Yearning for Sakaki
Part 3
The days passed by fast, and Kaorin's life seemed better than ever: She spent nearly all her afternoons with Sakaki-san! Some at Kaorin's, with Sakaki admiring Ema (but always keeping a respectful distance), and some at Chiyo-chan's, with Sakaki playing with Tadakichi-san. Kaorin would never grow tired of watching Sakaki, when she was engrossed with an animal: She would then be completely different from at school, surrendering to her adoration of their cuteness and losing any reticent appearance. She wouldn't seem cool as usual, more like cute, and her eyes would radiate such open happiness that it was a joy to behold! And even though Kaorin had initially admired Sakaki's cool appearance, she had grown ever fonder of that other side of Sakaki – of her joy and being at ease.
Kaorin and Sakaki also went to the movies together, and went shopping at a few malls. The best day was a trip to the zoo: Sakaki was euphoric and spent hours watching lions, tigers, wolves, elephants, penguins and numerous other animals. Kaorin followed her quietly, smilingly enjoying the company of Sakaki, who was far too engrossed to do much conversation.
In spite of these joys, a feeling started to grow in Kaorin: A feeling that this wasn't enough anymore! She loved to be with Sakaki-san. But now that this had become fairly normal, she wanted something closer. By and by she had realized that her feelings for Sakaki had evolved from admiration and crush to love. She loved Sakaki, and she wanted to be loved too! And she wanted to touch Sakaki, and hold her, and that Sakaki would also hold her. In spite of this realization she didn't dare to do anything right now: She was biding her time, and for the present she just enjoyed being with her beloved.
This problem, sneakingly growing every day, was accompanied by another: Not only did Kimura-sensei haunt her during class, one day he also succeeded in cornering her alone at 'Kaorin & Kimurin's Flower Garden'.
"Kaorin" the hated teacher said, dropping his jaw limply.
"Sensei?" Kaorin sighed dejectedly.
"How about you and her?" he asked, leaning his head on one side with a loud 'crack'. "Any evolvement?"
Kaorin blushed, and looked embarrassedly at the ground. "Y-yes…" she stammered.
"Very soon it will be summer holiday" he went on, as the fogged up glasses stared at her. "Make sure that you'll be together with her!"
Kaorin nodded unhappily. Then she turned around and ran to the toilets. Here she sat sniffling for a while, until the next period started.
In the evening it gets better
And she thinks how it's not right
That someone so stupid
Can so easily screw up your life (Pulp: "Someone Like The Moon")
XXXXXXXX
The last, short school day before summer holiday came and passed. After school Sakaki and Kaorin, like so often recently, followed Chiyo-chan back to her house. On the way they chatted enjoyably, but in the back of her head Kaorin was despairing about how the summer holiday would go!
At Chiyo-chan's house they met her father. "Hi, Dad!" Chiyo-chan shouted happily, though a bit surprised. "You're home very early, aren't you?"
"Hi, sweetie" Mihama-san said lovingly. "Welcome" he said and smiled at the two friends.
"Thank you" they both answered, and looked embarrassedly at the floor.
"Chiyo-chan, I won't be staying long, so you'll have to eat without me, okay?" the father said.
"Okay" Chiyo-chan replied and smiled sweetly. "By the way, Dad, there's something that I have to ask you!"
"Let's hear it" the father said and smiled.
"Can I borrow the summer house again this year, and go there with my friends?"
"Of course, sweetie – anything for you!"
"I promise we'll study a lot, to prepare for the exams next spring" Chiyo-chan assured him.
"That's fine, sweetie."
"And Kurosawa-sensei and Tanizaki-sensei will come as well, and drive us there" Chiyo-chan went on.
Kaorin smiled. "Chiyo-chan, he did say yes!"
Chiyo-chan smiled cutely. "Thank you, Dad!"
"I'm just sorry that I can't go on holiday with you" he said, and fondly stroked her hair.
"It's okay, Dad – I know how busy you are at work" Chiyo-chan bravely said.
The three girls went to Chiyo-chan's room. "Sakaki-san, Kaorin: Would you like to come along to our summer house?" the young girl asked.
Kaorin and Sakaki glanced at each other. "Yes please!" they both said and smiled. "I've regretted not coming ever since you asked me the first time" Kaorin added – "so this time I really want to come!"
"Great!" Chiyo-chan said happily. "Let's call the others and invite them as well! Tomo asked me if we could go there – and now that Dad said yes, we can make arrangements with the others, and with Yukari-sensei and Nyamo-sensei."
