I don't own Prince of Tennis or any of the affiliated characters.
Behind the Smiles
"The real reason for comedy is to hide the pain."
Everyone thinks that Shitenhouji is just the comic relief. They wonder why Shitenhouji is always laughing.
They don't know the pain behind the smiles.
They don't know that Konjiki Koharu and Hitoji Yuuji are hiding a real relationship behind the act because their parents would kick them out if they knew the truth. That they can't truly be themselves without being judged.
They don't know that Oshitari Kenya goes home to an empty house, with his parents away on business trips and his cousin in Tokyo. That there is no one to listen to him or talk to him.
They don't know that Zaizen Hikaru had self-esteem problems for a long time, because he couldn't get his parents to look at him. That he will forever be in his older brother's shadow.
They don't know that Kintarou is so loud because he's trying to drown out the sounds of his parents shouts. Shouts about how much they hate each other and wished that they had never gotten married.
They don't know how hard Ishida Gin took his brother moving to Tokyo. They don't know how close he came to coming over and beating up the upperclassmen that dared hurt his little brother.
They don't know that Koishikawa Kenjirou always fades to the background. That he has a face and name that are easily forgotten, if they notice him in the first place.
They don't know that Shiraishi Kuranosuke has to watch his team in pain, without knowing how to help them. Knowing that he might not be able to help them.
They don't know that Koharu and Yuuji are making it work. That they don't care whether their parents approve.
They don't know that Hikaru goes over to Kenya's house whenever it's really bad. When his parents won't stop talking about his older brother and his older brother doesn't even mention that he exists.
They don't know that Kintarou has attached himself to the other Shitenhouji regulars. Because they are more of a family than his constantly-arguing parents.
They don't know that Gin considers Hikaru and Kintarou as his other little brothers. That he takes care of them in the same way he would take care of his real younger brother.
They don't know that Kenjirou relies on the other regulars to remember him. Because they seem to be the only ones who will always see him, remember him.
They don't know that Kuranosuke always makes sure his team will be okay. Because he couldn't bear the thought of his teammates broken, by their own families.
They don't see the tears that hide behind the smiles, or hear the pain hidden in the laughs.
Shitenhouji doesn't care what everyone else thinks. They don't know anything.
All they need is each other.