CHAPTER 2: BAD DAY

"Kaichou…he already confessed…" she muttered softly, a guilty look forming in her face. He knew it would happen. And he knew it would hurt. He just didn't how much. And he wasn't prepared.

"What…Did you say?" he asked tentatively. He must've misunderstood. He must.

"He…Wataya-kun…he already confessed to Chihaya-chan…" Kana-chan completed, looking at him sadly. He felt his face stiffen as he digested her words.

So that was the reason for the blushes… the frequent calls… the decision to study in Tokyo. Everything was according to plan…Arata's plan. He thought darkly.

"When did he…?" he asked, though he felt a lump in his throat making him unable to complete the question. Kana-chan understood his struggle so she continued to explain.

"When he lost to Harada-sensei last year. Chihaya was cheering him up. And suddenly he just said that he's inlove with her! And that he's going to Tokyo for college!" She finally said.

It was during the first ever Challenger match that Arata had to play against Harada-sensei. Chihaya was nowhere to be found during the awarding, and she started spacing out afterwards. He can't believe how dense he was not to have noticed anything peculiar.

"I¬" Mashima started, not knowing what to say. Anger was welling up inside of him and though he wanted to scream, it was very much out of his character. He felt betrayed.

"Prez…" Kana-chan started as she reached out her hand towards his shoulder. It's as if time had stopped, and every memory was rewinding to the first time he met Chihaya and Arata, the moments they both shared, their journey towards the world of Karuta, and his ever growing attraction to his childhood friend…who may never know how he feels.

"Why…do you say this only now? It's been more than a year since that happened! What else have they been hiding from me?!" He asked Kana-chan accusingly without looking at the short girl. He didn't really want to blame Kanade, he knew it wasn't her fault, but he's not in the mood to censor his feelings.

"Chihaya was asking me a few days ago for gift suggestions. I knew it would've been for Wataya-kun. She wanted to tell him how important he is to her on his birthday so she wanted the gift to be special. I told her to ask you instead, I thought she'd tell you about it!" she answered back, almost in tears.

"Well she didn't. So… they're dating behind my back… is that it?" He said, as he smiled bitterly at the thought. He stood up abruptly startling the short girl.

"Sorry Kana-chan…and thank you. I'll….just go back to my class. See you later." Mashima solemnly said, as he went towards the direction of their classroom. It was still 30 minutes early for their class, so instead of going to their room, he went towards the direction of the rooftop. He wanted to clear his mind.

Arata confessed to Chihaya… Did Chihaya…answer him back? He thought to himself. He suddenly felt a sense of panic and depression. He was just a few flights away from the rooftop when he heard Chihaya calling out to him.

"Taichi! Taichi!" Chihaya hollered as she ran towards him. He stiffened upon seeing her, not quite sure how to react after what he had learnt. The chestnut-haired girl stopped to catch her breath before facing him.

"Why weren't you answering? You were walking like a zombie¬"

"What do you want?" Taichi interrupted. He was not in the mood for a light chat especially from the woman who just caused his headache. Chihaya was surprised at her friend's reaction that it took her a second or two to reply. She went up the stairs to get closer.

"Uh. Uhmm. Well, I just remembered, please play me first later, I want to try the placement Harada-sensei gave me yesterday." She said enthusiastically. She knows he wouldn't say no anyway, so he just continued walking towards the rooftop.

"Wa¬ Wait, Taichi¬ Ack¬!" she squealed as she missed a step, causing her to fall sideways.

"Chihaya!" Taichi shouted as he went to his friend's side. He grabbed-embraced her waist and hauled her up to sit on the staircase.

"Awww…" She whined as she touched her ankle.

"You idiot! Look where you're going! Do you want to end up in hospital again?" Taichi scolded as he gently massaged her ankle.

"So…sorry. Aww!" she whimpered, her skirt riding dangerously upwards. Taichi looked at her worriedly and sat in front of her, motioning her to get on his back.

"We'll go to the clinic. I'll piggyback you." He said, looking back at her, his stance ready.

"No, no I'm fine! I'm okay."

"You klutz, come on! It might get worse."

"I said I'm fine. Just help me up will you?" she said impatiently, not wanting to go to the clinic for another clumsy injury. Taichi sighed.

"Idiot. Can you walk?" he asked, as he hauled Chihaya up by embracing her. He realized too late that they were dangerously close with his arms still enclosed on her. He gazed at her steadily, noticing her beautiful reddish-brown eyes and long lashes. Her skin was flawlessly white, and even without make-up she'll give any female celebrity a run for their money. He was drawn to her, like a bee towards a flower.

Chihaya on the other hand was just staring up at him, surprised as he continued to gaze deep in her eyes. She couldn't count the numerous times Taichi held her close, but this was one of the rare moments they're both aware of it. The only other time she sees him gazing like a laser beam was during a match. His expression was unfathomable on his handsome face, and though it felt kind of creepy, she was somehow drawn in the depth of his amber eyes. She couldn't help but admit that he was really attractive. Chihaya blushed at that thought.

