Azumanga Daioh Fan Fiction ❯ Tomo's Wish ❯ Act 6 Sentimental Value (Sometimes) Carries Cash ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

I do not own Azumanga Daioh. It is owned by Kiyohiko Azuma.

It has been a solid week since Tomo had that dream. She had it again. This time she was in that room with the spotlight. She called out...still...and heard the echo. She then felt a sharply cold breeze hit her. She was forced to walk to the west of the room, and she the dress, and the sandals. Tomo was topless again. She was in white panties. She then got into a heavy sweat shirt...a pair of blue jeans. She also was in socks, and a pair of boots. She opened the door, and it was the same field, but a different landscape. There was no longer sunflowers, and jasmine there. It was now a tall, grassy field. She saw Yomi sitting under that same tree.

"Hey...do you need somebody to sit with?" Tomo asked.

"Yes, I do," Yomi answered.

"You shouldn't be lonely," Tomo said softly.

"Would you sit close to me?" she asked blushing.

"I will," she agreed.

Tomo sat close to Yomi. She beckoned her to come closer. She complied. However...something snapped. Yomi went in for the kiss. She surprised Takino big time. She returned the tender kiss. With a bit of a tear running from her cheek. Yomi wiped it off and held her close. They did lay on the blanket close together. Tomo didn't know that her sweatshirt was a button-down type. Yomi did realize it. Before the dream got very good...her alarm clock buzzed. Tomo woke up, and took a look at the time.

"Damn it!" she cursed. "I guess I can't get a continuation...it was good too..."

She then looked down and saw a boob was popped out of her top. She quickly adjusted herself, and went for the shower. She remembered she was a very active sleeper. After her shower, she was dressed. She was at breakfast. She was in a better mood. Though...she wanted badly to confess to Yomi. She couldn't do so at all. She was scared. She didn't know exactly what to do. She decided she ws just going to give Yomi a friendly gift...but what could she give?

"What's up?" her brother asked.

"Oh, I was thinking about going to the mall after school," Tomo started.

"That's right, it's allowance day," her father said.

"Here you go," her mother said. "Don't spend all in one place."

"Wow, this is quite generous," Tomo said surprised.

"We know you worked hard at school, so it's our little gift," her mom said smiling.

Tomo smiled. She also had money she had saved up. from about a couple of months. She knew she wanted to get something that's actually acceptable. Something also of sentimental value. She grabbed her bag, and made sure everything was in it. She also grabbed her winter coat, and put on her woollen cap. Her dad did try to derail her plans, but her mom stopped him. She reminded him that he was going to be responsible for getting the groceries on the way home. Tomo decided she'd volunteer. Her mom thought it was a good idea. She gave Tomo a copy of the list, and she nodded.

"I'll get it after school," Tomo said, with a salute.

"Good, now don't be late for school," she nodded.

"You have a good day now!" Tomo yelled, as she went to the front door.

She popped in her ear phones and she walked to school. She was alone today. It seemed that Kagura and Osaka may have had a late night. She used the FM tuner to go to the smooth Jazz station. Tomo wanted some peace and quiet. She was well aware of how things were going to be. Tomo became a bit subdued. In fact, many wondered if she was naturally calm, and not a wild cat. Whatever, Tomo decided she was going to enjoy her day. She didn't expect running into Yomi.

"Morning!" Tomo greeted happily.

"Hey there, did you sleep well?" Tomo asked.

"Yup," Tomo said, turning down her player, "it seems the weather makes everybody calmed."

"That's a valid idea," she added. "What are you listening to?"

"Oh...I just like this for the mobile FM tuner," Tomo said. "I listen to the smooth Jazz station a lot."

"Is it anything like traditional?" Yomi asked interested.

"It is...but a little influenced by pop, and Rhythm and Blues," Tomo answered as best she could.

"The best thing about an MP3 players is that you don't have to wait an eternity for your favorite song," Yomi remarked.

