The Love Letter Lovelies

by Glee-chan

14.

That Sunday Sora took Shiho on her first official date with another girl. After her treatment on their first meeting, Sora had decided to take things way slower this time around, so the date was a typical first date. They went to a questionable Kunoichi movie, then had a lunch afterwards. The most action Shiho got was some hand holding, a lot of arm locks, and flirtatious stares. The date overall was genuinely fun and she felt that perhaps her idea wasn't such a bad one.

That Monday morning, she was feeling in a great mood. The only time she thought of Makoto was when she forced herself to now. Since Kaede's declaration of love it seemed that that chapter of her life was over. She'd never be with Makoto. But there was another reasons… her mind was starting to be filled with Sora. She wondered if this was a wise thing. In the back of her mind she remembered being treated like garbage so she wanted to keep her guard up. But at the same time she wanted it to work. She hoped the made it past three dates and that Sora might actually like her for a real girlfriend.

When she arrived in homeroom, a cold dose of reality suddenly splashed her square in the face. Kaede and Makoto were back in school, and it dawned to Shiho for the first time that she had to tell Kaede that she was dating her ex. Dread filled her. Not wanting it to be like how she was in Middle School she thought she'd just get it over with. Walking over to Kaede's desk she placed her hands on her hips.

"Hey, Ozawa-san… I want to tell you something in private."

Kaede pulled her eyes from Makoto, and took the cool smug face she always wore. "Fine."

She led the kendo-girl out of Class 1-3 and took her to the girls toilet. After checking to see if they were alone, Shiho took a deep breath and steadied herself. Even with her stone face, Kaede was starting to look curious.

"I wanted to tell you… that I've been seeing Sora-chan."

Kaede's eyes widen. "Sora Ito?"

"That's her. We gone out, and I've been her her house a few times. If things work out we might become a couple. I just wanted you to know since you used to date her."

There was dead silence for the longest time. Kaede was staring a hole into her. Then after a long while she finally spoke. "Why her? Are you trying to get back at me?"

"It has nothing to do with you Ozawa. We met by chance and we hit it off is all."

The kendo-girl studied her some more. It really did feel like she was probing her mind. "Inoue-san, I believe you. But… you should know something about that girl-"

"I know she's got a dangerous side." Shiho interrupted.

"It's not just that." Kaede kept on it. "She's got a darkside. We might not be friends, but I wouldn't want to see you get hurt by her. I don't want it to appear I'm boosting my own ego, but she may be using you to get to me."

"I know that." Shiho glared at her. "Believe me, I know all about that."

"What did she do to you?" Kaede's eyes flinched.

"I dealt with it." Shiho placed a hand on Kaede's shoulder. "I know what I'm doing."

Kaede shook her head. "Inoue-san… I would like nothing but for you to find happiness… but that girl does things…. I'm concerned."

Feeling moved Shiho gave Kaede a smile. "Thanks. But… I need to do this. I want to get over Mako-chan, and Sora-chan is helping. I really like her. I'm scared, sure, but she's doing her best to be gentle. I want to give her a chance."

"I don't like it, but I'll support you." Kaede looked frustrated. "If she… if she does something to you, you can come to me. Feel no shame in that."

"Okay." Shiho felt weird. The way Kaede was acting scared her even more than Sora did. "Let's get back to homeroom before Mako-chan freaks out."

When they left the toilet and entered the homeroom, they saw Hayashi-sensei scolding Makoto for something. Inwardly Shiho was sad she missed whatever it was she did this time. But on seeing them enter the class late, they both received scoldings of their own. Once Kaede said they had women problems, that shut him up. It took everything for Shiho not to laugh at that.

"Anyway, as of today school clubs are officially opening." Hayashi-sensei announced after roll call. Traditionally the school likes the spend this week for trail runs for new members, allowing students to try different clubs before picking them out. So I'd advise all of you to take your time and look into that."

There was a stir of excitement at that news, though Shiho personally didn't feel it. She didn't have a particular interest that required a club activity. She wasn't good at art or music, although she was decent in sports she didn't find the whole jock mentality appealing, and she wasn't into drama or book reading. So she felt that her club would more than likely be the Go-Home Club.

At lunch, the Love Letter Lovelies all ate together again. It was clear that news of the clubs had sparked everyone's excitement and they were wanting to talk about it. Yui seemed to be interested in a cooking club, while Maria seemed to be spacey, still in her funk. Makoto didn't noticed.

"We should join the Kendo Club." Kaede firmly said after Yui talked about maybe looking into the tea ceremony club.

"No way, that's too much for me." Yui shook her head.

Makoto laughed. "Kaede-chan has been excited about the Kendo Club since school started. Haven't you?"

"Kendo is fun." Kaede said as if saying so meant it was true.

"I don't know about that." Maria shook her head. "I'd rather look into the Drama Club…"

"Kendo." Kaede repeated.

Laughing Makoto waved her hands at them. "Don't let her talk you into something you don't want to do."

"What do you think, Inoue-san?' Maria asked. "Interested in Kendo?"

"Not really."

Standing up Kaede placed her hand on Shiho shoulder. "You're the best person of the Lovelies to join."

"Why me?"

"You're quite spirited." Kaede nodded.

Makoto looked from one girl to the other. "I'm joining just because… well, it's the one thing she's asked me to do. But you don't have to Shiho-chan."

"You should join." Kaede repeated. "Kendo is fun."

Shiho raised her eyebrows and accepted defeat. "Okay, okay. I'll try it out. If I suck, you'll drop it, right?"

Not liking the idea of spending more time with the happy couple, Shiho groaned when classes ended. Kaede all but pushed them out the class and dragged both of them by hand to the Kendo Club room. Even though she disliked Kaede, seeing her excited about something was actually cute. She wondered if this was a side of herself that Makoto got to see.

