Title: A Fear of the Inevitable

Disclaimer: I'd never own this series. Not in a million years. But please allow me this small pleasure of imagining I can.

Summary: This story does not contain spoilers. It's just purely out of my imagination. The rainy season sort of affects my brain or something… It's about football, love, and life. It's about Hiruma (and then some other people).

Note: All in BOLD letters in dialogues are being said in english, all italics are thoughts, all normal formats are in japanese.. These kinda confused me too.. hehehe

Chapter 6: Many Meetings and Awkward Greetings

"I knew it was you", Haruto Sakuraba, former teen idol and high school football star said softly, smiling awkwardly at Mamori. He stood there among the vegetable stands, as charming as he was a decade ago.

"Haha.. guess I haven't changed that much. But it's the same with you", Mamori answered, managing to be as charming as him.

They decided to continue their conversation at a nearby snack bar, just outside the grocery. Apparently, the gorgeous Mr. Haruto is on shopping duty.

"Er – so how are you?" Mamori asked, sensing that it would take ages before they can even start a conversation if she would let him take the lead.

And true enough, Sakuraba stiffened. "Ah.. umm.. er.. well, fine, I suppose".

This demeanor greatly baffled her. But she remembered that they weren't that acquainted even back then. It wasn't even during the Youth World Cup that they actually had to work together in a team. Still, she reasoned, he was the one who first greeted her.

Mamori smiled, trying to be reassuring. This made Sarukaba even more nervous. She sipped her milk tea. That was when he noticed the ring.

"Hmm.. so you're married?" he suddenly asked, looking at her left hand.

"Ah, well, yes… haha" she reacted, not trying to correct him, and brushing her right forefinger at the unadorned band.

"So how's everyone? Do you still see your old teammates? Hmmm.. Takami? Oh, how about Shin?!" she tried straying away from the initial topic involving the ring. And besides, Hiroshi watches Shin's games all the time.

Sakuraba blushed in response. "They're okay" he answered dryly.

He saw how this startled Mamori and he almost panicked. He thought it offended her, the way he replied, and so he tried to redeem himself.

"Well, Takami senpai's a professor in the university. He's the assistant coach to their Amefuto club. Ootawara-san has his own Yakisoba house, and Shin – well, he's the most popular guy in football right now", he added with a bit of detachment.

"Yes. My son likes Shin-san very much. But well, Sakuraba-san is popular as well".

"Not really", he murmured, thinking about his gigantic billboard posted just outside the store and how ridiculous he feels whenever he sees it.

Then there was silence. Neither knew where to recover.

Surprisingly, it was him who continued: "Er – you know.. Well, it wouldn't really matter to you, would it?"

He sighed. She listened intently, looking rather concerned.

"Shin and I.. we – we're"

Mamori tilted her head and waited for him to finish.

"Shin and I are together", Sakuraba said breathlessly.

Mamori blinked.

"Oh"

"Yeah"

"Well, that's hardly a surprise" she said lacking anything else to say. "You were inseparable even then, ne?"

He thought about her comment then looked at her directly to know whether she's sincere or not; then smiled.

"Yeah, I guess."

"So who asked who?" Mamori asked.

"Er—him, actually. I was quite shocked as well. But Shin, he doesn't give much care about what other people think. He's very practical. When he wants something, he just gets it."

"I see" she nodded. "That's comforting isn't it? He's there to stand by you no matter what" she trailed off, almost melancholy.

"Hmmm… Yes… Absolutely" he murmured, looking far off, not sensing her sudden sadness.

"I couldn't recognize you", Suzuna exclaimed. They just gave their orders to the waiter. Sena couldn't help looking around distractedly. Even though he's some sort of football superstar, he doesn't really frequent such classy places.

"You looked so different, You-nii!, but way cooler than before. Isn't he, Sena?" she asked her husband who is still sitting mesmerized.

"Shut up, fucking cheerleader"

"So you and the pipsqueak here is an item, huh?" Hiruma smirked.

Sena suddenly recovered upon hearing his voice: "Hiruma-senpai, where have you been exactly?" he asked pointedly at his former teammate.

"Sena and I are married!" Suzuna interjected, annoyed at being brushed aside.

"It's none of your fucking business where I've been", the devil quarterback replied.

"Well, we were dumbfounded. You just left. Without a word" he answered back hotly.

