Prince of Tennis – We Are Here for One Another
Disc. : I DO NOT own Prince of Tennis nor any of its characters. It's Konomi's-sensei's.
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Xylie Shirayuki Yuurei, Khelc-sul Renai, and HalfMoon-Smile.
To Xylie Shirayuki Yuurei: I want to say thank you so much for accompanying me with your wonderful PMs 24 hours non stop. Thank you for supporting me all the time. Eagerly waiting for your another wonderful PMs!
Chapter 10 – Step by Step, One by One
Oishi was doing his homework when the phone rang from the downstairs. When after a minute still no one answered it, Oishi sighed and he went downstairs to pick it up.
"Hello. Oishi's residence." He answered, wondering who could be calling.
"Oishi, it's me."
Oishi's eyes widened a bit at the familiar voice. "Tezuka… what's wrong?"
Tezuka sounded very tired when he replied, "Echizen Ryoga called me about five minutes ago."
"Echizen?" Oishi's mother hen began to overwhelming him again. "What's' wrong? Tezuka, is he ok? What did Echizen tell you?"
"Oishi…" Tezuka sighed. "It's – it's rather shocking and unbelievable, but… Oishi, Echizen attempted suicide."
A tense silence fell between them. Oishi gasped and he held back his breath. He could feel his eyes were hot from the tears that wanted to go out, but he blinked it away. "Echizen… suicide? But… why? How… how is he now? Is he all right…?"
"Oishi, calm down." Tezuka said heavily. "Get a hold of yourself. I still do not know much yet. Yesterday evening, they found him on the rooftop, with small knife beside his body. He… cut his right wrist."
"He can't be…!" Oishi gasped. "No – he can't be! Echizen who we know will never do that – doing something like that! Oh my God!"
"Oishi." Tezuka spoke again. "I know – it was unbelievable, wasn't it? I know. But they said he's ok now – fortunately, he didn't cut his wrist too deep."
"But of course he's not ok, Tezuka! How could he say he is ok if – if he attempted suicide?" Oishi stammered. "This isn't good. This is not good! I will see him now!"
"Oishi - !"
"Tezuka, please. I need to see him now. I really need to see him, right now! I won't be able to calm down myself if I don't see him now – "
"Oishi, listen. I didn't say that I forbid you to see Echizen."
"Eh?"
"It's 7.15 now. We will meet at the station in fifteen minutes. I will take Momoshiro with me." Tezuka decided. "It's ok. He is going to be ok. He is Echizen, after all."
Oishi smiled, wiping his almost watery eyes. "Well, ok, Tezuka. Thank you. See you then."
"My pleasure, Oishi," and the line went dead.
Sanada sighed. He rubbed his temple tiredly. His teachers had been giving tasks and more tasks each days and he hated tasks so much, especially portfolios and papers. He scanned his monitor impatiently then decided to work on them later again. It was when his cell phone rang.
Sanada sighed again when he saw the name flashing on the LCD.
"Hello," he picked it up, wondering what news that could be coming now.
"Genichirou," Yukimura's voice, surprisingly, was cold and serious.
"Seiichi, what's wrong?" asked Sanada, alarmed.
"I can't believe this and either can you," Yukimura murmured. "This is bad, Genichirou. Very bad."
"Seiichi, what's wrong? What happened? Is it… Echizen?"
There was a moment a silence before Yukimura replied slowly, "Yes. I'm coming back to my house in two days, but… but… I don't think I can leave him in his condition right now…"
Sanada shivered. "Is he… okay?"
"You know he is not, Seiichi," Yukimura began to talk to himself. Sanada sighed again. "You know he is not, this is bad. You have to do something, Seiichi. You must not let him to be like this… this condition… you must not…"
"Seiichi, in case you have forgotten, I'm still on the phone," said Sanada calmly.
"Oh. Yeah, right. Sorry about that, Genichirou. I… I really don't know what I have to do now, but I must do something… Ryo-kun…"
"Seiichi, come on. What is going on? What's wrong with him?"
Yukimura sighed and suddenly Sanada heard a sob, "Genichirou… Ryo-kun… Ryo-kun… he… yesterday night, he… Ryo-kun… h-he attempted suicide…"
Sanada's eyes widened in shock. He yelled, "What?! No way! He wouldn't do something like that! Not him!"
"I know!" Now Yukimura indeed was crying. "I know! Oh, Genichirou, I can't believe this! I – "
"How?!" Sanada snapped. "How?!"
