HELLO EVERYONE I'M SO EXCITED TO BE BACK WOOHOOO!

My life is nowhere near free right now, I'm supposed to be busier than ever but it's at times like this that I really need to and feel the pull to write.

Moving on, manga update...SHE BLUSHED. SHE FREAKING SAW HIM AND BLUSHED. IF THAT DOESN'T SAY STUFF THEN I'M OUTTA HERE! TAICHIHAYA FOREVER! What do you guys think? Will it go the way we want it to? Or will it backfire in the end? I also can't wait for the third movie but at the same time...I DON'T wanna see it until the manga reaches a conclusion. What exactly are these people planning? Two different endings? What do you think?

Now to the important bits. A huge shoutout to all those who left comments in the last chapter. I appreciate your words SO much, I can't even begin to explain it. It means so much to me, that I actually sat and cried. I just...wow. I love you guys I don't know what to say. Honestly, I don't deserve such kind words. You're an amazing set of people. This chapter is for all of you.

A, Maria, unspecific guest, lemongrave, Aizawa Li Syaoran Vessalius, Yamada michiko...THIS ONE IS FOR ALL OF YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO FAVOURITED OR FOLLOWED. YOU MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. AND I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.

Onward...

It was sweltering.

Crickets chirped endlessly as the large, looming shrine seemed to sway thanks to the heat, it's crimson colour both beautiful and scorching to look at. The sound of bells tinkling resounded in the air faintly, mixed with the very subdued chatter of the few people walking around.

"Why is it so hot?" Rin panted, hands on her knees as they gazed up at Omi Jingu. "I can't even enjoy the scenery!"

"Because it's June." Komano said matter-of-factly. "Temperature is around 40 degree Celsius right now, and it only gets worse."

Chihaya tugged repeatedly at her T-shirt, face screwed up in annoyance, until Kanade slapped her hand away. It was so hot, she felt like she was melting. The only person who seemed totally okay with the heat was Kazuto, who was looking around cheerfully.

"Are we waiting for the others to arrive?" Nishida muttered to Taichi, referring to their juniors. "Isn't Miyauchi sensei coming with them?"

"They might already be here." Taichi pulled out his phone. "I'll check. In the meantime," he raised his voice to the others, " Let's go pay our respects and check in."

Mumbling agreements, the group trudged forward, taking care to scale the stairs along the sides, leaving the middle path open. Chihaya hung back, waiting for Taichi to finish texting whoever he was talking to, hands clasped behind her back.

He pocketed his phone and smiled upon catching her gaze. "What are you doing?"

"Waiting."

"Move." He pushed her forwards. They began to climb the stairs. "You're okay, right?"

Chihaya shrugged, but she couldn't get rid of the very funny feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. "Where are Sumire-chan and the rest?"

"Already checked in." He sighed. "I can't believe this year. Pushing the Meijin and Queen tournaments back to June. It's gonna be rough...but, no, don't look like that, you'll be fine!"

"You just said it'll be bad." Chihaya grumbled, shoving him down the two steps they'd scaled, then climbing ahead with her chin in the air. "But you're a pessimist so, yes, I will be fine."

Taichi grinned as he caught up, nudging her. "That's my girl."

A pretty pink blush bloomed on her cheeks, but she grinned back and grabbed his arm, running up the stairs.

They prayed at the ancient shrine, praying for victory and happiness and expressing gratitude. The serene atmosphere helped inject a sacred reverence in their hearts towards the game they held so dear. Taking a walk around the place, the group slowly filtered in to register themselves at the front desk. It was always unnerving, being at Omi Jingu, but now, along with that a sense of home had begun to seep in as well. Chihaya breathed in the scent of fresh grass and that distinct smell of the tatami lingering in the air. Breathing itself helped clear her head and she felt much more confident.

This was her place. Omi Jingu wasn't about to let her down.

The first match was at ten. Meeting up with their Juniors completely by accident, and happily reuniting with a teary eyed Miyauchi Sensei, they all lounged together in the school's appointed waiting room, talking and catching up.

"Ne, are you staying here or have you booked a place somewhere else?" Sumire chan, who'd plopped down next to her ex-crush but still favourite senpai, nudged him. A smirk took over her face. "Or do you have a hotel room booked just for the two of you―Ow!"

