Forward

Chisato stood next to the student council room door, an arm crossed around her stomach, elbow on top of it, and a thumb under her chin. She stared at the floor in front of her, as if it was the most wonderful thing in the world, after her girlfriend, of course.

The words she heard as she passed by the Faculty Room rang inside her head.

“Sensei, I heard there was a Harvard Law School offer for Inoue-san? Isn’t that amazing?”

“I haven’t told her yet, I think she’ll be happy.”

Chisato continued staring at the floor, contemplating what she just heard. There weren’t many Inoue’s in their school that was considering Law. There was one from the third year, but that’s a guy, and maybe he won’t want to go overseas.

“Takina going overseas…” Chisato furrowed her eyebrows as she leered her eyes. “…If I only have that possible scholarship with Tokyo University, how much money do I need to be able to go to Harvard?”

Chisato shook her head, pinching her temples with a hand, another one on her waist, as if dancing a Michael Jackson song.

“That’s assuming I could get into Harvard… Maybe I should worry about that first, instead of the money…”

“…to.”

“Mm~~~ But I don’t want to be apart from her…”

“…sato! Chisato!”

“Gwaghhhg! Takina!” Chisato shook her head left and right as she jumped back, knocking her butt on the wall behind her. “When did you get there?”

“I’ve finished talking to our teacher in the faculty, so I was walking here, and saw that you haven’t went inside.” Takina stared at her, deadpan with judgement. “…Did you forget the key?”

“…No?” Chisato fished the key from her pocket and unlocked the door.

Takina only raised an eyebrow. “You also looked like you were either thinking about something, or dancing.”

“Which did you think it was?” Chisato opened the door and let Takina in first.

“Stupidity.” Takina immediately answered as she walked towards her usual chair on the end of the room.

“Hey! I was practicing my new moves!” Chisato pretended to have been hit by an arrow to the chest as Takina giggled. “Takina.”

“Yes?” Takina immediately started sorting out the papers in front of her, not even looking at her direction.

“Say it! Just say it Chisato! Ask her what they talked about in the faculty!” Chisato sat on her usual chair by the doors and hallway. “…When are you coming to one of my meets? I think we have one practice match this Friday?”

“Ah. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I haven’t been to one yet since we became second years.” Takina placed the pen in her hand to the side of her cheek. “But if it’s this Friday, I might not be able to. One of the teachers asked for help.”

“That’s fine. It’s just a practice match anyway.” Chisato grinned at her. “Good luck.”

“Thank you.”

~*

“Chisato! You’re lagging!” Although Mika-sensei was like an adoptive father to Chisato. He was relentless when it came to the track and field training, but he’s really kind and gentle, too. “You can do better than that!” He swung his cane up in the air as he stared at the timer in his hands.

Chisato concentrated on her sprint as she accelerated, but was still a few steps behind a fellow second year student, the one from the disciplinary committee, Harukawa Fuki.

“You okay? Haven’t seen you lose that badly in a while. Growing old?” Fuki teased as she grabbed a bottle of water and tossed it to Chisato who only caught the bottle swiftly without saying anything.

Chisato stared at the floor in front of her as she slowly sipped from the bottle of water.

“Chisato!” Fuki raised her voice startling the girl next to her.

“Whoa! What?!” Chisato blinked before glaring at her. “Why are you shouting at me!?”

“That’s more like it.” Fuki raised an eyebrow, giving her a teasing grin.

“Whatchu mean, huh, you runt!?” Chisato sized her up as Fuki did the same.

“At least I ain’t an old hag!”

“We’re just one day apart!”

“Now, now, you two.” Mika walked on his cane towards them. “Good match today. It was odd to see you end up second against Fuki today, Chisato.”

“Ugh…” Chisato only looked at the floor in defeat. “T’was just a bad day…”

“Are you going to be on a good day for tomorrow’s practice match?” Mika asked, worried.

“Yeah!” Chisato gave him a peace sign. “I’ll go now, I have Student Council Duties. Thanks for today!” She bowed and immediately ran for the locker room.

~*

“Chisato! Catch up!” Mika shouted from the sidelines.

