Chapter 17- The Last Night As (Just) Friends…
'twas the night before the big performance. The sky was full of glittering stars and the moon was splendidly marvelous. It was full. The wind blew gently, making leaves flutter by every window… Everyone had gone to bed. It was peaceful. But one young soul was still feeling bothered. Shikamaru stood by the window, staring at the dark, night sky. His mind was uneasy. He was thinking about the next day…
"What if I screw it? Then, I'll blow everything! Ino'd probably never forgive me…" he said, then looked behind him and saw Choji sleeping peacefully. "Potato chips… Come… Back…" he muttered. Then, Shikamaru continued looking at the stars. His heart was deeply disturbed. He was full of anxiety.
"Oh, darn it… Guess I'd just have to back-out from the play…"
"But you can't back-out!" said a voice from behind.
Shikamaru looked behind him and saw Ino standing by the doorway, in her night clothes. Her eyes looked as if she was about to cry. She stood there, thrusting her hands to her chest.
"I-Ino! I didn't see you standing there."
"Shikamaru, I… You can't go! No one else knows the lines as good as you do! You can't just walk out like that!"
"But, Ino, I…"
"Listen, if you back-out, I… I'm gonna have to back-out from the play with you!"
Then, she ran to Shikamaru and held him tightly. Tears started leaking out from her eyes. She sobbed and sobbed. This only made Shikamaru feel worse.
"Shikamaru, just a few days ago… I… I told you I wanted us getting along well… We're in this together. If you go, I… I don't know what else to do!"
"Ino…"
"Listen! I know, you're afraid of screwing everything! I am, too, but… But that's not a good enough reason to just run away from it like that! Cliché, as it may sound… but everyone makes mistakes! And they learn from their mistakes, Shikamaru. I don't care if you blow everything… I… I'd still like you, anyway…"
Shikamaru blushed. Then, hugged Ino back.
"Ino… Thanks."