TAICHI

The four of us crowded through the glass doors we'd last seen six months ago. A placard beside them read: Omi Jingu Learning Center.

"Wah! Look at all the news people!" Hanano exclaimed, patting her hair into place after removing her hat.

"It's less crowded than during the high school tournament," Komano noted.

It was true. We were used to seeing teenagers milling about and taking up all the benches and every spare corner of floor. Today, there were mostly adults dressed in business suits or hakamas. One side of the room served as a temporary set. A table draped in cloth was the subject of several portable lights; a couple television cameras pointed at it. I recognized it as the narrator's station we'd seen in last year's broadcast.

We'd decided to wear our school uniforms in support of Chihaya, so we didn't appear too underdressed. We were removing our hats and mufflers when I heard a familiar, husky voice calling. "Taichi!"

I spotted him coming our way across the lobby. "Arata!" I raised a hand, acknowledging him. When he'd reached our group, I asked, "How is the schedule running? It seems like we got here during the break."

"Yeh, the next match should be starting in about ten minutes."

"A-hemm." Hanano-san had sidled up between us and was clearing her throat loudly. Arata's puzzled expression said he wasn't quite sure what to make of her.

I sighed. If she decided to get nosy, this could be awkward. "Arata, these are some of our teammates. I don't know if you've ever actually met them." He was shaking his head. "This is Hanano-san…" She smiled, her eyes glinting with a thousand questions. "And Komano-kun and Oe-san." Those two wore matching expressions of awe, no doubt because they were in the presence of the legendary Wataya Arata who beat the Queen.

Arata looked nervous but graciously said, "Pleased to meet you. I've heard a lot about you and your team."

"How is Chihaya-chan?" Kana-chan asked. "Are we allowed to go see her?"

"No, they've had her hidden away most of the morning. Her coach is with her now."

"How's she doing?" I asked him seriously.

His eyes met mine and I read concern in their blue depths. "She was doing well yesterday, but she got more and more quiet during the car ride over here." His brow creased and he glanced back toward the Uruyasu Room. "It's a lot of pressure."

"So," Hanano began, a sly note in her voice, "what exactly were you d... mmpf."

Kana-chan clamped one small hand over her teammate's troublesome mouth. "I think there's just enough time for us to visit the ladies room," she said with exaggerated sweetness. "Please excuse us." She dragged Hanano away.

Arata wore a quizzical look as he watched their retreating forms.

Komano spoke up. "Kana-chan may be small, but you don't want to mess with her."

"Agreed," I laughed. "Do you think we should get seats?" I asked Arata. He nodded and led the way.

We entered the room that was familiar to me and yet different. The floor that had been littered with matches last summer now featured only two outlined tatami playing areas. On one side of the room, bleachers dotted with spectators rose behind an array of cameras and electronic equipment. That portion of the room was cast in shadow, while harsh lights shone down on the tatami mats. A huge spray of flowers was the backdrop for the podium table, which was longer than usual and had seats for several people. It stood perpendicular to the playing field, centered between the two matches where the judges could keep watch and the players could best hear the reader.

We followed Arata to where Chihaya's mom and dad were seated in the bleachers. Her dad was talking with Tsuboguchi-san, who must have come with Harada-sensei to represent the Shiranami Society. Chihaya's sister was standing at the far end of the bleachers chatting with what appeared to be a reporter. She'd clearly dressed for just such an occasion, and I could tell the guy was enjoying this particular interview.

Chihaya's mom stood as we approached. "It's so nice of all of you to come all this way." She had a composed mien most of the time, but today there were wrinkles at the corner of her eyes and her hands nervously smoothed the hem of her blouse.

Komano and I greeted her politely. We took seats in the row behind Chihaya's family while Arata went to talk with some other young adults in the stands, evidently members of his Society in Fukui.

A little fluttery feeling kept bouncing around in my stomach. I hoped Chihaya would win; I wanted her to be happy. But the Queen was so incredible…I just didn't really believe Chihaya could pull it off. But I would hope for the best.

Kana-chan and Hanano entered the room just as an announcement was made summoning everyone to their places. Arata returned and took a seat at my side. I'd been consumed with jealousy these past few days, knowing he was spending time with Chihaya and knowing, as I always had, what she meant to him.

But today it was right that he was beside me. From the very beginning it had been the three of us together—chasing this dream. And Arata and I both loved and supported Chihaya in a way that others couldn't approach. He was my rival, and I hated it, but he was also my friend. He understood all the things I was hiding. He'd kept my secrets and given me a fighting chance with Chihaya.

I caught his eye. The tension in his face no doubt mirrored mine.