Chisato gritted her teeth as she kicked on the ground and tried to accelerate as fast as she could. 

“That’s it! Come on!” Someone else from their bench side cheered as the whole school’s team watched Chisato lag behind two other runners.

“…Make it to the finish line!” Chisato closed her eyes as she sped up as fast as she could.

She finally saw the final curve to the finish line, over taking one other person before barely making it near the other runner, ending up as second by a hairline.

Chisato took a few heavy steps to stop her momentum and out of hindsight, the third runner who finished after her accidentally stepped into her lane running onto her before the stop. “Hey! Wait! Wait!” She caught the other person as they stumbled away from the finish line. “Ow, ow…”

The emergency aid ran towards them, immediately treating the other runner, who apparently had passed out, as Chisato laid down on the ground, catching her breathe.

“Are you okay?”  Mika walked towards her, alongside their school’s other runners, with Fuki, and Sakura.

“Yeah… Probably some scratches, but I’ll be fine.” Chisato got up from the floor, turning down the treatment from the trained medics.

“He meant your running.” Fuki chided in. “Normally, you would’ve finished this without any difficulties. Sensei, I told you to let me run this meet.”

“Fuki. Calm down.” Mika scolded her sternly. “I’m not sure what’s going on with you, Chisato. However, you do know that losing the next one meant you aren’t going to be eligible for your scholarship, right?”

Chisato closed her fists as she looked at the ground. “Yes, I know…”

Fuki raised an eyebrow. Normally, this was where she’d be all an annoying positive bumble of joy, but for once, she seemed to actually be down, or even sad about something.

“Chisato…”

“Sorry, it’s probably just not a good day. I’ll go back first.” Chisato walked away, while Mika and Fuki could only watch her leave.

“Chisato! Go to Yamagishi for your wounds!” Mika shouted at her, and Chisato only raised her hand up in the air, as if telling him its fine.

After the track and field’s meet, they all rode their school bus back to the school as Chisato sat alone at the very back of the bus, looking out the windows, without anyone else able to call for her, nor talk to her about today’s results.

While Fuki was able to win first, as expected, for the first time, the whole Track and Field team finally realize how they’ve been relying too hard on Chisato’s speed and talents to carry them all the way to the finals.

Four practice matches at third, and Three meets consistently at second, as expected, even if it was Nishikigi Chisato, Tokyo University would no longer be interested in training her further with such results.

“Haaah…” Chisato sighed as she stretched her arms above her head, back to wearing their school uniform before sliding the student council room door open. “I’m back~”

The black haired girl Chisato expected to be there turned to face her. “Welcome back, Chisato. Wait, why are you here? Didn’t you have a meet?”

“Hm~ I asked them to just take me back here.” Chisato lazily walked towards her usual chair. “The meet ended already~”

“I see…” Takina only observed her for a while as Chisato stared at her. “What?”

“You’ll be with the Archery club today, right?” Chisato leaned her elbow onto the desk as she rested her jaw onto her hand. “I came here so I could charge some Takina energy~”

“Geez…” Takina watched as Chisato leaned her back onto her chair and opened her arms with. She stood up from her chair, putting her pen onto the desk. She made sure the curtains were closed before quietly walking towards Chisato then sitting on her lap sidewards. Chisato wrapped her arms around Takina’s body, as Takina placed her arms around Chisato’s shoulders. “What happened to your elbow?”

“Mm~” Chisato inhaled as she wrapped her arms tightly around Takina’s body, burying her face onto her chest. “The runner behind me ran into me so I fell and got grazed a little.”

“Did you get it checked? Are you hurt anywhere else?” Takina tried to look around Chisato’s body, but found it difficult given how tightly she was being bearhugged. “Chisato?”

“Mm~ I have another on my knee, but they don’t hurt that much.” Chisato spoke onto Takina’s chest as she continued to just hug her.

“…Did you at least get an x-ray? To make sure you don’t have any bones broken. You have another meet in two weeks right?” Takina rubbed Chisato’s back up and down.

“Mm… Didn’t go for x-ray…” Chisato moved her head left and right as her hug tightened.

