Chapter 3: Kirihara Akaya

"HEADSHOT!" Kirihara shouted as he continued to move in the game, shooting more character models. "I bomb planting A site. Cover!" he said in broken English as he held down a key and watched his in game model punch in a code into a rather terribly designed explosive.

A warning screen came up, saying that the bomb has been planted and that there is 40 seconds until detonation. He moved his character behind a box, waiting for the enemy team to come and defuse the bomb. As he heard the sound of the defuse, he would pop out and shoot them down. Sometimes, they would find him before he even had a chance.

That was the new life and sport for Kirihara Akaya. He wasn't playing tennis anymore as all of his free time has been dedicated to this game. He lived and breathed CounterStrike.

Kirihara never made the cut for the Rikkai high school tennis team, so he fell into recluse. It was during this slump that he accidentally stumbled across a livestream of European boys playing a video game for a prize pool of $1 million. The amount of fire and passion that the players could put into a game and their playstyle grabbed his attention. The huge crowd that gathered to watch excited him even more. The fact that there was virtually no Asian talent within the scene motivated him the most.

It was from that moment on that he would give up tennis and all his aspirations to pursue a career in becoming a professional CounterStrike player.

Much to his teammates' dismay, he decided he was going to get good at the game and challenge the top of the scene one day. Not even Sanada threatening him would stir him away from his new dream. Besides, the best part about becoming pro in a video game is the lack of borderline supernatural abilities needed to win. The only challenge is getting the Japanese scene bigger, since the only popular eSport in Japan is League of Legends. Even so, that scene is small too.

Kirihara is oblivious to the fact that his former captain is gone. He's been playing and practicing non-stop that he hasn't even bothered to check the time. His phone was going off like crazy, displaying notifications for several messaging apps, but his focus was 100% on the game. Yanagi let out a sigh of defeat, reached for the headset he was wearing and yanked it off his head while simultaneously shutting off the monitor in front of him.

"Kirihara, please quit your game. We need to talk."

Kirihara turned around. "Yanagi-senpai?! What the hell, man? I was so close to ranking up to SMFC!"

Yanagi looked at him in a way that sent chills down Kirihara's spine. "Kirihara, we need to talk. And not just me, but everyone else who sent you a message." Yanagi picked up Kirihara's phone and showed him his screen.

"Why is everyone messaging me? I told you guys that I wasn't coming back."

"We know you aren't. That's not why everyone is messaging you. Now, come. It's time to go home and I have to tell you something."

"Fuck off, Yanagi-senpai. It's not late. I can stay here all I want. This eSports café is 24/7. As long as I'm paying, I'm staying."

"Kirihara, this is important. It's about Yukimura-"

"I don't care, Yanagi-senpai. Yukimura-buchou can beg all he wants, but I am not returning to tennis. My passion is CounterStrike. Him being sick won't sway me into returning. Sanada-fukubuchou even said I wasn't fit for the team when I tried out a month ago."

"Sanada said you wouldn't be placed on a regular position until you impro-"

"Yeah, which is why I left. If I can't be the star, then it's not fun for me anymore. In this game, I can be a star player. This game is fun. You're not changing my mind, Yanagi-senpai. Now, let me get back to my game."

Yanagi rubbed his temples with his fingers. He pulled out the letter Yukimura had written for him and shoved it into Kirihara's hand. "My intentions were to not talk you into playing tennis again. My intentions were to tell you about this letter. It's from Yukimura. Seeing as you won't listen to me, I'll let you figure it out on your own. Goodbye, Kirihara." Yanagi stiffened his back and quickly left the café.

Kirihara took one look at the letter and tossed it beside his monitor. He put his headset back on and turned the screen back on. "Sorry. Fucking ganked by classmate. Rush A?"

Kirihara managed to play for another four hours. It was almost 1 AM by the time his tenth game was played. Sighing, he logged out of the computer and picked up his stuff. He forgot about the letter until the shopkeeper stopped him before he left.