Hiruma turned his head away.

"Well, those things have passed. We're all here now. And please remember, you're all here for my wedding" Musashi interrupted.

"Yay! So how's Mizuki-san? Has her wedding dress arrived?" Suzuna exclaimed, forgetting her annoyance.

"Eh—Suzuna-chan, the groom's not allowed to see the dress. It's bad luck if he does before the wedding", Kurita answered.

"You also believe in that?" a small voice piped in. Somehow, Robin managed to follow their conversation.

Everyone looked at him, except for his boss who just popped another bubble.

"Who's he?" Suzuna asked.

"He's Robin-san, Hiruma's assistant" Kurita made the introduction. Robin smiled distractedly.

"Eh? Another one of your slaves, You-nii? And an America… kekeke.. You never change"

"Tch. You're so noisy, fucking chibi" Hiruma retorted, punctuated by a few rounds to the ceiling. Everyone else in the building who are not included in their party stopped and ran for cover.

"I'm not just here for the fuckin' wedding"

"I have a fucking proposal for all of you brats"

They all looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Kekeke… as if you have a choice"

Mamori arrived home a bit later than usual. From the doorway she could hear the faint sounds of piano keys from their small living room. It's Megumi's practice hour. She went directly to the kitchen, softly, to avoid disturbing her gifted daughter.

She sighed as she set her heavy load on the countertop. Hmm.. stupid RING, she thought, looking at her left hand at the gold wedding band she was wearing. Out of distress, she took it off from her finger and threw it to the sink. Serves it right. It's worthless anyway.. She remembered Sakuraba's happy countenance as he talked about Shin and their life together. They seemed happy enough. Admit it, Mamori, you are full of ENVY! She scolded herself. Yes, she is envious. She's not exactly lucky in life and/or love, but she can't say that her life has been one big misfortune either. She has those two to take care of and to make her happy. Still, something is missing..

Yeah, your damn husband is what! She thought, muttering to herself. She just realized that the back door had just closed and saw her son's black haired head moving towards the living room.

"Hiro-kun, where have you been?" she asked.

"Out. Playing"

After such a long time, he was suddenly speaking Japanese again.

"Is something wrong?" she asked with concern.

The boy stopped but didn't face her.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine mom" he answered then hurried away.

"Wait—Hiro-kun.."

Moments later, she heard arguments near the hallway.

"You let them bully you again!" a small but somewhat ferocious voice shouted.

"Mind your own business. Just practice your stupid piano" the boy answered.

Mamori watched as her children quarreled. They rarely do this. And they are pretty much mature enough mentally to understand that arguments are bothersome. Megumi is almost teary-eyed. Hiroshi is still looking away.

"Hiroshi, don't speak to your sister like that!" Mamori rushed to him and forced him to face her. Then, she saw what he was hiding: a big violet bruise on one side of his face.

Megumi was close to tears, but was obviously fighting it. "Why don't you just stop forcing yourself, Hiro?" she screamed at her brother.

"Hiro, who did this to you?" Mamori asked forcefully, with shock and horror of what she saw. He heart is being torn to pieces, looking at her son's battered face. She remembered…

Hiroshi remained silent, eyes averted, expressionless.

"You don't have to be strong" Megumi said softly, tears now pouring down her face, "I don't want to lose you, just like dad".

Somehow, this affected her brother a bit. But he remained adamant at acting tough.

Megumi walked away, sobbing.

Mamori sighed. She is prepared for kid fights and tears and shouting. But for the love of her, she honestly doesn't know how to apply her expertise with her own kids.

"Just go to your room. Wash your face. AND WAIT FOR ME" she instructed him sternly. She stood up and looked at the boy's back, then to her daughter's frail form at the piano, playing Pathetique by Chopin. She plays it whenever she's feeling lonely.

Something is pinching her heart. Can I really do this? Can I just keep you both happy, all by myself? She thought. She felt so useless and incompetent as a mother.

Hiroshi brushed his teeth. He liked brushing his teeth. His face hurts, but he can take it. Those kids were more traumatized than he was. Hehehe.. They got what they deserved. I still won in the end, he thought, looking at his face in the mirror. His canines were kinda pointy and they made him look menacing. Then he checked himself before his mother caught him looking like that.

x x x

i wish someone will make a fanart of a grown up Hiruma... it wil be truly interesting.. h,,,