Mel charged at the bastard, determined to stomp out his very existence. Just as her hands almost grasped his throat, she was pulled back. The force took her breath away. She looked up saw what had stopped her path of vengeance. It was one of the 3rd years. A tall wiry one with black hair. She recognized him as the captain. In an instant her rage ceased and shame welled up. She had taken the bait. Such undignified behavior would definitely get her kicked out of the kendo club, if not the school. Kenta's goal. She glared at the devious monster and saw the terror in his eyes was replaced with a look of satisfaction.
"Masaru-chan, are you aware that sensei had recently chosen Rajjin to be the 2nd year team captain?" The black haired 3rd year asked in a soft yet commanding voice. A mix of embarrassment and confusion crossed Kenta's face. It was well known that Kenta had been eyeing the captain slot. Mel felt herself choke with tears. She had passed the entrance exam. She had earned a walk on spot, not to mention the scholarship. Now she was being told she was the new kendo captain. Or at least she would have been. So close to honoring her mother's memory, yet she pissed it all away in a moment of blind rage. Sure Kenta had goaded her, but what did it matter? He was a wealthy high pedigree student, and she was just some scholarship mutt. The tears built up behind her eyes and more than anything she wanted to hear her mother's soothing voice again, just one more time.
"Yes sempai I was aware she would have been captain." Even with the appearance of being humble, Mel could hear his emphasis on the past tense. Even in this moment he could not resist kicking her when she was down.
"Is that the reason you chose to provoke her?" The question caught everyone off guard. Mel looked up at him, and Kenta's smile fell. A look of uncertainty replaced his smug grin.
"I….I don't…understand." Kenta's voice was filled with confusion.
"Masaru-chan, you dishonor this club more than you can ever hope to repay. If you had any honor left in your body you would not step foot in its dignified hallways again." Mori said sternly. The gym looked on in disbelief. The Masaru clan had a member in the kendo club for 4 generations. They were a very high ranked family. He should have been above reproach. Yet here they stood, the captain that never seemed to say more than 5 words in an afternoon had ended their legacy. Kenta stood there, his face bright red with anger. A few moments later, the coach reappeared. In his hand was the patch to be added to the new captain's uniform. He looked in bewilderment at the scene before him. Without a word, Mori released Mel and went to the coach.
"Masaru was upset for being passed over for captain. He said some very dishonorable things about Rajjin's mother and grandmother. I expelled him for it." Mori summed up the afternoon's spectacle. The coach looked at him. It was within the captain's right to kick someone out, but it was a privilege few ever used, especially against such a powerful family. Still, he knew Mori would not have taken such a drastic step easily. The boy must have earned such a punishment. He got the team back to practice, pulling Kenta aside to tell him to clear out his belongings. The rest of the practice went off without a hitch. The 2nd years liked their new captain. She was very much deserving of the honor, and she showed no intention of abusing her rank. Unlike Kenta.
Mori finished packing up his belongings. Everyone had gone by then, but he didn't mind. Mori enjoyed solitary moments like this. As he passed by one of the changing rooms, he heard a feint cry inside. Part of him said to leave it alone, but another part heard the pain and refused to walk away. He knocked to announce himself. There was no answer. He waited a minute, knocked again, then walked in. He saw the new captain sitting on the bench. She looked up at him with tears streaming down her face. Without his brain's permission, his feet carried him to her. He sat down, and she buried herself into his chest.
"I…miss….my mom." She sobbed into his uniform. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her. They remained that way for over an hour.
"He even checked up on me the next day. Hunny was with him. I guess things just rolled from there." Mel concluded her tale. Before Haruhi could think of something to say, a small beep was heard. Mel looked down at the watch on her wrist.
"We better hurry or we'll be late. See you at the club." She said as she gathered her things and rushed off. Haruhi sit there for a few moments, stunned. They started off so well, how the hell did the pair end up like they were? Haruhi didn't have time to think of an answer before she raced off to class.