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1 "Sakura-chan and Okaa-sama's Track and Field Adventure"
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2 (Written on the videotape in Tomoyo’s delightfully Kawaii script*)
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3
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4
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5
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6 I.
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7 Sakura was all eagerness when she arrived at the Daidouji residence.
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8 Shouldering a yellow and white athletic bag she buzzed the gate for
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9 admittance. Shortly after it opened, she saw Sonomi sama racing
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10 towards her with Tomoyo chan trailing behind.
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11
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12 "Yo-ho, Sakura-chan!" Sonomi sang out. She was dressed in bright red
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13 shorts with a crimson jacket trimmed in black. Tomoyo had a similar
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14 outfit, but in navy blue. Both wore matching black running shoes.
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15 Sakura smiled to see them; the beautiful mother and daughter running
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16 together. Sonomi was quickly upon her, seemingly invigorated by the
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17 long run from the mansion. Tomoyo, breathless but all smiles, finally
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18 caught up.
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19
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20 Sakura bowed as she said, "Sonomi sama, Tomoyo chan, thank you for
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21 having me."
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22
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23 Beaming at the little girl, Sonomi replied, "It's always a pleasure
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24 to have you with us. Would you like to change in the field house?"
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25
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26 "Field house?" Sakura answered with a puzzled look.
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27
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28 As the three began walking past a row of trees, Tomoyo, still
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29 catching her breath, giggled, "Mother had some changes made to the
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30 yard so she could coach you properly."
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31
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32 Sonomi put her finger on her cheek thoughtfully and said, "It really
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33 isn't what I wanted at all, but Tomoyo chan wouldn't let me cut down
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34 the plum trees to make room for the oval."
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35
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36 Topping a little rise, Sakura saw what had once been a grassy yard
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37 and stopped short. A new 100 meter track stretched into the distance,
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38 bulldozer tread marks testifying to its recent completion. Nearby was
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39 a small white field house for showering and changing, and even a set
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40 of stands for who-knew-what spectators. Sakura turned to Sonomi, who
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41 could barely contain her delight, and exclaimed,
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42
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43 "Oh, you shouldn't have done this just for me. Your poor, pretty
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44 yard!"
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45
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46 Sonomi leaned over, placed her hand on the girl's cheek, and smiled
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47 sweetly.
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48
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49 "Don't worry, dear. It's something I'd always wanted myself since I
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50 was young. Besides, if you do something, you do it right, and I can't
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51 be a good coach without proper facilities.”
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52
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53 Sakura bowed her thanks again, and Tomoyo ushered her into the field
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54 house. After changing into her Tomoeda P. E. outfit, she rushed out
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55 to warm up with Sonomi and Tomoyo. Somehow, she was not surprised to
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56 find a camera and tripod already filming the proceedings. Sonomi then
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57 had her run some short sprints off the starting block. watching
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58 carefully all the while. Then the woman called her over, took off her
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59 crimson jacket, and adjusted the wood and metal blocks with careful,
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60 practiced precision.
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61
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62 Standing behind the blocks she nodded to Tomoyo, who called out,
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63
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64 “Go to your marks,”
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65
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66 Sonomi placed her left leg in the far block, and her right on the
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67 block a few inches to the front. Her left knee touched the ground,
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68 and her hands, fingers forming little arches, rested on the track.
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69 Sakura could see by the sure and economical movements that this was a
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70 routine executed thousands of times. As the woman settled in, Tomoyo
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71 called out again,
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72
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73 “Set,”
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74
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75 Like a cat crouching to pounce, Sonomi took a deep breath and arched
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76 her body forward and up. Head down, she wore an expression of deepest
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77 concentration. Her lithe body was perfectly still, balanced, coiled,
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78 relaxed, and waiting. Sakura flinched when Tomoyo fired the starting
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79 gun, and nearly missed the amazing sight of the runner’s start. She
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80 looked in horror as Sonomi pitched forward, certain to fall on her
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81 face. But instead of falling she rocketed ahead, her first stride
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82 long and her body low to the ground. In the blink of an eye she had
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83 run 5 or 6 strides and was racing down the field before slowing her
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84 pace and walking back, hands on hips. Sakura stood and marveled,
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85 whispering,
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86
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87 “Sugoi.”
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88
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89 Then she ran to Sonomi, starry-eyed and gasping,
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90
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91 “That was wonderful! I was so afraid you would fall!"
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92
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93 The woman laughed, and explained how the physics of gravity and
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94 front leg thrust combined to produce the fastest possible start. She
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95 adjusted the blocks for Sakura, fine tuning them as the girl
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96 practiced. Sakura was amazed how the tiniest changes of form and
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97 position could make such a difference in speed. Sonomi patiently
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98 observed, corrected, and praised Sakura's efforts. When they broke
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99 for a light lunch of cucumber sandwiches and tea, both were exhausted
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100 but excited, and eager to start again.
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101
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102 For Tomoyo, it was her favorite spring. Almost every Saturday, and
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103 some weeknights when she had no chores or homework, Sakura came over
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104 to practice. Sometimes Tomoyo would run with her, just to give her a
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105 sense of running against a competitor. Trying her hardest, she
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106 invariably fell far behind the auburn haired-sprinter, though it
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107 bothered her not in the least. To see Sakura run was a joy beyond
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108 telling, for she ran with a wild exuberance that thrilled the heart.
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109 Her mother slowly shaped and channeled that raw energy, and Sakura
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110 gloried in the changes that came over her. Most of all, Tomoyo just
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111 loved to watch, to see her working with her mother, and to film her
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112 sprints.
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113
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114 That spring, Tomoyo's relationship with Sakura began to change in
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115 ways she was only vaguely aware of. She rarely thought about her love
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116 for the girl, for she loved Sakura as naturally and unselfconsciously
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117 as breathing. Love was part of the morning as she brushed her long
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118 hair in the dappled sunlight of her room. It was with her at school
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119 while reciting a lesson, or singing in the choir, or just sitting
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120 across from Sakura, watching her read and study. Love filled her
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121 nights when she sewed, or studied, or sat gazing at a moon carved out
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122 of bright steel. Only rarely did it occur to her that this boundless
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123 love was unusual, and that she was quite unlike the others around
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124 her. For Tomoyo, the real wonder was not her own intense passion, but
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125 the curious fact that everybody did not love Sakura as she did. In
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126 part, this explained her utter lack of jealousy and possessiveness.
