VI

Why do you say these things? If I agree, what will that make me? A home-wrecker! A slut! Think about this logically. Nothing is going to happen.

What if it did?

Shishido sat with Jun until the nurse came. She took one look at Jun's bloodied face, and told her to go home. Which was a terrible inconvenience since no one was home. She supposes she could walk the five kilometers, but then she might as well have stayed at school for the afternoon classes. Usually her driver picked her up but he was taking a short break after getting a terrible case of the flu. Shun was supposed to pick her up today after his work.

Well? Do you have anyone to pick you up sweetie?

Her voice was dripping with sweetness. It sounded so fucking condescending, as if she knew that Jun was the outcast and couldn't be bothered with giving a damn.

Yes, I'll be going.

Take care then, darling.

There was no way Jun was staying in that office until her brother came. In fact, she wasn't even going to call him. No way was she going to go out of her way to annoy him.

Hey! Hey| Jun! Where do you think you're going?

Shishido crossed his arm and looked pointedly at Jun as she moved to go further into the school.

Class. Where do you think?

Scoffing, Shishido closed the distance between them, arms now on Jun's shoulders.

If you think I'm going to let you go to class with half of your face covered in gauze, you're sorely mistaken.

I feel fine.

If Atobe hears about this, I'll be in so much trouble.

With that, Shishido leads Jun by the shoulders out of the school and to the empty parking lot.

Tell me where you live. We're going to your home. Do you still live at the elementary school?

No, we moved. Why are we going again?

No one's coming to pick you up right? I'll give you a ride. So, tell me your address.

Jun considered rejecting the offer, but it had been a long time since she talked to Shishido. The last time she was in the same car as him, his parents were driving her to her house as well. It was back in middle school, when she had come to watch his tennis competition against Fudomine.

My house is on the same street as Atobe's, Iyukono, house number 2342. We have that dome archway.

As expected of the Hadaka family. Iyukono is the nicest area around here in Tokyo.

The ride was awkward, conversation one-sided. Shishido spoke in elaborate lengths over the silence, but Jun didn't make much contributions. The years of separation made them forget about their similar interests. Jun thinks back to the tennis competition. They had been so friendly, so familiar with each other. She remembers that Shishido won. She remembers the sweat dripping from his hair, which was quite long for a boy. His eyes, brimming with excitement, and she remembers herself. She used to be so happy for him. They hugged and she celebrated as if it was her on that court. Where had that impressionable, joyous young girl gone? Shishido was still the same as always; talking a lot, animated, expressional. Jun was different; quiet, reserved, withdrawn. Perhaps she should be more extroverted. Yes, that would help them connect. Jun wanted to be friends with Shishido, anyways.

I don't usually hut people with tennis balls, ya know?, that's not my style.

Actually, you know the guy from Rikkaidai, Akaya?

Yeah. That's weird for you to know. Are you a stalker of some kind?

Well, you know how it is, unrequited love and all that.

A loud horn beeps behind them. Then, a head full of silver hair pops out the window.

Shit! It's Atobe! He knows I skipped practice.

Well, you could say he is chasing after your tail.

…

What? It's good. Look, just pull over, and you can explain yourself.

Wordlessly, Shishido pulls over and stops the car. Atobe's car follows close behind.

Shishido, Ore-sama commanded you to take Hadaka to the infirmary, not your car.

The nurse said she had to go home, her family is busy. I was being responsible and made sure she would get home safely, as you would expect out of a respectable young man such as me.

Jun could not help the snort that escaped. Atobe did not look amused and was about to retort, but looked at Jun's gauze covered face and decided otherwise.

Perhaps you can learn something about real respect after running an extra 20 laps at practice tomorrow. Right now, take Hadaka home. Ore-sama needs to do some damage control.

Snapping his fingers, Kabaji emerges from the car and opens the door for Atobe. He walks in with one last glance, sending a smirk to a frustrated Shishido. As they drive away, Shishido and Jun go back in their car. They sit in stony silence for a couple minutes as Jun wallows in guilt.

Hey, it's not your fault you know. Atobe is a huge softie inside. He's just worried that I'll kidnap you or something like that.

Really? He seemed so angry.

He's always like that. Don't worry. You probably scared him with all that blood.

Jun wrinkled her nose. I wasn't bleeding that badly.

Yeah right. I'm pretty sure that you left a trail of blood to the nurses office. Have you seen yourself, with half of your face covered with gauze?

Stealing a quick glance at the rearview mirror showed Jun her blotchy and swollen face.

All right, I do look like shit.

Shishido let out a bark of laughter.

Well, I wouldn't go as far as shit…

Jun allows herself to smile as she glanced over at Shishido. It was the first in a long time since she's seen him up close like this. Shishido notices her staring, and looks her way. Jun flinches, averting her eyes to outside the window. The awkward silence comes back, but this time, Shishido has run out of things to say.