Break Time: A Toyomi Short Story Series

By Funakounasoul

DISCLAIMER: Well, I don't own Azumanga Daioh, but I DO own the Raison d'Etre webcomic!

This one's an interesting one. I guess it's technically a crossover?

Inspiration from Eavesdropping

A few years have already passed since everyone had graduated. Many of the old gang had moved onto different colleges, different areas, but they still tried to keep in touch. Tomo, in particular, had made it a habit for her to visit Yomi every weekend, with Osaka in tow being an option. Most of the time, Yomi was pretty annoyed at their visits, but she seemed to have mellowed out and even anticipate some of their visits after a while because college could be quite stressful.

The weekend had arrived again, and unfortunately, Osaka could not join this time around. It was up to Tomo to provide entertainment! Easy enough, she thought. There was always something new to pester Yomi with, and if that did not work, she already had some movies in tow for an easy movie night.

As Tomo made her way out of the train station, she wondered if maybe she should have applied to this college instead. Yomi's college was within the confines of Shibuya-ku, and the crowds were even thicker than their old neighborhood, all too busy to even pay attention to the walkways at times. Despite that, it was a place that was always full of energy and a youthful spark that Tomo still enjoyed to partake in...because she's still totally young. She's not like the girl's old teachers, not yet. Not ever!

So many blocks, but soon, she would be there...Eventually, the urban energy quieted down as she approached more residential areas. Yomi's apartment should be approaching soon. Still, Tomo was not expected at any particular time...As long as she arrived, Yomi would be ready, or she should be, Tomo mused to herself. There was this one spot that she wanted to check out before she arrived anyway. It was a simple park that contained a few pieces of playground equipment, but every time she walked by it during these visits, she just really wanted to give those swings a try. They looked newish. They needed to be broken in a little. No one would mind if a gal like herself just...sat down and attempted to jump the greatest distance, right?

As she approached the playground, however, she realized she was not going to be alone. Darn it! Ah, no matter, she thought, a swing's a swing! Her second approach was cut off, however, after hearing some serious mutterings. Unbeknownst to even herself, she decided to jump into a nearby bush and wait out the encounter.

"I jus' wish I could spend more time with ya, y'know? I don' wanna go back home...I...I wanna be with...you!"

"I know, I know...I do wish you could just stay with us, Miko, but that would probably cause more drama than we have now."

"Oh, Sachiko..." Upon closer inspection, Tomo noted that there were two teenaged girls sitting on the swings (darn it), but they were worried about...something. This accidental eavesdropping was a little awkward, to say the least. On the one hand, she could pop up and just go ahead and try out the swing and be done with it, but...

"When I'm with ya, I feel like nothin' else in the world matters. Y'make me feel safe, wanted...Y'don' tell me I'm weird."

"Well, I do tease you here and there, you gotta admit that!"

"Heheh, of course, but it's...a nicer tease. I'm used to it."

Teasing, huh? Tomo knew quite a bit about that. She had realized that she may have been a particularly rough during her middle and high school years, but she has also matured a little bit. No longer did she tease Yomi about her weight...well, to the rude levels she had back in high school, at least. Yomi noticed that as well, and her reactions softened to that of snarky comebacks and gentle shoves. Whenever they teased each other, it was all in jest. They knew that very well now. And Yomi even admitted once to her that if Tomo did not tease, it felt...weird.

"Maybe...When we're older...I'll just tell'em to leave me be. I'll move in with ya and we can be together!"

Yeah, kid! Go for it! Tomo smiled to herself. These two were quite mature for their age! Of course, they could be high school seniors for all she knew. It was getting harder to tell a high schooler from a grade schooler. That sounded like a great idea, too - to be with the one that meant so much to you...Even if they end up in different colleges, even if one decides to just go straight to the workforce or something...that's what public transportation is for! They could still very much be together as adults and support one another. It made Tomo wonder a little, though...Why did she not just do that with...?

"Man, Miko, I really love how optimistic you can be. Even with the rough life you've had..."

"It's 'cuz I have you, Sachiko. I dunno where I'd be without ya here..."

"Heh...Me neither, to be honest. No matter what happens, even years from now...I'll always be here for you."

"I know. That's why I love ya so much."

L-love?!

With a quick motion, Tomo spread the branches of the bush far enough to get a better look. Lo and behold, she caught the sight of the auburn-haired girl leaning down to the still-sitting, dark-haired bespectacled girl, the two sharing a sweet, not-so-quick kiss. The younger Tomo would have probably jumped out and teased the two girls about it, even if she had no idea who they were, but, here she was, frozen in her spot. She finally collapsed out of the bush after the two got up and left, their conversation switching to one of homework.

Whatever happened to keeping your hands and lips to yourself in public? Kids these days...

Wait. What was Tomo even thinking? She wasn't some stodgy old lady! She should be supportive of these kids and their future dreams! With a quick dusting of her clothes, she lifted a hand, placed it near her mouth and happily exclaimed, "YOU CAN DO IT! SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS!"

...Of course, Tomo caught the attention of not only the two girls, but she got the rest of the neighborhood as well. The girls, in particular, realized where the shout came from and blushed a deep red before running out of sight. Ah, I know they'll appreciate that later, Tomo shrugged, grabbing her bag from the ground and resuming her own journey, completely forgetting about the swing set in the process.

As Tomo continued her walk, the teenagers' conversation really stuck to her and played over and over in her head. Having someone that was always there for you, no matter what...even if they teased each other and joked around. She knew what that was like. When everyone started college, Tomo was actually a little erratic. Her concentration plummeted to far worse levels than before. Nothing felt...right...even with Osaka by her side. It just was not the same, not at all like the times she spent with Yomi...

It really made her wonder why she had not tried asking Yomi if she could move in before. Nervousness? Pride? Perhaps Tomo needed to hear those girls talk. Perhaps...she really should talk to Yomi about how she has felt since graduation. With a quick, determined nod, Tomo had made her decision. It was a discussion that needed to happen, and she was sure Yomi would be willing to listen this time around.

Good thing she brought those movies along. They were going to need it as background noise.

I guess it was a crossover bound to happen. And if you've never heard of it before, Raison d'Etre is an urban fantasy webcomic focusing on four gals and their histories/relationships with one another via memories and flashbacks. Two were featured in this story – Miko and Sachiko – and they would have been in high school a few years after the Azu gang had graduated, actually!

Probably because of Raison's focus on self-discovery/coming-of-age, these recent Break Time stories have been quite soul-searching...But nothing wrong with that! I really do think Tomo and Yomi need to have these kind of moments if they want to figure out why they can stand each other for as long as they have.

You can check out my webcomic by going to raisondetrecomic . tumblr . com!