Taichi had smacked her head with the book he was holding, otherwise unperturbed. "What do you plan to do once school's over?"

"Find a boyfriend―OW! Senpai!"

"Get serious." He said sternly, tossing her a glare, but only out of friendship. "What do you want to do?"

Sumire-chan sighed, rubbing her head. "I really want to become a make up artist. Set up my own boutique and all..."

Taichi smiled, "Good. Have you looked at colleges you want to apply for?"

"Yes, yes, I have." She said impatiently, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye. "Now you talk. How far have you gotten with―OKAY OKAY! Jeez..." She fell silent when he returned to his book. Hanano Sumire bit her lip, twiddling her thumbs as the question she'd originally been wanting to ask bubbled up her chest. But if she did ask him, he'd gather it all with one look.

She glanced towards an animated Chihaya who was talking to Arata and Midori rapidly, both of them listening with concentration.

"Mashima-senpai..." Sumire began before she knew it. "Is Kazama-san coming to watch you play...?"

Taichi slowly lifted his gaze from his book to fix it on her. "Maybe. Why?"

"Oh, no reason." She waved her hands, chanting don't blush don't blush don't blush , but under his unwavering gaze her cheeks tingled and heated and she knew she'd lost.

Ashamed of herself, she lowered her eyes to her lap.

Taichi cleared his throat, going back to his book. "He'll come."

She snapped her head back up, and there was a tiny smile on his face that he was trying to hide. "He will?"

"That's what he said."

Sumire beamed at him, happily.

Announcements for the players to gather at their venues sounded, and everybody got up. Of course out of all the people who'd gathered in this large group, only the A class players would be participating, but you could never have enough moral support. That's a lesson years of teamwork and experience had taught them.

Chihaya took a deep breath, pausing just in front of the doors. Her first opponent was someone she didn't know, but that didn't matter. All she had to do was win. Win for everyone around her. Her fists clenched as Wakamiya Shinobu's face flashed before her mind. It wasn't just the title that attracted Chihaya, though that was her dream. Now, showing Shinobu that her Karuta, lonely and solitary, was not strong enough to beat the Karuta Chihaya had developed for herself. That sort of Karuta where it wasn't just her, it was everyone surrounding her that made up the game. Her teammates, her friends, her opponents, every second of each match. It all mattered and it mattered BIG. Big enough to beat the prodigy that was Wakamiya Shinobu and show her, prove to her, the power of team spirit and friendship. Chihaya felt like it was on her shoulders now. She had to win. She just had to.

A familiar expensive olive flavoured scent trickled over to stand by her and she relaxed, looking up. Taichi raised his brows at her.

She shook her head, grinning, the tension rolling off her shoulders as she remembered what he'd said... One match at a time.

"I'm exhausted." Nishida flopped down on a cushion, fanning himself. "Goddamn this heat."

"Here," Komano tossed him a bottle of water. "There's nothing else you can do. Stay hydrated for your next match."

"Have we really only played four?" Arata frowned at the rest of them, his short black strands flapping in the wind from the fan he was sitting dangerously close to. "It feels like we've done all seven."

"It's the goddamn heat I tell you!" Nishida cried again.

"This whole clumping the Meijin and Queen tournaments with this one is pretty strenuous, isn't it?" Miyauchi sensei pursed her lips, accepting the cold glass of juice Rin handed to her with a bow of her head. "When is Wakamiya Shinobu going to turn up? And also, bringing the Western qualifier winners over is going to take a whole day of waiting. It sounds inconvenient."

"Ah, but it's inevitable, Miyauchi-san." Kazuto smiled. "Omi Jingu has other activities in January. Some festival has come up."

"This is hotter than I expected." Kana-chan wiped her face with a towel. "I wonder how Chihaya-chan and Buchou are doing."

"Funny how you still call him that, even after graduation." Their former teacher smiled, reminiscing. "Ah, those were the days."

"Senseiiii..." Sumire pouted. "We're still here, Tsukuba and I, from the original gang."

"True, true. However―"

"HARADA SENSEI!" Arata exclaimed, making all the others jump in surprise. "What are you doing here?!"

