Takeru took a step forward, both feet barely touching the curve that separates the two-point area from the three-point. Ball in hand, the blond easily lifted his feet off the ground as he attempted another shot.
Swoosh! – his second three-pointer under fifteen minutes.
"You're on a streak!" Seiichi exclaimed as he grabbed the ball bouncing in mid-air, before tossing it back at Takeru. "And that smile. Takaishi, you're hiding something! Spit it!"
The boys were one of the few students occupying the university's indoor court on a late Monday morning. Naturally, most of the court regulars had gone off for classes now, leaving the pair and a few other students with vast amount of space to play with. Takeru and Seiichi agreed on one half of the court for a one-on-one, which the latter regretted. With reasons unbeknownst to Seiichi, Takeru was exceptionally agile and alert this particular morning.
The blond took the ball and stepped back to his rightful position, readying his stance. Seiichi had quickly walked forth, arms up in defense. Both boys were competitive. Beads of perspiration lined their faces, and the shirts they donned were sticking to their bodies. Their arms and legs were glistening with sweat that carefully outlined their muscles. Despite their body language, one could tell hostility was out of the picture from the way they conversed between dribbles and shots.
"It has to be about her."
Takeru flashed a cheeky smile before doing a low crossover dribble to his left, leaving Seiichi with few milliseconds short from guarding his right. Takeru took his chances and dribbled on the left, making big steps towards the basket. His feet effortlessly lifted him off the ground just as when he pushed the ball up in the air. The orange blob gracefully left Takeru's possession, following the direction it was meant to go until it could not defy gravity anymore, before falling as gracefully into the basket.
Seiichi who was guarding Takeru hard, threw both hands up in the air. "OK I'm done. I need a break - you're killing me. I think I need a girl to motivate me too."
Takeru laughed. They both let the orange ball bounced until it no longer did, where it lolled on the floor. He collapsed on all fours at where his duffel bag was. The exhaustion did nothing to take away his adrenaline rush. He had never felt so alive. Every fibre of his being was living through the past moments with his best friend, yet hungrily anticipating for the next. His blue eyes stared up at the ceiling – the plain white textured ceiling with a few light fixtures – but his mind wandered again. It wandered to exactly a week ago, when she greeted him after his last lesson, then it wandered to Wednesday, when he secretly admired her across the table they shared at the library. Thursday she had surprised him with a homemade lunch. The contents were not exactly culinary, but his heart jumped so fast when he unfolded the floral cloth that covered the bento box, that nothing else really mattered. His favourite was Friday, when he had held her hand in the dark of the cinema, which she didn't pull away from. It was the same pathetic excuse of warming her, but as lame as it was, it worked. Above all, nothing could beat the night when they kissed.
He could remember it like it was just yesterday – the way their faces aligned, the smell and taste of alcohol, her warm breathing against his own, the softness of her lips on his. It made his insides all strangely tensed and warm. That night and a few nights after, Takeru found himself tossing and turning in bed, the scene repeatedly playing at the back of his mind. As distressed as he was, she wasn't. Takeru refused to believe she couldn't recall anything, hinting ever the slightest every now and then. By day four, he was convinced that everything hadn't happen for her – the kiss nor the confession. She couldn't even remember being sent home.
But that immense courage had pulled him through so far. Their increased time spent together had raised questions from his friends. They, like Seiichi, were convinced Takeru had successfully won her heart – that it was only a matter of time before the two became official. Even as he denied his friends' conclusions, he wondered if they were right. Was he and Hikari together, like a couple? It was tough confessing to a drunk Hikari. Picturing himself confessing to a sober Hikari only made his legs weak and throat dry.
"Let's go grab lunch now," Seiichi spoke, his voice sounding not too far from where Takeru laid. "I have classes to go to after."
A towering figure loomed over him. Seiichi stretched one arm out for him. He took it and with little effort, Takeru was on his feet again. They made a quick change to dry shirts, Takeru less than impressed by the stares of the scattered female population around the court that was slowly crowding. Seiichi on the other hand, was flashing smiles, sending girls blushing for being caught looking. Eyes followed them until they exited the room.
"She was cute," Seiichi commented, grinning.
"Who?"
"Not Hikari, don't worry." Seiichi teased.
"Ass."
Seiichi chuckled and Takeru laughed. At the cafeteria, they bought their individual food and settled at an inconvenient spot near the bins. Noon was always a bad time to eat; Their usual spots to eat were occupied, leaving them with little options. Hungry boys do not complain though. Sprinting up and down a half-court drained their energy, evident in the ways they gobbled down their meals.
