A/N: Ye-ah. I needed a break…
A lot happening in this chapter, most of it madness, other's odd.
Last chapter of the year... didn't write much did I :(
Happy new year. 2010 WOOT!
Disclaimer: I asked Takeshi Konomi if he wanted to use my characters to make a Princess of tennis, but he didn't like the idea of Fuji being a girl… oh! (Could be true but I'm hoping it's not!)
Chapter Forty Two
Sorry, was the message that couldn't be sent; she didn't have his mobile number, leaving the simple word to stare back at her hopelessly. Fuji stared at the screen. Every time it went black she pressed a button making 'sorry' visible again. She did that for the pass two hours. Prier to that, she could barely shut her eyes and get any sleep. She let the sun go down with unsettled feelings making it easy to carry them over to a new day. Her heart ached knowing that she said something so cruel to him. Fuji admitted to herself that she was little pleased with the turn of events yesterday but she had no right to take it out on him. Yes, she disliked being told not to be careless, and she always will, but she shouldn't have hurt his pride.
Sorry still watched Fuji ruefully, continually apologising on its own. She flipped the phone closed… the text would have been a lot easier then facing him at school. She wondered if his eyes would meet hers today, if he had thought over their conversation. What would it take for him to march over to her and demanded to be told? Would he ever shout at her? Fuji thought all kinds of foolish things that Tezuka could do. If she caught sight of Tezuka today, what would his eyes say and project?
Beep-beep, be- she hit her alarm clock off with a lethargic hand. Morning already. She drew herself out from her covers and the strength of a new day didn't enter her. Her head hung low and repetitive words plagued her. When she opened her eyes a slight dryness irritated her, having not gone to sleep it reminded her of the turmoil within. Because of it, there was no desire to go to school. What was the point of practising to defend her sister?
She shook her head slowly. Why was she blowing things out of proportion? As of late, there was no telling what was going to happen anymore. She climbed out of bed and got ready for school, leaving the house quietly after stroking her hand over Yumi's bedroom door.
She walked to school in silence, but her eyes told those who caught sight of her that she was deep in thought. Something was changing around her but Fuji couldn't put her finger on it. She thought the change was the excitement of things between him and her moving forward but life was taking her down an unfamiliar path.
She reached the changing rooms and saw Nariko and Shikawara waiting outside. Unfortunately, Fuji didn't have the keys today and they all had to wait for Arai. Fuji stood a little to their left with her back to them, staring out onto the courts while absentmindedly listening to her teammates conversation.
"I'm feeling more confident about the Kantou tournaments." Nariko said. "After those losses I understand what I need to work on. Something that Arai-senpai said; spiritual energy. I kinda understand it a little, and I've developed a new move."
Shikawara linked arms with Nariko. "Aren't you lucky. It doesn't feel as if I've improved at all."
"How can you say that! You're one of the strongest in the team Shikawara-chan… probably stronger then Arai-senpai."
"Hmm, I need to work on that energy thing." She narrowed her eyes. "Mind you, look how strong Yokoishi-senpai is and she still lost." Shikawara said as a matter of fact and glanced behind her. "What do you think Fuji-senpai?"
Fuji crossed her arms having fallen out of a daydream. "We'll… focus… on the lack..."
Shikawara and Nariko heard how distance Fuji's voice was and both looked at her. When she didn't say anything more the two shrugged their shoulders and continued on their own.
Minutes later, Arai came round the corner with her brother trailing behind, looking as if he just heard an earful of nagging. Masashi didn't wait to be shooed away and carried on walking with a mere wave of his hand to gesture a 'good morning'.
"Morning senpai." Shikawara and Nariko greeted.
"Hush up and get ready!" Arai spat.
The two flinched with the response. Nariko didn't say anything and hurried on in but Shikawara shook her head appalled by her behaviour. "What is the matter with the both of you? Lately you've both been acting strangely."
Arai glanced angrily at Fuji. As she turned away Fuji looked across from the corner of her eye. They ignored each other and walked into the changing rooms. Shikawara tapped Nariko on the shoulder so she could see the contrast in the two. They didn't like the heavy air that circled in the room and hurried out of their uniform and into their sports dresses to run around the courts.
