Saika smashed the ball for the final time toward the wall with a deceptively fast speed despite his small body.
Such a move wouldn't have been possible without the arduous physical training he had always put himself through, day and night.
Even then, it was summer and playing on the outdoor court for too long could be dangerous. So, he ended up going to school much earlier than usual and had been training since before sunrise.
"You're working hard as usual." One of the teachers commented when he passed over the tennis court. "Where are the rest of the members?"
"I'm not sure, but, well, it's vacation and club activities aren't mandatory at this time anyway." Saika smiled.
"I see. Are you going to join another tournament, Totsuka-kun?"
Recently, many teachers seem to be calling him by that moniker. Originally, they called him Totsuka-san. As in, similar to how most teachers would call female students.
He didn't really mind being called Sai-chan, but being spoken to with a manly suffix also made him happy nonetheless. It was a sign that his masculinity had begun to be acknowledged consciously by the teachers as well.
"Perhaps. I'm not sure which tournament would fit me since summer has a lot of them and it would be impossible to join them all."
"I see. What about the other members?"
Saika grimaced a bit.
"...I'm sorry. You're still the only one working hard for this, huh?"
"It's fine." Saika shook his head.
He was lying of course. He wasn't fine at all.
"Actually, I think the tennis club kids were playing here a couple days ago. No, wait, three days ago. I thought that was the last time I saw them at least." The teacher pondered as he rubbed his beardy chin.
That was when Saika was still at the voluntary summer camp, so he wouldn't know. Still, knowing that they sometimes still practiced, somewhat, eased Saika's heart.
He wondered if he should just accept Hayato's invitation, his group was going to the beach. Meanwhile, Hachi, Saki, and a few of the others had gone to the pool. Of course, Saika wasn't invited to the later. That kind of hurt, seeing as Saki was one of the girls in the class that he was close with, the other being Yumiko.
"I think I should be going anyway." Saika sighed and pulled out his phone to make a call.
"[Hello, what is it, Sai-chan?]" Hayato answered.
"I just wanted to ask, have you arrived at the Iwai Beach resort yet?"
"[Yeah, we arrived just now and we're unpacking.]"
"Which route did you take?"
"[To the east of Sodegaura, we avoided Kisarazu city and went straight to the mountains, it shouldn't take more than two hours even at a leisurely speed.]"
"I see."
"[What's the matter, Sai-chan?]"
"No, well, I'm thinking of going. No one was present at the tennis club." Saika said, a bit embarrassed, "Well it's rather close, so I'll let you know if I'm coming, Hayato-san."
"[Alright then, please call us if you decided to come. We'll wait for you.]"
"Thank you."
By proximity to Yumiko, recently Saika had been spending a lot of time with Hayato and his group. Hayato himself especially. Not only was he nice and easy to talk with, their equal position as club captains meant they always had things to talk about.
Hayato was, perhaps, the closest thing Saika had to a close male friend. It was something that Saika had only recently become aware of, that he never had actually had one.
It was actually kind of sad. Sure, he was close with the male tennis club members too, but he couldn't really call them friends. When exactly did they ever hang out outside club activities?
It was kind of horrifying to acknowledge. That realization only came after Hachi had confessed to him.
When exactly had Saika become a stranger in his own club?
Since he had met Hachi? Since he had begun training intensely with her? When Yumiko began to tutor him seriously? Because he had a huge interest in improving himself as an athlete and everyone else didn't?
As Saika grew stronger, he began to realize the existence of this increasingly big gap. Even the strongest tennis players in the club couldn't even measure up to Saika anymore.
Five months ago, if Saika were to be told that he would have thought it ridiculous.
But the reality was that the three new trophies sitting on the club's rack meant something. They were testaments to the existence of that gap.
One won by Yumiko. One won by Hachi. And, one won by himself.
If the other members were to join, they would be eradicated in round one. Interhigh would basically be impossible, a pipe-dream to achieve.
In comparison, the Soubu Soccer Club was gaining ground. Already a contender in the Prefectural Championship, this year they might actually have a good chance of going to the Nationals, if they were lucky.