While Chiyo-chan was on the phone, and Sakaki as usual was playing with Tadakichi-san, Kaorin was full of mixed feelings: Kimura-sensei had to be satisfied with her now, she thought, and felt depression coming on. But the thought of being on holiday with Sakaki-san – to be with her day and night, and not just for a short time each day – was wonderful! She scarcely dared to think about what could come of this!
XXXXXXXX
A week passed by, and the day set for going to the summer house arrived. To Kaorin this trip held great promise, but she was nervous as well: For a full week, day and night, she would be with her dear Sakaki-san. Would she get to express her love to Sakaki? And how would Sakaki react? The thought of Sakaki not loving her was an idea that she didn't even dare brush. No, that was unthinkable – Sakaki had, in her own subtle way, shown joy of being with Kaorin, and Kaorin held no doubts that she was now Sakaki's closest friend!
Kaorin had met Tomo, Kagura and Osaka on her way to Chiyo-chan's house. All of them were cheerful and enthusiastic about the trip, but as usual Tomo surpassed all others with her loud excitement: She went on and on about how much she'd swim, sunbathe, smash watermelons, and just relax and enjoy her holiday. Kagura tried to remind her of the upcoming exams next spring, but it was a wasted effort – Tomo obviously only had thoughts of loafing and playing.
The energetic wildcat pressed the button on the intercom at the gate of the Mihama residence, and the gate promptly opened.
"Yoohoo" the girls shouted excitedly to Chiyo-chan and Yomi, who were waiting for them in the garden.
"Everyone, thanks for coming!" Chiyo-chan said, smiling brightly.
"Kaorin is joining us for the first time!" Tomo announced, and turned to do a (somewhat unnecessary) introduction. "Huh?"
Kaorin weren't by her side. She had immediately spotted Sakaki-san, who sat under a tree with a blissful smile, petting Tadakichi-san.
Kaorin hurried to her and bowed deeply to Sakaki: "Um… please take good care of me!"
Sakaki bowed, blushing slightly.
"Even though I'm extremely incompetent!"
They both bowed again, and a furious blushing spread on Kaorin's face: Though she did wish to be Sakaki's partner, to show it openly like this!
Nyamo-sensei had arrived in her little blue car. "So… we have nine people this year" she pointed out to the seven girls with some regret. "We're going to have to take two cars."
"Nine people?" Yomi exclaimed, and looked with worry at her friends. "Two cars?"
A car horn sounded from the gate, causing instant nervous trembling in Chiyo-chan.
"D-d-don't tell me…" Yomi gasped.
The friends turned to face the slowly opening gate, and through the air shimmering with heat there appeared a larger, but battered and dented car. Yukari-sensei sat behind the wheel, waving excitedly, as the windshield wiper quite senselessly went back and forth.
"Y-Yukaris car…" Yomi, Tomo, Kagura, Osaka and Sakaki sighed as one.
"What happened?" Kaorin asked, uncomprehending.
"So that's the thing Chiyo-chan rode to become emotionally scarred two years ago" Kagura stated, fear in her voice.
"Emotionally scarred!" exclaimed with fright.
"Ah - Chiyo-chan's already inside Nyamo-sensei's car!" Osaka noticed, surprised and envious at the same time.
Kaorin was breathless: "How exactly does she drive…?"
"What are you gonna do?" Kagura said.
"Does someone have to ride in Yukari-sensei's car?" Osaka asked.
"Well, excluding Chiyo-chan…" Yomi said with resignation.
Yukari-sensei parked the car in front of the girls, and grinned at them.
Kaorin swallowed hard. "I get car sick easily, so if you don't mind…"
"Then, I'll go" Sakaki bravely stated.
Frightened, Kaorin and Osaka stared at her.
"I'll join you!" Kaorin desperately cried, trying to conquer her nervous trembling, though without much luck.
"So cool…" Osaka said, staring at Kaorin with surprise.
"Well, then! Go, Yukari-chan!" Tomo excitedly yelled, once she was in Yukari's car as the third passenger.
The eyes of their teacher flashed manically as she floored the gas pedal to burn rubber, causing the car to back and instantly skid. The girls screamed, and without thinking Kaorin clung to Sakaki in the backseat.
"What's going on!" Kaorin squealed, horror-struck, once the car again stood still.