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127 She saw Syaoran’s awkward, blossoming love for her friend as
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128 completely natural and right, for how could a person not love Sakura
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129 with all their heart? For her, that was the inexplicable mystery. And
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130 yet, though her own love had never changed in all the time she had
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131 known her friend, Tomoyo herself was deeply affected by something
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132 completely unforeseen. The pale, dark-haired girl had been sweetly
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133 shaken by Sakura's own love for her.
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134
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135 Tomoyo, usually so perceptive, had been pained and baffled by her
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136 friend's unusual moodiness after the true nature of Yue had come to
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137 light. Upon collection of the final Clow Card Sakura had seemed
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138 fragile and edgy, nothing like her usual happy self. Tomoyo thought
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139 her fatigued, or perhaps let down by the apparent end of the quest.
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140 Once they even fought, or, rather, Sakura had rounded on her angrily
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141 before fleeing in tears. Tomoyo was left stunned and shattered,
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142 painfully hurt in a way she never thought possible. That night was
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143 agony as she called and called on the little pink cell phone,
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144 desperate to apologize for whatever she had done, waiting for an
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145 answering voice that never came. She nearly left to go see Sakura, to
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146 beg forgiveness and try to understand why. So thankful now that she
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147 had stayed in her room, waiting, and singing sadly to herself. There
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148 the Mistress of the Cards found her after a long and trying journey.
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149 In what still seemed a miracle, Sakura then confessed her love for
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150 Tomoyo.
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151
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152 Those sweet, stammering words of love still echoed in Tomoyo's
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153 heart. That her friend had finally discovered Tomoyo's secret love,
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154 hidden so well for so long, was surprise enough. But when they
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155 embraced, and kissed, Tomoyo first felt Sakura's own love for her.
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156 Unlooked for, desired beyond hope or prayer, that love had changed
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157 her forever. Like a pale moon, Tomoyo had circled Sakura's life with
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158 faithful constancy. But now, like twin stars in a cosmic dance, the
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159 lives of the two lovers revolved around each other. It was joyous, it
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160 was thrilling, and, for Tomoyo, it was a little scary. Admiring the
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161 beautiful girl from afar, Tomoyo was safe among the shadows. But when
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162 Sakura's loving gaze fell upon her, she feared falling far short of
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163 what the remarkable girl deserved. Looking inward, Tomoyo wondered if
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164 fear was a reason, secret even from herself, that she had encouraged
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165 Sakura's relationships with Yukito and Syaoran. She could see through
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166 others so easily, but her own heart was sometimes shrouded in mystery.
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167
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168 Sitting in the viewing stands, Tomoyo caught the delicate scent of
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169 plum blossoms as Sakura exploded again from the starting block. She
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170 felt a twinge of guilt for begging the trees be spared, but her
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171 mother said the girl was a natural sprinter, and the oval track would
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172 be more for her use than Sakura's anyway. She resolved to bake her
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173 mother a plum pie when the fruits were ripe. Sonomi was working with
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174 Sakura's form as she emerged from her start. Carefully her mother
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175 demonstrated the transition to a full run, while Sakura watched,
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176 nodding, and then tried it herself. Her mother said the girl was a
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177 quick learner, and Tomoyo ruefully knew how true that was. It was
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178 just like the cards.
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179
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180 At first, Sakura seemed baffled, even intimidated by the complexity
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181 of Clow's creation. But she proved relentless, and against all hope
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182 saw it through to the very end. In time she penetrated their secrets
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183 and made them her own, and the Cards seemed to love her all the more
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184 for it. Just like me, Tomoyo thought with a blush.
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185
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186 Once she had charmed Sakura with a mask of happiness, her friend
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187 blithely unaware of Tomoyo's hidden love and loneliness. But now
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188 Sakura loved her, and was no longer content with shimmering
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189 reflections on the water's surface. Sakura as the Mistress of the
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190 Cards devoured secrets, and burned with a fiery will to know. Now
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191 that will was turned towards her, and Sakura impatiently brushed
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192 aside the veils that hid Tomoyo's true feelings. When Tomoyo was
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193 happy Sakura was, too, and when she was not the girl consoled her and
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194 shared the grief and pain. At first this had horrified Tomoyo,
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195 devastated that her own unhappiness should so affect her friend. But
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196 Sakura seemed none the worse for it, her irrepressible spirit and
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197 energy washing away hurts and fears as her gentle fingers brushed
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198 away tears.
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199
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200 Tomoyo felt closer to the girl than ever before. That closeness
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201 came not from her own love, which was as vast and unchanging as ever,
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202 but from Sakura's. Sakura's love was a beacon that lit the darkness
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203 of Tomoyo's world and a hammer that shattered the barriers around her
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204 heart. Tomoyo had painstakingly designed her own prison, a citadel of
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205 loneliness to seal her love away. But when the Mistress of the Cards
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206 realized her friend's isolation, she came like a hurricane and tore
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207 the walls apart. Then, shy and gentle once more, Sakura begged leave
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208 to stay, forever. And Tomoyo, blinking in the unexpected sunlight,
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209 said yes.
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210
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211 As time unwound in it's own way, she slowly realized that Sakura
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212 would have no walls between them. Tomoyo could love from afar, but
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213 not Sakura. The girl's eager enthusiasm demanded she know Tomoyo's
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214 innermost self, and be ever close to her heart. And despite
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215 misgivings, for she still feared bringing pain or hurt in some
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216 unknown way to her friend, Tomoyo found herself yielding. Besides,
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217 all her art and artifice availed her nothing in the face of Sakura's
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218 direct and relentless innocence. Even for the sake of her beloved,
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219 Tomoyo found it increasingly impossible to meet those shimmering
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220 green eyes with anything less than the truth. With a sigh, Tomoyo
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221 looked up and saw Sakura at the far end of the track, waving in
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222 exaltation at a new personal best time. Tomoyo waved back, smiling,
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223 and glanced at the plum branches swaying in the spring breeze. She
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224 knew she would rather die, would rather have never existed at all,
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225 than bring any hurt to Sakura. But the little zephyr laughed at her
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226 worries, whispering "It's all right, everything will be all right."