The familiar booming laugh had everyone stunned in their seats. Looking fresh and healthy, Hideo Harada put his hands on his hips and stood by their door, wearing his usual brown robes. A weary looking Tsuboguchi-san flanked him, holding their bags. "Surprised to see me?! I told you I was fine!"

"But that's― I mean―" Arata scribbled up and that seemed to snap the others out if their daze, making all of them follow after him to reach the old doctor. "You were bedridden! And ours was the last train! Don't tell me you travelled overnight―"

"Ayy, don't worry about it." Harada sensei waved a haphazard hand. "What matters is I'm here now to support my kids! Speaking of, where's―"

"They went out to grab us some dinner because no one else wanted to brave the heat." Komano pushed up his glasses. "You better sit down, sensei."

The kids and Miyauchi sensei made room for the two new guests and they sat down. Kana chan served them some cold drinks, and the fan was pushed so it blew right in their faces. All of them were apprehensive about how this old man would fare. But he seemed to be totally at ease.

"The only thing I'm sorry about, is Hiroshi not competing." Harada sensei sighed desolately. "I told this guy to―"

"I'll do it next year." Tsuboguchi-san cut him off. "Stop that. Also, we better get going and meet the rest of our society members. They're waiting in the other room."

"Ah, yes, we must." Harada sensei blinked, "I'll come check on you guys often. How's the match looking, Megane-kun?"

"I'm up against somebody from Shiranami society next, actually." He said quietly. "Taichi has someone from Suihoku."

Harada sensei nodded. "And Chihaya-chan?"

"She didn't tell us. Left before we could ask but I think it's an individual player. No society specified..."

"Hmm..." He rumbled. Slapping his knees, he made to get up and Hiroshi hurried to follow. "I'll see everyone later then. Fight hard. And when those two return...tell them not to freak out. As you can see..." He smiled jovially, putting his hands on his hips and striking a pose. "I'm fine!"

"Meat buns, we forgot the meat buns." Taichi slapped a hand over his face. "What the heck. Chihaya―"

"I'm on it!" She saluted, and took off towards a nearby stall with the ice Lolly hanging from her mouth. Wearing a loose sleeveless T-shirt and short baggy shorts with her hair up in a messy clip, all this and the ice-lolly was making her much more active than anyone else. Maybe even on a little sugar rush.

Of course, the whole attire wasn't something that relaxed him. That was the fifth time today he'd brushed off the colour on his face as flushing due to the heat.

Rubbing his face, he turned in the opposite direction to get them the last item on the long dinner shopping list. Ice cream.

Upon purchasing their respective goodies, they met back where they'd separated. These days he didn't even need to instruct her. She just seemed to know what he was going to suggest. It was equal parts scary and relaxing.

Chihaya swung the bags as they walked, humming one of the Daddy bear theme songs. Of course random peoples' eyes lingered, but the sad part is, he couldn't even blame them. Her skin glowed under the setting sun, arms and legs long and toned, the slight burn on her shoulders and the sweat making strands of her hair stick to the nape of her neck only adding to the charm. Didn't help that she was wearing a bright smile. Forget other people, he had difficulty tearing his eyes away himself.

It's official. He decided, shaking his head discreetly to get rid of the buzz. The heat was messing with him bad. I like her better during winters.

"Ooooooooooh Kakigoori!" She pointed to a little cafe on the side. "Let's go!"

"It'll melt."

"I mean let's just eat it ourselves." She grinned at him conspiringly, rubbing her hands together. "What they don't know won't hurt them."

He choked on a light laugh, waving a hand towards the store. "Whatever you say."

"Yes!" She grabbed his arm and flew to her tip toes, landing a kiss on his jaw before taking off again, calling,"You're the nicest bestest person in the woooorld..."

For the sixth time that day, he shook his head, trying to get rid of the redness on his face. It's the heat. It's definitely just the heat.

The bus slowly rumbled to a stop, the doors opening with a hiss. A young girl in her early teens hopped out, her hair pulled into a ponytail, dressed in a sleeveless shirt and an A-line skirt with expensive looking flip flops. A pair of sunglasses rested on her head, keeping her hair out of her pretty light brown eyes. "Damn it's hot."

"Watch that mouth around your mother." Warned a man, getting down after her. He blew out a breath, wiping at some sweat with his handkerchief. "But damn it's hot."