Yukari-sensei looked around with amazement. "That's weird… Oh?"
"What? What?" Kaorin cried.
"Whoops!" Yukari sheepishly said. "It was in reverse!"
"You're so stupid, Yukari-chan!" Tomo said cheerfully and grinned.
Kaorin turned completely pale.
"Go, Yukari-chan!" once again yelled, and with a scream the teacher again floored the gas pedal. They pealed out, careening through the gate and down the street.
"Go! Overtake Nyamo's car!" Tomo excitedly yelled.
In the backseat, Kaorin shrieked and desperately clung to Sakaki's arm. Sakaki's face was fraught with mortal fear.
Nyamo-sensei stopped at a red light, just as Yukari's car with screeching brakes came to a halt next to her.
"What are you stopping for!" Tomo yelled to Nyamo and grinned. "Dumbass! Dumbass!" she shouted and stuck her tongue out, before Yukari again roared off and sped past them, ignoring the stoplight.
"And we've safely arrived!" Yukari-sensei said with satisfaction, once they finally, after several near-death experiences, arrived at Chiyo-chan's summer house by the sea.
"Yay! We're here!" Tomo shouted with joy.
"Yes, we are" Yomi dispassionately said.
Sakaki helped an exhausted and still trembling Kaorin out of the car. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I like how roller coasters don't get into accidents…" Kaorin answered in a shaky voice. Of course she'd been car sick most of the trip. The only bright spot was that she'd been able to hold Sakaki-san all the way. But even that she couldn't really enjoy, considering Yukari's driving and her condition.
Yukari stepped out of her car, smiling and humming, and then suddenly looked at the car in surprise. "Oh… The side mirror was folded up the whole time" she cheerfully realized.
Suddenly, Kaorin felt even worse!
XXXXXXXX
Now that they were finally by the sea, not too surprisingly, Tomo wanted to swim instead of study. She persuaded the others to go to the beach first, while it was still bright and warm, thus postponing study session till later. And so the first afternoon was spent at the beach, with swimming, watermelon-smashing and playing and fun.
Much to her own chagrin, Kaorin was still a bit car sick, so she had to lie down and just watch the others. A couple of times Kimura-sensei's disgusting face popped up in her mind, but she immediately suppressed the thought of his existence – she'd much rather be thinking of Sakaki-san!
Gradually, though, she felt better. As the day was on the wane, and they returned to the summer house, she'd resolved to not waste any more time, and as soon as possible get together with Sakaki-san in a secluded spot. She had to openly tell Sakaki of her love, and this trip was the best chance she could ever hope to get. She couldn't afford to lose it!
"Tsukurimashou, tsukurimashou, sate sate nani ga dekiru ka na…" (Let's make something, let's make something - Well then, I wonder what's going to be made)
Chiyo-chan had started on dinner, assisted by Yomi. Cautiously, Kaorin came over to Sakaki, who sat staring at the sea.
"Sakaki-san, would… would you like to go for a walk?" Kaorin shyly asked.
"Sure" Sakaki replied with a small smile, and stood up.
They went into the forest behind the house. The sun was setting behind the hills following the coast, and the clouds over the sea gradually turned pink and orange. As they put some distance between themselves and the house it grew very quiet – only a few insects and birds chirping were heard, and listening intensely you could even hear the sea.
"Ah, this is beautiful" Kaorin sighed with joy. "And so peaceful!"
"Mmm…" Sakaki nodded.
"Are you enjoying this?" Kaorin asked, and was worried right away if that sounded too corny?
"Yes, it's nice here" Sakaki replied with a small smile.
They walked in silence for a couple of minutes. "Sakaki-san, do you miss the animals?" Kaorin finally asked. "I mean, Tadakichi-san and Ema and…"
"No, it's okay" Sakaki bashfully said.
"But, you've been playing with Tadakichi-san and Ema so often lately" Kaorin objected, a bit surprised. "And you always seem so happy and relaxed, when you're with them…" Had she said too much? She had grown to love the openly happy and relaxed Sakaki as much as the cool Sakaki from school, but she didn't want Sakaki to take this as criticism in any way, that she changed like that.
Sakaki smiled, though there were small traces of want in her eyes. "It's true that I like to play with Tadakichi-san, and watch Ema and other cats" she said. "But I can't always just be with animals…" She blushed lightly. "I also like to be with you, Kaori-chan!"