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227 Blossoms rained down from above, covering her gray-black hair in a
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228 pink and purple crown. A sweet, intense longing gripped her as she
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229 leapt from the stands. With her heart afire, she dashed wildly down
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230 the track towards Sakura.
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231
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232 II.
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233 Just by watching her posture Sonomi could tell. She laughed to
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234 herself as Sakura fiddled with the starting blocks. If Tomoyo had not
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235 been her own child, she would have despaired of ever knowing her at
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236 all. But Sakura was an open book, her moods and thoughts there for
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237 all the world to see. Something was troubling her, something she
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238 wanted to talk about but could not. Sonomi stood to the side and
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239 spoke in a loud voice,
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240
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241 "Go to your marks."
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242
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243 Sakura settled into position, awaiting the next call. But Sonomi was
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244 silent, watching the girl's arched figure with intensity. A runner
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245 should be able to hold that stance for several minutes with no
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246 fatigue, but the girl was already trembling from the strain. Sonomi
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247 walked over and gently laid her hand on Sakura's shoulder. In a
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248 soothing, motherly voice she said,
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249
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250 "Sakura chan, your shoulders are tight, and your body seems very
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251 tense. Are you feeling well? Is there something the matter?"
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252
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253 Sakura looked up in surprise, mouth open, as if to say, "How did you
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254 know?" But instead of answering, she looked away in embarrassment.
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255 Sonomi gently nudged her into a standing position, and said,
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256
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257 "Let's sit over by the trees for a bit, all right?"
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258
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259 Sakura followed morosely and plopped down in the grass. Sonomi
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260 stretched out under the tree and let silence do its work. Sakura
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261 fidgeted, played idly with the grass, finally looked up with moist
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262 eyes and blurted out,
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263
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264 "Sonomi sama, I feel so bad. I ran so badly and it was just awful!
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265 I'm so sorry..." Her voice tailed off as she fought back the tears
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266 with a halting sob.
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267
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268 "Well, there's no reason to feel sorry if you tried your best. You
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269 can't win every race, you know. Do you feel like telling me what
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270 happened?" Sonomi's tone was gentle and reassuring, urging the child
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271 to continue. Sakura looked at the ground as she spoke, an
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272 undercurrent of anger edging her voice,
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273
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274 "It was the qualifying races for Field Day. I finished second, so I
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rlm@0
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275 qualified for the final race next week, but I ran so poorly."
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rlm@0
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276
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rlm@0
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277 Sonomi spoke in a cheerful but restrained tone,
|
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rlm@0
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278
|
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rlm@0
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279 "Oh, my, second is no cause for shame, especially if you made the
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rlm@0
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280 cut for the final race. Who finsihed first?"
|
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rlm@0
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281
|
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rlm@0
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282 Through clenched teeth, her anger rising, Sakura mumbled,
|
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rlm@0
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283
|
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rlm@0
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284 "Li-kun."
|
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rlm@0
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285
|
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rlm@0
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286 "Ah, Tomoyo told me he is a very good runner. She said he almost
|
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rlm@0
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287 beat you in the race last year."
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rlm@0
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288
|
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rlm@0
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289 Sakura turned abruptly to look at her, anger and pain and tears all
|
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rlm@0
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290 jumbled together. In a stammering rush she exclaimed,
|
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rlm@0
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291
|
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rlm@0
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292 "He was so mean. He said I couldn't run as fast as him, that girls
|
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rlm@0
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293 were slower than boys, and that...that..."
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rlm@0
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294
|
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rlm@0
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295 Sonomi watched Sakura carefully, and felt deep sympathy for the poor
|
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rlm@0
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296 girl, so obviously wounded. With a kindly look she nodded, waiting
|
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rlm@0
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297 for her to continue.
|
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rlm@0
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298
|
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rlm@0
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299 "He...he said I shouldn't be around Tomoyo so much and that she was,
|
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rlm@0
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300 she was clumsy and couldn't run or anything and that, that she was
|
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rlm@0
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301 just an anchor around my head or my neck or something stupid like
|
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rlm@0
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302 that and I was so angry and I wanted to win so bad and I couldn't and
|
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rlm@0
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303 he beat me just like he said and I'm sorry I wanted to run my best
|
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rlm@0
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304 for you and Tomoyo and I didn't and I'm sorry I'm so so sorry!"
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rlm@0
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305
|
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rlm@0
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306 With that, she collapsed into Sonomi's arms, crying at the shame of
|
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rlm@0
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307 it all. The woman held her tightly, cooing reassurance as she rocked
|
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rlm@0
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308 gently back and forth. With a fearful look Tomoyo came running, but
|
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rlm@0
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309 Sonomi shooed her away. Looking down at the auburn-haired girl she
|
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rlm@0
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310 smiled, knowing that what stung her the most were the taunts aimed at
|
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rlm@0
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311 Tomoyo. Sakura was a gentle, cheerful little spirit, but a protective
|
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rlm@0
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312 tigress when roused. She's like me, Sonomi mused. Odd, because she
|
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rlm@0
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313 had always seen Nadesico in the girl since their first meeting a year
|
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rlm@0
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314 ago, never herself. But when it came to those dearest to them, both
|
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rlm@0
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315 were as quick to anger as to love. And then memory took Sonomi,
|
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rlm@0
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316 memory from long ago.
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rlm@0
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317
|
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rlm@0
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318 She heard the sneering voice first, coming from behind a corner of
|
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rlm@0
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319 the school. Then the mocking words, "clumsy", "baka", "watch where
|
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rlm@0
|
320 you're going". Curious, she walked around the wall and heard a
|
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rlm@0
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321 muffled voice stammering out apologies. There stood Nadesico-chan,
|
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rlm@0
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322 bowing low, her long hair nearly sweeping the ground. Above her
|
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rlm@0
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323 towered a sempai, red-faced, hands on hips, his books in the dirt.
|
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rlm@0
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324 Letting loose another stream of disparaging abuse, he contemptuously
|
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rlm@0
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325 pushed her shoulder, knocking the slender girl off balance as she
|
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rlm@0
|
326 continued to apologize in her soft, sweet voice. With that, Sonomi
|
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rlm@0
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327 snapped.