"You have someone from your society in the Master match, right?" I asked. "How is he doing? We haven't heard anything."

"Hm. He started slow in the first match, but he picked up momentum and ended up just barely losing. We're hoping he'll be able to take this next one."

"How was Master Suo looking?" I asked.

Hanano's voice broke in as she plopped down beside Komano. "Oh my goodness! We were like completely surrounded by reporters asking us questions about Chihaya. It was so exciting!"

"What?" Komano and I both looked to Kana-chan for confirmation.

She said, "They noticed our uniforms and asked if we went to school with the Queen or Chihaya. I think they were with a newspaper."

"Oh my gosh! I bet I'll be on TV too!" Hanano continued. She whipped out a compact and began powdering her nose.

"Please take your seats at this time," came the announcement over the P.A.

Beside me, Komano inhaled sharply. "There's Master Suo," he said, eyes trained on the doorway. The Master entered at a leisurely pace and knelt with his back toward the wall. He was not quite so imposing in person as he'd seemed on TV. Even in a hakama, he somehow looked a little unkempt.

Master Suo was soon followed by a young man with chestnut hair and blocky glasses who knelt opposite him. I had no more time to spare for him, because the Queen had appeared in the doorway, looking cool and collected in a silken lavender kimono. I heard Kana-chan making noises of appreciation.

Unfortunately for Chihaya, Shinobu-chan was still at her normal weight. With her dark hair pulled up, you could see her face quite well. There was some beauty in it—her blue eyes had an unusual shape that gave them a sultry look, and her lips were full and sensuous—but her haughty expression kind of ruined the overall effect.

And then Chihaya appeared, and the contrast could not have been sharper. I heard Arata's quick intake of breath and felt my own heart stutter. Her brand new kimono glowed in rich reds and royal blue, giving an immediate impression of vibrancy. Her hair was pulled up in fancy combs and arranged in an elegant, twisty-looking knot. A few spiraling tendrils were left to frame her face, which, with the subtle makeup someone had applied, looked perfect in every detail, from her straight nose and high cheekbones to her pink lips and sharp chin. Her tawny eyes dominated her expression; they seemed impossibly round and innocent-looking as they swept the room. Her gaze skittered over our group and then returned to rest on us. We all waved like idiots and were rewarded with a relieved smile. I heard the click of several cameras.

Chihaya took the spot opposite the Queen, and soon the preliminary announcements were finished and the memorization time was underway. The crowd shuffled restlessly as we waited in silence. I watched Chihaya closely. Though she'd exchanged words with Shinobu-chan earlier, it didn't seem they'd fazed her. Chihaya had a strange affection for her close competitors. Her openness and lack of animosity probably unsettled the Queen more than any comment made by the Queen would unsettle her.

Next to me, I felt Arata squirming, his leg bouncing nervously. Time was called and the match began.

Naniwa Bay, now the flower blooms, but for winter…

As one, the competitors leaned over their cards.

now the flower blooms.

The room held its breath.

Since…

Two cards shot away at the same moment. Chihaya sprang up to retrieve hers, followed by a more sedate Master Suo. I shared a look with my teammates. Their manic grins matched mine. She got it! She won the first card!

Komano scribbled something in the notebook he'd brought. Ever the tactician.

The next two were taken by the Queen, although it was close enough that I couldn't have said who'd touched the cards first. Chihaya defended a multi-syllable card on her side. "Left-handed players…" I heard her favorite speech echoing in my mind.

Chihaya's play was steady. She used all the strategies we'd discussed, taking her time sending cards, standing to stretch whenever the Queen got on a roll, even waving her Mammy Bear handkerchief unnecessarily as she wiped away perspiration.

She seemed to be holding it together even when the Queen caught some momentum and took seven cards in a row. My own stomach had a sinking feeling, but I desperately held on to hope for Chihaya's sake.

Their match ended before the men's. The Queen won by a margin of ten cards. I released a slow breath as they bowed and offered thanks.

Ten cards was a lot, but it was a huge improvement over the last time they'd played, when Chihaya had only been able to take two from her. I watched her dab her forehead again and sit respectfully, waiting for the other match to end. Her eyes were downcast, focused on the cards still laid out on her side.

I wonder what she's thinking. The desire to go to her, to support her somehow, was gripping me. It was excruciating having to be so far removed.

When Master Suo captured the last card of his match, the crowd broke into applause. The competitors bowed to the reader and filed out to their waiting rooms. All around me people eagerly stood to stretch and head for the exits.

I shared a look with Arata. Disappointment, resignation, concern.

"She played well," I said at last. "But the Queen…" I shook my head.

