Summary: Whenever Kei-chan was around, he would feel happy. Weightless. But lately, he's been missing his Buchou. Everyone's been changing.
-beginning of junior high-
"Ne, Kei-chan," the blond boy started talking, skipping to the park, hand-in-hand with Atobe Keigo. The Atobe Keigo. "Rarely, we don't do much together. Never ever." The boy's eyes widened for effect. "So, I was thinking that we could… join a club together!" He added a bounce to his step and enthusiasm to his voice.
Feeling a tug on his arm, Jiroh looked back to where Atobe stood. Why had he stopped walking? "Ne, ne? Kei-chan, are you alright? Are you sick?" Jiroh poked Atobe, as if examining him.
"No. Just, ore-sama was planning on joining the Tennis Club with Oshitari and Gakuto." Atobe said, looking straight into Jiroh's eyes.
Jiroh covered his mouth and looked taken aback. "But Kei-chan," he whispered, walking closer to Atobe, so the other could heard him, "I don't know how to play tennis…" he trailed off, staring at the cement pavement, the thought of going to the park was now lost to the boy. "Well," he said, a bit louder, "I guess I could learn!" and he ended the sentence with a short "Chase me!" running all the way to the park.
-third year, Hyoutei Gakuen-
"Bucho!" A voice called, along with the sound of running footsteps through the halls. "Ne, ne! Atobe-bucho! Are you ready?" Stopping just before Atobe, Jiroh looked at his Captain with excitement in his eyes.
"Ahn. Ore-sama apologizes, but Ore-sama has another occupation with Oshitari and Gakuto today." Atobe sniffed, and looked down at the papers in his hand. Jiroh kept his smile on his face, despite the growing feeling of disappointment that he could feel in his stomach. The pit of jealousy he felt when Atobe disregarded him for Oshitari or Gakuto.
"Well, it's okay!" he added the tone of happiness to his voice, trying to sound as if it were no big deal. "Maybe we can hang out next time, right? But…" he said, lowering his voice to an almost-whisper, "don't forget, and plan something else, okay?" He added another smile, and skipped away.
Jiroh almost missed seeing Atobe rolling his eyes as he left. Smile coming off, he stared at the ground. Atobe didn't like him anymore. Or, more like… Atobe never really cared about him. Feeling his throat pinch up a little, Jiroh held his head between his hands, feeling the emptiness and loneliness take over him. I miss Kei-chan.
And that was all he could think. All he could be. And all he was. A shadow. A nobody.
A/N: Okay, super short one-shot. I dunno I was feeling really down today. Yeah, sorry about that. I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue it, or make it a one-shot, so tell me! Sorry it's so short (: and… tell me what you think! Review! I had to cut it short, just cause it felt like a good stopping place.