"Date plans for today?"
"Figuring the mystery of her mind."
"Just say it."
"I did."
"Doesn't count when she's drunk!"
"It's hard Seiichi. When I want to say it, she seemed to sense it. She changes the topic." Takeru sighed.
"Do it anyway," Seiichi insisted. "What have you got to lose?"
Takeru's forehead creased from thinking. He believed he had a lot to lose, but his friends didn't think so. If it were any other girl, he would have told her a long time ago. Takeru was not afraid of rejections – or at least he'd like to think so. If Hikari were to start shunning him or behave strangely around him because of his selfish confession, he would have ruined the dynamics of their now perfect friendship. His right eye twitched and Takeru blinked to try and make it go away. Seiichi continued to chomp on his food.
"Wvell, if oo dun oh fer 'er, dun espec me hoo vait aroun'. I'd ask 'er oww," Seiichi joked between mouthful of bites.
"Don't choke, I'm not saving you." Takeru smirked.
"Or Kazue would," Seiichi continued. He checked his phone for the time and realized it was about time to leave. "Perfect timing. I'm heading off now."
Seiichi stood up. He was almost as tall as Takeru, but like most of his Japanese peers, had natural dark hair and dark eyes unlike Takeru. His skin was tanned from outdoor activities, but had begun to lose its brown with the cold weather approaching. When Takeru first crossed paths with Seiichi at the tryouts, the blond was more impressed with Seiichi's skills than the person himself. It took time for him to see that Seiichi – extrovert and outspoken – was someone more than just basketball skills and talk.
"Good luck bud," Seiichi said. He grabbed his own gym bag and clumsily gathered his own leftovers. "See ya around!"
Seiichi threw his hand in Takeru's direction as a form of farewell, and the latter lazily returned the same with a smile. As Seiichi sauntered away, Takeru also started to gather his own share of mess, ready to leave. Off the top of his head, he was checking boxes – two classes today, one essay due in a week, three assignments due in a month. He remembered Hikari had a few assignments of her own to complete and fished out his phone.
'C U after UR class. Library or home?'
Pocketing his phone, Takeru chucked his rubbish and left for class with his duffel. In the lecture room, minutes felt like hours, and hours felt like days. He drummed the tip of his pen on his notepad, his focus slowing slipping. The lecturer droned on about assignments and choice literature, while Takeru looked about distractedly. Attendance was much lower than day one – undoubtedly. A lad few rows down was evidently snoozing, while a couple of students were surfing the web. A few were lost in their own small talks, and then there was himself, staring blankly, uninterested. When he finally got tired of observing, Takeru drowned himself in the imageries of his time with his best friend. The warm and fuzzy feeling returned, like a soft cashmere blanket enveloping his insides. He was incapable of not smiling, and thought he saw a girl looking strangely in his direction suppressing a grin. Slightly embarrassed, Takeru snapped out of his musings.
He checked his phone and was elated to see her reply. He texted her back, but it would be another while before she responds again. After classes had finished for the day, Takeru began to make his way to the building where her last class was. A group of girls walked alongside him, throwing glances and giggling. He turned to them and politely nodded, which only made the girls blush. Back in high school, Hikari used to enjoy teasing him when instances like this happen. She said it was his uncommon natural pale complexion and blue eyes that made girls swoon, and that she was lucky she got to know what was beyond his looks. He began to wonder if he had made her heart skip a beat now and then. Even if it was due to his looks, he would be gratified.
His high-spirited demeanor unfortunately did not last long. As he got closer to the destination, he could see a strangely familiar tall, dark figure standing and waiting with the rest. Every step closer to his best friend's classroom felt like déjà vu – the hairs of his arms and legs were pulling his skin, and a nagging feeling he couldn't shake off made him uneasy. He tugged the collar of his shirt, uncertain what was making him feel this way. He squinted his eyes and slowed his pace, his palms growing clammy, before drawing in cold air that ran through his body like ice. It was Shoji Harada.
What the hell is he doing here?!
Takeru stopped short and stared at the irritably familiar figure, anxious. He couldn't comprehend Shoji's presence. It had been over two weeks since they last heard from him. Did he think he could just appear as and when he liked, regardless of Hikari's feelings? Takeru could feel his blood rising, his breathing short and quick. He clenched his fist, meaning to control his anger, and marched right up to where Shoji stood.
"Get out of here," Takeru demanded in a threatening low voice. His words were strangely calm as he tried to retain his composure.
