Author's notes:
The other characters/team members from the Raimon Soccer Team aren't studying at Raimon Jr. High but at this fic, they are.
2-B 2-C 2-D
Max Kazemaru Someoka
Gouenji Kidou Handa
Sakuma Hiroto Endou
Midorikawa Tsunami
=Monday=
/Class 2-C/
"Ehh… Kazemaru's late… Almost late…" Hiroto told Kidou who was reading a Chemistry book.
"Hiroto, calm down. It's still 5 minutes-" Kidou was interrupted when the door opened, revealing a teal-haired teen. The one Hiroto was fussing about. Kazemaru.
But, something wasn't right. Kazemaru was… not himself….
"Good morning Hiroto… Kidou…." Kazemaru said. His voice was very raspy.
"Kazemaru, are you alright?" Kidou asked with a frown.
"Aa."
"You're not alright! Look at yourself!" Hiroto said, trying to make the tealnet realize what was wrong with him.
Kidou closed his Chemistry book and stood up. He was not convinced with Kazemaru's reply. Kazemaru was about to pass through them when he suddenly tripped.
Kidou was the first to react. He was able to catch Kazemaru but he felt something wrong.
'I knew it!' he thought as he helped Kazemaru get back to his feet.
Kazemaru mumbled thanks and quickly removed his arm from Kidou's grip.
-Break time-
Kazemaru's arms were folded on his desks where his head rests, asleep.
Hiroto and Kidou took the opportunity and felt Kazemaru's forehead.
"He's running a fever," Kidou said.
"Well, that explains when he removed his arm from your grip a while ago." Hiroto said as he gently stroked Kazemaru's hair in worry, gently enough not to wake their sick friend.
They left Kazemaru and proceeded to their own desks.
(Their positioning is like this:
They were placed at the back of the room.
Kazemaru [next to the window]
Kidou [in the middle of Kazemaru and Hiroto]
Hiroto [right side of Kidou])
The classroom was empty except for the 3 of them since they usually eat at the classroom not at the cafeteria unlike their classmates. Then Hiroto remembered something.
"Kidou, the schedule. Everyone's going to eat here today."
"That would be better. We can inform Endou and the rest about this."
A few minutes later, Endou, Handa, Someoka, Fubuki, Gouenji and Sakuma entered the room.
"Kazemaru's asleep?" Endou asked. "OI! KAZEMAR-"
"Endou!" Hiroto said, interrupting the Raimon Soccer tem captain. "Please… let him rest..."
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Sakuma asked.
"He's sick. He's running a fever." Kidou said.
"Then why didn't you bring him to the infirmary?" Someoka asked.
"Then stress him out when he protests? No way." Hiroto said.
"His condition might worsen. We still have 6 hours at school and we have soccer practice." Fubuki said. "Captain, what would we do?"
"I'll cancel practice later. Someoka, Handa, please come with me to the clubroom so we could inform the other members." Endou said.
It was around 2nd to the last subject before the school day ends. English. Normally, Kidou, Hiroto and Kazemaru like English. But after their teacher resigned, a new teacher took his place. A horrid teacher. The teacher seems to hate the soccer team in Raimon academy. She would do everything to make their lives miserable. She scanned around the room. She noticed that Kazemaru was trying his best not to fall asleep in class.
"Kazemaru Ichirouta, please give one of the famous works of William Shakespeare." She said. "And please write it on the board." She added.
Kazemaru stood up with effort and with difficulty. Kidou and Hiroto were both frowning, as well as their classmates.
Kazemaru was able to write the answer correctly but as he was about to walk back to his seat, the world started to spin around him.
"Kazemaru-kun!" A classmate of them, let's name him Tadase, was able to catch him before the unconscious tealnet hits the floor.
"Kazemaru!" Both Hiroto and Kidou said in unison and ran towards their friend.
Kidou became worried as soon as the reached Kazemaru. Kazemaru was paler than a while ago. His face was flushed with a very harsh tint of red. And most of all, Kazemaru's temperature was worse than this morning.
Hiroto took Kazemaru from Tadase's arms and carried Kazemaru to the school's infirmary while Kidou said thanks to Tadase before following Hiroto.
The teacher didn't bother to torment them because something happened that she didn't expect.
-Dismissal-
The news about Kazemaru collapsing had spread around the school quickly. All the Raimon Soccer team went straight to the infirmary as soon as class was dismissed.
Kazemaru was the only patient when all of them arrived. As soon as Gouenji and the rest entered, the only sound that greeted them was Kazemaru's ragged breathing.
As soon as they saw the tealnet, they became more worried than a while ago.
Gouenji and Handa stared at the unconscious form of their friend. Kidou placed a damp cloth on Kazemaru's forehead. Kazemaru winced as the cool cloth had contacted his burning forehead.
