"So when it comes to this, x is now equal either to four or two" Yanagi concluded.
"I thought x could only be one number" Kirihara said.
"Akaya, we're studying quadratic equations, remember? Now, try this question and then we can move on to difference of two squares" Yanagi said.
"Hai, senpai!"
"Akaya, I'm not your senpai anymore"
"So what should I call you then?" Akaya asked.
"Just call me Renji" Yanagi replied.
"Okay then, Renji" Akaya blushed and then turned back to the questions.
Yanagi sighed and then began flipping through Akaya's text book. He had discovered Akaya's crush months ago but still hadn't really acted on it. Akaya's fumbling and shyness was endearing and Yanagi was happy that he could see this side of Akaya at least for now.
"I'm going to the bathroom" Yanagi stood up.
"I'll be done soon" Akaya said grabbing the eraser. He began erasing so hard that the paper nearly tore in half
"Gently, Akaya" Yanagi cautioned and he entered the bathroom.
He glanced at himself in the mirror and then noticed the slight bags under his eyes. He wasn't getting enough sleep in between weekends and studying kept him up late. He would have to go to bed early today. His thoughts wandered to Inui whom he had seen at Seishun High when on a one day exchange program. He seemed happy but just a little tired.
By default his thoughts returned to Kaidoh. It had taken a couple of months but Yanagi could now think of Kaidoh without falling into a depression. He had heard that Kaidoh was the captain of the Seigaku team which he thoroughly deserved. Yukimura had already booked the next weekend because he wanted to go and watch Akaya play in the Kantou Regionals semi finals.
"Senpai, I'm done!" He heard Akaya yell from the dining room.
He looked at himself in the mirror once more and headed back to his hapless student.
"You went on a date with Atobe?" Yukimura asked, trying to disguise his shock and failing.
"Yes" Sanada replied.
"Why?"
"I suppose I just wanted to give him a shot" Sanada remembered Atobe's forlorn eyes and then his confession of just having a family.
"You're entitled to make your own decisions so I won't judge Atobe at face value. Where did he take you? Did you enjoy yourself?"
"We went to this spa. We both got massages and he had some treatments done. The food was delicious and the general mood was very relaxing"
"If you enjoyed it then I'm happy. I was wondering why your speed decreased when running laps. I should go for a massage" Yukimura said.
"He's very different. The Atobe on the tennis courts is the opposite of the Atobe I was talking to that day" Sanada commented.
"Really? What was different?" Yukimura asked.
"He didn't address himself as 'ore-sama' even once. He talked about dreams and his life goals. He also talked about his family which was a rather sad tale. He has suffered much which makes me understand why he hides himself behind a mask" Sanada replied.
"Gen, you do know that if you get involved with him and then hurt him, the consequences would be rather severe. If Atobe is really as fragile as you say he is, then you will need to be very clear and concise with him. Don't give him any mixed signals" Yukimura said.
"I know" Sanada pulled on his school blazer and then shut his locker door.
"My father has scheduled the onsen trip but since my parents won't be able to come with us, he called it off. Yuuta won't be able to come anyway"
"It's too bad. We do have the festival to look forward to" Sanada pointed out.
His phone rang and he glanced at the caller ID. It was an unknown number so he went outside to answer it.
"Hello?"
"It's Atobe"
"Oh"
"You haven't spoken to me in a week and that's all you say? I thought you would have the decency to give me your answer yourself but apparently not. So what is it?"
"What?"
"What is your answer? Will you date me of not?" Atobe snapped.
Sanada was silent for a moment. Yukimura had said to be cautious but he felt like he needed to listen to his heart rather than his mind for once.
"My answer is yes".
"Home at last!" Yuuta threw himself onto his bed at home with a whoop.
After a solid six months, returning home was the best thing in the world. His mother was currently cooking something for him. He could smell the rice and miso soup a mile away. His brother was out and his sister was at work which meant he had the house to himself. He grinned when his phone buzzed with Yukimura's message.
Welcome home. I'm coming to Tokyo tomorrow with Genichirou. See you at the courts - Yukimura.
I can't wait to see you. See you tomorrow - Yuuta.
He flipped his phone shut and tucked it into his pocket. He heard his mother calling him and bolted down for food.
The day of Rikkaidai's semi final match against Fudoumine dawned bright and early. St. Rudolph had lost the semi finals against Seigaku with Yuuta in singles 3 along with Kaneda in Doubles 1 and a new transfer student from Rikkaidai in Singles 2. Yuuta was extremely hard on his team but it paid off when they won their doubles match and Yuuta had won his singles match against Momoshiro which he was extremely happy about.
Yukimura had wished Kirihara luck before heading to sit in the stands with Yanagi and Sanada. Yuuta wasn't anywhere to be seen and Yukimura couldn't help but worry. His worries were abated when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his neck.
"Guess who?" Yuuta whispered against his neck.
"Yuuta!" Yukimura turned and their lips met in a hungry kiss.
"This is embarrassing" Yanagi commented and Sanada coughed uncomfortably.
"Oh shut up, I haven't seen him in ages" Yukimura said as they both parted with flushed faces.
"I'm sorry" Yuuta apologised and then sat down beside Yukimura.
"Congratulations on making the Kantou semi final" Sanada said.
"Thank you. Seigaku really gave us a run for our money" Yuuta said.
The matches began and Yuuta watched in great interest. Sitting in the stands just a little ways away were Seigaku's former team. Kikumaru and Oishi were cheering on with the rest of the club. Yuuta's own brother was very subtly glaring at Yukimura from the corner of his eye. Yukimura couldn't care less and held onto Yuuta's hand with a carefree smile.
"I've missed you" Yukimura subtly whispered to Yuuta.
"Me too" Yuuta whispered back and then smiled in content as he felt Yukimura's thumb lazily draw circles on the back of his hand.
The matches ended quite quickly with Rikkaidai winning in Singles 3 that was their captain Kirihara. Doubles 2 was taken by Fudoumine while Singles 2 was taken by an unfamiliar player. Yuuta noted all this down and then noticed a pair of twins cheering for the team. He had heard from Kaneda that Rikkaidai had a pair of twins as Doubles 1 but they hadn't played in the semi final. Maybe Kirihara was saving them for the final? If so, Yuuta needed to work on the doubles pairings.
"You're getting worked up. This weekend is for relaxing and not for tennis" Yukimura said.
"Tonight is the festival, right?" Yanagi asked.
"Yes. We'll meet at the shrine at eight" Yukimura replied.