Yamai took every opportunity to goad me during the match. He made a point of looking at Chihaya a lot and smiling when he caught her eye. He moved the Chihayafuru card at least five times, shooting me a smug look every time he handled it, and blowing his long bangs in a most irritating manner once he'd placed it. Yet he was a strong Class A player. Even with all his shenanigans, he remained focused and rarely made a fault. The match gave me good practice at tuning out distractions and not letting my opponent rattle me. I was only partially successful and he managed to beat me by four cards. His superior smile was a bitter pill to swallow.
I turned my attention to the match beside ours. Both Chihaya and Yama-chan had pushed their hair back behind their ears. A glance at the nearly even card differential and I knew it was another close match of sound and reaction. Chihaya had split the like cards on her side but Yama-chan had grouped hers, gambling that she could react more quickly than a left-handed Chihaya. As the match proceeded I could see that her strategy was paying off, but Chihaya seemed unfazed. She continued to make practice swings after each loss, apparently less concerned with losing this match than with achieving the Queen's pinpoint accuracy.
When Yama-chan captured the win, they exchanged the token thank-yous, then Rion stabbed Chihaya with a glare. "What was that? You didn't give me your best," she accused in a harsh whisper.
Chihaya's eyes grew wide. Several matches were still ongoing so she pitched her voice low. "I-I-I'm sorry. I've been trying to learn to use both at the same time." Her eyes wandered up to the ceiling, seeing something we didn't.
"Both what?" Yama-chan asked disgustedly.
Chihaya continued in a daze, talking over her. "But it's confusing trying to do it left-handed." Her voice trailed off and her eyelids fluttered, and I knew what was coming next.
"Yamai, catch her!" I hissed.
He'd been watching, as fascinated by the standoff as I was, but at my command he startled and took in Chihaya's teetering form. She collapsed in his direction and he managed to gather her in his arms as she crumpled. The sight burned me up, but it was better than allowing her to bang her head again.
Yamai looked shocked, at least what I could see of his expression through the blond hair strewn across his face.
"Just set her down on the mat," I instructed him quietly, schooling my voice to sound unconcerned. "She'll be fine in a few minutes."
He did so, gingerly disengaging himself and scooting back a good two feet, the whole time watching Chihaya like a dangerous creature.
Yama-chan spoke first. "I've never seen anyone go out so fast before."
Yamai seemed to be recovering himself. "What a weird chick."
"You get used to it after a while," I said, watching Chihaya take even breaths.
From beside me, I heard a tiny yawn. My eyes flicked to Yama-chan, who was covering her mouth daintily. "Maybe she's onto something," she said, shooting me a small smile. Then she blushed and looked away. "What did she mean anyway?" she asked. "About using both? Do you know?"
I stretched my back and settled into a more comfortable sitting position. Coach Sakurazawa was talking to a couple pairs across the room who still hadn't finished their matches. I should probably listen in; God knows how much help I need at finishing the close ones.
But I found myself turning to answer Yama-chan instead. I leaned closer so we wouldn't disturb the others. "She's trying to use the Queen's accuracy with the speed of Master Suo's game sense."
I heard Yamai's derisive snort but ignored it, looking up through my lashes to see how Rion would respond. Her mouth hung open and her amber eyes were wide. "Both," she said, staring straight ahead. Then her brows drew down and she pursed her lips. Our heads were close together, since I'd been mostly whispering, and I was mesmerized when she began drumming her fingers against her mouth. It was kind of unexpectedly sexy, and I felt a flush run through me.
Yamai cut in coldly, and I had a nagging suspicion he'd read my reaction. "Well, you have to be Class A to face the Queen, and Rion may never get there at this rate."
The girl cringed, and I turned my glare on him. "She'll be Class A before this year is out, mark my words."
His glare answered mine and our gazes locked. What's this guy's problem?
Coach Sakurazawa announced a ten minute break and in my peripheral vision I saw Chihaya begin to stir. Her voice drifted weakly between us. "Chocolate…."
My gaze left Yamai's, softening as I watched Chihaya sleepily rub her eyes with her fists. She looked like a little kid.
I rose to my feet as students all around us did the same. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty," I said, offering her a hand. "Let's go find you something with lots of sugar and caffeine." As I pulled her up, I thought I caught a glimpse of Rion frowning at our clasped hands.
-0-0-0-0-
CHIHAYA
By the end of the next match I was mentally worn down and so ready for dinner. I'm not a big eater in general, but I needed the mental break. My opponent, a Class B player of Yama-chan's year, disappeared without a backward glance after I defeated her handily. I shrugged it off and headed for the bathroom.
As I was finishing my business in the stall, I couldn't help overhearing the girls who stood chatting at the sinks.
"Club isn't going to be any fun next year without our senpais."
"We're all working hard, but will any of us make Class A by then?"
"Rion might." The speaker grumbled her name.
"Hmph. She thinks she's so much better than the rest of us."
"But she lost to both of the Misuzawa players…again!"
"I don't want to play either of them. They're scary."
I decided it would be super embarrassing to appear at this moment, so I dallied in the anonymity of the stall, unintentionally eavesdropping.
"What are you talking about? Yamai-senpai beat the hot guy."