“You have to go for one, okay?” Takina continued to rub Chisato’s back. “Did something happen?”

“…I just wanted some Takina energy. You’ll be busy the next two weeks too, right?”

“Well, yes…” Takina looked at Chisato’s head before panting her head. “I’ll be here if you need someone to talk to, okay?”

Chisato nodded on her chest as she let her hug her to her heart’s content until she had to leave for the Archery Club.

Chisato stared at the message on her phone as she sat all alone in the student council room, the table already neat with all the finished paper work.

“We received an email from Tokyo University. If you don’t win the next meet, they said they won’t offer the scholarship to you anymore, and give it to Fuki instead.”

“For real…?” Chisato slid her back down onto the couch, her neck resting on the back rest as she held her phone just above her stomach.

~*

Takina carried her books and notebook in her arms as she walked the corridors towards the Student Council.

“Did you hear about it? You think something happened to Chisato-senpai?”

Takina turned to the source of the voice, which was a first year class room, the very last one near the stairs to the second floor of the school building.

“Yeah? I mean, she hasn’t been in her top shape recently. It’s so weird to see her lose to an opponent she would usually leave in the dust.”

“You think something happened with her and Inoue-senpai?”

“You shouldn’t let her hear you, you know? I don’t think so, though?”

“Why not?”

“Yes, why not?” Takina chimed inside her head as she found herself eavesdropping on the two students.

“Well, I do agree that they don’t seem to be as together often lately, but can’t be helped when all the clubs are preparing for competitions. Maybe it’s because Inoue-senpai hasn’t been to any of Chisato-senpai’s meets in a while?”

“Ah~ You mean that? That’s true.”

“I really should make time…” Takina closed her eyes as she took a step forward.

“I heard Tokyo University’s cancelling their scholarship for her.”

“Where’d you hear that?”

“Eh?” Takina turned to the classroom’s door, and before realizing it, she had already opened the door and walked towards the two students chatting. “Where did you hear that from?”

“Whoa! Inoue-senpai!” One of the two students almost fell out of their chair. “U- Um… Fuki-senpai, and Mika-sensei…”

“Thank you.” Takina nodded at the student before running out of the classroom. “…Please don’t tell Chisato I know.”

“Y- Yes ma’am!” The two students answered at the same time as the door to their classroom closed. “Dude, I think we’re in trouble.”

~*

“So you were here, Sensei.” Takina walked towards Mika who was just putting out his cigarette. “You smoked?”

“…It was a good punishment for myself, when I felt bad. Why are you here?” Mika slowly walked away from the school’s smoking area, towards a more quiet place.

“About Chisato…” Takina looked at the ground as she followed him. “Is it true? What happened?”

“Ah… Her scholarship? She hasn’t been doing well lately. Didn’t she tell you? She was always preoccupied by something. If Fuki and I ask, she just goes back to her usual self and shrugs it off.” Mika sighed as he looked up the trees sheltering him and Takina from the afternoon sun. “If she doesn’t win by the next competition, she won’t get her scholarship anymore.”

“I also thought that Chisato’s been weird recently. I don’t force her to say anything, since after a while I knew that she’d bring it up when she’s ready.” Takina sighed. “Things has been mostly normal for us, but just as you mentioned, she won’t say anything.”

“Chisato’s smart, if she puts in enough effort, she probably could get a different scholarship. However, at this rate, there might not be enough time.”

Takina looked at him. “I’ll talk to her about it.”

“Thank you.” Mika smiled at her solemnly.

~*

Takina tried to find time to talk to Chisato, but as expected, with the clubs being both busy with their respective competitions, together with the Student Council duties, finding time to just sit down and talk to each other was getting tougher and tougher.

Until a few days before the meet, in the Student Council.

“Chisato… Don’t you have something to tell me?” Takina stopped writing as she stared at the paper in front of her.

“Me? I don’t think so?” Chisato looked at her oddly, balancing a pen on her upper lips.

“…About your scholarship?” Takina put down her pen and turned to Chisato. The change in behavior and atmosphere was evident as she watched the pen from her lips fall to the ground, and roll somewhere.