"Na…nani? Doushite Taichi?" she asked as she broke his gaze and stared at his chest, her blush evident on her face.

"You're heavy." He said nonchalantly as he slowly removed his arms. Chihaya felt her weight and she was about to reach for the wall when she felt Taichi's arms supporting her back.

"Hold onto me if you insist on walking." He said as he snaked his arm behind her back with his hand firmly placed on her waist.

"Uhm." She nodded, still feeling the heat in her face.

It's just Taichi, Chihaya. She said to herself as they climbed down the stairs together.

Dame. I shouldn't feel this way about Taichi. He's my best friend! And that would be soooooooo awkward. She thought, as they made their way towards their classroom. Some students were looking at them now. She felt embarrassed leaning onto Taichi so she tried walking on her own, causing a painful jolt in her ankle.

"Ack¬!" she yelped as Taichi drew her in again to support her weight.

"Baka. Stop pushing yourself." He said sternly. He bent down on his knees and swept her up in a piggyback causing the students who were passing by to squeal in delight.

"Taichi! Put me down! This is embarrassing!" she cried as she pounded on his back. Taichi was half running, half walking towards the hallway.

"Stop thrashing around! We're not gonna make it to class if we're this slow!" he countered crossly. Students were piling in in groups now, and while some gave them weird looks, most of the female population gazed at them in either awe or jealousy.

"Whoa… Mashima-senpai is sooo sweet!" a girl said.

"They look good together! Are they dating?" another girl said.

Eh?! Chihaya gaped as she blushed harder at their insights. It's a good thing that Taichi was athletic. He was able to rush to her room in just a few minutes. He dropped her in her seat, explained Chihaya's injury to Komano and her friend and left her with a glare.

The bell signalling the start of classes rang loudly in the hallway, it was a good thing that he was able to drop Chihaya off her class before running towards his.

"Taichi…you're a coward." Arata's words when they were children rang in his ears. He wanted her all to himself. But he was afraid. He didn't want to ruin their friendship. He didn't want her to be awkward around him just because of his selfishness. He believes that now is not the right time, especially when she's dead set on coveting the Queen title. He wouldn't want to get in her way, but he knows, deep down, that he needed to tell her… especially when Arata had already set things in motion.

I must tell her… but when… is the best time? Taichi thought to himself. The thought plagued his mind even as he went from school that day.

"Drop Toudai." His mother said as they ate dinner that night. They were the only ones eating dinner as his sister was still in school for her club activities, and his dad had been overseas for a month now. Taichi looked at her in surprise.

"What?" He asked. For all he know, there was no university that would par with Toudai in his mother's list. It was the best university in Japan, and though acing the exams would require really hard work because his time is still divided between studying and Karuta, he knew that he could pass it in a heartbeat.

"Drop your application to Toudai. We're not staying in Japan anymore." She said without gazing at him.

No... There were schools far better than Toudai. But they weren't in Japan. He thought as his heart sank.

"Why?!" He demanded, mixed emotions welling up inside of him.

"Because I've been offered a position in our London firm. They will also be shouldering everything, from the lodging to you and Rika's educational fees. It's a good opportunity." She said calmly as she cut the steak on her plate.

He suddenly lost his appetite. What a day. Arata confessing to Chihaya. And now this. This day couldn't get any better, could it? It took him a while before he got to ask,

"How long…will we be staying there?" He asked silently, dreading the worst.

"Until you graduate in med school of course. But you can visit Japan during summer if you want, though I hope you'd use that time to work so you can get accustomed to living there. " she replied.

Only in summer… I'd really need to give up on Karuta…then. He thought depressingly.

He still wanted to give the Meijin match a try. He wasn't concerned about it before, but the encouragements by Harada-sensei and his friends convinced him that he was up for it. He hasn't defeated Arata yet, not even once. And defeating him after their last match burned his desire to go at it again though he knew it wouldn't be that easy. He still wants to see his teammates advancing in their ranks. He wanted Mizusawa Karuta Club to continue on their legacy even when they have graduated from High-School.

And Chihaya… he wanted to defeat her in an official match at least once. He wanted to tell her everything… to tell her off when she's pushing too hard, to encourage her, to go with her anywhere her whim takes them… to tell her that he loves her all this time… even if he's not who she wants. Give up on Karuta… and possibly his only chance to fight for Chihaya. Even the thought of it never crossed his mind. He wanted to cry at that point.

"What about dad?" he asked again after digesting her mother's reply.

"Well he travels a lot anyway so it wouldn't matter where we are, he can always be with us." She said a matter-of-factly. Sensing the predicament that his son is going through, she put a hand on his arm.

"Taichi. I know it's gonna be hard for you, but this is the best opportunity there is. You'll be happy with it, you'll see." She gazed upon her son, knowing that even if it was the best for him, his son would have to leave everything for that choice. It's no secret that she hated Taichi for devoting most of his time to Karuta, but she felt it was time for him to get serious about his future.