The two of them, a little out of place in clothes that looked like something out of a branded store and the way they held themselves, took a moment to survey their surroundings. The morning sun beat down upon them mercilessly, fighting against sunscreen and lotions. It was their first time to the city of Ōtsu, and frankly, they had absolutely no idea where to go.

"Let's see now," the man put a hand to his chin, surveying the map in his hand. "Hmm...straight from here into the town, and then...no, that's not right. Left from the station―is that bus or train? Hmm..."

" 'Tou-san." The girl began in a flat tone. "You don't have the faintest clue how to get there, do you?"

"Well..."

"Forget it, I'm calling 'Nii-chan―"

"No, no, don't." The man wrapped a hand around his daughter's wrist that had been reaching for her phone. "We can always ask around, Rika. Besides, it's a surprise!"

Rika Mashima heaved a sigh as her father enthusiastically walked over to a nearby local to ask for directions to the famous Omi Jingu shrine. It was hot, she was sweating, and hungry as hell, but her father happened to be in Japan and he wanted to see atleast one match of the sport his eldest child played so passionately. Rika wouldn't have come, honestly, but she couldn't deny...she had always been a little curious. Her idiot brother had been playing this boring game for almost eight years. And quite frankly, she wanted to see what it was all about. She wanted to see him play.

But they weren't going to get anywhere if it was her father handling the map. Sighing to herself, Rika pulled down her sunglasses and left to take matters into her own little hands.

"What the heck is that supposed to mean? You bribed your way out of the hospital?!"

Harada sensei winced at his student's harsh tone. "Now, it's nothing to be mad about, Matsuge-kun. I was feeling way better so―"

"This is pointless." Taichi cut him off, "When I heard from the others last night, I thought it was a joke. But here you are."

"Good as new!" Harada sensei slapped him on the back happily. "I feel ten years younger!"

"You―" the young doctor in training took a deep calming breath. "Okay. You're already here now so I guess there's no use in arguing."

"That's my boy!" Harada sensei boomed, as Taichi exchanged a flat glance with an apprehensive looking Arata. "Ready for your semi final matches? You're facing off!"

Taichi sighed as Arata muttered a reply. He'd somehow managed to make it to the semi finals of the Eastern Qualifiers, but going up against Arata...he wasn't sure how that was going to end. Not that it mattered. He'd be okay no matter what the outcome but no way was he going to make it an easy fight after all that had ever happened. Both of them deserved more.

After making sure Harada sensei wasn't exerting himself too much (" HOHOHO you kids worry so much, you'll get dreadful wrinkles!) they left to find the rest of their team. Arata went ahead to take refuge under the fan, while Taichi dragged himself outside into the sun to find his annoying girlfriend who'd disappeared early that morning.

The heat made solid things wobble like he was having a dizzy spell. Mirages appeared at the weirdest of places, and twice Taichi sidestepped puddles that weren't even there. He wondered where she could've gone. To his right stretched a sloping lawn, and to his left, the buildings. The pebbled lath he was walking along seemed to boil his sandals so as to get to his feet.

He pulled out his phone, shielding his eyes from the sun. But before he could pull out her contact, three very familiar people walked into his line of sight.

"Dad?! Rika?!"

"Yo." She raised a hand. Taichi felt his jaw drop at the woman who stood next to his sister. "Surprise. Or whatever."

"I will take your leave now." Wakamiya Shinobu said quietly, bowing to Mashima-sensei and a smiling Rika. "Have a good time."

Taichi could barely process what in the world was going on, but he managed a hasty bow for the Queen as she neared him, "Uh...thank you for showing them the way."

"It's my pleasure." She said quietly, eyes open and icy on him. He had the strangest feeling of being cold when it felt like a 100 degrees outside. Her cold dark blue eyes darted around his face, before narrowing infinitesimally. "You... you're Wataya Arata's friend...and that girl..."

"Arata's been expecting you, actually." Taichi said just as quietly, "He said he'll wait by the main hall."

She spared him one last icy look, then tilted her head in a graceful bow before gliding away.

Taichi released a breath. What the heck was that?

"She's so cool!" Rika exploded. " Although her fashion sense is questionable. Onii-chan, who IS that girl?!"