"Hey, kid. You forgot something back at your counter."

"What? No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did. Your senpai came in and gave you an envelope before leaving. I have never seen a man be so calm while so angry. You know the rules. Nothing can be left by a computer before you leave."

Fuming, Kirihara went back and picked up the envelope and shoved it into his pocket before leaving the café. The shopkeeper just shook his head as he watched him leave.

Kirihara walked to the station before realizing the last train back to his place had already left. Cursing to himself, he took out his phone to try and call someone to bail him out. Greeting him was a plethora of notifications and text messages; almost all of them from his former teammates and his family. Irritated, he opened up his conversation with Marui, who had been spamming him nonstop since the day Yukimura passed.

OI SQUIRT. DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS YET?

"What news?" was Kirihara's initial reaction. He opened up his chat with Niou.

I can't believe what just happened. Are you okay?

"What happened? Why are these messages so vague?" He quickly opened up his chat with Yanagi.

Kirihara, I need to talk to you about Yukimura. He wrote a letter for you and I need to give it to you.

Kirihara suddenly remembered the letter that was in his pocket. He quickly dug it out, dropping bits of candy wrappers and used train tickets onto the concrete station grounds in the process. He unraveled it, looking at the way his name was written.

"Yukimura-buchou's handwriting? Why the hell did he write me a letter? Can't he just call, like a normal person?"

Kirihara ripped the envelope and pulled out the pages of the letter. He sat down on the stairs leading up to the platform and began to read.

'Kirihara Akaya, I'm disappointed in you.'

He scoffed. "What would you know, Yukimura-buchou?"

'I'm going to assume you said something along the lines of 'what the hell do I know', or something of that nature. I'll just get straight to the point, Akaya.'

"What point?"

'I'm dead, Akaya. I died probably two or three days ago, but I'm assuming you didn't know until now.'

Kirihara felt his gut twist. "You're kidding, right?"

'I'm not kidding, Akaya. I truly am dead. The death wasn't planned, but seeing as you stopped caring about your former teammates, I'm assuming you just ignored all the text messages from everyone saying that I'm dead. I'm telling you now that I'm dead. If you need further proof, the funeral is probably going to happen next week and Yanagi had already texted you the date, time and place. My dead body will be there, so there's even more concrete proof.'

"This is some sort of sick joke, isn't it? Yukimura-buchou can't be dead. He was fine the last time I saw him!"

Kirihara took out his phone and scrolled down the chat with Yanagi, ignoring all the texts from him saying that Yukimura passed. Surely enough, Yanagi had given him the date, time and location of the funeral. This only made Kirihara feel more uneasy. He looked at the next line in the letter.

'If you need even more proof, I have a feeling Hinoka sent you some frantic messages the night I died.'

Kirihara's voicemail was filled with messages from Hinoka. He was hesitant to check them as he felt the knot grow tighter and tighter in his abdomen.

'I will assume I have made my point. Now I shall continue with the actual intention of this letter.'

His hands felt clammy as he flipped the page over.

'I remember fondly the first day we met. You were so determined to beat the entire tennis team, who won the nationals. Obviously, the third years were terrible players and it was easy to beat them. The real threat was Yanagi, Sanada and myself. You learned that the hard way, didn't you?'

The day Kirihara decided he would take down the entire Rikkai tennis team was also the first day he watched them play. The day at the nationals was the day he was determined to get into the school. His grades were abysmal, but he somehow managed to ace the entrance exam with flying colours and enrolled in Rikkai. Whether it was by pure, stupid luck or not, he managed to get in and that's all that mattered to him. One more step taken towards his goal of dominating the best junior high school tennis team.

That was something typical with Kirihara. He would always get an ambition to be the best in something, but he would always lose the ambition if something doesn't go right along the way. This was always true no matter what. He's oblivious to this fact, just like he is with everything else in his life. He would always give up in the end and this time was no different from the rest.

