The title of "best friend" was officially given to Munehiro Kabaji.
Three people know the truth.
Atobe Keigo. Munehiro Kabaji.
And a third.
Oshitari Yuushi.
Their life together was perhaps a façade. A veneer to cover up…what?
Kabaji did not mind, of course. He was… well, Kabaji.
But when Atobe was in need of help, a long talk, perhaps, a rant on the way his piano teacher had no sense of musicality? It was Yuushi he turned to. Yuushi who listened on the other end of the phone to his grumbles until 6.00 am in the morning. Yuushi who intelligibly debated on the merits of Vivaldi and Bela Bartok.
When did it start? Their friendship?
The change had been noticeable to all.
Both started showing up at tennis practice with dark shadows under their eyes.
Yuushi started falling asleep in class, and being reprimanded by the teacher.
Atobe bribed the teacher not to disturb him, before falling into his beauty sleep.
The similarity in symptoms did not escape their teammate's eyes… But Atobe's authority reigned supreme. No one questioned them. Except Gakuto.
After practice, Gakuto caught his doubles partner, and asked a question he had never before needed to ask.
"Is there something wrong, Yuushi?" Came out of his mouth. But his eyes asked a different question.
Why?
"It's nothing" He had replied brusquely, and averted his eyes from the person who once shared all his secrets.
I'm sorry, Gakuto.
After a while, Atobe bribed the teachers to leave Yuushi alone as well. Strangely, they both continued to pass their examinations with flying colours. Their results were, in fact, the best in Hyotei.
Atobe topped the list, with Yuushi following closely behind, just like the way they did everything else. Atobe lead the way, and Yuushi followed, just a little bit behind him.
The status had now changed. Yuushi was no longer the outsider, more, Kabaji was the bystander. He sat on the fence while watching the relationship between his closest friend and the stranger change… and grow.
Sometimes, when he saw Atobe rest his hand on Yuushi's shoulder, just a second more than he should, a strange emotion arose in Kabaji's chest.
It was unknown. Never felt before. Might this be what they called…
Jealousy?
He should have realized it before.
He loved Atobe from the bottom of his heart.
Because he loved Atobe, he would not tie him down.
Occasionally, when he saw a look pass from one to another, something tugged at his heart.
But after all, this was what Atobe wanted, and he was grateful to Yuushi for making him happy.
Then after, every morning, when Atobe picked Yuushi from his house in his limousine, Kabaji would feel the same heaviness. At the same time, the same love. And he would resume his place in the corner, quietly looking after the two.
His feelings forever locked.
In the deepest corner of his heart.