"I would be able to...but my dad has the only laptop for his work," Tomo admitted.

"That sucks," she said, "maybe if you were able to get your own computer..."

"Probably...I'll ask my dad when he gets home from work later," Tomo suggested.

The two walked to school. Tomo had her music still at a level she can hear. Yomi was quite talkative this morning. Once they reached the school...Tomo took her earphones out. She placed the MP3 player in her backpack. She was going to use this at lunch time. She took off her woolen cap. She also replaced her shoes. Yomi wondered where Osaka and Kagura were. Both are rushing in huffing. However, both failed to do their homework yesterday. They were going to be in a world of hurt. Well, the day went on quite slowly, even slower for those who didn't do their homework. At lunch time, Tomo ducked out with her bento and went to a different room in the old building. Yomi followed her and this time took a seat.

"You usually are with everybody else," Yomi started. "Are you alright?"

"I'm alright," Tomo said, "I'm just looking for my own little quiet place."

"Oh, I didn't know you wanted to be alone," Yomi said.

"You can sit with me," Tomo said. "I am by myself at home a lot so..."

"Do you stay in your bedroom after dinner?"

"Yup, I'm usually reading a comic, or something unproductive," Tomo joked.

"That's good to do sometimes," Yomi smiled.

"I know I have homework...but I need time to myself."

"Do you have any plans for after school?" Yomi asked, as Tomo ate.

"I have to go to the market today," Tomo answered.

"Oh, I guess we can hang out another time," Yomi said disappointed.

"Don't feel bad," Tomo said.

Yomi felt bad. However, she she knew Takino was right. There was no reason for her to feel bad. Tomo decided it'd be best for the group to hang out together on the weekend. It was way too long since they were able to hang out. Homework was becoming more of a burden. Also chores were becoming more of a headache. After lunch, Tomo smiled. She gave Yomi hat same grade-school grin. It promised she wasn't going to let Yomi off the hook just yet. After school, she went to the grocery store. She ran into Sakaki who was grabbing some snacks. She was going to be alone since her parents were with their friends for dinner.

"Miss Sakaki," Tomo started, "I thought you weren't into sweets and such."

"Oh...I'm getting something for when I do my homework," Sakaki answered.

"Right...your parents are going out right?" Tomo asked.

"Yes, they should be home by their curfew...they have work in the morning."

'Wow...that's weird,' Tomo thought.

"Are you picking something up for dinner?" Sakaki asked.

"Yes, I think my dad would forget," Tomo returned.

Tomo picked up everything on the list, and paid for it. Sakaki was a little upset. She wanted to walk with Tomo, but understood. That is, Tomo's mom would have her in a bad place if she was late in getting things. Tomo returned, and kicked her shoes off. Her mom smiled. Tomo handed over the bags. She started to hand over the change, but her mom allowed her to keep it. She in fact encouraged Tomo to use it for her pleasure. She kissed her mom on her cheek. Once in her bedroom, she started her homework. Sakaki sent a text to her...saying she needed company to study with. This put Takino in a bad spot.

"Hey mom," Tomo said coming down, "Miss Sakaki wants me to study at her house."

"I suppose you can go," she said, "you should take an extra uniform if you can't make it back home."

"You're not disappointed?" Tomo asked.

"Nope," she said, "but can you try to be home by 10?"

"I will try," Tomo said.

Tomo first went to a gift shop. She found a necklace with a locket on it. It was quite expensive. Tomo only had 35,000 yen now. She groaned. It was something she couldn't afford. However, the clerk was sympathetic. He has tried to get rid of the solid gold necklace since forever! It sat there on his shelf for about five years. He's had it cleaned so it wouldn't be tarnished. However, people just didn't want it.

"Hey kid," he said, "This is a pure gold necklace I've tried to sell."

"It's too bad it's so expensive...about 90,000 yen," she said sadly.

"Well, I will let you have it for 20,000 yen...I am willing to take the loss," he offered. "I'll throw in these two gold bands for free."