"He – he – he told us to leave him alone earlier," Yukimura stammered among his sobs. "Then – then – when we came back to check him, he was nowhere to be seen, but… later they found him on t-the rooftop… with k-knife beside him… h-he cut his right wrist…"
Sanada shook his head in disbelief. Echizen Ryoma, that cocky little brat but a prodigy, attempted suicide? There must be something really wrong. Sanada knew that Echizen Ryoma was not a person like that. He had spirit and energy, in any condition he was put in. He could see determination on those golden eyes, to beat anyone and anything that got in his way.
"Seiichi… are you ok?" asked Sanada softly.
"I'm fine," said Yukimura, "but Ryoma-kun is not. Genichirou, did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong? On that day, when Ryo-chan and I were taking our afternoon walk… he was ok, he understood… he had understood his condition… Genichirou, am I a bad brother for Ryo-chan? Am I not good enough for him? I love Ryo-kun… I love him as my brother… I want to protect him with all I've got…"
"Seiichi, come on," Sanada straightened himself. "You know you have done much more than everyone expected. But you know, someone could change in any condition? That Echizen is very fragile now. You don't have to blame yourself."
"It's just… Ryo-kun didn't deserve this," said Yukimura weakly. "He didn't. he has to believe that he will be able to play again…"
"So that's it, Seiichi," Sanada responded calmly.
"Huh? What do you mean, Genichirou?" asked Yukimura, confused.
"Make him believe that he can play tennis again."
Silence fell.
"Genichirou, you're right! Right, of course! Yeah, great! But… but how?" Yukimura sounded doubtful.
"Play with him then."
"But he is in no condition to play. I don't want to make his condition worsen than he is now, Genichirou…"
"Well, it's step by step. Do not use tennis as the first weapon. It's step by step, one by one. Well?"
Silence fell again for a moment.
Yukimura smirked. "I'll find a way. I will. Hm, you're genius, Gen-chan. Thanks. Thank you so much." And with that, the line went dead.
Sanada smirked too. "Tch. You are so scary, Yukimura. Do your best, then. Take care of that little brat."
"Takeshi, come down! Your friend is here to pick you up!"
Momoshiro jumped from his bed and rushed to the front door of the house, "Buchou…"
"Momoshiro." Tezuka nodded. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah." Momo put his shoes on and zipped his jacket.
"Don't be too late," Momo's father warned the two boys. "It's 9.30, at least. Be careful on your way. And take an umbrella with you, we don't know how the weather is going to be later."
"Yes, Dad." Momo nodded.
"Then Momoshiro-san, we will take our leave now," Tezuka said, bowing to Momo's father. "Good evening, Momoshiro-san."
"Be careful on your ways, boys," Momo's father warned them again and nodded.
"Yes."
They walked into the night's darkness. They didn't say anything for a while until Momo spoke up, "Buchou, what… what's wrong?"
Tezuka sighed. He knew this moment would come anyway.
"Echizen Ryoga called me," said Tezuka, maintaining his stoic face. "He – he told me about Echizen's newest condition."
Momo bewildered. He could feel a cold running through his spine, "And…?"
Tezuka too could feel a headache coming to his head and he sighed, "Echizen… he attempted suicide."
Momoshiro stopped walking. "He what…?"
"He tried to kill himself," replied Tezuka calmly, even though his heart was beating faster. "They found him on the rooftop yesterday. The found a small knife too beside him. He cut his wrist."
"No…" Momo shook his head in disbelief. "No way… Echizen would never do such a… thing… Not Echizen…"
Tezuka sighed again. "Come on, Momoshiro. Oishi is waiting for us."
Momo did not move. "Echizen…"
The older boy stunned. He put his hand on the sophomore's shoulder, "Momoshiro. We have to be strong for Echizen. He will need our support in his current mental condition. He will need us right now. I know this news shocked you, and Echizen has not been himself lately… but we have to understand and be strong for him. He needs us."
Momoshiro didn't say anything.
"Come on, Oishi is waiting for us." Tezuka finally said and they continued to walk.
When they arrived at the station, Oishi was waiting for them and had bought the tickets for them.
"Good evening, Momoshiro," Oishi smiled to Momo. "Let's go then."
"Oishi-senpai… he's going to be okay, isn't he?" asked Momo, looking at Oishi. His eyes looked like as if it were pleading.