"Mmmm. He is hot, isn't he?" There was general sighing and noises of agreement.
"So Yamai-senpai beat him, but Rion didn't."
"She's not as good as Coach thinks."
"Maybe she was distracted by how good-looking he is?" They giggled.
"She's not the type to notice. Half the third year guys are in love with her and she's never given them a second glance."
I nodded my head earnestly. A girl focused on her karuta, not love. I liked that.
"I don't know. I think she's into him. Did you see her following him around?"
"What? When?" Their voices drifted away as the bathroom door closed behind them.
I sneaked out of my stall and went to wash up at the sinks where the girls had been carrying on.
Did Rion have an interest in Taichi? Or were those girls just looking to make trouble for her? They didn't seem to like her very much, but they didn't give any good reason not to, either.
Taichi. My heart gave a nervous flip.
I was used to having him by my side. Even when he'd had a girlfriend, she'd always been second to our karuta practices.
What would I do if he had a girlfriend who loved karuta? Someone who could be a part of our world, but was more important to him than me. Would I be willing to share him?
I stared vacantly into the mirror, pondering that for a moment.
Maybe. If she loved karuta. How happy he could be, facing her across the tatami, each of them giving their best in a dance of sound and reflex and passion.…
My heart squeezed. I realized it wasn't Taichi and Rion I was picturing anymore.
I might never face Arata like that. I had so far to go still. And in my heart of hearts I didn't want Taichi leaving me behind, too.
I splashed water on my face, an awkward feat one-handed. It wasn't like me to be selfish. I would keep my mind on karuta and getting stronger and then we could both achieve our dreams.
It would happen. It had to.
-0-0-0-0-0-
I made my way through the serving line in the cafeteria following a bunch of first-years who shot curious glances my way but didn't talk to me. I wasn't bothered by it; I had other things on my mind.
I scanned the room for a seat and saw Taichi at a table with the twins and, as usual, surrounded by admiring females. I noted with interest that Yama-chan was not among them. Maybe I should… oh!
I noticed Coach S sitting alone, reviewing something in her notebook while she picked at her food. I brought my tray over and stood before her.
"Yes, Ayase-san?"
"I was wondering if I could sit with you—unless you're busy. I don't mean to intrude."
A wry expression lit her eyes but she said, "It's no bother."
I set down my tray and settled a napkin in my lap. She asked, "Was there something in particular you wanted to talk to me about?"
"No, not especially. I just…hmm." I stopped to consider. "I want to learn all I can from you. Dr. Harada said you've been coaching a long time already, but you look so young." Her mouth quirked up at the side and I realized I might have offended her by mentioning age. "I mean…" I stuttered.
With a satisfied sigh she leaned back in her seat and said, "I suppose it has been a long time. What? Twelve, or is it thirteen, years at Fujisaki?"
My chopsticks froze halfway to my mouth.
"I started here right out of college," she explained.
"Was it a big karuta school back then?" I continued eating.
She looked up, considering. "The karuta club was well-established, but not as large as it is now. They had an advisor who knew a little about the game, but they needed a coach to become truly strong."
Her eyes fell on me and I felt like squirming. "Do you know why I invited you to our camp, Ayase-san?"
I shook my head mutely as I swallowed. "So Rion could practice against me?"
Her eyes smiled just a bit. "Well, I won't deny that I liked that idea. But mostly it was because you remind me of myself at your age."
My mouth was full of food again or it would have dropped to the floor. I felt my eyes go wide.
She released a low chuckle. "Don't look so surprised. All us coaches were players at one time."
I hadn't stopped to think of Coach S in high school. Or even stranger, of Dr. Harada.
Coach S interrupted the bizarre mental pictures parading through my mind. "I was determined to become Queen before I finished college. I loved the competition, and it seemed I learned new strategies each time I faced a tough opponent. Karuta was my life. It could make me happier than anything or send me into complete despair."
I nodded, understanding all too well. "So," I asked hesitantly. "What happened?" I didn't remember anyone mentioning her as a former Queen, but it had been a while ago…
"My second year at university my knees gave out. I had to have surgery and then rehabilitation, and even then the doctors warned me that I could lose the ability to walk if I spent a lot of time kneeling."
"Oh!" My face crumpled in sympathy.
"Yes," she acknowledged. Her lips formed a thin line but otherwise it was hard to see emotion on her face. "Fortunately it was still early enough that I was able to adjust my course of study and pursue teaching as a career." She caught my eye and a hint of warmth entered her tone as she continued. "I found I could take my gift for strategy and my experience as a karuta player and use them as a coach." Her tense expression eased a bit. "It's very rewarding to help young people grow into well-rounded players. Especially when you come across one who has the drive, the spirit of karuta, that can propel them to go all the way."
Her eyes assessed me. "Like you, Ayase-san. And Mashima-kun."
"Taichi?"
"Mm. Don't take him for granted. He's very gifted, and he has the determination. I can see it."
"Huh." Taichi always seemed kind of up and down in his pursuit of the sport. I was never sure how long he would stick with it. But it was true that something about him seemed different in this last tournament. I'd believed in him all along, but it was like now he could believe in himself.
"So," Coach S continued evenly. "Tell me how you plan to become Queen."
