Serial Stories
By:Funakounasoul
Disclaimer: Azumanga Daioh =/= mine. Kiyohiko Azuma's the creator

CHAPTER THREE - DAYDREAMS

When one spends as much time together, growing together, as Tomo and Yomi, it was very difficult to pinpoint when certain feelings start to flourish. It was hard to recall, but, at some point, Yomi began to grow impatient and irritated with her friend. She knew why – Tomo was still quite childish and they were halfway done with high school by now and has shown no signs of maturing. That rambunctious girl was always yelling about something immature if she was not teasing and taunting Yomi or one of their friends. She really needed to get her act together. She would not be safe within the boundaries of school and youthfulness forever. When did it all start, though? Everything had a tendency to blur together.

Likewise, the moment Yomi began to have a more intimate attachment to Tomo seemed to have no real beginning. That bothered her. It must have been a slow and gradual escalation. For every obnoxious memory, there were a few quiet moments. These were moments they shared together. Tomo was never exactly like a calm kitten, but there was just something endearing about the girl during those moments. It could be the walk to and from school, a shopping trip, or even just hanging out at Yomi's (never Tomo's, though – her room was notoriously a mess and her dog could get just as hyper as she would). Her smile was like a million rays of sunshine...her "intimate" laugh, well, Yomi could not help but feel a little warm inside hearing it. Sometimes she just wanted to walk up to Tomo, hold onto her shoulders every so gently, reach in and…

"HEY! YOMI~!"

Yomi snapped out of her…reverie? Was she really out of it for that long? No matter, for it was none other than Tomo herself looking down at her seat in their usual meeting spot. It was a crowded place – perfect for blending in, even with Tomo around. It was also a perfect place to let your thoughts wander, as they did with Yomi. The last thing she remembered was finding a shady spot to wait, and then her thoughts pushed themselves right through.

"Hello~ Earth to Yomi. You there?"

"Ah…" Yomi shook her head. "Of course I am."

"Sure didn't look like it for a bit there." Poking a prodding, it was time for the teasing. "What were you thinking about, huh? Was it the movie we're gonna watch? Well, it's – Oh! But what if it was…food? Ah! You were thinking about food again!"

Why did she love this girl again?

"J-just nothing, okay!" Yomi bolted out of her seat. "Can't one just…enjoy the weather or something? Geez, you're such a jerk, Tomo."

Despite her sudden leave, it was easy for Tomo to catch up to the flustered girl. "But that's why you like me!" she replied in a sing-song tone.

"But that's why you like me!"

Those words nearly froze Yomi in her place. Oh, this pain, she thought. This pain is rising up again.

"Yomi! Yomi! Check this out! I actually made it! I made it in!"

"Wh...what?"

"Read it and weep. I. Made. It. You're stuck with me for high school, too!"

"Wha…" Indeed, it was true. In her hands was Tomo's very own acceptance letter. The same letterhead that was on the one she received in the mail was featured prominently and contained the same signature from its principal. As Tomo began to gloat and cheer, Yomi simply stood, dumbfounded.

Something stirred within her, though. The sight of the letter sparked an intense feeling within. It felt like anxiety for a moment, but also…hope? Happiness? Relief, even? Even as the other girl continued her celebration, this warm feeling washed through Yomi, causing her to turn away long enough to produce a small smile.

That feeling had to be pushed aside, however. Yomi's job was to keep Tomo in line. While she had to admit, she was surprised at the outcome, she had to remind the girl that this was the next step in life. High school students have a more mature outlook on life. They are close to adulthood. They had to prepare for that. Thus, the girl pushed these feelings aside…or, at least, she tried.

That was the original moment she realized she had a special connection with Tomo. It would not be until that rainy day only a few days ago she realized it was love. At last, Yomi had a specific moment in time when these feelings developed. It made so much sense. The jump from grade school to junior high, they lived close enough to enter the same place. That familiarity was there for just a while longer. The jump from junior high and senior high, though, that was less certain. Yomi was not going to lower her intellect for Tomo's sake. She wanted to be the best and she was going to strive for the best school, no matter what. It surprised her when Tomo tried to enter as well. There was just no way she would make it, with her lazy ways and copying Yomi's homework all the time. She set herself up for doom.

Tomo went all out to prove her wrong. Whether that was out of spite or what, Yomi always had confusing feelings for it. As the days, weeks, and months rolled by after starting at this school, though, the confusion only grew. She would hate her so much, but then she would enjoy her company. Sure, she had other friends now. They were nice – much nicer than Tomo could be at times – but that intimate connection was not there.

Sigh…

"Hey, just because it's a comedy doesn't mean it's gonna suck! Trust me, you're gonna love it!"

Oh, right. She was walking to the movie theater with Tomo. She must have been on auto-pilot.

"Man, you've been really weird today, Yomi. Super quiet, too. More than usual, I mean. Some date you are!"

Yomi jerked in response. That girl, using such language so freely! Before she could respond accordingly, Tomo was already looking at her with slight concern etched on her face. It was almost upsetting to see.

"You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

"…You sure?"

Yomi's back went stiff. "I'm. Fine." She responded tersely. "Now can we please go watch that movie? Here!" Reaching into her pocket, Yomi thrust whatever money she had into Tomo's hands, perhaps a little too forcibly. "Go buy the tickets, get some snacks. Whatever. Let's just…hang out."

"R…right…"

A few moments later, they were entering the theater proper. Yomi was, again, quiet, tensely looking for the damned movie they were going to watch. Tomo watched her, concern and confusion taking over.

What was up with Yomi today? Something was eating at the girl, Tomo could tell. Years of hanging out with her helped pick out those little moments that were just slightly out-of-character. She had a knack for it, even if her outward appearance said otherwise. Clearly the time to tease was done. How to approach her friend was always the difficult part.

Perhaps this movie is what they needed today.

The only way to find out was to go in, sit down, and watch.

Simple.

…Right?