For the past week life, as she knew it, had ceased to have meaning. A gross exaggeration I'm sure, but, for the girl in question, it was actually more of an understatement. How else was she supposed to feel when the object of her undying affection had taken ill and had to miss school because of it? She'd had to endure a whole week without being able to stare wistfully at her face. A whole week people!
Even worse, that creep Kimura had tried to capitalize on their "time alone". By that, I mean he'd gone out of his way to try consoling her in her time of crisis. Three guesses how well that'd gone over. An uncontrollable shudder passed through her at the thought of it. Brrr!
But all of that was behind her. The day before, she'd heard the most joyous news to grace her ears: Sakaki was returning to school. Why, one could almost imagine the clouds parting as rays of sun beamed down on her and an angelic chorus of, "Hallelujah!" resounded from the Heavens. To hell with cloud nine, Kaorin was doing the Hammer shuffle on number a hundred and fifteen! Simply put, she was on top of the world.
She'd gotten up extra early and washed. Nevermind that she'd already taken a bath the night before. This was Sakaki, 'cuse me, Ms. Sakaki, we were talking about. The girl of her dreams, the pinnacle of strength and athleticism. Yet, somehow, she managed to retain her femininity. "Cool wasn't the word, she was awesome"!
It was no wonder all the clubs wanted her. Heck, all the guys too, for that matter. And so did she. If only she could work up the nerve to approach her say what she'd been meaning to all this time, without becoming a stuttering idiot. Feeling a blush come over her, she secretly vowed to put her best foot forward (instead of in her mouth) and try dying. I mean, die trying... or something like that.
Kaorin's mother smiled to herself as she saw her off, noticing the extra spring in her daughter's step that morning. She'd been so moody lately. It was good to see her back to her chipper self. Actually, if anything, she seemed to be in an even better mood than usual! Which could only mean one thing....
With an almost Kasumi-like smile she concluded, "Must be a boy."
In another part of Tokyo, albeit not very far, her daughter's secret crush was also getting ready for school. Only it wasn't with the same elation. Sakaki found she had mixed emotions. On the one hand, she was glad to be going back. She missed being with her friends, especially Chiyo-chan. Despite the difference in age, she was the one Sakaki felt closest to. She was what Sakaki wished she could be: cute. Not cool, not tough, or beautiful. Just cute.
Just once in her life, she wished someone would call her that. She wanted to be cute like Chiyo. Cute like Osaka, or maybe Kaorin. But how could she when neither her height or her body allowed for it? Especially now that...
Sakaki glimpsed herself in the mirror, secretly hating the way she looked. Sexy. Though there was nothing even remotely provocative about the way she was dressed, she couldn't help feeling like some dirty old man's fantasy come to life. It was the way her figure filled it out her uniform.
In all honesty, her look really hadn't changed all that much. It's just that her finer points were made finer. Her breasts were firmer, her hips were wider, her legs in particular were shapely and toned, putting many stewardesses to shame. And, yes, much to her chagrin, even her butt was more clearly defined beneath her clothes. The last one being due, in part, to the presence of her tail. Sakaki had cut a hole in the back of her fuku (and the rest of her clothes) to allow it to swing freely.
But none of that, or even the Tamers she knew would be waiting for her, was the cause of her uneasiness. It was Yomi. Sakaki was sure she'd been the one who had covered her last night, meaning she'd been in her room. She'd seen it. Since she'd gone home, it was all Sakaki could think about. The thing of it was, she wasn't angry. She was hurt... and afraid.
Sakaki could only wonder what Yomi's reaction had been like. She could see practically see the look on her face as she looked at all the dolls and plushies around her room. Had she been surprised, or did she laugh? Worse, what if she told everyone?
She braced herself against the wall, her other hand cupped over her mouth. Oh God, no.... Suddenly, she didn't feel like going anywhere, least of all school. But what choice did she have? Unless she did, she'd be left with the fear of being discovered. Again. It was only a matter of time.
Better to face it now, than worry about it later.
Too bad she didn't feel as strong as her resolve. She was actually half tempted to stay home. However, her numerous bouts with Kamineko reminded her she wasn't the type to run, even when she wanted to. Sakaki grabbed her schoolbag.
She had to see Yomi.
To look at him, you'd swear he'd woken up from a nap when, in fact, he was recovering from battle. For anyone familiar with the NWC, Ryoga Hibiki in particular, it was to be expected. The boy was nothing if not resilient as evidenced by his remarkable recovery since yesterday. Hell, if it weren't for trademark infringement issues, they'd call him "the Rock".
Yesterday's match up seemed a distant memory, as if it had never happened. But Ryoga's concern was for the girl rather than himself. So far, he still didn't have a name to go with her face, not that he'd had the chance to ask. Everything had happened so fast. First he'd had no Pokegirl, then he'd run into Yomi and those other two girls. She'd said something to the effect of fixing him up and off they'd gone. Then, when they got there... Oh man. Definitely not the world's best start or they way he'd envisioned his first match.
Well, it didn't matter. Today, at noon, they were releasing him. Funny how that made it sound like he was getting out of prison. Then again, it might as well be. They'd taken his clothes (to launder them) and given him one of those god-awful gowns. You know, with the open back? Ryoga hated those, they made him self conscious. The only barrier between him and the breeze were his boxers. They'd even taken his bandana. He'd been assured they'd return his clothes before he was discharged.
Since then, he'd been voluntarily bedridden. There was no way he was letting anyone see him like that. You never knew who was watching.
Ryoga's visage turned grim as he remembered he still hadn't solved his Pokegirl problem. While it was tempting to think of asking the girl to join him, he just couldn't see it happening. I mean, let's face it, girls like her could have their pick. There was no way she'd settle for a guy like him. She was out of his league, by light years! He was sure that Yomi had meant well, but....
And so, it was back to square one. Still a Tamer. Still no Pokegirl, yadda, yadda, yadda. But he wasn't a bad sport. At the very least, he supposed he should thank Yomi for trying and that other girl for bailing him out yesterday. And then... and then what...?
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(Posted Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:02)
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