"Wakamiya Shinobu. Current Queen of Competitive Karuta." He sighed, turning to face them fully. Taichi put his hands on his hips. "Now what are you doing here?"

"We came to see what this is all about, of course!" Mashima-sensei clapped his son on the back. "How are you holding up?"

"I've got a match in half an hour." He said, a smile slowly spreading over his face. Despite the initial shock it was making him happy to see his father and sister there. "You could've just called me instead of asking around. Thankfully you ran into Wakamiya-san―"

"It was a surprise." His father insisted, looking around. He paused in the direction of the sloping lawn, blinking. "And unless I'm mistaken, that's Chihaya-chan down there in the grass."

Taichi jumped, following his gaze.

Chestnut brown hair gleamed in the patch of sunlight she was lying eagle spread in. Dressed in a different pair of shorts and a loose sleeveless shirt, she had her eyes closed, the sun directly in her face, a pair of old clunky headphones attached to her ears. A rare soft hot breeze blew past, and it ruffled her clothes, lifting the hem of the light shirt just enoughfor a sliver of skin to peak through.

"Excuse me." He told his father and sister. "I'll be back in a sec."

Stalking over and hovering above her so that his shadow fell on her face, Taichi felt a very strange shot of Déjà vu rush through his veins. Her eyes fluttered open at the change in lighting and just like four years ago, he felt his heart flutter along with it.

Upon registering his face, she bolted upright, twisting to look at him. "Taichi!"

"Are you doing this on purpose?" He muttered, goosebumps rising along his arms thanks to the uncanny similarity between this moment right here and the old one from years ago that he treasured in the deepest, safest drawers of his memory. Despite his original plans to yell at her, a smile broke out over his face as fond memories overtook the present. "What are you doing?"

"Melting." She grumbled, pouting. "It's too hot. I can't function."

"You have a match in half an hour." He reminded, offering her his hands. "Get up. Now. And change."

Groaning, complaining, cursing the sun, she took his hands and hauled herself up brushing the grass and dirt off her clothes. He took the old Walkman from her, scrutinising it as they walked back and silently decided on an early Christmas present.

"Woah!" Chihaya froze, making him nearly bump into her. " Rika-chan!"

As his sister waved back and they rushed over to catch up, Taichi surveyed the surroundings. It was too hot out here for sure. But what he was concerned about was the inside. Although the air-conditioning in the men's dojo was fine, the one in the women's was rickety. If they chose to play in the women's room, things would get ugly...

The four of them moved inside to escape the oppressive temperature. Though the place wasn't centralised with air conditioning, the shade was enough for them to sigh with releif. After a quick meet up with everyone, and introductions being made, (Sumire chan was very excited) it was time for the semifinals. The contestants moved towards their hall, and much to everyone's distress...it was held exactly where they'd hoped it wouldn't be.

"This is so not fair." Rin fumed, clenching her fists. "Why can't they give you the good room?! What kind of trickery is this?! I'm gonna go over there and complain my ass off about―"

"Chill." Kazuto patted her back.

"Kinda hard when it's boiling outside. My sweat isn't even sweat, it's sweat-vapour." Nishida grumbled. "But seriously, what is with this arrangement?"

"Guys." Komano came bustling over with an unhappy looking Harada sensei in tow. "We just found out...the cooler in the other room is out of order too."

"It was fine just minutes ago!" Kana chan exclaimed.

"Some glitch." Komano said impatiently. "But forget that. You all need to prepare yourself. The windows are going to be closed too and―"

"Oh god..." Kana chan clutched her face. "Remember last time?! Chi-chan fainted!"

"I was sick back then." Chihaya said comfortingly.

"You were heavy, that's what you were." Taichi corrected and received stamps from both Rika and Chihaya at once. "Hey! I have a match in five minutes!"

" We better get inside." Arata muttered, checking his phone. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Taichi caught his eye, and the dark haired boy looked away hastily. "Um...let's go."

Reluctantly, all the players shuffled inside while the others moved to crowd by the doors. It was already stuffy inside the room. Harada sensei tried to reason with the authorities to let the windows stay open for a little while atleast before the match began, but they refused, saying that the players needed to attune their ears to the silence. Kazuto and Tsukuba made people leave the doorway free, waving air into the room as if it helped. But their effort was appreciated by majority of the people in the room who grinned over at them.