Kaorin tensed. Kaori-chan? Sakaki liked her! Maybe even loved her? How she had longed to hear this! Tears ran freely from her eyes, and she smiled with joy, but couldn't make a sound. They stood like this for a moment, in silence, next to each other. Then Sakaki gently put her arms around Kaorin and held her. Kaorin's tears multiplied, and she put her arms around Sakaki's waist.
They stood for several minutes and just held each other, as Kaorin cried her tears of joy. Finally Sakaki broke the silence: "Umm… it's getting dark… Maybe we should go back…"
"Y-yes…" Kaorin said, though not without regret. They let go of each other, and walked back to the house.
"Hey, Kaorin, are you okay?" Kagura asked as they came back to the house.
"Y-yes, I'm fine" Kaorin quickly said.
Kagura was about to say something, but then she was distracted by Tomo who hurled a ball at her back. As quick as a wink she picked up the ball and charged after the loudly grinning Tomo.
Following dinner it was study time, much to Tomo's loud complaints. Kaorin sat next to Sakaki. Several times she asked Sakaki for help, and discreetly used this as an excuse to slide very close to her beloved. Sakaki always seemed to know the correct answers, and patiently explained the subjects to Kaorin.
Having studied till they almost fell asleep (Osaka was way ahead of them on this…), at last the girls went to bed and slept soundly.
The next morning Kaorin, happy and cheerful, came down to the living room and met a just as cheerful Chiyo-chan, who held a small card in her hand. "Chiyo-chan, what's this?" she asked.
Chiyo-chan cutely smiled. "It's a stamp pad. Kurosawa-sensei made it for me." She showed the card to kaorin: On it was drawn nine squares, and in one square there'd been drawn a cute little rabbit. "Every morning when I do aerobics to the radio, she'll put a stamp on it for me" the girl went on.
"That's nice" Kaorin said and smiled.
"Aerobics?" The girls turned to see Sakaki standing there, looking quite interested.
Kaorin saw a photo opportunity. She grabbed her camera and pointed it at Sakaki. "I'm going to take a snapshot! Please act normal!" she said.
"A-ah" Sakaki awkwardly said, and tried hard, though without much luck, to avoid looking unnatural.
"Relax! Relax!" said, as she focused the camera.
"Cheese!" Kaorin pressed the button. Just then a figure jumped in front of Sakaki – a girl who grinned excitedly and made a V sign to the camera: Tomo! The other girls sweatdropped.
XXXXXXXX
Nyamo-sensei suggested, reluctantly supported by Yukari-sensei, that the morning was studying. Kaorin had a hard time concentrating, as she again sat next to Sakaki-san. What was on her mind? Maybe Kaorin? Kaorin could only hope and guess – Sakaki's face betrayed no feelings as she diligently studied.
It was close to lunch time, and Kaorin really needed a break. Hence she went outside to catch some fresh air in the forest behind the house. The weather was quite hot, and the chirping of the insects seemed to emphasize the heat.
Suddenly she heard a whispering behind her – the voice was hoarse and shrill at the same time: "Kaorin!" She turned around, completely pale, as she had instantly guessed who it was: Kimura-sensei!
"Hey, Kaorin, follow me!" the man with the slack jaw ordered.
Reluctantly, Kaorin followed him, even though her feet dragged on the dry ground. They walked for a couple of minutes, until they were well away from the house.
"S-sensei…" Kaorin hoarsely said. "What are you doing here?"
"Gah?" the teacher croaked, and with a 'crack' leaned his head on one side. "I'm watching you, Kaori-chan" he responded with complete naturalness.
Kaorin felt like she was being strangled. "M-me?" she stammered. "But, why?"
"Because I like you, Kaori-chan" the pervert frankly answered. "But also because I needed to see how things progressed between you and her…"
Kaorin started to tremble nervously, and she suddenly felt very cold. "Y-yes… it is progressing… very well" she managed to say.
With another 'crack' the creep raised his head back up, and stared at her through his foggy glasses. "Good!" he said. "This trip is a unique opportunity for us – we'll probably act very soon…"
"B-but, Sensei…" Kaorin whispered, almost inaudibly.
