CHIHAYA
Wataya-san shooed us away, insisting she would handle the clean-up. The three of us tromped into my room. "Arata," I said, "would you read for us? I think it would help."
"Sure." He corralled the cards from our last match while I found the deck I'd stashed in my backpack.
Soon I was kneeling before Murao, arranging twenty-five cards in front of me. Arata sat on the edge of the bed, shuffling the cards in his hands.
I was calmer now, more used to his presence. And I was facing another competitor this time, not the guy I… well, anyway…time to focus on the cards.
I tried a couple adjustments to my placement based on what I'd learned from Arata earlier. I hoped changing my usual positions wouldn't backfire on me.
Memorization time over, I sat back on my heels and inhaled slowly. Arata began.
Naniwa Bay, now the flower blooms…
His tone was husky, like his voice, whereas professionals sounded more reedy.
…but for winter…
His chant was modulated in a lower register than normal too. I strained to catch the nuances of the sounds he formed. Luckily, his speech was familiar to me.
…the flower blooms…
I locked my hair behind my ear and leaned over the cards.
The first few he called happened to be placed where we could defend our own easily. Finally, Arata called one of my sweet cards, and I swiped it from Murao's side with an efficiency that felt perfect.
I heard his sharp intake of breath as it shot away. He chuckled, and, as I rose to retrieve it, I caught him sharing an amused look with Arata.
I wouldn't let it rattle me. I'd turn it back on him. "Something funny?" I asked as I reseated myself. I gave him my best challenging glare.
He shook his head, a rueful smile on his lips. "No, Ma'am," he drawled. "Let's see if you can do that again."
I felt the flames leap in my eyes. Ooo, this is going to be fun…
-0-0-0-0-
ARATA
Murao-san's game played out a lot like ours had earlier. One or two cards would be played by the book, and then all of a sudden Chihaya would slice through the air while the first word still hung on my lips. Murao did a good job of remaining in control, but the way he kept pushing up his glasses told me that her advantage unnerved him more than he was letting on.
An hour later, he'd managed to defeat her by twelve cards-less than our deficit earlier, I noted. Was she improving that quickly?
They exchanged the concluding courtesies. Murao-san stood and began stretching. I kept a close eye on Chihaya, who came out of her bow rather lethargically. I didn't want her collapsing again.
"That was a good match, Ayase-san," Murao commented. "Your game sense is really amazing."
Chihaya still didn't stand. From her drooped position, she said, "But you still beat me." She repositioned one of the remaining cards and continued to stare at the arrangement.
Murao and I shared a look. It wasn't like Chihaya to be a sore loser. At least, not a mopey one like this. When we were kids, she used to yell at me for taking too many cards, but she always wanted to try again.
Without looking up, she asked, "Murao-san, was there a reason you moved 'Long last' and 'How can I' toward the end? Or was it just to try and mess up my memorization?"
Ah. This is the Chihaya I know. She's calculating, trying to learn from her opponent.
I suggested we get something to drink, and soon we were recapping the match over glasses of juice. Chinaha was just as relentless with Murao as she had been with me. I offered a few observations as well.
Murao checked his wristwatch. "I really need to be going."
We walked him to the door. Chihaya still seemed deep in thought.
As he slipped on his shoes and overcoat, Murao said. "Ayase-san, that was very helpful. Would you be up for a rematch tomorrow?"
An impassioned look seized her face. "Definitely!"
I felt a pang of loss, wondering if I'd just lost my chance to play her again.
Murao chuckled at her spirited response. "All right. I'll see you both at the Society tomorrow morning." We confirmed the time, and he left the two of us standing at the foot of the stairs. My parents must have already gone to bed. We probably should as well.
"Do you want to take a bath tonight? You can go first," I offered.
"Umm, I'd really like to go for a run tomorrow morning, so I'll wait and take one then, if that's okay."
"A run? You don't want to wear yourself out before Saturday."
"Oh, that's nothing. I'm not doing any more than I do every day at school." She began to stretch this way and that. "I'm getting stiff from sitting around too much."
"All right. But let's keep it short."
"Oh, are you coming with?" she asked in surprise.
