It's one Week late but here it come, The seventh Chapter of A Garden under the Moon, in which we see Saki (and the other)'s ln the time before the start of the tournament.
Yes! It means that next chapter will start the actual tournament.
A disclaimer: I don't own Saki, I will always owe her.
A Garden under the Moon 7
Taking's Roots in the Dragon's lair
The next day, Touka had called for Saki early in the morning. To be on the safe side, Touka asked Koromo to accompany her. It hadn't taken long for her to understand that when apart from Koromo, Saki would lose herself in the manor.
Still, Touka was rather surprised to see both of them right on time and dressed. Generally both were late sleepers. But, this time they had woken on time, believing it was important to the other.
Though, Touka was rather saddened to see that Saki wasn't dressed in the uniform she had chosen. Saki wore a white dress which went to her knees with dark blue diagonal stripe on the top left and bottom right. It was one of the dresses she had brought for her, but she still preferred the uniform. Yet, Touka had no cause to complain, Saki was Koromo's after all.
Lost in that thought, she almost did not hear when Saki called for her.
"Touka-sama, we are here. Do you need anything from me?" Asked their new resident. She believed she was just there to accompany her mistress.
"uhh? Aren't we here for you, Saki?"Koromo asked.
"… But Touka-sama asked me to bring you here?"
Touka decided to shorten her suffering.
"Koromo is right. I called you here about school. I just asked you to bring Koromo to be sure you would be here on time... without getting lost," Touka admitted.
"I... see." Saki blushed in embarrassment, hanging her head low. "I guess I do tend to get lost."
"You see, I was right" Declared Koromo. It seemed they had talked about the reason of their coming on the road here. Touka also noted that Koromo was also blushing while she looked to her maid.
"If you remember, I told you that while you were here, you still had to go to school. In fact, it was the whole point." Touka waited to check if Saki's attention was on her.
Once the girl confirmed with a nod Touka continued, holding a paper."You start today."
"What?" Saki looked distraught. Touka knew the girl was shy, but did she have a problem with school too? There hadn't been any sign of that in her resume. But those were written by busy teachers so they couldn't really be trusted.
" Ryuumonbuchi is an Academy. The Middle and High-school are on the same ground. Anyway we are too far here for you to continue to go to your old school. And it will allow you to get used to the place." Touka continued as she tried to gauge the Young girl reactions.
"I see. I don't mind changing school. It's just that... Isn't it too fast?" Saki squirmed, looking at the papers in her hand.
"It is. But we don't have the choice. You have to graduate from Middle school with flying colors. Anything less would be unfit for a Ryuumonbuchi." Touka explained, Trying to boost her up.
As she saw that Saki was fidgeting, Koromo complained, "Touka, Saki isn't a Ryuumonbuchi."
"...ok... I think I can." Saki said quietly, surprising them both. Touka thought she would need more convincing
"But..." Koromo started.
"Don't worry...There is no problem." She turned to Koromo and smiled faintly, "And you won't be far right?"
Touka was about to explain her it wasn't like that, but this time it was her turn to be cut by Koromo.
"Yes. I will... We will be just next to you. If anything happen you can just call me... us." There was worry in her cousin's voice, as well as a true desire to protect her new friend, Touka respected that. So she chose to not continue what she was about to say. Still, she made a note to check on Saki's class as much as she could. She was the Chairman's Daughter for crying out loud.
"Yes, I already gave you a cell. It should be on your table...Didn't you see it? Our numbers are already inside." Touka had put everything she could need in her room. In fact, the school's wares were already in a bag ready for her to take. How did she miss it?
"No,I sort of... slept in at Koromo's room tonight." the girl was once more shying away. But this was lots better that seeing her in fear. "Oh! I did get to my room to dress and take care of my flower's but..."
"You were more interested in Koromo right," Touka teased her, She had to admit the girl was cute, in her way.
"Yes," The girl nodded, still blushing, but still happy.
So much that Touka hesitated to remind her that she had to get ready. "Now.. You should get ready, the car will be here in a quarter." She said in a business-like manner, before adding gently. "Don't worry, everything will be alright."
