and to Avril, Eddie, Wang Hu, Lan Fan, Sean and Takeshi. Merry Christmas, guys!
"Kuroudo! Just where on earth---" she half-yelled, her deep blue eyes piercing through the golden strands that framed her face, directing themselves at the flaxen-haired boy who stood not very far from where she was. Rather reflexively, she pushed the man she was talking to away, but her strength was not enough. He grabbed her firmly by the arm, and in such a strong manner that her attention was averted from her son to that of her husband. She glared at him, seething. "Let go of me!"
But he did not say anything to rebuke her, however; just like she was, his attention was apparently on their son, who was standing by the door with one hand already half-twisting the knob. "Go back to your room and stay there until I tell you that it's alright to come out!" he commanded, his fury sputtering out of his control.
She had slapped him before he could say anything more. "How dare you raise your voice at my son, Hideaki!"
The boy couldn't take it anymore. He was tired of all the yelling, the cursing, the bickering, the never-ending argument about to whom he belonged to. A few seconds ago, he had released the doorknob in fear of his father blowing up at him for something he did not do once more, but he was afraid no longer. If they wouldn't stop, then he would have to go away, to where he would not have to listen to their ear-splitting bellows. And it didn't look like they were planning to stop, so…
"I'm leaving," he announced firmly, the mask of indifference sitting on his pale, handsome features, and like a judge having announced his verdict, he walked away from his squabbling parents, ignoring their words of protest and slamming the door shut with as much force as he could muster.
He stopped to look at the panorama that spread before him from their house's front porch, noticing the twinkling of the different bright-colored lights from down town as it clashed with the darkening sky. He never really appreciated the city, as he found it too crowded --- and thus, too noisy --- but it was just particularly different that afternoon. The lights, above all, were extremely delightful to look at.
Then, he sighed, realizing why it was so. It was Christmas Eve.
Kyousuke Jin let out a humorless laugh, the round lenses of his spectacles flashing from under his cap. "Out of town. Or even out of the country. I don't know. I don't really care. I've been fine without them." He threw a couple of coins into the 'wishing well' rather off-handedly, ignoring the way his teammates looked at him. He then tucked his hands into the pockets of his jumper. "Why are you staring at me like that? If your parents were home, you'd be with them right now and not with me. It's not as if we're not experiencing the same thing."
"My parents are home. In fact, we're having a family gathering tonight at my grandmother's house, although we're not leaving 'till seven," the tallest of the bunch protested with a scowl. It was Kazuya Shichigawa. "I'm not as unemotional as you are, Kyousuke. Sometimes I may not know what they're up to --- parents have this strange habit of keeping 'adult' things from us, you know --- but I do care."
"Whatever."
"Why don't you come to my place, Kyousuke? We're having a feast tonight! Well, I'd bring you guys along but I know you're all busy. I mean, even Kuroudo couldn't come with us this afternoon, and to think it's Griffon custom that the members of the playing team, especially the captain, hang out and enjoy on the 24th," Hiroshi Washida voiced out. He forced a smile. "Oh well. It doesn't matter. We'll just have to demand another practice day off from him, then."
The Gear Master shrugged at that, turning around to leave the place, for a group of giggling teenage girls were coming their way. One did not need to know who he was to tell that he hated being trapped amidst a crowd of squealing young women. "I doubt he'll give us a day off, though, with the Japan Cup so close. You saw how worked up he was when he found out that there was a team who beat us as to the sub-points."
Kazuya nodded in agreement. "And that was only by a point, too." His voice wavered. "Do you think Mitsuke…"
It was evident that they didn't want to talk about their other comrade, not only because of the fact that Kazuya did not finish his question, but also by the reaction of his companions. Hiroshi had opened his mouth to say something, but upon hearing Mitsuke Ohmori's name he immediately swallowed his words and flushed them all away. The smaller boy, on the other hand, continued to walk away, without uttering a single word, and that was enough of an indication.
"So guys," Hiroshi was quick to change the topic, running after their Gear Master with Kazuya close behind, "do you think we should have a New Year's Eve party? We can decorate the HQ and all, without Kuroudo knowing, then when he comes, well, he'll be forced to postpone practice! Then we'll party, eat until we'll be too full to move, and then light up the fireworks in celebration of our upcoming victory in the Japan Cup!"
The other two forced a laugh. "Give it up, Hiroshi."
I'm sorry, Kuroudo, but Kyousuke's not home. He left before we even arrived… Hello, Kuroudo-san! Buh-but Kazuya-niichan went out! He wouldn't tell me where either! It's so unfair, really, going out while I'm stuck here doing the chores he's supposed to do! Oh, okay, I'll tell him… Ah, this is Kuroudo Marume, the captain of Team Griffon? I see. You're looking for Hiroshi? I'm afraid my son hasn't come home since he left this morning, however; he told me he was going to attend practice --- ooh, that naughty boy! Just wait 'till he comes home… Mi-Mitsuke? He's, I-I'm sorry, but he's not around. He w-went to, um, he left with our father. H-his brother, Ikiru. Yes, I'll let him know…
A heavy sigh escaped Kuroudo's lips as he reached out to open the door of Griffon Japan's headquarters, his keys in hand. It was Christmas Eve, the time to start the parties and celebrate, but he was feeling extremely blue. His parents' bickering had grown more aggressive, to the point that he feared that they might think of getting divorced; his teammates, on the other hand, were all out and his attempts to reach them had been all in vain; and there was nobody in their Gear Fighting headquarters at all. How could he possibly celebrate if he had nobody to have fun with?
He stopped abruptly, realizing that the door had opened without so as much of a struggle. Open? Why would it..?
It didn't take him long to find the answer to his question. Lying on the floor, by the table nearest to the door, was a Gear of rather familiar shape and design despite the darkness, and a set of keys just like the one he owned. Kuroudo, knowing that it belonged to one of the members of the playing team, immediately flipped the switch on and examined them, determined to discover to whom it belonged to, and most importantly, what it was all about.
The owner's name was fancily engraved on the interior part of the key chain.
"Mitsuke…"
---
Author's Note:
Finally, here's the first installment of my Christmas fic… I'm so sorry for the delay! Inspiration, unfortunately, didn't drop by beforehand. Anyway, this takes place a year and a few months before the series starts, and obviously, it focuses on the members of Griffon Japan. I thought of doing a post-CGT fic, yes, but it also occurred to me that the Tobita Club has already been in the spotlight more than enough. Well, that's it for now, keep your fingers crossed for an update, and please be so kind to review. Merry Christmas, everyone!