"I think that would be best, since you don't know the area." And I'd worry about you the whole time. "But I'm not much of a runner. I'll take my bike."
We agreed on a time and then found ourselves awkwardly standing there. I was putting off the moment I had to leave her. I put a hand on the railing. "I'll give you some time before I come down to use the bath."
"Okay, I'll be quick. I just want to wash up and brush my teeth."
My eyes caressed her face one more time. "Uh, goodnight then."
Softly she said, "Goodnight, Arata." Maybe I was imagining things, but the way she said it made me think she was sorry to part as well.
-0-0-0-0-0-
The next morning I woke quickly, eager to start our day. I found Chihaya at the kitchen table, nibbling on a piece of toast and looking at her phone. Sure enough, she was dressed for exercise in gym pants and a Daddy Bear hoodie.
"Arata!" she said with excitement. "Listen to this." She scrolled on her phone before reading what sounded like poetry. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend upon your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
"Isn't that wonderful? It's the verse of the day on my Bible app. Don't you think it's perfect for today?" She rattled on. "When I think about tomorrow I start to get really nervous, but if I can just remember this…" She checked her phone again. "He will show you which path to take," she said contentedly.
"It's a good sign," I said, unsure how to answer her enthusiasm.
"Mm, maybe." She set her phone down on the table and rose. "Are you ready to go?"
I chuckled. "You're fired up. Let me at least eat breakfast first."
"Oh, right!" she said, chagrined. "Your mom found me up early and fixed this for me. I was so excited. I couldn't sleep any longer." She dropped back into a chair.
I felt a smile tugging at my lips as I filled a plate from the pans Mom had left on the stovetop. Glancing out the window, I could see it would be another cloudy, cold day. "You even run on days like this?" I asked. I set my breakfast on the table and took a seat.
"Oh, sure. I don't mind cold. It's the summer workouts that are the worst. But I missed most of those this year." Unconsciously, she looked at her index finger.
"Can I see?" I asked, reaching for her hand without thinking.
She held it out and I took it in mine, examining the small but still noticeable scar. "It never hurts anymore?" I asked. My thumb traced the outline of stitches. Glancing up, I caught her biting her lower lip and looking anxious. Our eyes met, and I suddenly realized I was holding her hand. I let go quickly.
"It's—it's fine now," she said. She clasped her hands together in her lap.
Ah, that was stupid of me. Did I cross a line that "friends" shouldn't?
I dug into my breakfast. Chihaya broke the awkward silence. "I can't believe it's almost our senior year. Do you know what you want to do in the future?"
I'd told Taichi, but evidently he hadn't shared the news with Chihaya. Well, that really didn't surprise me. I hoped my answer wouldn't freak her out even more.
"I'm going to college in Tokyo," I told her. "I'm going to study accounting, most likely."
I watched as her eyes grew and her jaw dropped. "You're…coming to Tokyo?"
My heartbeat picked up. You're the reason, I wanted to tell her.
"That's…that's wonderful!" She still looked astounded, but I could tell she was pleased.
"There are a couple private universities there that offer scholarships for karuta. Since I won last summer, I'm pretty sure they will take me." I looked down at my empty bowl. "I'm hoping they'll invite me for interviews this spring."
"Arata! That's amazing. But it's so early to apply!"
I explained about trying to get in by recommendation and how the early admission would allow me to focus on my goal of the Master match next year. Chihaya's wonder was written all over her face.
"If you're thinking of going to college," I said, unable to hold back my hopes any longer, "you should look at these two. They both have good karuta clubs and you could probably get a scholarship because you made it to the Queen match at such a young age."
"We could be on a team together again." Chihaya said it like it was too good to be true.
I smiled. If we could make it happen, it really would be a dream come true. Speaking of dreams…
"If you really want to run, we should probably get going soon." She agreed and chugged the rest of her juice.
We decided to head toward the train station, and Chihaya insisted on seeing the bookstore where I worked part-time. I introduced her to Katsugi-san, whose eyes sparkled at me as we left. He'd have some pesky questions next week.
Chihaya showered while I helped Mom pack a bento for the two of us. Soon we were on our way to the Nagumo Society. The air was brisk but the sun was out for the moment, making our walk comfortable.
