Serial Stories
By:Funakounasoul
Disclaimer: Azumanga Daioh =/= mine. Kiyohiko Azuma's the creator
CHAPTER FOUR - DISTRACTIONS
The individual theater was still quiet. Besides one employee finishing the preparations for the next airing, it was just Yomi. She had picked a seat at the topmost row, right next to the stairs so she could make a quick exit, if she needed to. With the way the afternoon was going, though, she may very well have to take advantage of that. Tomo's commentary was getting to her. The use of such words like "date" caused a pain to fill Yomi's heart. She knew that girl was only talking like that to rile her up. It was Tomo's thing to do. She was a pest, a bother, and there was no reason to have someone like her as a lover, much less a friend.
Tomo finally arrived into the theater a few minutes later. The room was still fairly empty, though there were a handful of others finding seats now – still not very crowded. She had a few snacks in hand. Quite a few, Yomi noted. Her money would not have been able to cover everything Tomo had in hand. Maybe some small bags of popcorn, but that girl came in with two decently sized bags of them as well as two drinks, which she placed Yomi's in her own cupholder.
"Tomo…"
The smaller girl fidgeted in her seat for a moment and chuckled. "Well…" she began, though the tone shifted to her usual, boisterous tone, "You were cheap! I mean, come on! It's a date, right?" Yomi twitched. "And, man, you were really cheaping me out here. Nah, I had some cash with me." She handed Yomi back her money, the sensation of her fingertips brushing against Yomi's palm sent a quick shiver down the bespectacled girl's back. "You can just treat me to an ice cream afterward, eh?"
It took a moment for Yomi to shake off the previous sensation. "…Fine. Whatever," she replied tersely.
"Yomi, are you sure you're okay?"
"I said I was fine!"
With that, Yomi focused entirely on the screen. The movie still had a few minutes to start, but part of her was intent on getting this over with as swiftly as possible. The other side, however, really wanted the night to last. She was grateful for the treat, she really was, and Tomo's worry was actually quite touching. She longed to just tell her what was going on, but her hateful half had a tight hold on her actions right now.
Was this how it was going to be from now on?
In front of Yomi, her thoughts extended onto the projection screen, almost like a play. She imagined herself at school, glancing over at Tomo, sighing deeply and attempting to focus on her schoolwork but to no avail. The scene shifted, and now Yomi was graduating. Tomo was with her, but then their friends called to her. Yomi in this scenario clenched her chest – heart yearning to just have a moment with Tomo – but she never returned. As this Yomi bowed her head in defeat, another scene shifted into view. Yomi was now an adult and in the working world. She had the uniformed appearance of an OL. Fitting. Her life was stressful. As her coworkers paired up with others, getting married and having kids, she was left alone in the office. Alone. Tomo was not even in this particular scenario. Of course, she would have continued on her own path, happy and oblivious of Yomi's existence after finally splitting up in graduation. The pain in Yomi's heart was still there, though.
Then, the final scene played out. Yomi was now middle-aged and still quite single. She never did find anyone to at least take Tomo's place in her heart. This was a reunion of grand proportions, however, and she finally met all her friends from high school. They looked so happy and healthy. Some of them even had children. When Tomo came into view, however, her heart stopped. She knew for many years that Tomo had taken her own path, but to actually see her happily married and showing off her generic-looking husband caused that Yomi to simply shut down and let the reunion play out around her…
As the movie began, Tomo took a moment to glance at Yomi before the room dimmed for the presentation. She was staring off into space and her expression was that of discomfort. Something was troubling her friend, but Yomi kept pushing the subject aside. This was one thing Tomo never did like about Yomi once she started "maturing." She had no trouble telling Tomo the honest truth whenever she did something stupid, but when it came to Yomi herself, she would always keep things to herself until she had no choice but to act out on them. It honestly upset Tomo. She tried hard to break her out of it many times. Sure, her methods were unconventional, but it was the only way to get Yomi to react nowadays. She was always so stiff…so quiet. It was as if Yomi was forcing herself into some state of loneliness.
Who wanted to be lonely on purpose? Tomo's lips pursed in thought. Wasn't she…
Whatever was playing on the screen seemed insignificant now. Tomo's focus was entirely on Yomi. A sideways glance revealed her friend in such a stiff posture. She was staring straight at the screen, yet her eyes were so sad. Tomo normally enjoyed looking at those eyes when her friend was in a better mood. Usually they gave off this sense of gentleness to them, like the one thing that let her know Yomi was not truly abrasive. Today, that look was completely absent. She was sad. She had been like this since she first found her at their meeting spot. In fact, she was also staring off into space then, too. Even then, her eyes had that touch of sadness and loneliness.
It really bothered Tomo to no end.
Having quite enough, she reached over and gently tapped her friend's shoulder, whispering a quick "Yomi?"
No response.
"Hey…Yomi…"
The screen flickered for a moment. Someone a few rows in front of them made some sort of confused sound.
Yomi finally snapped out of her daze. She was too tired to even look annoyed. "What do you want," she whispered back, emotionless.
The movie skipped a few frames for a few seconds. A few more movie-goers reacted in confusion and annoyance.
That reaction…was not one Tomo was expecting. She, too, ended up stunned for a few moments before replying again. "Hey, I just…"
"Hm."
"I just, well…"
"Tomo, if you're not going to say anything, then just shut up and watch the –"
"HEY! WHAT GIVES?!"
The sudden voice broke the two girls out of their tense conversation, and they looked back toward the front of the room. The movie was breaking down, both video and audio skipping around before audibly slowing down to a complete halt. Darkness engulfed the room for a moment, then the lights turned back on, leading to the audience getting up in annoyance. Complaints filled the room as its occupants walked out as a voice on an intercom formally apologized to the guests.
The room quickly emptied out and silence filled the space again. It was almost eerie, really. Not even a single staff member peeked in to double check the room, thinking everyone had truly left. Within the silence, however, there were still two individuals seated at the topmost row – Tomo and Yomi. It was uncomfortable, tense silence.
It was abnormal.