Chapter 15: The One I Love Is ...

THE ONE I LOVE IS ...

CHAPTER 15 OF THE MANGA

Previously
This summer, when Hazumu and Yasuna enjoyed their 'date' together at the aquarium ( they even kissed on the Ferris Wheel ), Tomari was not a little bit miffed by such a public display of, how should we say, deep friendship and affection. Hazumu was able to pick up on that a day or so later, and saw the need to talk to Tomari about what happened. Wanting to do it in person, Hazumu actually travels to the athletic training camp where Tomari is in order to do so. Feelings are aired and patched up, so that it is now Tomari that Hazumu has feelings for. Will Hazumu and Tomari also go on a girl-with-girl date together ?

Chapter Overview
As part of his research, one morning the Space Alien bluntly asks Hazumu if she is giving up on Yasuna, and will begin dating Tomari ? Hazumu is speechless. Meanwhile, at home before walking to school with Hazumu, Tomari does something that she has never done before---wear makeup, specifically, tinted lip balm. Hazumu and Tomari do, indeed, walk to school holding hands, but it is Yasuna, who herself is not feeling well at all, who notices that Tomari is wearing lip balm. Tomari asks Hazumu if she wants to go with her to the aquarium amusement park this afternoon ? Hazumu agrees.

Later this afternoon, Hazumu is reminded by Asuta that she is to take part in a science project. Surprisingly, sick Yasuna offers to take Hazumu's place so she can go on that date with Tomari ! Hazumu was told to 'go have fun', and that is what the two girls end up doing. However, Yasuna becomes so sick that she faints during the scientific observations. She falls to the ground as Asuta panics.

This Chapter' Story
One recent evening Hazumu is talking to Tomari on her cell phone. They both agree to walk to school together next school day. Jan Puu and the Alien Being are listening in. Jan Puu makes the comment that Hazumu seems to be the happiest when she is talking to Tomari on the phone. The Space Alien now asks a rather intrusive question---Has Hazumu decided on Tomari as her sole romantic partner, and will she cease any interaction with Yasuna now ? Hazumu is so startled at the audacity of the question that she is rendered speechless ! At about this same time at the Kamiizumi household, Yasuna's mother notices that Yasuna has developed a bit of a cough. Yasuna assures her that it is nothing, however, she says she will take some cough medicine and get some rest.

The day after tomorrow, the day that Hazumu and Tomari planned on walking to school together, Yasuna is still sick. As she pulls herself out of bed to get ready for school, she tells herself that she has to get better ASAP in order to be with Hazumu. Starting off this morning, Hazumu is sent off to school with best wishes from Jan Puu. Tomari is also getting ready for school. She is in her bathroom, looking in the mirror. All of a sudden, on a whim, Tomari applies tinted lip balm to her lips, something that she has never done before. Will Hazumu notice her first attempt at using makeup ? Hazumu is a bit early to Tomari's house, surprising Tomari. Walking together, Tomari suggests that the two of them visit the aquarium amusement park after school, since Tomari does not have track & field practice today. Hazumu agrees. As they continue to walk together, Tomari slyly and deftly takes Hazumu's hand into her own hand, thus facilitating the both of them holding hands just like lovers do.

The romantic couple continues like this until they are met and addressed by Asuta and Ayuki, also walking to school. They quickly disengage holding hands and greet their friends. Coming up from behind is Yasuna, walking to school alone. After greeting the friends, Yasuna softly coughs, then addresses Tomari. Immediately picking up on what Tomari has done, Yasuna unabashedly asks Tomari if Tomari is wearing lip gloss ? Tomari replies with a question---Does it look weird ? Such a question draws everyone's attention to focus on Tomari, as a pregnant silence surrounds the friends, with only Yasuna again coughing softly. After a while, Asuta breaks the ice by saying that something really weird is, indeed, going on here.

At the afternoon break time of the school day, both Hazumu and Yasuna are at the locker area. Hazumu is quiet, pondering if she should say anything to Yasuna about her 'date' with Tomari ? Asuta enters and speaks up. He asks Hazumu if she remembers that she has to stay after school today to help him with a science experiment ? Hazumu had totally forgot ! Elsewhere in the school hallway, Ayuki approaches Tomari from behind and whispers in her ear" Did you do it with Hazumu ? " ( Ayuki may have seen Tomari and Hazumu holding hands earlier, or she may be referring to something else; if Tomari had already kissed Hazumu ? ) Tomari is aghast and mortified, so much so that she becomes weak and softly falls to the floor, looking up incredulously at Ayuki ! Tomari barely manages to spit out that they 'did not do anything', as she seemingly contradicts herself by blushing deeply ! Ayuki's only reply is that she now can see Tomari's pale, sky blue panties !

Next class is English language skills. As the teacher drones on and on, Tomari sits uneasy and upset at her desk. Suddenly, once again, the teacher falls out the window. This draws little attention from the students, as this has happened so many times before. Asuta wanders over to Hazumu' desk. She tells him that she doesn't want to stay late this afternoon. Yasuna overhears, and asks why she does not want to stay ? Hazumu mournfully states that Tomari and herself wanted to go to the aquarium amusement park this afternoon. In a surprise move, Yasuna tells Hazumu that she will take Hazumu's place this afternoon, and for Hazumu to go have fun with Tomari ! Yasuna, quietly coughing, says that she had Hazumu all to herself last time ( see Chapter 13 ). Tomari, herself overhearing, gives a questioning look, whereas Ayuki at her desk and Sora listening in the hallway, have neutral expressions on their faces.

After school, both girls are walking to the aquarium. Tomari is nonplussed that Yasuna took her place for the science experiment. Hazumu only smiles and says, "Yeah!". Tomari again takes Hazumu's hand in hers, and they again walk hand-in-hand. Meanwhile, Asuta and Yasuna have already begun their work of research and observation. Unhappily, Yasuna continues to cough, with it getting louder and louder. Elsewhere, Tomari and Hazumu are 'having a blast' at the amusement park. Soon, Yasuna begins to feel very cold, and her face goes blank. Suddenly, she falls to the ground, softly uttering Hazumu's name over and over. Asuta turns around to see what happened, and sees Yasuna laying down, gasping, and breathing heavily. He shouts---

" OMG !!! Kamiizumi, are you okay ? KAMIIZUMI !?!?! "

Chapter Lookback and Commentary
Sheep in Wolf's Clothing / 9 months ago

For the years that Tomari has been a tomboy, doing many things that are perceived as masculine, it certainly is refreshing to see her not only wear tinted lip balm, the gateway to teenage makeup and cosmetics, but to see her not only to go on a date with another girl, but want to hold hands with that girl out in public ! Go Tomari !