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rlm@0
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328
|
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rlm@0
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329 She rushed towards him, screaming, "Stop it!". He turned to look,
|
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rlm@0
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330 his face contorted in the strangest combination of surprise and
|
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rlm@0
|
331 anger. Without thinking, Sonomi clenched her fist and swung in a
|
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rlm@0
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332 swift, arcing uppercut. She caught him square under the chin, his
|
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rlm@0
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333 open mouth quickly shutting, teeth clattering. Leaning her onrushing
|
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rlm@0
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334 body into the blow, she staggered him nearly off his feet and up
|
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rlm@0
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335 against the red brick wall. He slammed into it, head banging back
|
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rlm@0
|
336 with a solid thunk, then slumped into a heap in the dirt. Shaking in
|
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rlm@0
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337 rage and shock, Sonomi stood above him, waiting for the boy to rise.
|
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rlm@0
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338 But he was deathly still, and the fury that gripped her quickly
|
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rlm@0
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339 drained away. She was startled by Nadesico, who rushed past her to
|
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rlm@0
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340 see if the boy was all right. With a worried look, she touched his
|
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rlm@0
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341 forehead with loving tenderness. Groaning, he opened his eyes, and
|
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rlm@0
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342 Nadesico took Sonomi's hand and whispered, "Let's go."
|
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rlm@0
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343
|
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rlm@0
|
344 Later that morning they passed him in the hall, but he studiously
|
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rlm@0
|
345 ignored them. After lunch, the two friends sat on the grass in the
|
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rlm@0
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346 shade of a big oak tree. Nadesico watched Sonomi intently as the red
|
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rlm@0
|
347 haired girl gingerly covered one hand with the other. She reached
|
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rlm@0
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348 out, gently laying her own hand on Sonomi's, and asked,
|
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rlm@0
|
349
|
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rlm@0
|
350 "Did you hurt your hand?"
|
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rlm@0
|
351
|
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rlm@0
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352 Turning, Sonomi saw the fearful concern in her shimmering, green
|
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rlm@0
|
353 eyes. Blushing, she looked away and stammered,
|
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rlm@0
|
354
|
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rlm@0
|
355 "N-no, I'm fine, it's nothing".
|
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rlm@0
|
356
|
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rlm@0
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357 Nadesicio squeezed the hand ever so slightly, and Sonomi winced at
|
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rlm@0
|
358 the pain. Nadesico drew her hand back in horror and gasped,
|
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rlm@0
|
359
|
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rlm@0
|
360 "You did hurt yourself. Oh, Sonomi chan, I'm so sorry. You hurt
|
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rlm@0
|
361 yourself because of me."
|
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rlm@0
|
362
|
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rlm@0
|
363 Sonomi shook her head vigorously, short red hair flying back and
|
|
rlm@0
|
364 forth,
|
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rlm@0
|
365
|
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rlm@0
|
366 "No, no, it's nothing, really, just a sprain, I think. It happens
|
|
rlm@0
|
367 all the time in gymnastics".
|
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rlm@0
|
368
|
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rlm@0
|
369 At this, Nadesico looked more upset than ever.
|
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rlm@0
|
370
|
|
rlm@0
|
371 "Gymnastics? But Sonomi chan, don't you have a meet this weekend
|
|
rlm@0
|
372 with the gymnastics club?"
|
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rlm@0
|
373
|
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rlm@0
|
374 Sonomi had forgotten, but not Nadesico, who attended every meet to
|
|
rlm@0
|
375 cheer her on. With her dearest friend in the stands, Sonomi loved the
|
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rlm@0
|
376 competition. Before each event, she silently dedicated herself: May I
|
|
rlm@0
|
377 be blessed with strength and beauty to perform for her delight.
|
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rlm@0
|
378 Fiercely competitive, Sonomi hated to lose even more than she loved
|
|
rlm@0
|
379 to win. But such things seemed trivial when she was watched by
|
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rlm@0
|
380 Nadesico. Performing was sheer joy, and the dark haired girl's eager
|
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rlm@0
|
381 enthusiasm drove Sonomi to do her very best. With a smile she said,
|
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rlm@0
|
382
|
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rlm@0
|
383 "It's no big thing if I miss one meet."
|
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rlm@0
|
384
|
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rlm@0
|
385 Nadesico looked at the ground, then at the sky, watching a little
|
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rlm@0
|
386 white cloud scudding across the blue. She brushed the gray-black hair
|
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rlm@0
|
387 from her eyes and glanced at her friend. In a soft, sweet voice she
|
|
rlm@0
|
388 whispered,
|
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rlm@0
|
389
|
|
rlm@0
|
390 "Thank you, Sonomi chan". She carefully reached out for the girl's
|
|
rlm@0
|
391 good hand, and took it in her own. She caressed her hand gently,
|
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rlm@0
|
392 fingers lovingly tracing every curve and contour. Sonomi caught her
|
|
rlm@0
|
393 breath and blushed, staring straight ahead, not daring to face those
|
|
rlm@0
|
394 wide, emerald eyes for fear of what she might say, or do, here in the
|
|
rlm@0
|
395 schoolyard. Nadesico whispered again,
|
|
rlm@0
|
396
|
|
rlm@0
|
397 "But," Sonomi looked up quizically, waiting for her to continue. "
|
|
rlm@0
|
398 you know, sempai was right. I really am very clumsy." She smiled
|
|
rlm@0
|
399 brightly as she spoke. Sonomi suppressed a grin and wore a mock frown
|
|
rlm@0
|
400 instead as she replied,
|
|
rlm@0
|
401
|
|
rlm@0
|
402 "Yes, I know. But I'm the only one allowed to say that, ne?"
|
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rlm@0
|
403 Nadesico giggled, and Sonomi laughed out loud. Hand in hand, the two
|
|
rlm@0
|
404 cousins rose and ran off to their next class.
