CHIHAYA
Taichi stood in front of the table in the karuta club room. "Okay, we've got some business to take care of before we get started today," he said.
I sat on the floor in the midst of a sizeable group facing him. Astonishingly, not one of our first-years had bailed, not even the two obvious Taichi fans. As it turned out, Yuki-kun was also an attraction for them, with his athletic build and outgoing personality. And he did like karuta—had even joined a society when he was younger but, like Taichi, had given it up in middle school. His enthusiasm for the sport drew in the newcomers and invigorated the rest of us.
Despite the windows being open, the air was warm and close today. It was getting on toward summer and we'd have to start bringing fans soon.
"So, first order of business. Tokyo Regionals is coming up. In case you didn't know, we won it two years ago and narrowly came in second last year. This year again the top two teams will advance to Nationals, but…"
I interrupted, unable to restrain myself. "But we want to win it again this year!"
Taichi made a face at me.
"Sorry," I retreated.
He expelled a calming breath and said, "Yes, our goal is to win the Tokyo Regionals, and it's not an unrealistic goal." He talked a bit more about how the tournament works and how we would expect to integrate the new members before moving on.
"Assuming we place in the top two at Regionals, we will be invited to Nationals. He reached for a stack of papers on the table behind him and handed them to Yama-chan to distribute. "Here is the travel information, along with the cost, so you can pass that on to your parents."
As people passed pages around and looked over the details, Taichi continued. "One thing we seniors have been discussing is the need to get new leadership trained for next year. So at this time we'd like you to nominate a President-elect and a Captain's apprentice, who will be able to watch what we do this year and learn the ropes for next year." He talked a little more about how Taichi and I had divided up responsibilities and then asked for suggestions.
There was an awkward silence as students looked around at one another. It certainly was hard to imagine this younger crew taking charge.
"I nominate Yukimura," his short friend, Tanaka-kun said. He rarely talked and had a way of closely watching everything that kind of weirded me out. But he was really close to Yuki-kun and polite enough with the rest of us when he did speak.
"For what?" Taichi asked.
Tanaka looked at Yukimura, who wore a why-are-you-bringing-me-into-this expression, and then returned his gaze to Taichi. "Either one."
"Allll right," Taichi drawled, willing to let it go for now. He looked expectantly at our faces. "Who else?"
"What about you, Tsukuba-kun?" I asked. He looked up in surprise. "You like to win, right? That's the most important thing for a Captain."
Taichi quirked his mouth in disagreement. "Well.."
"Wow. My brothers would think I was the coolest," Tsukuba dreamed aloud.
That's not a reason to be Captain! I screamed inwardly. I saw the same reaction on Porky's and Kana-chan's faces.
"I'll do it," a low voice said.
Huh? Who's that?
Following the sound, I pinpointed the source as Sato-san, who somehow gave off an aura even more nerdy than Desktomu. "I was President of the Chess Club in my middle school, so I've had some experience arranging matches and so on." Of course he wore glasses, though his lenses were elliptical rather than squarish like Desktomu. His face was thin (actually, most of him was thin), and though he was as tall as me, he had a habit of stooping his shoulders that made him appear smaller. He continued as if all had been decided. "I'll be the President and Yukimura can be the Captain."
"Err," Taichi demurred. "Anyone else interested?"
If only we had a coach! Can we trust these guys with my club?
Seeing nothing but shrugs, Taichi yielded. "Oookay then. Sato-san, you'll be working with me to prepare for the tournaments we have coming up, and after that you'll have to take on a lot of my responsibilities when I start cram school, but I'll be…"
"Cram school?" I blurted. "When?"
His eyes found me. He looked vaguely guilty. "Right after Nationals. It'll be full day for most of the summer and then evenings once school starts back." The apologetic expression he wore told me he knew how I'd take this.
"But…" I felt the best moments of our senior year slipping away. "But how can you? You won't have enough time to be ready for the Challenger match!"
"We can talk about this later," he told me. He set his mouth in a firm line.
We did some stretching and then Taichi and I led the group in a run around the school perimeter. When we'd pulled ahead of the group sufficiently, I picked up the conversation again. "How are you going to prepare for the Challenger match if you're spending most of your time in cram school?"
"I'll do what I can," he said curtly. We jogged a few more paces, past the fence around the baseball field where another club was hard at work.
"But why cram school? It seems like a waste of time for you. Aren't you smart enough to get into any of the private universities around here?"