When they arrived, there were a number of boys interested, and one other girl. The established Kendo Club members were already wearing traditional uniforms. The Kendo Captain was already wearing the protective armor one wears during sparing, and was holding a shinai over his shoulder. He had a cocky intimidating look about him that Shiho didn't like.

"This year we're only accepting experienced members. No newbies." The Captain said. Inwardly Shiho felt relief. "Last year the new students slowed us down and our team was a made a laughing stock in competitions."

"That's not fair!" A boy complained. "There's nothing in the school rules that says you have to be experienced in the club activity before you join it.

"Besides, how can we get experience if we don't join?"

"There are Kendo Clubs in Middle School. There are plenty of Kendo Schools. We're only accepting people from there."

Shiho leaned over to Makoto. "Guess that leaves us out. Let's get out of here."

"You there!" The Captain pointed at Shiho. "No one said you could speak."

"I'm not part of your club so I don't have to listen to your dumb speech." Shiho stuck her nose up at him.

"What did you say?!" The captain shouted. "When you're in my club room, you obey my rules, even if you're in the club or not."

"That's stupid. Go eat a dick, I'm out of here." Shiho started to leave. When she turned around she heard a loud crack sound just above her head. She jumped and turned around to see Kaede's shinai blocking in oncoming strike from the Captain.

"What? Where you try to hit me from behind, you prick?!" Shiho sunk her foot into his groin.

He hopped back bouncing back and forth, swearing. "You're lucky I'm wearing a cup, you bit-"

But he didn't finish what he was saying. Kaede jumped forward and within two moves, the Captain's shinai came sailing out of his hands. In a few more strikes he was on the ground rubbing the various body parts.

"Get up." Kaede spoke in an icy voice.

He didn't need her to tell him twice. He was up on his feet, clutching a new shinai that one of the team members gave him. "Put some pads on, I want to have a serious fight."

"I'll fight like this." Kaede narrowed her eyes.

"Your funeral." The Captain smirked, placing on a helmet. "We go until one of us falls over or submits, got it." Kaede nodded. "Then let's go!"

The fight didn't last long. The captain was on the ground within moments, begging for Kaede to stop swinging at him. Everyone in the room, including Shiho looked at the girl impressed. Kaede maintained that cold look on her face that she had even when performing mundane tasks. As she turned to leave the other club members tried to stop her and wanted her to reconsider joining.

"Kendo isn't about posturing, or winning tournaments. It's about improving one's self, sharpening your ability, cleansing your senses, and living a healthy life. I can not abide how this Club treats new members. Especially the ill treatment the captain showed to my friend. Therefore I will not join." Kaede told them, as she balanced the shinai over her shoulder. "Kendo is supposed to be fun… not like this."

"Get out of here!" The Captain shouted pathetically.

Shiho picked up a book that was by the door and threw it at him. "Shut it, loser. C'mon Ozawa."

As they left the room, a number of interested members left with them. Kaede looked unfazed by their stares as they separated from the group. Once they reached the shoe lockers she turned to Makoto and Shiho.

"I apologize for taking to such a place. Kendo's not supposed to be like that."

"It's okay," Makoto was gazing on Kaede like she was Buddha reborn. "I just wanted to be with you anyway, so…"

"You're not hurt are you Inoue-san?" Kaede asked.

"He didn't hit me." Shiho felt sheepish now.

"I can't believe that jerk tried to hit an unarmed girl… with glasses… while her back was turned." Makoto fumed. "Where does he get off thinking that's okay?"

"I'm really sad now." Kaede sighed. While she said she looked sad, her face was as blank as her other faceless expressions. "I really wanted to join the Kendo Club."

"You always have the Lesbian Club." Shiho shrugged.

"Don't call us that."

When they separated, Shiho watched as Makoto and Kaede walked off together. Makoto looked like she was just waiting for them to be alone so she could admire Kaede privately. Instead of feeling sick to her stomach, she actually felt a smile raise to her lips. Maybe Kaede wasn't that bad.

As she prepared to leave, Shiho checked her phone. There was one message that went to voice mail… it was from Sora. Feeling her heart perk up a bit she listened to the message. Sora's voice came in a sing-songy voice. "Shi-ho-tan… I wish I could see you to-day."

Smiling she raised her phone and took a picture of herself, then sent it to Sora with the message: "Is this good enough for now?"

Returning to her departure, she exited the school building. She got only a few steps from the school when she got another message from Sora, this time it was a text. Looking down on her phone she read. "It'll have to do. Is it alright if we meet up tomorrow?"

"You miss me that much?" Shiho teased.

"Am I being too eager?"

"No, I want to see you too." Shiho admitted. "I'm just trying to play it cool."

"You're so far away from where I'm at. Could we meet somewhere in the middle?"

"Where do you have in mind?"

"I don't know." There was a long time in between that text and Sora's next one. "I saw a public park that was heading in the direction of your school, how's that?"

"I've seen it before… but since it's public, we won't really be alone."

"I don't care. I just want to see you. We'll figure something out later."

"Okay." Shiho smiled as she texted. "Does this count as a date?"

"We'll see." Sora texted a kissing smiling face. "I'll talk to you later."

She was about to place her phone back into her pocket when she received another message. It was another message from Sora, only this time it was an image file. Opening it was a self taken picture of Sora sitting on her bed and smiling. She was holding up a hand written sign that read "I can't wait to see you."

Shiho's felt her body get light. She was starting to fall for that girl. Despite everything: the almost molestation, Kaede's warnings…. Shiho didn't care. She knew in her heart now that she liked her.