"Hai" the brown-haired girl nodded slowly. She was sill hesitating, But Touka knew she had made her choice, it was written in her red-eyes.
Even so, as they were about to close the door behind them Touka called her cousin back. "Koromo."
"Touka? What is the matter" Koromo was unsure as to what she could want. Did she have an other reason to call her here this early on a weekday?
"Take care of her, You know as much as me how frail she is."
"Yes." Koromo answered back solemnly. Touka had never heard her cousin seem so reliable. For her Saki was already a dear member of her Family.
Then, before she definitely closed the door, she added. "And don't forget that even if I am not 'that man's' daughter, I still hold enough to check on her without anyone contesting." Ah, so she had the same idea as her. Good. Someone like Saki needed to be checked on, for her own safety at least.
And if worst come to worst and her mother was right for the other's safety too.
All in all, Saki's first week hadn't been as bad as she thought.
Contrary to what both Touka and Koromo thought she had nor problem with school itself. She was a diligent worker and both teacher and student tend to like her.
And that was what she feared meeting new people. Because it meant that there were knew potential victims for her curse. Koromo and the other had said that they were not her fault and she really wanted to believe it. But she had lived for 10 years with her mother blaming this or that on her. It had became an Habitude.
So when she had presented herself to her new class, she had made it the shortest possible. Just her name and her old school. No need to explain why she had come, even if the homeroom teacher had explained it herself, which got her pitying looks from her classmates.
She hated that.
But at the same time it earned her to be questioned a lot once noon came ringing. She got invited to by at least three different groups. And for once it was not so that they could have her lunch.
However, it quickly became evident that they were after her only by curiosity as they had seen her coming along with Touka. The problem was that Saki hated to talk about herself, and she was sure Touka wouldn't like that either.
So it didn't take long for them to write her of as a loner after they saw she passed most of her off time at the library. It was the same thing back at her old school. For some reason people quickly started to feel that there was something off about her.
But Saki was used to loneliness. She did not want to call for Touka or Koromo just because her classmates already formed groups and didn't want to befriend her. After the first week, the only time she talked to someone in school, to anyone outside of her new circle, had been the time she offered one of her flowers to the school's Garden.
It was a way for her to show she had been there and had done so in her old school too. Strangely, after that, her classmates were more wary of her. To a point that Saki could somehow see either fear or hate in their eyes.
However , Saki never asked why as in the end she did not feel the need to be with others. Unless that other was a member of her "family" of course.
And so, like that, Saki passed those months till high-school alone.
"Hey, Look, it's her," Saki heard a girl whisper to her friend near the door of their new classroom.
"Are you sure? She doesn't seem to be..." Her friend answered, trying to hide her mouth behind her hand. By now, she had guessed they were talking about her. After all she was known in middle-school, so why would won't she be in High-school? Saki sighed.
"Yeah I'm sure. A friend of mine from the gardening club is in her class." Continued the first one, who wasn't as discrete as she thought. Saki was pretty sure half the class could hear what she was saying.
"You mean the same club that got her 'present' ?" The other one shivered a little at the evocation. Saki didn't understand what it was about but that incident often came up when they were criticizing her. Saki had tried to ask, but all they answered were angry replies. "You know what it is" and "Don't take us for a fool" or a scared, "Don't get near us."
After the first couple weeks Saki had stopped prying. It just hurt too much to be rejected like that. As for the teachers she had tried once but she just got a sad look which seem to say 'poor girl'. She already had enough of that from the adult she knew.
Her last hope had been the Gardening club but each of their members was avoiding her and Saki couldn't gather the courage to go there once more. The thought of maybe seeing her dear flower withering was enough to make her cry.
Which lead her back to the discussion she was listening to.
"You're really sure? It's not just a girl that looks like her." The short-haired girl was now shaking like she had a fever which was surprising as the girl seemed to be your typical sportive girl who wouldn't be afraid to fight against grow men.
"Yes I am... Why are you shaking like that?" The shorter girl with long flowing chestnut hair asked, rather distraught by her friend's reaction.
