CHAPTER XIV: A GREAT REALIZATION

"Omedetou gozaimasu, minna. That was a very good game." Anzai walks amidst his players. "Very well done indeed."

"Arigatou, sensei." Everyone choruses.

All, except Miyagi.

Miyagi looks straight ahead. –There's something different with Aya- chan.- He pulls on his pants. –She looks happy after that talk.-

He laces up his shoes. –Is it her hair? Nah, still the same shimmering brown. Her perfume? She doesn't use perfume. Must be the new earrings.-

Suddenly, he straightens up. -Earrings? EARRINGS?-

"Oi, Hanamichi. Did you notice Aya-chan's earrings just now?"

Sakuragi ponders a bit. "Hmm. Yes, I saw them. Kinda like yours, actually."

"Yeah, just like yours, Miyagi-sempai." Ishii agrees. "I just don't know why I saw them just now."

Mitsui snickers. "Doushite nani, Miyagi? You want to borrow hers?"

-Earrings just like mine.- The words play across Miyagi's mind. –Earrings just like mine…-

"Quick! Does anyone have a pocket calendar?" Miyagi insists.

Kuwata hands him one. "Arigatou, pal." Miyagi begins to count days. –Why, today is…-

A look of extreme delight registers on his face.

"Yahoo! It's a yes! It's a big yes! Whoopee!" He runs around, hugging everyone, jumping up and down. "It's a yes!"

"Yes what, Ryochin?" asks Sakuragi.

But Miyagi is nowhere to be found.