"How is he?" Fubuki asked.
"His fever suddenly got higher, resulting his sudden collapse." Kidou said. Both Kidou and Hiroto didn't bother to tell what their English Teacher did.
"What's his temperature?" Handa asked.
"39.8," Hiroto said.
"THAT HIGH?" Kabeyama said, his rather loud.
"Shh!" Kidou and Hiroto warned.
"Sorry senpai," Kabeyama said.
It was around 4:30 when Kidou decided to bring Kazemaru home. Gouenji carried the still-unconscious tealnet after he draped him with the blanket Fubuki asked for from the nurse with his flirting side.
Endou sat in front of the cab while Gouenji (with Kazemaru on his lap), Kidou and Fubuki were at the back.
They arrived the Kazemaru Residence at 4:45 and exactly met Kazemaru's 21-year old brother who was going out of the house. Yukimura saw the approaching teens and one of them was carrying…
"Ichi-chan!" Yukimura said as he rushed towards his brother. "What happened?"
"He's running quite a bad fever." Endou said.
"Come in. I'll bring my brother to his room… You can come with me if you want to." Yukimura said as he took Kazemaru from Gouenji.
The 4 of them followed Yukimura to Kazemaru's room. They watched Yukimura tuck Kazemaru comfortably then placing a damp cloth on Kazemaru's forehead as well.
"Ichirouta may not wake up until the fever subsides a little." Yukimura said.
"What do you mean, Yukimura-kun?" Endou asked.
"Ichi-chan has been like this since he was a kid. When he was 5 years old, he had a fever worse than this. He didn't regain consciousness for 3 days." Yukimura said with a weak smile.
"Yuki-oniichan…." Kazemaru mumbled, though he was still unconscious.
"Shh. It's ok Ichi-chan, Onii-chan is here." Yukimura said.
The 4 Raimon members became more worried. They never saw Kazemaru this frail.
+2 days passed+
=Thursday=
[5:00 PM]
Gouenji visited the sleeping teal-haired boy who woke up yesterday. Kazemaru still had the fever though it was lower than the fever he had when he collapsed.
It was around 5:30 when Kazemaru woke up and saw Gouenji.
"Gouen…ji…." Kazemaru said, his voice weak and very raspy. He tried to sit but his strength betrayed him.
"Don't. You should rest." Gouenji said as he gently pushed the tealnet back to the pillows and pulled the comforter up to Kazemaru's chin.
"Shouldn't you…. be prac…ticing?" Kazemaru said. He was trying to talk longer than he did yesterday. But his raspy voice was failing him.
"Coach Hibiki told Endou to rest for a week. The reason why you're sick is because of over exhaustion." Gouenji said.
"I'm sorry." Kazemaru said.
"For what?" Gouenji asked, confused.
"For being weak. I know I'm only fit for Athletics." Kazemaru said.
"You're not weak, you just pushed yourself too hard." Gouenji comforted.
Kazemaru smiled weakly as sleep gently claimed him.
'The medicine works to fast on him.' Gouenji thought and the door suddenly opened.
Handa and Someoka entered Kazemaru's room.
"How is he?" Handa asked.
"He's gently improving but still very weak." Gouenji said.
"Kazemaru," Someoka said. 'You just ruined our chance to practice more.' He thought.
It was around 7:30 when Gouenji decided to leave. Handa and Someoka left 30 minutes ago. The maid was about to open the front door for him when…
"Gouenji," Kidou's voice was heard.
Gouenji saw Kidou, Fubuki, Sakuma and Handa in the living room.
"Guys," Gouenji said.
"We were supposed to visit Kazemaru," Sakuma said.
"And I was supposed to leave, but Yukimura-kun said he had something to tell us." Handa said.
"And you are supposed to know it too, Gouenji-kun." Yukimura said.
After the maids served tea and snacks and left the living room, Yukimura sighed.
"There is something you should know about Ichi-chan." Yukimura said.
Everyone frowned.
"Ichi-chan shouldn't be playing soccer or athletics." Yukimura said.
"Wha-what do you mean?" Sakuma asked.
"Ichi-chan has a very rare illness, Sakuma-kun. Remember I told you about the fever he has when he was 5 years old? (Everyone nods) I'll tell you what happened."
o ~ Flashback ~ o
"Yuki, call your little brother! It's almost dinner!" Their mother said.
"Hai, Kaa-san!" 12-year old Yukimura answered.
Yukimura went to his brother's room and knocked at the door.
"Ichi-chan! Kaa-san said it's almost dinner!"
No response.
"Ichi-chan!"
Still, none.
Yukimura entered Kazemaru's room and found his little brother curled-up in the bed.
"Ichi-" As soon as he touched Kazemaru's arm, a piercing heat was erupting from Kazemaru's body.
"Ichirouta!" Yukimura screamed as he shook his little brother.
