Chapters 9: Revelations

Sometimes I honestly have no idea how to behave around Rei. It's long since become apparent to me that I've seemed to begun to harbor feelings for the insane brunette, but despite the fact that Rei was open book she was stubborn and oblivious to top it off. I've honestly found myself at an emotional standstill. I watch as Mamoru skips off ahead, ice cream cone held firmly in hand. The kid is genuinely pleased to have acquired his frozen dessert.

"So when's your next meet?" Rei inquires before she turns her attention to the awaiting spoonful of sprinkled vanilla.

"Tuesday."

"Ooh~! That's just around the corner."

I nod absently, eyes set on making sure Mamoru didn't venture too far ahead. My focus is torn when Rei lightly shifts her upper weight into my side, a sly grin playing about her lips.

"But I bet you're more than ready, huh?"

I cannot help but smile in kind, a soft laughter slipping past my lips at the look on her face. She draws away proudly before taking up another spoonful.

"Well I promise to be there, okay?"

"What?" I find myself questioning.

She laughs before proffering me an elated grin, "I said I'll be there to cheer you on. Is that cool?"

She winks and I find myself smiling once more, "It's perfect."

She skips lightly in place as she throws a victorious fist into the air, "Awesome!"

Rei then shifts to lock her arm around mine, moving closer and synchronizing her steps with my own. It's killing me, really it is. To be so close—so very close—yet distant all in the same breath. And I'm uncertain as to what I should do about the storm spiraling about in both my head and heart. The rest of the journey home is walked in a comfortable silence. Mamoru gobbles down the last bit of his ice cream cone before skipping up the porch steps. He bounds into the house with cries of playing video games when Rei unlocks the door. She chuckles at the sight, instantly wincing when she's hears a crash. I look to her worriedly and she shakes her head with a weary smile.

"I'm okay!" Mamoru calls from the distance, urging up harmoniously laughter between Rei and I.

She looks to me with that grin and the emotions I had temporarily managed to keep at bay swell up with great fury. She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear as she giggles softly.

"I had fun today!"

"Uh…me too."

My reaction is delayed because my eyes—my mind—so full of her very existence that the idea of processing words has become a foreign concept. I've honestly never felt quite like this and I can't quite figure out if I dislike the sensation swimming about in my heart.

"I should head home," are the only other words I can manage to say.

I really need to get out of here—away from her. To put some physical distance between us so that my heart would still and my head would clear…and yet I wanted nothing more than to remain beside her. Rei pouts adorably as she folds her hands across her chest. It certainly was pleasing to see that she didn't want to part with me either. She then sighs and nods with understanding, letting her arms fall to her side.

"Alright. We do have school tomorrow and I'm sure you want to rest up for practice tomorrow. After all you've got a big game Tuesday!"

She holds out two thumbs up with a ridiculous grin on her face as she awaits my laughter. Normally I would laugh, but…

"You know," she whispers as she leans in close, "you're supposed to laugh."

I find myself utterly unable to control myself when my eyes drift to her lips. Soft. Her lips are ever so soft against my own. She gasps at the sudden contact and I cannot help but take the chance to slip my tongue past her surprised lips. It's a foreign sensation, the wetness and the slightly rough interaction of tongues, but I'd be an absolute liar if I said I wasn't enjoying every bit of it. Rei is tense beneath me but when she unconsciously sighs sweetly—ever so sweetly—I move a hand to her waist to tug her close, watching as her eyes slip shut. My other hand drifts from to the back of your neck, tenderly urging her closer, and obediently she obeys. I'm surprisingly breathless when I pull away and her eyes flutter open when I do so.

She says nothing and neither do I, the both of us merely staring at one another. She seems dazed, if not mesmerized and a proud sensation floods my chest. To know I can render her so delightfully speechless. She stares a bit longer before she pulls away from my grasp shakily, hands flying up to cover her mouth. I don't think I've ever seen her eyes so wide before.

"You…you can't do that…" she whispers harshly beneath her folded hands.

Perhaps I should've gone about this differently, but it's always so hard to keep a firm grip on rationale when she smiles at me like that, deviously adorable. She's fallen silent and I honestly haven't the words to say. What was I supposed to say after a ridiculous move like that?

"You should go…"

What? Surely she didn't mean…?

"Rei—!"

"Just go!" she yells dangerously as she points to the darkening streets, cutting off any words I could've managed to scour together.