Kimura looked up at the tree crowns, where a few sun rays glinted through the leaves. "Ahhh… I could use a glass of pool water…"
Kaorin felt her stomach contract to an even smaller and harder ball than before, and she withdrew any objections – the sooner she could get away from him, the better…
When Kaorin finally got away from him, she felt miserable and had to drag herself back to the house, where lunch in the meantime had been prepared. But she had no appetite, and didn't eat anything. Worried, Chiyo-chan asked if Kaorin was okay, but Kaorin stammered, with a forced smile, that she just wasn't hungry. Apart from this, she remained silent during the meal, and didn't even dare to glance at Sakaki. However, this seemed to go unnoticed by the others around the table: After several hours of imposed concentration on studying, Tomo seemed to make up for lost time by being even louder than usual, and quite easily got Kagura to join in. Consequently, the atmosphere seemed cheerful.
After lunch it was once again time to hit the beach. There was still a couple of watermelons left over from the day before, and Tomo, Kagura and Yukari-sensei competed for the chance to smash them. The weather was perfect, the mood was high, and nobody seemed to notice Kaorin who sat lonely and depressed, staring at the sand.
What would she do? What would she do? Her only wish in life was to be with Sakaki-san, to love her and to be loved by her. And even then her background, her mission, personified by her detested teacher, kept ruining her life. Why did it have to be like this? Her sole raison d'être had been this mission… But then, what about love? How could she escape this predicament?
Maybe she should tell Sakaki-san? No! Never! She could never tell anyone! And least of all Sakaki-san! Kaorin felt an unbearable, indescribable loneliness.
"Kaorin?"
A shadow fell on her, and she looked up to see Sakaki-san standing bent over her.
"S-Sakaki-san?"
"Kaorin, is something the matter?" Sakaki asked, kindly but worried.
Kaorin felt a tear roll down her cheek. "N-no, it… it's nothing…"
Sakaki was silent for a moment. "Would you like to go for a walk?" she then asked.
Kaorin tried to smile, and stood up.
They walked along the beach, in silence, with the waves washing up, cooling their feet nicely. Soon they were out of sight of the others.
"Kaori-chan" Sakaki said at last. "If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay… But I want you to know that I'm here if you need me!"
A wonderful, warm feeling swept through Kaorin, bringing sunshine to her troubled mind. "T-thank you, Sakaki…chan?" she stammered, smiling with tearful eyes.
Sakaki blushed. "Sakaki-chan?"
Kaorin embraced the tall girl, who tenderly put her arms around her. They stood like this, for several minutes, and just held each other, as the waves washed their feet.
Finally they let go of each other, and they slowly walked back to the others, in silence. Suddenly, Kaorin realized that she was holding Sakaki's hand. Kaorin smiled happily – it felt so natural, so reassuring! Never mind Kimura-sensei, never mind duty or mission – she'd surely find a way out!
"Hi, Sakaki-san, Kaorin" Chiyo-chan greeted them with a happy smile, when they were back with the others. "Where've you been?"
"Hi, Chiyo-chan" Kaorin happily said. "Just a walk up the beach."
"Something must've happened between those two" Nyamo smilingly remarked to Yukari.
"Hmm… it looks like that alright" her colleague replied with a grin.
And everyone knows when they look at us
Of course they do, it must be obvious
I've never told you now I suppose
that you're the only one who doesn't know (Pet Shop Boys: "It Must Be Obvious")
XXXXXXXX
Kaorin and Sakaki helped Chiyo-chan cook dinner, and then it was study time again. After a long day nobody felt like staying up late, and the last light was out before eleven.
The next morning Kaorin came out on the balcony, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, when she heard piano music, and rhythmical voices accompanying it: "One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight!"
Up on the cliff was Sakaki and Chiyo-chan, side by side, in t-shirt and shorts, doing morning exercises to the radio. "One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight!"
"I never knew that waking up early would be this great!" Kaorin said and smiled fondly. She hurried to get her camera, and pointed it at Sakaki right away. Relax, keep the camera steady, focus, focus… Click!
"Cheese!" A blurred figure jumped in front of the camera, grinning broadly: Who other than Tomo!
"Aaargh!" Kaorin screamed in despair.
Like the day before, the morning was spent studying, and again Kaorin had a hard time thinking of anything else but Sakaki: Today she had to tell Sakaki that she loved her! Kaorin had yearned for this for so long, and now finally felt she had the courage to express her love openly. Or did she? Every single time she had tried to muster the courage to tell Sakaki – during two years of school, during their close friendship of the last couple of months, even during this holiday – a ghost of fear had appeared, keeping her from acting: The fear of rejection – of not being loved. No, their love was mutual, she was sure of that – confirmed by their relationship, which had become closer and closer lately. She had to tell Sakaki that she loved her! And when would be a better time?
