ARATA

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket as I finished counting out change for the customer. My hand itched to answer it, but I waited until he stepped through the automatic doors before giving in.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for disappointment, and flipped it open. A message from Chihaya. My heart raced. Would it be good news or bad?

I punched the button and was greeted by a picture of Chihaya holding a trophy. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes glittered, and her beaming smile told me all I needed to know.

"Amazing, Chihaya," I breathed. "You did it." I stared at the picture a little longer. People milled around her. I was pretty sure I saw part of Taichi's profile to one side.

I remembered the times I'd won as a child. Her group seemed a lot more lively than my memories. I chuckled. Well, that's Chihaya. Everything's more lively with her.

I stared a little longer at her picture. Wow. She's just so beautiful. So vibrant. I must be crazy to think I would have a chance with someone like her. Everything about her is so far above me. So beautiful and yet unaffected, so passionate and hardworking, so comfortable with her own emotions and with people… She's always had a way of unconsciously drawing people into her world and making them feel special. I sighed, closing the phone and replacing it in my pocket. I'm just a nerdy boy from the boondocks. I know I don't deserve her. Someone like Taichi belongs by her side. And yet, how could I not fall for her completely?

The store manager returned, greeting me as he entered the shop. "Katsugi-sama," I said. "I need to ask you about some time off."

-0-0-0-0-

TAICHI

"Tell me again what I'm doing here," I complained, pulling at the tie strangling my neck. Elegantly dressed people of all ages flowed around me.

My mother's face pinched in disapproval but she kept her tone moderate—minding appearances as usual. "You're here because I want you here. It won't kill you to sit through one of your sister's competitions, and it won't be a great trial to entertain my friend's daughter for a few minutes afterwards. So stop dragging your feet and behave like a man."

I felt my own face scowling at that. Well, it was my fault for being careless. I'd found excuses to put off Chihaya's Daddy Bear outing for a couple weeks after she won the tournament. By then, it was mid-December and reasonable enough to propose we go shopping together on the twenty-fourth. I was pretty pleased that I'd not only secured an excuse to miss my "class" party (which somehow ended up being me and all the girls last year) but also had wrangled a date with Chihaya—whether or not she realized that's what it was—on Christmas Eve.

My mother is not so dense as Chihaya, and when I let slip that I had plans on Christmas Eve, she immediately demanded to know with whom. Needless to say, she wasn't thrilled by my answer.

So it wasn't surprising when, just two days later, she informed me that I would be accompanying her to Rika's next violin recital, and 'oh, by the way, a dear friend of mine has a daughter about your age who will also be performing and we thought it would be nice for the two of you to meet.' In other words, I'd be required to meet a girl my mother deemed a suitable match for me.

Considering my mother's appraisal of people is based pretty much on status and how well you show off your superiority, I had dismally low expectations for the evening.

Rika left us to go do whatever it is they do backstage, and I accompanied Mom from greeting one acquaintance after another until finally we settled into the plush seats of a good-sized auditorium. The house lights came down so that all attention was directed toward the brightly illuminated stage. After some opening remarks, the recital began—progressing from younger, less-skilled artists to those of greater proficiency. It was warm with my suit jacket on, and I found myself nodding off from time to time. I rallied for my sister's performance, which was somewhere in the middle, and it was a few performers later that I began to see students who looked near to my age. I entertained myself by trying to guess which was my intended.

I'd seen one likely candidate so far… a gangly girl who wore an audacious display of diamond and ruby jewelry. She was plain-faced but still managed a haughty expression. I sighed, mentally preparing myself to endure her company later.

Ah, but wait! We have another contestant…. This girl wore an elegant black dress that boasted just enough uniqueness to reveal its designer origins. It complemented her fair skin and slim figure, and despite myself I enjoyed watching her move across the stage. She walked a little too quickly to be truly graceful; Mother would deduct points for that. Reaching the dais, she turned to face the audience.

I sat up suddenly, leaning forward for a better look. That girl looks a lot like…

Rion?

Her hair was pinned up in some kind of sparkly clasp, but it was definitely the unique copper color of Rion's hair. She executed a sweeping bow and brought the violin to her shoulder.

I watched, transfixed, examining every contour of her face until I was sure I hadn't imagined the likeness. It was definitely Rion. Happiness bubbled up inside me.

This is so cool. I had no idea she played violin. I wonder how she finds time for this and karuta? Surely she hasn't given up karuta?! No, what am I thinking, it would have taken years of study to become this good. Wow, she really is quite good. I sat back, a pleased smile curving my lips. It was such a relief to come across a welcome face in the midst of this dreadful outing.

I clapped enthusiastically as she finished and made another graceful bow. Only a couple more artists performed after Rion, but my mind was happily humming away in wonder at this development. As soon as the lights came up, I hurried back to the lobby, hoping to catch up with her before she left.

I was one of the first to arrive. Anxiously I tried to watch all the entrances from the auditorium and all the exits to the street, worried that she would slip by me somehow. The brightly-lit room was filled with patrons again by the time I spotted her familiar copper tresses.

I wove through bodies, determined to intercept her. "Yama-chan!"

Her face registered surprise and her eyes searched the crowd until they found me headed her way. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She blanched.

That's odd. I thought we parted on good terms.

"Taichi-kun! I had no idea," she said hurriedly as I stopped before her. Her face almost looked fearful.

I guess she's just really surprised to see me here.

"Me either," I said, grinning easily. "I didn't even know you played the violin." She continued to stare at me like she was seeing an unwelcome spirit. I went on. "You were amazing."