I glance to the street before looking back to her. I want to say something, but I haven't the words. And even if I did, the look on her face relays that she would hear none of it. I'm more than aware of what this girl is capable of, so reluctantly I depart. She slams the door furiously just as I reach the sidewalk and I can't help but think that perhaps she should've just slammed it on my heart…the result had to be fairly similar.

I honestly could care less about winning the meet. We had, as Momo had presumed we would, but the usual rush of victory was absurdly absent.

"Fuji-senpai? You good?" Momo asks uncertainly as he proffers me a cool bottle of water.

"I'm fine," I reply, forcing a smile as I accepted the bottle.

"Man! We sure showed them!"

Momo, ever the elated soul. I chuckle halfheartedly, watching Momo recline lazily on the bench.

"Say, did you see Rei? Tomoka was having a fit! Something about Rei's presence being embarrassing. I don't know. I don't really understand girls, even with all my sisters."

"You and me both," unconsciously slips past my lips, but I'm simply too tired to feign as though the words hadn't.

"Don't tell me! Even someone as popular as you has trouble with girls? I don't believe it!"

I opt not to reply, instead twisting the top off the bottle and taking a hefty drink. I let my eyes fall shut while I take in a deep breath. I honestly didn't think she'd show. I'm conflicted. Torn between being glad to see her or hurt that she would show her face to me so soon after…

I shake the memory from my head before it really finds the time to manifest.

"Fuji," a familiar voice calls and I look up to see Saori.

She smiles sweetly as she looks down to me. There something in her hands and when my eyes veer towards her unknown package she steps forward.

"I baked you some cookies. I knew that no matter what, win- or lose, you'd play your best. So I wanted to thank you for representing our school."

I humbly accept her gift. Saori's smile is full of an almost ominous sugariness. I'm more than aware of what she's after, but she simply isn't my type. Hell, I don't think I even have a type. There's just Rei…

As if summoned by my treacherous thoughts, I notice Rei approaching somewhat hesitantly. I'm quick to my feet. There's no need to seem any smaller than I already feel. She looks cautiously to Saori before turning her gaze to me. She smiles weakly, folding her hands

"That was a pretty good game. You played well. You too, Momo."

Momo winks triumphantly with a wide grin before he departs, having been beckoned by the captain. I watch him wander onto the court before I look back to Rei.

"Soo," Rei drawls uncertainly, a half-smile playing at her lips as she rocked back and forth on her heels, "I was wondering if you wanted to go celebrate or something."

Saori looks to Rei as if she'd heard the most absurd thing, but Rei ignores. Actually, Rei seems to be making it her life's mission to ignore Saori's very existence. Interesting. Saori is clearly displeased with Rei's presence, but it's apparent she's intimidated by Rei's status, the brunette's uniform relaying her age.

"I don't have time today. I already promised Saori I'd spend time with her if we won."

It's a blatant lie and I know even Rei is capable on picking up in such deceit, especially since Saori makes no attempt to hide her surprise. Rei's eyes dash hesitantly between Saori and I and the disbelief is evident on her face. I may be playing with fire, but I almost want to see Rei jealous, that is if I could ever make her jealous. But it hurt. She'd sent me off after I basically told her of my feelings and then she had the nerve to show up and ask me out as though that day never happened. I was angry. The sudden fervor rushing about my veins spurs me onward and step forward, taking up Saori's hand in the process.

"Maybe next time," I throw over my shoulder as I reluctantly allow Saori to latch herself to my side.

…

I still wonder if I should've looked back…perhaps its best I hadn't.

Who kisses someone they don't like?

It's been almost two weeks since the meet...since I was so blatantly snubbed. It's true I had overreacted that Sunday, but that's why I asked him out in the first place. To apologize, but i never thought he'd stoop so low as trying to get even. I'd tried calling and texting him for a while, but he never responded. I even went so far as to venture to his house, but Yuta tried to relay that he didn't want to see me as gently as the blunt guy could. It'd become obvious Fuji wanted nothing to do with me. I lay sprawled across my bed, eyes on the ceiling. I'd been thinking about Fuji all day. All damn day. I'm not even sure as to why it made me so angry to see Syuu- no, it's Fuji now, with someone else. With a sigh I rolled over onto my right side, my stuffed dolphin pillow cuddled in my arms.

How did I even end up like this? I've always been a pretty passive person for most things, but the thought of Syuu- Fuji with anyone else makes me cringe. I don't like it. I don't like it all! I take a deep breath, because it's only now that I realized I've been holding my breath. I can feel the tears clawing at my now closed eyelids. I've never felt so helpless. I've always been able to defend myself. I'm the Banchou of Fujisaki High for crying out loud!

