Tide Between Two Worlds

The National Round, Pt. 1

       The Tokyo Aquatics Center was filling up with spectators from all over the country hoping, waiting to see their respective teams go for the gold. The stands weren't as occupied as they were during the Olympics but that was a moot point compared to hype that accompanied them. A space that was once loaded with emptiness and silence will now be full of cheer as fans brought their thunder sticks, pompoms, horns, and fresh, clear voices.

Kuronue joined Mei and Kiyoni in the front row with their fellow schoolmates and parents sitting behind them. To think, a few months ago, Kiyoni wouldn't even bother coming to something like this. Now, she has to see how it ends.

       "Is anyone else nervous or is it just me," she assessed.

       "Nope. I think we all are," Mei answered. "I mean we're making history. Well, potential history."

       "Potential?" Kuronue countered, "Kaguya, we're here for the very first time in our school's history. We're already there."

       "Yeah but...okay, you have a point."

       "Besides to answer your question, Ikeda, I'm not as nervous as anyone else. Not like you think."

       "Even with that way of thinking like I think you're thinking, I'm still nervous," Kiyoni declared.

       Before anyone could challenge what Kiyoni just said, Kaito interrupted the conversation, taking a seat in between Kuronue and Kiyoni, annoying everyone around him, "I'm sorry. Is this seat taken?"

       "Who the hell are you," Mei asked.

       "Oh. Don't mind me. My name is Kaito Yuu. I guess you could say I have a history with Ikeda, Misaki, and...the team captain, Minamino. Isn't that right, you two?"

       "Interesting how you decided to grow a pair within such a short time," Kuronue stated.

       "Yes, well considering what I have to work with, confidence would come naturally. Isn't that what you're looking for in a partner, Ikeda?"

       "In your case, I'd rather be a narcissist. That way I can be sufficiently happy, alone, and properly self-respected," Kiyoni claimed, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the back somewhere?"

       "No need. If Meiou Academy is expected to win, I want to catch every golden moment. Including the moment where you and I walk away as boyfriend and girlfriend."

       "It's amazing how you're friends with academics and enemies with social etiquette. In order for that scenario to happen, there would have to be some form of mutual and emotional attraction between the two parties. Since both present sides are empty of those things, it is quite certain that fantasy of yours will remain as is. Number two, neither my name nor my persona will be dragged around by you as if I'm some pet so eh...please watch your mouth."

       "Hm. In that case, if dogs are pets and if female dogs are referred to as bitches and my leash still hangs on you, Misaki, and Minamino, what does that make you?"

       Mei stood her ground, "Hey! You take that back! You can't talk to her or anyone else like that!"

       And so did Kuronue, "Yeah, man. Just what is your–?"

A quick peek in Kiyoni's direction made Kuronue reclaim his seat. Her calm, shifting demeanor only meant another tongue lashing was on the way. Mei knew it too and was excited to be a witness to it. The teens were about to get a special treat from their melanated friend on this day. This rhetorical decapitation was going to be brought to Kaito by...glasses, Kiyoni's own. Last night, to kill some time until curfew, Kiyoni, Shuichi, Mei, and Kuronue stopped by the infamous and closest Don Quixote store to pick up some snacks to bring to the hotel. While there, and on a whim, Kiyoni bought a pair of glasses, the ones seen at a random drug store. Upon initial observation, the glasses only made a fashion statement. It made her schoolgirl style look more aesthetically academic and it highlighted the frame-fitting features she inherited from her father including the very pair of ears that rang clear as a bell. Meaning that either the ancestors of her father, her mother, or both were standing beside her. Today, and to everyone's surprise, those glasses had a much better purpose. Those glasses were going to be used to read a bitch.