He didn't deny it. "Mom's aiming for Tokyo U. Or at least Kyoto."
"Whoa!" I expressed my amazement. It made sense that Mrs. Pressure would aim high. "But…" I began, an afterthought occurring to me.
"Am I going to have to make a rule that girls can't start sentences with 'but'?" He quirked a smile at me.
"But Taichi…"
He sighed and slapped his forehead. We kept running.
I continued. "…Arata and I are trying to get into private universities that have good karuta clubs. I thought you would…" I trailed off, unhappiness weighting my brow.
"You thought what?" he said. He voice was uncharacteristically hard. "That all three of us would be together again. And we'd all be on a team, just like before, right?"
I hadn't actually put it into words, but, yeah, that's what I'd been hoping for ever since Arata mentioned it. But why was Taichi angry about it?
"Things are different now, Chihaya. I don't want to go backward. I want to go forward." He glanced at me, and his look had a plea in it. "You and I are on a team together now—this team that we built together. Isn't that worth anything to you?"
"Taichi," I panted. "Slow down. We're losing them." In his agitation, he'd unconsciously picked up the pace.
He glanced back and confirmed my observation. "You take care of them," he commanded. "I'm going on ahead." He picked up the pace yet again and rounded the corner of one of the classroom buildings.
I stopped and did some jumping jacks while I waited for the others to catch up. I puzzled over our conversation. What hurt the most was how he seemed to be saying that I took for granted his help in starting the karuta club.
Is it true, God? Have I not appreciated Taichi enough? I felt ashamed at how my self-centeredness was showing itself yet again. I'd just assumed that Taichi would stay by my side, making my dreams come true as he had for the past two years. I thought sorrowfully of spending my college years without him. What would happen when we graduated? Would I ever see Taichi? Or Kana-chan? Desktomu? Porky? All of us seniors…our time together was precious, and—with cram school—even shorter than I'd imagined.
-0-0-0-0-
TAICHI
As the club members packed up for the day, I went over some of the logistics for the upcoming tournaments with our new President-elect. None of us knew him very well, but since he was the only volunteer, I'd do my best to prepare him. Chihaya sat on the floor, staring out the curtains at the late-afternoon sunshine. As usual, I was too aware of her whereabouts and her emotional state. I had a pretty good idea why she was hanging around.
When Sato-san left, I began repacking my school bag. Chihaya rose and stood alongside me.
"I'm sorry," she said meekly, watching my hands as they replaced books and papers. "I've taken you for granted."
What's this? My spirits lifted on a hope-filled breeze.
I looked at her model-perfect face. It was downcast.
"You didn't really have to help me start this club, but you did. You've given it your all and I…well, I won't say I couldn't have done it without you, but it wouldn't have been as good. Or we might never have gotten established as a club to begin with. You…" she brought her chocolate eyes slowly up to meet mine. "You're a really great President, Taichi, and I appreciate all you've done for me. Thank you." She made a gentle half-bow.
Wow. I feel like a worm. "Ach, Chihaya," I squirmed. "It's not that." I regretted her kowtowing. I put a hand on my head, then swiped it down my face. How to say this?
"It's just that…" I searched for words. I don't want you to look at Arata. I don't want to share you with Arata. I want you to see only me. I like you, can't you see that? I like you. I like you!
Maybe it was time to tell her. Time's running out, and this might be my best opportunity. She'd obviously been reflecting on our time together. Given what she'd just said, she might even agree to dating.
But what if it freaks her out? We have two important tournaments coming up really soon and we can't have her distracted, especially when she'll be facing the Queen for the first time in six months.
But then again, I always seem to have a reason why now isn't the best time. I should just do it!
I cleared my throat nervously, balling my hands into fists. My heartbeat pounded rapidly in my ears. My eyes locked on hers. "Chihaya, I l…"
"Oh! You're still here." Rion's surprised voice drowned out what I was going to say as she came bursting into the room. "I was wondering why the lights were still on." As she crossed the room her eyes landed first on me and then on Chihaya. I saw sadness sweep over her face before she quickly turned away, making a beeline for one of the shelves. She snatched something from it, and held it out to show us, saying, "Forgot my bento box." She avoided eye contact as she hurried toward the hall door. "Later."
My insides churned uncomfortably. Rion was sharp. She'd read the situation well, and I didn't like the look on her face when she realized what I was likely doing.
The urgent desire to confess had left me. "Are you ready to go?" I asked Chihaya.
