TAICHI

After dinner we had another short tutorial on card positioning followed by another practice match. Afterwards, I allowed Chihaya a short nap while I gathered my things together and let Coach Sakurazawa know we were leaving. She made me promise that we would do our stretches at home before bed. On my way back, I snagged the hard-to-miss Daddy Bear bag from a chair along the wall.

"Chihaya," I shook her gently. As she sat up I said, "We need to get going so we can make the train."

"Oh. Mm." She looked around sleepily and I held out the bag to her. Wordlessly she took it and rose to her feet. Students around us were buzzing with conversation, and no one seemed to notice as we headed for the exit.

I spotted Rion standing just to the side of the door and called out as we approached. "Yama-chan."

She blushed and turned to acknowledge me. The two girls she'd been talking with appeared shocked.

Realizing I'd blurted out the nickname like we were old friends, I colored in response.

"I'm sorry," I said, bowing slightly. "It's Yamashiro-san, isn't it? Chihaya comes up with these nicknames and they tend to stick in your head..."

"It's okay," she interrupted, her amber eyes wide and serious. "I like it," she said shyly. A tiny smile crept over her lips and put a dimple in her still-pink cheek. It was distractingly cute and we stared at one another a moment while I tried to remember what I'd intended to say.

"You're leaving?" she asked.

"Oh, right. We need to make our train…it's an hour ride back to Tokyo. I was wondering if you could just point us in the right direction. I think I remember how to get off-campus but I'm not sure…."

"Alright," she agreed. To her friends she said, "I'll be right back," and she led the way into the hall and down the stairs. Chihaya and I followed in silence, too tired to work at conversation.

The night air felt warm and damp when we stepped through the double glass doors. Yama-chan continued to walk ahead of us, leading us down a footpath at an unhurried pace. I lengthened my stride and caught up to her. "You don't have to take us the whole way," I said.

"I don't mind." She was looking straight ahead. It was hard to tell in the half-light, but it seemed she might have been blushing again. Clearing her throat, she asked, "So what's your nickname?"

"Mine?" I asked, surprise in my tone. Oh, right. I told her about Chihaya's nicknames for people. Chihaya continued to trudge silently behind the two of us as we rounded a corner and the school gates came into view. "I guess I don't have one. We've known each other since we were kids, so…."

"Oh." She sounded relieved.

Chihaya's voice piped in unexpectedly. "Dr. Harada calls him Eyelashes."

Rion turned her head to look intently at my eyes, or, rather, at my eyelashes, I suppose. Her keen gaze made me feel squirmy inside. She startled and looked away. "Mm," she acknowledged quietly.

"And," Chihaya continued, "he had a girlfriend once who called him Ta-kun." My gut wriggled with embarrassment. "Ta-kun. Isn't that funny?"

"Oi, Chihaya," I complained. "That's ancient history." I stole a peek at Rion's face. She wore a small smile.

"What else?" she asked. "Who else has one of Ch… Ayase-san's nicknames?"

I heard the hesitation and so did Chihaya. "Yama-chan, please call me Chihaya," she said earnestly. My heart swelled in acknowledgement of her kindness. It was one of Chihaya's traits that I loved unreservedly.

"Oh, okay. Thanks," Yama-chan replied quietly.

I rattled off the history of Porky and Desktomu, but when I came to Shinobu-chan she was taken aback. "The Queen?!"

"Mm-hmm," Chihaya said stoutly. "I want to remember that she's just a second year girl like me. That she's not unbeatable."

We were still mulling this over when we reached the sidewalk. "The station's that way," Rion pointed.

"Yes, I remember from here," I told her. "Thanks," I said with a warm smile.

Her face looked soft and sweet in the light of a half-moon. I realized I was staring and blinked. She turned back toward campus, saying, "Goodnight."

"Let's have a rematch tomorrow, Yama-chaaan!" Chihaya called after her.

"Ack! That was my eardrum, you know." I grumbled.

We walked side by side in companionable silence, passing under street lamps at regular intervals. Cicadas buzzed in the thick border of trees around Fujisaki High, and condensation hung heavy in the air. It occurred to me that this was one of those moments Kana-chan wanted me to make the most of.

The status quo was almost enough for me. As long as I could have her by my side as we walked, as we planned and dreamed for the club and for our futures…that's what I wanted most. Just to be together in the comfortable way that we were now, only with the promise that we always would be.

I thought about taking her hand in mine, but what would that accomplish? It would just confuse her and then we'd be awkward for the whole long train ride back.