The air was heavy and the captain and vice captain didn't say a word to each other. It wasn't long before Yokoishi and Jinhana walked in. Yokoishi shuddered when she felt it and hurried out in the same fashion as Shikawara and Nariko. Jinhana figured something was up when she saw the two of them barely making the effort to move. She would have asked what was bothering them but Yokoishi gestured to leave them be.
"Stupid fool… why the hell am I doing him a favour…" Arai soon mumbled when she could no longer keep it to herself. Even with others in the room, she didn't care if they heard. She bit her lip when she thought about Sai's actions yesterday. To get him off her back she'd give the picture to Tezuka without a breath of hesitation. She snatched up her stuff and started on a jog around the courts.
She nearly knocked into Kikumaru who was just coming in. "Careful. Morning Fuji-chan."
The guilt sunk further when Fuji heard her friend's voice. She ran her finger over her locker, the same way she would when touching Yumi's door. "Kikumaru-chan, can you do me a favour?"
It had been a while since Kikumaru heard Fuji's fragile voice. She rushed over and lend down to see Fuji's face. "What's wrong?"
"…I tired... I couldn't tell him…"
"What? What happened?"
Fuji turned to Kikumaru and smiled. She didn't want to put on a fake smile but it seemed to curve on her lips naturally, even with such gloomy thoughts.
"Tell Tezuka-kun everything for me."
"What?" Kikumaru couldn't find the words to ask exactly what happened with him or with Fuji. Even if she did ask, Fuji had already made her way out the room. Kikumaru watched the door closing. None of the others on her team seemed to notice Fuji, or if they did, they didn't know how to bring it up. Kikumaru knew the smile didn't fit her words and couldn't leave it at that. She changed quickly to get some answers.
Once outside Fuji breathed the cool air and started on a jog round the courts to get the blood going and hopefully wake her up from this semi-conscious state. As she jogged round she watched Arai, who was already on the courts stretching aggressively. Fuji remembered Arai was annoyed yesterday and wondered what could be bugging her. But little did Fuji know that Yokoishi, Nariko, Jinhana and Shikawara were also watching her, wondering why she moved around with an unnatural silence.
Ryuzaki-sensei came onto their courts and ordered them to line up. She informed them that the boys managed to win their city tournaments by beating Yamabuki. Despite their win, Ryuzaki-sensei made the girls aware that the boys were going to go through an inter-school rankings and had already started. Seeing as the organisers of the tournaments had changed the dates, she wanted to know how far the girls had gotten and if they would finish soon so they could start training them hard. She asked this of Fuji and Fuji stepped forward.
"We just have four more games to complete from each block, which we'll get out the way now. Later I want Yokoishi-chan, and, if Umeko-chan, Nozomi-chan and Mira-chan don't mind, I want them to help with some special training later on."
"Good! Now get on with it! Those who don't have matches or have completed a match start on endurance. Don't stand about! I want to see everyone moving! And about St Rudolph; they may be from Tokyo but I don't want you to show them any mercy. You have to make it up to me for losing to Miura. Get it together!"
"Hai, sensei!" They answered and got on with it.
Shikawara remained on the courts as her last match was against Umeko. Everyone who wasn't playing cleared off the courts and began running some more. Kikumaru managed to get a hold of Fuji (though she said nothing more on the matter) and Arai took up the role of ordering everyone around as she ran along side them.
Umeko finished organising her stuff and took to the courts, grinning with confidence. She had already won five of her matches and wasn't going to lose against the 'princess' of the team.
"Umeko-senpai, you seem to be out doing yourself." Shikawara said.
Umeko sniggered. "I did say you guys wouldn't be a problem."
Hachi, one of the year sevens, umpired the match.
"It's unfortunate, Shikawara-chan, that I now know your weakness. Sorry to say, but I will be using it against you just so you can see what I'm made of."
"Hmm, guess I'll have to end it quickly."
Shikawara was about to serve when Umeko laughed smugly. "Who says I need to be in play to us it. Can you smell that?"
Shikawara stood up straight and smelt the air. There was something floating around. She looked back to Umeko. "You mean that smoky smell is you?"
"Yep. Oh, this too."
Umeko didn't move. She never lifted her racket or readied herself to receive the serve. Shikawara saw an army of black sludge in and around the courts. She blinked and they didn't leave. They oozed through the fence and out from the gaps in the floors. They disappeared suddenly. Shikawara didn't know what Umeko was planned but she wouldn't be fazed.
