*** Chapter 10 - The Letter ***
For the next few days, I avoided practices. On separate occasions, Misaki and Tsubasa came to ask me why I wasn't there. I just smiled and said that the work load was just too heavy now for me to go out so often. It's not like I could tell them the truth. I couldn't tell them that I didn't want to face their captain.
If Wakabayashi didn't think I was nuts before, he surely must think so now. Even I had to admit that my reaction to a simple invitation to watch TV was so ridiculous that it was laughable. I shuddered, just thinking about it. How did I get to this point, anyway?
At school Thursday morning, Tsubasa came up to me between classes, when everyone was busy talking and joking on the other side of the classroom, and handed me a blank envelope. He smiled and simply said "Wakabayashi-kun." He turned and rejoined the rowdy group.
I didn't want to read it with so many people around. So I waited until that night, when I got home. I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. No, to be more accurate, I wanted more than anything to read it, but dreaded it more than anything too. My head hurt from debating with myself. I wanted to open it, so I kept telling myself I would. Yet I was afraid of it, so I kept telling myself I'd do it a little later...after dinner...then after homework...then...
In bed, under the safety of my covers, and only my bedside lamp on, I finally opened the envelope. I had never seen his writing before. It was really neat. It made me ashamed of my hurried script, which I had to tame a couple of months ago, because Tsubasa and Misaki complained that they couldn't read my notes. I started to read the short letter:
"Rai, I'm sorry if I said something that hurt you. I have thought about Saturday afternoon over and over again, and though I don't understand what it is that's bothering you, I know that I don't want to hurt you. Is it me? Is it my house? You seemed fine talking to me one moment, and as soon as I mentioned my house, you looked like you'd seen a ghost.
Whatever it is, I want you to tell me. I can fix it. But even if you don't want to tell me, please just come to practice again. I swear, I won't talk about it if you don't want to.
ps. I don't live in a haunted house.
GW"
I had to smile at the post-script. The note was direct and sincere. Very much the Wakabayashi I had gotten to know. I could even hear the sound of his voice in my head. Do I go back to the practices? He said he wouldn't talk about it if I didn't want to. How awkward would it be?
I spent a long time debating the issue with myself. So long, that I overslept the next morning, and was almost late for school. That morning after math class, Misaki came up and said, "so, you'll be at practice tomorrow, right? I think I can control the rebound now. You'll be there, right?"
I smiled weakly and gave a very slight nod. He seemed satisfied, and thankfully changed topics.
After lunch, Tsubasa walked to class next to me, and said, "You'll come for tomorrow's afternoon practice, right? I want to show you my new feint. I think it's really effective against defense."
Again, I smiled weakly. Letting Tsubasa think whatever he wanted about my reply. But he didn't fall for it. He narrowed his eyes at me and said, "You have to go. You've been away all week. I think...well...I think Wakabayashi-kun needs ...uh...your advice..."
I thought he might be joking about the last part, but his eyes were earnest.
"Uhm... I'll see, Tsubasa."
He kept looking at me expectantly, with his big innocent eyes.
"Uhm... Maybe." I said finally. Fortunately, the bell rang, and classes continued.
Wakabayashi, did you ask your teammates to pressure me into going? I thought to myself.