Yeah, so it's been like, two weeks, but my summer's almost over, so I was trying to maximize my fun time. Anyway, regular updates will resume pretty soon; most likely when school starts back up. Boredom is the best motivation for writing in my book. I mean, what better place to write than in study hall or class free time?

Kensou x Athena

So Kensou and Athena have a one-on-one match at the KOF13 tournament, and Kensou decides to take the opportunity to clearly explain his feelings. The manner in which they are received is less than desirable. More like completely catastrophic.


"Athena, I um… l-l-lo-"

"Please don't say that."

Kensou and Athena stood across from each other in England, preparing to fight each other in a special one-on-one match for KOFXIII. The two exchanged these words a few minutes before the match began, and thanks to the fanfare of the trumpets and the cheering of the crowds behind them, only the two Psycho Soldier members could hear each other.

"Don't say what? You don't even know what I was going to say!"

Athena uncomfortably shifted her eyes away from Kensou. "I know exactly what you were about to say. And I… I think it'd be better if you didn't."

Kensou cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Sure, Athena had a lot of psychic powers, but she couldn't read his mind. At least he was pretty sure she couldn't.

"N-no, Athena, I promise I'm not going to say anything about Nikumans or Master Chin's cellphone girlfriend. This is really important, trust me!"

"Kensou, please don't…"

Up until now, Kensou had been unable to muster up the courage to tell Athena his feelings for her. But for some reason, he felt unwaveringly determined to do it now. Every day he waited was a chance for his beloved to be snatched away by some other guy!

"Sorry Athena, but I have to say this now. I've been making up excuses for too long anyway! So I want you to know that I… I um… I-"

"Kensou, this isn't the time or pl-!"

"I-I love you! I… l-love you, Athena. I um… always have… or for a very long time… at least."

A long, terribly awkward silence ensued. It was kind of the exact opposite of what Kensou had hoped for, but maybe Athena throwing her arms around him and saying 'I love you too, Kensou!' was asking for too much.

"…I know."

Kensou was surprised to hear that.

"Y-you know? Or knew?"

"I knew. You didn't really keep it much of a secret."

"Wait… if you knew, why didn't you say anything?"

It took Athena a few moments to find the words she was looking for. But no matter how gently she broke the news, Kensou would be inevitably crushed.

"I didn't say anything because… I didn't want to hurt you. I was hoping you wouldn't tell me what you just did, so that things could go on like they always did. But…"

Kensou still wasn't getting the picture.

"Hurt me? What are you talking about? I would have been the opposite of hurt! It would've been amazing!"

Athena locked her eyes onto the boy across from her, but they were filled with nothing but pity.

"Kensou, I don't… I just… I don't feel that way about you. I don't love you like that."

What a cruel act of fate. Kensou could only stand in silence as his most precious dreams and goals fell to pieces like shattered glass. He couldn't even get any words past his lips. All he could do was listen to Athena continue.

"I mean, I still love you as a friend, Kensou. We've been allies for such a long time, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. But… I just don't really feel that way about… fans…"

Kensou wanted to say that he understood. That he was content to just be by Athena's side as a friend and teammate. But he wasn't. That wasn't enough for him. And the words he spoke reflected his bitterness.

"Is that all you think of me? As another swooning fan boy? Some infatuated teenager standing off of the stage, shouting the name of a girl he doesn't even know anything about just because she's pretty and popular?!"

Athena frowned a little bit.

"That's not what I said, Kensou. There's no need to raise your voice-"

"You just said that you don't feel that way about 'fans'! I've been fighting by your side for years, and I'm just a fan?! Do you honestly believe that my feelings are that shallow?!"

Athena was starting to look more and more agitated.

"No! I told you that I still love you as a friend! You mean more to me than you're saying! Just not in the way you want!"

Kensou was about to make another retort, but one of the tournament attendants stepped up to the two fighters.

"Excuse me sir, miss; the match is about to begin. The crowd is dying to see you fight. If you would please take your places…"

Athena nodded to the attendant and turned away from Kensou to head to her side of the stage. She was clearly done with the conversation, even though her distraught teammate was not.

Still, Kensou had no choice but to do the same. He slowly walked over to his side of the stage. He could barely hear the wild cries of the crowd. They just seemed like background noise to his thoughts. He reached the edge of the stage, having walked a little further than he was supposed to. It had probably taken him nearly a full minute to get over there, not that he cared.

