Editing Watashi Tachi no Tamura kun:Volume1 Chapter1 (section)

===Part 2===


The moment my alarm clock went off, I sprang out of bed.

On this dreary blue morning, I washed my face with twice the diligence and brushed my teeth with twice the attentiveness. Then, I applied some of my bro's hair gel on my bangs and admired myself in the mirror.

"Matsuzawa, please go out with me!" 

I raised the corners of my mouth, and practiced a smile. Yes!

I changed into my uniform. After everything was ready, I briskly flew down the stairs to the living room on the first floor. On the way, a strong aroma filled my nose. This was the scent of the miso soup we had every day.

Probably because she heard my footsteps from the kitchen, my mother turned her head.

"Good mor— …oh!" 

Her astonished expression. 

"I thought you were your older brother! Why are you up so early today?"
 
"Hmmpphhh! Starting today, this is the time I'm gonna leave the house. Better be prepared!"

"Really… Oh dear! The pot's going to burn!"

My mother completely missed the new confidence I specifically put into my posture… agh, what was with her? I hurriedly sat down at the table, helped myself to some rice, and picked up my chopsticks after saying, "Itadakimasu"<ref>'''Itadakimasu''' - What japanese people say before eating.</ref>.

"Hey, why don't you help me wake up your older brother and Takayuki! Your older brother said he has to attend the student council morning session, since the TV committee wanted him to go."

"As expected of of the best former class president there ever was!" 

"Speaking of Takayuki, don't you remember he has that? The Brazil Invitational. Since he was selected again, there's no way he can attend baseball practice for now. At the very least, he needs to let his coach know."

"Brazil… So this year he's focusing on soccer?"
 
"Really, I think things are starting to get hectic again! Hey, if you're not going to help wake them up for me, hurry up and finish your breakfast. Aghh—I'm so busy! Is Dad still sleeping?" 

"I'm full, I'm leaving!" 

"Oh? You're really leaving now? Why?" 

<i>Why? Good question. I'll answer you then!</i>

"Starting today, I'm going to run a marathon at school every day! See ya later!" 

I put my mother muttering, "What a strange child", behind me, and I skipped across the stairs of our front porch in a spurt of energy. I headed towards the early morning streets.

The time was only seven o'clock. Although the sunlight was getting harsh, thankfully there was a cool breeze, so it wasn't too hot.

With huge strides forward, I traveled three times my usual speed on the usual route to school, practically running and jumping all the way. The goal was the familiar school gate. My chest felt restless, so I couldn't slow down. My mind was filled with the ambition to reach the destination sooner, so I was wholeheartedly focused on swinging my legs in tandem. This was probably the first time I ever wanted to get to to school so early.

There was only one reason! And that was because Matsuzawa was there.
 
"H-H-Hey..." 

"Mreooow!?" 

I unconsciously got a little spooked. I happened to run into a cat that hissed like it had encountered some terrible thing. But I couldn't control myself that much.
<!--Original uses some term like "sissy" or "effeminate", but does't flow as well in English.-->

Every morning, it looked like Matsuzawa would go jogging by herself. 

The person who told me this intelligence was actually Takaura. Although he had repeatedly urged me to "give up on Matsuzawa", he confronted me at homeroom before going home— 

"I can't decide if you two might actually be suited for each other. After thinking about it, I realized this might become quite interesting…" 

He finally changed his mind. Afterwards, he kindly told me some great news he heard from the girls in the class. According to his source, Masuzu was formerly a member of the track and field club before quitting this year. Speaking of which, I never knew that. I promise! Even if I join the "other side", I will always love this Takaura who supported me all the way!

As I passed the school gates, I charged straight into the entrance stairs and sprinted in the hallways deficient of the usual sounds of people talking. I entered my deserted and silent classroom and put down my bag. Finding it too troublesome to go to the locker room, I changed into gym clothes on the spot, and then headed for the athletic fields.

Then—

"Matsuzawa ......" 

Found her! She really was here! A wonderful kind of ticklish feeling seemed to well up inside my body, and it made me want to roll over the floor and celebrate.

Dressed in gym clothes, Matsukawa ran effortlessly like the wind, looking weightless as if she didn't feel the slightest pull of gravity.

Far away. The sun shined on the side of her face. The glare of the sun streaked over the curve of her nose, just like a solar eclipse.

