Chapter 8: Bride and Groom

BRIDE AND GROOM

CHAPTER 8 OF THE MANGA

(Anime Cross-reference---?

Previously
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Chapter Overview
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This Chapter's Story
As Yasuna and Hazumu slowly separate from their passionate kiss, they first notice that Tomari is now in the room. Hazumu gives her a flustered look, whereas Yasuna gives her a 'what the hell are you doing here?' look ! Quickly hiding her own incredulous look, Tomari responds with a big smile ! " You two like each other ??? ", is backhandedly ejected by Tomari, as she retrieves her bookbag from a nearby desk, and takes her exit. Hazumu tries to go after her, but Yasuna grabs her wrist, and holds her back.

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FLASHBACK---Tomari and Hazumu are both about 5 or 6 years old. They are sitting together on the floor, as Hazumu declares to Tomari that he wants to be her bride. Wise Tomari corrects him, stating that boys can not be a bride, but have to be a groom. Not phased in the least, Hazumu restates that he wants to be Tomari's groom ! (End)

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As Tomari is swiftly walking through the hallways, she, for some unknown reason, recalls the flashback. The more she walks, the more angry she becomes. Was she trying to believe that childhood promise all along ? Outside on the school's main walkway, Tomari sees a soccer ball. She kicks it with all her might and frustration, with it soaring right into Asuta's face ! It bounces off of his face, rolls along until Namiko trips on it and lands in the school fountain. Tomari storms by and out the front gate. Sora merely observes, and takes it all in. Yasuna and Hazumu walk home together, as Hazumu muses to herself that she has not spent that much time with Tomari lately.

A FEW DAYS LATER---Hazumu asks Tomari to eat lunch together. She rips off an answer, " Why don't you eat with Yasuna ? ", as she grabs Asuta and Ayuki as her lunch companions, and leaves.

That evening at home, Hazumu is soaking in the tub, as mom restrains dad from joining her. Hazumu can not figure out what is up with Tomari. Just before she left the classroom where the kiss was accomplished, Tomari was smiling, but looked like she was just about ready to burst out crying. Hazumu gets out, makes a cursory attempt to dry off, dresses in a shirt and pants, and heads out of the house.

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FLASHBACK---As she is walking, Hazumu recalls the same flashback to when they were 5 or 6 years old. Hazumu recalls that Tomari rebuked him saying that he was too weak and feminine to ever be a groom, and furthermore, grooms are not ( supposedly ) interested in flowers ! (End)

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Tomari is in bed, but still dressed in a t-shirt and booty shorts. She hears stones hitting the window, and looking below, sees Hazumu. Meeting her on the sidewalk, Hazumu tries to tell her something, but can't spit it out. " Why are you all wet ? ", inquires Tomari. Hazumu timidly mumbles that Tomari is obviously hurt and angry. Then forcefully grabbing Tomari, she then belts out that she came her to apologize ! Hazumu wants to be with and help Yasuna, but she doesn't want to lose you, Tomari, in the process. Can't we go back to the way things were ? Hazumu now goes weak and sits down on the sidewalk. Tomari ( wrongly ) states that Hazumu kissed Yasuna only because she is infatuated with her ( it actually was the other way around ! ) ! Making reference to the incident so long ago, Hazumu acknowledges that she has not even been manly like this, and can't ever be a groom. Surprised that she remembered, Tomari begins to tear up ! And with that, Hazumu herself begins to crack up ! Tomari gives her a frown, then goes in for a giant hug ! Hazumu's only reaction is that she declares that even though she is a girl, can she still be a groom, her groom ?

Chapter Lookback and Commentary
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