No, there was something-a chasm, or a thick wall-that kept her closed to the idea of our friendship becoming something more. Was it simply ignorance or immaturity? After all, she'd never dated anyone, ever. Or was it fear? Fear of what would change between us?

Or was it him? My fist tightened into a ball.

Could I ever win against him? I'd seen the way she looks when it's him on the phone. I can hear the special note in her voice when she says his name.

And now he's coming to Tokyo again. I'm running out of time.

The neon lights of a convenience store shone ahead. "Want to get some ice cream?" I asked.

"All right."

She absently examined the trinkets for sale by the counter while I paid for our treat. As we headed outside I removed the wrapper and split the popsicle in two. I handed her one of the sticks. Her fingers brushed mine as she took it. "Thanks," she said. Her face was open, peaceful.

Maybe I should just ask.

My heart began to pound as I considered what I might say. Hey, Chihaya, have you ever thought about the two of us…

Her voice cut into my inner monologue. "I talked to Coach S during dinner. She gave me a lot of ideas for how we can recruit new members. And I think she's right about needing to do more stretches before practice. Did you know she used to play karuta…"

I listened to her rambling on, relieved to be spared from doing something I just knew wouldn't end well. I nodded in the right places, and one part of my brain analyzed the information she had gleaned from Coach Sakurazawa. But mostly I admired the way her hair fell gracefully around her face and how her eyes lit up with ideas for our club.

And I wondered…how can I get through to her?

-0-0-0-0-

CHIHAYA

We tossed our ice cream sticks in a trash bin as we entered the train station. I hesitated, scanning the signs and looking both directions, trying to figure out where we needed to go.

"It's this way." Taichi led confidently toward one of the platforms. I followed. I knew I could trust him to get us there.

We purchased our tickets and climbed aboard one of the cars. At this late hour only a few of the seats were occupied. We settled side by side, reclining the chairs back as we waited to depart. Taichi was quiet, staring pensively out the window.

Now that I could relax a minute, I realized my injured finger was aching. I began to unwrap the gauze as the chime sounded and the train pulled out. The harsh glare of the station platform gave way to a muted darkness outside our windows, punctuated at intervals by stoplights and billboards we passed.

I removed the guard and gingerly flexed my fingers several times. Taichi surprised me by sliding his hand under mine. My head swung in his direction but I found his gaze fixed on my finger. He carefully tugged my hand toward him, bringing his other hand alongside for support as he turned mine for a better view of the scar. His thumb skimmed softly over the skin beside it.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, looking up through those thick eyelashes. His unexpected gentleness… the concern in his gold-flecked eyes… I felt light-headed all of a sudden.

My pulse picked up as our gazes held. What… what is this?

He broke away first, returning his attention to my hand. Carefully he began to massage it, making small circles with his thumbs.

"S-some," I managed at last.

Being immobilized most of the day and contorted when I leaned on it during matches had left my hand stiff and sore. I sighed and accepted his ministrations without further comment. Closing my eyes, I leaned back into the seat. The sensation of his callused fingertips grazing my skin was incredibly soothing. Scenes from the day floated through my mind… and the cards… and Shinobu-chan's heavy-lidded gaze… and Taichi's golden eyes…..

The next thing I knew, I was being woken by the train's deceleration. I blinked sleepily, gradually becoming aware that Taichi also was stirring. His hand slipped out from under mine on the seat between us. I guess we both must have nodded off.

"You awake?" he asked, checking my face. Finding my eyes open he began gathering up his bag. "Don't forget your brace." He nodded toward where I'd dropped it on the seat.

I fastened it back in place. The idea of maneuvering through the station without its protection made me feel nervous and exposed.

We made the switch to an uncrowded commuter train and soon we were standing outside our regular station, ready to part ways. Taichi looked concerned.

"Are you okay to walk home by yourself? It's pretty late."

"Oh, sure. I come this way from the Shiranami Society all the time."

"Oh. Okay." He still looked hesitant. "So… we'll meet here at six-thirty again, right?"

"Mm-hmm." I struggled to look awake and confident, but I could hear my comfortable bed calling to me.

"All right then," he said. He began to turn away but stopped abruptly and caught my eye. "I had fun today…hanging out with you. It was fun."

My insides squirmed. Why did he look so serious?

I gave him a nod of agreement. As he searched my face, a yawn overtook me. His mouth curved into a grimace of a smile and he turned away, calling over his shoulder, "Goodnight."

-0-0-0-0-

The next morning we successfully found our way through Fujisaki's maze of sidewalks and buildings to the athletic fields.

