Part 2: Moments Like This

But going home as Aika had originally planned didn't happen. Instead, both she and Kawamura ended up in a pastry shop downtown and just a few blocks away from the sushi shop. She didn't say anything that expressed her surprise to that. She couldn't. She just let him lead the way.

Even though she said she let him lead the way, she somehow had an idea as to why Kawamura decided to go to the pastry shop with her. He knew she liked sweets. In fact, one of her phrases goes like "Nothing beats sweets when you're tired." And right now, she was definitely tired not just in a physical sense but also mentally.

Okay, she could include emotionally if you would add her unrequited love to the issue. But sweets couldn't possibly help her in that department, right?

Right now, though, it was enough that she got to spend time with him like this. It had been weeks since they last spent time like this with just the two of them. Trainings and tournaments one after another somewhat lessened their quality time together, not to mention there were also issues about their friends' love lives that drove them crazy at one point. Yet their were glad that it all paid off.

"We haven't really got to go out like this ever since the tennis season started, right?" Kawamura started with the intention to break the silence that surrounded them. He could say that the silence started suffocating him since he wasn't used to his friend's silence.

He couldn't exactly tell if she was angry for dragging her there. But he was really worried about her. No one could tell (since she had no intention of letting the others know) that tha self-training she was doing in order to strengthen her and improve her tennis was surely enough to exhaust herself in an immense deal. If he wouldn't do anything to stop her, she would definitely end up not being able to play tennis or do karate anymore.

Of course, he didn't want that to happen. He knew how much she loved doing both sports and how she treasured them.

"Yeah. And I guess I kind of missed doing this…" Aika answered sheepishly but truthfully. "But it can't be helped, you know. We have so many activities to deal with since we're already in high school. Besides, it's not like we really don't have time to chit chat and have moments like this, right?"

All Kawamura could do was to look at Aika with concern as he nodded to himself, agreeing to what she had said. Their lives had started to become busier now that they were in high school. Extra-curricular activities and academics were just some of the many reasons for their busy lives to start.

"But that doesn't mean we have to neglect each other," he said before he could even stop himself from doing so.

Aika smiled as her faced somewhat flushed red. "Neglect each other? Since when did that happen, pray tell?"

"Two years ago… when you avoided me because of that incident…"

Both of them fell silent, especially Aika. So he still remembered…

"It was already in the past. Besides, I don't have a choice, you know. You could say I was in a big pinch since I had no way of settling the issue and protecting you at the same time. But you never gave up on me even though I kept on pushing you away. That's the biggest consolation I got for having you as a… friend."

Just great! Since when that "F" word has started to become choking and hard to pronounce?

"I made a resolve of becoming your friend a long time ago. So it's enough reason for me not to give up. I actually wanted to become close to you… and now we are. And I'm glad we are."

Aika surely wanted to cry because of so many emotions overflowing in her heart. Forget the fact that it was also beating like crazy that it wanted to burst out from her chest.

Come to think of it, he was right.

They were close. And they were close for so long that she felt like her life would never be complete if she wouldn't spend it with him in any way possible. Even though he was a shy and somewhat timid boy without his racket, he was still Kawamura Takashi for her.

He would always remain to be the boy who had saved her from the hell of her life years ago…

…the boy she chose to protect even if she had to risk her life for it.

…the boy who made her smile all the time.

…the boy who constantly worries for her almost as much as Oishi worry for his team.

…the boy who first showed her the value of friendship and teamwork despite the trials.

…and the boy that she eventually fell in love with, even though it was still a secret until now.

"Yeah… So do I…" If only I could say that I want us to be more than friends… But that would be just a wishful thinking on her part, right? Choosing to ignore the pang of sadness in her chest, she smiled at him and took her utensils. "Let's eat. I don't want to waste this delicious blueberry cheesecake and strawberry tart in front of me for one more minute, you know."

She earned a laugh from him after saying that. Right now, what mattered to her was that she would just enjoy this moment with Kawamura. She would forget her fear for now.

Besides, maybe one of these days, this moment… might never happen again.

xxxxxx

NP: "Take A Look Inside My Heart" by David Benoit

Well, there was a reason why Kawamura decided to be with Aika at that day. It was a really important reason that Aika's friends chose to celebrate through him.

After their laughter-filled moment in the cake shop, the pain decided to head out to the park's fountain. It was their favorite hang-out place ever since they met many years ago. The fallen autumn leaves from the trees scattered all over the area but the sight didn't bother them that much. It was a signal, after all.

A signal that a cold and harsh winter season was about to head to their lives.

"Seriously, when was the last time we went here? After graduation? During spring break? Geez, I couldn't even remember the exact date." And then she laughed softly. "I guess we're just too busy to notice that, huh?"

"Does it… matter to you?" Kawamura ventured.

That was when Aika faced him, her face filled with confusion at first before turning solemn. "Of course it matters to me. You might not know this fact but this place literally changed my life. I wouldn't be the Aika that you know now if it wasn't for this place."

"Then do you remember the date that this place changed your life?"

No one said anything for a minute. But the silence surrounding them both at the time was neither tensed nor serious. It was more of an anticipation for the answer that was about to come out from the maroon-haired Meister Column.

"It was on November 26th, four years ago," she replied. "And it was today… The day that I always treasured here in my heart…" Not to mention, this is the day that I won't ever forget—one that would always break my heart whenever I remember what happened on this same day two years ago. But she decided not to add that in her words but only in her thoughts.

