CAT CAUGHT MY HEART: DAY IX PART II—THE LAST WALTZ
After their jubilee hugs in the middle of the stadium, Tezuka sent everyone home. They were to meet in the sushi shop owned by Taka-san's father after dark for their traditional celebration. And until dark, everyone could do as they please.
Eiji used this time to drag Momo and Oishi to buy extra junk food for the night. Taka-san ran home to help his father prepare the food that were to be served that night. Kaidoh and Inui each disappeared to finish their own businesses unknown. Kaidoh was later spotted at the store by Eiji, buying extra bottles of white milk. Tezuka followed Fuji home to discuss the matter of dresses with his sister.
And as for Kisara, she went home so search for something decent enough to wear to their party that night.
I have nothing to wear… She thought sadly as she pawed through Ryoma's closet. Maybe Nanako-chan could have something I could wear. But it was not to be, Nanako's height was taller than Kisara, and her clothes on Kisara, looked like bed sheets. She sighed dejectedly. No use, she thought wistfully. Even though I want them to see me in something other than what I've been wearing, I have no choice.
Full of remorse, she pulled on her old, but clean white tennis skirt and white shirt. Then she trouped to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. Sighing once again, she picked up the brush and ran it through her hair until it shone and felt like silk. Having no accessories that young girls like her should have, Kisara tied the faithful ribbon of bells at her throat.
Not bad, I suppose. She eyed herself critically in the mirror. Ruffling through the drawer, she pulled out several hairpins and a magazine. Imitating the picture on the magazine as best as she could, she piled her hair on the top of her head, allowing some of the curls to escape from the pins.
She stared into the mirror again and found herself looking into the innocent face which was so unconscious of its charm. She let out a deep breath.
"This is all I could do." She said out loud to herself, wishing at the same time for some pretty little earrings or bracelets. Ryoma-kun's coming back tomorrow, how I wish he could see me like this.
She walked down to the door just as the doorbell rang.
"Hello," the young man at the door said once she opened the door. "I have here, a package for Echizen Kisara?"
"That's me." Kisara's blue eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
"This is for you then." The man smiled and handed her a flat box and a gold gift bag. "By the way, I saw you play today. You were great." He turned to leave. "Congratulations on winning the finals!"
"T-thank you." She closed the door and stared wonderingly at the box. Full of questions, she lifted up the lid of the box. She pulled out a lovely rose-hued gauze sundress between the folds of tissue.
"Oh…" She breathed. From the gift bag, she found a soft pretty pair of low heeled dress shoes, dyed a rosy pink to match the dress. Holding up the new items against herself, her eyes shone with delight.
"Yes!" She gave a little squeal as any normal girl would have done and then ran upstairs to change.
Half an hour later, she came back down the stairs, looking soft and pretty in her new flouncy rose-pink summer dress with a still pinker splashes of delicate little rose bouquets pattern. There were no sleeves, but a stole of pale pink filmy sheer, mystic and tasteful.
It was quite simple, but looked very attractive on a young girl like her. It doesn't make her look ravishing, or beautiful, or glamorous, but instead, it brought out the best of her, the natural charisma inside her nature. It enhanced her innocence and made her look very feminine as well as pretty. The v-neck was modest and the tiers of gossamer panels drifting around her legs flattered her with a touch of mystery. Adding upon Kisara's special style of elegance, she looked as full of charm and grace as ever.
As the bell rang again, she hummed a little tune and opened the door. Kaidoh stood on her doorstep, and he turned around as the door opened.
"Kaidoh-kun!" She chirped, a huge smile on her face. Kaidoh stared. Kisara's eyes sparkled with vitality and unsaid happiness and her face positively glowed.
"Uh…they sent me over to pick you up." He finally muttered. "They're afraid you don't know where the shop is. Are you ready?"
"Yes!" She skipped after him after she closed the door.
They walked side by side silently, Kaidoh sneaked looked down at his little teammate once in a while. Then, when they were in front of the sushi shop, he stopped.
"What's wrong, Kai—" Kisara looked up just as Kaidoh reached down and pulled all the pins out of her hair with one smooth movement. She gasped.
"I like you better with your hair down." He said without looking at her. "Your hair should be wild and free from everything around it, just like you."
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The boys had made sure it was a full night of divertissement. Kisara got her full share of compliments on her new dress.
"I said a frosty rose would match her hair." Fuji said, nodding his head at the little figure standing in front of him. "The gown is a confection in rose-petal silk. It's perfect on you, Kisara, it sets off your dark hair."
"Eat more sushi, eat more sushi!" Eiji was bouncing from where he was sitting. Everyone gathered around a large, low table, eating the delicacies that Taka-san's father provided. On this special occasion, the boys treated themselves to a bit of traditional saké. Kisara refused the little dish of liquor offered to her and dutifully drank her milk.
The whole Seigaku Tennis Club laughed and talked until the skies were a beautiful indigo color, late into the night. Kisara, then, grew a little melancholy. This was her last night here, with these boys, her time here had seemed so short. But she had already fulfilled her mission and it was time for her to go back to where she belonged.
