Chapter Four: Forced Professionalism
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the brunette said, her face blushing slightly. Tappei couldn't stand it. Why is she getting stiff all of the sudden?
Yamada sat down, her face was a mask of forced professionalism. "I heard you won the gold medal in swimming competitions for all Americans. It must be very good for you, being the first non-American who won it. How do you feel?"
"Elated, of course," Tappei answered, almost sarcastically. It was like every famous athlete who was asked about their feelings. Of course he's happy! "I'm Japanese by blood, yes. But America has trained me, and I've been an American citizen already, so feeling like the first non-American… it doesn't exist."
When he stopped talking, she didn't press and went into another question instead.
"You're preparing for the next Olympics, right?"
Tappei frowned. "Well, yes."
Yamada smiled slightly, which was unsurprisingly out of the character of hers. "What have you done for the preparations?"
Tappei shrugged inwardly. Suddenly the reality hit his insensible mind, and he immediately understood. Yamada was hurt. He had hurt her and she probably wouldn't want to speak to him again if it wasn't for this interview.
He looked at the woman, but slowly she changed. She changed to a little girl Tappei used to know, whose face was blurring slightly. The girl was pointing at him angrily, her eyes tearful.
What have you done?! He could hear her childish chants. What have you done, Tappei?!
The swimmer's thoughts were ripped away by a hand waving in front of him. Yamada stared at him with her huge, innocent brown eyes. That was quite shocking to see her eyes like that, because it was the only thing that hadn't changed. "I've been talking," she said indignantly. "But I think your mind is drifting somewhere else."
"Sorry," Tappei muttered a reply, and Yamada nodded gravely. She leaned back on her seat.
"It's okay. Now," she said, her voice clear. "What have you done for the preparations?"
"Obviously intensifying my practice hours," Tappei said, couldn't hide the bitterness from his tone. Of course he would practice more; Yamada should've been able to figure that out. "And I decide to teach some of the juniors if I have time."
"Why is that?"
"I think it's my time to make my own swimming school," Tappei said, his voice slightly dreamy as he imagined his biggest dream. "You know, something under my own name. And for that, I need teaching skills. One can't be a teacher without teaching, right?"
She nodded, and Tappei felt the tension between them melted slowly. "I guess you're right," she said. "I've heard you really wanted to be a baseball player. Why do you become a swimmer instead?"
Tappei wanted to snort. He really did. Yamada did more than just 'heard'. She knew it. He had obsessed over Tochiro, the famous baseball player back in his childhood days, after all. He remembered the day they had discovered it, Yamada and Shimura had been fighting over a silly book Tappei didn't bother to know.
A hand was waving in front of his eyes again and this time Yamada didn't bother to hid her annoyance. She narrowed her eyes. "You're drifting again."
Tappei mumbled his apology, making a mental note for not thinking about anything else in interviews. Yamada sighed and repeated her question.
"My dad registered me in a swimming community. He wanted me to be a good swimmer. And when I first arrived there, there was this guy. He hated me and did everything so I was kicked out the club. So I took my dad's advice and here I am."
"So baseball's a mere past, then. I never thought you'll be any more than a famous baseball player." That wasn't a question. Suddenly a small, sympathetic smile crossed Yamada's face, startling Tappei. "Tell me a bit about America," she said, and it was obvious that she was getting excited. That sent a wave of relief inside Tappei.
"It was crowded, not really like in here," he said. "I like the foods. I live in a small neighbourhood, but they are very nice, pretty much like in here."
He stopped. Yamada tilted her head, waiting for another description. Her unreadable expression gave Tappei an idea. He winked at her. "Just go and see America by your own eyes!" he said with a high-pitched, girly voice, imitating an ad he had seen on TV.
Yamada suddenly burst out laughing. Tappei wondered if he was that funny, but seeing the seriousness out of the woman's face, that made him smile as well. It was much better for him, seeing her face filled with silliness because that was Yamada he used to know.
"Alright, alright," she said finally. "Two more questions. What do you think about our national swimmers?"
"I've seen them on TV. And I know there will be some of them into the Olympics," Tappei said. "And my friend, who's obsessed with Japan, tells me many about it. I guess if they keep their practice times, I'm sure they will get at least the silver."
Yamada smiled at the optimistic remark. She obviously liked how Tappei saw his hometown's athletes. "Good for them then. Last, what will you say to people, especially Japanese, who want to be good swimmers like you are?"
Tappei knew this question well enough. People asked him about it in almost every interview he had been in. "I guess," he started. "If you're really in love with the water, let it be. Let the water control you, let it be the part of your life. With that, you'll love practicing."
"Thanks for your time, Tappei," Yamada said and stood. She bowed at him a little and shook his hand. "It's a real pleasure to talk to you."
She was going to leave the stadium when Tappei realised that he could be too late. "Yamada!"