|
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rlm@0
|
405
|
|
rlm@0
|
406 Sakura had stopped crying, but still lay nestled in Sonomi's arms.
|
|
rlm@0
|
407 Wiping away her tears the woman said,
|
|
rlm@0
|
408
|
|
rlm@0
|
409 "That race is all over now. Let's get ready for the next one."
|
|
rlm@0
|
410
|
|
rlm@0
|
411 Sakura sat up, eyes red and puffy. Slowly the anger returned,
|
|
rlm@0
|
412 pushing out the hurt and filling her voice as she spoke,
|
|
rlm@0
|
413
|
|
rlm@0
|
414 "This time I'll beat him. I'll beat him so bad!"
|
|
rlm@0
|
415
|
|
rlm@0
|
416 Replying in her soft Mother's voice Sonomi answered,
|
|
rlm@0
|
417
|
|
rlm@0
|
418 "If that's the way you feel, Sakura chan, then you'll lose again,"
|
|
rlm@0
|
419
|
|
rlm@0
|
420 Stung by these gently spoken but cutting words, the auburn-haired
|
|
rlm@0
|
421 girl looked up in surprise. Sonomi smiled nonchalantly and continued,
|
|
rlm@0
|
422
|
|
rlm@0
|
423 "When you sprint, emotions like anger just slow you down. Remember
|
|
rlm@0
|
424 how I told you to be when you take your mark?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
425
|
|
rlm@0
|
426 Sakura nodded as she spoke, "Relaxed but concentrating".
|
|
rlm@0
|
427
|
|
rlm@0
|
428 Sonomi nodded and continued, "That's right. It's very hard to do,
|
|
rlm@0
|
429 because when we concentrate we usually strain to keep our focus. But
|
|
rlm@0
|
430 when you strain like that your body isn't relaxed, you tense up like
|
|
rlm@0
|
431 you did today. But when we relax, we tend to lose focus, our mind
|
|
rlm@0
|
432 wanders, and we're distracted by whatever comes along."
|
|
rlm@0
|
433
|
|
rlm@0
|
434 Confused, Sakura blurted out, "But then, what do I do? How can I do
|
|
rlm@0
|
435 both at once?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
436
|
|
rlm@0
|
437 "Sakura, usually when you run, you do both at once, you're just not
|
|
rlm@0
|
438 aware of it. But when you have strong thoughts and feelings that
|
|
rlm@0
|
439 affect you, you lose focus, or your relaxation, or even both. During
|
|
rlm@0
|
440 practice, when you hear the starting gun, what are you thinking about?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
441
|
|
rlm@0
|
442 Puzzled, Sakura tried to remember. Finally she looked up in
|
|
rlm@0
|
443 bafflement and said, "I don't know. I don't remember thinking about
|
|
rlm@0
|
444 anything. I'm just waiting for the gun."
|
|
rlm@0
|
445
|
|
rlm@0
|
446 Sonomi smiled, "And in the qualifying race, what were you thinking?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
447
|
|
rlm@0
|
448 "That I wanted to beat Li-kun so bad. That I was so mad for what he
|
|
rlm@0
|
449 said about Tomoyo."
|
|
rlm@0
|
450
|
|
rlm@0
|
451 "And how was your start?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
452
|
|
rlm@0
|
453 Sakura stared at the ground and mumbled, "Awful. I missed the gun
|
|
rlm@0
|
454 and came out of the blocks last."
|
|
rlm@0
|
455
|
|
rlm@0
|
456 Sonomi lifted the girl's downcast chin with gentle fingers. Verging
|
|
rlm@0
|
457 on tears again, she looked up into Sonomi's soft, blue eyes. Suddenly
|
|
rlm@0
|
458 the woman swept her up, hugging her tightly as she spoke,
|
|
rlm@0
|
459
|
|
rlm@0
|
460 "Sakura chan, I know perfectly well how you want to protect Tomoyo,
|
|
rlm@0
|
461 and I love you for it. But," stooping by the standing girl, she
|
|
rlm@0
|
462 studied her face carefully, "you can't let thoughts and feelings
|
|
rlm@0
|
463 hamper you when you sprint, or you'll never run well. You have to let
|
|
rlm@0
|
464 them go, like dropping a heavy stone. Do you know when I ran my best
|
|
rlm@0
|
465 ever?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
466
|
|
rlm@0
|
467 Sakura brightened, "Was that when you won the Nationals?"
|
|
rlm@0
|
468
|
|
rlm@0
|
469 Sonomi nodded and smiled, "That's right. It was after your Mother
|
|
rlm@0
|
470 was married." At that thought, the smile left her, and she struggled
|
|
rlm@0
|
471 to keep her composure. "Sakura, when your Mother married, I
|
|
rlm@0
|
472 was...very, very sad. I felt I'd lost the one most precious to me. I
|
|
rlm@0
|
473 thought about her all the time."
|
|
rlm@0
|
474
|
|
rlm@0
|
475 To herself she sighed, "I still do."
|
|
rlm@0
|
476
|
|
rlm@0
|
477 "The only time I didn't think of her was when I ran. For just a few,
|
|
rlm@0
|
478 precious seconds, I forgot everything. There was only the running.
|
|
rlm@0
|
479
|
|
rlm@0
|
480 Sakura, when you run, you can't think about Tomoyo, or what Li-kun
|
|
rlm@0
|
481 said, or anything else. You have to let everything go. When the gun
|
|
rlm@0
|
482 sounds, your body starts instinctively, without a trace of thought or
|
|
rlm@0
|
483 feeling. A sprint is over too quickly to let yourself be clouded by
|
|
rlm@0
|
484 emotions. My coach told me that when you run, your mind should be an
|
|
rlm@0
|
485 empty mirror in a dark room. Then the running happens all by itself,
|
|
rlm@0
|
486 and there is nothing to slow you down."
|
|
rlm@0
|
487
|
|
rlm@0
|
488 She stood and smiled at the beautiful daughter of Nadesico, who
|
|
rlm@0
|
489 smiled back ever so sweetly. A gentle spring breeze swept past them,
|
|
rlm@0
|
490 their short hair teased in the sudden wind. There were times when
|
|
rlm@0
|
491 Sonomi sensed her cousin's presence in the things she had loved: rain
|
|
rlm@0
|
492 drops running in little rivers down the window, birds circling high
|
|
rlm@0
|
493 in a cloudless sky, and a breeze like this, playfully tossing her
|
|
rlm@0
|
494 long, gray-black hair.
