Resolve 1: Rewind
"I'm sorry…I just can't find it in myself to continue. Please, go on without me."
"I give up, there really isn't a point to it anymore."
"Never thought I'd say something like that. But this time…I'm quitting for good."
"No matter what, we'll never be good enough."
"I only ever loved this sport, now I can only hate it."
The last few black etched characters were scrawled onto the paper before the girl snapped her notebook shut. She glanced up at the clock, the seconds ticked until a ringing started, signaling the end of the school day. While most students quickly swarmed their way out into the halls to escape from the classrooms and to club activities, she remained seated. Taking out her cell phone, she clicked her tongue in annoyance as no new messages had come in.
When she moved to leave the room, her English teacher called out to her. "Ah, Tsuji-san, I wanted to let you know I thought your paper was wonderful. It was…compelling, please continue the great work."
Tucking a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear, the girl smiled briefly. "Thank you Tanimatsu-sensei, I appreciate it."
The older woman smiled back. "You're very welcome, Tsuji-san. Are you off to basketball practice?"
"I am, and I'd better hurry before the captain yells at me for being late. Please excuse me," the student said with a quick bow before hurrying down the corridor.
Kaijou was known for being a sports-oriented school. And it very much showed in the numerous athletic areas scattered across the grounds. Locating the female basketball courts was never hard, as the boys' team was located just a small distance away. It was always easy to spot due to the numerous amount of admirers and fans there on a daily basis to see Kaijou's resident idol, model and star basketball player Kise Ryouta.
Tsuji Kaede was never too on the ball with him. They were passing acquaintances from middle school, and were now classmates. While she held no strong personal feelings, or resentment for the boy, the main reason she even paid attention to him anymore was because of a long-standing grudge. Though, while she had been 'assigned' to keep an eye on him, Tsuji simply wasn't all that concerned at the moment.
She passed by without incident, and hastily made way for the girl's locker rooms. Being at such a school, athletics were extremely competitive. She counted herself lucky she even made it to second string as a first-year. Basketball was tiring, per usual, but not all that remarkable; they were running drills the whole time.
It wasn't until after practice, when she once again picked up her phone, did her languid attitude snap to attention. Her screen read as 1 New Message, sent and received about fifteen minutes ago. She changed back into her regular uniform before skimming over the text.
'Yo~! Sorry about being AWOL for so long. But I'm happy to say that your resident genius has come up with a fool-proof plan this time! Message me back when you get this…I'll know Kaede-san!'
Kaede shook her head at the text, not even having to look at the ID to know who had sent the message. Shiraki Hideaki, of course it was him, their little self-proclaimed leader. Typing out a reply she didn't wait to start on her way home.
'About time Hideaki-san, enlighten me on this grand plan of yours. Have you told any of the others yet?'
By the time he replied to her, she was already on the train home.
'Nope…I wanted you to be the first to know :D'
'Don't you mean you want me to make sure it isn't absurdly stupid?'
'Meaaan~ that was a one-time thing!'
'Hideaki-san, you suggested that we get every known team defeated by the Generation of Miracles and lead a protest against them.'
'Hey! It was a completely plausible idea!'
'You wanted to include torches and pitchforks. It was a mob, not a protest.'
'Well you should be happy to know that I have a COMPLETELY different idea this time!'
'What is it?'
Kaede felt a sigh coming on as she waited for a reply. Seeing that he wasn't being as prompt as usual, she tucked her phone back into her bag as her stop came up. She walked the rest of the way back home, a small two-story house. Unlocking the door she called out a returning, "Fumiko-nee I'm back!"
When she received no reply, she shrugged. Apparently her elder sister wasn't home. It was a bit odd, when she initially moved in for school, her sister had been ecstatic. In fact, she was nearly always home after practice. She must have been working late today. Slipping off her shoes, Kaede made her way up the stairs and into her room. Tossing her bag onto her desk chair, she pulled out her phone before sitting down on her bed. Hideaki had finally gotten around to replying to her.
'We'll take a straightforward approach this time. Kaede-san…I humbly request that you go up to Kise Ryouta tomorrow and demand an apology!'
The girl in question nearly threw her phone at the wall. Stopping to consider the damage costs, she shook her head and slammed it screen down onto the mattress instead without giving a reply. He knew she'd do it, for peace of mind and to possibly skitter her way out of the 'Vendetta' group as Hideaki had so affectionately dubbed them. It was a bit of a misnomer; however, as it wasn't for revenge in the slightest.
Setting her own thoughts on the matter aside, Kaede set to work on her school assignments. It proved to be a very effective method of distraction. Even the buzzing from her cell went ignored. It wasn't until after her sister returned home did she glance at her messages. While she only skimmed the others, she made sure to read the last one.
'I'm counting on you Kaede-san! And remember our number one rule: no friendly fraternizing with the enemy!'
Scoffing at Hideaki's overt enthusiasm, Kaede jogged downstairs to greet her sister. Tsuji Fumiko was an attractive woman to say the least. Her hair was long and neatly combed, and her attire was business as usual. Though her personality didn't reflect in her style at all.