"Who want to sing more Karaoke with me?!" Momo bellowed, his eyes glittering with ecstasy. Reaching out, he grabbed Kaidoh. "Come on, Kaidoh, it's your turn!"
"Let go of me." At Kaidoh's cold voice, Momo frowned and released him, but in turn, grabbing Oishi instead.
"Your turn, then, Oishi!" Oishi did a face-fault.
"Um…Momo, you and Eiji have dominated the Karaoke all night." He admitted. "I'm sure the rest of us are already getting a headache from your voices."
"Don't I sing well?" Momo demanded. When a sea of shaking heads greeted him, he dropped the microphone and scowled.
"My truthful, loving friends…" He muttered and flopped down, drowning his sorrows in more rice cake. The boys were quiet for a few minutes, silently savoring the taste of dessert.
"I should be getting home. It's late." Kisara finally spoke up in a little boys. The boys turned to her and Eiji narrowed his eyes.
"NO!" He finally chirped, wrapping an arm, around her. "Not yet! We still have a long night ahead of us!"
"It is getting boring, though…" Inui cordially sipped his tea.
"Yeah…" Momo looked up at the ceiling and counted on his fingers. "We already ate, teased each other, talked about more tennis strategies, told embarrassing stories of our childhood, played random games, and sang about a million hours of Karaoke…what else is there to do?"
"Taka-san, any ideas?" Fuji looked down at Taka-san and smiled.
"I know!" Eiji sat up in a hurry and flashed a grin. "Let's make Tezuka sing!" At Tezuka's cold look, he wrinkled his nose. "Oh, that's right, we already tried that." Kisara giggled at the disapproving look the redhead was sending the captain. To cover his disappointment, he swiped another Anago from Kaidoh and stuffed it into his mouth.
"What about you, Fuji-kun!" She asked. "Why don't you sing us a song? I can't believe you're not a good singer." Fuji smiled and shook his head.
"I'll pass."
"What are we going to do then?" Mom sat back with a huff, his arms crossed.
"Are you young people all out of things to do in here?" Taka-san's father appeared. The boys and Kisara straightened up and chorused,
"Good evening, Mr. Kawamura!" The owner of the sushi shop laughed.
"No need to be so formal!" He smiled and Kisara could see the resemblance between Taka-san and his father. Both of them had warm, amicable smiles. Mr. Kawamura held up a CD case.
"I overheard what you boys have already done. What you haven't done, yet, is dance. Now, I have here the new soundtrack that was just imported. Why don't you boys try it out?" With a friendly wave, he left the group to amuse themselves with the CD.
"'The Best of Everlasting Favorites—Golden Oldies?'" Inui read aloud. "American songs, then?"
"In English?" Oishi asked, furrowing his brows.
"Hey, this is perfect!" Momo cocked his head. "I'm all opened for it. I love English music!"
"I do, too!" Taka-san pumped a fist up in the air. It was a fact that Momo and Taka-san hardly speaks Japanese on the court.
"So do I!" Eiji echoed. "Put it on, Tezuka, put it on!"
Everyone waited with anticipation as the first song came up.
"Oh, oh, oh!!" Taka-san exclaimed. "I love this song!" Soon, he, Momo, and Eiji were wailing on the top of their lungs to some music Kisara didn't recognize.
"For goodness sakes, turn it off…" Tezuka was rubbing his temples. Eiji stopped in mid-word and his eyebrows twitched. Taka-san stopped and blushed bright red.
"Ne…too much for you guys to take?" Momo shook his head. He turned back to the player and fussed with a switch. This time, a low, smooth male voice came on with a slow song.
"This one better?" He grunted, then settled back. Kisara wrapped her arms around her knees, her eyes soft and shining as she listened to the words of the love song. Fuji, sitting across from her, was also leaning against his palm and listening peacefully.
I wondered should I go, or should I stay.
The band had only one more song to play.
And then I saw you out the corner of my eye,
A little girl alone and so shy…
"Hey, Kisara-chan," Fuji said all of a sudden, turning towards her. "Let's dance." With that, he stood up and walked over to her.
"B-but," Kisara stammered, her face red. "I don't know how to dance."
"It doesn't matter." Fuji took hold of Kisara and drew her out onto the floor.
"Go, Fuji!" Eiji cheered, sipping his tea from the floor.
Kisara had no idea how to waltz, but Fuji's grip around her waist and hand was warm and reassuring. Like an elder brother, he just held her close and swept her back and forth in a smooth, relaxing pace to the alluring chorus of the melody.
I had the last waltz with you.
Two lonely people together.
I fell in love you with you,
The last waltz should last…forever.
"My turn, Fuji, my turn!!" Eiji scrambled up and flowingly cut in. But instead of imitating Fuji's placid, courteous manner of the proper way to waltz, he simply wrapped both arms around Kisara in an embrace and buried his nose in her hair. She blushed madly at his first touch, but then tightened her arms around Eiji's neck and relished his friendly intimacy. She felt as if she were floating in the land of dreams.