"Thank you," she murmured, looking down at her toes modestly. "Very much."

"How long have you played the violin?"

Her amber eyes met mine again, but she still seemed reticent for some reason. "It's been about ten years, I guess." She shrugged and I was distracted by the movement. Her gown was cut to show off the elegant form of a violinist, leaving the creamy skin of her arms and dainty shoulders exposed.

"You look great, by the way," I said without thinking.

She blushed and put one hand to her mouth. I realized what I'd said and felt answering heat rise in my cheeks. She let her hand fall again and said shyly, "Thank you. So do you."

I forced a laugh and brushed my hand over the front of my suit jacket. "A little different from our karuta uniforms."

"Yeah," she agreed, at ease again. "I'd probably play one hundred percent better if they let us do these things barefoot."

This time my laugh was sincere.

Rion's eyes darted past my shoulder and I turned to see my mother approaching, chatting with what was probably yet another of her society friends. Both wore catlike expressions of satisfaction as they took in the scene.

"It looks like you two have already met," Mom's friend said cheerily. To my mother, she chirped, "It must be fate."

My mother nodded and began the introductions. "Ryouko-chan, this is my son, Mashima Taichi."

The woman's face seemed familiar. Perhaps we'd met when I was younger. Or maybe it was the calculating gleam in her eye that reminded me of my mother. I made a slight bow.

The woman spoke properly. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Taichi-kun. I've heard a lot of good things about you."

I controlled the urge to roll my eyes. I could just imagine what my mother said about me to her friends.

"So how do you know my daughter?" she asked.

Your… daughter?!

My mouth fell open and my eyes shot to Rion. She was staring at the ground, but I could see a flush in her cheeks.

All of a sudden the pieces fell into place. Rion's awkward reception of me. My mother's self-satisfied expression. A girl 'about my age.' The resemblance between mother and daughter!

I took a step back, surprise registering on my face. "This…" I stuttered. I looked to my mother. "Is this who we're meeting for dinner?"

"Yes," she smiled brightly. "This is the friend I was telling you about, Yamashiro Ryouko." She returned her attention to Rion's mother. "And I am soo pleased that we have the chance to catch up in person. So this is your lovely daughter," she said, turning to survey Rion.

When the awkward introductions were concluded we collected Rika from a huddle of middle school students and stepped into the brisk evening air. Rion and I trailed behind the female trio as we made our way down the block.

The silence between us was growing awkward when suddenly she stumbled and pitched forward with a yelp. I reacted instinctively, grasping her arm and supporting her weight. She allowed me to steady her while she regained her footing. "Thanks," she said. "I'm not too used to heels."

I held out my elbow to her. It seemed the thing to do, since I was wearing a suit and all. "Here," I offered. She searched my face a moment and then wrapped her hand around my forearm. I slowed my gait to match her pace. It felt kind of nice, strolling through the cool winter air together.

"Taichi," she sounded unsure. "I swear I didn't know it was you. My mom just told me we were going to dinner with a friend and her kids. I thought she was acting weird about it, though."

"No, no, don't worry about it," I rushed to assure her. I slowed our pace to put some distance between us and our parents. "My mother is always scheming something or other. To be honest, I'm relieved it was you. I was expecting tonight to be torture, but I got a nice surprise instead." I smiled. "It's good to see you again."

She turned her head to meet my gaze, her lips curving ever so slightly. Our eyes held as we took several steps in unison. My heart seemed to beat more loudly than usual. What is this…

I bumped into our moms, who had stopped to open the door to a fancy-looking restaurant. Mom's expression of annoyance vanished when she took in our linked arms.

Dinner was for the most part enjoyable. My mother initially interrogated Rion under the guise of polite conversation, but after hearing acceptable answers and bragging on me a bit, she finally turned her attention to her friend. Though they talked animatedly with one another, their frequent glances our direction were hard to miss.

I tried to ignore them. "So how is the karuta club going, being captain and all?" I asked Rion.

"I'm working hard, I really am." Her head snapped up suddenly, her sweet little face lit up with the fire of her determination.

I chuckled. She looks so cute when she's acting tough.

Her expression fell and she poked listlessly at the noodles in her bowl. "But, well, I think it will be a lot easier when our senpais finally move on. It's harder to keep people's respect when one or two of those guys are always hanging around and goofing off or second-guessing my decisions."

Yamai's arrogant face swam before my eyes. Grrrr…I should have decked him when I had the chance. The need to protect her washed over me."Wow, that stinks. Doesn't Coach Sakurazawa do anything about it?"

"She scolds them a little, but I don't think she really cares that much. She probably hopes it'll make me stronger. Honestly, though," she admitted on a sigh, "I'm just not a natural leader-type like you, Taichi-kun. She shouldn't have made me captain."

"I'm not a…"

"Yes, you are," she interrupted. "When you speak, people listen. They believe you and they believe in you." Admiration showed in her face. "It's really something."

I wasn't sure what to say to that. I could tell her respect was sincere, and it made me feel proud and strong and like I should sit up a little straighter. But the way she just says things like that so nonchalantly…a person can't help but feel self-conscious. I took a swallow from my water goblet.

Yamashiro-san turned to address us. "If you two are finished, maybe you'd like to take a walk." She looked coyly at my mother, saying, "We girls still have a lot to catch up on, don't we?"

"Certainly," Mom agreed. I felt a weight lifting. Escape was imminent.

"Do you want to?" I asked Rion. Please say yes, please say yes…

"Sure," she said, rising and pulling on her coat.