Chihaya sat down to face her opponent, beginning to smile at the young woman, who shot her a haughty look in return. Blinking, she retracted. The girl wore tiny shorts and something like a tank top with her hair clipped up. Taking a second look, she was gorgeous. As they shuffled the cards and split them up, Chihaya couldn't help but sneak glances. How was she so graceful? Even the way she hovered over the tatami was light and airy, elegant, something like a panther's prowl. Powerful but beautiful. And the girl's eyes were a beautiful summer green, which Chihaya could make out because she kept looking up to stare over Chihaya's shoulder at―

Oh no way.

All sense of friendliness evaporated as she registered exactly who the girl was sending furtive glances at. With new determination, she rearranged her cards, pushing aside the heat. Compared to her opponent, Chihaya was wearing long track pants and her usual 'Caruta' T-shirt with her hair up in a ponytail as always. But it didn't seem to be enough. The other girl had shorter clothes on (wasn't that against the rules or something?) And she had her hair clipped up, while the ends of Chihaya's chestnut brown strands kept tickling her sweaty neck.

She pushed it away impatiently. Why was she getting so worked up? It was making her feel more frustrated with everything, and the match hadn't even begun yet.

The memorising time ended. In that space of few seconds, the players stretched and breathed, and trying to keep everything in her mind, Chihaya glanced over to her left and caught Taichi rubbing his arms. As the opening poem floated into the room, he turned his head as if almost sensing her gaze.

Catching her eyes, he tossed her a secret smile in response and in one big whoosh, all her frustrations melted away, letting her shoulders loosen and drop.

She grinned back and they turned to look over at Arata together. The dark haired boy had been watching them already and amusedly flashed them his pearly whites before all three of the childhood friends hovered over their cards with absent smiles lingering on their faces as the opening poem faded into the still air of the room...

It was a tensed up match for sure.

Kana chan couldn't count the number of times she'd slapped away Nishida hand from his mouth. He kept biting his nails. Although she couldn't blame him.

Chihaya-chan was losing by three cards. It wasn't a huge difference, she could make up for it, but the heat seemed to be getting to her very well. She kept wiping her forehead and neck with the hanky she'd been sent inside with, and it was no secret that her opponent, whoever that girl was, was adding to her frustrations. She kept smirking and silently taunting Chihaya, all of which the poor girl fell for.

"What is her deal?" Rin muttered under her breath. "That bitch should lay off―uh... I mean―"

"I agree." Harada sensei sniffed. "She's stealing the flow of the match. Chihaya-chan needs to throw her off or..."

"We still have five monosyllables in play." Komano muttered from behind his notebook. "She should be fine as long as she gets them. Something will change, I know it. The other two, however..."

"That is one tight match." Sumire mumbled behind her anxious hands. "I'd have thought, after everything's fallen into place, they'd be a lot more relaxed...but―"

"That's why I kept saying." Harada sensei smiled. "It was never just about her. They all had their own reasons to play and the game itself is a part of it. Did you really expect either of them to loosen up just because Eyelashes got the girl?"

"Woah wait, back up." Rika out her hands in the air. A few people behind shushed her. She winced and whispered, "What are you talking about?"

"It's a long story." Sumire chan hissed back, smiling at a very interested doctor and daughter. "Don't worry. I'll explain everything."

"I think you should let Buchou do that..." Kana chan said sternly. "Oooooooh look! Otetsuki! Oh no... Chihaya-chan..."

A distressed Chihaya sat back and rubbed her face tiredly, closing her eyes to block everything out. It was so hot sweat kept pouring into her eyes and the flow of the game was rickety and unbalanced. She couldn't wrap her head around it. Across her, the green eyes witch tossed her a smug smirk and sent her a card sliding over the tatami sensualy.

Chihaya felt irritation spike inside her as she gripped her towel. What the heck was this girl's―

A cold feeling seemed to seep into the room. As if she were being watched. Suppressing a shiver, Chihaya lifted her eyes to the door to see what was up.

And her gaze collided with smooth, frosty icy blue ones that held no semblance of warmth.