"Because... I'm in her claaaasssss." The girl cried out, startling everyone in the hall as much as in the room. Really, now this was becoming ridiculous. What rumors could have spawned while she wasn't looking. Saki was saddened that she wouldn't be able to make any new friend this year.
" Oh... Really..." The shorter girl answered, suddenly understanding. "I will present you to my friend if you want... You know the one from the gardening club... She is used to it by now... even if she still cry sometimes."
The tall girl looked at her friend with hopeful eyes, "Really?"
"Yes really. I'll even do it now if you want. She's been looking at us for some time now." The chestnut girl had said the last part in a hiss but Saki had still heard it. And even if she believed she was used to it by now it still made her feel heavy-hearted.
"Yes, thank you," The taller girl got up and followed her friend in the hall where Saki quickly lost their traces.
Now everyone was looking at her.
'I don't have any duty today... Maybe I should go see the clubroom. I still have my application to do.'
Saki got up. In truth, she probably could wait until the midday pause. Neither of her friend should be there yet, she knew. But Saki just wanted to go out, she couldn't bear the pressure of her classmates stares anymore.
She just wanted to be left alone.
"Touka," Koromo called. It was at the end of April and she couldn't take it anymore, they had to do something. "Touka, it's important"
"What's the matter Koromo?" answered the taller blond from her end of the classroom.
Touka and Koromo were now second years and were in two different classes. It was why Koromo had to wait for the break to come and talk to her cousin. "We need to talk, now."Koromo pressed her on, pointing out the hallway. Usually she would have waited until they were home or at least club time. But here she had to talk to Touka and Touka alone.
"I'm coming, it better be worth it," answered Touka. She was still trying to adjust the order for this year's tournament and each time she thought she had found the best roster something happened that made her doubt.
"It is. Believe me. Its about her," answered Koromo. She knew that the mention of 'her' would make Touka react immediately.
The blond made a sign for Hajime not to follow. The two quickly found an unused room where the could talk. Once it was sure no one was listening Touka asked. "So, what is the matter with Saki this time?"
It was once again a problem with Saki, but this time Koromo could put up with it.
It had all started not long after she joined the Middle-school's section. As for any transfer student they had been a rumor about her. But, neither Touka or Koromo would have thought it would get that bad.
At first they had just ignored her, but then they started to pit every problem in the school. Saki took it all in a stride, never once angered. They had hoped it would stop once in high-school, but apparently it didn't. And the worst was that she didn't know why they picked on her so much.
Neither did Koromo, or at least she didn't know the event that had started the shutting out. But she could feel the atmosphere around the class when she got there to pick her up. They were afraid of her. And so, as if to exorcise their fright, they bullied her.
When she saw Saki forced alone, Koromo hadn't said anything. After all, Saki was a loner. It had already been a miracle that she had opened to them and that was mostly because they were of similar natures.
Then they started to push the class duty on her, telling her that since she was new she had to be up to date on it. Which of course was pure bullshit. But nevertheless Saki accepted it, even if she pouted a little when she had to be late to the club. This time Koromo tried to talk about it with Saki. But the brown-haired girl answered with a smile that it gave her practice for her job. Koromo knew it was a false smile, but nevertheless she let it go. Saki did not wish to get into a conflict with her classmates.
When it continued even through high-school. Forgetting to tell her when there was a special activity. Not giving her the handout when she was not the one in charge of it. Leaving her without partners in sport or in group's activities. It was never a direct attack on her, they were still afraid, but they did all they could to push her to the edge and it really made Koromo cringe.
It even got to the point that once, while Koromo was waiting for Saki to come back she saw them putting the teacher's notes inside her school bag. And this time she had been forced to intervene, menacing them as the niece of the chairman.
She had talked with Touka about it, and her cousin was as worried as her, but they knew Saki was to be handled with a great deal of care. But this time it was too much, the insult had gone too far.
"What happened? Those idiots in class 1-3 got too far, this is what happened." Koromo was at the point that she wished Saki's mother was right, so that those peon could get what was coming to them.
"I got that already, you wouldn't call me this early if not. But I can't do anything if you don't tell me what." Touka said, impatient. She too didn't like what was going on with Saki, but she couldn't do anything that wouldn't risk or endanger her. At least, not until the tournament.
