The students of class 3-6 were getting noisier as seconds passed. They had just heard that their classmate, Yamashita Miharu, was going to be absent for one whole month. They wanted to hear the reason but it seemed like they weren't getting any.
"I'm sorry but, her family wanted to keep it confidential, unless of course, Yamashita-san wants us to inform you. But currently, she's in a deep sleep." Their sensei informed them. Fuji didn't need to be reminded since he was there the whole time at the hospital with her. His gaze shifted to an empty seat behind him which was Miharu's and recalled last night's events.
"So, she's going to be a Fuji now, right?" Syuusuke asked his parents. Currently, they were in the main Fuji mansion – yes, a mansion – and were talking about Miharu's circumstances.
"I didn't even know I have another sister." Yuuta muttered under his breath. "It was for your own good, Yuuta." Yumiko said with a smile, "Hmph." Yuuta folded hid arms as he looked to the side.
"Well, we have to ask Miharu's permission if she wants to change her name to Fuji Miharu." Sayaka said, somewhat disappointed, "But knowing her, she might say yes." Yuuto said trying to liven up the room.
Syuusuke sighed as he stood up, "I'm going to sleep now."
Yuuta followed suit, still sulking.
"…-chan. Fujiko-chan! Nya why aren't you listening?!" Fuji snapped out of his trance and glanced at the red-head beside him.
"Gome, Eiji, I was just… thinking too hard." Fuji apologized with a smile to his best friend.
"I wonder why Miharu-chan needs to be absent…mou." Eiji pouted as he crossed his arms, "Yea, I wonder too." Fuji said.
"Okay, so enough now. Today's lesson will be about…." The teacher droned on and on about the lesson they'll have and Fuji only stared blankly outside the window.
It didn't feel right when someone doesn't piss the teacher off by sleeping in the middle of class like Miharu did. Or when she would stare outside the window like he did. Everything seemed unusual without her. He gave out an exasperated sigh, all he could do now was to wait and hope that Miharu's chemotherapy would be a success.
-o0o-
"Akutagawa Jirou, just for once, will you not fall asleep in my class?!" an angry teacher approached Jirou who was enjoying his slumber. He didn't seem to budge as he only buried his head further into his arms, not wanting to hear the noise.
"Mataku. Thank Kami-sama that you're graduating." The teacher muttered under his breath as he continued his lesson deciding to ignore Akutagawa.
But the truth?
Jirou was awake. He was wide awake.
He was having hard time sleeping because when he does; horrible images of Miharu would fill his mind.
He was scared of the chemotherapy's outcome.
He didn't want to seem weak in front of her.
He may have fallen asleep in front of her before but that doesn't happen now. He wanted to be her support all the time.
-o0o-
Atobe's eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he scribbled down notes for his Greek class.
He excels in everything and everything means even his own emotions. Being the only heir to the almighty Atobe Company, he had been taught to rule and to control his emotions. He was taught to look down on others as he excels in every aspect in life. Everything except in love.
His grip on his pen tightened as he forced himself to forget about the past and to look forward. There has to be a better person for him out there. That person is just…taking her time.
That person is not the one who made him forget about his arrogance even for just a while.
She was not the one who can insult him and get away with it.
She was not the one who is always straight forward and blunt.
She is not the one who has an unusual love for cats.
She was not the one who is lying right now on a hospital bed undergoing her chemotherapy.
No she's not the one and she never will be.
Atobe closed his eyes for a second before pushing everything to the back of his mind. He concentrated on the lesson and began writing notes again.
He, the great Atobe Keigo, shall not be distracted by such petty matters in life.
-o0o-
Afternoon practices in Seigaku went through its usual flow. But they couldn't help but notice how off Fuji's shots were.
"Fuji, 10 laps around the court!" Tezuka commanded. Fuji looked at him and smiled before running his laps. He needed the laps to clear his mind. Everything was such a mess.
Truth to be told, when he had first saw Yamashita Miharu in their first year, he had thought of her as someone…incapable.