Takeru wasn't looking to cause a scene, but he couldn't guarantee he would remain this composed. Shoji irked him, and if he could, he would have thrown a punch at his face. However, instead of relying on the easiest way to settle his unhappiness, he narrowed his eyes at the baseball player, resolute of his demand. Yet, Shoji merely glanced at Takeru, before proceeding to not acknowledge Takeru's words or presence. The older male took a step sideways with his hands tucked snugly in his side pockets, so that Takeru would be out of his line of sight. Not caring that he had overtly offended Takeru, Shoji continued to focus on the exterior of the classroom, patiently waiting for the class to end.
This infuriated Takeru, who came into Shoji's view again, this time a little too close for comfort. People were beginning to stare as he did so, sensing something was not right between the two. In response, Shoji pursed his lips and refused to look at Takeru, the crease on his forehead etched deep as he scowled.
"You've heard me."
"I'm here for Hikari-chan," Shoji responded coldly. He stepped aside again, folding his arms this time round.
"Don't bother wasting your time, asshole. She doesn't want to see you."
Shoji gave a condescending laugh. "She thought I was insane when I said you like her," he sneered. "Look at you – so nervous. We shall see if she wants to see me when she sees me."
Shoji's words were cold like ice and sharp like slaps on Takeru's face. It broke his pride and pushed the blond beyond his limits, causing him to raise his hands and impulsively shove Shoji backwards. Thrown off guard, Shoji stumbled a few steps back, startling the people around him as they jumped out of his way. The annoyance on Shoji's face darkened. Likewise, Takeru's face was red as blood. He stepped in front, ready for advances, when he heard her.
"Takeru!" Hikari gasped, mortified.
She stared wild eyed at him and Shoji, before her face turned pink registering the latter's appearance. Giving Shoji one last glare, Takeru turned away and stood by Hikari. The blond swiftly took Hikari by her hand as he hastily led her away from the scene. She followed his lead unquestioning, unsure of what had unfolded while she was in class and dumbfounded by what she had just encountered right after class. Takeru on the other hand, was determined to protect Hikari. So intense was his resolution that the lines on his young face deepened with worry and his cheeks hot from ire. His palpitations were strong as he stared into the far distance, his only focus being holding onto her hand and keeping her away from Shoji.
Even so, Shoji had caught up. The push had messed his dark hair and lightly wrinkled his shirt. His messenger bag slung over his shoulder swayed and slapped against the side of his torso as he quickened his pace. He was determined to get to Hikari as much as Takeru was in keeping her away, if not more.
"Hikari! Please! I need to talk to you," Shoji pleaded, his eyes softened and his voice warm.
Takeru had hastened their pace, causing Shoji to frequently check his surroundings lest he would knock into something or someone. Even then, Shoji had managed to alternate between facing her and walking beside her, much to Takeru's dismay. From the corner of Takeru's eyes, he could see Hikari biting her lower lip and avoiding looking at Shoji's direction. The blond wished the baseball player could just take the hint and leave them alone.
"I know you must be pissed. I totally understand. I'm sorry, I am so so sorry," Shoji tried again, harder this time round. He attempted to make eye contact with her many times, but she refused.
For a quick moment, Hikari tightened her grip on him. Takeru's heart jolted and the boy tried to mask a grin. His confidence had swell as he became ever conscious of the tenderness of her skin resting within his palm. His mind could have drifted afar into wonderland, but Shoji's voice sporadically cut through his thoughts, like the irregular drilling at a construction site – annoying and unflinching.
"I just need five minutes, please hear me out, Kari," Shoji said, his voice desperate. He reached out to hold her free hand, the sudden action startling the girl who immediately reacted by looking right into his deep brown eyes.
Hearing Shoji calling her by a pet name he so fondly used disturbed him. Takeru didn't know how to feel. To him, Shoji was the least deserving person to call her Kari. When he saw his rival holding onto the hand of the girl he liked, Takeru stopped abruptly in their tracks, startling Hikari the second time, who broke her gaze with Shoji. Takeru gently pulled her behind him as he stepped forward, breaking Shoji's hold on Hikari.
"Is it fun leaving people hanging?" Takeru sneered, his voice low and his words slow. "Don't come back here asking for forgiveness, and don't you dare touch Hikari."
"I won't be here if I don't want to be here," Shoji said, but his reply was not directed at Takeru. The older male had fixated his eyes on Hikari, wanting desperately to prove his point. "I just need five minutes–no, one minute. Hikari, please…"
"Leave–" Takeru began to say, but his sentence was cut before it could begin when he felt her tugging his hand, before she gently let go.
"One minute." Hikari said to Shoji, softly but surely. She had too, looked him in the eye.