Saika decided to hit the showers soon. However, before he left, he decided to check the club-room one more time.
He looked at the three new trophies, and smiled sadly.
On the same shelf nearby was a framed picture. A picture of five people: Himself, Hachi, Yumiko, Kaori, and Chika. It was the photo taken during the conclusion of the Chiba Peanut Bowl. A grade five rookie tournament that seasoned players avoided out of courtesy, but nevertheless was a place where promising newbies showed off their talent and potential.
Yumiko herself won the tournament that took place immediately after, the Chiba Junior Circuit. A grade 4 tournament, it attracted a lot of players on her level and above. And her winning the tournament marked her comeback to professional youth tennis.
It came as enough of a shock that a small feature article of Yumiko appeared in the local sports section of the newspaper. Mostly, it was speculating on how she disappeared for an entire year only to come back stronger. As everyone would know, Yumiko managed to win the Chiba Junior Tennis Tournament in 2007 at the age of fourteen.
In a tournament where most participants were somewhere between sixteen and seventeen with up to a decade and beyond of tennis experience, her victory was considered almost historic. Yumiko was called a genius for that reason alone.
However, Yumiko ceased to participate in any tournaments over the course of 2008 and early 2009, leading people to speculate on why. Yumiko became something of a one hit wonder, left forgotten by the masses with only the nerdiest of tennis nerds recognizing her.
Compared to that, Saika still had a long way to go. Of course, he was nowhere as ambitious as Yumiko, so there wasn't only a talent gap but also a difference in determination between them as well.
An honest effort was the only thing that Saika could boast about. And with his physical training with Hachi done, Saika felt a little clueless now.
Five months. Hachi had put her time and energy into making sure Saika grew an ideal body that was befit for a tennis athlete.
It was not something Saika could ever pay back. And he was fully aware of that too.
Saika reached for his trophy and rubbed it's surface, the sensation giving him the feeling of satisfaction. That trophy was a symbol of his hard work.
He did the same with Yumiko's.
However, when it was time for Hachi's trophy, Saika felt off.
His heart stopped beating when the trophy suddenly crumbled before his eyes.
"What ... just happened?!" He gasped in shock, his breath was ragged and panicked, "No! Did I break it?!"
Calm down. There was no way a trophy would crumble to the touch like that.
It was damaged beforehand and simply stood there seemingly intact.
Could it be someone damaged it by accident and desperately put it back without gluing it? One of the club members? Maybe. That must be what happened.
Saika racked his brain desperately searching for a solution. He could glue it back together, but he wasn't entirely confident with his skill.
Wait.
Saika hurriedly ran toward the special building, hoping that luck would be his side.
He slid open one of the doors, a couple of boys were hanging out They were clueless with Saika's sudden appearance, looking absolutely furious.
Saika released a breath of relief, luck seriously was on his side at the moment, since these people were here at least.
"Ah, please excuse my rudeness." Saika said, "This is the Plastic Model Club, right?"
"Yep? Sai-chan from Class 2-F right?"
"Yes, I am." Saika said, "I ... have a request. I wonder if I can ask for help fixing something."
"Hmm? Sure, we don't have much to do today." One of them nodded with a smile.
Saika ended up bringing the pieces of the broken trophy over on a cardboard box and presented it to them.
"I'm not sure who broke it, but can you try fixing it?"
"Hmm? This is piece of cake, but ... it's gold coated. It would still leave marks upon closer inspection."
"Marks?"
"Yeah, look at this." One of the boys gave him a golden robot figurine. Saika also had watched Gundam shows before so he would easily recognize it as Akatsuki*.
When Saika squinted his eyes he noticed a small crack in its right arm.
"Plain plastic is easy to glue and sand down, leaving no marks. But gold-coated plastic is different. You will have to strip the coat, and repaint it after you glue everything."
"That's fine, I'll treat you to some drinks," Saika begged, "This trophy is important to my club."
"Sure, we'll do what we can." They kindly smiled, "Oh, by the way, just three boxes of fruit milk is fine."
