AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm thinking about changing this story a little, as you can see, I changed the summary, as it'll be too confusing to have everyone it it, I'll be doing a different version for each school I like. 'In a Tenipuri world' will focus on love triangles in each school, I'm thinking about GakutoXYuushiXAtobe for Hyotei, and The Three Demons for Rikkai, any suggestions?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Prince of Tennis or any of its characters, they belong to Konomi Takeshi. I can only dream of them in my fantasies.
_._._._.
Shiraishi wasn't sure how he felt. Should he be happy for him? Shiraishi felt a stab at his chest. All the years Chitose spent with Shitenhoji, with him, came back to his mind. That slender frame, the deep blue, bird nest of a hair-cut, Shiraishi had always watched him. He admired Chitose: He was always so…free. He always did as he wished, free of any boundaries, limits. However Shiraishi was the captain, all he needed was tennis that can win, that can bring them a victory. He didn't even succeed in that. He couldn't guide his team to the finals. Of course, he was comforted as no one blamed him, and it was with some comfort he can recall that he won his match. Chitose wasn't bound to any duties like that, not that Shiraishi didn't enjoy being the captain of such a fun club. It's just that he was jealous, of Chitose, who played tennis whenever he felt like it. And always acted upon whims.
Shiraishi felt his feelings spiralling out of his control. The anger griped him –why did Chitose isolate himself from Shiraishi, was he not a friend?- simultaneously with a sudden pang of loneliness, maybe Chitose didn't see him as a friend but just an acquaintance, just an anybody. Then why the invitation? Because it's polite to do so? Shiraishi felt a burst of an emotion he was not familiar with, it felt like jealousy, but it was not. That emotion was not directed at Chitose, but his fiancée, Alice. Had Shiraishi been himself, he would have mused for hours at Chitose's apparent preference for foreign girls.
Shiraishi tried to figure this new emotion – new to him- out when he realised. He realised that he wanted him. He wanted Chitose. He wanted the times they were together back, he wanted Chitose beside him, laughing at the warai pair's jokes.
The sound of keys turning in the front door failed to snap Shiraishi back to reality. It was late, not that it mattered to Shiraishi, who has long lost the track of time.
Oshitari Kenya saw the silhouette of Shiraishi sitting in the dark, illuminated faintly only by the slowly setting sun peeping over the horizon into the living room through the large windows. Kenya took a (long) moment to savour and indulge himself in Shiraishi's figure, dyed a romantic shade of dark red tinted with orange by the sun. Kenya walked towards Shiraishi, and as soon as he could see his face clearer, he noticed something was not right. Shiraishi needed some cheering up, whatever happened, Kenya thought.
'Naa~~ Shiraishi~,' Kenya casually dumped his coat on the chair, and slid up to Shiraishi, sitting himself on the arm of the sofa, 'guess what I am thinking…' Kenya's voice was suggestive, which he learned through observation (of Yuushi), he lowered his eyelids seductively and traced Shiraishi's jawline down to his collarbone with his slightly cold fingertip. In an alluring voice, he whispered, 'I think you need some fun.'
Kenya stopped. Shiraishi had given him no response. He was still glancing at the piece of paper, refusing to spare any of the much wanted attention to Kenya.
'Kenyan.' Shiraishi finally acknowledged the brunette's presence. Shiraishi's eyes did not look up to meet Kenya's and his voice was less controlled than he'd wished.
A wave of panic surged through Kenya as he thought Shiraishi looked as if he could cry at any moment. Shiraishi buried his face in Kenya's chest, startling him. This time, it was a surge of pain that Kenya felt as he saw the invitational card and instantly understood what, or rather who caused Shiraishi to act like this.
Kenya knew that it was no surprise (that Shiraishi still felt this way about Chitose). In fact, Kenya had realised Shiraishi's feelings before Shiraishi himself. He knew that he couldn't have the pale blond to himself – it was an impossible dream. But he had tried, to obtain that dream, and now he faces a terrible dilemma. Kenya could try to discourage Shiraishi, but he truly loves and cares for him, and he couldn't bring himself to sever Shiraishi's chance at happiness; but he wasn't ready to lose his either.
