CHAPTER IX: A MAIDEN'S CONFESSION

"Now, Ayako-kun," Anzai turns to Ayako. "Let's talk."

Ayako sits down. –I guess I have to confess. After all, he's like a father to us all.-

"This day is special to you, isn't it?"

-Damn! He got right to the point!- "Hai, Anzai-sensei." -Better cover it up a bit.- "This is the game prior to Kainan. And since we won…"

Anzai senses Ayako's panic and chuckles. "I don't mean it that way, child."

Ayako lifts her head in alarm. –Does he know something?- "What do you mean by that, coach?"

Anzai laughs harder. –She's trying to hide something I already know.- "Tell me, how do you feel about Miyagi-kun?"

-If that's what he wants to know…- "Anzai-sensei, it's hard for me to say, but…" -Come on, Ayako, tell him!-

"You love him, don't you?" Anzai's eyes sparkle at the revelation. He chuckles. "I knew it all along."

Ayako blushes a deep red. –Man, how did he know?-

Anzai laughs even harder at Ayako's reaction. "See? I'm right."

-No use denying it now,- Ayako decides. "I love Ryota, sensei. From the very time he joined the club. But I couldn't just walk right up to him and say it. So…"

"…you gave him a hard time, pretending you don't like him," Anzai finishes. "I understand. Poor Miyagi-kun." He laughs anew.

Ayako feels a pang of guilt. "If only I could make it up to him for all those times, sensei." She bit her lip.

Anzai nods knowingly. Then he fishes something out of his pocket.

"Happy birthday, Ayako-kun."