"Thank you!"
Fusing the parts with plastic cement, the Model club managed to finish repairing the trophy in just half an hour. However, they advised Saika not to touch it for at least six hours.
"I can't take it right away?"
"Yeah, it will take at least six hours for the parts to cure properly. The longer the better." One of the club members took a sip of the milk Saika had brought them. "By the way, was that trophy won by you?"
"No, it was..."
Hachi's.
Who is Hachi? His friend? Hachi refused to be his friend though; so Saika had no right to call her that.
"A very important former club member," Saika said sadly.
"I see. We'll be sure to take care of it." They assured him, "We'll be here tomorrow around nine in the morning for another meeting. You can fetch the trophy then."
And so, the model club locked the room and returned the key back to the teacher's lounge.
Saika returned to the tennis club room and found the door was left open. Had another member come? Was it someone else?
"Where's the trophy?"
"Oh God no, I swear I left it here!"
"The door was unlocked so it has to be another tennis club member."
"Check then trash bin!"
Huh? Were the girls there to check the trophy? Were they the one who broke it?
"It's your fault, Nina! You just keep playing with it!"
"I'm not the one who dropped it like a drooling idiot!"
"I mean it was that bitch's trophy anyway. Who cares!"
"The school would. Sai-chan wouldn't be happy either! You know how close they are."
"All the more reason why I hate her. Heck, maybe you dropped it on purpose?"
"Shut up! We have to find it no matter what! Let's just pretend it was an accident and apologize!"
Saika suddenly felt something that he never imagined he could feel before.
It was a cold and bitter sense of anger.
The feeling of betrayal, by people he trusted and cared for. After all this time, he had put in all this effort to motivate the club. After all the hard work Hachi had invested in this club.
They had literally treated her trophy like a plaything. And broke it. And then they had the gall to pretend it was not done in malice?
Saika felt like he was the dumbest person to exist in the entire universe.
His pure, innocent, and honest trust paid back by something so vile? Those happy, easy going girls could harbor such toxic feelings against someone who had helped them so much?
If they thought about Hachi that way, exactly how much respect did they have for their own Captain? Some fool that trusted them all so blindly?
Honestly, Saika wanted to lash out.
But ... in the end, he couldn't. He was too soft. Too much of a coward to actually act like a man should when it counted. And instead, he simply ran away crying with his bag in tow. The girls didn't even know he was there.
Ignoring the fact that he was risking himself being caught by the police for speeding, he revved the throttle at maximum. His bike leaped in response. He simply paced his bike as hard as he could before screeching to a halt in the free parking area near Mihama Bridge.
Saika's tears flew along the strong wind, reflecting the sun from the east.
He still couldn't accept that this was the state of the club he had fought so much and so hard for.
Was everything he had ever done for them pointless?
He... seriously didn't know.
Saika had always thought he was normal. He could talk with most people easily. No one hated him, period. Saika had always been well-liked and spoiled by anyone around him with absolutely no exception. He wasn't sure why, but he knew at least he should be proud of that.
But he wasn't sure if he was happy with that now.
Yumiko never treated him with kid gloves, but always treated him fairly, calling him out whenever he made a blunder or a fool of himself.
Hayato always treated him like a fellow young man, instead of with mockery or as a girl like other boys did. They truly respected each other's position and understood each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Saika also realized that, in Hayato's general circle, no one fawned over him. Which is to say, they saw him as a person and not merely a cute mascot.
Was that the key to true happiness?
Perhaps that was the case. That Saika wanted people to see him for what he was instead of seeing him for what they thought of him. Humans can't help but be prejudiced against each other, but they also have the need for self-determination.
When Hachi had confessed to him, Saika honestly felt happy inside.
But he couldn't answer it the way she wanted.
In an ideal world, Saika would happily be able to return those feelings. Because there were so many things Hachi had done for his sake, and hanging out with her had always been fun. They had even gone on a couple of dates. So why would he reject her?