“…So you knew about that?” Chisato stared at her lap, her eyes covered by her bangs. “Even though I asked Fuki and Sensei not to tell you about it.”

“It’s been a rumor for a while. I think them telling me was the right thing–“

“Isn’t it the same for you? Didn’t you have something to tell me?” Chisato rested her back onto her chair as she watched her coldly.

Takina flinched at the gaze. Chisato has never looked at her before as if she had just betrayed her, but it wasn’t it. The gaze also looked sad, conflicted.

“Me?”

“When were you telling me you had an offer from Harvard?” Chisato only stared at her with a flat gaze. “Were you even planning on telling me?”

Takina looked at her in surprise. “How did you…? When?” She thought about, all the way back when Chisato started behaving oddly. That time she was standing outside the student council room. “You’ve known it that long?”

“I was waiting for you, you know? I thought we were going to think about our futures together.” Chisato stood up from her chair and walked towards the door. “Or were you so busy, you forgot?”

“No, it wasn’t like that. Chisato. Listen–“

“Then what was it like?” Chisato watched her with those observant red orbs.

“I didn’t want to say anything until it was confirmed.”

“So you’re going overseas.” Chisato looked at the door, her hands reaching for the knob. “Must be nice.” She turned the knob and left.

Takina couldn’t bring herself to find the energy to stop her from leaving. Was it really all just like? Their years of love. Just like that?

Before she realized it, a few moments had passed. Takina stood up immediately to run after her, but once she was in the hallway, it was all dark, and it was just her, alone.

~*

A few days has passed, and by a spin of luck, Takina was thankful the Track and Field’s next meet was going to be held at their school. Chisato had been purposely avoiding her and she was allowing her to.

Takina ran towards Mika who was already on the school field, with an overwhelming number of people. It was the regional finals after all. Which school wins in this meet, would go into the Nationals.

“Sensei… Where’s Chisato?” Takina panted as Mika watched her.

“She’s still in the waiting room.” Mika smiled at Takina. “Would you go get her for me?”

Takina put on her most determined expression before answering. “Yes.”

“…Good eyes.” Mika nodded as she watched Takina off. “Good luck, Takina.”

Takina quietly entered the waiting room. It was dark, and it was slightly cold, it was close to Autumn after all.

“…Why are you here?”

It was an extremely cold voice, but nonetheless, one that Takina wanted to hear in a while. “I’m here to apologize.”

“Why?” Chisato lifted her face up as she faced the direction Takina was standing from. “What are you going to apologize for?”

“Not being up front to you about everything. You’re right. I was the one who had something to tell you.” Takina slowly walked towards her. Chisato moved her gaze away, and stared at the floor in front of her. “Can I sit here?” Takina motioned towards the spot next to her.

“Not like I can stop you.” Chisato looked away as she felt the familiar warmth sit too close to her. Then, suddenly she was engulfed in the warmest hug she hasn’t felt in a while.

“…I don’t want to fight with you.” Takina pressed her cheeks onto Chisato’s back. “I’m sorry I took my time to think through things. I thought that if I came unprepared, then I will lose you.”

“You’re not…” Chisato retorted but was embraced tighter instead, as if to ask her to wait for her to finish. She kept her mouth shut.

“The reason I didn’t tell you, was because I was thinking of turning it down. We already had plans. We’re both going to going to Tokyo University and live together. However, the teachers were too adamant with it. Pushing so many requirements to me, saying that it’d be good credits for Tokyo University, even though I knew that they were things they were sending to Harvard so secure the deal so that I can’t turn it down.” Takina kissed Chisato’s shoulders as she pressed her nose onto it. “That’s why I said I didn’t want to say anything until it was confirmed, because nonetheless, what I wanted to do was turn it down.”

“It’s a really good offer overseas, you know?”

“I know. However, to me, Tokyo University is a good offer too, not to mention, it comes in a package, that is with you.” Takina buried her face onto Chisato’s back. “…And that’s the best deal for me.”