Taichi was left without words. After all, what could he possibly say? His mom had always been the one to pull the strings. True, he always had what he wanted, more than what was allowed even, but his long-term decisions where always, ALWAYS made by this woman. He had always abhorred her for it. But this…

"You never even asked me about it. How can you possibly say that this is the best for me?!" he snapped. He stood up from his chair, dinner unfinished and went straight to his room leaving his gaping mother behind. He didn't usually react like this, even if there were moments that he felt that she was unreasonable. His emotions were getting the best of him, and he wanted to just let it out for once.

I don't want to… I don't want to! He thought angrily as he punched his wall. The impact made blood marks on his left hand. And though it was hurting badly, no pain could compare to his misery.

He dropped like a rock in his bed and stared at the ceiling while musing on the possibilities.

Surely I can persuade her to me study here? He thought desperately.

There was no way he'd go to London. His mother may throw a fit, but he's not gonna let all of his hard work be put to waste. Chihaya was the reason why he got involved in Karuta, but his motives in advancing in the sport is different from then than it was now. He wanted to be his own person, as Sumire had once retorted to his mother, and she couldn't be anymore wrong. He was good in every sport, but Karuta was the only sport that had offered him so much space for improvement, so much discoveries, so much fun…

As he laid unmoving in his bed, his phone broke through the silence in the room.

"Hello?" he answered on the third ring.

"Taichi." Said the deep voice of the last person he ever wanted to talk to that night.

"What is it Arata?" he grumbled.

"A… Ano… next week, I'll be celebrating my birthday. I don't usually hold a party for this but this'll be the last time I'll be spending my Birthday in Fukui so they wanted to celebrate it. So… will you and Chihaya come?" he asked happily, not knowing the turmoil that his friend is going through. This would probably be the last birthday he'll celebrate with Taichi in attendance, and though he hated him for sneaking up to Chihaya, he was still his good friend.

"Of course." He said curtly, wanting to just finish their conversation.

"And Taichi…"

"Nani?" he replied irritably.

"I…I know it's awkward, but… I want you to know that I love Chihaya," he said. He already knew that, he wanted to retort, but he felt numb. Hearing it from was far more painful than Kanade telling him of it.

"And I… I want to date her, Taichi." Arata reluctantly added. And though he can't see him, he knew that he was blushing on the other line. If only his friend had fallen for another girl besides Chihaya, he would probably be very happy. But now, he only wishes that he was talking to him in person so he could sock his face.

"What does it have to do with me?" he retorted coldly, badly wanting to drop the call.

"I know it would be more appropriate to tell you this in person, you're her closest friend apart from me. I plan to ask her out next week. I didn't want to keep you in the dark." He replied back silently. He must've felt the tension in Taichi's voice, hence the volume. Taichi fumed at that.

So much for a friend who confessed to their girl behind his back.

"You just did, asshole. Why didn't you tell me you confessed to her last year? Was that how you wanted to keep me in the loop?!" he shouted angrily.

"Taichi¬ Wait, I know I should've told you that, but I never got a reply from her and… I didn't think that you'd care," he replied apologetically. Taichi knew that there was nothing wrong with Arata confessing his feelings to Chihaya. But them keeping him in the dark was like a punch in the gut. He'd been an idiot waiting for the best opportunity to confess to Chihaya…not knowing that that opportunity may never come.

"Look, man, sorry. Now is not really a good time for me. We'll… we'll come next week." He lamely excused, wanting to kick himself for promising that HE'D go, after his rival in love just told him he'll be dating the girl of his dreams. He didn't want to wait for him to reply but he waited for it anyway.

" ?"

Drop it already, please. He retorted exasperatedly in his mind.

"Yea?"

"I love her, and I'd fight for her, even if it means fighting against you." Arata said, in a serious tone.

"What¬"

"I'm not blind Taichi. I know you're inlove with her too. And I don't know why you still haven't told her yet but even then, I'm not gonna wait until she finally senses it. She loves us both, she just doesn't know it." He said straightforwardly.

"You bastard¬!" Taichi retorted. Where the hell is confidence coming from? He wondered heatedly. If he wanted to sock his face earlier, now he wanted to really total him. Arata wasn't finished though.

"Taichi… I'm... sorry. I don't want to pick a fight with you, I promise. I just wanted to make everything clear between the three of us. I want to let her know. She should know your feelings too. And…If ever she chooses to be with you… it would definitely hurt me but, I'll respect her decision." He said as he breathed deeply.

"But until then I'm not giving up. So… I just wanted you to know that. I'll see you guys next week." And with that, the line went dead.

A/N: I'm reeeeeally sorry if it took me years to write this one. I just figured I wanted a little fluff between our main couple to balance the angst. The 8-year arc will be in a few chapters or so, I just wanted to set the tone firmly because I'm not really good in writing flashbacks. So! Next up: the Reveal *grins evilly* and some smoochies! *winkswinks* though my heart would probably bleed for Taichi for a while. Taichi, gomen ne T_T. Please review! Thanks! ^^