If Hachi had simply asked him to go out with her, Saika might actually have accepted in a heartbeat. Perhaps in time, if they were to build a special relationship, Saika's feelings might have changed from those of a friend to those of a lover.
But Hachi straight up asked about his feelings for her. So he told her. Because, if there was one thing that Saika would absolutely not do, it would be lying to someone as precious to him as Hikigaya Hachi.
He wondered if he had lied back at that moment, would things be better for everyone? Or was that just his selfishness talking? Was he trying to avoid the responsibility?
Saika really didn't know. Those kinds of awful, disgusting feelings were something new for him. Saika in the past wouldn't have thought even a shred of it. Not even a little bit.
やはり, 俺の 女子高生 デビュー はまちがっている。
As Expected, My High-School Girl Debut is Wrong.
Disclaimer:
Original Story by Watari Wataru
Chapter 31: Atonement
His phone rang and he looked at the caller ID. It was none other than Orimoto Kaori.
"[Good afternoon, Sai-chan, are you free?]"
"Yeah, I'm totally free. What is it, Orimoto-san?"
"[Well, one of my friends got dumped so I figured having a boy's input might help a little bit.]"
"I see." Saika smiled bitterly, though it didn't show in his voice. "I'll be there."
Saika decided to put his personal problems aside and go to the restaurant where Chika and Kaori had decided to hang out.
Saika managed to find them on the second floor, where the menus were mostly cakes and sweets.
"Sorry to call you in such a hurry, Sai-chan." Kaori apologetically clapped her hands.
"It's alright, I was at school when you called."
Well technically not AT school, but Mihama Bridge was close enough to Soubu that it didn't matter in the spirit of conversation.
"So, what happened, Chika-san?"
Chika darkly looked at Saika, "Sai-chan..."
"Yes?"
"Do guys always think about having sex all the time?"
Kaori grimaced in response to Chika's blunt question, and she tried to look at Saika. Usually, when a topic like this happened, Saika was always either dumbfounded or flustered in shame.
"Well, if you ask me that I can't answer. I'm kind of late bloomer compared to other guys." Saika lightly answered.
For Saika to throw out such mature and concise answer, it actually surprised Kaori.
Chika teased him a little bit after that, as her expression lightened. "So, have you thought about it even once?"
"Of course I have." Saika shrugged, "It just that I still have a lot of things I want to do besides that. I'm sure most people are the same."
"I wouldn't be sure about that." Chika sighed and took a sip of her drink.
"So, what happened? Who got dumped."
"You see, a friend of mine just got dumped by her boyfriend because she keep refusing his request to... uh, stay in love hotels." Chika said, "She told him she wasn't ready yet. But he ended up calling the relationship off yesterday. I wonder, if she had yielded would things have turned out alright? I mean it's strange to be virgin at our age."
Saika winced at that. This conversation hit too close to home and it made him suffer too. Saika was pretty sure Chika don't have boyfriend either, so this 'friend' story might actually be something serious and involved someone real, rather than a disguise for personal anecdotes.
"I told you there's nothing wrong with that." Kaori chastised her, "We still haven't done it either."
Saika called over the waitress and ordered a cup of warm milk coffee.
"Well, I don't really know how dating works. but I think it's fine to be a virgin at our age." Saika told her.
"How would you be so sure when you're inexperienced, Sai-chan?" Chika questioned.
Chika and Kaori both looked at Saika, especially with his longing, pained looks, as if he missed something really important.
"When the boys were discussing something perverted, Hikigaya-san also joined in. She said only one in five students experience their first time in their second-year of high school. I think it was a Japanese reporter working for some foreign newspaper who found this fact, but I forgot the name**."
"Figures it would be Hikigaya." Kaori laughed a bit. Seriously, only she would say something like that with a straight face.
"So I think it should be fine for a girl to refuse no matter what because you might regret it." Saika assured her.
"I see." Chika looked a bit content, then she blinked and slammed the table. "Wait, this is not me we're talking about!"
Saika raised his eyebrows, "I know. Chika-san always lament that you haven't found a suitable man right?"
