Youthful Days (Book 1)

43. Off to the Mountains

To verify Fuji's claims, coach Ryuzaki pitted Momoshiro against Ayuna the next day.

To remove distractions, the match took place early in the morning. Coach Ryuzaki had instructed Momoshiro to play normally and gave him the impression that it was a new form of training. In the end, it seemed the freshman girl was indeed versed in more advanced techniques and skills—enough to add value to her current helpers. After completing the assessment, coach Ryuzaki granted formal permission for the younger girl to accompany the team to Nikko.

It only then became obvious that Momoshiro had been set up for a test. Aghast from this discovery, Momoshiro could only imagine his fate if Ayuna had failed. He knew for certain Fuji would find a way to make him suffer.

This piece of news soon trickled down to Momoko, who immediately tracked down Ayuna to express her jealousy.

"Gah, you lucky duck! I can't believe you're going to Nikko!"

It was a rare occasion for Momoko and Ayuna to be alone since they both started dating. With Momoshiro and Fuji attending after-school practice, they decided to suspend studying for the day and venture out to Harajuku for a shopping trip.

"I thought you've always visited it with your family to see the fall foliage?"

"Yes, but summer in Nikko is different! It's much more peaceful and relaxing without all the tourists."

Ayuna nodded. "I'm really fortunate. I heard Nikko has some of the most beautiful mountain scenes in the country. Now I finally get to see it."

"Not only that, but you get to be around all boys, too!" Momoko gave her a friendly jab. "Man, I'm so jealous!"

"That's not why I'm going..."

"Still, I wished Momoshiro would've vouched for me," said Momoko with a hint of lament. "What I wouldn't do to see behind-the-scenes training and be surrounded by a group of attractive, talented guys!"

"I'm not sure Momoshiro-senpai would've invited you if he knew your motive," quipped Ayuna.

"I just want to look. Looking never hurts."

"Sure, though Ryuzaki-sensei was precisely afraid of this happening. That's why she gave me a test in the first place—to make sure I'll actually help instead of goofing off."

"Yeah, Momoshiro told me all about that." Momoko tsked, "That old woman can be so severe and old-fashioned sometimes!"

"I think it was sensible of her to make sure I'm not just there to admire the guys or distract Fuji too much. This is a vital training period for the team, after all."

"Speaking of Fuji-senpai..." A sly smile crept up Momoko's lips, "Isn't this your first long trip out with him?"

"I guess? It's not exactly just us two, though. The rest of the team will also be there."

"I know, I know," Momoko swatted at her. "But have you prepared yourself for it?"

"Prepare myself?"

"Yes! Have you thought about what to do once you're alone with him?"

Ayuna arched an eyebrow. "I don't know what you mean. We've been alone plenty of times before."

"That's not what I mean!" Being on a public bus, Momoko lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned close to the younger girl, "I'm talking about what's going to happen once you're alone with him, in a room, at night..."

Taking note of her suggestive voice, Ayuna stifled a laugh and decided to have a little fun. "You mean once the lights are out and everyone is minding their own business?"

"Well, yes..."

"And there's only one bed in the room."

"Yeah..."

"Hmm... I guess I'll take the window side of the bed and Fuji can take the other. It'll be terrible if he catches a cold before the finals. Then we'll try to sleep without getting in each other's way, and I'll try not to snore."

"Sleep?!" Baffled by her friend's reply, Momoko threw a hand up. "Who's talking about sleep?!"

"Then what else is there left to do?" asked Ayuna innocently.

"You know..." Momoko blushed, floundering to articulate herself without others overhearing. "I'm not talking about literal sleep, but the fact that you and he could... maybe... perhaps..." Frustrated, she finally gave up, "Forget it! I'm not going to try and imagine what kind of lover Fuji-senpai is. It's too embarrassing!"

Ayuna finally burst out laughing. "I'm glad I got you to give up."

Flustered, Momoshiro glared at her, "So you were messing around with me all this time, Hanamachi!"

"Don't be mad—I just don't want you to get your hopes up," chuckled Ayuna. "I'm going to be sleeping on a futon in the same room as coach Ryuzaki and Sakuno! You don't think the coach is dumb enough to leave me alone in a room with a boy, do you?"

"Oh." Shoulders sagged, Momoko released a sigh of disappointment, "Well, that's no fun at all. I guess I got all worked up for nothing."

Sidling up to the older girl, Ayuna said, "Instead of wasting your time worrying about me, perhaps you ought to prepare yourself instead. You never know when you're going to be alone with Momoshiro-senpai. In a room. At night."

Cheeks flushed, Momoko threw several punches back to the younger girl. "Don't put these thoughts in my head! Hanamachi, you're truly terrible sometimes!"

Dodging her friend's playful hits, Ayuna tried to mask her nervousness with laughter. The truth was, Momoko's illicit speculations sent her stomach churning with a different type of anticipation. Before this conversation, she never thought about Fuji in that light. Now that she did, she couldn't help but wonder what this trip might bring. 

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A/N: Since most of the story's pretty serious, I decided to have a little fun/teasing with this chapter ^^ Hope you all liked it!