Of course, it was obvious that her answer made Kawamura happy. But what Aika didn't know was her words had also made his heart palpitate somewhat. Only this girl could do such a thing to him. He must admit, he was shy around girls—especially strangers and even just acquiantances—but Aika was different. Too different, as a matter of fact, that made him decide to give her the second button of his button a year ago in secret. He was glad—too glad—that she accepted it even though she didn't actually ask for it.

It was that deed that somewhat made them ever close today.

But he could still feel something as if there were so many thoughts bothering her these past few days. It was as if those thoughts were enough to falter her strength and determination for a little bit.

It was just a little bit, but still had a greater effect than anything else. And he was worried for her because of that.

At least, he thought of treating her with her favorite sweets and letting them go to the fountain.

And there was another…

He brought out a neatly gift-wrapped box from his tennis bag, seizing the opportunity that Aika was busy—and blankly—staring at the water falling from the fountain. At the very least, he thought of making her day—this particularly special day not just to her but also to him—somewhat even more memorable to both of them.

"Aika…" he called out gently as he held his breath.

Somehow, the scene of Aika turning around to face him while the late autumn breeze softly blew her long maroon hair in an elegant manner… It was a really beautiful scene to look at over and over—or at least that was what he thought.

"Is there something wrong?" But then she already noticed the gift-wrapped box that Kawamura was holding. She frowned. "What was that for?"

A smile curved on his face as he handed it over to her. "My gift for you… since today is the anniversary of our first meeting."

(A/N: This song is titled "Take A Look Inside My Heart" by David Benoit)

It isn't easy to show you what you mean to me

I'm not that kind with all the moves

As he had expected, Aika was surprised to hear that. Does that mean Kawamura considered this day special to him, as well? Amazed and pleased at the same time, she took the gift from him. She didn't take notice of her heart beating fast at the moment. It always beat like that whenever Kawamura would do something like this, anyway.

It wasn't a new experience but it would always affect her in so many ways. Being the renowned Meister Column of the Five Columns of Seigaku couldn't do anything to make her feel strong from these feeling.

With a smile on her face, she opened the gift as careful as she could. Well, she chose to ignore the anticipation and anxiety she was feeling. Besides, she would soon know the answer to the mystery. After a few more seconds, the answer revealed itself.

She couldn't help letting out a gasp as she finally held out the mystery gift in front of her. It was a video camera. She tried containing her joy but she failed. She was too happy to do so. And she wanted him to know how happy she was because of what he had given her.

"I know how much you love recording video. To be honest, I initially thought of giving you a recorder instead. But I know the few things that could really make you happy and smile like this," Kawamura explained that caused her to look at him. He was smiling sheepishly as he kept scratching the back of his head. "I hope you like it."

The way I'm feeling goes beyond what you can see

I'm crazy about you, crazy about you

"Like it? I love it! Thank you!"

Consumed with so much happiness, she threw herself to his arms and embraced him tight. It was just a little thing to give to her but she really appreciated the gift. After all, only a few people knew her passion for video recording. Kawamura was one of them.

She just couldn't believe he would give her something she absolutely loved on that special day—the day their friendship started…

…and almost ended if it wasn't for his perseverance.

Though Kawamura was surprised at the sudden pouncing, he couldn't deny that he was absolutely glad at the turn out. At the very least, he was glad he made her happy today.

I haven't tried to impress you by the things I do

That isn't really who I am… hmmm…

For him, at least today, what he did wasn't that big. But simple gestures and gifts, as long as it was sincerely given and came from the heart, were enough for Aika. In fact, it was the most important trait that she possessed and he was happy to know that trait of hers. He would be ashamed of himself if he failed to know that.

"I'm glad you love it," he said sincerely.

"But you know…" she started as she released herself from him. "…you don't really have to give me such an expensive gift."

He laughed lightly. "It's not that expensive. And besides, a friend of my father gave me a discount when I bought that. But what are you worried about? I got it for you… and it's only meant for you. Okay?"

Well, it wasn't much of a surprise that Aika would blush at his statement, making her look down and focus her eyes on the video camera on her hands. If only she didn't turn away and remained facing him, then she would see that it wasn't just her who felt the same way.

Kawamura couldn't believe it. He really said something like that? But there was nothing wrong with that, right? He just told the truth.

It was just a question of whether or not Aika would acknowledge his words as something true and without pretenses.

I'd rather let my dreams be opened up to you

So you'll understand, you'll understand

"Well, then! Since I already have this video camera in my hands, why don't we start shooting?" Aika suggested that broke off the uneasy atmosphere between the two of them.

He was stopped out of his musings when he heard that. "What?"

"Let's record a video."

"But why?"

"Well, since you gave it to me, I decided that the first video we should record using this gift is about you… and me…" She faced him with a pleading look (though she tried not to make it too obvious). "Please? For me?"

Take a look inside my heart and you'll see

I have so much love to give

Believe in me

Take a look inside my heart, share my love

Take a look in my heart… yeah…

Seriously, with this kind of pleading, could he really decline her request? Could he reject it? No doubt he couldn't. He would never do that.

After all, this was Aika that was requesting to him.

And she did ask him to do it for her.

If it was for her… then he would willingly do it.

He nodded with a gentle smile. "Okay."

Her smile after that was priceless.

As priceless as my love for her… A love she wouldn't be able to know for now…