|
|
rlm@0
|
495
|
|
rlm@0
|
496 "Sakura, let's work on your transition to a full run. I think your
|
|
rlm@0
|
497 final stride is a bit too long."
|
|
rlm@0
|
498
|
|
rlm@0
|
499 The girl nodded eagerly, and the two walked away from the tree and
|
|
rlm@0
|
500 back to the track. The breeze died down as fast as it had come,
|
|
rlm@0
|
501 leaving Sonomi with a terrible longing. "Someday", she thought with
|
|
rlm@0
|
502 an aching heart, "someday. Wait for me, Nadesico, please wait for me."
|
|
rlm@0
|
503
|
|
rlm@0
|
504 III.
|
|
rlm@0
|
505 When Sakura first caught a glimpse of Li kun she struggled with her
|
|
rlm@0
|
506 feelings and pondered what to do. Afraid of upsetting herself before
|
|
rlm@0
|
507 the race, she decided to ignore him, and continued her warm ups in
|
|
rlm@0
|
508 the grassy field by the track. But the boy stood close by her, and
|
|
rlm@0
|
509 then coughed loudly, twice, all but demanding an audience. Sakura
|
|
rlm@0
|
510 turned towards him, waiting for his latest remarks. Instead, he
|
|
rlm@0
|
511 looked at the ground, obviously struggling with himself. Puzzled, she
|
|
rlm@0
|
512 said,
|
|
rlm@0
|
513
|
|
rlm@0
|
514 “LI kun?”
|
|
rlm@0
|
515
|
|
rlm@0
|
516 The boy clenched his fists tightly and forced the words out,
|
|
rlm@0
|
517
|
|
rlm@0
|
518 “I….I’m sorry. Sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
519
|
|
rlm@0
|
520 He stood silent, waiting for whatever abuse she might hurl. But her
|
|
rlm@0
|
521 voice was gentle, overflowing with happiness,
|
|
rlm@0
|
522
|
|
rlm@0
|
523 “Li kun, I know you didn’t mean what you said. It’s all right. But
|
|
rlm@0
|
524 thank you so much for telling me.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
525
|
|
rlm@0
|
526 He looked up at her with pained eyes and saw that comforting smile.
|
|
rlm@0
|
527 A terrible burden suddenly and miraculously lifted from his
|
|
rlm@0
|
528 shoulders, he teeterd on the verge of tears. He almost smiled, but
|
|
rlm@0
|
529 flustered and obviously out of words, quickly ran off instead. Sakura
|
|
rlm@0
|
530 watched him go, and felt her own blessing of relief. Now she would
|
|
rlm@0
|
531 not have to run this race against anyone. But she would still run the
|
|
rlm@0
|
532 race for someone. With that realization, she heard Tomoyo’s voice on
|
|
rlm@0
|
533 the loudspeaker announcing the start of the 5th grade 100 meter dash.
|
|
rlm@0
|
534
|
|
rlm@0
|
535 She walked to the starting line, scanning the crowd for familiar
|
|
rlm@0
|
536 faces. With delight she saw Oniichan, Yukito san and her father
|
|
rlm@0
|
537 waving from the stands. She waved back wildly, and then saw Sonomi
|
|
rlm@0
|
538 sama as well, and waved to her. Noticing the other runners, she
|
|
rlm@0
|
539 quickly went to her starting block and adjusted it. She felt a great
|
|
rlm@0
|
540 excitement, but also a wonderful sense of peace. Beaming, she turned
|
|
rlm@0
|
541 to Syaoran who was preparing in the lane next to her and said,
|
|
rlm@0
|
542
|
|
rlm@0
|
543 “Li kun, let’s do our best, OK?”
|
|
rlm@0
|
544
|
|
rlm@0
|
545 He blushed, and nodded silently while he fiddled with his blocks.
|
|
rlm@0
|
546 Terrada sensei, in his white and black stripped official’s uniform,
|
|
rlm@0
|
547 stood to one side and nodded. The eight runners stepped into their
|
|
rlm@0
|
548 lanes in front of the starting blocks. Sakura closed her eyes and
|
|
rlm@0
|
549 said a silent prayer,
|
|
rlm@0
|
550
|
|
rlm@0
|
551 “Tomoyo chan, if I forget you, just for this race, please don’t ever
|
|
rlm@0
|
552 forget me.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
553
|
|
rlm@0
|
554 With a deep breath, Sakura began to let everything go: the spring
|
|
rlm@0
|
555 sky, the other runners, the expectant audience. All things faded from
|
|
rlm@0
|
556 her mind: the fight with Li kun, the hours of training, her brother's
|
|
rlm@0
|
557 taunts, Yukito's kindness, her father's gentleness. Last was Tomoyo,
|
|
rlm@0
|
558 pale, serene, and ever smiling, her long, black hair blowing in some
|
|
rlm@0
|
559 distant wind.
|
|
rlm@0
|
560
|
|
rlm@0
|
561 "Go to your marks!"
|
|
rlm@0
|
562
|
|
rlm@0
|
563 At Terrada sensei's booming call, she went to her position. Her left
|
|
rlm@0
|
564 leg rested on the ground, her right leg the power leg, brought
|
|
rlm@0
|
565 forward. Both feet set lightly on the starting blocks, and her
|
|
rlm@0
|
566 fingers and thumbs formed little bridges on the white chalk starting
|
|
rlm@0
|
567 line. With her head down, her field of vision was reduced to a few
|
|
rlm@0
|
568 square inches of dirt. Her body felt utterly relaxed but alert,
|
|
rlm@0
|
569 awaiting the next call.
