Chapter 9: Sots and Saves

He peered out into the dimly lit street before starting off towards Sumiko's weaving form.

Unfortunately, it appeared that his reflexes and depth perception had not managed to stay with him. He bumped into a street lamp almost immediately, and then into a postbox that was strategically placed so that intoxicated patrons of the restaurant would bump into it on their way out. After some cunning maneuvering, he managed to set himself on a relatively straight course to Sumiko, who was still stumbling in the general direction of the campus. He had almost caught up to her when she tripped over the curb and pitched into the road. He stopped, and watched her as she sat silent for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

"I fell down!" she chortled, "Into the road!"

Takashi started to laugh as well.

Then he stopped laughing.

The unmistakable twin beams of a car's headlights were aimed directly at them. Sumiko stared at the fast-approaching lights for a moment before standing up and tottering to the middle of the road.

"Hello, Mr. Cardriver!" she said, giggling.

All the alchohol abruptly left Takashi's system. Several thoughts flitted through his head, starting with 'She's being really stupid right now', going to 'That driver is going really, really fast for a one-lane street', and ending at 'Oh Kami, she's going to be hit she'sgoingtobehitshe'sgoingtobehit'.

He ran towards Sumiko as fast as he could, his legs pounding painfully against the pavement. He didn't notice. Every one of his brain cells was focused on car approaching quickly (going too fast) and Sumiko (oh kami, please, please let him get there in time).

The driver of the car noticed Sumiko and the horn blared. Sumiko just stood there, waving vaguely at nothing in particular.

Takashi's foot hit the curb and pushed against it, launching him into a flying leap aimed directly at Sumiko.

His straining arms grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her violently towards the opposite side of the street. His body followed not long afterward.

There was a rush of air as the car passed them, and then a loud screeching sound as it braked a few yards away.

Takashi realized that his hands were still holding Sumiko's shoulders to the ground in a death-grip, and he hurridly let go.

The driver of the car jogged up to them, puffing slightly. He was an overweight man who looked like he was in his mid-thirties. Both Takashi and Sumiko had to looked down to see his face.

"Are you kids okay?" he asked worriedly, "I was trying to put in a new CD, and I look up and there's a girl standing in the middle of the road." He shook his head and looked at Takashi. "Thank god you were there. That was some jump!"

Takashi managed a half-hearted smile at the man's comment. Then the man turned his attention to Sumiko.

"And what the hell did you think you were doing there, missy? You could have been hurt if it weren't for this young man!"

"I realize this," Sumiko said, and Takashi looked at her with surprise. Apparently she had sobered up somewhat. "I'm very sorry," she continued, "I was not myself. Please forgive me."

"Well, technically, it should be me who apologizes. Driver's aren't supposed to hit people, after all!" He gave a little chuckle at this, as if he had just made a joke.

Sumiko (he was having a lot of trouble reverting back to calling her Ikeda) smiled politely. "Yes sir," she said, "But I really am very sorry for causing you trouble. Is there any way I can make it up to you?"

"Make it up to me?" the little man said blankly. "Oh no, you needn't. I'm just glad you're safe." He checked his wristwatch and blanched. "And I need to go, before my wife gets too angry. We're having guests tonight." He smiled apologetically at the two young adults. "I'm sorry."

"Oh no," they chorused, and watched him drive off with similar shell-shocked expressions.

"You're alright?" Takashi inquired as they began to walk towards campus again.

"Yes. All because of you!" Sumiko said. She flashed a grateful smile at him before continuing. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"You weren't. You were drunk." He paused for a second. "I was too. I should have stopped you from going into the road."

Sumiko stopped. "What?" she exclaimed, "You just said both of us were drunk. Neither of us was thinking clearly. Don't blame yourself!"

She put her hand out suddenly, and leaned against the wall. "In fact, I think that I, at least, am still drunk. My legs don't seem to be working properly."

"Here," Takashi said, and hastened to take Sumiko's arm. "I'll help you."

. . . . . . . . . . . .

The rest of the walk back to campus was uneventful, except for a few stumbles on Sumiko's part. When they reached the main quadrangle, Takashi stopped.

"Which dormitory do you live in?" he asked.

"That one," Sumiko said, gesturing to an imposing brick building to their left. Takashi was walking towards it, still half dragging, half pushing Sumiko, when a thought struck him. The dormitory was females only. How was he going to get Sumiko to her room?

His fears were relieved when Sumiko said "Don't worry. M' room's on the firs' floor."

She was slurring again. He hoped she would be able to get to her door. But he would have to place his faith in her, as he couldn't help her farther than the door.

He helped her up the steps, and she stuck her key in the door. To his relief, it fit. He had had an awful fear that she hadn't remembered what building she lived in.

"See you tommorow!" Sumiko said just before the door slammed shut.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Author's Note.

I'm sorry for the low-quality chapter. But please, keep reading! Remember, next chapter, the Host Club will appear!