Chapter 11

Ryoma pov

I finally make it through the gates of Seigaku to find it completely deserted. It was odd because there should be some after school activities going on. Like tennis, I thought with a slight smirk. I tilted my head to the ground to make sure no one saw my face or...

"Ughh!" I couldn't stop the disgusted shudder that rippled through my body, fan girls lots of fan girls. And if I'm particularly unlucky (which I usually am), fan guys too.

Yes, even though I swing for the home team, it doesn't mean I want people to throw themselves at me. There's only one person I want to ever do that to me, and he couldn't even remember me.

I can't wait to see Syuu-chan. If he really doesn't remember me, then I'll help him remember me. I can't believe my sempais didn't tell me. It just doesn't make sense. They wouldn't do something as cruel as that. They would only act if it was told to them to act like that.

I wasn't particularly watching where I was going, but I was surprised when an orange hit me in the back of the head. I looked up and lo and behold I was beneath an orange tree. Ridiculous, what are the odds? The odds, they seem to always be stacked against us.

If I had known, tournament be damned, I would've come home to my Syuusuke. The only person who knew about us together was Buchou. He would've told me. I just don't understand. Buchou...

Flashback -Three years ago

Ryoma pov

I sat staring at the window in my bedroom. I've been avoiding Syuusuke like the plague; I'm not vain enough to not have noticed the pain it causes him. But what should I do? I will not tell them of Okaa-sans death, I cannot take the pity. But how can I tell him his smile hurts me.

I'm not vain enough to not have noticed the pain he's in, but it feels like he's hiding something to me. He said when the time comes he'd tell me. I thought it was about what Kei and I discovered on the day of her… passing but it seems I was wrong. What could be worse than what's wrong with me? Wasn't that what killed her.

RING! RING!

I get off my bed and trudge painfully to the door when I realized my mother would no longer answer it.

When I open it I feel my own shock.

"Buchou"

"Echizen"

I rid myself of my shock and move away from the door, inviting him in. He however puts his hand up in refusal.

"No, Echizen". I stare at him confused. Why is he calling me Echizen and not Ryoma? What's wrong? I stare at him as he begins to twitch beneath my gaze. What is he hiding from me?

"What is it Buchou".

"What are you doing Echizen?" What does he mean? What am I doing? I'm doing nothing.

"I don't understand". He seems to laugh for a second.

"I meant what are you doing with Fuji, can't you see your hurting him."

"What- Buchou I would ne-"

"But you are Echizen, can't you see that". What is he saying? What is he suggesting? He knows, who told him?

"Of course I see that, but what am I supposed to do, it's not like I can leave him." I watch as Buchou's lips twitch in what I thought was sympathy, little did I know he was fighting back a smile. His eyes darted a little ways down my street, confusing me. It was like he was looking for confirmation.

"So you and Fuji are dating?" His eyes narrowed and I flinched backward.

"Buchou, I love him." He rested a hand on my shoulder.

"I know Echizen, maybe it would be best if you left for a while until your over her death. I'll keep an eye on Syuusuke for you."

End Flashback

'Of course, he and...I should've known, I should have realized when he said Syuusuke.

I thought it was because they were friends for such a long time, but now it makes sense. He's the only reason none of my other sempais would tell me. He's the only one that holds that much power, that jealous bastard. I walked up to the fence that separated me from the courts.

"I'll dye the court red, with your blood." I look up to see Bakaya hit a knuckle serve at my Syuusuke.

Before I realize what I'm doing I jumped over the fence racing to protect him. Heart be damned, I can't let him be hurt. Especially in front of me, damn these weights. I scooped a racket of the ground with my foot and it landed in my dominant hand.

I slid before him as he clutched his head. I momentarily froze thinking I was too late, before I realized the ball was still coming.

I reflexively lifted the racket to meet the incoming ball and flicked my wrist sending the ball hurtling back towards Bakaya. I watched as a hooded figure paused where the ball hit the fence. He smirked at me, he seemed so familiar.

I angled my body in front of Syuu-Chan, in a way that made it possible for my face to be seen by no one but him. In fear of his pain, I dropped the racket, and placed my left hand on his shoulder. While my right hand cupped his face, I lifted his gorgeous cerulean orbs to meet mine.

'Even if he doesn't remember me, I'll make him fall with me all over again.' When I finally saw his eyes, I saw shock and inwardly smirked. "Are you ok, Syuu-Chan?" The haze in his eyes went away to unseen happiness.

"Ryo-Chan!" Fuji exclaimed as he jumped to tackle/ hug me. We fell back together with his body lying snugly atop mine.

"I missed you so much." He began to nuzzle my collarbone. I lifted his face once again to meet mine.