Takeru's heart sunk as quickly as it had swelled before. He thought he had heard her wrongly, but Shoji had beamed, confirming his fear. He turned to her, only to see her giving him a comforting nod. He wouldn't want to let her talk to Shoji, but who was he to control her?
"Kari…"
"It's OK," she reassured. "Just one minute."
He watched them walked a few metres away to a little corner where a pillar stood tall; They were out of earshot but in sight. The warmth in his fingers had dissipated. He needed no telling to know that Shoji had come back for her, and hated how Miyako was probably right. The blond felt like a fool, looking on helplessly as his rival profusely gushed out words, while Hikari's contemptuous eyes turned soft.
This cannot do.
Takeru trod towards the pair. He wasn't time-keeping, but one minute must have been up. His lips were dryer than before, and his facial expression was stiff. Seeing Hikari going soft on Shoji heightened his senses, like that of an animal acutely aware of the danger lurking round the corner. Unlike an animal unsure of its threat's whereabouts, Takeru could see his right in front of his eyes, who had just extended his damn hand to hold Hikari's.
"Don't push your luck," Takeru said coldly, taking the same hand Shoji was holding onto to break their physical contact. "One minute's up."
Shoji respectfully stepped back, his eyes fixated on Hikari as he continued to refuse to engage with Takeru. "Thank you Kari…"
He absolutely abhorred Shoji. The fire in his belly burned with every word Shoji uttered, further fueled by the air of arrogance the older male carried. Takeru knew it was directed at him, but he didn't think she knew. Just as they walked away from Shoji, she gave Shoji a smile so complex Takeru couldn't make sense of it.
In truth, it terrified him.
"What are his excuses?" He asked when they were away. His voice was soft, but there was no denying it held back contempt.
"They are… not excuses."
"You're defending him?"
Hikari said nothing, leaving him silent as they walked. For a long moment, the only sounds he could hear were their shoes scrapping against the concrete floor and the occasional chirping of birds. He sighed.
"Miyako was right," she finally spoke.
"You said you didn't care."
"He's sorry…"
"And you believed him? Right away? After disappearing on you, you're just going to accept his bullshit?"
"They're not bullshit. I can tell if they are!"
Hikari had halted in her footsteps, too irritated to walk without setting the record straight. Takeru was fuming, his agitation gripping him hard. He too stopped short, visibly upset.
"Tell me, how did he convince you?"
"You are being ridiculous!"
"Am I, now!? I'm only asking what did he say. What did he say to make you believe him?"
"He was just not sure if you are more than a friend, okay?" she spilled. "He wasn't sure if we share something more, because I spoke too much about Takeru Takaishi during our date. Is that what you want to know? Now that you know, are you going to stop doubting my judgements?!"
Her words came out fast, but they did not sound made-up to him. A part of him was elated to know she had mentioned him during her date, to have shared so much such that Shoji doubted their friendship. He wished he knew what she had talked about that could have distanced Shoji, but another part of him – the one that pricked his heart and made him lose sleep – knew what her answer was.
"What… did you say?"
"You are my best friend, 'keru. What else more do I have to say?"
He saw it coming, but a small part of him thought maybe things had changed for them. He had held her hand as they walked the Rainbow Bridge. He had pulled her close when they were out and about the crowded Tokyo streets. When they shared the couch, she had leaned so close. The homemade lunch, the cinema, and all the time spent in library – something was different, he was sure of it. He saw her blushed when she wouldn't in the past. But hearing her words confirmed their status, and even if he were expecting it, it did not make it any less painful.
"You said you were over him…"
"Maybe… I didn't…"
Takeru looked on at her, words lost on him. She had made his heart flutter, and then had it wrung off oxygen again and again. He opened his mouth, but nothing came. Inside his head, he asked out loud to no one if he was being played, or if he was just overthinking signs that were never actually there. He couldn't understand the love game – what had he missed? His disappointment turned into anger, slowly dissolved into hurt.
"I'm going home, I'm tired." Hikari admitted. She bit her lower lip, her eyes downcast. Her fingers had gripped so tightly around her backpack strap due to nervousness that the knuckles were pale.
"I'll walk you back."
"No Teeks, it's OK," she muttered, not looking at him. "I want a quiet time to myself. I'll see you tomorrow…"
She refused to look him in the eye, which only made Takeru go soft. He held out his hand to gently hold her free one, to show her he was still her number one supporter. It broke his heart to go against his desire, but the hint of a smile from her calmed him down. Her small hand slipped from his hold, as she turned to leave for the direction he would have also walked.