"You know, if you put it that way I feel embarrassed too." Chika rubbed her face, "But putting that aside, what do you think would be the best solution? She clearly still like that guy."
"Tell her to wait for it." Saika said seriously, "With time, her feelings might change. If she still loves him by then, then she should try to make up for it. But if not, maybe they should stay separate."
That's right, Hachi also said something along that line to Saika.
Kaori's face softened, "You've changed, Sai-chan."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you looked real mature just now." Chika winked, "Really cool."
Saika could only smile sadly. "It might be because I'm a little heartbroken too, so I can understand what your friend was thinking."
"Eh, what happened?"
Saika clasped his hands as he told them his own story, from start to finish, regarding everything that had happened between the summer camp and the birthday party at the Hikigaya residence.
"I see..." Orimoto nodded in understanding, "I don't think you can blame this on anyone. Hikigaya's request was pretty clear. And you answered that honestly."
"I know that, but still, like Chika-san too, I'm wondering what if I had given a different answer. Would things have turned out better or worse?"
"You really have changed." Kaori said in understanding.
"Have I changed that much?" Saika asked in disbelief, it sounded a little weird to keep hearing that.
"Sai-chan, do you know the reason why I rejected you back then?"
"Was it because you don't see me in that way?"
"It's not just that." Kaori stirred the drink in front of her, "It's because you were too honest for your own good. That's not a bad thing by itself, it was just that I didn't think we could connect properly."
"Back then, you don't have what you have now." Kaori poked his chest, "A hidden desire."
"Hidden desire?"
"Something you want to do even if it might hurt others." Kaori said, "Your hidden desire might be something bad if you put it into words, but it also the reason why people don't always have to go along with the flow and fall into a herd mentality."
Come to think of it, Saika sometimes felt like that too, always agreeing with people around him and assuming the best intentions of people.
For example, even when Saika knew that the tennis club hated Hachi he still wanted her to get along with them. He hadn't realized how much he had made Hachi suffer because of his selfishness.
And he was the one who paid for it in the end because he was obnoxiously ignorant of her true feelings.
"Knowing what someone really wants is a terrifying thing. As it could make or break a relationship in just a single second."
In just a single second the friendship that Saika thought he had with Hikigaya had vanished.
It really was terrifying in hindsight. Saika wasn't sure if understanding the hidden desires in people was something he was ready to accept.
But he would have to accept the reality of it.
"I managed to realize that because of my relationship with Hikigaya. Or lack thereof." Kaori smiled brightly, "Because of that, I got involved with a lot of disagreements with people around me. And I've lost a lot of friends now, but ... It might be sad, but I also feel happier this way."
"I see." Saika nodded.
"Well, no use crying all day. Chika and I have a friend to cheer up." Orimoto stood up, "Do you have prior arrangements, Sai-chan? How about you join us?"
"Hmm." Saika pondered for a moment, then he stood up with a smile. "It's fine, I promised someone else I'll go with them. Besides, having an outsider, a boy at that, might be a little uncomfortable for her."
"Hmm, maybe you're right. Then see you later." Chika waved her hand and follower Orimoto to pay for her food and drinks.
Saika have decided he will bike his way to join Hayato, Yumiko and others.
...
Two days later, Haneda Airport, Tokyo.
Haneda Airport is not a small place. And it was crowded to hell and back. As a huge, international airport, considered the fifth most busy airport in the world from the sheer amount of traffic it undergoes, Haneda can be a scary place for those who have little experience with it.
However, the average Japanese person who has been to Tokyo isn't one of them.
Hachi and Yumiko stood side by side, each carrying their luggage. Meanwhile, facing them were their friends. And, in the case of Hachi, Komachi was there to see her departure as well.
Aside from Komachi, there was Iroha, Yui, Yukino, and Hayato.
"Thank you for escorting us here." Hachi sheepishly laughed, "Even Yukioshita-senpai too."
"My house is closer to Haneda than it is to Chiba, so it should be fine." Yukino smiled.
