Healthy Anger

You couldn't stand it. You couldn't stand how these idiots from other schools could possibly make a joke out of something so serious. The serious thing being the Rikkaidai Tennis Club captain's disease. You had been coming home from track, shivering slightly against the frigid autumn air. You had been passing by some other high school—god, just thinking about it made your blood boil—where you noticed some people from the boys tennis team passing by, chatting with each other. You had brushed it off and walked by them, but when you caught part of their conversation, you stopped dead in your tracks.

"I hear the captain of Rikkaidai won't be in the national tournament."

"Heh, really? How lame."

"I hope he gets even worse. Then we'll be able to dominate—argh!" You had thrown your school shoes at the back of their heads, nailing the guy who wished for Yukimura to get worse on his head. They all turned to see you with the most hateful glare you had ever put on your face.

"How dare you." you hissed. "How dare you say something like that!"

"Who the hell is this?" They leered down at you. "Little girl."

"Maybe you should look in the mirror and say that again. I feel bad though, if I was your face I'd want to keep them all away."

"The hell did you say to me, bitch?"

"You heard me. Or do you need an earpiece?"

"C'mere you little—"

"Don't ever talk that way about Yukimura-senpai again. I'll make your lives miserable."

"Oh? Are you his whore?" They sneered. You clenched your hands into fists, your glare deepening.

"No. But judging by how you know to judge someone, you must live with some whores, huh? We all know a virgin didn't name your brother."

"Why you—When I get my hands on you—!"

"See if you can, dumbass!"

Thus commenced the chase. You were glad you were in track, and you outran them, dodging in alleys and finally climbing You weren't really worried about them catching you; you could take them, but it seemed the amount of people chasing you grew, and you were extra wary. It had gotten late in the evening, and you were sure they had all given up, so you came out of hiding, looking around one more time. When a hand grabbed your shoulder, you whipped around, grabbing the person and preparing to flip them.

"Wait! It's me, Yanagi."

"Oh... Senpai." You said, releasing the tall male. "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else..."

"That means there's a 89.34% you got yourself into another sticky situation." Yanagi said, looking down at you almost accusingly. You stuck your tongue out slightly, closing one eye.

"Heh... you caught me." The brunette sighed.

"Be careful with your temper, [Last]."

"Right, right." The two of you began to walk to the station together. "Ah, but uh, Yanagi-senpai?"

"Mm?"

"Can you... uh... please not tell anyone else about this? I don't want them to worry."

"You don't want me to tell? They might find out sooner or later."

"I just don't want to cause them trouble cause they're all so busy. And I can take care of it myself so no one finds out." Yanagi sent you a slightly suspicious look, but you merely smiled at him. "It'll be fine, Senpai."

[...]

Of course, that's not what you were saying two days later after being cornered in an alley. Thankfully, there were only five people, compared to the ten or fifteen last time, but you were still eventually overpowered. Sure, you landed some good hits, but after they got you on the ground, you stopped counting the amount of times they kicked and hit you.

"Payback for your shoes, brat." They snarled.

"...burn in hell, bastards."

You lost consciousness after that.

When you woke up, you were lying on a soft bed, and your whole body felt like it was on fire. You could barely raise a hand to rub your eyes, let alone sit up. "I see you're awake." You flinched slightly at a familiar, disappointed tone.

"Yanagi-senpai, I..."

"Save your excuses for later. C'mon, sit up." He said, slipping a hand behind your neck and helping you sit up.

"Am I in a hospital?" You ask.

"No. My family's guest room. Onee-san patched you up." Yanagi said, propping some pillows behind you.

"Ah. I'll have to make her some cakes later." You say, almost smiling as Yanagi hands you a painkiller and a glass of water.

"I've kept silent about this, but no one will be pleased when you go into school tomorrow with bandages." Yanagi said.

"I guess I can't say I've been sick or rock climbing. Hey, actually rock climbing would be petty convincing—ow..." You wince as your side throbs. "Or I could just not tell them."

"No. That would make matters worse by at least 47%." Yanagi says, seating himself next to your bed. You sigh.