I entered the track, and prepared to catch up with her. Matsukawa seemed like she hadn't noticed me, so in order to run beside her, needed to start quickly. Was I nervous? Of course not.

Last night I rehearsed it once. ｢Yo, what a coincidence!｣ —I would effortlessly start the conversation from behind her. Matsuzawa would be shocked and look back. ｢Ah! Tamura-kun. How are you?｣ ｢I just suddenly wanted to go for a run.｣ …After that, the conversation would automatically expand on its own, and we'd chat more and more enthusiastically. But since I wasn't nervous or rushed, I'd maintain an indifferent expression and casually throw in a finishing line, ｢I guess it's about time. We'll be late to class!｣. Then, I'd turn to leave. And from behind me: ｢Huh? I still wanted to talk with you more… that's weird? That shouldn't be the case… this is my first time… having this kind of feeling…｣. I was convinced Matsukawa would act just like that.

Perfect. 

But now there was another problem—

<i>Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump</i> ——me. <ref>Sound of footsteps (running).</ref>

<i>Thumpthumpthumpthumpthumpthump</i> ——Matsuzawa.

"Huh? Why…" 

—Why can't I catch up to Matsuzawa? Aaah, Matsuzawa, you're too amazing. Even your running speed is that fast! 

<i>What should I do?!</i>

The distance between us didn't shorten at all. I looked at Matsuzawa's back as I thought about a plan. That being said, since this was an O-shaped track, wouldn't we run in a circle? Right, yes!

Very honorably, I made a shortcut across the track. Although this was a deviation from my plan, I might as well try approaching Matsuzawa from the side. Subsequently—

"Yo! Matsuzawa!" 

"Mhn?!" 

I said hello. At that moment, I saw Matsuzawa shudder and spring from the ground at least ten centimeters high. She really was a cute little girl!

"What a coincidence! Good morning!" 

Wearing a beaming smile, I closed in on Matsuzawa from the side. 

"G-good… good morning…" 

A happy feeling accumulated in my chest. This was my first greeting with Matsuzawa! I didn't know why Komatsu circled round and round along the outside edge of the track, but I followed her and circled round and round. <ref>Running along the outside lane of a track is a longer distance than running along the inside lane.</ref>

"Do you... always start running at this time?" 

"Hh…? Mhn…" 

"How… long… do you keep running laps…?" 

"Until it's time..."
 
"What... what... time is that?" 

"…about eight o'clock." 

"I see…" 

<i>I see… eight o'clock? So we're still going to run for forty minutes? At this speed? Like this!? That's incredible!</i>

But!

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump… … thump… … thump … ...

I can't do it. 

"Hu-huff, huff, huffff......" 

By the time I noticed, the distance from Matsuzawa's back was even further out of my reach.

In the end, my feet came to a stop, and I violently inhaled and exhaled. I almost died! While I stood there stupidly out of breath, I thoroughly began to understand what a hopeless gap there was between our physical abilities.

<i>Ah... m-my eyes are getting blurry. </i>


"You didn't have a chance. She's a track and field club member, after all… for someone one-hundred percent in the Go-Home Club<ref>'''Go-Home Club:''' Refers to anyone who isn't part of a club and goes home every day after school.</ref> like you, you'd have to train a hundred years before you got close!" 

This was really pitiful, but when I was about to quietly slip into the classroom, I got anemic. Finally, the student prefect had to send me to the infirmary.

Trying to avoid Matsuzawa's eyes, I returned to the classroom. The first class was almost about to begin. At that moment, Takaura presented a huge package in front of me.

"I had foreseen this would happen! So, here, take it. I'm counting on you!" 

"What is this?" 

"Something I got from my dad's study. Anyway, no one's using it, so I'll lend it to you! Mhm, good luck! I'm cheering for you. I've really start to hope more and more from the bottom of my heart, that you'll end up together with Matsuzawa—it'll be a good laugh!

Takaura.

I love you. 


"Hmfph! Hmfph! Hmfph!" <ref>Sounds of exercise.</ref>

Just for you! 

Matsuzawa and I will become sweethearts that will spread therapeutic laughter to humans, just for you to see!

"Hmfph! Hmfph! Hmfph!" 

"Hey!! Yukisada, my dictionary... What are you doing?"
 
Yo! Brother! You're looking for a dictionary today too? Just go buy another!

"When you see it, you should know what it is. Hmfph! Hmfph! Hmfph!"
 