"Remember those flowers Saki brought back from school last week?" Koromo replied, irritated.
"Yes, I did wonder where they came from. But she seems to like them so I didn't pry into it." Touka pointed back.
"Humf. Well, I found out. They put it on her desk every morning," Koromo sarcastically dropped the news. It was truly irony that Saki loved flowers. It was the only reason she still hadn't strangled one of those idiots.
"Well that's good. Maybe they are trying to excuse themselves." Touka said hopefully. She obviously wasn't seeing the point Koromo was trying to make.
"Touka, you have more in common with Saki you know." For a moment the petite blonde had forgotten her rage. Saki also didn't know what that meant.
"Huh?" Touka tilted her head
"I mean that she thought the same thing as you. But no, putting a flower pot on the desk of a schoolmate is a tradition for when that schoolmate is dead, They are telling her to go Die Touka!" Koromo had finally spelled it out.
"WHAT! How dare they!" Touka's blood immediately boiled. "And you say that Saki know it now? How did she react?"
"That what really made me angry Touka, I was there. They couldn't stand to see her smile at the flower, so one of them snapped and told her... But even so she continued to smile and just sat there as if she knew it from the start." Koromo continued her rambles.
It got Touka thinking. There was a possibility that Koromo hadn't considered."... I think she knew Koromo. She is like that."
"What... But why would she..."
Then it dawned on her. Saki was used to that. Her own mother had probably told her those same words. She had forgotten because Saki was so lively around her but it was the truth. "Touka, we must do something."
"Yes, leave to me. I'll make sure they stop." Touka answered her cousin's worry. She already had some plan for that. It would be intrusion but she had no choice if she wanted to protect her friend. "But don't forget that you are Saki's main anchor. You must be there for her," Touka reminded her.
"I will. I won't let anyone hurt her anymore," Koromo declared. Her face was the same deathly seriousness that she had when trying to eat her opponent in mahjong. They had harassed her friend, she would get them to taste their own medicine.
A month later, any and all bullying had stopped in the school. Not only against Saki, but against all the other victim of such a thing.
Rumor had it that any act of harassment would be punished the student's family. After all most students there had their families in a business relationship with the Ryuumonbuchi conglomerate .
As for the main offenders, they were found at different spots in the school, scared out of their wits believing they were cursed.
But the worst case, the one that really made it all stop - the one that had shouted at Saki to "Die." Not only was her family bankrupt but she herself was found in a comatose state in her family garden.
Everyone was still scared of Saki, but from that day no one dared to look at her the wrong way. It was not the best of thing but for Koromo it would suffice. At least until their other plan started.
And like that, the time passed. To be sure Saki didn't dwell on her isolation, they made her come with them each time she had time. It had become almost impossible to find Saki somewhere without at least Koromo.
As for the training in Mahjong, each of them had gotten stronger. But none had ever managed to beat Saki the rare times she was allowed to play sock-less. Not even when both Koromo and Touka had their limits of.
And that was the other thing which troubled her. Her "limiter" tended to go off each time she played either Koromo or Saki when they played seriously, and she didn't like it at all. It was she who played, and there was no way she would accept it. There wasn't any punch in it. It wasn't a style that would make her stand out, even if she had to admit it was effective.
And what's more, it endangered her health. An that more than anything was a thing she wouldn't permit. Not with the way both Saki and Hajime's worried eyes made her feel guilty each time .
But at the same time she was forced to concede that it seemed to be a part of her, so she had started to study her own records so that she could master that kind of play even awake. And who knew, maybe she would get against someone who played like that one day.
But it didn't mean she had stopped to study their potential opponent. In addition to the usual Kazekoshi which was the only school she was the slightest worried about. She had found out that one particular player that may cause a problem. Haramura Nodoka. The girl was the Middle school champion but was not what had caught her eyes. No, the detail that made Touka interested in such a base player was that her play style was reminiscent of Nodochi, Her net-mahjong nemesis.