Plans for the afternoon was just fun at the beach, and like Nyamo-sensei had predicted, they all enjoyed their relaxation even more, now that they already had studied. They were out of watermelons, but Tomo and Kagura was much too energetic to just lie down.
"How about a game of beach volleyball?" Nyamo-sensei suggested, having brought some balls and a net.
"Yaaay, beach volley!" Kagura shouted with excitement. "Sakaki, I challenge you!"
Sakaki sighed, but nodded and stood up.
"Me too, me too!" Tomo eagerly shouted. "I wanna play too!"
Kagura glanced at her, then at the other girls. "Yomi, you wanna play?"
Yomi shook her head. "No thanks, I feel more like tanning right now."
Kagura sighed. "Okay, Tomo, we're a team."
"Ha ha, of course you pick the best co-player" Tomo smirked.
"Dummy!" Kagura replied with an impish smile. "If I win with you as a co-player, the feat will be bigger than if you were my opponent."
"What do you mean by that?" Tomo indignantly exclaimed.
Kagura ignored her. "Sakaki, who's your co-player?"
Sakaki looked around.
"Umm… Sakaki-san?" Kaorin shyly asked. "Can I be on your team?"
"Sure!" Sakaki nodded, and smiled friendly at her.
Chiyo-chan, Osaka and Yomi gathered around the small, improvised court. Nyamo-sensei was the referee. Yukari-sensei preferred to stay under the sunshade, reading a book.
"Ready? Go!" Nyamo-sensei threw the ball, and Kagura and Sakaki both jumped for it – a competition that Sakaki won due to her height. A quick hit sent the ball flying down on Kagura and Tomo's court, but Tomo managed to save it, and then Kagura sent it back across the net. Sakaki passed the ball to Kaorin, who lobbed the ball over the net in a high, predictable arc. Tomo easily passed the ball to Kagura, who smashed it down on the other side. Sakaki jumped for the ball, but was just a moment to late.
"Yaaay!" Tomo shouted. "Banzai!"
Kagura looked very pleased as well, clenching her fist triumphantly.
"Do your best, Sakaki and Kaorin!" Chiyo-chan and Osaka cheered.
The second serve went better for Kaorin and Sakaki: Kaorin passed well to Sakaki, who was just by the net, and Sakaki smashed the ball vertically down on the other side, no more than a handbreadth from the net. Kagura desperately tried to save it, but was hindered by Tomo, who jumped for the ball, hitting Kagura's shoulder with her head instead.
"Ow!" Tomo wailed, cautiously touching her temple.
"You moron!" Kagura shouted angrily. "I was closer! If it weren't for you, I'd saved it!"
"Way to go, Sakaki og Kaorin!" Yomi cheered.
"How about cheering for me, your best friend" Tomo complained, her temple still sore.
"No way, dummy" Yomi replied with a smirk. "You need to be humbled a bit!"
Luck didn't last for Kaorin and Sakaki. Tomo wasn't exactly athletic, but sports never was Kaorin's forte. She had wanted to team up with Sakaki-san, but now realized all too clearly that she was a handicap to the athletic girl. Before long Kagura and Tomo were leading comfortably.
"I'm sorry" Kaorin sighed. "I'm more of a liability than an asset…"
"No" Sakaki replied with a small smile. "We can win this yet…"
But the trend continued, and the match ended with a comfortable victory for Kagura and Tomo.
"Woo hoo hoo" Tomo cheered, jumping around ecstatically. "Banzai!"
"Congratulations!" Chiyo-chan and Osaka shouted.
"Too bad you didn't win!" Yomi tried to cheer up Sakaki and Kaorin.
"Thanks for the game!" Kagura said with a smile and bowed to Sakaki and Kaorin, who also bowed.
"I'm sorry" Kaorin said with tearful eyes. "It's my fault that we lost…"
"Oh no" Sakaki said, smiling comfortingly.
"I shouldn't have asked to be on your team" Kaorin apologetically said. "I promise I'll never do that again!"
"Don't say that!" Sakaki exclaimed, surprisingly serious. Then she smiled. "Kaorin, I'm glad you were my co-player!"
Kaorin gazed at her with moist eyes. "Really?"
Sakaki smiled at her. "Really!"
Spontaneously, Kaorin hugged her, and they stood embraced for a moment. If their friends noticed this, at least they didn't say anything.
XXXXXXXX