Oishi and Tezuka exchanged their glances in worry.
Ryoga shoved back his cell phone to his pocket, sighing. He turned to Yukimura who sat on the chair right next to him.
"Tezuka said that they will be here within ten minutes, probably," said Ryoga, placed a hand on his forehead.
Yukimura nodded. "With Oishi-san?"
"And Momoshiro." Ryoga added.
"Eh? Momo-kun is with them? But…"
"Yeah, I know. But Momoshiro has to do this. He can't keep running away, can he? Moreover, Chibisuke needs him." Ryoga stared at the ceiling.
"If you say so, Ryoga-chan. And by the way… Akaya-kun is too on his way to here."
"What? That Kirihara?"
"Yes. He said he wanted to see Ryo-kun by himself."
"You told him what happened, right?"
"Yeah, I did."
Ryoga smirked. "Why would he do that though, Seiichi?"
Yukimura smirked too. "Because I told him so."
"Che. You're planning on something, I know that, Seiichi."
"Am I wrong, Ryoga-chan?"
"We will see that later whether you're wrong or not. You are so scary. How about me match-making you with Fujiko?"
Yukimura bowed and smiled, "My pleasure, Echizen-san."
"Buchou?"
Ryoga and Yukimura looked up and saw Kirihara standing in front of them, his face looked confused. And on his hands was…
"Karupin?" Ryoga's eyes widened. "Why did you bring Karupin? And more, how did you bring him…"
"Buchou told me to bring this cat," Kirihara defended himself. He protruded Karupin to his captain. "Here, Buchou - "
Yukimura smiled, "Please hold it by your self, Akaya-kun."
Kirihara jerked.
"You came here along from Kanagawa then took Karupin from our house?" asked Ryoga in disbelief.
Kirihara shrugged, "Yeah, I did."
"Seiichi, what are you planning for now?" Ryoga demanded, feeling desperate.
"This cat is very important to Echizen, right?" said Kirihara suddenly. Karupin meowed and looked up to Kirihara who hugged Karupin tighter. "I just – I just suggested that maybe this cat could assure Echizen to – to – keep on living…"
"Ne, Akaya-kun," Yukimura got up on his feet and squeezed Kirihara's shoulder gently. "Thank you so much that you would do this for me and Ryo-kun. Really thank you."
"It's – it's nothing," Kirihara blushed, threw his glance away.
"But you know that cat or any animals are not allowed in hospital," said Ryoga.
"Aha, you got the point," said Yukimura cheerfully. "How did you get in, eh, Akaya-kun?"
Kirihara smirked. "From the emergency exit door."
"Hm," Yukimura chuckled. "Now, it's our turn, Ryoga-chan! Ryoga-chan, you will stand by in front of Ryo-kun's room and make sure no one will come in, except Tezuka-san and Momoshiro-kun and Oishi-san later. I will prevent the nurse from interrupting this special moment."
Kirihara and Ryoga's jaws dropped open.
"Scary…" Kirihara murmured, shivered.
"Seiichi, what are you planning for? Really, you should tell me about this!"
"Now, Akaya, go, you go inside!" said Yukimura, his eyes were glinting.
"But Buchou, what should I – " Kirihara started, but Yukimura already pushed him into the room and closed its door slowly.
"I'll leave the rest here to you, Ryoga," said Yukimura, and he vanished before Ryoga could say a word.
"Mada mada daze…" Ryoga muttered under his breath.
"Echizen."
Ryoga turned around. "Ah, it's you guys," he smiled. "Come in. Er… please don't be noisy. Chibisuke is very weak right now. He might be not recognizing you."
"Yes." Oishi nodded. He and his friends came in to the room and they saw Kirihara with Karupin on his arms.
"Kirihara…?" Momo's mouth agape. "What are you – "
"Oh," said Kirihara in response. It was clearly that he was confused. "Thanks God…"
"Kirihara, why are you here with Echizen's cat?" asked Oishi, approaching to the bed.
"Buchou told me so," Kirihara shrugged. "Look, I don't know what I have to do – but Echizen is sleeping now, so…"
"Bu… chou?" A voice croaked out.
They jerked. Ryoma was awake. He frowned and he said slowly, "Buchou… Oishi-senpai…"
"Echizen!" Oishi rushed to the boy. "How are you feeling now?"
