"Oh hey, we never got to play our serious match yet. Wanna do it now?"
"But we just ate, and I'm not dressed for it, and I didn't bring my racket, and-"
"No worries, you can borrow my stuff."

Ryoma handed her everything she would need: a t-shirt, shorts and a racket.

"But it's 7 o'clock at night!"
"So we'll just play a quick game for fun. So go get changed."

He pushed her in the direction of the bathroom.

"Unless you want to change in there with me." he teased.
"No, I'll change in the bathroom. Unless you want me to change in there with you." she stuck her tongue out.
"Now wouldn't that be nice?"

After changing and being pushed outside to the tennis courts, she was still protesting.

"But I won't be able to run properly in my flats and-"
"Then you can borrow a pair of my sneakers."
"But your feet are bigger than mine and they won't fit!"
"Then you play barefoot."
"But what if I step on a rock or something and hurt my foot? Or if-"
"How about we just play for five minutes, then we'll go back inside."
"Okay, fine. But I won't be able to tie my hair out of the way, so don't blame me if I can't see."

They played for five minutes as Ryoma said, merely practicing simple volleys.

"Okay, that's five minutes, now we go back inside."
"Fine, fine. But you're putting that dress back on."
"But I hate wearing dresses!"
"But you looked cute! Plus, you're wearing my clothes."
"Details, details."
"Alright fine, I'll let you wear them. Just make sure you change before you go home."

They went back inside and played with Karupin for a bit.

"Heh, even in my clothes, you still look cute. Needs one more thing though."

He took off his cap and put it on her head. She lifted the back and tucked her hair into it.

"Mada mada dane." she immitated.
"You're doing it wrong, you have to say it more like this: mada mada dane."

The two continued to say Ryoma's signiature phrase in attempts to annoy each other. Soon, it was time for Sayomi to go back home. After she changed and before she left, Ryoma had something to say.

"Hey, do you remember what I told you that first day you came over?"
"That you let me win our game?"
"No, about your hair."
"Oh, that you'd like it better if it were short? Yeah, I remember. Why?"
"Because I still feel that way."
"Well it doesn't matter because I'm not cutting my hair for you. Just because you're cute, and sweet, and smart..."
"Oh well, it was worth a shot."
"So how about one last make out session before I go?"
"You got it, Cutie."

As Sayomi got home, she immidiately changed into her pyjamas and took off her makeup. Afterwards, she took out her journal and began writing.

Sayomi's Journal, Monday, April 13, Cont.

It's about 8:30 now. I was over at Ryoma's house for two and a half hours. What an amazing two an a half hours it was. When he said he planned something special, he really wasn't kidding. But I decided to do something special for him too.

For the first time in a long time, I actually got dressed up. I wore that dress Tiffany gave me when I left for Japan, and makeup too. It was a gorgeous dress, but I never thought I'd actually wear it. Thanks to Ryoma, I had a reason to. As for the makeup...since when do I even own any?

What Ryoma had in store for me was really surprising, in a good way. He set up a little picnic in his room with candles, flowers, and rose petals scattered on the blanket. He even made the bentos himself. They were beautiful. Mine had onigiri, dumplings and vegetable flowers. And the vegetables tasted to crisp and fresh! Ryoma's had sashimi, which I love, so he even let me have some! I wonder how long they took him to make...

Afterwards, we played tennis for like, five minutes, so I ended up wearing his clothes. Ha ha...Leah probably would have made a joke about me being "in his pants" if she heard that. Man...I really miss my friends in Canada...but I've made new friends here in Japan. I wonder if I'll ever meet anyone as quirky and crazy as my Canadian friends. So far, I can't think of anyone, though Eiji comes pretty close.

I love Japan, and all the people I've met here, but sometimes, I get really homesick. Like right now. Some days, everything makes me think of Canada. I wonder if I'll be able to visit on my next vacation. I wonder if my friends will be able to visit on their next vacation. Back in Canada, when I was sad, I could always count Leah or Tiffany to cheer me up. Kome's a good friend, but sometimes when she tries to cheer my up, it doesn't always work.

I shouldn't be sad, it's not what my friends would want. They would tell me to cheer up because when I'm sad, they're sad too. But it's not so much sadness that's hitting me. It's homesickness. But as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. I bet if I were in Canada now, I'd be missing all my new friends here in Japan. Especially Ryoma and Kome.

She took out a red pen and drew a maple leaf on her right palm, and a circle on her left. She took a long look at both hands.

"Canada...Japan...two homes...two lives...two places I really love..."