AN: again lets ignore responsibilities
yeah i dont own captain tsubasa
Chapter 12: Lost Colors
"Hey check this out," Ayame plopped beside him on her couch and showed him her phone. He took a glance at it, turning away from his laptop for a brief moment to see what exactly she wanted to show him.
Okay, he could admit that was an adorable puppy, but he didn't see what the big deal was about it.
"It's cute," he said before turning back to his laptop. "If you're planning on getting it, do it after you come back from America. I am not going to take care of it for you."
"Huh?" she exclaimed in confusion. She took her phone back and looked at it. "Oh that is a cute Lab. But, anyway. Not that. This one!" She tapped something on her phone before shoving it back to his face. He blinked from his enthusiasm before finally focusing again on her cellular device.
She was showing him a picture, a guy and a girl walking along familiar streets. They had huge grins on their faces, but he couldn't exactly see their eyes because they were covered by dark sunglasses. The guy's arm was draped over the girl's shoulders, pulling her close while the girl had her arm on his waist. They didn't seem to know their picture was being taken, but somehow it was better that way.
Okay, that was also another good picture, but he didn't see why she wanted to show it to him aside from the fact that she might have been admiring the buildi-
Wait. Hold up.
"Is that-" he started with knitted eyebrows. "Is that us? When we were in Barcelona?" He took the phone from her hand and took a closer look.
"Yup!" she answered with a laugh. "They finally have a picture of us together. I'm surprised they're only releasing these. We've been hanging out for a long time and this is the first time they actually posted something about it. You should read the article they wrote. It's fucking hilarious."
She laughed once more as he scrolled down her phone, reading the huge text bolded on the bottom of the picture.
Taro Misaki and a new flame? How he seemed to be moving on from his (hidden) relationship and break-up.
He skimmed through the article, finding it incredulous as he went through it. They think they're dating now? Just because they were together didn't mean they were in a relationship. They're only friends!
"She seemed to share similarities with the girl Misaki brought to the Ligue Gala. According to our other team members, she has the same height and body figure as the girl. Other sources have also confirmed that they've seen the PSG midfielder with a girl like her all over Paris. We're not sure yet, but we believe they're one and the same.
"Is she Misaki's new lady after his hidden and unexpected relationship with supermodel Azumi Hayakawa? Or was this girl the reason why those two broke up in the first place?
We guess we just have to find out more."
This was bullshit. Pure, unfiltered crap. Who even believed in this?
"Props to them for making the connection between me and the 'mystery girl' from the gala," Ayame remarked as she laid her chin on his shoulder, rereading the article with a silly smile on her face. Why was she so amused by this anyway? Didn't she know how bad it was going to be for her?
"You realize people are going to be looking for you now, don't you?" he turned to her with a disbelieving look on his face. "Especially when we go out together. They'll never stop following you."
Ayame shrugged and took her chin off his shoulder, grabbing the television remote from the table to turn it on. "Maybe," she said. "But it's not like they're going to have plenty of times to catch us together. I am going back to New York tomorrow. I won't be back in Paris until three weeks later. This whole issue should die down by that time. After all, what can they make stories out of when their source is missing? They don't even know my name."
They would know sooner or later, he was sure.
"Speaking of," she said once she put it on a replay of the game between Bordeaux and Marseille. "Are you sure you still want to drop me off to the airport? I can always take a cab."
"No, its fine," he replied returning back to his laptop. He was still trying to finish reading his mom sent him. She really wanted him to come visit sometime soon. It had been a while since he last saw them. Christmas maybe? "I'd rather take you than someone you don't know."
"…Taro, I've taken taxis and cabs for almost my whole life and nothing happened to me yet."
"And nothing should ever happen. Don't make it change," he retorted. He didn't know he didn't want her taking a cab, but the idea of it always made him uneasy. He didn't even know when the feeling started. He just knew he hated it. "Besides, this way you don't have to spend more money than necessary. Remember, you spent almost €5,000 on clothes alone in Barcelona. Then you spent cash on all those street foods you bought. And I know you haven't been to an ATM machine to get more money since you've been busy packing."
He could see from the corner of his eye that she was turning red, a sign of her embarrassment as well as his correct statements.
"Ugh, I hate it when you get like this," she sulked with her arms cross. "I just don't want to bother you. It's out of way from where you train at. And my flight's at 7 at night but I have to be there by 5. I don't want you rushing out of training just to drop me off."
"I told you its fine," he turned to her in exasperation. "It's not like I'm rushing anyway. I'll be back here by 4:30 pm to drop you off. It's not a big deal."