The woman stopped, but didn't turn around. Tappei rushed towards her, grabbing her arm. "Yamada, I wonder if we can meet again and talk. You know, about things."
"Talk, you say?" came the curt answer.
Tappei, being an insensitive man, continued. "Yeah, catching things up."
Yamada slowly turned around. Her eyes were narrow and there was a forced smile on her face. "I'd love to," she said sarcastically.
"I'm serious," Tappei pressed. "Look, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything!" the blond man shouted in frustration. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry and I really want to catch things up. To make things okay again."
The forced smile changed into a thin one. She looked up at him. "Alright then, if you insist. I know where you live, I'll drop a note there if I have a chance."
She wrenched her arm free from his grip and left the dumbfounded man as fast as she could.
When Tappei and Yamada were little, Tappei used to make her playfully angry. Or speechless.
And he wondered why now the tables were reversed.
"Who drove you home?"
"Yuuma."
Ikuya looked at her. "You seem quiet today."
Miiko smiled sheepishly. "I don't feel like talking."
"How's the interview?" he asked, and both of them could feel the jealous tone in those words.
"Fine."
"He has changed, hasn't he?" Ikuya asked as he sat closer towards the woman, circling his arm over her shoulder. They were in Miiko's apartment because Ikuya was sure she needed 'help' after the interview with their old school friend.
"Not really." Miiko's tone changed into a whiny one. "He's still insensitive as ever."
Ikuya chuckled. "I still remember Shimura telling me almost the same."
"What?"
"You complaining about Tappei. How he didn't send you the New Year card."
Miiko grinned weakly at him. "Yeah, you're right. He doesn't change at all. But things have changed, and I almost don't know him anymore."
Ikuya pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "It's okay," he said. "He doesn't matter. Just remember this, darling."
The brunette looked up at him. "What?"
"I love you and you're mine."
There was silence afterwards. But then Miiko broke it.
"What do you mean I'm yours?"
Ikuya laughed, shaking his head in mixed amusement and exasperation. Still as naïve as ever. He merely stood and said, "Want some ice cream?"
"Yes, please!" Miiko said in excitement, the mellow words forgotten. As Ikuya walked into the dining room, Miiko unconsciously touched her arm, the one which had been grabbed by Tappei earlier. A wistful smile came on her lips.
She continued to smile to herself as the images from her childhood came. After a minute, she snapped out her reverie and walked towards the desk. She took a small piece of paper and wrote down a name of a café and a certain time and day.
She made a mental note to drop it in Lazy Moon tomorrow.
A/N: What? Long update? Sorry! I mean I'm really sorry! I wasn't really sure how this story could work, so I put it in the hiatus list. Actually I've had the vague plots of this story. But I'm still uncertain about the ending and had writer's block. But your reviews help! Thanks a lot!
For those who has complained about the OOCness, I'm really, really sorry. I'm trying, I swear. I think I need to read more. About Miiko's stiffness in the interview, I guess although she's a forgiving type, being hurt for so long isn't that easy.
Woot! Some possessive!Yoshida! XD
Bad news: Try Out for 12th graders (kenapa harus ada UN?! KENAPA?! #orz) are coming in November and I'm not sure when I'll update again. I have the ideas for the next one, so maybe it won't be as long as when I have to update this chap. Sorry all.
Review's answers! Wow, I got quite many of 'em.
Wind Scarlett:
Hello, dear! No, you're not overreacting, and I really appreciate your constructive critics. I admit I slipped Mamo's personality, and I hate the first chapter. Maybe I'll change it later. I'm also a pretty serious person if it comes to writing, and this story will be slightly dark, but I'll attempt more jokes :).
Miiko will ask Tappei everything, yes. But they had to deal with shock and awkwardness first. Haha, the questions! You've given me the idea for the next chapter! And yo, it's 'propose'. Maaf, typo. Thankies buat ngasih tau!
Maruki Shitoichi: Apa?! Saya pengkhianat bangsa?! XD Kaget ya? Maaf deh ^^. Oke, jawaban sudah diterima, thanks a lot!
Muthia: Thanks a lot!
Wonton Noodle (Baru kali ini gw ketemu cowok yang baca Miiko. Ada sih di kelas gw, cuma gak banyak. Hi there. :D): I'm actually threading on thin ice while making this fic. I admit this is one of my strangest fics I've ever written. Haha, thanks, I love Hono Heriko. I used to play a 'let's find Hono Heriko in Miiko series' so she's quite memorable for me. Moga-moga cerita ini tetap interesting buat lo. And thanks for pointing the typo. :)
DheKyu: Iya, iya. :D
TensaIchi: Alright, I'll manage every time I have the chance.
Twin Judge of Gemini: Cute? :D Oh, this is planned to be a quite long story. I know there's only a few Miiko fics, that's why I write this. Thanks for reading!