"I'm asking you because I don't know…" 

"You intend to apply to one of the world-renown Former Imperial Universities<ref>'''Former Imperial Universities''' - Seven universities of higher education in japan that are very famous, equivalent to the Ivy League in the United States. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Seven_Universities.</ref>, but you don't even know this? I really admire a kamikaze pilot<ref>'''Kamikaze''' - A pilot who flew suicide planes in WWII. Yukisada is hinting that Rao won't make it into those universities because he doesn't know such trivial information; hence, testing for college is suicide.</ref> like you. I'm tell you, this is an exercise board!<ref>Looks something like this: http://www.acasports.co.uk/images/products/full/marcy_sit_up_bench.jpg</ref>

"I wasn't asking you that… Could it be, that you're exercising?"
 
"Yes!" 

I spread out my legs as if squatting in horse-stance, waved a snowboard-like plank at my brother in tiger-style, and smiled.<ref>Horse-stance and tiger-style are all references to japanese/chinese martial arts.</ref>

"I heard people say that doing this exercise for five minutes is equivalent to doing a hundred sit-ups! Hmfph! Hmfph! Hmfph!"

"Aren't you going to be taking exams soon? Go study…"
 
"I don't have that much free time! If you want to know why, it's because this is the crucial moment that will determine my future in a lifetime of love! I have this feeling!"
 
"That's because... you… just want to avoid studying for exams!"
 
"Who cares! Hmfph! Hmfph! Hmfph!" 

"Well, do what you want… we're having sukiyaki for dinner, so you better hurry down. Takayuki's been in position since ages ago, so if you're not careful he'll eat everything spotless!"
 
"Did you say sukiyaki? Yesssss! Let's go eat!" 

I threw the exercise board to the side, and wiped the sweat from my forehead. I'll continue my efforts after eating my fill.

<i>"Yo, Matsuzawa! See you tomorrow!"</i>—just like the first time I said hello to her, Matsuzawa had reacted with a "Mhn?!" and jumped ten centimeters from the ground. You know, I was doing all this exercise for her.

In other words—

I failed yesterday because I couldn't catch up to Matsuzawa. Just that!

"I'll just get there early and wait for her." 


The time was half past six o'clock.
 
I had changed into gym clothes, and was sitting on the stairs of the athletic complex entrance waiting for Matsuzawa.

If there was a more meaningful way to spend this time, it wouldn't be so hard to get up early. But the the period we spent running was my only opportunity to hear Matsuzawa's voice.

Even if I wanted to talk to her in the classroom, Matsuzawa would always be too shy and escape like a fish slipping away. Saying an awkward, surprised hello was her limit. Basically, the time we spent running in the morning was very valuable, because Matsuzawa had no place to run away to. This makes me sound like the bad guy, but I can't help it! I just want to talk to her! 

The was only one thing that worried me. Would she give up coming to morning runs because of me? Judging from her attitude yesterday, I couldn't confidently say she wouldn't. Even so, I didn't have any alternatives, so I intended to wait for her here in either case. 

I leaned my chin on my knees, and looked towards the morning sky. 

The midsummer morning sun was already shining, forewarning the torrid heat to come by midday. The crowd of cumulonimbus clouds could not be overlooked. Today, the weather would certainly be great.

"Mhn…" 

Without warning, I heard an anguished sound from behind me. I immediately turned around and revealed the beaming smile that I had practiced. She had come, surely enough!
<!--I'm not sure why the term is: "pained"…-->

"Hey, you're late! Matsuzawa, I thought you weren't coming today!" 

"W-Why…?" 

Today, a few handfuls of Matsuzawa's hair were sticking up, probably flattened while she was sleeping. The hem of her sweatpants were slightly rolled up, vaguely revealing those slender ankles. Because she looked so cute, and her presence was so reassuring, I kept giggling incessantly.

"Did you forget? Yesterday, I said, ｢See you tomorrow!｣. By the way, your response was, ｢Mhn｣!" 

"Hhn-hm…" 

"What? Hey, aren't we gonna run? Why you are still dawdling along? Hurry up!"
 
"S-Stret-…" 

"If we don't stretch first… then…?" 

"Mmhn…" 

This girl! I really didn't mean to steal her credit.

"As expected of Matsuzawa… I really admire your perceptiveness!" 

"No..." 

Noting my movements from the side, Matsuzawa nervously began to stretch her arms and legs. I imitated her motions, and started some "deep" stretches.