After school, he stormed onto the courts with his racket in hand and a spark inside. He was determined to cut down anyone that stood in his path. Game after game, he tired out all the regulars without even breaking a sweat. He smirked triumphantly.

"Is that seriously the best you guys can do? Is this really the legendary Rikkai tennis team?" he taunted.

"What's all the commotion about?" a voice called out from behind.

Kirihara turned around to be greeted by Yukimura Seiichi as he walked up to him. Yukimura's feminine demeanor made him look more disgusted.

"Who are you?"

"I should be asking you that, since you're disrupting practice."

"I thought this was the legendary Rikkai tennis team, but you guys aren't even the real deal. You're weak."

"Oh? Is that so?" A chilling smile formed on Yukimura's face. "How about you play against Sanada, then?"

"Against HIM?" Kirihara pointed his finger at Sanada. "Fine, but it'll just be a waste of time."

It did not take Sanada Genichirou much time until he crushed Kirihara's spirit. Soon after, that weakened spirit was crushed even more by Yukimura and Yanagi.

'You had so much potential, Akaya. I was excited when I played you for the first time. You were surprisingly good, even though I totally beat and embarrassed you. I knew I wanted you on the team. I just had to have you on the team. You were the only person I would want to lead the team when I graduated. That's why I decided to accept you into a regular position. Sanada wanted you for your raw skill, but I wanted you for your passion on top of your skill.'

Embarrassed from losing to the three demons, Kirihara doubled his efforts into training. He would not lose again to them. Anger fueled his fiery passion and there was no one around to put out the flames. As Yukimura watched him train from the rooftop garden that week, he chuckled a little.

"That boy sure is something."

Sanada gave him a confused look. "What do you mean by that, Yukimura?"

"Look at that passion. Sanada, I want him on the team. He'll be a good captain when I graduate."

"I hate to kill your dreams, Seiichi, but Kirihara Akaya isn't exactly the responsible type," Yanagi chimed in.

"I'm aware of that, which is why I'll find a responsible vice captain. You two worry too much. I know what I'm doing."

Sanada snorted. "Captain or not, we cannot deny how good his raw skill is. He will be an asset with how aggressive his playstyle is."

"I was thinking the same thing too, Sanada. Renji, what about you?"

"I'll have to look into it more, but I will agree that we need new blood on the team. Perhaps he will change a lot if we pick him up." Yanagi leaned over the railing and stared at the boy, who was frantically beating the ball at this point.

The next day, Kirihara marched right into Sanada's classroom and shoved a letter onto his desk before storming out. Yukimura and Yanagi both looked at Kirihara as he left. Sanada picked up the letter and opened it. A look of disgust plastered his face.

"How the hell are you in first year and have handwriting this abysmal?!"

Yanagi put a hand on his shoulder. "Patience, Sanada. What does the letter even say?"

Yukimura leaned over. "I think it's a request for a rematch." He laughed softly, but deviously. "I'm quite excited. Aren't you, Renji?"

"Quite interested. I hope to gain some valuable insight and data."

Sanada folded the request up. "You both have too much faith in this kid. I'm going to crush him for this horrendous handwriting."

Later that day, Kirihara showed up at the courts, awaiting the entrance of the three demons. His almost non-existent patience was wearing thin.

"Can they be any more late?! I just want to play!"

Kirihara waited for another five minutes before Sanada made his entrance into the courts. The demonic black aura that seemed to constantly encompass Sanada grew in size, which sent a slight chill down everyone's spines.

"Now you show up," Kirihara said sarcastically.

"Learn to respect your elders." Sanada threw his jacket onto the bench and pulled out his racket. "Show me what you are, Kirihara Akaya!"

After activating bloodshot mode for the first time, Sanada swiftly cut Kirihara down again in spite of it. Defeated, Kirihara sulked until Sanada approached him.

"Not bad. Maybe if you train for another ten years, perhaps you could stand a chance against me."

