yaten entered the living room, a look of contentment on his face. "Playing chess? How many times have you lost Seiya?"

"How do you know I'm losing! I could be whipping Taiki's butt!"

"That bad?" Yaten turned to Taiki.

"Four times." Taiki answered, casually replacing the pieces.

"Okay, maybe I'm losing now, but I'll make a comeback!" Seiya insisted. "How'd the date go, by the way?"

Yaten smiled. "Really well. Thanks for the suggestion, Taiki."

"My pleasure." Taiki continued to place pieces on the board. "I'm glad things turned out so well."

"How far did you get?" Seiya leered.

"That's a rude question." Yaten cuffed him on the head.

"Not that far then?"

"I'm going upstairs," Yaten announced, pointedly ignoring Seiya. "I've got some work to do."

"We have a concert in two weeks," Taiki reminded him. "The song still needs a bit more work."

"Okay, okay, I'll get to it." Yaten headed towards the stairs, pausing for a parting shot. "Good luck Seiya. You're going to need all you can get."

"That arrogant jerk," Seiya half-heartedly muttered. He looked up at Taiki, who was lost in thought. He knew that look well, he'd been through the same thing himself. "Still feeling bad?"

"It was the right thing to do," Taiki answered, noncomittically. "I wonder why I feel this way. It's illogical."

"If you were completely logical, I'd be worried," Seiya grinned. "Want to play basketball?"