To show how much she didn't like her, she had forced Saki and Koromo to play against Nodochi online. Unfortunately it had not gone like she expected. She had forgotten that neither had ever touched a computer before and they complained that she could not see the game. And when they had tried past with them at their pic... Well she had been forced to substitute the whole imformatic"s system of the Manor... and the site had been shut down for a whole week.
But at least, Touka was sure that Nodoka wouldn't be a risk for the team tournament. She had entered a school without a serious Mahjong-club and would probably be gunning for the individual title once again. Too bad she had absolutely no chance.
Not only the actual Champion would probably beat the crap out of her online, if she did not have the same problem as Saki, but she wouldn't even pass the preliminary this year. Because this year Saki and Koromo would both participate. Touka had been adamant on it. Both had been reluctant at first But once she had explained her plan to Koromo she had accepted and talked her Young maid into it.
Her plan was easy. Mahjong was a really popular game among girls. As much as Foot had been among boys not so long ago. The strongest pro were National stars. And the best way to become one such star at a young age was to do the same thing Sukoya Kokaji or Miyanaga Teru had done. Winning the Inter-High Nationals.
It would be hard but she was sure Saki would manage, not that she would make it easy for her. After all it wouldn't be fair if the Champion wasn't the best.
However, for her plan to work she needed to leave Saki in the dark. She had to find her own motivation and prove her own strength to the world. She could already imagine the face Saki's mother would have when she saw her "useless" daughter at the top of the mahjong' world.
"You'll see Miyanaga-san, your daughter is truly great." Touka thought as she readied their applications. She noted what she had just said and something hit her, "Wait, Miyanaga... Don't tell me..." She had never thought about Saki's name but now that she looked at it , she has the same surname as the Champion. Maybe there was a link. "No, they don't even look alike." Still she would look into this. And her mother does live in Tokyo..."
In the end, she didn't find anything about it. She could have asked Saki but it was obvious how much the subject of her family was sensitive to the girl. If there really was any link the journalist would find it once Saki had been revealed.
Yet, she could not choose where to place Saki in their team: Vanguard or Captain?
Finally the day came, Saturday June the Fifth. In truth the great day would be tomorrow but they still had a match this afternoon, though it would be an easy one. Last year's third finishers were really weak.
Nevertheless Touka had decided to come hand see the morning match. And truthfully, it had been interesting. At least for Touka. She had confirmed that Haramura Nodoka, the girl with two mounds of useless flesh, truly was Nodochi. The girl had obviously gotten better in her new school of Kiyosumi, at least she had not shamed her title.
The Journalist seemed to think she was a one girl team but Touka felt it wasn't the truth. You didn't place your ace in the Vice-captain place, not even in this prefecture. At least it would permit her to put that pretentious girl in her place. The fact that the journalist had been more focused on her than on them, the reigning school, had been frustrating to say the least.
But at the same time, she could understand and that for a very obvious reason.
"So Touka, any new's about Koromo?" Jun asked from her bench in front of the game room. The midday pause was nearing its end and they were no trace of their princesses. She had already sent Hagiyoshi to pick them up one hour ago but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"No, even so I already called her twice." She answered.
"I will manage alone... is what I would like to say. But I'm not the vanguard anymore," the tall girl said as she stretched. Even with her comment, she didn't seem worried at all and Touka pointed it out to her.
"Our, vanguard is not here and you are not least least worried. Why?" The girl said, her ahoge turned over her head.
"Well, with those two, I'm sure there will be no problem. Chances are that they are already here but can't find their way," She answered.
"True," Nodded Tomoki as she reviewed her data.
"AAhhhh, It's driving me mad. If it wasn't necessary I would have posted her in my place," Touka continued her rambling. When she was like that nothing would stop her till she had what she wanted.
"Touka, don't stress yourself out. You know it's as important to her as it's for us," Hajime tried to calm her mistress down. It was always like that. Touka was throwing out tantrums and her friends tried to calm her down. But this time it was really important. It had to be their year.
"Still, you remember that journalist earlier? Talking to the pro?" Jun tried to change the subject, remembering something funny.
Touka perked up, "Which journalist, they are so many?"