Such delicate and round knees! Her slender wrists looked like they might break from just a touch. Her ultra-white cheeks, huge eyes, etc… and her curved upper body. The collar to her T-shirt was slightly open, which made it seem like one <i>could</i> yet <i>couldn't</i> see inside. It really really really really bothered me.

"I'm going……" 

Matsuzawa quickly broke into a run! Waaait, like this, coming here early would have been pointless. I followed suite and hurriedly started running.

"Is ｢I'm going｣ supposed to be some sort of joke? You shy girl!" 

"......" 

Today I also followed tightly behind her. 

Maybe my muscles had already grown from all my training. Compared to yesterday, the running felt relatively easier.

"Today, will you tell me why you run every morning?"

Matsuzawa's eyebrows drooped like the kanji, ｢八｣<ref>This is the kanji for "eight"</ref>, and she tilted her head with a look of distress. But I wouldn't let go of her so easily. I repeatedly stared at the side of her face, ｢Hmm?｣ ｢Hmm?｣, and did this annoyingly until she answered me. When we finally entered the second lap—


"There's not much to do at home…"


Just as I almost forgot what my question was, Masuzu finally answered me. So now was the time to give chase!

"Mhm, Mhm. So then? So then?" 

"Eh…" 

"So then what? Hm?" 

"Mnn……" 

"There's not much to do, so then what?" 

I had to keep pursuing further! I wanted to enter the depths of her heart! Until she answered, I wouldn't let her go! As for what inspired me to do things to this extent… even I didn't know myself. But I won't stop. Matsuzawa was probably very bewildered right now. Only when we reached the third lap did she finally speak again.


"Because when I run… it eliminates the pressure… and my head… it naturally becomes blank…" 


"Hahaha!" 

I couldn't help but laugh cheerfully (athlete mode), even though I wasn't sure if Matsuzawa's shoulders were shaking because she was a little scared.

"Just like me… In order to relieve the pressure from running, I study really hard! Y-Yesterday, I actually studied… for four hours!" 

This was the truth. 

After I tossed away the exercise board, I was so tired that I basically wasn't human anymore. In the end, I finally staggered to my desk, and threw myself into the books. For someone like me who had a body made for the Go-Home Club, I really hated exercise—though, having said that, my grades weren't good at all.

"Huuff, ah, haaa… haa…" 

"Tamura-kun......" 

"Wh… what?" 

"I'm just about finished warming up, so I'm going to start running. I'm probably too fast for beginners. To be honest, I think it'll be difficult for you."

"Hey." 

Warm-up exercise? 

About finished? 

What did that mean? 

It had taken all of my best effort to run like this.

For a moment I couldn't understand what Matsuzawa meant—but, in short, was she concerned about me?

<i>Are you an angel who descended to Earth?</i>

"Yesterday... you went to the infirmary, right? At this rate, that'll happen again..." 

So that was it.

But, Angel Matsuzawa, even if you tell me those things now— 

"It's… too… late..." 

By now, you're—

I began to pant with unsightly gasps as I started to slowly fall behind. The sight of Matsuzawa's back became increasingly distant. My feet stopped listening to me—they really were useless. Though honestly, after one day of training, I couldn't actually expect to see results in my muscles… right? And to begin with, what was the relationship between abdominal muscles and running? N-No, now was not the time to think about those things.

"If you stop right away, it'll hurt more… I think, it'll be better if you just slow down."

Matsuzawa came back to tell me. Even so, I still wanted to run next to her, and I wanted to work my hardest to catch up to her.

But, when the distance between the two of us reached about half the entire track, I gave up.

"Aaaghh, this… is good enough…" 

After taking a deep breath, I slowed down the speed of my strides until my body felt relaxed. Finally, my breathing became more regular. Though, you couldn't quite call jogging at this speed actual running. Besides, Matsuzawa's back was growing even more distant.

But, I still felt good. 

With the sky so blue, the wind blowing against my sweaty body felt very comfortable. Also, Matsuzawa and I were the only ones sharing this lonely track.

Ah, it felt so good—

Not bad at all. 

Listening to Matsuzawa's footsteps, I finally caught her rhythm and ran at exactly half of her tempo. Although it was still rather challenging, I gradually began to acquire a constant pace… ah! 

This was perfect.

When the time comes, Matsuzawa will slowly draw closer on the full circle and lap me again!