"I've seen worse." Shikawara murmured.
"Oh really."
The sludge reappeared, now taking the form of men in suits. They stood behind Umeko with their hands in their pockets, waiting menacingly for an order. Shikawara had sense that look a hundred times before. She caught Umeko's gaze again.
"Large men in suits don't bother me either."
"Look behind you." Umeko pointed.
She hesitated but looked and saw a woman sitting on a chair in a silky, white Chinese dress with a pink and purple dragon on the back of the dress. Shikawara paused. Was there really a woman sitting calmly next to her?
"Good morning, young master." The woman spoke and Shikawara stepped back. Was she real? She glanced over at Hachi to see if Hachi could see the woman. Hachi seemed to be looking down at the lady in the chair and the men on the court but she didn't seem bothered by it.
"What are you planning?" Shikawara forced herself to brush it off.
"Me? Nothing!" Umeko spun the racket in her right hand.
"I see… so Yokoishi-senpai is not the only scary one on the team." Shikawara had to speak to assure herself.
Shikawara didn't like it. She glanced around and they vanished again. She cleaned her glasses and took a deep breath.
"Come on. Serve. Oujo-sama." Umeko teased.
By the time Umeko finished taunting, Shikawara served her quick serve that skimmed Umeko's cheek, burning her skin before smashing into the fence, scaring those who ran by.
"What the hell Shikawara-chan!" Umeko ranted.
"Pay attention."
"Fine. Get ready for it."
"Please be careful, young master." That woman appeared again, smiling humbly. She was completely oblivious to where she was – stop it! Shikawara had to tell herself that the woman wasn't real, and served the ball.
"You're underestimating me Shikawara-chan. Forfeited the match!"
Shikawara couldn't get the idea of someone sitting on the court while she played out of her mind and was too conscious of the woman in white. She wasn't able to delivery a powerful serve, making Umeko return the ball.
As Umeko hit the returning serve, one of those men lifted his arm and shot at the woman. The sound of the gun rung in Shikawara's ear. It sounded too real, but it didn't bother anyone else around the courts. Others continued with their matches and running. Fortunately, Shikawara was used to gun shoots to some degree. Though what did bother her was the fact it was aimed at that woman. Luckily it missed.
Umeko tutted and searched for Yokoishi. "Stop interfering!" She barked.
"Don't pick on Taichi!" Yokoishi yelled back.
"Luckily for you that one missed. The next one won't." Umeko said to Shikawara.
Shikawara turned to the woman. The woman smiled back at her. She didn't want to serve but she had to tell herself that it wasn't real. It didn't help the situation much that that smoky smell was still around. She had no choice but to serve, again it was weakened by the woman's presence. And Umeko returned the serve with a satisfied smile on her lips. The ball hit into Shikawara's court. She was about to play it back when that gun shoot went off again and the woman was hit. The woman gasped and clutched at her chest. Shikawara didn't want to look behind her but the airless gasped were too much and she peered back and saw the blood flowing from the woman's wound. Umeko began laughing when she saw Shikawara hesitations.
"I love it! I love it! You won't last long in the Kantou tournament if you can't beat me, oujo-sama or should I say, young master?"
Was this the real Umeko? The same one who lost all her matches at the beginning of the year? If she was this strong, why the need to hide it?
The woman continued to pant and gasp beside Shikawara, making it hard for Shikawara to continue, more so when the woman's warm hand touched her.
Her blood-stained hand covered Shikawara's left arm causing blood to run down to Shikawara's finger tips. It didn't make sense. She knew it wasn't real but the woman's hand was warm. Her flowing blood was hot. The images of Shikawara's own gun wound flashed in her minds eye.
"Geez, Umeko-chan is doing something to her. What's she doing Yokoishi-chan?" Kikumaru wondered as she peered thought the fence on her jog round.
Yokoishi glanced up. "There's a woman in a white chinese dress that just got shot. She just walked up to Taichi and touched her with her bloody hands."
"That's disgusting. Why would Umeko-chan do that to her?"
Jinhana spoke up. "I told you lot she was amazing, thought I should have said a psycho. The only ones strong enough to defeat her are captain and Yokoishi-chan. I've never known another to get past a minute with her. Even Arai-chan's fear of dogs couldn't get past the third serve."
