Youthful Days (Book 1)

58. Older Sister

When the bell signaled the end of the second period, Ayuna was the first to spring up and hand in her exam papers. While the rest of the class buzzed with the bliss of finishing their last term test, Ayuna's heart was bursting with anxiety.

For the first time ever, she was going to break the rules and skip today's remaining classes. In truth, if it weren't for the term test, she would've preferred to skip the entire day.

At long last, the regional finals had arrived. It was a determinative day for Seigaku's future. Ayuna had the team's play assignments memorized to a tee: Momoshiro and Kaido for doubles two, Golden Pair Eiji and Oishi for doubles one, Inui for singles three, Fuji for singles two and finally, Ryoma holding the singles one spot.

Ayuna glanced at her watch in agitation. The game was scheduled to start at eight a.m. sharp. Yet it was ten a.m. already. Even with the fastest route, it would take her at least thirty minutes to reach the tournament site. By her estimation, Ayuna knew she would miss at least the first two matches.

After hopping off the bus, Ayuna dashed into the train station like she had a fire burning at her hems. Unfortunately, she missed the departing train with a minute's lapse. This being the end of rush-hour, the next one was due to arrive in ten minutes.

Catching her breath, Ayuna scowled at the clock in frustration before turning to the webbed map for Tokyo metro lines in search of an alternative route. There had to be a faster, shorter way instead of waiting—anything to save her more time.

"Excuse me, are you from Seigaku?"

Ayuna turned around and came upon a smiling young woman in her early twenties. She wore a collared linen shirt paired with beige tapered pants. On the crook of her elbow hung a purse adorned with an emblem for the University of Tokyo.

Upon receiving a nod, the young woman asked, "Do you have any idea how to get to Yoyogi-Nishihara Park? Seigaku is playing their tennis finals there, right?"

"That's right, and I'm actually going there myself." Ayuna offered, "If you'd like, I can take you there."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you very much!"

Forgoing the search for an alternative route, Ayuna decided to wait for the next train with the stranger. While they walked down the platform, the young woman asked, "Must be a big day for Seigaku, isn't it?"

"It is." Ayuna lamented, "Too bad it's held on a weekday. A lot of students are unable to watch the tournament."

"You certainly came out of your way to see the game. Are you cheering for someone special?"

Ayuna nodded. Darting her eyes to the young woman's bag, she said, "I'd say you're making a greater effort than I am—the university is on the opposite side of the city! You must have someone in mind, too, right?"

"Yep! My little brother will be playing."

"Little brother?" Ayuna searched the young woman's face, wondering whose relative she could be.

Catching Ayuna's inquisitive gaze, she reproached herself then bowed. "I'm losing my manners—sorry for not having introduced myself! I'm Fuji Yumiko."

Ayuna's eyes widened. She gawked at the familiar light brown hair, soft features and endearing smiles, silently berating herself for not having seen the resemblance. Responding with a deep bow, she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Hanamachi Ayuna."

Yumiko paused in mid-stride and gushed, "So you're the Hanamachi Ayuna!" Snatching the younger girl's hand, she beamed, "Yuuta's told me all about you. Since then, I've wanted to meet Shuusuke's girlfriend, but he's always been so stubbornly secretive about it!"