5: The Watermelon Game

Summary: It's a beach day for the whole gang, and Akari soon finds herself alone with Taiki after a round of suikawari.

Timeframe: Sometime after their adventures in the Digital World

It was a warm summer day in Shinonome; the sun was shining bright overheard with minimal clouds, and the seagulls were flying about, looking for a nice, shady spot to land on before getting chased away by playful children. It was noontime, but the beaches were already packed with people wanting to enjoy a nice summer's day before vacation ended. Among the crowds, five young teenagers were gathered under a large umbrella, engaged in a game of suikawari.

"Now remember," a girl sporting a brown, fountain-like ponytail smirked, "whoever successfully splits the watermelon has to spend time alone with whoever had a turn before them!"

The blindfolded teenager with spiky brown hair rolled his eyes (even though no one could see him do so). "We know, we know, Nene-san! Can we just start now?"

A blonde teenager crossed his arms and sighed. "I don't see why you're so eager, Zenjirou. Even if you did manage to split the watermelon with your allocated three hits, there'd be no one for you to spend time with since you're the first person."

"He just wants to impress Nene," giggled the other girl, a redhead sporting two low pigtails. Although she was teasing him, she knew all too well the feeling of wanting to impress a certain someone…after all, the person whom she wanted to impress was standing right there among them.

"You shut up! It's not as if you're not going to try to impress Taiki either!" Zenjirou retorted, glaring through his blindfold.

The smirk playing on Akari's lips instantly turned into a frown as she turned bright red. "What did you say?"

"Now, now, let's not bicker, children," Nene said, slightly sarcastic. "Here's your bat, Zenjirou-kun." She handed him a wooden bat and then proceeded to spin him around 5 times. "Alright, go!"

Zenjirou, who was never good with motions and vertigo, immediately swayed to his right when Nene let him go. He slammed the bat down, only making contact with sand. In the background, he could hear Kiriha snickering at him. "Shut up!" he roared, pointing a finger to no one. "I am Zenjirou Tsurugi, the master swordsman! I won't miss the next two shots!"

Or so he said. His next swing also failed to hit its target.

"Hmm, some master swordsman, huh?" Akari giggled. This was payback for his earlier comment!

"You shut up!" He seemed to be saying that a lot. "Watch, I definitely won't be missing this next one." The vertigo having worn off by now, Zenjirou stood straight up and took a deep breath. "It's…right…here!" He slammed the bat down, finally making contact with the watermelon. "Did I split it?" he asked excitedly, tearing off his blindfold.

"Hmph! Of course not, you dimwit," Kiriha rolled his eyes. "Three continuous hits to a watermelon is already stretching it."

Zenjirou pouted at him. "I was only wondering…" He handed Nene the blindfold and bat. "Here you go Nene-san!"

She took both articles, thanked him curtly, then proceeded to be spun around by Akari.

"Okay…go!"

Nene took a few shaky steps towards the watermelon. She slammed the bat down, making contact.

"Whoa…" Akari breathed in amazement. "You go Nene!"

Nene turned towards Akari's voice and gave a thumbs up. However, upon turning back, she lost her sense of direction, causing her to miss the next shot. Taking a deep breath, she straightened up and tried again. The third shot hit, although it wasn't enough force to split the watermelon. "Aww darn it!" she pouted. "Here, it's your turn Kiriha-kun!" She handed him the articles.

"Mm." He took them from her and was spun by her.

She pushed him slightly forward. "Gogogo!"

Kiriha, being the cold strategist who knew all about strength, easily hit the watermelon all three times. But even as strong as he was, he was only able to start a small crack in the watermelon.

"Guess the next person might be able to do it," Nene said, then slowly smirked as she realized that Akari was next in line. "Your turn, sweetie," she teased.

Akari gulped. If she really did manage to somehow split the watermelon, then she'd have to spend time—alone!—with Kiriha…how awkward! And besides, she really wanted to spend time with her best friend and (not-so-secret) crush, Taiki…She decided that she was going to purposely miss all three shots. "O-okay!" she said shakily, taking the articles from Kiriha. "Here goes nothing…" Literally.