"It's so pretty," Chihaya said, looking at the vistas on either side of the raised avenue. "I can't get over all the water."
"Mm. The lakes are pretty famous. You should come in the summer sometime…you'd like seeing the white sand beaches and the cliffs, too."
"Wow." Her phone buzzed and she pulled it from her coat pocket. She checked it and said, "Oh! It's an email from Coach S! She's wishing me luck and says she'll be watching tomorrow."
"Who's Coach S?"
"She's the Fujisaki High School coach. She invited our team to their training camp last summer. I think she felt bad because I was playing against their team when I injured my finger. Anyway, she's really cool." She paused to snap a few pictures of the scenery with her phone.
"It seems pretty unusual for a team like theirs to allow you to come to their camp," I said.
"Hey, Arata. Take one with me in it." She handed over the phone and I complied, making sure I got some of the background she admired so much. "Oh, and let's take one together, too." She grabbed the edge of my jacket and yanked me toward her.
I suddenly felt like all arms and legs and had no idea where to position myself. I didn't have long to worry, though, since Chihaya was taking charge. She stepped in front of me, holding up the phone with one arm. "Crouch down," she ordered.
I obeyed, and she leaned back against my chest and put her cheek close to mine. Her nearness and the clean scent of her shampoo made my head swim.
"Do you know where to look?" she asked.
"Uh…" KA-CHIK.
She checked the display and laughed. "One more. Here, you hold it. You have longer arms."
I took it from her and crouched down again, cupping her shoulder as she nestled against me. It felt a little more natural with my arm around her like this, although it's not like I have a lot of experience taking couple shots. We leaned our heads together and I tried for a normal-looking smile. KA-CHIK.
We both crowded around the screen to see the result.
"Oh, that's better," she said.
It actually wasn't bad. She looked adorable in her scarf and knit cap, her happy face beaming. I looked…a little frantic, but I had managed a smile. And maybe the red in my cheeks was because of the cold.
Right.
In any case, seeing us together like that warmed my heart. "You'll send it to me?" I asked.
"Sure." She looked up from fiddling with her phone and, from the way her eyes widened, I think we both realized our faces were still super close. Yet, I didn't want to back away. She stared for a few eternal moments and I felt my breathing getting shallow. Then she blushed and looked down at her phone, punching buttons unsteadily. "Th-there. Sent."
We set off walking again and reached the Society just as Kuriyama-sensei was unlocking the doors. "Arata-kun," he greeted me warmly. "And Ayase-san, if I remember? We met briefly at the Challenger matches."
Oh, right. The teddy bear message. He'd been the one to deliver it for me. It was too embarrassing to think about. I hoped he hadn't learned what was in the wrapped box.
"Good morning," we both greeted him as we stepped inside.
Murao-san arrived as we were stretching. It seemed the order of the day called for him to play two matches in the morning, one against each of us, and then he would call it quits. Director Kuriyama would read for my rematch with Chihaya after lunch.
Impossible though it seemed, it looked as though Chihaya had improved yet again. Murao still won, but the difference was only ten cards this time. I didn't know if I should be happy for Chihaya or worried for Murao-san.
I'd taken the referee spot, kneeling between them on the side. As they exchanged final courtesies, I kept a close eye on Chihaya. She was slow to rise from her bow, and I saw her body begin to sway. I leapt to her side, throwing an arm around her and grasping both of her slim shoulders. Rather than passing out, she looked at me in surprise.
"Are you okay?" I asked, searching her face carefully.
"Mm, yeah." She gave her head a shake, as if to clear the fuzziness, and I released her. She stood, going to retrieve a water bottle from her bag. Satisfied she wasn't going to faint, I turned my attention back to the playing field. Kuriyama-sensei and Murao-san were watching with matching smirks. My attentiveness had not gone unnoticed.
"Though I would hide it…" Kuriyama-sensei muttered cheerfully as he stood and went to talk to Chihaya.
Of course, I knew the poem he was quoting. Though I would hide it, in my face it still appears – my fond, secret love…
I sighed. What a couple of old women…