He turned his head just enough to see Athena on the other side of the stage, waving to her fans in the crowd, even though her usual radiant smile was missing from her face. Normally, catching a glimpse of her like this would be a happy moment. But Kensou only felt anger and bitterness; both directed at Athena.

Maybe he was to blame. She had tried to maintain their friendship. But on the other hand, to place his love for her on the same level as her fans just… infuriated him.

And that was why Kensou didn't stop. He didn't turn to face Athena or the crowds. He kept walking, pushing one of the security guards out of his way so he could get by. The stunned voice of the announcer echoed in his ears.

"Wha-? It looks like Athena Asamiya's opponent is leaving the ring! Is Sie Kensou forfeiting the match, even though we all looked forward to this fight with such enthusiasm?"

Looked like Kensou was disappointing a lot of KOF fans. He didn't care at this point. He couldn't fight Athena the way he was feeling now. His unbridled fury at this whole situation probably would've led him to hurt her. And even if that wasn't the case, he didn't really want to see or talk with her either. Forfeiting was for the best… even though it forced him to listen to the jeers and disappointed cries of the crowd as he made his inglorious exit.


What a shame it was that Kensou wasn't old enough to drink. Since that was the case, he had nothing to take his mind off of the crushing blow he had received a few hours ago. All he could do was wander around London's evening streets in hopes of finding a distraction. It would be a long time yet before he returned to the hotel their team had been provided by KOFXIII's mysterious sponsors.

A flock of London's infamous pigeons hopped around Kensou's feet as he walked into some generic looking park. The birds were so used to human presence that they weren't frightened in the least.

Despite the fact that Kensou was hoping to distract himself out here, nothing in the city caught his attention. He was so deep in a depressing mire of thoughts that everything else was blocked out; everything except a faint giggle coming from the distance. One that Kensou recognized all too easily.

His morality told him that he really shouldn't spy on anyone. But his brain told him that he really didn't care about morality right now. It didn't take long for Kensou to find the source of the sound. On one of the dirt paths in the park, sitting on a stone bench, were two people. One girl that Kensou knew right off the bat by her figure, and some man that he couldn't recognize in the dark.

Kensou hid behind a tree, and slid down it into a sitting position, content with just hearing what was transpiring. Unfortunately, Kensou missed a few words whenever someone spoke softly.

"…eally didn't have to come out here, Shingo. You need to rest…"

"Come on… a broken arm and a few bru… wouldn't keep me from seeing you!"

…why was Kensou even listening to this? It only buried the daggers in his heart even deeper.

Athena giggled again. She sounded happy.

"So reckless…what am I going to do with you?"

"You could kiss me. That might-"

Shingo's request was abruptly cut off… probably because the demands were met.

"So? Feel any less reckless now?"

"Aha… not really. Actually, I think I might be so bold as to ask for another one…"

So their relationship had already progressed this far? How long had it been like this?

Shingo's voice cut through the silence of the night again.

"Congratulations on today's match by the way. An easy victory, huh?"

Athena's voice had a notable drop in tone.

"Uh…yeah… thank you. But I don't really feel like I deserve congratulations."

"Why did Kensou forfeit anyways? He's not one to turn down a fight…"

"…do you mind if we talk about something else, Shingo? I just…I'd really appreciate it."

"Sure, sure… I won't pry… let's just enjoy this night out. I missed you… and I love you, Athena."

"I do too Shingo. I love you too."

Kensou had heard enough. But he couldn't go anywhere. His body wouldn't let him. He couldn't get past the words that he had wanted said to him; said to someone else. He stayed there all night, hours after Athena and her lover had left. He didn't sleep a wink, but instead fell further and further into despair and anger. How could he have been so foolish…? How could he have failed so miserably… to accomplish the only thing in life that he truly wished for?


And…devastating friend zone! But even worse than that, Athena puts Kensou's affection on the same level as her fans! What an insult to a man's true feelings!

Anyway, I can't remember the name of the reviewer who had the idea for this chapter, and I can't look him up because I'm in the car and on the road. Anyway, as a special treat for him, Shingo is the secret lover… because I know that was a pairing he supported.

Anyway, these relationship troubles will definitely continue in future chapters!

As a little side note, does anyone have an idea for an Ash chapter that puts him with someone else besides Shen, Duo Lon, and Elisabeth? But uh, no Yaoi, please.