Shadow of the Day
Disclaimer: yeah, yeah…get on with it!
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Chapter 3: Hollow
Echizen Ryoma walked to school with his senpai; Fuji Syuusuke. Their trip was a silent one. Ryoma appeared normal but paler than usual. His I-pod was out. He noticed it was always the same song over and over. A song by Linkin Park, entitled Shadow of the day. He's getting more anti-social than usual. He ignores everyone around him. Echizen Ryoma is slowly erasing his existence to other. He was getting ready to say good-bye…
Ryoma's POV
Why doesn't anybody get it? I don't want company; I just want to be alone! Annoying as it is, the song seems to help me calm down. Well, at least now they get the picture. No one bothers to call my name any more. With the exception of my senpai-tachi, they're REALLY stubborn, especially Fuji-senpai and Momo-senpai. Those two don't know when to quit, I left to my private place…the roof. Though it was probably going to rain, the wind was incredible…I didn't care. I'd go to the ends of the earth if I had to, just to get away from them.
'Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple…'
Heck right! I'm tired of beginning again! I hate how everyone keeps looking at me…
'Sometimes goodbyes the only way…'
I wish I could. Saying goodbye was hard. Too hard, it's way too hard.
It started raining. I was getting wet, so I decided to back in. just as I reached my classroom. The PA system went on… 'Echizen Ryoma, please report to Ryuzaki-sensei's office right now…' So I changed course. My wounds began to sting as the water seeped through my uniform. I ignored the feeling and moved on.
When I reached her office, Inui-senpai, Fuji-senpai, Tezuka-bucho and Oishi-senpai were there. I would understand why Tezuka-bucho and Oishi senpai were there but why Inui-senpai and Fuji-senpai were were here. Okay, my reaction must have been amusing, since Inui-senpai was muttering 'Ii…data…' and scribbling away in the green notebook.
I faced them, and asked what was wrong. 'Sensei…?' I stuttered. I heard it right, right? I heard everything right…I had perfect hearing as far as I knew. Then tell me why I was hearing things. Tell me why they said something that I cannot comprehend. They must be joking, right? Joking. That's right.
The look on their faces tells me otherwise I, Echizen Ryoma, America's Prince of Tennis…can no longer play tennis. They tell that to me with such a straight face, minus Oishi-senpai. 'Uso…' I whispered. I sank to my knees. I tried to take it all in. First; Ouyaji and Occa-san are dead. Second; Nanako-nee and Ryoga-nii are fighting to have me with some unknown uncle. Third; I couldn't play tennis. I was fine…just fine. Okay, I wasn't. I felt tears run down my face. I could feel my breaths become irregular and I heard my wails of desperation.
I was done for. Tennis was my life. It was the only thing I ever knew and loved.
'Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple…'
'Sometimes goodbyes the only way…'
I couldn't feel. Pain was gone. It was…gone. Replaced by what we call misery. Misery was 10 times worse than pain. At least pain would disappear if you gave it proper medication. Misery was a different story. It would slowly eat you up inside out. My kind of misery would you faster than regular ones. Since…
Why was my misery eating me faster?
Was it because my parents were dead?
Was it because I hate the pity looks in every ones faces?
Was it because the fucking song was stuck in my head?
No…chigaou! It was because…I didn't felt loved anymore.
Hah! Tears kept streaming down my face as I figured that out. I felt a pair of arms carry me bridal style. I clung to his chest, didn't care who it was, like the world would end. I cried unto his chest. I could hear them saying like, 'Bring him home, Fuji, Tezuka.' Another was, 'Inui, give this to the dean, Oishi get their bags.'
I guess I kind of blacked out when we were out in the rain headed for Fuji-senpai's house.
Tezuka's POV
Inui was always scribbling down in his notebook. I entrusted Fuji to bring him home, and went with Inui to the Dean's office. He muttered something to me. I didn't get it at first, and then I finally got my thoughts out of that picture. Ryoma wailing like he just saw his parents die in front of his eyes…which he did. Inui repeated his question. I ignored him and left him. He said something like, 'Ii…data…'
I swear Inui is too weird at times. His question rung in my head, it was something like 'Do you LOVE Echizen, Tezuka?' damn you Inui.
Fuji's POV
I met Atobe on my way home. He said something depressing, that he didn't even use the term 'Ore-sama' even once! That was impressive. I smiled at the thought, even though we were outside and we were getting wet and Ryoma was still in my hands. What he told shocked me. Ryoga was found dead in Ryoma's old home. Nanako was in the hospital.
What was shocking even more was that, the 'unknown' uncle won because of the incident, And demanded custody of Ryoma this week. Now…I was mad.