"What the hell is it to you? I lost. I'll leave you alone."

"We talked about it was a team and decided we want you on a starting position."

"What? You're bullshitting me."

"Yukimura himself said he wanted you on the team. You have potential and we are not stupid enough to let go of this opportunity. We hope you consider this offer, Kirihara Akaya."

"Wow… Yukimura-buchou really had faith in me…" He felt his eyes well up as he continued.

'I was right to trust you when I did graduate. You lead the team to victory in the Kanto regionals and to the finals of the nationals.'

"But I lost at the nationals to Zaizen's team. That means nothing."

'Even though you lost to Shitenhouji, I couldn't be more proud. You took down Seigaku in the semis of the nationals and that's all that mattered to me: revenge. A vendetta against the team that won against us the year before.'

His nose felt like it was clogging up from the snot, so he sucked whatever was in his nostrils and let it fall into his stomach.

'Akaya, I can't tell you how proud I am of you. That's why it hurt me when you didn't make the cut for the high school team. You just gave up and left, fell in love with CounterStrike and cut all communication with us.'

"I didn't give up on tennis… I just got bored of it…"

'I don't buy that you lost interest. You're such a quitter and you know it. You faced an impasse and you just quit. Don't even try to deny that, Akaya.'

"You're wrong. What the hell would you know about me anyways? You're not even alive anymore."

'I will assume that you said something insulting and I'll ignore it, since I don't need to think about a comeback. I can't change your mind now, especially since I'm dead and can't lead the team anymore. If you're going to pursue this career as a CounterStrike player, then I hope to God that you don't give up when someone throws you a curveball. I know the scene is European dominated. I've seen those tournaments. It'll be really hard for you to lead a team, especially a fully Japanese team. You'll need to work on your English if you want any chance at breaking into the scene. Please, Akaya. Don't give up on this. You'll only be crushing yourself more and more if you do. You're a prideful person and this will only kill you more.'

"I'm quitting the team."

Sanada felt something snap in his mind. "What?"

Kirihara slammed his jersey onto the table in the clubroom. "I. Quit."

Niou smirked. "Nice trick, squirt."

"It's not a trick, Niou-senpai."

Yanagi pressed his hand on Kirihara's forehead to check for a fever. "He's serious."

Kirihara batted Yanagi's hand away from him. "Of course I'm serious, Yanagi-senpai! You think I would joke about this?"

Marui flicked his finger against Kirihara's forehead. "You're not quitting this team, Akaya."

"I can and I did!"

"Just, what exactly are you going to do with your free time?" Marui blew a small, green bubble between his thin lips. "Don't tell me you're serious about the whole eSports thing."

Kirihara stuck his finger in the bubble, popping it and covering Marui's mouth. "And what if I am? I'm good at the game and it's attracting people. People with money and offers to play."

Niou laughed in his face. "You've got to be kidding me! eSports is not a real thing! Not here in Japan, at least."

"It is a real thing, Niou-senpai. People like you are the reason why the Japanese scene doesn't grow."

"Kirihara, I hate to ruin your dreams even more, but English is the main language used in most competitive games. You barely passed English the year you graduated," Yagyuu added.

"English isn't hard, Yagyuu-senpai. I can learn!" Yagyuu rolled his eyes, but Kirihara failed to notice.

Sanada loomed over Kirihara with a murderous gaze. Kirihara just stared back with emotionless eyes. Seeing the fearlessness in his eyes, Sanada eased back, knowing he couldn't intimidate Kirihara into staying.

"What did Yukimura say then?"

"I already told him, Sanada-fukubuchou. He didn't say anything."

Yagyuu coughed. "Are you sure you did not stay long enough to hear what he had to say, Kirihara?"

"Yes! I'm done. I quit. I hate tennis now." Kirihara stormed out the door of the clubroom, leaving the other second years stunned at what just happened.