"My little Taichi won't last long." Yokoishi shook her head and they continued round.
Shikawara tried her hardest. The blood was thick as it ran down her arm and dripped onto the floor. She knew it wasn't real, and she told herself this over and over again, yet, why did it feel and sound and smell and appear real? There was no answer for it. Shikawara shook the woman off her arm, and was tempted to tell her to leave but she bit her lip and served another ball.
"Too naïve!" Umeko hit it back across the court. The ball hit near the baseline and the woman was shoot in the back. The force sent her to the ground. She hit into Shikawara leg and made her fall over too. This isn't real! She said to herself but when Shikawara's hands landed in the woman's pool of blood she realised that she couldn't take much more of this. She gritted her teeth, not wishing to cry out or scream again and took to her feet. She walked off the court.
"Please, don't leave me, young master." The woman called out.
Umeko watched Shikawara walk away. "If you don't say it, I will make that woman follow you home."
With glossed over eyes Shikawara turned to Umeko. "I forfeit the match."
"Six in a row!" Umeko smiled. "Don't worry Shikawara-chan. It happens to the best of us." She reached her hand out to pat Shikawara's shoulder but was thrown back. "Hmm? You know, there are a lot scarier people in the tournaments. Some of them even made me cry last year… one even disabled me… If you can't beat my low-level illusion, you could cost Seishun the competition."
Shikawara glared at her. "Do that to me again and I'll throw you off the school building." And walked off.
Yokoishi and Jinhana tried to hide their sniggers, which made Umeko puff up. "Hey, no need to be so serious. Geez! All you could have done was manipulated the illusion and you could have won. Don't kill you senpai."
Shikawara walked on past the dark figures. Once she closed the door they disappear for good.
The only person who didn't 'move' was Fuji. She stood by the fence and watched Shikawara's match. From the corner of her eye she followed Shikawara until she was out of view. She then watched Umeko bounce around the court. Before, she lost all her matches and now she won all of them in six minutes… Fuji watched Umeko leave the courts to start a heartily jog. When she said someone disabled her, did she mean her techique?
"Hey,"
"Erm, yes captain?" Umeko slowed down.
"I see you're back on form. Begs the question about what happened in the beginning."
Umeko jogged by slowly. "Don't lecture me again captain, my heart can't take it."
"I'm not. In fact, I'm glad you used your technique on her."
"R-really?"
Fuji nodded. "Now… she knows what to expect."
Umeko didn't know how to receive that bit of news. She wondered if Fuji was setting her up for something or genuinely praising her. She didn't say anything more and jogged on in the comfort that it was a good thing.
"Why are you the only one not moving?"
Fuji glanced around to find Arai standing next to her, breathing deeply after finishing her run.
"I'm watching everyone's progress."
Arai stood with her for a moment, until she caught her breath. Kikumaru shouted out that she wanted to know as she ran pass. Fuji was being stubborn. Arai rested her forehead on the fence and she grabbed the chains with both hands.
"Fuji-chan, tell me something. And please be honest. Do you really like Tezuka-san?"
Fuji turned to Arai. "Why are you asking me that?"
"Answer it. You don't seem to be making a move. If you don't hurry up someone else will, that is, of course, if you still like him that much."
When Arai turned to her, Fuji diverted her eyes. Arai was serious for some reason. Thoughts of yesterday returned to Fuji. It all started off so sweetly and ended sourly. She answered the question in her mind; She loved him and had pride in knowing that he returned her feelings however much she teased him or said hurtful words. The thought made Fuji smile. She didn't want to but she couldn't help it. And it was a wide one. Arai say the emotion on Fuji's face and misread it. Was she thinking about Tezuka or Atobe? That's what popped into Arai's head.
"I-"
"You know what, I'm fed up!" Arai spoke over Fuji, not hear the beginning of Fuji's words. All Arai could hear were her own plans, but even she wanted that last reason to stop herself. Unfortunately, Fuji ran out of time. "Tell the others I'll be right back."
Arai stormed off. Even if Fuji wanted to, she couldn't calm Arai down when in that state. Whatever she was fixated on would bother her thereafter. But what made Arai so mad? Fuji held onto the fence. She wanted to carry on with her training but she was too far gone with worried thoughts about Tezuka. After all, he too wasn't himself yesterday.
"I didn't even ask how he was…" Fuji stayed like this for most of the hour.
