So I actually didn't dream that I was hallucinating, after all.
Len Tsukimori found himself face-to-face with the guy who he had always found his greatest rival.
In high school, for her… and, now.
"Ehh? Tsu-tsu-tsu… Tsuchiura-kun and Nami-san?"
Kahoko's widened eyes couldn't believe the sight.
I'm halfway across the world… and I still can meet with them?
She let go of Len's hand and ran over to Nami-san, hugging her.
Nami-san embraced Kahoko.
"It's been ages, hasn't it, Hino-san?"
"Hai! It's been far too long! There's so much to ask…"
"Hahaha, there's a lot for me to ask, too"
The embrace and talk between the two girls continued as the two guys eyed each other.
Tsuchiura Ryoutarou looked towards his nemisis, the ever-cold violin prodigy Tsukimori Len.
Even though it's been so long, to think it's exactly the same…
"Yo, Tsukimori"
He noticed Tsukimori stiffening instantly, and coughed to hide his laughter.
"How about the four of us get something together at Liege, allow the girls to catch up, and all that?"
Len glanced at the extremely happy Kahoko. He couldn't help but have a small smile on his face, seeing her overjoyed at being able to meet her friends again.
"Ne, ne, Len, can we? Can we? Please?"
He blinked and realised she was pleading with him. A perplexed expression spread across his face.
He turned towards Tsuchiura.
I still hate this feeling I get whenever he's nearby… knowing that he nearly took Kaho away from me…
"I guess that's alright with us. Did you and Nami-san have any place in mind for dinner?"
But for tonight, and for Kahoko… I'll ignore it.
Dinner was actually a pleasant experience. Although, along the way, the two girls had been completely arm-in-arm, yelling who knows what… and even though, between Tsukimori and me walking slowly side by side with pure and utter silence in the air except for random mutters…
I had to admit to myself.
She really has changed you, Tsukimori. By now we'd already have been at each others' necks.
"I hope you're treating Hino well –"
"I haven't been able to see her for years. Of course, now that she's here, of course I'm treating her well."
"There was no need for you to get that snappish, Tsukimori…"
"Snappish? Me?"
I couldn't help myself. I laughed.
That reaction… what a hilarious reaction…
Tsukimori hid the annoyance that was threatening to come over his face, and quickly excused himself from the table on the pretense of going to the mens' toilets.
Just as the whole table is getting attention, too…
He had planned to bring Kahoko to a little-known, beautiful restaurant in Liege. Not some fancy place that would be filled with people…
This is really annoying…
The two girls had never noticed that Tsukimori had left the table. They were still animatedly chatting about everything, Nami pulling out her notepad and scribbling frantically in it, Kahoko happily sharing details.
Although, when Tsuchiura stood up, both of them noticed.
"Ehh? Where did Len go?"
"Ahahaha… I'm not sure. I'll be back shortly, though"
"Take as much time as you want, Ryou – Hino-san and I have some serious catching up to do!"
"Hai hai, Nami…"
Tsukimori looked to his right and realised that Tsuchiura was also in the men's toilet.
"What's this, did they pressure you to join me?"
Tsuchiura laughed.
"Nothing like that, Tsukimori. The world never did revolve around you."
Tsukimori, who at the time was taking a leak, finished quickly.
"That's right. The world… never did revolve around me. Being like I was back at Seisou… I guess, maybe I got a bit too ahead of myself."
Tsuchiura paused as he stopped at the urinal next to Tsukimori's.
"A bit ahead of yourself probably isn't the right word… it was more like you had a ridiculous attitude because you thought you were better than anyone else."
"I AM better than anyone else… when it comes to…"
"To?"
"L-l-l… T-that is, when it comes to Kahoko"
There was a momentary pause as liquid could be heard trickling onto something.
"Oh, you mean love?"
Tsukimori turned a bright shade of pink that was still visible in the dim lighting of the toilet.
"Hahaha! The great Tsukimori can't bring himself to say the word? Geez…"
"What, so you've already used it with Nami-san?"
"Huh? Umm… Uhh…"
"Hah, I see I'm not the only one."
"Oy, at least I can say it, you know? You just stutter along, hoping someone catches your drift…"
"I guess you have a point."
"It's really weird for us to be talking like this. Back during school days, we pretty much hated each other."
"Yeah, definitely. I recall not being happy that you approached Kahoko first!"
"Well, at the time, you never even realised you liked her until I said that stuff!"
Silence filled the air between them.
"I guess so."
"We should probably get back… our two ladies will probably wonder what we're doing…"
"Fair enough. Should we both head back then?"
The two girls watched as their boyfriend headed out side by side.
"Something seems to have happened, hasn't it?"
"Mmm, it certainly seems that way"
They continued to stare even until both of their boyfriends had sat down.
"Did something happen while you two were gone?"
"Is it something worthwhile enough for me to put in an article?"
Ryou laughed instantly.
"I doubt that you should be even considering to bring that notepad of yours out. We just… settled our differences, I guess."
Kahoko looked from Len, to Tsuchiura-kun, and back at Len.
"Really? So you two don't hate each other so much anymore?"
Len shrugged.
"I guess you could say that"
"This calls for a celebration!"
Moments later, the food came out, and all four of them were eating away.
Author's Note: So, the 'mysterious person' turned out to be none other than Tsuchiura-kun! While of course there was some trouble at the beginning, it seems our Tsu-tsu duo have finally decided to no longer hate each other… isn't that just great?
But now supposedly is a celebration, and who knows what else there is in store for their fateful return – IS it fate? Have I been manipulating events far too much – or is it, something else?
Tune in for the next instalment!
Xx jazzzz-chan