"You…?" Ryoma looked at Momo, slightly confused. "You… that time…"
"Hello, Echizen," said Momo, and somehow he could manage to form a grin. "I'm Momo, your senpai. You used to call me Momo-senpai. I'm the one who always pick you up to the school every morning with my bike."
"Don't… remember…"
"It's ok, you will at later, don't push yourself to, Echizen," Momo smiled. He took Karupin from Kirihara's arm and gave it to the younger boy, "Look, your cat!"
"Karupin!" Ryoma's eyes widened in happiness as he took over the cat into his embrace. "Karupin! I miss you!" He hugged the cat tighter and put his face to Karupin's soft purr. Karupin meowed and stroke his head to the boy's chest. Everyone in the room smiled.
"How is that?" Momo bent down to Ryoma and smiled, ruffling his hair as he chuckled at the boy's reaction.
"Thank… you… Momo-senpai," Ryoma muttered, smiling slightly.
"Hm, say it to Kirihara too, he was the one who brought Karupin here and sneaked in!" Momo added, laughed softly. Ryoma turned his head.
"Kirihara-san?" Ryoma sounded doubtful.
"Hn." Kirihara blushed and shrugged.
Ryoma smirked. "Mada mada dane, Kirihara-san."
"What?!" Kirihara clenched his fist and everyone laughed.
"Che, whatever. Thank you, Kirihara-san."
"Jus for now, brat," Kirihara growled. "You better get well soon so I can beat you for sure."
"Heh… mada mada dane."
Outside the room by the door, Ryoga smirked. "Huh, they did it after all. You're devil, Seiichi. Really. But I guess… thank you so much, everyone."
"Ah, Echizen-kun! You're here." A soft woman's voice called out.
Ryoga froze on his spot and turned back slowly, "A… Ashiba-san…?"
"Yes," Ashiba smiled, a tray with medicines and a glass of water on her hands. "Ryoma-kun has to take his medicine now. What are you doing outside?"
"AH!" Ryoga panicked. He glared at the door, wondering how the heck he was going to warn his friends inside. "Well… Ashiba-san, I guess you to come back later. Chibisuke is sleeping now, so…"
"But he has to," Ashiba frowned. "Misaki-sensei told me so. I would be sorry for waking up Ryoma-kun, but he needs his medicine right now."
"Ashiba-san, I think you should not! You don't know how Chibisuke is; he's going to kill you for waking him up from his nap!" Ryoga defended frantically. "I promise I'll call you right away when he's awake, ok?"
"But…" Ashiba looked doubtful.
"Come on, trust me. I promise I'll call you right away, I promise, promise, promise."
Ashiba sighed. "Very well then, I'll come back later. But please make sure – "
"I will, don't worry. Sorry, Ashiba-san…"
"I guess it can't be helped…" Ashiba smiled and she walked away. Ryoga let out a deep breath.
"That was close!" Ryoga opened the door and walked in. "Oi, you guys. You better leave now with that cat. Ashiba-san has just come to give Chibisuke his medicine, and I tell you she was very close… I'm sorry."
"Wah!" Momo said. "It will be a great disaster if they find out we sneak a cat inside this hospital! Then, Echizen. We better leave now."
"Take care, Echizen," said Tezuka, nodding to Ryoma. Kirihara reached out his hands to Karupin, but Ryoma held Karupin tightly.
"Can't Karupin stay?" Ryoma pleaded to his brother.
"Oi, Chibisuke, you know he can't. Imagine how it could turn out to be if they find Karupin is here! Now, give her back to Kirihara." Ryoga said stiffly.
"Echizen." Kirihara looked at Ryoma. Reluctantly, Ryoma gave Karupin back to Kirihara.
"Well, Ryo-chan. Rest well, okay?" Yukimura smiled. "Good night, Ryo-chan."
"Hn." Ryoma scowled.
They left the room together. Ryoma smiled weakly, "Thank you, Senpai-tachi… do this to me. Sorry I… stupid…"
He laid his body back to his pillows and closed his eyes, with smile still on his lips. Echizen Ryoma was going to come back. He will make sure Echizen Ryoma will come back.
Step by step eh, Seiichi-nii-san?
-Chapter 10 – Step by Step, One by One / fin-
A/N: English IS NOT my first language, so please be patient. And if there are grammatical errors occurred, please let me know with PM to me. NO FLAMES, C&C reviews are highly welcome.
BETA STATUS : NOT-BETAED.