After three days, the last semifinal of the national basketball tournament between Tokyo and Kyoto finally arrived.
The match will be held at the main court in the city of Kyoto.
The Tokyo team, led by Himari, was getting ready to leave early, but she had other plans.
Himari walked into the locker room where the other team members and the coach were preparing to head out.
—Hey everyone...
The coach, named Hana, turned to look at her.
—What's wrong, Himari?
—I... I don't think I can go with you guys.
All the girls turned to her, surprised.
—And why is that?—asked one of the members.
—It's nothing serious, it's just that... My friends and boyfriend are going too, and I'm going with them.—She felt a little nervous about her team's reaction.
All of them let out a sigh of relief.
—Yeah, we should have guessed. You never stay apart from your boyfriend.—said another member.
The coach stepped closer to her and smiled softly.
—Promise you won't be late for warm-ups?
Himari nodded her head vigorously.
—Yes! Yes! I promise!
—Then we can't force you to come with us.
She raised her arms up in celebration.
—Yay!—She hugged her coach—Thank you!
She smiled at the hug. She placed her hand on Himari's head and stroked it gently.
—Alright, that's fine, but you'd better go now or you won't make it there on time.
Himari pulled away and stepped back a little.
—You're right. I can't be late or they'll leave without me. —She grabbed her backpack and ran to the door—See you there! Love you guys so much!—she exclaimed before leaving.
Himari took out her phone and opened the group chat she had made with her friends to send them a message.
Half an hour earlier, Emily had sent a message to the group.
Emily: Hey Himari, we're all ready here to go cheer for you.
Sofía: Yeah! We even made signs.
Himari: Oh! Are you guys really all coming?!
Nataly: Of course. We couldn't miss the match.
(Nataly and the others met and became friends after Himari introduced them the day the boys got Jhonatan's toy back).
Himari: Ahhh! I really want to go with you guys too...
Noemí: Then... why don't you ask permission to come with us?
Himari: Good idea, though I'm not sure they'll let me, but I'll try.
Emily: I hope they do! Or Jhonatan will be all alone the whole trip!
Himari reacted to that comment with a sad emoji.
Now that Himari had her coach's permission, she sent the message she had written.
Himari: Great news! They said yes!
Emily: Oh! That's awesome! We're at "Sumiyoshi Station". The train leaves in 20 minutes, so you're right on time.
Himari: Got it. I'll be there in 15 minutes.
She put her phone away and started running toward that train station, and just like she said, she arrived in 15 minutes.
Himari looked around for them, and when she spotted them, she smiled widely and quickly walked over to them.
—I'm here!
Her friends looked at her happily. Everyone was wearing comfortable clothes. Noemí was wearing a blue dress, simple but pretty.
Himari ran straight into Jhonatan's arms like always, with a huge smile.
—Did you miss me?!
Jhonatan let himself be hugged, then hugged her back.
—Of course I did. A lot.
Emily laughed.
—Hey, remember we're all here too.
An announcement played over the station speakers that their train was about to depart.
—I think it's time to get on the train—said Nataly, taking Brandon's hand.
Dan nodded his head.
—Yeah. Let's go or the train will leave without us.
The group got on the train and sat down on one of the long seats along the sides of the car. In the far corner sat Nataly and Brandon. Then Himari and Jhonatan. Then Sofía, Josías in the middle, and then Emily. Finally, Noemí and Dan.
As the train got ready to leave, Nataly gently cupped Brandon's face with both hands and turned his gaze toward her to make him look at her.
—Don't leave my side. Stay right next to me... and don't you dare look at any other girls.
Brandon looked a little surprised at first, but then smiled and nodded obediently.
Himari saw this, and her mouth formed a small O. She wanted to do the same, so she did exactly the same thing to Jhonatan.
—You too, stay with me... and don't even think about looking at anyone else but me.
Jhonatan's cheeks turned slightly pink, but he nodded slowly.
Noemí sat calmly in her seat, holding her phone and watching videos. She felt a little nervous being so close to Dan again.
(She sometimes watches videos to calm her nerves)
Dan, who was sitting right next to her, felt nervous too, like he wanted to say something.
—Noemí...
She jumped a little at the sound of her name and looked up at him.
—Yes?
—O-on... on the way back... can we... sit together again?...
(He wanted her to fall asleep on his shoulder again)
Himari, who had heard this, turned to look at Noemí.
—Yeah, Noemí. And if you get sleepy, you can sleep on my shoulder.
Dan frowned when he heard that.
—Stupid Himari—he thought. That was his plan.
Noemí gave Himari a small smile, then turned back to Dan.
—Sure, that sounds good to me.
Falling asleep on someone's shoulder didn't sound so bad... though maybe only on the one she'd already fallen asleep on before...