"Bring us souvenirs, Aneki!" Komachi huffed.
"Yumiko..." Hayato, for some reason, looked regretful.
Perhaps it was because only recently he had begun appreciating her company for what it was worth. Hayato wasn't sure if he had fallen for Yumiko for real, or if it was just his greediness talking.
Still, he struggled to bring up a smile.
"What's with that face, Hayato? It's just so unlike you." Yumiko softly cheered him up, "We're not going to be there forever. We'll be back before summer vacation ends."
"Then we should make a meeting plan!" Iroha proposed, "Maybe we can watch fireworks together?"
"Sounds good." Hayato was slightly calmed now, "I'll be here to make sure everyone can come to the festival."
"Everyone?" Yukino raised her eyebrows.
"Everyone." Hayato nodded confidently, "No one left behind."
"I should be back for the end of summer vacation festivals." Yui nodded, "I'll come no matter what."
"Man, making promises before a flight sounds like a recipe for bad juju." Hachi snarked, and Yumiko elbowed her.
"Don't jinx it, you fool."
"Hikigaya-san!"
Hachi felt a sense of deja vu when Saika's short but muscular body ran across to reach her.
She didn't expected Saika to show up at the last second at all. She felt it was unexpectedly romantic, which makes it all the more painful for her to digest.
"Can we talk a little bit?"
"Seriously? You're persistent." Hachi frowned.
"That's fine." Saika said, "Even if Hikigaya-san ends up hating me, I'm fine with that."
"Ah, we should go ahead as well." Yui tried to distract everyone, "We're going to wait outside, Sai-chan."
"Yeah."
"I'm going ahead, don't be late for our flight." Yumiko scoffed.
"I know." Hachi said, "So what do you want to talk about, Senpai?"
"...Even now, does Hikigaya-san still like me?"
"Not as much, but I still do." Hachi said coldly, "Even now, looking at you like this, I feel happy. And it's painful for me to see it that way."
It would hurt her more once they separate their way, and that's why Hachi wanted to make a clean break.
But Saika just kept coming back.
"I'm really happy that you feel that way." Saika smiled, "I want Hikigaya-san to know that I still want to be with Hikigaya-san no matter what."
How persistent.
As Saika thought about that, Hachi saw the image of Orimoto behind him.
Why did Hachi always fall for these types of dumbasses?
But, maybe, it was because it was love that Hachi always repeated the same thing again and again; expecting a different result every time.
Because that was just how both Hachiman and Hachi rolled.
Even if they tried to delude themselves, it was their kindness that made Hachiman and Hachi fall for Orimoto and Saika respectively.
If Saika were halfway as persistent as Orimoto, maybe Hachi would fall in love with him once again. Her feelings might even grow stronger than before.
And it scared her.
"I can't promise that." Hachi said, "My feelings might change ... No, they will change eventually. And we don't know how it would end up."
"That's fine. Whether it's as a lover, a friend, or even enemies. I'm very sure..." Saika said, "I will still be there, waiting for you. Because Hikigaya-san changed my world."
"You're an asshole, you know that?" Hachi sniffed.
Since when did Saika grow to be such a persistent jerk?
"I know I am disgustingly selfish." Saika cried, "But that's how I feel about you, Hikigaya-san. If you don't want to meet with me again then I will vanish forever. But, if Hikigaya-san is still willing to give me a chance, then please say it."
For the first time, Hachi could see a different Saika. And she was worried that she might fall for this Saika too. If that happened, Hachi wouldn't be sure she would able to hold back anymore.
The path to an unknown future was set, and Hachi would have to tread on it. She should realize that things don't always go according to plan.
And she knew that she would be hurt, sometimes by people she held dear. Because, that's what it means to be together with someone you love and care about.
"It's not like I can force you to stop badgering me." Hachi smiled subtly as she wiped at her tears, "It's for you to decide, Senpai."
If Hachi couldn't even stop Orimoto from doing the same, then what could she do about Saika?
"No. I will not bother you after this, but I promise I will wait." Saika closed his eyes, "Until next time, Hikigaya-san."