Ayame sighed and put her head on his shoulder. "If you're sure... I guess I can't exactly say no to that."
It was quick, and faint, but he was sure he felt her kiss his cheek.
"Thank you," he heard her day softly. But before he could even process what happened, Ayame jumped from the couch, stretching her arms up above her head while yawning.
"Well," she turned to him, and there wasn't even a hint on her face that the last few seconds happened. He knew it did, and he was miffed that she was pretending that nothing happened.
He feels like he needed to clarify something.
Before he could even speak, she beat him to it.
"I'm gonna go to my own home and get me some sleep. My flight might not be that early, but I'll be stressing out double checking everything." She waved him goodbye as she walked towards his door. "Good night hotshot, sweet dreams and don't stay up late. Remember you have training early tomorrow. See you!"
He could only stare at his door while it closes after her.
He quickly got out of the shower and rushed to get his clothes on. It was still early, but he wanted to have more time to pick up Ayame from the apartment and drop her off to the airport. She hated being late, or anyone that was late. She'd give him a mouthful if he even arrived by just a minute late.
Slinging his bag on his arm, he stood up from the bench and started to head out of locker room.
"Going somewhere, Misaki?" Moretti, their goalkeeper, asked him as he pushed his shirt down. "You seemed to be in a hurry."
Misaki gave him a small smile. "You could say that. I'm dropping my friend off to the airport."
"Who? Iris?" Simon asked as he joined the conversation. "She going somewhere?"
Misaki nodded, taking his keys from his pockets. "She's going to New York to visit her parents. She won't be back a week before the month ends."
"Speaking of," Napoleon said before draping an arm around his shoulders. "You wanna tell us something buddy? About any changes to your life?"
Misaki looked at him with a questioning stare. What in the world was he talking about? "What do you mean changes in my life?"
"You know, like your love life," the blond clarified. "That we just found out apparently did exist."
…The last time he had a love life was five months ago.
He only could stare at Napoleon dryly. He was not amused.
"Are you finally dating Iris or not?"
What the hell? Why did people keep on thinking they were in relationship?
"What's going on?" Lindström joined in, stopping in the middle of putting his shirt on. "What's this I hear about Misaki being in a relationship?"
"Napoleon wants to know if he's dating the girl he brought with him at the Gala," Simon answered for him, ignoring his irritated expression.
"Really? Sweet! I love that girl. She's got character that's for sure," Lindström laughed. "She's great for him."
"She's pretty too. Man, if I could I would have asked for her number. You're lucky, Misaki."
"I'd take her out anytime too."
"If you guys ever break up, tell her I'm willing to be rebound, Misaki."
Duly noted, Carter, but that's not going to happen since they weren't in any kind of relationship except of the platonic kind.
"Guys, guys," he called out. "I already said this before, we're not dating. We're just friends. And trust me, if you spend a lot of time with her, you wouldn't want to be in a relationship with her. She'd devour you."
His teammates stared at him, before Moretti and Carter shared looks with each other.
"Dude, hit me up with her!" Moretti cried out as he pulled out his phone from his pants' pocket.
"No, ask her if I can take her out to dinner tomorrow!" Carter shoved Moretti out of the way, also with his phone in hand.
"Guys…" Misaki murmured, "I told you, didn't I? She's leaving today and won't be back in three weeks."
"Damn!"
He stared at them blankly as his teammates started to lament over the information they just received. This was ironic. Wasn't Ayame looking for a "hot soccer dude" a while back? Now that there were guys available to her, she leaves.
"Damn, Marie's not going to stop pestering me again," he heard Napoleon click his tongue beside him. He didn't get it. What did Marie have to do with anything?
"What?" Misaki asked him.
"She's obsessed in finding out if you guys finally ask each other out," Napoleon informed him. "Sure, I'm also waiting for that day to come. But she literally hits me with a pillow every single time I tell her that no, you guys are not dating."
Marie being violent? That seemed unbelievable.
"Isn't that a little abusive?" Misaki laughed nervously.
Napoleon only shrugged. "You get used to it," he replied. "Besides, you've seen her. She's so weak they don't even hurt. I hit her back anyway, so we have a pillow war going on every time. Score's 33-34 by the way with me leading."
Misaki only shook his head from his friend's statements. Even right now, he still couldn't fathom the relationship of those two. He wouldn't even be surprised if they announced they were going to get married tomorrow, no dates, no courting, just straight up marriage. No one's even going to ask because they knew it was coming. Tsk, childhood friends.
He suddenly felt his phone vibrate from his pocket, and he immediately grabbed it. He looked to see who was calling him, and knitted his eyebrows in confusion. Ayame? Why was she calling at this time? He still had some time right?