Arai made her way back to the changing rooms. It wasn't Fuji's arrogance that annoyed her, it was the way Sai attacked her yesterday that made her temperamental. When Arai thought about it, his reaction to the picture felt as if he didn't gave a damn as to what he was doing or who he was doing it to.
She hit the lockers. "Calm down… calm down. God why." She lowered her head clenched her hands into fists. "Why did I see that picture?"
Arai had to breathe out the tension. Yes, she was annoyed with Sai but she thought the angered breaths were aimed towards Fuji. But they weren't. She felt sad for Tezuka. Sad because, when he spoke to her that day Yokoishi dragged her off, he said he was all right with Fuji. "That can only mean one thing, right? Argh, I'm just so-"
She opened her locked and took out the photo. It wasn't sealed. A moment of doubt hit her. Was it really as she saw it? Fuji and Atobe? She had to have another look. For Tezuka's sake, an emptiness sunk within her and made her feel sick. She shut it way. This picture did not lie. She tucked it away in her ball holder and left the room. The bright morning didn't bother her as she walked out. Her sight immediately searched for Fuji, who hadn't moved. Arai blinked all thoughts away and went to the boys' courts.
All those who weren't in a match gathered around the fences to watch the two on the courts. Arai walked close enough that she could see Inui and Tezuka in a match. She didn't count on this. She tapped her fingers against her thighs, thinking what her next move could be. Slip it until the changing room door? But she wanted to give it to him in his hand. She decided to hang about, keeping out of sight from those around, especially the old lady. She watched their match until the end, even getting drawn into their intensity. Once it was over Arai shook her legs out and waited for them to clear up. As all that was going on, she wondered what he would say once he saw it? Would he come out of himself or would he be his usually self? Arai wanted him to care. She wanted him to care enough that he would do something about. But Arai never forgot her first plan to split the two of them up. The only thing is, she didn't count on her own feelings getting in the way. Arai wondered why Fuji didn't listen to her in the very beginning to keep away from Atobe. "This is your fault Fuji-chan, not mine."
Arai watched the regulars go into the changing rooms and waited a little while for them to change into their uniform before she approached the small hut. Once she was sure that most of the year eights' were out of sight Arai made her way over. She turned the corner and saw Iwara and Echizen standing by the door, looking revved-up after seeing Inui and Tezuka's match.
"Hey guys." Arai spoke, making the two glance over. "Can you get Tezuka-san for me."
"Tezuka-Buchou, only just went in there. He'll be a while." Echizen said plainly.
Arai twitched. She finally got to see and hear his arrogance for herself, shocking all the more that she didn't expect it. "Tell him that I am waiting to talk to him, so that when he comes out he'll know that I'm here!"
"I'll let him know." Iwara said and went into the changing room.
Arai dropped against the changing room wall and started out to the courts when Echizen walked in front of her. She peered down to catch his gaze.
"Are you any good, senpai?" He asked bluntly.
"Try me."
"Not if you're anything like your brother."
She tutted and closed her eyes. "A five year old could beat him."
Echizen turned away. "Just by watching your last match, I know I can beat you."
He was cute but his arrogant eyes and pompous voice were all too familiar to her, that she couldn't stop herself from reaching forward quickly and pinching both his cheeks. "The least you could do is respect your elders, you brat!"
If not for Iwara's return Arai probably wouldn't have let go, giving Echizen a chance to back off. He didn't say anything more and rubbed his face. Iwara, after letting Arai knew that Tezuka would speak with her, caught the look on her face and understood that Echizen must have *put his foot in this mouth again. He led Echizen towards the school building, telling him he's been around Sai too long and left Arai to wait. Arai crossed her arms and tapped her fingers repetitively.
"Bunch of brats." She seethed.
Others who went in after Tezuka were coming out. She glanced down and saw the white of her dress. She spent most of the morning here. No doubt the others would want to know where she carried herself off to, and she had to lock up. Why was he taking so long? The door opened. She looked back to see Sai. Unlike the others, Sai caught Arai gaze briefly. He hummed a laugh and put on his sunglasses. A grin followed before he went on his way. If not the grin, then the silence aggravated her more.
"Hurry up in there!" She pushed herself off the wall and paced forward towards the courts. With each step she thought about going back to her own grounds wondered if it was worth the trouble. Arai turned on her heels to go back when she saw him coming out of her changing rooms. That emptiness hit her again. She couldn't turn back now.