But she proved him wrong when she was able to par up with his scores and when she was able to tie up with him in the school ranking which was 2nd, next to Tezuka of course.
It was the first time he was interested in getting to know someone. Although he had a hard approaching her since whenever he would, she would be walking away from him. Almost as if she knew that he was going to approach her. He even wanted to know how good she is in sports but was disappointed when she sat out during the whole P.E. time.
He knew that there was no way he's attracted to her.
Fuji sighed as he finished his laps. He went to the faucets to wash his sweaty face. Feeling a shadow looming over him, he looked up to meet hazel eyes.
"Ah, Tezuka, what can I do for you?" he asked good-heartedly.
"Fuji, what's distracting you?" Tezuka asked. Fuji only smiled at the captain, "I have no idea of what you're talking about, Tezuka." Fuji had been friends with Tezuka since 1st year and he was able to read Tezuka like an open book.
Tezuka's gaze on him hardened.
Fuji continued to smile at him before walking away, "You'll know soon."
Tezuka's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.
-o0o-
Small and delicate fingers reached out to the piece of cloth on her head. Her hair had begun falling off because of the chemotherapy and she began wearing a bandana. She looked out the window with a bitter smile on her face.
"Everyone seems happy and everything is at its right place. But here I am in a hospital slowly waiting for my time to run out." She muttered the last part under her breath.
She then grabbed the mirror that was placed just above the table beside her bed and stared at herself.
In moment's time, she will be bald.
Not that she cares.
But also in a month's time, she can already return to Seigaku.
Her lips slowly turned into a smile as she realized that.
It's not so bad after all.
It now all depends on her will to live.
-o0o-
Yuuta glared at the freshman who was standing in his way who quickly scampered out of his sight.
Fuji Yuuta was in an unpleasant mood because one: He was not told that he had another sister. Two: his sister is now in the hospital. And three: he was just plainly pissed off.
Mizuki had noticed his kohai's behavior and found it unusual, so being the nosy person he is, he pried for information.
"What is it, Yuuta-kun?"
Yuuta merely brushed him off as he continued glaring at everything in his path.
-o0o-
"Fuji-senpai, where are you going?" Momo asked as he saw Fuji leaving in a rush after practice.
"I have someone to visit. Ja." Fuji then ran off leaving them all dumbfounded.
After he left, Eiji –who was pulling Oishi along - and Momoshiro – who was pulling Echizen – trailed after him. Inui soon followed after saying that it was 'good data', Kaidoh and Taka also followed seeing that if they didn't, they'd still persuade them. And Tezuka decided to follow them to keep things as sane as possible.
Soon enough, they found themselves standing in front of the Tokyo Hospital. They looked at each other before stealthily (or at least they thought) followed Fuji.
Before they could even step in the hospital, Fuji had blocked their way in. His blue eyes were glaring right through them and they could feel the ground opening up with the devil happily accepting them.
Momo had a sheepish grin on his face, "Ah…hehe, Fuji-senpai…"
Fuji glared at all of them, then his gaze met Tezuka's.
They stared at each other for a second, then Fuji spoke.
"Fine. You can come with me, but do not treat her differently and do not pity her. Understood?"
They all stared at him and asked, "Who's she?"
"You'll find out." Fuji turned his back against them before walking away. Sensing someone beside him, he smiled at the person before speaking, "I didn't know you were interested, Tezuka."
Tezuka kept a straight face, "I only wanted to make sure they're safe."
Fuji chuckled, "Saa…"
They had followed Fuji inside the elevator and began asking him questions which he also answered, soon enough, they were at the top floor where the suites were located.
"Wow!! She must be rich!" Eiji exclaimed and they couldn't help but agree.
They then stopped short in front of a door which was 3 doors to the right of the elevator and Fuji knocked, "You have some visitors."
"Hai." Came a voice, it sounded so familiar to Eiji and he didn't know where he's heard it.
