CHAPTER 1: A Rush of Excitement and A Twinge of Nervousness

DISCLAIMER: I do not own S.A.

ANOTHER OF THOSE LAME TRIALS OF MINE. READ UP IF YOU PLEASE. and please DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW.

"Hikari! Can you get my hammer in my tool box, please?" My dad called, "It's in the cupboard."

I looked outside the window of my room and smiled at my father who was in the backyard fixing the fences of our house. "Yes sir!" I shouted back at him.

It has been 2 years since I left Tokyo. It had been that long since I left Hakusenkan Academy and S.A. I cannot deny I miss them…my friends: Akira, Tadashi, Megumi, Jun and Ryuu…and of course, my number one competitor, Takishima. How could I also forget Sakura, Yahiro, Alisa and Finn?

I miss them all, so much.

It was roughly 24 months ago when my father told me that he was going to be promoted to a higher position in the company he was working. I was happy when I heard about the promotion my father got. A higher position means more money and more opportunities for my father. I wouldn't let him pass on that. But then, after I learned that he would also be reassigned to the suburbs if he accepts the promotion, I can't help but to feel miserable. All my life, I have never been so happy with my friends and with myself. I couldn't leave them now as this was the peak of our lives, of my life…But I don't want to let my father down and as his only daughter, I felt it is my duty to support him, and supporting him means being with him no matter what…even though it means leaving my friends, my life as it had been, and my dreams…

I know I was cruel when I left them hanging. I didn't even bid goodbye to them. I just went away with my family. My father, needless to say, allowed me to stay whenever and if ever I want to. But here I am the goody-good daughter. I showed no traces of deep remorse to my family, especially my father. I don't want them to worry about me so I pretended to be happy most of the time. I don't want my father to change his mind about us, leaving because of my melodramatic act or worse, change his mind about the promotion.

But I can't lie to myself. Deep inside, I have been longing for them. Sometimes, I even find myself crying for the reason that I truly and deeply miss them. Well, because they are my joy and laughter... and somehow, I can say, that they are my life.

I went downstairs to the kitchen cupboard and opened the cabinet. I found the black toolbox and unfastened the rope tied around the box. With a sigh of relief, I clutched the big hammer, went out and held it to my father.

"Here, dad." I motioned to him. "How's the fence?" I kneeled next to him.

"Well, they are as sturdy as ever." He winked at me. "How about your things for tomorrow?"

"All set." I smiled, "Though, I haven't packed all of my things yet…I want to leave some of it…in case I change my mind."

"Why would you change your mind? That scholarship in Tokyo University is the best thing that has happened to you for the last 2 years…and I'm right, am I?" He tapped my shoulders with his hands. I nodded and smiled weakly at him.

"I'm nervous." I admitted.

"Don't be." He said, "You're the most intelligent…and beautiful girl in the entire world, how many times do I have to tell you that?" He pinched my nose.

"Maybe a hundred times more until I'm bloating with confidence?" I tried to get his hands off my nose.

"Or did that Takishima brainwashed you that you'll always be number two?" he eyed me suspiciously.

"Of course not!" I retorted.

Oh no. Not this topic again.

"Really? Or have my Hikari fell in love with her competitor?" my father squinted.

"N-no..! Why would I?" I lied.

"Don't worry. We like Takishima anyway." My father laughed. "Like what I always tell you: the guy you're supposed to marry is a guy who can defeat you."

He embraced me and kissed my head. I hugged him back. "I love you daddy."

"I love you too, fighter." He said, "And don't you lie to me."

Fighter has always been what daddy has been calling me ever since my first battle against Takishima.

I disengaged my hug with my father. "Lie about what dad?" I told him.

He held my hand as we walked back at the house. "That you like Takishima…Fighter, I know you too well. Behind those matches with him…I know there's something going on between the two of you…and I'm sorry for being a hindrance in that love story of yours." He smiled apologetically at me.

I smiled back at my dad. "Dad, it's not your fault. I've chosen this…and I'm going to deal with the circumstances." I put my arm on his shoulder.

"I don't regret what I did. None of it." I assured him.

"Mom, I'm getting fidgety." I told my mom during dinner time.

"and why is that?" My mom smiled at me as she scooped another cup of rice for my brother.

"Well…because it's been so long." I said.

"So what?" My father said, "It's not like you've been gone forever."

"Dad…" I tried to argue…but nothing came out of my mouth. "It's just…I don't know if…if they're still there." I said slowly.

"You're worrying too much." My mom said. "Eat. You'll need energy for tomorrow's travel."

"I'm not yet hungry." I said, as I stare at the food and in deep thoughts.

"Can I have your fish, then?" my brother said. But before I could even nod, he snatched the fish away from my bowl and placed them on his.

My mom slapped my brother's hands, "Hisashi, give that back. You ate your fish already."

"But mom, she doesn't like to eat." My brother defended, "The fish will just go to waste." He looked at the fish lovingly.

"Let him have my fish, mom." I interrupted, "I'll just go to bed." I stood up, but then my father told me to eat.

"Eat, Hikari. You need it." He encouraged. "Eat, even a little."

The stars were twinkling in the night sky. The solitude and the peacefulness of the night was the perfect timing for some emotional outpouring.

I climbed to bed as I pondered on my thoughts.

Tomorrow's the day.

The big day.

My most awaited day in 2 years.

The day when I can come back to where I really belong.

The day when I can already see my friends and actually be with them.

The day when I can already confess to Takishima my feelings for him that I have kept for 13 years.

The day when I can already tell how much I love him and how I was so stupid for being such an asshole when he'd shown all the signs that he share the same feeling too.

I hope tomorrow will not be as long as I imagine it.