"Oh, sure," she said, unfazed as usual. The fact that she seemed to have no inkling of what I'd been about to say only confirmed that my feelings weren't getting through to her. I'd have to keep waiting and watching.
-0-0-0-0-
The Tokyo tournament was a new experience with thirteen club members in tow. Despite my constant feeling of herding cats, it was really fun. We could have staffed all the matches with our four Class-A players, but we decided to sub in our less experienced members when Desktomu's data indicated it should be safe to do so. It was surprisingly hard to concede even that much, though, when it felt like every match was critical.
Our only really challenging game was against Hokuo, as expected, whose Class A first-year had returned as an even tougher second-year. Retro-kun couldn't be taken for granted either, and they surprised us with a very solid Class B first-year who would no doubt be Class A very soon. Even so, we weren't taking chances against them and our five experienced seniors captured the win without too much difficulty.
There were a few surprises along the way. Suzuki-san, the timid first-year who usually wore her hair in a braid, showed up with her hair styled elegantly in a bun. She was so excited to wear the hakama that she brought tears to Oe-chan's eyes. When she'd changed clothes, the transformation was complete. She emerged with her face aglow, delightedly waving her kimono-clad arms about like butterfly wings, and every single one of us guys was rendered speechless. The braids girls suddenly became adorable!
A less welcome surprise was when Arai showed up. His flirtations with Chihaya and constant ribbing of me and Yama-chan throughout the day were annoying. Most surprising, though, was that he invited me to join him and Rion for dinner afterwards, and that he seemed sincerely disappointed when I declined.
With their experience at Regionals under their belts, the first-years came to club with new enthusiasm. They whined less about exercising and tried harder in practices. Our Captain's apprentice and President-elect eagerly listened to our advice. Until finally, we arrived at the long-anticipated day.
"Our last time at Omi Jingu," Nishida remarked as we stood looking up the steps of the bright red shrine.
"Only if you don't come to a Master match," Chihaya corrected him.
I smiled. Always chasing the dream, even for the rest of us.
"Chihaya," Nishida began in a chiding tone. "You and I both know that I'm never going to beat…"
"Arata!" she cried. Her eyes were fixed on something, er, someone just down the block.
He smiled and raised a hand in greeting as he walked toward us. Chihaya went to meet him. Dragging him by the hand, she presented our group to him like a prize. "Look at my team, Arata. Aren't they amazing?"
He smiled as he often did for Chihaya, an indulgent, contented smile. "Nice to meet you all. Congratulations on representing Tokyo."
I could see the girls casting glances at one another. I knew what they were thinking: Is this her boyfriend?
Acid churned in my stomach.
A soft touch landed on my arm, and I turned to see Rion's upturned face. "What's the matter?" She cast a glance at Arata, who was being barraged with Chihaya's questions. Leaning closer, Rion whispered, "Is that guy a jerk or something?"
How to answer that? The poem played in my head: 'I have learned to both love and hate my fellow man.'
"No," I said on a sigh. "He's an old friend. But a tough opponent. Don't worry about it."
"Oh, wait!" she said, casting another look at Arata. "Is he the guy that beat the Queen last year?"
I nodded. "Chihaya and I knew him when we were kids." Before she could ask anything else, I turned my attention to the group that had quickly lapsed into chatter. Chihaya and Arata were wrapped up in their own dialogue.
I raised my voice. "Oi! Listen up! We need to hurry up and visit the shrine. Listen to Miyauchi-sensei and pay attention to her instructions before we go."
The Empress was in fine form today and put the fear of God into them, literally. We proceeded up the steps and formed a line at the top. Of course, Chihaya and Arata ended up as a pair when it came time to pray. Rion stepped up beside me; we would be the next pair.
"What should I pray for?" she asked quietly.
"Whatever you think," I answered. As an afterthought, I added, "But if you can't think of anything, you can pray for me to stay focused."
She smiled gently at me. "I will then. Don't worry. I've said it before: you're a natural leader."
Her sparkling amber eyes warmed and cheered me. I answered her with a wry grin. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."
Motion in my peripheral vision alerted me that Chihaya and Arata had concluded their oblations and were heading down the steps toward us. Arata's keen blue gaze flitted from Rion to me and back again. He wore a speculative look.
I shook it off and ascended alongside Yama-chan. We made our bows and focused on the Eternal One. God, I'm kind of a wreck today. Help me to focus and be a good leader for my team. Chihaya flitted to mind next, but I really didn't know what to ask.
