"You can start practicing with your left hand now. But do not train too vigorously at first. I will monitor your progress for a week. If my predictions are right, you are soon on your way home."
"REALLY?" Kenita smiled excitedly at her doctor.
"Hai," she confirmed.
Kenita pulled her into a hug. "The most wonderful news I've heard in my life!"
"But remember, no vigorous training. You are not allowed to have your own games as well from now on. Or else, my predictions might get messed up. Will you work with me? Once this is over, you can play to your heart's content."
"Not a problem. I've so got to tell Kunimitsu!" And Kenita rushed out of the room.
---
Kenita could tell Tezuka was in a good mood the moment he opened the door to her.
"What are you so happy about?"
"So are you."
"I can't tell you how happy I am! Oh, I feel like giving you a hug now!" And she did, pulling a surprised Tezuka into a warm hug.
"You really do things at your own pace." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
"Hai, hai. Gomen, gomen."
There was a pause, and then, "Argh! Why can't you just ask me what happened! I'm dying to tell! Anyway, my doctor said that I could start playing with my left hand now!"
"You're left handed?"
"Didn't you know?"
Tezuka shook his head slightly. "So am I."
"I knew that a long time ago! Anyway, if by the end of the week her predictions are correct, I'll be on my way back to Japan!"
"Great."
"You're not very enthusiastic," Kenita pouted.
"I'm not good at that."
They fell into another silence. Kenita broke it again.
"Can you at least tell me what you are happy about, Kunimitsu?"
"More or less the same news as you."
Kenita screamed in delight and pulled Tezuka into another hug. "Yay!"
Suddenly, there was a knock and the door opened. One of Tezuka's friends entered and stopped suddenly at their position against each other. Kenita stared at him then dazed him with her smile as she let go of Tezuka.
The guy cleared his throat, "Um, Tezuka, I…thought girls aren't allowed in boys' rooms…?"
Kenita jumped up and smiled again, "Oh, don't worry! We're friends! We're not going to kill each other or anything!"
Tezuka rolled his eyes without anyone seeing.
"Meaning you have to go, Kenita."
"Gomen! Bye then Kunimitsu and his friend!"
She left.
His friend let out a sigh of relief. "What were you doing just now?"
"Nothing illegal."
"You have a weird sense of humor, you know."
"Hoi! Minna! I've got great news from Kenita!" Arita called out to her teammates who were getting ready for practice.
Everyone immediately crowded around. There were shouts of "What?", "Quick tell us!", "She's coming back today?" and "She already in Japan?"
"Her wrist's probably healed," Sakura said softly, admiring her black nails and polishing them.
"She's down for a week's monitoring and if everything's fine, she's returning. She will be in time for the Nationals if she comes back in a week," Arita said self-consciously.
"Can't you have more enthusiasm? Your sister's coming back, after all."
"Everyone 50 laps on heels, now!"
There was a groan, "60 laps then!"
Everyone shut up. Putting on two-inch heels, they started running. All had perfect balance and finished a round in a minute like always.
Arita, however had three-inch heels on and started to run with them.
"Next practice, three-inch heels!" she shouted.
Everyone groaned again. "70 laps!"
Okay, so this is a boring chapter... I know... I'm feeling terrible these days...
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