"Ah, hello, Seigaku tennis regulars."
They all looked at the girl on the bed who wore a bandanna. She had a cheerful smile and she looked so hauntingly familiar.
"Wah! Miharu-chan!"
Miharu chuckled, "Maa… why don't you all take a seat, it must've been tiring following Syuusuke, ne?"
They gave out sheepish chuckles as they wondered how she even knew.
"Ah, Miharu-chan! We missed you!!" Eiji wailed as he hugged Miharu, Miharu hugged back but she didn't realize that he can hug this tight. "A-ah, Eiji! Get off her!" Oishi panicked as he pried Eiji off Miharu.
"Ah, Yamashita-senpai," Miharu flinched a bit by being called 'Yamashita', however still listened to Momo, "Why are you being hospitalized?"
Miharu only smiled at them which reminded them of Fuji, "Maa… why don't you eat some fruits, I'm sure I can't finish it all since the one who sent them is quite… stupid." A picture of Atobe elegantly flipping his hair while exclaiming, 'Ore-sama no bigi yoi na!' entered her mind.
Without hesitations, Momo and Eiji began eating the mangoes and bananas.
"Fssh. Baka! Those are for Yamashita-senpai!" Kaidoh said to Momo, "You said something Mamushi?!"
"I said that you're a 'baka', baka!"
"Oi! Yamashita-senpai offered! It's rude to refuse!"
"Gluttonous git!"
"Baka mamushi!"
"10 laps around the hospital now!"
The two stopped bickering when Tezuka gave them the order, slowly leaving the room, they glared at each other.
"E – Eiji! Those are Yamashita-san's fruits!" Oishi exclaimed as Eiji ate a strawberry, "Demo, Oishi, Miharu-chan said it's okay!"
Miharu smiled as she sighed in relief that she managed to avoid the topic. Sensing something or someone staring at her, she looked around the room and saw that it was Tezuka.
'So I guess he figured it out…but I'm not telling.' She smiled at him and he faced away from her.
They began talking like old friends and Momo and Kaidoh were finally back from their laps. The two were still glaring at each other as they ate the fruits. Miharu glanced sideways to where Syuusuke was and smiled to herself seeing her brother talking so casually with Tezuka.
'He's…homosexual after all…'
'Saa… I'm quite disappointed that you think so, Miharu.'
Miharu paled a bit as she realized that Syuusuke had heard what she was thinking. Syuusuke didn't turn away from Tezuka but she swore she felt Syuusuke's eyes on her.
'I do like him though… with your sadistic ways, I'm sure he can neuter that.'
'Then how about you and Akutagawa?'
Miharu choked on her own spit and began coughing silently as to avoid the other's attention; she silently glared at Syuusuke who was laughing. Probably at her.
Speak of the devil.
The door opened only to reveal Akutagawa and Atobe still in their Hyotei uniforms.
Ryoma was the first to notice and didn't fail to greet Atobe, "Ah, Monkey King."
Miharu covered her laugh with a cough as she saw the look of irate on Atobe's face.
"Why you insolent brat." Atobe muttered as he glared at Ryoma.
Jirou ignored them as he ran towards Miharu and hugged her.
Miharu then also hugged back with a smile.
'It's okay if it's like this… at least he won't feel awkward around me.' Miharu thought to herself.
'If I tell her…she might not allow me to hug her like this anymore…' Jirou thought as his grip on Miharu tightened.
"Eherm." The two of them snapped out of their romantic trance and looked around the room which was filled with shocked expressions. Mostly.
"Ah… yea… um… I think you know Ji-kun – I – I mean Akutagawa Jirou since he's also in tennis and all….and uh… Hyotei's going to be your next opponent a-and he's my best friend so… uh…" Miharu kept on stammering as her face got redder by the second.
Fuji chuckled, "I think they understand you quite well, Miharu."
Miharu then shut her mouth as she nodded, "Yeah..I guess…"
"Aww…. Miharu-chan has a crush on Akutagawa!" Eiji exclaimed as he hugged Echizen tightly.