|
|
rlm@0
|
570
|
|
rlm@0
|
571 "Set"
|
|
rlm@0
|
572
|
|
rlm@0
|
573 In an instant, everything changed. She took a deep, quick breath as
|
|
rlm@0
|
574 her body arched up, hips raised slightly above the level of her
|
|
rlm@0
|
575 shoulders. Her weight shifted forward, head and neck leaning over the
|
|
rlm@0
|
576 white line. Her back foot lifted up slightly with only her toes on
|
|
rlm@0
|
577 the block, but her right, forward foot was flush to the block for
|
|
rlm@0
|
578 maximum thrust. She was still calm and relaxed, but the muscles in
|
|
rlm@0
|
579 her body sang out in electric expectation. Her concentration was
|
|
rlm@0
|
580 absolute, waiting, waiting, waiting...
|
|
rlm@0
|
581
|
|
rlm@0
|
582 A deafening bang.
|
|
rlm@0
|
583
|
|
rlm@0
|
584 At the retort of the gun her body pitched forward, fingers leaving
|
|
rlm@0
|
585 the ground and forming fists, one arm sweeping and one thrown back.
|
|
rlm@0
|
586 The muscles in her right leg exploded and thrust her body forward and
|
|
rlm@0
|
587 up. Her strides were short but powerful as her body gradually
|
|
rlm@0
|
588 straightened, while her eyes rasied and focused on the long, narrow
|
|
rlm@0
|
589 lane. By the fourth stride she was at a full run, arms moving piston-
|
|
rlm@0
|
590 like in quick, sharp bursts, stride lengthening as her leg speed
|
|
rlm@0
|
591 approached its limits. Her form was liquid smooth and flawless,
|
|
rlm@0
|
592 without extraneous motion to detract from the efficiency of her run.
|
|
rlm@0
|
593 Her head was straight and still, her knees lifting high to the front,
|
|
rlm@0
|
594 giving her the delightful look of a prancing horse. She saw only the
|
|
rlm@0
|
595 finish line, almost halfway there now, narrowing in a long, dark
|
|
rlm@0
|
596 tunnel. The darkness enveloped her as she reached her fastest speed,
|
|
rlm@0
|
597 then splintered in a shattering fountain of light.
|
|
rlm@0
|
598
|
|
rlm@0
|
599 She saw her own body running, as though viewed from outside herself.
|
|
rlm@0
|
600 But not quite her body, for it was a luminous, pulsating figure that
|
|
rlm@0
|
601 illumined the darkness. Great strands of blue light flowed through
|
|
rlm@0
|
602 her arms and coiled through the air, pulling her ahead. Torrents of
|
|
rlm@0
|
603 yellow energy flooded through her legs with every stride. Her body
|
|
rlm@0
|
604 hurtled forward, straining its earthly bounds as if taking flight. It
|
|
rlm@0
|
605 was exhilarating, captivating, and liberating. Ahead she saw the
|
|
rlm@0
|
606 finish line, bathed in a luminous white light. The radiance shimmered
|
|
rlm@0
|
607 with a gentle warmth, and she longed for it. In a sudden burst of
|
|
rlm@0
|
608 speed she accelerated, drawing closer and closer to the sparkling
|
|
rlm@0
|
609 brilliance. Nearly engulfed by the blazing light she suddenly
|
|
rlm@0
|
610 thought, what is it? And with that, great luminous shards fractured
|
|
rlm@0
|
611 about her as the world of Tomoeda tumbled back into place.
|
|
rlm@0
|
612
|
|
rlm@0
|
613 Blinking incomprehensibly, Sakura saw she had crossed the finish
|
|
rlm@0
|
614 line and was nearly at the end of the track. Dimly aware of the
|
|
rlm@0
|
615 tumult behind her she looked and saw the crowd of parents and
|
|
rlm@0
|
616 children jumping, clapping, and screaming. Dazed, she looked for a
|
|
rlm@0
|
617 familiar face and saw Mizuki-sensei with a stopwatch, comparing it
|
|
rlm@0
|
618 with a timer from another teacher. Terrada sensei jogged up from the
|
|
rlm@0
|
619 starting line, examined the stopwatches, then glanced at Sakura
|
|
rlm@0
|
620 incredulously. Again he looked, and shook his head in disbelief. The
|
|
rlm@0
|
621 other runners were congratulating Sakura, regarding her with
|
|
rlm@0
|
622 excitement and awe. Timidly, she made her way to Mizuki sensei, who
|
|
rlm@0
|
623 smiled and placed her hand gently on Sakura’s head. She felt a sudden
|
|
rlm@0
|
624 flash of the glow at the finish line, and a warm, bubbling happiness.
|
|
rlm@0
|
625 Tomoyo’s voice, with barely suppressed excitement, came over the
|
|
rlm@0
|
626 loudspeaker,
|
|
rlm@0
|
627
|
|
rlm@0
|
628 “First place, 5th grade 100 meter dash, Kinomoto Sakura, 12.6
|
|
rlm@0
|
629 seconds, a new Tomoeda record. Second place Li Syaoran…”
|
|
rlm@0
|
630
|
|
rlm@0
|
631 The wild cheering and clapping of the audience began again, drowning
|
|
rlm@0
|
632 out the rest of the announcement. Terrada sensei looked at her in
|
|
rlm@0
|
633 wonder and laughed,
|
|
rlm@0
|
634
|
|
rlm@0
|
635 “12.6, amazing. That would be a good time for a high school girl.
|
|
rlm@0
|
636 Nice run, Kinomoto.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
637
|
|
rlm@0
|
638 Embarrassed, Sakura bowed her thanks. She scanned the crowd, looking
|
|
rlm@0
|
639 for family, and Sonomi, to invite her and Tomoyo for lunch.