Thought the love we had was going strong,
Through the good and bad we'd get along,
And then the flame of love died in your eyes,
My heart was broke in two when you said good-bye…
Taka-san tapped Eiji on the shoulders with a shy smile, and with a gallant dip at the waist, he took Kisara's hand and placed his other hand on her lower back, sweeping her out to the dance floor, and began waltzing her grandly, with glorious gliding loops. Kisara relaxed in his grip and began gliding back and forth, as light as feather. From the player, the male voice was still singing.
I had the last waltz with you.
Two lonely people together.
I fell in love you with you,
The last waltz should last…forever.
Before the verse ended, Oishi cut in. Then Momo. After that, Kaidoh. Even Inui wanted a turn with their young, female tennis player. The boys got into the spirits and twirled their partners around. There was no embarrassment, only the trusting, intimate feeling between friends.
Those who were waiting for a chance with Kisara danced with other members of their teams, laughing and mocking at each others' klutzy dance moves. The gauzy silk of Kisara's dress swirled around her ankles, making a soft whispering sound. Relaxed in her partner's embrace, she slowly savored the warmth of each boys' embrace. As the soft voice continued singing in the background, Kisara felt tears begin to build up against her lashes. Her last waltz. Her first waltz, and also her very last waltz.
It's all over now, nothing left to say,
Just my tears, and the orchestra playing…
Eventually, as the last member that hadn't had a chance, Tezuka cut in.
"Our baby is growing up." Eiji remarked as he leaned back against the wall. "Look at her, waltzing with the captain." Usually, he would have snickered at the funny way the sentence sounded, but when Oishi looked back, he saw that it was an almost sad smile that Eiji had on his face. His eyes were still sparkling, but somehow, looked as if it held unshed tears.
"Eiji, what's wrong?" He edged over and whispered. Eiji shook his head, looking embarrassed and confused.
"I don't know, Oishi." He admitted. "I don't know. Somehow, when I danced with her. It felt like that last time we're going to dance together ever."
Oishi was silent.
"You felt it, too, huh?" The vice-captain replied finally. "The aura her body is giving out, it seems as though she's saying good-bye…"
The clock stroke eleven.
Kisara continued dancing.
Thought the love we had was going strong,
Through the good and bad we'd get along,
And then the flame of love died in your eyes,
My heart was broke in two when you said good-bye…
Crystal teardrops were softly rolling down Kisara's face and onto Tezuka's shirt. Involuntary, she clutched on tighter to the tennis captain and did her best to stop the quivering of her lips. Under her, her feet moved automatically, while in her mind, memories of the nine days were flashing by. Behind her, seeming like a lifetime away, the sorrow speakers were still singing, matching her mood perfectly.
I had the last waltz with you.
Two lonely people together.
I fell in love you with you,
The last waltz should last…forever.
As the last note faded out, Kisara untangled herself from Tezuka quickly, turning away to brush away the tears that threatened to overflow. Eiji reached out, his expression matching her mood.
"Kisara-chan…" She turned around and tried to smile, in spite of the tears that ran down her complexion.
"I had a good time." The boys were silent as she said, her lips trembling. "You guys were so good to me, but I have nothing in reply." She brushed her tears away and laughed shakily. "You must think I'm silly…crying like this after a waltz…"
"Kisara-chan…" She looked up, a light behind her misty eyes.
"The only thing I have and can leave you with…" She walked over to the side of the bookshelf and when she turned around, they boys saw that she held a pair of scissors in her hands.
"K-Kisara-chan, what are you doing?!" Oishi looked stricken as he headed for her. "Let's not get hasty." He coaxed, reaching for her. "Let's take it easy…"
Kisara smiled. "Relax, Oishi-kun. I'm not going to harm myself. I'm just going to give all of you a memento of me. So you'll remember me when I'm gone." She took the scissors and with one swift movement, a long, silky lock of her dark chocolate hair lay upon the floor. The boys gasped. Oishi let out a deep breath.
Oblivious to everyone else, Kisara daintily separated the thick lock of hair.
"Here." She flushed prettily as she handed the small romantic keepsakes around to all the boys. Each cluster was secured with a little white ribbon. The boys were quiet.
"Well, I've got to go. It's late." She stood up. And before anyone could offer to walk her home, or even say good-bye, she disappeared into the darkness of the night, leaving the boys with nothing, but a memory.
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What a pretty night. Kisara thought to herself as she walked back to the Echizen residence. The moon lighted the way for her with their lambency. With silent footsteps, she closed the gate behind her and walked toward the backyard.
This is it. She stared at the pretty crescent moon. A small smile soon etched its way onto her lips. She reached up and tousled her long hair, playing with the glossy tresses. Then, she reached down and took off her shoes and wiggled her toes, giggling softly. It was fun. She thought back to her days with the Seigaku tennis team. A small sigh followed. Her giggle turned into a sad smile.
Kisara arched her back so the silver moonlight adorned her face.
Ryoma-kun, I'm ready.
The clock stroke midnight.