The Reason
"Itchan .."
What reason will you have to run now?
Akari cried silently as she ran the triathlon, not quite
understanding why she was doing it in the first place. Ever since Ichino
left the school due to her injury, Akari pretty much was just a walking
zombie with absolutely no motivation to do anything. Days passed and
Akari would only curl up in her room, isolating herself from everyone.
She thought of what she could've done if she had caught up with her
Itchan at the shuttle station.
What reason will you have to run now?
Jessie's words rang clearly in Akari's head and she grew confused
and hopeless. No Itchan, no motivation. The words of her classmates
didn't phase her, everyone looking down up her...nothing affected her
anymore because she didn't have her dearest best friend, Itchan.
Throughout the entire triathlon she only thought of Ichino until she ran
into Ling Pha's trap and she was ready to quit. If it weren't for
Itchan's brother giving her the confidence that Osaka was supporting her
and indefinitely Itchan herself.
What reason will you have to run now?
A new burst of energy coursed through Akari's veins and she pumped
her legs, pedaling to reach her goal of being in the top three and to
make Ichino proud. Every single emotion she felt was poured into her
physical body and she had made the jump between last place to second
place. Nothing could stop Akari, until her armband with Itchan's number
fell off in the last leg of the race. Akari couldn't breathe, couldn't
go on, all she could think was of Itchan.
What reason will you have to run now?
Tears sprung up to her eyes and she didn't know. Everyone was
supporting her but without Ichino Yanagida it was all for nothing. Then
she heard her voice. Her reprimanding voice demanding an answer to why
she had stopped. Akari turned around to see her Itchan and ran with all
her might, to her goal, not the finish line, but the most important
person in the world to her...
"ITCHAAAN!!" and she ran until she was wrapped up in her embrace. The
rain stopped, and the clouds cleared up, leaving the bright shining sun
in its presence. Akari had finished first and no doubt, made Ichino very
proud. They stood in front of the tree, the words "Akari, Ichino"
written into it.
"Ne, Akari. Let's make another promise. Next year, I will enter
University Satellite for sure with you waiting for me...as the Cosmo
Beauty!" Ichino grinned proudly.
Akari's eyes grew large, "EHHH?" Ichino just smiled, her heart
fluttering like it always did whenever she was with Akari. Silence
surrounded them and Ichino stepped closer to her, shifting her weight to
her uninjured leg. Her hand came up to the side of her face and
whispered, "I know you can do it..."
What reason will you have to run now?
It had always been Itchan. Akari's face grew heated as Itchan
searched her eyes, "Akari...wait for me." Ichino's gaze became soft as
she leaned in closer, "I love you...wait for me." Akari's breathing
became slightly heavy as the distance between the two lessened. "Promise
me." Itchan held very still, her lips lightly grazing against her best
friend's as she spoke. "Akari very quietly spoke, "Yes, I promise to
wait for you." Just like that, both of their eyes closed as lips met
lips in a sweet tender kiss.
CLICK! Whirrr. The sound of a camera caused both of them to jump back in
surprise. A grinning boy was holding a huge camera that resembled Ling
Pha's trademark "Memento" camera. "AHHHH!" Itchan yelled and began
chasing after her brother despite her injured leg while Akari stood
silent with her fingers pressed against her lips. A heavy blush covered
her face but no one could've missed the small smile.
Months Later
Akari was at University Satellite, keeping her end of the promise
and doing her best to become Cosmo Beauty. She had made it into the
contest and was currently at a party with her roommates. Anna was a
great girl who was an incredible cook as well as being incredibly sweet.
Then there came Kris, the girl she had bumped into and claimed that they
were destined to be together. Akari was often found in compromising
positions with her but always demanded to be let go.
Everyone at the University assumed that they were together despite
Akari's protest. Yet, she never brought up Ichino because she didn't
find the need to...she was here to keep her promise to her love and she
was going to keep it. Akari was enjoying the party so far until a
serious faced Kris popped up in front of her.
"Akari...who is this?" the tall, cerulean haired girl held a stern
face as she showed her the picture of Ichino with her arm around Akari
in a "V!" pose. Akari questioned Kris where she got it but soon her face
grew calm as she smiled and took the picture. "What is she to you?" Kris
demanded. "That's Itchan. Someone very dear to me."
Kris cried in anguish, "EHHH?!" Anna tried keeping her calm, "Ms.
Christopher!" Kris held onto Akari with tears in her eyes, "Very dear to
you? To what extent?" It was quite comical the way Kris held onto Akari,
her hands shaking the poor girl, wanting some answers. Throughout the
whole shaking, Akari's student ID in its plastic case fell off. It
landed face down to see a picture squeezed in the back of the plastic
case.
Anna squinted and picked it up, drawing the attention of Kris who
had stopped crying for a minute to stare. A tree with the words "Akari,
Ichino". Akari leaning up with her hands on Ichino's shoulders and her
eyes closed blissfully. Ichino with one arm wrapped around her waist and
the other hand holding her cheek, a warm blush on her face. Akari
hastily grabbed her student ID from Anna.
Kris went back to her hysterical crying, this time on top of
Gyubei. The shouts of "Attack of the Cow!!" was heard all night. Akari
stared at the picture for a little bit with a blissful smile before
looking up at the sight before her. She sighed and shook her head before
commenting Anna, "Itchan is very dear to me. She is the reason why I
run."
A/N: One Shot. I haven't written in awhile and I am quite aware of the
fact that the scenes didn't quite like the TV show. I couldn't remember
them quite well but I've been meaning to write a story. I'll have some
more one-shots up. Hopefully soon. Please review. Constructive criticism
is accepted. Just keep in mind I'm not exactly the best writer out
there.
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