"Mashima-kun! Ayase-san!" The Suzuki twins grinned and called a greeting to us as we approached. I waved enthusiastically, forgetting for a moment that my finger was firmly bound again. Ouch!

We joined their group at the edge of the track, dropping our bags among the others discarded in the grass alongside. This time we knew to dress in sportswear, so we were able to jump in with the stretches and exercises from the start.

The others soon took off for their run, leaving me behind. It was frustrating, being treated like an invalid when I wanted so badly to prove myself. I continued stretching my waist and then my arms and shoulders. Coach S made a point to stop by and talk with me for a minute.

She followed my gaze to the leading runners, Taichi and the older boys among them.

"I ran track in junior high," I said wistfully. "I thought it would help me build stamina for karuta."

"For karuta, eh?" That calculating tone was back in her voice. "How long have you been playing, Ayase-san?"

The joyful face of a boy with blue eyes and glasses flashed in my mind. For some reason I didn't want to mention his name to her, though. It felt… too personal. Like maybe I'm being stupid to compare myself with him…

"I- I started in sixth grade. Taichi and I were in a team tournament at the Shiranami Society, and it was so much fun."

"You've known each other that long?" A hint of surprise entered her voice. "Well, I guess that makes sense. You act like a team whether you're on the mat or off." She excused herself shortly after that comment, leaving me to wonder at her meaning.

I guess we do work well together, Taichi and me. Sometimes we disagree, but most of the time our teamwork is effortless. We balance each other, push and pull and poke and prod one another when needed.

I realized I'd been watching him ever since he'd taken to the track, even throughout my conversation with Coach S. He should have finished with the leading runners, but I noticed he'd taken an extra lap. Always the overachiever…

Even so, he didn't look winded. He slowed to a walk and headed in my direction, his still-quick strides catching him up to a group of girls. He began a conversation with one of them, oh, with Yama-chan actually. Her coppery tresses were hidden under a baseball cap so I hadn't recognized her at first. I heard his husky laugh answer one of her comments.

I was balanced on one leg, pulling my other foot up behind me to stretch my knee and thigh muscles. I nearly lost my balance when someone came stomping past me. I watched as Yamai pulled up in front of Yama-chan and Taichi. I could only see the back of his head—long, blond hair still swaying at the abrupt halt—but one look at his face caused Taichi to frown.

"Rion!" Yamai-kun said sharply. "As captain, sensei expects you to be at the classroom ahead of everyone else making sure everything's ready."

Yama-chan's face froze, showing no emotion, but she straightened her posture.

She gave him a military-worthy "Hai!" but Taichi spoke over her using a haughty tone I hadn't heard in years. "Demoted from captain to message boy," he addressed Yamai pointedly. "Must be tough."

Yamai's hands tightened into fists. "What did you say, Class B?" he challenged, taking a step into Taichi's space.

Taichi seemed to lean toward him. His face was carved in stone as he answered. "It's Class A, now…senpai."

"Oh, that's right," Yamai said, cruel satisfaction in his tone. "Because you beat Rion."

Her eyes glittered but Yama-chan's face remained stoic.

"What is your problem?" Taichi demanded. "You're supposed to be teammates but you tear her down every chance you get. She's your team's best hope for next year and instead of supporting her you do nothing but insult her. You…"

"All right, that's enough," Kanata-kun said as he and his twin stepped between the two.

"I'd better get to the clubroom," Rion said quietly, turning away.

Taichi grabbed her wrist. Her face turned back to him in surprise. He held her gaze, seeming to will confidence into her before releasing her arm. She looked confused for a moment, then turned away and hurried up the hill toward the buildings. Without a word, Taichi stepped around the third-years and sat heavily on the grass beside our belongings.

Yamai grumbled, saying something to the twins too quietly for me to hear. They moved off in the direction Rion had taken.

Taichi pulled a water bottle from his bag as I approached. The sound of my footsteps came from behind him, and his head jerked up suddenly. Seeing it was only me, his stern expression relaxed and he returned to rummaging in his bag, finally producing a towel to mop his sweaty forehead.

"What happened?" I asked as he took a long swig of water.

He took his time answering, wiping his face and neck with the towel. "Nothing important. That guy's just a…" He shook his head and took another long draught. "Don't worry about him. We're here to learn what we can and then we'll be gone and we'll never have to see him again."

I cocked my head to the side. Already a third-year, Yamai wouldn't face us in next year's high school tournament. But he'd placed well in the individual competition, so he might try for the Master Qualifier this fall. I opened my mouth… and closed it again. Better not to mention it.

"Ready?" Taichi asked, rising to his feet and hefting his bag over one shoulder.

"Sure."