It really was quite uneventful as Akari successfully had an unsuccessful turn with the watermelon. "Heh heh," she laughed sheepishly at the others' gawking expressions. "Guess I'm no good at these things…" She handed the articles to Taiki, who was the last to go. "Good luck!"

He smiled his usual huge grin at her. "Thanks Akari! Sorry that your shots didn't hit…"

That's because I didn't want them to hit! But she only smiled back. "That's okay…"

"Taiki-kun, you ready?" Nene asked after blindfolding and spinning him.

"Yepp!"

"You can go now!" She let go of him.

Needless to say, the brilliant young general was able to hit all three times; on his last shot, a loud crack filled the air as the watermelon messily split. Everyone looked on with awe.

"T-taiki-kun, you did it!" Nene smiled as he took off his blindfold. "Guess that means…" Everyone looked at Akari.

Having three pairs of eyes on her (Taiki's pair was busy looking down at his feet), Akari immediately turned red. "Wh-wh-why are you guys all looking at me like that…"

"Well because…" Nene giggled.

"A certain someone will be getting one-on-one time with Taiki over here," Zenjirou smirked as he slapped Taiki on the back. "Isn't that right?" Even the normally stony-faced Kiriha managed a teasing smile.

"Well?" Nene said evilly. "Let's go, you guys. Leave these two lovebirds alone." She motioned to Kiriha and Zenjirou, pointing towards the water. "We'll be in the water if you guys need anything. And Akari, don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Nene winked at her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Akari called after her. But Nene only waved.

"S-so uh…nice weather we're having, huh?"

Akari spun around. "Y-yeah…can't believe summer vacation's almost over though…"

Taiki looked up at her and smiled. "Me neither. But I'm glad I'm spending my last few days with them" he pointed down to the water, "and you."

Akari blushed slightly. Was there a reason why he said "them and you" rather than "you guys?" Maybe she was just overanalyzing it, but what if he actually…? Akari, she scolded herself, don't you see it? This is the perfect time to tell him you like him! When the two of you are alone! Realizing the situation she was in, Akari tried to speak up.

"You know Taiki, I—I…um…er, how do I say this…" she nervously looked down at the sand.

"Hmm?"

"I, um, am glad that I'm spending my last few days with you too!"

Akari mentally slapped herself. That was not what she wanted to say! And on top of that, she accidentally omitted the word "guys," making it sound like she was glad to be spending time with only Taiki. Which isn't a lie, she thought, but…

But Taiki took no notice of the omission. "Yeah," he sighed. "Then when school starts, we won't be seeing each other around as much anymore." He turned to Akari. "But," he added hopefully, "at least next year we'll be going to the same school, right? Don't worry, I'll make sure none of the third years bully you."

Akari smiled softly. "Thanks. And I'll make sure you won't pass out from exhaustion like you usually do!"

They both laughed. It was a nice feeling, being able to just chill on the beach with her favorite person before school started again, without a care in the world. Even though she still couldn't bring herself to tell him that she liked him (how many years had it been since she first tried?), she wanted this moment to last forever. Just him and her, the sun, the sand, and the smell of the ocean. Wait. And the smell of… At that moment, Taiki looked at her and she knew they were thinking of the same thing. He spoke first.

"Oh yeah…want any watermelon?"

A/N: Suikawari: a traditional Japanese game that involves splitting a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded. Played in the summertime, suikawari is most often seen at beaches, but also occurs at festivals, picnics, and other summer events. The rules that these five play by were a twist that Nene made up, since from the very beginning she was planning to get Taiki and Akari alone...;D

Ugh out of all the drabbles I've written so far, I like this one the least. It feels rushed (even though I spent forever on this one) and I don't know! It was tough to write since it's my first drabble including the other three characters…Anyway, this drabble had an odd inspiration. I was eating watermelon the other day while watching the Japanese channel when I suddenly thought, "Hey, don't the Japanese hit watermelons kinda like how we hit piñatas?" So I looked it up. It sounded like it'd be a fun plot for a drabble, and that's how that happened lol.

Nerd fact: When Taiki says "At least next year we'll be going to the same school," he really means in like 6 months...the Japanese school systems ends in March-ish and starts in April.

Other than that, you know the drill hehe. Thanks for reading!