"Why in God's name would he just quit? We just gave him a position as a sub because of the third-"

"The problem is more than that, Marui," Yagyuu interjected. "We must've hurt his pride. Why else would he just leave?"

"Maybe we should ask Yukimura. He did say he already talked to him, piyo."

Jackal looked around the room. "Wait, where is he?"

"That is odd. Seiichi is never late for a meeting." Yanagi took out his phone to call Yukimura when Akaya burst through the door, breathless.

"Yukimura-buchou… Hinoka-san said he's in the hospital," he said, clearly exhausted from the distance he just ran.

The day Kirihara quit was also the day Yukimura's condition came back.

Kirihara just stared at the last sentence he read. Yukimura was right about him, even though he refused to admit it. He felt a heavy sense of guilt, remembering the day he left.

'Lastly, I have a request. You'll honour your dead former captain's final request, right?'

"Only if it's reasonable, Yukimura-buchou."

'I know you have feelings for Hinoka. Why else would you have her number and constantly be around her all the time, listening to her problems? Even I didn't want to do that, but I was her older brother. I'm not asking for anything unreasonable, but for you to watch over her for me. If she feels the same way towards you, you better reciprocate. If I find out you hurt her in any way, I'll rob you of your senses in some way. Or I'll just get Sanada to hurt you. Whatever seems feasible. Hinoka means a lot to me and I entrust that you'll take care of her for me.'

The first day of Kirihara being a third year was also the day he felt the world come to a screeching halt. His day was normal and boring, as every other day in March. He woke up late, got ready late, hopped onto the train at the very last minute before it took off and arrived at school just before the bell that signals first period rang. Since it was the first day, he forgot that the annual opening ceremony would be happening, meaning he rushed for nothing. Fuming, he made his way up to the rooftop, where he met a familiar face and a not so familiar face. His anger dissipated the moment his gaze locked onto the unfamiliar person. His heart sank and his cheeks flushed slightly.

Kirihara regained his composure. "Hokama Sayumi, I didn't know you'd be up here so late. I thought you were a good noodle."

The familiar girl turned around and looked at Kirihara. "Oh, hey Kirihara." She turned back to the other person and continued her conversation from before. "That's Kirihara Akaya, the new captain of the tennis team."

"Oh, I know. It's hard to not know who Kirihara Akaya is," the unfamiliar person replied. "My brother talked about him a lot." Kirihara recognized the voice, but could not remember whose voice that was.

He walked up to them. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"How rude of you, Kirihara. You didn't even introduce yourself yet and you're already asking questions."

"Oi, you're not my mom, Hokama."

The unfamiliar girl giggled. "Did you really forget who I was, Akaya-senpai?"

Kirihara's confusion grew more and more. "Yes! Who are you?"

The girl opened her mouth to say something, but Sayumi quickly interrupted. "She's not going to tell you because you should remember if you knew her from before, Kirihara."

"What the hell gives you the right to do that, Hokama?"

"You'll find out sooner or later, Kirihara." Sayumi bent down to grab the watering can by her feet. "Well, Hinoka-chan, let's get back to the mini lesson, shall we?" She turned to look at Kirihara. "You can leave now. You're interrupting the meeting of the new beautification committee."

"Fine, fine. I'll see you later at the opening ceremony or something," Kirihara muttered as he left.

After organizing a scouting group for the tennis team, Kirihara escaped the rest of his duties to come back to the rooftop. Yukimura was happily conversing with Sayumi and the mysterious girl from before.

"Ah! There you are, Akaya. I had a feeling you would show up here. Being irresponsible and neglecting your duties already?"

"Yukimura-buchou!"

Sayumi snorted. "I told you that he was a terrible choice, Seiichi. Why don't you ever listen to me?"

"I should be asking myself that when I made you the new head of the committee, Sayumi. Rather, I should be asking myself why did I make you the head of the committee? You're killing the succulent bed. Again."