A shiver raked her body as she stared, almost dumbly, wide eyed at Wakamiya Shinobu. Scrutinising blue eyes stayed on her unwaveringly, almost a taunting, but it felt different than the one her current opponent gave off. This one was empowering. It sent a shot of thrill and energy into her veins.

In the silence of the room, as Chihaya dumbly returned to her cards, a challenge resonated soundlessly.

Lose. I dare you.

And she found it, the reason why she absolutely couldn't lose this match. Why she shouldn't be bothered by some skimpily dressed woman eyeing her boyfriend, because he clearly had eyes only for her. Why she absolutely needed to just forget about the heat and let herself sweat as much as the sun wanted her to, because it didn't matter.

None of that mattered except showing Wakamiya Shinobu exactly why Chihaya was the more powerful one, because she never played alone. Because there was the power of a thousand suns hidden in the smile from one friend, and Shinobu needed to understand that.

Closing her eyes, Chihaya looked back down at her cards, blowing out a long breath. Her heartbeat decelerated, the heaviness in her limbs seemed to lift, and she took a split second to shoot a reassuring, confident smile at the boy she knew had been watching and worrying silently. His own shoulders loosened at that, and she smiled wider.

See that? She asked Wakamiya Shinobu. That's exactly the sort of power I'm talking about.

In the end, everything worked out fine.

Chihaya hummed as she skipped along the road with Rika, bubbling over with happiness. Her victory in the semifinals had led to a streak of good luck, and suddenly the air conditioning in the other room was fixed, she won her finals like a breeze, and now they were walking Rika and her father back to the bus stop, while the others went out to grab dinner and celebrate.

Taichi hadn't been able to beat Arata in the semifinals after all, losing by three cards, but he wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Infact, he only remembered Arata's grudging little laugh and the huge grin Chihaya had sent him when he grabbed the 'Chihayfuru' card for himself before the syllable was even uttered. His hearing seemed to have had improved greatly.

"That was quite enlightening." Mashima-sensei mused as they trailed behind the girls. "I'm...is it too late to say proud of you?"

Taichi smiled bashfully. "Dad."

"No really." The older man insisted, throwing am arm around his son's shoulder. "I haven't been there most of your life, and I've missed out on so much. I used to wish I could've attended your soccer games. So I'm really glad I got to see this. The whole thing looks so difficult."

"Well it isn't easy. Each tournament later I loose approximately 2.5 kilograms."

"You're kidding." The doctor blinked at his son in bewilderment. "That's some serious mental energy right there."

"Usually we rest and eat something sweet between each match." Taichi smiled. "That loser over there instantly falls asleep right on the tatami."

"What, like a power nap?"

He nodded. "It's scared many many important people. I usually just drink water."

"Clearly, she's more interesting."

"Ha ha." He said flatly, slowing to a stop as the bus stand came up. "Have a safe journey."

"You kids get some rest. Don't party too hard― I've always wanted to say that." Mashima-sensei chuckled. Ruffling Chihaya's hair, he smiled at her warmly. "Good luck with your match. And look after my son, please, young lady."

"He's in good hands." She saluted jovially. "Have a nice ride back home! Call when you get there!"

"Of course." Rika laughed. And then surprising everyone, she gave her brother a fleeting hug. "Dork. Come visit home soon, you're never there."

"Are you going soft on me, Rika?" He grinned softly, but bent to kiss her forehead just as the bus rolled in. "I'll stop by as soon as I get back. Promise."

"I mean, mom misses you, not me." She said hopping onto the bus. "I never said me."

Mashima sensei sighed. "Well, I'll see you when you get back. Come visit, Chihaya-chan. And son," he turned stern. "You remember it's exam week immediately after you return don't you? These are deciding marks. Don't forget."

"I remember." Taichi said calmly, while Chihaya blinked at the change in the older man's demeanour. "See you later."

The grin returned. "Bye!"

The bus rolled away, leaving a trail of dust behind. Chihaya pursed her lips as she glanced at Taichi. "He doesn't play around when it comes to education, huh?"

"Not with me, he doesn't." He smiled back, offering her a hand. "Shall we?"

Chihaya grinned instantly, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she grabbed his hand.