"I guess I can't avoid it..." You absentmindedly trace the bandages on your cheek. Yanagi watches you, or at least you think he does. "Thank you, Yanagi-senpai. I'll buy you some Japanese literature next time I'm out. Sorry for the trouble." You feel his hand ruffle your hair gently.

"Just don't do anything stupid again."

"Gah, you ruined the mood, senpai. And we all know I'm going to do a lot more stupid things in life."

"True, true."

[...]

The next time you went to see Yukimura in the hospital; you had been dragged along by Marui. "Don't touch the cake! Geez, senpai. Please control your sweet tooth for a little longer." He pouted, trying to take it from your hands, but you guarded it with your life. "If you get cavities, I'm gonna laugh at you!"

"Quiet! We're in the hospital now!" Sanada scolded the both of you. You immediately saluted him, causing a sigh to fall from his lips.

"Yukimura-buchou, we've come to visit." It's Kirihara who announces this as the door to the captain's room opens, and you all try to get in the room at the same time. "Oi, senpai! Don't push!" You're the first one to squeeze through, and you hop over to Yukimura's bed, trying to regain your balance.

"Yoho, Yukimura-buchou~!" You greet him, setting the cake on the bedside table. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, [Last]. Thank you." Yukimura smiles. Then he catches the sight of the bandage on your cheek, and he frowns, about to ask about it.

"Buchou! Are you feeling fine? [Last]-senpai didn't eat your cake, did she? We had enough trouble to stop Marui-senpai as it is." Kirihara said, coming to your side and ignoring your indignant 'Hey!'.

"I'm feeling well. I'm glad to see you all are doing fine, too." Yukimura smiles.

"Well, Sanada-senpai here doesn't let anyone off during practice." You say, smiling at the vice-captain. You all go up to the roof and talk about tennis, school, and just random things that pop up. "Then sensei told me that supercalifragilisticexpialidocious wasn't a word! It's clearly a word!" You finished indignantly. Kirihara snickered. Yukimura merely smiled.

"It's getting late. We'll be having morning and afternoon practice." Yukimura nodded as you all got ready to go.

"Wait, [Last]. Will you stay just a little longer? There's something I need to talk to you about." You blinked.

"Um, sure." You waved goodbye to the others before standing next to Yukimura's bed. "What's on your mind, Buchou?" You ask.

"Where did you get that wound on your cheek?" You can't help but flinch slightly. Straight and to the point, as expected of Yukimura.

"Er, well, haha, it's a long story..." you say, avoiding his eyes.

"You got into another fight and didn't want Yanagi to tell me about it so he kept quiet but you got beat up anyways?"

A chuckle. "If you keep your mouth open you'll attract flies." Immediately, your mouth flies shut.

"How did you...?"

"Well you confirmed my suspicions," Yukimura began, "and I had a feeling after you didn't come to visit yesterday."

"Wait, they went to visit you yesterday?! Why didn't they tell me! Ah damnit..." You groan.

"Why did you hide it from me?" Yukimura asked, and you drop your gaze to the floor.

"Some numbskulls were talking about you,"

"I hope he gets even worse."

You clench your fists, "and it pissed me off, so I lost my temper and threw my shoes at them. I thought I could handle it myself, but I was wrong, and they beat me up." You cross your arms, looking at the cake you managed to save for Yukimura. You see his hand move, and you shut your eyes, expecting to be hit for keeping this a secret, but you're surprised when he pats your head.

"Thank you for defending me." He says, smiling slightly. "But don't do anything so reckless again. We'll show them when we're at nationals." You smile slightly, your cheeks heating up.

"Okay..."

"Another thing," he starts, before turning to the door with a rather creepy smile. "You all, come out form behind there." There's a loud thud, some muffled cursing, when the door slowly slides open and Kirihara and Marui peek in along with everyone else, smiling guiltily. Yukimura didn't bat an eye.

"Double training for tomorrow."

"E-ehhh?!"

"W-wait, we're sorry Buchou!" You giggle behind your hands as they kneel beside Yukimura's bed.

"No complaints!"

"Fukubuchou, you were listening too!" You giggle as Sanada whacks Kirihara's head.