Tsukushi stumbles around the following morning on her way to the kitchen in the small two bedroom apartment she shares with Karin. She grabs her head as another wave of pain hits her, the previous night having taken its toll on her.
"Good morning", Karin greets her. "Have a seat, don't smell it, don't ask what's in it, just drink it." She sets down a glass filled with a brown-green liquid on the table. "That will help you recover from your hangover much faster."
Tsukushi flops down into the chair and holds her breath as she gulps down the contents of the glass. She slams down the glass and resists the urge to vomit. Thankfully the concoction starts to take effect as Tsukushi notices the pain in her head slowly receding. "You're right. It does work but I will never ask what's in it as long as you make it when I need it."
"Done", Karin agrees. "So, you still have no idea when Tsukasa is coming back?"
Tsukushi shakes her head as her hand reaches for the Saturn charm on her necklace. It had never left her neck in the last four years and served as a reminder of Tsukasa when she missed him the most.
Karin sighs, "Well I'm glad I'm not the only one with guy problems."
Tsukushi leans forward resting her forearms on the table. "That's right. How is the arranged marriage thing working out for you?"
"I'm not that worried about actually having to marry the guy. I am the youngest out of four in my family and I had a different upbringing then almost everyone at our school did. My mom stayed at home with us and when mom wasn't around, my brothers and sister spoiled me rotten. They still do. So I know my family will be for whatever my decision may be. If I do get together with the guy, it will serve as a business deal also but I will never make my choice based on that. I want that passion, that love that you and Tsukasa have and I will settle for nothing less." Karin laughs, "I've set my standards pretty high haven't I?"
Tsukushi shakes her head. "No, it's what every woman wants in a relationship."
Karin drums her fingers on the table. "Well, I have to get ready and get to work. I'll be back later tonight after my 'blind date' meeting. I will never refer to it as an arranged marriage because there is no marriage part yet. I'm meeting just with him to discuss dating rules." She laughs before heading off to her room.
Tsukushi plops her head down on her desk as she finishes her last final of the semester.
Karin turns around in her seat in front of Tsukushi. "We are finally done! A few weeks off and then it's back for summer session to start." Tsukushi sighs as her expression becomes more depressed. "Oh, that's the problem", Karin realizes right away. Tsukasa still had not contacted her since the night the girls went out drinking. "You know him, he likes making you anxious but I guess he got the wrong emotion."
A few girls run by their classroom yelling out squeals of joy and gossiping loudly but the sound mixes all together making their actually speech incomprehensible. Karin just happens to catch part of their conversation before they leave. She jumps up and grabs Tsukushi's arms and pulls the miserable woman to her feet.
"Tsukushi, come on. There's something that I think will brighten up your day." Karin drags Tsukushi out of the classroom and down the hallways until they reach their destination in front of the school.