A small and weak whimper escaped from Kazemaru's lips. He opened his eyes and saw a very blurry image of Yukimura.
"Y-yuki-o-oniichan…" Kazemaru said in a weak voice.
"Ichi-chan, what are you feeling?" Yukimura said as he placed his palm on Kazemaru's forehead. Then he tried to get Kazemaru out from being tangled by the blankets.
"Onii-chan, it's so cold." Kazemaru said, shivering slightly.
'Cold? The heater's taking its effect! And the aircon is not even on! Ichi-chan's very sick!' Yukimura thought. "I'll call mom and dad ok?" He said as he stood up but he felt a burning hand grip his fingers.
"Onii-chan, please stay…" Kazemaru said as his eyes were gently shutting.
"Ichirouta!" Yukimura said as he carried his brother to the living room.
"Kaa-san! Otou-san!"
"Yukimura! What's wrong with Ichirouta?" Their mother asked.
"He's running a very bad fever."
Without another word, they went straight to the hospital.
/Kazemaru's Hospital Room/
The doctor and their parents were talking about Kazemaru's condition at the door. Yukimura was sitting at the bedside chair with his baby brother unconscious on the bed. He stood up and headed towards the door and overheard the conversation.
"Kazemaru-chan's condition is very rare, Kazemaru-kun. He might live only for a short period of time. There are no symptoms but every time he gets sick, that's when the sickness takes its action and this sickness is killing him slowly. It would be better if we avoid him from getting sick. He's not allowed to do some harsh activities, like sports. But-"
"Ichi-chan's dying?"
"Yukimura…" Their tear-soaked mother said.
"My younger brother is dying?"
"Yukimura! Don't shout at the doctor like that!" His father said sternly thought he was also crying.
"Gomen… but… is there any cure?" Yukimura asked.
"I'm sorry, there's none. But there are some medicines for prevention of getting sick." The doctor said as he gave the list of medicine.
o ~ End of Flashback ~ o
The others were stunned. No they never knew.
"Kazemaru…. Never told us…." Kidou said.
"He's aware of his frail condition but he's not aware of the dying part." Yukimura said then he stood up and walked towards the window and stared at the dark sky. "We never had the heart to tell him… It would only ruin his determination in life."
"When was the last time he got sick?" Handa asked.
"That time…" Yukimura said as he faced them "When he was 5."
Gouenji and Fubuki remain silent. Sakuma looked at Kidou with a worried look. Handa was lost in thought.
"Please don't tell him or the others about the dying part…. Except for Coach Hibiki and…. Hiroto-kun…" Yukimura said.
"Hiroto?" Kidou asked.
"Hiroto-kun is Ichi-chan's closest friend… They may not look like it…. Hiroto-kun usually goes here almost everyday but ever since my brother got sick, I never saw him…." Yukimura said.
All the Raimon Soccer team players in the room remain quiet.
"Yukimura-kun…. We better leave… it's quite late…" Fubuki said.
"Aa." Yukimura said and he accompanied them to the door.
"See you, Yukimura-kun." Sakuma said.
"You too, Sakuma-kun." Yukimura said as he closed the door as soon as the soccer players left.
/Kazemaru's Room/
Yukimura placed a damp cloth on his brother's forehead. Kazemaru was mumbling something and shifted gently under his blanket.
"Ichi-chan…. Onii-chan is here…. Yuki-oniichan's here…." Yukimura said with a worried tone.
Kazemaru seem to understand what he said and calm down a little.
'Ichi-chan, 'I will always protect you.' That was my vow when you were born. But, I can't even prevent you from getting sick! But… why you? Why didn't it have to be me?' Yukimura thought as he sat on the chair and slept with his arms on Kazemaru's bed.
=Friday=
/Cafeteria/
"Touko, Midorikawa…" Endou said, calling his fellow Raimon Soccer team members. It was lunch period.
"Endou." Both Midorikawa and Touko said as they looked up.
Endou sat beside Touko, who was blushing slightly.
"I heard that you two started dating." Toramaru said as he joined them.
Both Endou and Touko blushed brightly red while Mido tried to stop himself from laughing from the looks of the two by coughing but there was an amused look on his face.
"Shh! Toramaru!" Endou said.
"What?" Toramaru said with a grin.
"Endou… How's….. Kazemaru?" Touko suddenly asked, turning the amusing conversation into a serious one.
"I wasn't able to see him yesterday but…. Handa said that there was a slight improvement on Kazemaru's health…" Endou said.
"That reminds me. Where are the others anyway?" Toramaru asked.
"Gouenji, Handa and Sakuma said that they won't be eating since they have something urgent to tell Coach Hibiki…. that's what Kidou told me at the start of lunch period. Then that's the last time I saw him. I didn't even seem to notice Hiroto as well." Mido said.