"You had trouble with those as well?" Tomo asked.

"Yes...the sooner the three items are gone the better."

"Draw up a receipt," Tomo smiled accepting.

She paid the 20,000 yen. She secretly tried on the first band. It exactly fit on her left hand. She wanted to share the second one with Yomi. She had to be on the sly. The shop owner in total took a huge hit. However, he was unwilling to have items sitting around. He knew he was going to take a huge loss either way. Tomo, finally, arrived at Sakaki's house. She greeted her tall friend, and they went to the living room. Tomo noted that she has a love affair with cats, that now is well-known.

"Miss Sakaki, why can't you keep a cat?" Tomo asked.

"My mom is allergic to them," she answered. "My parents thought it'd be best not to keep a pet."

"Oh," Tomo said, "that's too bad."

"Do you have your homework?" Sakaki asked timidly.

"I do," she answered directly.

"Okay, maybe I can teach you some of the things you're having trouble with," Sakaki then noted.

"Hold on a moment," Tomo said.

She shot a test to Yomi asking to come to Sakaki's place. Yomi declined. She was quite busy with chores and homework. A second text revealed that she did forget about a huge house cleaning that was going to take place. Tomo nodded and let it go at that. She then got to her homework. She actually was paying attention in class. The homework session went a lot quicker than they imagined (or at least felt like it). Sakaki noticed the little gift bag on the table.

"Did you buy something on the way here?" Sakaki asked.

"I did, the poor shop owner had a tough time getting rid of it," Tomo answered.

"Are you trying to impress Miss Yomi?" Sakaki asked.

"Where'd that come from...?"

"I noticed you've done a lot of your homework on time, and accurately," Sakaki then answered, "you didn't even ask to copy mine."

"I guess I really am trying to impress her," Tomo admitted.

"Have you had erotic dreams?" Sakaki asked.

"I nearly had one this moring...I wanted to call for a continuation," Tomo said, fuming.

"When you wake up write what happened on your dream," Sakaki said. "They're telling you something."

Tomo then heard from Sakaki...more in depth about how erotic dreams work. The stronger they are...the more real the relationship for that person is. Sakaki ventured a guess that Tomo didn't just like Yomi. She ventured she was in love with her. Tomo actually blushed. She knew her feelings were strong. But didn't realize her feelings were coming to the surface, and being that obvious to everybody else. Sakaki did offer something though.

"I will be with you no matter what," she said. "even if it doesn't work out...you won't be alone."

"Thank you," Tomo said smiling, "you're the best."

"Do you have a curfew?" Sakaki asked.

"I do, before ten," she answered.

"I can walk you home...it's dark out."

"Let me gather my things," Tomo requested.

Sakaki smiled. She at least was able to have some company. Tomo actually checked her notebooks to make sure it was hers. Once everything was collected, they were off. Sakaki kept to her concentration. The Kamineko couldn't even break her concentration. When Tomo approached him...he bolted. They ran into Kaorin. She was on her way home from the library, and she really didn't want to deal with her parents. She held it together for her sake.

"Hey there," Tomo said, "check out any good books on astronomy?"

"I have," Kaorin answered. "It's a shame it's too bright here...it makes stargazing a nightmare."

"Hey, I see Orion," Tomo pointed out.

"That's one of the easier ones to pick out," Kaorin said.

"What about the princess Cassiopea?" Sakaki added.

"She's only in the summer time," Kaorin answered.

Kaorin decided to join up with them. Once Tomo was home, she let them on their way. It started to get too uncomfortable. Dinner was ready right when Tomo came into the door. However...she had no way of knowing her dad also picked up the same things. He actually did remember to pick them up. Once her mom made her aware of the fact...Tomo couldn't help but to laugh. Her father also couldn't help but to laugh as well. This was one situation where they had decided was just a humorous event. Tomo really had no idea her feelings were going to be thrown into high gear.