"Har har har, Seiichi. I'm responsible and you're literally in the next building if you need to check on your poor desert plants."

"Botany is a serious science, Sayumi. I expect you to teach my little sister everything she needs to know."

Kirihara looked at Yukimura confused. "Little sister?"

Yukimura turned his attention to Kirihara. "You forgot about Hinoka already? I mean, she dyed her hair red and cut it really short and started wearing red contacts, but anyone could tell it's her."

"Wait, what?" Kirihara quickly gazed at the girl, then back to Yukimura, then back to the girl. Suddenly, the memories just clicked in his mind as his jaw dropped open wide. "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?"

"Seiichi-niichan, Akaya-senpai completely forgot about me…" Hinoka formed some fake tears in her eyes and sniffled. "Belphegor must've turned me into a demon…"

Yukimura rolled his eyes. "You're all hopeless. Whatever will I do with you guys?"

Kirihara knew from that moment onwards that he was walking on thin ice. Every time he would see her in the halls, his chest would start to hurt and his stomach would flip over on itself multiple times. He had been getting more and more distracted as the days flew by. The next time Yukimura checked in on him, Kirihara was stuck in a trance he could not snap out of until Yukimura had to shake him violently to the point where he accidentally triggered Kirihara's bloodshot mode.

Kirihara grabbed Yukimura's neck in a rage before realizing what he did. He quickly let go and snapped out of his trance.

"Yukimura-buchou! I didn't mean to-"

Yukimura raised his hand as he rubbed the area with the other one. "It's okay, Akaya." Yukimura took out his water bottle and took a swig before coughing a little. "What has gotten into you? You're so distracted that the rest of the team is complaining to me about you. "

"I'm sorry. I don't know what wrong with me."

Yukimura leaned in and stared down Kirihara before laughing. "I see it now. You're in love, Akaya."

Kirihara's face became flushed. "What?! No way! Nuh! Kirihara Akaya does not fall in love!"

"I won't make you admit who it is, but you really should clear up these feelings, Akaya. You're making everyone around you worry."

Kirihara sighed. "I wish I could admit who, Yukimura-buchou. I don't think it would be a good idea, so I'll learn to let go."

Yukimura concentrated on Kirihara's words before reverting back to his usual demeanor. "Then I do expect you to lead the team to the top again, Akaya."

Kirihara couldn't admit that he fell hopelessly in love with Yukimura Hinoka all because of his relationship with her older brother. He suppressed his feelings for her despite the many advances she would make.

Kirihara's face was a literal mess of tears and snot, but he failed to notice this happen as he reached the final page of the letter.

'You need to believe in yourself, Akaya. Perseverance is the only way you'll ever find success. It was an honour to be your captain for the two short years you played with me. Please, go comfort Hinoka. She really needs you the most right now. May we meet again, in a better life. Farewell, Kirihara Akaya. -Yukimura Seiichi'

Kirihara crumpled the letter up in his hands and howled as his snot and tears trickled down his face. The utter shock from finishing the letter got to him. Yukimura Seiichi was gone and he never had the chance to see him before he left. He continued to wail loudly until a hooded figure walked up and sat beside him. They lifted their hood and much to Kirihara's surprise, it was Yukimura Hinoka. Hinoka pulled out a packet of tissues, took one out and wiped up his face.

"Akaya-senpai, please don't howl like a wolf. It's really late at night and someone's going to call the police on you."

Kirihara took the tissue from Hinoka and blew his nose strongly. He sniffled afterwards and took another tissue to clean up. "Hinoka-san, why are you out here so late? It's dangerous to be by yourself."

"I was going to say the same thing to you, Akaya-senpai. To be honest, I couldn't really sleep, so I snuck out." Hinoka looked out into the distance, not focused on any specific point with her empty eyes. "I'm assuming you missed the last train back?"

Kirihara still sniffled a little. "Yeah."

"Why are you crying, Akaya-senpai?"

Kirihara sighed. "It's complicated, Hinoka-san."