They walked back along the way to the town, chatting happily. The air was cooler that evening, and she was glad she'd changed back into shorts and a shirt because the wind felt pleasant on her skin. That coupled with the fact that she'd finally gotten where she'd wanted to get, the pleasant evening they were about to spend, walking down the street now with his hand wrapped around hers, a happy flush glowed on her cheeks. She was beaming from head to toe as she skipped along, the bounce in her step prominent.

"Where do you think they are?" She wondered. "We forgot to ask them where they went."

"I'll just call up and―woah." Taichi stopped abruptly, patting his pockets. "Ah where'd my phone go?!"

"Must be back in the room, I don't think you took it with you when we left." Chihaya said, tugging him back along the way they came. Any excuse to spend more time alone with him. This trip was a blessing in that department too, letting her be around him for four whole days together. "Let's go get it."

Taichi didn't protest, he liked to have it around him at all times. They trekked back to the shrine, enjoying the cooled down weather and each other's company. Chihaya repeatedly insisted that her semifinal opponent had been trying to grab his attention, while Taichi remained bewildered but in denial.

"I'm telling you, you're delusional." He said for the tenth time that evening, sliding open the door to their room. "She was probably just...looking at something else."

"Do you even know what you look like?" Chihaya accused, as he searched. "A rock would crush on you and it doesn't even have eyes!"

Taichi poorly suppresed a laugh, finding his phone behind his bag. Slipping it into his pocket, he turned and crossed his arms, amusement glinting in his golden eyes. They looked darker in the room. "You're ridiculous."

"I'm ridiculously happyyyy!" She sang, skipping forward to beam at him, making it seem like the slightly dark room was lighter thanks to her glowing through every pore. His stomach performed a complex back flip when she got close enough for him to catch the fruity scented lip gloss she was wearing, and the faint smattering of freckles across her nose thanks to the sun. She smelled like sunscreen and flowers and her breath landed on his chin, smile too dizzying for him to centre his head. He needed air. Oxygen. She shouldn't get so close wearing that damned outfit with that smile, oh hell no―

A breathless laugh left her lips. "You just went cross eyed."

"You should probably get away from me." He said weakly.

"Why?" She blinked. "Actually, are you getting sick? Your face is all red again. Wait it's the heat, isn't it―"

"Nope." He mumbled, thinking screw it, and sliding his long fingers into the hair behind her ears, pulling her closer to crush their lips together. "It's you."

She sucked in a quick breath of surprise before an involuntary breathless sound of satisfaction left her mouth, making her cheeks burn. But she pushed closer, sliding to her tip-toes, tilting her head, thoughts scattered into a million tiny pieces, pulse smashing against her chest and in her ears, breathless as an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Her fingers curled in his hair, lips parting, knees beginning to loose their strength because couldn't breathe and she didn't want to, not when he was doing what he was doing and the world spun and spun and spun because she's going to burst into flames ―

He broke them up, breathing unsteadily, and put his forehead to hers closing his eyes. A thumb brushed her cheek. "Sorry." He whispered. "My phone won't stop buzzing."

"Pick it up." She nuzzled his nose, and he kissed her again, and again, and again. Something seemed to have shifted around them, in a dizzying, enticing way, and she didn't want to open her eyes and break the spell, but this time, pulled so close to him with his arms snug around her waist, she felt the buzz too. Reluctantly, she pulled away from his lips, mourning the loss with a silent whimper.

He sighed, eyes closed, forehead pressed to her cheek as they caught their breath. In a few seconds, this cosy, intimate haze covering them would lift, and she'd go back to being innocent and flushed and embarrassed all over again. Mourning the loss, shaking off her enchantments and gradually coming to his senses, he slipped a hand into his pocket and brought out his damned phone to check what the fuss was all about―

And saw thirteen missed calls from Kazama.

Hands going cold, he hit the call button immediately.

On the fourth ring, a tired, broken voice picked up. "Hello?"

"Kazama? What's wrong? Is it–"

"Bro." He said laughingly, but his voice cracked and faltered. "It's mom."

And tadaaaaa...

Yes that's a cliffhanger. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, things are about to get uglier than me in the morning. Just you wait.

But if you liked this chapter, hit that review button and tell me what you think! Like I said, your words have so much power to keep me going, just please know that you make a difference in my world. I can't thank you enough.

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Loyyu-chan.