"Kae-chan~! Oh I'm sorry I was late! We have some new potential contractors with this one fashion line so they kept me late!" Fumiko exclaimed as she drew her younger sister into a tight hug.
"It's nice to see you too…" Kaede reciprocated, while simultaneously trying to get air into her compressed lungs.
Letting her go, Fumiko giggled. "I might as well start dinner than. How was school?"
Kaede shrugged and replied, "Ah, fine I suppose. Etsu-san was out sick she'll be back tomorrow. And basketball…was basketball."
Her sister rolled her eyes as she waltzed into the kitchen. "I'm telling you Kae-chan, go make some friends with the male team too. I'm sure if you befriend a regular you can get some advice on how to improve since you aren't having any luck asking the girls."
"I'll think about it," Kaede said bluntly, in a manner that caused her sister to sigh since it was apparent that even if she did think about it the answer would remain the same.
The next day came all too quickly for her. She was met by her friend right before class had started and Etsu had to return to her own classroom.
The much shorter girl grinned excitably as she bounced over. "Did I miss anything yesterday?"
"No," she said, then tapped her fingers along her desk, "unless you mean something not school related."
"Oh? What happened? Did my little Kae-chan finally get asked out? Did something happen at home? Did that weird friend of yours drag you into another scheme that will most definitely include Kise-san?"
Cradling her face in her hands, Kaede groaned. "I don't even want to know how that last one was so accurate."
Etsu smiled sympathetically in response. Patting her friend's shoulder, she cast a look at where he blonde was sitting just diagonal of them, surrounded by classmates. "That makes this attempt number twenty-four this year. Are you actually going to go through with it this time?"
Leaning her elbow on the desk, Kaede nodded reluctantly. "I kind of have to at this point. Hopefully it won't be that bad, Hideaki-san just wants me to ask for an apology." She inwardly cringed as she recalled his actual wording 'demand'. "I'm planning on taking him aside during break and keeping it short."
"What about all the people around him?" Etsu inquired.
"He sits right there, it can't be too hard to pull him over for a bit."
As the bell rang, Etsu chuckled and waved. "Well, good luck! Tell me if it goes good, if it doesn't…I'll hear about it from the grapevine."
And with such a farewell, Kaede found herself splitting time in class between paying attention and notetaking and glaring at the back of Kise's head.
When it came time to enact Hideaki's little 'plan', she found it oddly easy to get him alone. He had only smiled with a nod of agreement when she led him off to a more secluded hall. As soon as they were alone, Kaede had hardly opened her mouth when he bowed his head.
"I'm very Tsuji-san but I cannot accept your feelings at this time."
Kaede stared at him, puzzled by his words. Then it began to click. One; they were alone, two; she had said it was a personal matter of importance, three; he was Kise Ryouta who was confessed to on an almost daily basis. She quickly shook her head violently.
"No. No. No!" Kaede repeated vehemently, "That isn't why I wanted to talk to you! This isn't a confession!"
Now it was Kise's turn to look bewildered. "It isn't? Oh, well I'm very sorry then," he said with a charming smile, "What was it you needed me for?"
"It's something…for a friend," the auburn eyed girl worded carefully, "They can't see you in person so they've asked me to request an apology."
"An apology? For what?" the copycat queried, his expression more than perplexed.
"Look, you kind of hurt their feelings a lot about a year ago. Can I just get a 'sorry' for them…?" Kaed said, already tiring of having the conversation.
"Huh? Did I do anything hurtful…?" Kise mumbled to himself, slightly distressed with the notion of having done something wrong. He glanced away for a brief moment before jerking to attention. "Wah! Oh no, I forgot Kasamatsu-senpai told me we had a meeting during break today!" Inclining his head towards her, he smiled apologetically. "Sorry Tsuji-san, we'll have to continue this later!"
He then sped off like only an athlete in danger of getting his butt kicked could. Kaede watched in half disbelief and half fascination. Then she snapped to her senses. "Hey! Wait! Kise-san!"
As the model disappeared from sight, Kaede fell to her knees in resignation. A gloomy aura overtook her hunched over form. "This is bad…really, truly bad."
Reluctantly, she drew out her phone to tell Hideaki the rather discouraging news.
'I failed…miserably.'
As she stood on dusty legs, she sighed and brushed the loose hair out of her face. From what she could insinuate, she'd be seeing Kise again. This she hoped he would forget his words to 'continue this later'. It wasn't something she wanted to explain fully.
He'd have to remember it himself, otherwise there wouldn't be any point to what they were doing. It was all for their sake, she told herself.
"It's all for the sake of the friends they shattered. All the people they hurt with no remorse. If anything…we'll make sure they remember. Remember what they've done…those Generation of Miracles."
A/N: Oh it is good to be back~! Here it is, the long overdue rewrite/revamp of Dissonance! While I enjoyed writing the original, I felt that I was mixing plot and losing the essential part of the story. So here this is, a completely different take of that story. As a fair warning, please excuse my ridiculously slow updates. Life is hectic and busy right now, and will most likely continue to be so. Nonetheless, I hope the chapter has been enjoyable~!