"O-oi! Senpai!" Echizen choked as he thought to himself. 'What do I have to do with it?!'
Miharu's face turned paled at the comment, "Uh…yeah…no! I mean…"
Jirou just placed a hand over Miharu's mouth to stop her from talking. Miharu looked at him with a sheepish smiled which she was sure he felt since his face was covering her mouth.
Jirou returned her smile with a full blown grin.
"You can and will successfully undergo your chemo, right?" Jirou asked.
Miharu nodded wondering why he asked, Jirou then took his hand off her mouth as he yawned, "That's good cause y'know… I wasn't able to get any sleep just thinking of you…" Jirou then drifted off to sleep on Miharu's bed. Miharu felt her heart beat faster. 'He didn't just say that… he might've meant it in a friendly way…yeah… That's right.'
Miharu felt herself being pulled back into reality, realizing that the Seigaku regulars were still there, watching the whole thing. Hearing what Jirou just said.
Hearing….
They heard him say it…
Oh crap.
"Uh… he meant it in friendly terms… I swear!"
"Miharu-senpai… You need to be briefed of how a boy tells his feelings…" Momo said seriously.
Eiji also nodded, "Right, right…"
Miharu waved her hands, "N – no! There's no need, I knew what he meant! I mean… I know that he meant it in a friendly way and yeah… hey look, it's getting dark! So, I guess you all have to go home, right?"
They looked outside the window and true enough, it was getting darker.
"I forgot to tell otou-san that I'd be out a bit longer." Taka said worriedly.
"Me too." Eiji said in agreement, forgetting to tell Miharu about 'How a Boy Tells His Feelings'.
"Right, right. So, I'll see you all in a month at the tournament, ja!" Miharu said cheerfully, but in her mind…
'Get out or I'll make sure you won't be able to make any babies in the future.'
"In a month? Wha – " Oishi wanted to ask what she meant, but Fuji cut him, "Saa, Miharu needs her rest, right?" Seeing Fuji's smile and sensing his aura, they nodded meekly and exited the room. All except Atobe, Jirou – who was still sleeping – and Fuji.
"Thanks, Syuu-nii…" Miharu said as soon as they exited.
"No problem, but we've got to tell them sooner or later." Fuji replied as he sat down on the end of Miharu's bed.
Atobe settled himself on the couch and crossed his legs.
"They can know about it in a month. When Miharu is well enough." Atobe said.
Miharu chuckled a bit, "You're all really confident about this."
"Of course, because it's you we're talking about." Atobe then continued, "The most stubborn and hard-headed girl ore-sama had seen."
Fuji chuckled at his comment and looked over to Miharu who was glaring daggers at Atobe.
"Rest now, Miharu. We'll just wake you up when dinner is already served." Fuji said.
"Don't wake me up then. The food here sucks." Miharu replied.
"It's for your health, Miharu." Fuji lightly scolded.
Miharu pouted knowing that she needs to eat that horrible tasting hospital food one way or another. (I should know since I was forced to eat hospital food and it was so…. Horrible…..O.O)
She then laid down on her bed to get some sleep.
-o0o-
"Check the blood pressure."
"Quick! The breathing mask!"
"Check the vital signs."
"High blood pressure."
'Everything is so white… where am I? What's that noise?'
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
'Is it going to end here?'
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
'It shouldn't end here…. No… it shouldn't. I have…to…I have to live…'
"She's struggling. She's struggling! Quick, double-check everything, she wants to live and we will let her live!"
-o0o-
I know I haven't updated in a long period of time… and I gave this cliffie for you as a gift… c
So, everybody, please review! And the nest chapter is probably going to be the last.
Thanks to:
EvCaCeLy, darkxXxflames, ixamxeverywhere, Marui-kun Is Awesome (yeah I know that he's awesome!!), silver0scorpion, kaito142, michiyo drops, meeqhuanne009 and a special thanks to lawli-chan!!