Youthful Days (Book 1)

37. Change

Once inside the Rokkaku grounds, Aoi Kentaro led the group ahead, enthusiastically taking on the role of a full-fledged tour guide. Fuji and Saeki took the chance to extricate themselves and meandered towards a more secluded section of the park.

"Are you sure it's okay for us to leave those two behind?" Saeki asked, his forehead creased. "Looks like Echizen Ryoma's about to start an argument."

"We had a small accident at Odaiba," explained Fuji with a half-smile. "I figured they could use the space to work it out. I'm sure Ayuna can handle herself just fine."

To shield themselves from the sun, they settled in the shade of a ginkgo tree. Around them came the exuberant laughter of children as they chased after each other, zigzagging across dirt trails and raising dust.

"Speaking of Ayuna," Saeki started with a sly smile, "word on the street is that our prodigy is smitten with his freshman girlfriend. Looks like the rumors are true."

Caught somewhere between a frown and a grimace, Fuji asked, "Is that really what went around?"

"Yep. Word for word. Lots of people have been curious—myself included."

"Maybe you can enlighten me on why that is."

"Let's see... The most obvious point is that not many serious players are dating, even if they want to. It's too much to take on all at once. Besides that..." Saeki paused dramatically, then laughed, "A girl who manages to catch the eye of the prodigy must have character and abilities of equal caliber. People simply want to know if she's as impressive as they imagined."

To this, Fuji could only chuckle with a slight shake of his head.

Kicking at pebbles by his feet, Saeki went on, "But what I'm curious about is what made my friend change his mind."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Okay, then let me refresh your memory." Clearing his throat, Saeki said, "Weren't you the one who actively avoided girls and refused to acknowledge their admiration?"

Fuji laughed softly. "That was in seventh grade! Years have passed and I'm bound to change."

"Then what about the last time we saw each other?" Saeki demanded. "That was only a year ago!"

"Oh yes—the time when you were troubled about this senior girl who refused to return your feelings?"

"Hey now, don't try to make this about me," warned Saeki, giving Fuji a light jab on the shoulder. "Back then, you told me not to waste my time and energy with girls because ultimately, nothing will be as permanent and tangible as excellence in tennis and everything else. Those were your exact words."

"That's right," Fuji nodded with a smile. "Frankly, I'm flattered you took it all to heart."

"You didn't take your own advice, though."

"I guess not."

"Well, what happened?" Saeki pursued. "If anything, I thought you'd be the last person to be dating some girl. Not only that, it almost seems she's got you under a sort of spell. The way you look at her... it's like she's got a string on you! Weren't there other things that supposedly mattered more to you than a flimsy relationship?"

Fuji didn't respond right away. From his peripheral vision, he caught a glimpse of Ayuna walking down the footpath alone, while Ryoma was nowhere to be seen. When a gaggle of girls spotted her, they giddily ran up and held out their jump rope hopefully.

Tracing his friend's gaze, Saeki waited patiently. They watched Ayuna help the younger girls extend their rope. She then paired up with another girl and leaped into the swinging arc. The setting sun cast a faint glow over her profile as her shadow swayed with the summer breeze. Jumping high off the ground, she momentarily gave the illusion of flying into the resplendent skies.