"But I think they're hiding something." Endou said.
"What do you mean Endou?" Touko asked.
"When I asked Handa about Kazemaru's condition a while ago… He was somehow hesitating on what to tell me. He was stuttering something. But when I asked what was wrong, he was able to give the answer to my question and he excused himself and ran off to his seat." Endou said.
"…" The others weren't able to talk from what they heard from their captain.
*Kidou and Hiroto*
After searching the whole school, Kidou finally found Hiroto on the school's rooftop.
"Ah… Kidou…" Hiroto said.
"May I join you?" Kidou asked.
"Aa." Hiroto said.
Kidou sat beside Hiroto. There was a long period of silence.
"Hiroto, may I ask you something?" Kidou said.
"Yeah," Hiroto agreed.
"Why aren't you visiting Kazemaru since he got sick? The last time I saw you with him was the day he collapsed." Kidou said.
This made Hiroto freeze in his place.
"I…" Hiroto started.
"Yes?" Kidou said.
"I'm scared in seeing him in that state…. It seems that…. It's like a torture for me to see him suffering that bad…" Hiroto said, clenching his fists.
Kidou looked at the vast blue sky. "How much do you know about him?"
"What do you mean?" Hiroto asked as he looked at Kidou.
Kidou told Hiroto about Kazemaru's illness. Hiroto's eyes were big in disbelief.
"Please don't tell him about the dying part." Kidou said.
"I won't." Hiroto promised.
"We're going to visit Kazemaru later; do you want to join us?" Kidou said.
"Who's going to visit?" Hiroto asked.
"Fubuki, Mido and I." Kidou said.
"Alright." Hiroto said.
-Dismissal-
Hiroto had been feeling uneasy as they walked to Kazemaru's house. Finally, they were in front of Kazemaru's house. Fubuki rang the doorbell and waited.
Yukimura opened the door.
"Yukimura-kun." Hiroto said.
"Come in." Yukimura said with a smile. 'I'm really glad Ichi-chan has a lot of good friends.' He thought.
They all went to Kazemaru's room but they found the tealnet asleep.
His weak state made Hiroto's heart clench. Yukimura sighed as he sat on the chair beside his brother's bed.
They were talking to each other when they heard a soft and gentle but weak:
"Onii-chan…"
Kazemaru's POV
I was hearing a lot of voices. As I opened my eyes, I saw a bleary outline of my brother.
"Onii-chan…" I called.
"Ichi-chan…" He said as he placed a hand on my forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine…" I lied.
I was still dizzy jest like these days. I know I heard other voices besides my brother's so I better try to make my voice sound like I really am fine.
I noticed that Fubuki, Mido, Kidou and Hiroto were at the table beside my bed.
"Guys…" I said.
"Hey Kazemaru…" Fubuki said.
Mido gave me a smile.
"Miss you at class." Kidou said with a smile.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"It's not your fault why you're sick." Fubuki said with an encouraging smile. I smiled back.
Onii-chan was reading a book while we were talking. He just supported me and fixed the pillows on my back so I could sit up. I'm so glad I have a brother like him. He's always there for me.
After an hour, Kidou, Fubuki and Mido were going to leave.
"Hiroto, aren't you coming with us?" Mido said.
"I'm going to stay for a little while." Hiroto said and he gave me a serious look.
As soon as the others left my room (That includes my brother), Hiroto sat on the chair where my brother was sitting a while ago.
End of Kazemaru's POV
"Kazemaru, I'm sorry." Hiroto said.
"For what?" Kazemaru said with a confused look.
"For being a coward." Hiroto said.
"That's alright. I always knew you wouldn't want to see me like this." Kazemaru said with a smile.
"Stop pretending already." Hiroto said.
"You… can always read my actions huh?" Kazemaru said. This time, his voice turned raspy.
"I know you lied to Yuki-kun." Hiroto said.
"I didn't want to bother the others." Kazemaru said.
"What are you really feeling?" Hiroto asked.
"Dizzy," Kazemaru said.
Hiroto let the tealnet lean on him while he fixed the pillows so Kazemaru could lie. Kazemaru's forehead was on Hiroto's shoulder, making Hiroto worried as he felt the heat.
As he supported Kazemaru to lie down, Kazemaru gave him a small smile. Hiroto blushed. Hiroto pulled the blanket up to Kazemaru's neck. The tealnet was already sleepy.
"Rest," Hiroto said as he kissed Kazemaru on the forehead. Thought Kazemaru's face was flushed because of the fever, it was evident that Kazemaru was blushing.
"Arigatou… Mi-chan…" Kazemaru said as he slept. (A.N.: I got Mi-chan from Kiyama).
'Suki da yo…' Hiroto thought.
After a few minutes, Hiroto went out of the room and said 'Goodbye' to Yukimura.