Sliding his thumb over the screen, he put it against his ear and answered it.
"Hey," he greeted.
"Hey there, superstar" answered her voice from the other line.
"What's up?" he asked as he walked a little farther from his teammates, who suddenly got louder again. "Something wrong?"
"No, no. Just… wanted to ask for a small favor?" he heard her ask softly. Why was it that he had a feeling he was going to regret asking what it would be?
"Sure, what do you need?" he said as he headed towards the door.
"I'm really craving Canelé," she admitted sheepishly. He could just imagine that shy smile she was probably wearing on her face. It didn't help him though. "I was kind of wondering if you buy can buy me some…?"
"Why can't you buy them?" he sighed exasperatedly. "I thought you wanted me to be there early."
"I do!" she cried out. "But I really really want to eat those."
"You're going to be eating on the plane anyway, why do you want to eat so close to your flight?" he argued.
"But Canelé!" she argued back. "Plus they won't feed me until two hours after take-off. I'll be starving! Don't you care about me? I'll share them with you…"
He sighed once again, "Fine, you whiner. I'll get them for you. Just be sure you don't eat them all."
"Yay! You're the best."
"I know," he replied with a chuckle as he pushed the doors open, finally leaving the room. "So where do you want me t-"
Totally engrossed by his conversation with her, he didn't notice the amused looks and sniggers his teammates gave him as he left the locker room.
Napoleon looked to Moretti and Carter, who were sharing smiles between the two of them. "I don't think you guys even have a chance with her," Napoleon told them. "He's already wrapped around her finger, he just doesn't know it yet."
"We know," Carter replied. "It's fun goading him, even if he still wasn't falling for it. I'm sure he will someday. He's the only one who doesn't realize it yet."
"I'm sure Iris can wait," Napoleon answered, turning back to the door. "She's been waiting for this long already. She's not going to stop now."
He took her luggage from the trunk of his car as she took out her passport from her bag. He was surprised this was her only bag, considering what carried when they went to Barcelona. She only answered by explaining to him she didn't need to bring a lot since she had stuff in New York to use. It made sense. That was her home after all. Her real home.
Damn it, why was he already missing her? She hadn't even step foot inside the airport, and here he was thinking that she wasn't coming back. Of course she was, she's studying here after all. But that wrenching feeling in him just wouldn't go away. Besides, it's not like he was her boyfriend. He should be able to deal with three weeks of her away.
"Hey hotshot, hey," he blinked from his thoughts when someone snapped in front of his face just to see Ayame looking at him with concern on her face. "You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he answered as he gave her the suitcase. She was adamant that he just drop her off and go. It was already bad enough that she was making him drop her off, and parking just to help her to get inside was too much, she said.
Ayame stared at him for a while, before sighing and giving him a smile. "If you say so," she said. She took her suitcase from his hand and set it beside her.
"Thanks for dropping me off again," she said.
"No problem," he smiled. "Anytime. We're friends aren't we?"
He didn't seem to notice her smile straining. It was back to its usual cheerful one.
"Of course we are," she huffed. "Who knows where you'll be without it me?"
He only chuckled in reply before joined in with her own giggles.
"So I guess I'll be going now," she told him. "Remember there's food in your fridge when get hungry."
"Yup," he replied.
"And don't forget to do your laundry."
"I won't."
"Just go to my apartment if you're missing anything, okay?"
"Okay."
"And if you need to talk to someone, just call alright," she concluded.
His eyes softened as he looked at her. This girl will look after him forever, wouldn't she?
"I will."
Ayame then gave him another smile and launched herself at him, hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, putting his chin on her head as the smell of her flower scented shampoo entered her nose. He'll miss this scent.
They separated from each other, and Ayame's smile never wavered.
"I'll see you in three weeks," she said as she grabbed her suitcase once more.
"I'll see you in three weeks," he repeated with a nod.
"I'll text you when I get there," she added.
Great, that way he knew she was safe. "Okay."
With one last wave, Ayame finally took off towards the airport entrance as he watched her leave with his hand raised up in goodbye.
Somehow, when she was finally out of his sight, his world suddenly lost all its colors.
End Chapter
AN: lol, misaki youre such a doof. that's not how friendship works. you seem to be on the border right now. but yeah, ayame's going to America to visit family. who knows what will happen to our hero without his princess. we just dont know. and we still have no idea what ayame feels, although she seemed like knows what she's feeling. hopefully we'll find out more soon.
this is it for now. i still gotta go back to doing college applications so wish me luck
thanks for reading and please review. dont be scared i dont bite
