Instant Replay/Transcript: Difference between revisions

NARRATOR: "Well, I suppose someone else knowing about my problem can't hurt. Heck, maybe Misha can even offer some advice."

HISAO: "We had a fight at her house. I keep trying to get close to her, and she won't let me get close, and... I said something stupid, and she threw me out."

NARRATOR: "Misha looks genuinely concerned. I'm surprised, as I'd almost expected her to drop the subject after finding out what the trouble was. Even more surprising is how quickly I find myself spilling my guts to her."

HISAO: "No, I haven't. I just can't bring myself to face her after that. I made a complete fool of myself, and she probably hates me now anyway. Especially since I haven't seen her since then."

NARRATOR: "This doesn't sound like advice."

NARRATOR: "Misha places her hands on her hips and launches into a speech that would sound more plausible coming from Shizune."

MISHA: "The solution to your problem is simple! You have to go and apologize to her! Leaving things like this will just make things worse! You can't know that she hates you now unless she tells you! Otherwise, there's no evidence that what you fear is true! And if you really care about her, shouldn't you be worried about how she's taking all this?"

NARRATOR: "With a sudden start, I realize that she's right. I've kept waking up to an early alarm because part of me wants to meet Emi at the track for our runs. I've kept running, because I know that Emi would worry about me if I didn't stay healthy. When I went on the roof yesterday, I was half-hoping that she would be up there, and felt disappointed when she wasn't."

MISHA: "Kinda, Hicchan~! So~! Go and apologize to her as soon as you can, okay~?"

HISAO: "First thing after class is over, I'll go see her. I promise. And uh, thanks for the advice, I guess."

NARRATOR: "Misha beams at me, as if I were a child that had just learned his ABCs."

NARRATOR: "With a wave (and completely disregarding the fact that people are starting to trickle back into the classroom, as opposed to out of it), Misha departs the classroom. I suppose she and Shizune have student council business again. While the afternoon wears on, I find myself impatient for lessons to end. I need to see Emi now. I have to try to set things right. Even if Emi hates me now, I have to at least apologize. I owe her that much. Should I meet her in her room? No, I decide, it would delay things too much. If I know Emi, then I can find her at the track. Still have no idea what I'm going to say when I get there, but I take comfort in knowing that Emi probably wouldn't have a plan for something like this either. Play it by ear. Stop being nervous, and just get to the track. Figure the rest out when I get there."

NARRATOR: "The track looms ahead, and another jolt of nerves hits me in the gut. I resist the urge to turn and walk away, and instead note with satisfaction that I was right and Emi is still running. I don't make myself immediately known; I find a seat in the bleachers and watch her run instead, thinking back to earlier meetings. After a few trips around the track, Emi notices me and skids to a halt, an expression of surprise that slides easily into one of anger."

NARRATOR: "Not quite the response I'd hoped for, but at this point I don't have much of a choice."

NARRATOR: "She laughs, a curt exclamation of disbelief."

NARRATOR: "Emi crosses her arms and stares at me coolly, as if sizing me up. Finally, she nods."

NARRATOR: "Her almost impatient question catches me so off-guard that she's already halfway down the track before I think to shout after her."

NARRATOR: "She doesn't seem to have heard me - or she doesn't want to hear me - and so I give chase, disregarding completely the fact that I am not dressed for it. My feet hurt, and my shirt collar feels like a noose around my neck, but I still chase after her, because if I don't I'll lose my chance. Emi hasn't started to really accelerate yet, which is probably the only reason why I'm able to catch up to her, to reach out and tap her on the shoulder, just before my legs give up running in dress shoes and stumble to a stop. Surprisingly (fortunately?) all that running seems to have paid off. I'm short of breath, yes, but at least my heart isn't actively trying to force its way out of my ribcage. My touch on her shoulder has stopped Emi, and while there is a flash of concern when she sees me catching my breath, it seems that she has a good idea of what I'm capable of too. The concern is short-lived."

NARRATOR: "She seems so irritated by my being still there that I almost lose my nerve, but I've lost my nerve enough."

NARRATOR: "Emi folds her arms and bounces one blade on the ground in an approximation of tapping her foot impatiently. Angry as she is, and as nervous as I am, she still looks beautiful."

NARRATOR: "I can see Emi's face twitch at the mention of the two things that have been steadily driving us apart, or at least made me feel like we're being driven apart."

HISAO: "But that's why I want to know about them, I think. Because I see how much they hurt you, and I want to be there to comfort you. It makes me miserable, seeing you sleepless and depressed - and don't pretend you aren't, because I know, okay? I just remember that night when you fell asleep with me and had that nightmare, and that you were happy to have me there when you woke up. I want to be able to be there for you like that whenever you need me to be."

NARRATOR: "The stern face cracks, slightly. Emi interrupts before I can continue further."

NARRATOR: "She's rushing now, looking everywhere but at me. I'm surprised she doesn't bolt, she knows I can't catch her..."

HISAO: "I know. I know that I've been pushy about knowing your past. If you can't tell me yet, then at least let me be there even if I don't know the reason. It's okay, I promise. I won't ask why you need comfort, I'll just give it freely."

NARRATOR: "Emi's shaking her head, and tears seem to be threatening the corners of her eyes."

NARRATOR: "I can't keep the chiding tone from my voice as I respond."

HISAO: "I know that there's a girl so determined to take care of a total stranger that she'd steal his food at a festival. I know that there's a girl so determined to help me with my own problems that she'd draw up a complete dietary and exercise plan, and that she'd not only draw up the plans, but she'd follow them with me, even when she couldn't run. Determined enough to keep me at arm's length that she'd put herself through emotional pain if she thought it was the right thing to do. Although, there's one thing that this determined girl didn't quite plan for, which was that I might feel that same kind of determination to keep her from being hurt. I fell in love with you, and I refuse to let that be thrown away because you're afraid of losing me."

NARRATOR: "What little control Emi still has at this point cracks, and I find myself suddenly enveloped in her embrace as she cries."

NARRATOR: "I hold her close and plant a kiss on the top of her head."

NARRATOR: "She hiccups and trembles a little."

NARRATOR: "It feels like she's just shoved a knife through my chest."

EMI: "I need to... I need to think, okay? I can't just tell you everything yet. I'm still scared, and when you're around, I can't think clearly. But do me another favor."

NARRATOR: "I smile, feeling better than I have all week."

NARRATOR: "Emi steps back slowly, almost reluctantly. She sniffles a little and then grins at me, a real smile that lights up the track, overpowering the fading evening's light."

NARRATOR: "She darts forward suddenly, planting a soft kiss on my lips, then steps back shyly. Spinning on her back foot, she takes off running again, and I know that our conversation's at an end. My lips tingle with the warmth of that brief kiss and the memories of other, longer kisses. I walk back to my room with a spring in my step. Tomorrow when my alarm goes off, I'll get up."