|
|
rlm@0
|
640
|
|
rlm@0
|
641 Lunch, prepared by her father, was wonderful. He brought a triple
|
|
rlm@0
|
642 portion for Yukito, who still finished his before anyone else,
|
|
rlm@0
|
643 including some of Tomoyo’s portion, which was graciously offered and
|
|
rlm@0
|
644 gratefully accepted. Sonomi, sitting by Sakura (and as far away from
|
|
rlm@0
|
645 her father as possible), looked askance and declared in an irritable
|
|
rlm@0
|
646 voice,
|
|
rlm@0
|
647
|
|
rlm@0
|
648 “Just as I would have expected, sensei. It’s excellent.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
649
|
|
rlm@0
|
650 After her father left for work and her brother and Yukito for class,
|
|
rlm@0
|
651 Sakura talked to Sonomi while Tomoyo went to wash up. When she
|
|
rlm@0
|
652 thanked her for all the time and effort, Sonomi smiled and shook her
|
|
rlm@0
|
653 head,
|
|
rlm@0
|
654
|
|
rlm@0
|
655 “Sakura chan, it was delightful to be your coach. Your sprint today
|
|
rlm@0
|
656 was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. You did so well,
|
|
rlm@0
|
657 and I’m so proud.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
658
|
|
rlm@0
|
659 Sakura gazed up at her and felt the tears welling. She threw her
|
|
rlm@0
|
660 arms around Sonomi and hugged her tightly, as if she were fearful the
|
|
rlm@0
|
661 woman might suddenly vanish. Startled at first, Sonomi smiled and
|
|
rlm@0
|
662 hugged her back, fighting off tears of her own. At last Sakura
|
|
rlm@0
|
663 released her and bowed, asking in a trembling voice,
|
|
rlm@0
|
664
|
|
rlm@0
|
665 “Sonomi sama, I… I don’t want to be a bother, and, if it wouldn’t be
|
|
rlm@0
|
666 too much trouble I’d understand, but if…if…could you please keep
|
|
rlm@0
|
667 being my coach?”
|
|
rlm@0
|
668
|
|
rlm@0
|
669 Sonomi laid her hand on the girls shoulder and spoke in a loving
|
|
rlm@0
|
670 voice,
|
|
rlm@0
|
671
|
|
rlm@0
|
672 “Sakura chan, I can’t think of anything that would make me happier.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
673
|
|
rlm@0
|
674 Sakura’s smile was radiant.
|
|
rlm@0
|
675
|
|
rlm@0
|
676 Walking home from school, Tomoyo spoke adoringly of Sakura’s
|
|
rlm@0
|
677 marvelous sprint. Sakura walked in silence as her friend talked
|
|
rlm@0
|
678 nonstop,
|
|
rlm@0
|
679
|
|
rlm@0
|
680 “I only wish I had been able to design a special running outfit for
|
|
rlm@0
|
681 you. It was such a beautiful run! You were like an angel flying to
|
|
rlm@0
|
682 the stars, or a cheetah springing through the plains, or…”
|
|
rlm@0
|
683
|
|
rlm@0
|
684 “Tomoyo chan.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
685
|
|
rlm@0
|
686 “…or maybe a dolphin, but that would be swimming. Oh, you should
|
|
rlm@0
|
687 join the swim club, too! There are such wonderful patterns for cute
|
|
rlm@0
|
688 swimsuits, but I don’t know if…”
|
|
rlm@0
|
689
|
|
rlm@0
|
690 “Tomoyo chan?”
|
|
rlm@0
|
691
|
|
rlm@0
|
692 “…if you could wear them on the team. But I could, oh, I’m sorry,
|
|
rlm@0
|
693 Sakura chan.” Tomoyo covered her mouth as she giggled. Glancing up to
|
|
rlm@0
|
694 see Sakura’s troubled and uncertain look, Tomoyo suddenly stopped
|
|
rlm@0
|
695 short. Before she could ask, Sakura blurted out in a teary voice,
|
|
rlm@0
|
696
|
|
rlm@0
|
697 “Tomoyo chan, I forgot about you today. Sonomi sama said I should
|
|
rlm@0
|
698 let everything go, and I did, and you were the last thing I thought
|
|
rlm@0
|
699 about, but I feel so bad that I forgot you like that. I know you
|
|
rlm@0
|
700 would never forget about me. I’m so sorry.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
701
|
|
rlm@0
|
702 Watching her sobbing friend and pained by her anguish, Tomoyo gently
|
|
rlm@0
|
703 took the girl’s hands and spoke with angelic sweetness,
|
|
rlm@0
|
704
|
|
rlm@0
|
705 “Sakura chan, you don’t have to think about me all the time. There
|
|
rlm@0
|
706 are lots of wonderful things to think about. And I know that no
|
|
rlm@0
|
707 matter what you’re thinking, you love me, and that’s all that
|
|
rlm@0
|
708 matters.”
|
|
rlm@0
|
709
|
|
rlm@0
|
710 Breathing raggedly, Sakura gazed into Tomoyo’s luminous eyes. She
|
|
rlm@0
|
711 felt a sudden torrent of longing, the same that had drawn her to the
|
|
rlm@0
|
712 brilliant white light at the race’s finish. Sakura fell into Tomoyo’s
|
|
rlm@0
|
713 arms, the two girls clasped together amid smiles and tears.
|
|
rlm@0
|
714
|
|
rlm@0
|
715 And there they stood while the world spun round, two perfect lovers
|
|
rlm@0
|
716 in an ardent embrace.
|
|
rlm@0
|
717
|
|
rlm@0
|
718
|
|
rlm@0
|
719
|
|
rlm@0
|
720
|
|
rlm@0
|
721
|
|
rlm@0
|
722
|
|
rlm@0
|
723
|
|
rlm@0
|
724
|
|
rlm@0
|
725
|
|
rlm@0
|
726
|
|
rlm@0
|
727
|
|
rlm@0
|
728
|
|
rlm@0
|
729 *Thanks to Heather of Amazoness Duo for the title
|
|
rlm@0
|
730
|
|
rlm@0
|
731
|
|
rlm@0
|
732
|
|
rlm@0
|
733
|
|
rlm@0
|
734
|
|
rlm@0
|
735 .
|
|
rlm@0
|
736
|
|
rlm@0
|
737
|
|
rlm@0
|
738
|
|
rlm@0
|
739
|
|
rlm@0
|
740
|
|
rlm@0
|
741
|
|
rlm@0
|
742
|
|
rlm@0
|
743
|
|
rlm@0
|
744
|
|
rlm@0
|
745
|
|
rlm@0
|
746
|
|
rlm@0
|
747
|
|
rlm@0
|
748
|
|
rlm@0
|
749
|
|
rlm@0
|
750
|
|
rlm@0
|
751
|
|
rlm@0
|
752
|
|
rlm@0
|
753
|
|
rlm@0
|
754
|
|
rlm@0
|
755
|
|
rlm@0
|
756
|