"The one from weekly mahjong today, right?" Hajime guessed
"Rahh. Yeah I see. She was talking with that pro which as an unhealthy interest in Koromo," Touka answered. She was wary around that woman, she always tingled her motherly sense to protect her cousin.
"Yeah that one. I almost died out laughing when she presented us." In fact , she had a smirk reminiscing the scene, but Touka couldn't see why.
"Yeah, me too. They really are badly informed," Hajime continued.
"Huh? I don't see what you're talking about?" Touka was starting to lose patience as she didn't like to be left out.
"Well, you see, she presented Tomoki as if she would play today... Those journalists believe we didn't change our roster," Jun finally explained.
"Ha, I see. Well too bad for them. It will give us a greater impact when she appears." Touka smiled to herself, she liked making impact. A lot. She started to laugh maniacally
But Tomoki broke her mood in a lone sentence, "If she appear..."
"That's true... Where are they?" They were now back to square one.
Not far from there in one of the numerous halls, a young brown-haired girl with a white and blue dress was looking around. She had been with a petit blonde-hair not long ago but had wanted to go to the toilet and lost herself.
It had happened around one hour ago. And now she was still trying to find her way following her instinct. The issue was that there were so many peoples here and that she often lost herself in wonder. Maybe she would find an other kindred here.
Following that thought she did not notice when she passed next to a group of five players wearing a blue and white sailor's uniform.
However, they did notice her and got stuck in place as a bad feeling washed over them. It took one full minute for their leader to turn around, only getting a glimpse of the girl face as she turned a corner. It was only a second but she could not forget the red eyes and idly she thought, "I hope she isn't here as a competitor." They were not the first one to feel that way that day, and they wouldn't be the last.
Some second later the petite girl with orange hair who was her teammate finally got out of her daze. "Buchou... What was that?" She was in so much shock that she hadn't even noticed her Taco falling to the ground.
"I don't know," The Buchou answered slightly fidgeting.
"Must be the Wind," The pink haired said as if to reassure herself.
'The vanguard match of the second turn will start shortly, The players are requested to go in their room' resound the voice in the building. The five players were never so relieved to hear the voice of an unknown woman over badly made microphone.
"You should go now, Do just as this morning." The red-haired noted as she saluted her player.
"Hai" She answered the call as she was already running to her room.
Yet, the Buchou couldn't over the feeling that she would regret not having turned earlier.
"Saki!" Koromo called out, running after her lost friend. The call had just been made but she was doing it in a good direction.
"Koromo ,... Finally... I thought I was lost forever," The girl said with a gleeful yet teary smile, forcing Koromo in her arm
However the petite girl did not complain. She just benefited of the closeness to softely whisper in Saki's ear. "Don't cry, You know I would never leave you alone." She patted Saki's head to calm the slightly taller girl.
" I ,.. I know... But... " Saki hiccuped as she tried to dry her tears.
"It's your fault too. Not following me" Koromo pouted as she admonished the girl. Yet Saki knew it was gentle.
"I'm sorry... I just wanted to go to the toilet. But when I got out you weren't there any more." Saki explained getting back up, breaking the hug.
"And I 'm here now, so don't worry. Just take my hand. We have to hurry," Koromo extended her hand and Saki took it .
"Hai," Koromo could feel the joy in her friend's voice. Truthfully what was she going to do with her.
"You didn't forget your socks right?" Koromo checked as they ran towards the game's room where Touka was waiting for them.
" No I didn't, Touka told me to keep them on until at least the National," Saki confirmed.
"Good," Koromo nodded. Then, seeing her cousin at the end of the hall, she called out. "Touka, we're here"
"Sorry for the wait," The youngest girl followed.
Said Blond turned around , and seeing them, answered in mock anger "Ah... finally, where were you? Well not now, Get in here."
"Hai,"Saki followed her order and entered the room for her first match.
"Good luck" Koromo wished her friend. At first she believed she had not heard. But just before the last clap of the door she heard.
"Thank you."
...
Until next time
Thank you for reading.
Thank to nightsentinel for the Beta
Please review. They really do help boost my mood, even the critic.
Fragment of Ring