Of course, she was certainly pretty enough to get noticed even without that factored in. Her fitted top and trousers were tight enough to show off a body that was clearly toned by regular exercise with just enough looseness to be comfortable. Topped off with a light jacket, she had the look of a trendy woman with a casual look. And with her short hair trimmed as it was, had a 'tomboyish' attraction.
Then again, she didn't exactly fit in perfectly. There was a look in her eyes, and a way that she held herself that spoke of a little more age and maturity than these girls. In the whispers spoken about her presence, many of them came with recognition from some of the older girls. But what really made it strange for some of the first year students was that this tough and cocky looking woman... had tears at the corners of her eyes.
"Back here again, huh?" Kagura happily murmured as she looked up at her old high school. It was a place of many memories, and she treasured them all. Truth be told, she rather thought that she'd had more excitement and fun in those three years than most other girls did in high school. If only she could simply go back to that time, she was certain that she could live solely in that time.
Then a breeze made her blink, and she was jolted out of her nostalgic mood. Amusement burbled out of her as she recognized how sappy she was getting, but didn't admonish herself for that. Those had been some fun times, and she really had enjoyed them. But there were good things about her life now, and there was no going back in any case.
In any case, she had things to do, and she was looking to go do them... especially since they would take her into the school building itself.
"Come on, Yukari," Minamo Kurosawa grumbled as she dropped into her own chair. "I've been asking you to fix that mess for years, and you still haven't done it."
Yukari Tanizaki leaned back from her desk almost enough to fold herself in half. "If I haven't done it so far, then why would I start now? Besides, I know where everything is."
"And taking anything out of there risks making the whole pile just fall down again."
"Good point, Nyamo. Can't get anything done, means that I don't have to do any extra work."
"Can't you have a little pride? You're a teacher. Set an example," muttered the short haired woman.
"I wouldn't worry about that...."
"Uhhh.... excuse me," put in a new voice. "Sorry to interrupt."
"Yeah, who is it?" Yukari asked, glancing over at the new arrival.
Nyamo was more excited as soon as she recognized the younger woman. "Kagura!"
"Yup, it's me, Coach," replied the graduate, running a hand through her own short hair. "Figured that I'd stop over and say 'hi'."
"It's been a while. How've you been?"
"Okay, I guess. Still working hard on my swimming."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Thank you. Although...."
"Yes?"
Kagura put her hand behind her head and laughed self consciously. "They keep on suggesting that I might be good as a teacher. You know, doing PE?"
"Really? You have any problem with the idea?"
"Not so much. In fact, I keep on wondering if I'd be good like you...."
"Oh, stop it," Nyamo responded, blushing a bit.
"What's all this about?" Yukari grumbled. "You get all flustered when someone just comes in and compliments you?"
"Why wouldn't I? And don't you recognize who this is?"
"That's important?"
"Hello? she's the girl who competed for the school in all those meets when she attended here," the physical education teacher snapped.
Yukari just shrugged.
"She helped your class get to win the sports fest in her second year...."
The brown haired woman just looked away.
"You really don't recognize her?" murmured Nyamo, as both she and Kagura stared in dull shock at the other woman.
"Ah heh heh," went Yukari.
"She was in your homeroom for two whole years! We even went to that summer home with her during both those breaks!"
"Hmmm. Yeah, she's Kagura. So?"
One corner of the dark haired woman's eye twitched.
"Gotcha there. You figure that I forgot, right. Had to show you."
"Is that right?" Miss Kurosawa growled under her breath.
Kagura looked between both teachers before shaking off the concern about the lack of recognition. "Actually, the summer home is why I'm here. Chiyo-chan said that we can use it again this year."
"Oh, is she back?"
"For a bit. Since American schools have a different schedule, she's got the chance to come back for a visit. Seems that she decided that she didn't want to attend summer classes, and decided on the trip."
"Is that so?"
"Guess you have all the time that you want when you're rich," Yukari muttered. "Does this mean that she's waiting for us to set ourselves up?"
"Actually, she's left time so that we can all go together...." the college student mumbled.
"That's nice of her," Nyamo commented, shooting a glare at her fellow teacher.
"It's working out pretty well, too. Sakaki's coming, and so are Tomo and Yomi. Osaka took a long time to answer, but if what I thought she meant was right, then she'll be joining us. And for some odd reason, Kaorin's about ready to race us there."
"It's funny though. I would have thought that you big college students would have other things to do," Yukari muttered, holding her chin in her palm.
"We still can. A week at the house still leaves us time to do plenty of other things."
"Guess that's right."
"Sounds like it's a good idea. Getting out to the beach and relaxing sounds pretty good," Nyamo put in.
"Not that getting away from the fact that you're still single doesn't hurt, now does it?"
"Grr.... What does that have to do with anything?!"
"Everything. You still have no luck with men, don't you, Nyamo?" the long haired woman purred.
"That's not true!"
"Well then, why don't you have a boyfriend? You're like these girls, even though you have had years more to try."
"Argh...."
"Actually...." Kagura trailed off.
"Huh?"
"I have a boyfriend," the athlete murmured, looking down at where she was touching the tips of her forefingers together. "We've been dating for a while."
"Really?" Yukari asked, pushing down on Nyamo's head as she leaned forward.
"Yeah...."
"Is he another sports star?"
"Uhh... no. To tell the truth, he's more of a book guy than me. But he's real patient, and seems to really enjoy how athletic I am. He even studies at the practices so that he can be with me."
"Guess someone gets to be more 'lovey dovey' than you do, huh, Nyamo?"
"Shut up," snapped the gym teacher, while:
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(Posted Wed, 07 May 2008 04:09)
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