Chisato smiled as she felt the arms wrapped around her waist tighten. “If I turn around and look at her, her ears are probably red…”

“Chisato.” Takina removed her arms from Chisato’s body. Chisato turned around to face her with a pouty face. “What’s with that face?”

“Because… I was sad too, and then you come to me prepared with an apology, while I didn’t have anything. I’m sorry, too…” Chisato looked at her hands as she heard Takina giggle. “Why are you laughing?” Her cheeks turned red as she looked away.

“No… I thought that you were cute just now.”

“Ah! Cheeky little!” Chisato raised her hands above her head before grabbing her into a tight hug. “MMMMMM~~ I missed you!”

“Chisato.” Takina looked at Chisato in between their hug as she tried to raise her closed hands. Chisato loosened her arms as she looked at Takina’s hand. “Here.”

Chisato blinked as she looked at Takina’s palms. “Keys? To where?”

“Do you remember the apartment we were looking at a few months back? The one you said you wanted to live in with me. I asked Mika-sensei for help, well… It’s still a year until we have to but… Here it is.” Takina smiled at her. “He said that, he was able to get a friend to look into the property, and got it reserved in exchange for a favor.”

“Eh… Ta- Takina…” Chisato covered Takina’s hands with both of her own before grabbing it tightly and bringing it to her lips for a kiss. “…This is really happening, isn’t it?”

“You can’t escape from me, you know?” Takina blushed as she smiled at her warmly. “My love’s really heavy.”

“And that’s why I’m in love with you.” Chisato gave her a grin. “Takina… What do I do?”

“Eh?”

“I’m really happy right now, I think my heart’s going to burst out of my chest.” Chisato looked at their still connected hands. She leaned in for a kiss, but was stopped by an index finger. “Takina?”

“…You can do more, once you win today.” Takina smiled at her mischievously.

Chisato gave her an equally mischievous smile. “You can’t say you don’t remember after.”

“I promise I won’t.” Takina smiled as Chisato pulled away from her.

“In one more condition.” Chisato gave her a big grin. “The amount of gap I leave my opponents behind would be the number of kiss marks I get to leave on you.”

Takina thought about it a little. This was the Regional Finals. The other school is really tough, and fast.

“Deal.”

“No takebacks.”

“No takebacks.”

It wasn’t going to be that much… right?

~*

The whole bleachers stood as Nishikigi Chisato crossed the finish line, leaving behind her opponent, a strong contender, by 150 meters behind her.

Chisato gave her school a fist pump in the air as their school’s track and field grounds erupted into a loud cheer.

“Chisato-senpai!!!”

“Chisato! You did it!”

Their fellow school mates crowded over her as they congratulated her near the finish line.

Chisato gave all the hands she saw with high fives and fist bumps as she ran through them, before beelining for her warmly smiling black haired girlfriend stand next to their teacher.

“Chisato. Congratulations.” Mika congratulated her as she gave him a high five.

“Thanks, Sensei. I’m sorry to have worried you the past few days.” Chisato bowed before giving him a big smile. “I think I’ll be okay now.”

“Is that so? Then good for you.” Fuki chided from next Mika. “Congrats.”

Chisato smiled at her. “Thanks, Fuki.” She held her fist towards her, as Fuki gave her a small smile, bumping their fists together before walking away. “With that…” She slowly walked towards the black haired girl nervously standing next to Mika.

“I didn’t hear anything about leaving your opponents that far…” Takina swallowed as she watched Chisato come at her with an extremely evil smile. “Um, Chisato? Maybe we could divide like a weekly or something–kyaa!”

Chisato immediately lifted her by going for the back of her knees, spinning her around before throwing her over her shoulders. “Well then guys, I’ll be taking my trophy back home!”

“Chisato! Let me down!” Takina lightly hit Chisato’s back, giving up and covering her face with both of her hands instead.

The school cheered for them with a few whistles as Chisato gave them a big smile, waving at everyone, as she left the grounds for the waiting room.

“I won’t let you sleep tonight.”

“Aren’t you tired? You just ran 1500 meters–“

“A 150 meter gap~”

“Don’t say that!”

“Meant 150 kiss~ marks~~”

“Chisato!”

(Forward/END)