"Yeh. I think she's improved since last summer even."

The next match was a little more tense. At the beginning, Chihaya's sweet cards just weren't being read, so she compensated by taking risks. Unfortunately, she gambled wrong and ended up committing not one fault but two. She stood and took a breath to compose herself, returning to the game with renewed focus. After that, she captured a couple cards in a row with perfect timing.

The Queen doubled down her intensity. Her expression radiated furious resentment. She seemed to move even faster than before, and even when Chihaya's "one syllable" cards were read, she only beat the Queen to them some of the time.

Perhaps there was something different about the reader, or maybe the cards normally differentiated by those with good game sense weren't read often enough, but shortly after Chihaya lost her match, Master Suo and Murao ended up in a luck of the draw. Arata's fists were clenched and his eyes glinted. I could tell he was wishing to be in Murao's spot.

But now I know…

"Yesss!" Arata hissed quietly as I watched Murao's hand close over the last card on his side. The man seemed to deflate as all the tension left his body. The reader finished canting, and the crowd broke into enthusiastic applause.

Horror settled in the pit of my stomach. Everyone was celebrating the first game taken against Master Suo. They didn't care that yet another challenger had fallen to the mighty Queen.

The contestants again bowed to the judges' table and exited to their rooms. As the crowd was released, I looked at my teammates. Their somber faces matched my own. "Let's go," I said. Turning to Arata, I asked, "Can you show us where to find her?"

He nodded. We collected our things and followed him. I noticed Chihaya's parents had stopped to speak with Dr. Harada. Arata led us across the lobby and down a hallway. As we passed an open doorway, a balding, older man called out to him.

"Kuriyama-sensei," Arata acknowledged. He looked at the Director and then down the hall, finally saying to us, "It's the next door on the left…there." He pointed it out.

"Thanks." We left him to finish his business and went to find Chihaya. My heart was pounding, uncertain what I'd find as the door slid open.

Chihaya stood across the room, attacking a water bottle in a most unladylike way. I sensed Kana-chan tensing, but she clamped her lips together tightly and held in the scolding. Personally, I thought a little scolding might be just the medicine needed right now.

"Ah," I said playfully. "That kind of ruins the effect. Here you are in your brand new kimono and—are you wearing makeup?" I squinted and stepped close to her, pretending to inspect her face.

She blushed. "Chitose did it. She said I'd look pasty on TV."

"Hmm. Well, I'm sure you looked fine." I assured her. I let go of the teasing expression and grew serious. "You played really well," I said gently, cautiously trying to feel out her state of mind. Her expression was thoughtful but not dejected. She seemed normal enough.

Komano jumped in excitedly. "Yeah, you used the strategies well too. She couldn't get to some of her favorite cards because of how you placed them and moved them." He gave her an encouraging smile. "You did great. And I got a few ideas for next year, too."

"Thanks," Chihaya answered easily.

"Chihaya-chan," Kana-chan spoke slowly, wariness in her tone. "Are you… okay?"

Chihaya nodded quickly. "I've lost to Shinobu-chan before, and today I got to play her twice! She even noticed my handkerchief and commented on it. Of course, I couldn't believe it but she had…"

The door slid open and her parents entered the room while she went on about the various weird fashion accessories she and the Queen admired. Next, she described for us the press interviews from earlier. She seemed at ease, but her carefree speech was almost too… something. What happened to the girl that once hid in a locker when she lost?

The door opened again, and Arata entered.

Chihaya was babbling away. "…and I made sure I told them it was custom-made by Oe Traditional Clothing…in Tokyo…" She faltered as her eyes found Arata, standing stiffly across the room from her.

As we watched in disbelief, her carefree mask melted. With her gaze locked on him, she took one step forward, then two, and tears began to fill her eyes. In a rush, she ran to him, burying her face in his chest and clutching his shirt in both fists as she began to sob uncontrollably.

For several moments, he stood frozen, blue eyes wide and mouth hanging open in shock. Then his eyes softened and his lips closed in a tiny smile. He wrapped long arms around her and stroked her back slowly. "I know," he said softly, inclining his head to her ear. "I know."

He just kept rubbing her back and murmuring soothing words for only her to hear. Like everyone else in the room, I stood paralyzed with shock.

I'd always thought that she trusted me more than her other friends. That I was special to her in some way. I could read her emotional state, and I could even manipulate it to help keep her focused.

But with me, and with our friends, even with her parents, she'd guarded her true feelings. Somehow, Arata was the one who slipped past her defenses.

I'd been right next to her, just as I'd always been, and she'd chosen him instead.

I'd lost.