But still…it hurts. It hurts a lot and I don't particularly like to hurt. Maybe I should go for a walk. Better yet, I could accept that challenge from Otomiya High. I mean, fighting always helps clear my mind. Suddenly I'm speechless. I have absolutely no desire to fight. That never happens. All I want to do is go up to Syuu- Fuji and punch him in the face…and then…maybe…kiss him?

"UGH!" I yell into my animal imposter pillow. How dare it try to pass off as a real animal! I mean the nerve!

Suddenly there is a knock on the door, which I take great care to ignore.

"Hey, Rei. Can I come in?" It's Tomoka. Come to yell at me again has she. No need, I've done enough internal yelling for the both of us.

"If by come in you mean go away, then by all means do so."

I hear the door creak open and I am instantly grateful my back is to it because I am without a doubt crying. If only I could stop trembling…

I hear a sigh and then the bed dips beside my shoulders.

"What's wrong Rei?"

What's wrong? What's wrong? Why is it always what's wrong? Why can't it ever be what's right? Maybe because nothing is ever right, but a girl can dream.

"Does this mood of yours have anything to do with Fuji-senpai?"

How dare she speak that name in this household! How dare she! I snap up from my curled up position with every intention to glare her into oblivion. Soft. Her eyes and her sad smile are so soft. I rip my gaze from her and stare at the blanket; it's far more interesting anyway. Isn't it my job as the oldest to comfort, not to be comforted, but the moment Tomoka places her hand on my shoulder I crumble. I practically throw myself into her sisterly embrace as I cry into her shoulder. Soft, soothing words such as 'hush' and 'I know' are whispered into my ear as she runs her hand through my hair. Truth be told, I've never cried over something like this. The last time I cried was when I broke my collar bone and Lanthan decided it would be most amusing to slap me on my back. I used to think it was amusing when Tomoka had her, as mother titles them, 'Love Fits', but now…I see.

"You really like Fuji-senpai, huh?"

I nod as I take in a deep breath, my head still resting in the crook of Tomoka's neck. I've only just realized, but yes, I really like Syuu…Fuji…Syuusuke.

"It's pretty obvious Fuji-senpai like you too."

"What!" I exclaim, though it comes out as a whisper, as I pull back to look Tomoka in the eye.

"I said I it's obvious—"

"I know what you said. I meant what makes you think that?"

"His sudden lack of tennis skills. Fuji-senpai has been skipping practice lately, which never happens, and when he does come he's not really there."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"It didn't start until you stopped."

"Stopped what?"

"Stopped everything. I know you don't text him because your phone has been on the kitchen counter dead for almost a week now. You don't stop by the school anymore and I know you're not hanging out with him or anyone for that matter because the twins told me."

I'd really like to think that, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

"I think Fuji-senpai really misses you Rei. And there's only one way to find out." Tomoka says as she hands me cell phone and charger from out of her jacket pocket.

I smiles and wipe my eyes before taking back my possessions.

"Thanks Tomoka."

"No biggie." She says with a grin.

"Rei! Door!" My mother calls.

"Crap! That's probably the twins again! They're really worried about you Rei. They've been coming over here nonstop, but I kept sending them away. I thought you'd appreciate the solitude. Plus you needed time to figure things out." Tomoka says with a triumphant smile.

"You're the best," I say as I hug her before heading downstairs to calm the twins down.

"Don't ever forget it!" Tomoka calls after me.

I make my way to the living room, to find Lanthan reclining leisurely on the sofa.

"Rei!" They exclaim when I fall into their line of view.

It feels so good to see their ridiculous faces and I cannot help but throw myself into their arms. They eagerly return my embrace and I pull back with an almost teary smile as I shuffle back onto my feet.

"I'd love to hang out, but—!"

"But there's something you need to do, right?" Landon interrupts with a knowing smile as he points to the phone and charger still in my hands.

I grin sheepishly as Nathan stands to his feet to briefly hug me before stepping away.

"I don't know how important this may be to you, but a little birdie told me that a strange tennis player has been spending the past few days down at the neighborhood park," He pauses to grin smugly as he examines his nails, "But it's just something I've heard."

I honestly had the best friends the universe could offer. I hug them both alternately before shuffling to the front door, fighting with my shoes and then my sweater. As I thrust the door open I can hear both the twins as well as Tomoka wish me the best of luck. And for that I was grateful because I was almost certain I was going to need it.