Kenya does not, and never will, regret asking Shiraishi out. At that time, he was aware of Shiraishi's feelings towards Chitose but he wasn't aware of the scale of that feeling. Kenya set himself one goal in that relationship – Shiraishi's happiness. Then why am I hesitating now?
Kenya looked down at Shiraishi. It was a somewhat sour and bitter feeling, watching the one love crying while gripping hard onto Kenya, because of another man. The grip hurt Kenya, but he did not budge, it hurt more for Kenya to see Shiraishi like this.
Kenya let Shiraishi be until he had finally calmed down a little. Kenya then proceeded to getting Shiraishi a tissue and some water. Kenya slipped two sleeping pills into the drink, and handed it over to him.
Kenya carried Shiraishi to the bed room, took off his hoodie and jeans, and laid him on the bed. Kenya covered him.
_._._._.
'Yuushi, what should I do? Shiraishi is in a mess, no, he is a mess. The only time I have seen him like this was when he left. And even now, he isn't over it yet. Why does he have to cause Shiraishi that much pain?'
Yuushi sighed. He had always been close to his younger cousin. He had gotten used to hearing complaint after complaint; Yuushi had his fair share of complaints made to Kenya as well – about the sheer size of Hyotei, getting lost on his first day and the sheer madness that was the tennis club and his captain. Yuushi loved Kenya dearly: Kenya was like a brother to him, an adorable sibling. But this is the first time it was so serious, Yuushi knows: Kenya was in pain, his voice was sound waved together with hurt, frustration, anger and a hint of jealousy.
Yuushi had known for a while now, that Kenya loves Shiraishi. And that Shiraishi loved Chitose. Kenya, Shiraishi and Yuushi were in the same class in elementary school and during the years, Yuushi saw how Kenya's love blossomed for the boy.
Yuushi had seen the joy on Kenya's face, after his confession was accepted; when he moved in with Shiraishi; when they kissed for the first time. Yuushi knew that Kenya treasured every second with Shiraishi, every touch. Very much like Gakuto and himself. Except that Yuushi was more fortunate, Gakuto loved Yuushi just as Yuushi loved him.
Yuushi sat in his bedroom, which was ornamented by the hundreds of decorations that found their way in. Some he liked – the fireplace and the elegant mantelpiece and the piano. Some were placed there by his parents, which he appreciated but did not like – the huge towering chandelier and the wall lights which were far too bright for his liking. Yuushi was sitting on the luxurious bedding. His eyes were cast down as he listened to his cousin.
Yuushi was frustrated, for not being able to offer any more than words of consolation. As Yuushi sat in almost-silence – the only source of sound being the phone – the door creaked ajar.
Yuushi's head tilted up in alarm, for his senses were accustomed to the stillness, though inside him was a turmoil of emotions. 'Gaku.' Yuushi looked at the red-haired boy standing at the doorway.
_._._._.
Gakuto? Kenya heard Yuushi's whisper. Kenya was just as updated o Yuushi's love life as Yuushi was with his and Kenya knew who Gakuto was. His boyfriend, lover.
That thought brought the full force of the lingering pain back. Kenya whispered goodbye gently and pressed the red key on his phone. I shouldn't take up any more of Yuushi's time.
Kenya was happy for Yuushi, to have his perfect half to complete him. But he harboured a little jealousy at the happiness that he could not get his hands on.
Kenya went back into the bedroom to check on Shiraishi. He sat by the bed and ran his hand through Shiraishi's soft, silky hair. Shiraishi didn't look peaceful enough for Kenya to stop worrying. Kenya had often watched him sleep while adoring every feature on his face, every little detail on his body. He was always tranquil in his sleep, but not this time. Kenya regretted not putting a n anti-depression pill in his drink.
Kenya couldn't help but hate Chitose, though he was a former friend and teammate. Kenya hated Chitose for doing this to him, for shattering the little happiness that he had kept close to him. But he hated, resented and detested Chitose more, for hurting Shiraishi.
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Thanks for reading, please review if you have the time: any criticism is welcome. As for the next chapter, it'll probably be the wedding. Please look forward to it!