"I'm not busy right now. I can listen."

Kirihara smiled sadly. "You're too kind, Hinoka-san, but it's not something I should be troubling you with."

Hinoka turned her attention to Kirihara. "Well, if you don't want to say anything, may I?"

"Go ahead. I'm all ears."

Hinoka sighed, but Kirihara noted the slight tremble in her breathing. "Seiichi-niichan wrote me a letter before he died."

Kirihara's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything about his letter. "He did? What did it say?"

Hinoka hugged her knees. "A lot of things. It was really hard to read. I can't bring myself to read it again because it hurts so much." Her breathing started to get faster as her navy blue eyes welled up. "I miss him, Akaya-senpai. I miss Seiichi-niichan. I wish I got to say goodbye but- but-"

Unconsciously, Kirihara wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in. Hinoka buried her face into his jacket and sobbed uncontrollably. His own frustrations and sadness flowed out with her. "I know, Hinoka-san. I know."

Kirihara stared up at the sky. Though the flaming passion for tennis was gone, he was more determined than ever to complete his goal now. The stray star in the night sky twinkled softly and all he could do was nod. Turning his attention back to Hinoka, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing.

"I swear I'll protect Hinoka for you, Yukimura-buchou," he thought to himself. He opened his eyes again to see Hinoka calming down. "It's late. I'll walk you back home."

Hinoka finished wiping her face with the last tissue in the packet. They got up and started heading towards the spacious estate. Kirihara's heart felt like it was sinking more and more with each step he took. As they approached Hinoka's home, she held Kirihara's hand and lead them inside. Confused, Kirihara looked at her. She motioned towards the couch and they sat down together. Hinoka clinged onto his arm and they sat in silence. Kirihara decided to break the silence.

"Hinoka-san-"

"I like you, Akaya-senpai," she whispered, making sure not to wake up her parents.

Lost for words, Kirihara could only muster a sound that signalled his confusion.

"I like you, Akaya-senpai. Why is that hard to understand?"

Kirihara sighed. "Look, Hinoka-san, I know I'm crazy for saying this, but you're not thinking straight. You don't like me. You're just stricken with grief to think rationally."

"I'm not. Don't you like me too, Akaya-senpai?"

Kirihara looked at her. "I do, Hinoka-san. I do. I've always liked you, but I can't. Not like this.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't do this. My former captain just died and the love of my life, who also happened to be his little sister, is confessing her feelings to me. How can I be selfish like this? This isn't my story we're telling here right now; it's your brother's." Kirihara took a big breath. "I'm sorry, Hinoka-san. I can't return your feelings right now." He held her face and planted a light peck on her lips. "If you still feel the same after the funeral and you had more time to think about it, then I'll return your feelings. Right now, I made a promise to your brother and I can't break it."

Hinoka stared at Kirihara with her watery eyes. "Are you saying that I don't deserve to be happy? That you don't deserve to be happy?"

Kirihara sighed. He stood up and turned to look at her before picking her up and taking her up to her room. The utter shock from the entire situation, coupled with the hours of sleep deprivation made Hinoka completely silent the entire time. Kirihara opened the door to her bedroom and placed her onto the bed. He loomed over her as he pinned her arms down.

"If this was any other day of the week, I'd be jumping at this chance. You need to understand that you're tired and not thinking straight. Please, just get some sleep and we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Hinoka trembled under the strength of his grip. "You're hurting me." Kirihara let go of her wrists and sat down on the side of the springy mattress with his back facing her. She slung her arms around his shoulders. "Please, don't leave. I'm so alone right now…"

Kirihara held onto her hands. "I know. I promised your brother I wouldn't leave you alone." He turned around and held her in his arms as they both laid down on her bed. She curled up close to his chest and cried for the umpteenth time before the deprivation caught up to her. Kirihara only watched as he felt his eyelids give in shortly after Hinoka had already drifted to sleep.