Hachi turned her back toward him and left with a small, barely audible. "Goodbye."
Saika walked out of Haneda to find his friends already waiting for him.
"So, how was it?"
Saika shook his head, "I think this might not be the end of it, but ... strangely I feel relieved. I feel disgusted with myself too."
Hayato looked at the sky somberly, "Perhaps it's better to say it aloud than leaving it hanging."
After all, Hayato always kept everything to himself. He was envious with Saika, who was always able to be honest with his own feelings.
He was truly jealous.
"So, what are you planning now, Sai-chan?" Yui asked.
Saika replied with a quiet, confident smile.
...
Five days later...
Ardor Tennis Stage was one of the most luxurious tennis clubs in Chiba. Its indoor court was clad in a rich blue instead of the more common green synthetic carpet. And every year, in the middle of August, an indoor tournament was held there.
That tournament would be the Aeon Top Gun, split between adults and an under 18 junior division.
The tournament wasn't quite as famous as Chiba's Junior Circuit, but even so it was still a grade 4 tournament. Meaning, it was a considerable step up in comparison to the Chiba Peanut Bowl.
And, once again, Saika stood on the podium receiving medals and the cup.
No one had expected that, even after his performance in the Peanut Bowl, that he would be able to win a higher level tournament in under two weeks.
"Seriously, who is that?"
"Totsuka Saika from Soubu High!"
"Are you kidding me? That's a public school, their tennis club is so pathetic they never have a chance in the Prefectural competition, let alone Interhigh!"
"But look at that, he won! And look, the girl's Chika Nakamachi from Kaihin High. She was the runner-up in the Peanut Bowl girl division. Are they dating?"
The crowd of the boys and girls looked on as Saika and Chika both posed with their cups side by side. Orimoto was excitedly taking pictures.
"Either way, Miura Yumiko apparently showed up and stomped the Junior Circuit so hard that many veterans collectively pissed themselves from shock. And Nakamachi also lost to an unknown rookie girl from Soubu."
"Soubu hides a lot of talented players, that's for sure. Maybe exam grades might not be the only thing they can boast about."
"I know right? Their soccer club has always been strong too."
As the crowds were busy talking, Saika, Chika, and Orimoto decided to leave.
"Are you sending the photo to Hikigaya and Miura?"
"Yeah," Saika said.
[To: Hikigaya-san and Miura-san]
This is Totsuka Saika.
Today I won my second tournament, the Aeon Top Gun, Ardor Tennis Center, Aeon Makuhari.
You might not have heard about it before, but I have resigned from my position as Club Captain and officially quit the Soubu Tennis Club. I think I'm hated now, but I have decided this is the only way for me to not be left behind.
Even as I write this letter, I and Chika-san still search for the best tennis club for us to join, so we can take tennis more seriously and improve ourselves as players.
Of course, that doesn't mean we're going to leave our academic studies behind. Nevertheless, we're trying our best here in Japan as well.
Hikigaya-san and Miura-san must have met a lot of strong opponents over there in France, I'm very sure. Hopefully, you can learn a lot of important lessons and grow even stronger and more skilled than before.
With excitement and anticipation I'll wait until the time we can play in the same court once again.
Your friend, Saika.
"That's what he said," Yumiko told Hachi.
"Man, he sure grew quite a backbone." Hachi smiled, "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
As Hachi dreamily thought about him, she shook her head in horrific realization and tried to forget it.
Between Paris, France and Chiba, Japan there was an eight hour time difference. When Saika had sent the e-mail to Yumiko at night the message had arrived just in time for lunch for them.
"Well, we shouldn't slack over here as well." Miura said.
"I know about that." Hachi put her racket back in her bag.
Hachi still didn't know where her future would lie. Nevertheless, she was enjoying herself. And that was good enough for now.
And that's how the story of Hikigaya Hachi's first semester in High school ended. Her high school girl debut had indeed gone wrong. As expected.
SEASON 1 END
* Gundam Seed DESTINY
** See chapter 8 for similar conversation