"You wanted something Arai-san?"
He had already changed into his uniform, which made him look overly serious. It was all in Arai's head, as Tezuka looked no more then his usual self. Arai patted her dress down and walked closer to him forcing herself to smile pleasantly. "M-morning, Tezuka-san. Erm… I just wanted to have a quick word, if that's all right?"
He nodded while closing the door behind him. He gave her his full attention, which gave Arai second thoughts. She brushed the notion aside to return to her changing room and got on with it, after all this was the right thing to do.
"Are you okay? You look kind of tired?" She said as a distraction, for her own sake.
"No… no, I'm fine." His eyelids lowered a little as he thought about something. "Just a little worn out."
"Yeah, tennis can take it out of you – but erm… I wanted to gave you something, you know because you've been so concerned with Fuji-chan, and I really, really don't know what she's thinking anymore… so… call me a coward, but I really don't know what to do with her and I was kinda hoping you could talk to her on behalf of the team."
Tezuka didn't quite know what Arai was talking about, but on hearing Fuji's name, he could make the assumption that Fuji's strange behaviours were affecting her tennis and her team. "So something is bothering her..."
Arai nodded. She knew Fuji didn't tell him. She heard their conversation yesterday and, honestly, Arai wouldn't want him to know if she was in Fuji's positions. All the more reason to be the busy-body!
"Ah, has she spoken to you about it?" Arai asked in her usually manner to try and get as much info from his first.
"No, she wanted to say something she but she stopped herself."
"Hmmm?" Arai couldn't help but smile. She rolled her lips in, knowing it was not the time or the place for it. "You know, this might give you a better understanding."
She leant slightly to get the picture from her holder and held it in both hands. "Not that I mean to be intrusive, but I was taking pictures with my camera and accidentally took this-" She handed it to him. "Remember that day you came down with the team? Well, she lost her bag, I helped her look for it, and we went on our own and I met up with her again, and since then she's been weird, so I thought it would help her if you kinda calmed her or eased her troubles… you know."
Tezuka took the envelope from Arai slowly and stared at the think white paper. He closed his eyes after thinking about something and held the top of the picture to rip it. Arai grabbed his hand (making it the second time she'd done it to him.)
"Hey! Whoa! Wait! Didn't you say you wanted to know what was wrong with her? This is what's wrong with her."
"I don't need to resort to dirty tricks. I can wait for her to tell me."
Arai was taken aback that she hesitated a response. "I find that offensive of you to say Tezuka-san. I'm trying to help you and I'm trying to help her. Clearly this is a problem. If you rip that up, you'll be ignoring the problem. Just look at it. See it for what it is, and talk to her. If she doesn't what to tell you at least you'll know why. I'm giving this to you because I don't know what else to do, okay? And I trust you. I trust you enough to help her and the team. This," She pointed at the envelope. "this is what she's doing behind your back, alright? Acknowledge it, just like I had to. I'm really disappointed. You have no idea. I'm beyond words. I can't even look at her the same way."
She rambled, she knew that. She didn't mean to get so emotional about it, but that was the way it turned out. If that's what she had to say to get him to look at it then so be it. And Arai was all the better for. She watched Tezuka as he stared at it again. He tapped it in his hand and didn't know what to say. In fact he didn't want to say anything. Arai words seemed to point towards his fears. He shook his head slightly, like he was shaking himself out of a daydream and accepted it.
"All right. Let's at least be mature about this, okay. It is what it is, understand why and move on from it. After you've looked at it you can bin it. You'll have no need for it."
It was too awkward to say 'bye', so Arai bowed and started walking. The weight was now off her shoulders and the burden now in Tezuka's hands.
…tbc… (I will)
A/N2: Well, better late then never right?! Will Tezuka look at the picture? For the plot's sake, he had better! As some of you might know, characters have a way of doing their own thing. And isn't Umeko insane. I love her even more! Slightly rushed, but the sun will still raise tomorrow!
*Foot-in-mouth: Written slightly differently in this chapter but it's an expression which means to say something inapproriate or out of place. Ever said something at the wrong time, which made friends and family look at you aghast? Well you 'put your foot in it'!
Chapter 43: Erm… filler-episode-type chapter… every book has one!
