Authors note
Yay! Thanks for the reviews! I hope I'm not rushing you to read the story. Demonsadist, you can torture Kai in your mind for as long as you want. I'll join you (-grins like a maniac-)! You might just see him in this chapter (-chuckles-)…I know I update fast but this is really getting interesting even for me! Wah! Poor Atobe… -sobs in the corner- Nya! I'm sorry but he'll have to suffer for a while longer. Really, gommen! I'm cruel, I know. Anyway, this will be a double story of Seigaku and Hyotei. Might turn out a bit long…
I can't promise anything for the next chapter but it will PROBABLY be a double story. I mean PROBABLY… It might turn out to be a Hyotei one again but that's up to me! Yay!
Previous chapter
It was the day after Yuki was taken to Atobe's place. She didn't get out of bed the whole day. Not eating or talking. Atobe tried to talk to her but she wanted to be alone. He became even more depressed and was already at a loss of what to do. Yuki assumed that he would take this chance, when she's weakened and overwhelm her with his feelings.
At the end of this day he finally managed to make her talk and explained to her that she was wrong in assuming such a thing. Still, she wanted to be alone… Atobe called Sayaka and asked her to come over the next day. He also asked her to take Tezuka with her for some reason… And the next day, which is the day before Yuki's final round in the tournament, comes. What happens during this day? Will she make a decision?
To wrap up things for Seigaku… The chapters before this were as follows: Tezuka helped Sayaka with her homework. The regulars had a recreational activity. Sayaka gave him her necklace as a thank you. They started feeling strange towards each other. When holidays started on the weekend they met by a lake. Her father works with his. Again they were acting weird. On the next day, which was when Yuki was heartbroken, Yuki called her and Sayaka took the blame on herself…
Saa, what happens now? (Man, I'm starting to sound like Fuji –has Goosebumps and sweat drops-)
Chapter 28
Die Leiden des jungen Atobe Keigo:
(The sufferings of young Atobe Keigo)
So fortunate
Before we turn back to Yuki and Atobe, let's see what Tezuka and Sayaka were up to on the next day after their meeting.
It was Monday and Sayaka was heading off to school because they had a week to prepare for the final round of the Kantou tournament and their opponent was none other than Rikkaidai. Anyway, she was walking through the school gate towards the changing rooms…
"This is becoming such a mess. He really dared to hurt Yu-chan! He's going to pay for this… I don't understand why he's doing this. If he has a grudge against me, he should just face me and not involve other people. What did I ever do to him? Moreover, what did Yuki and Keigo ever do to him? They have nothing to do with this… Why involve them?" she sighed and started walking a bit slower.
"Yu-chan must be crushed… This is all my fault. If she had never met me, nothing like this would have happened. I wish I could do something about it… But what can I do? The only thing what's in my power is to keep on living and not giving up hope that this would end someday. I don't want to see anyone get hurt because of me anymore… I should tell Yu-chan later everything." As she was walking in her thoughts, she didn't notice that someone had reached her side. Yumi…
"Sayaka-chan… Sayaka!" Sayaka snapped out of it, when she heard a voice next to her.
"A… Yumi-chan. Sorry, I didn't notice you…"
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Sayaka faked her smile and tried to lie.
"No. Why?"
"Because I was like calling for a minute and you didn't respond. It's as if you were out of this world… Something bothering you?" Sayaka sighed and lowered her head.
"Nothing for you to be worried about…" Yumi blinked.
"Huh…"
"Really, it's fine. Don't worry." They walked to the locker room and changed for practice. The coach called the girls to her, when they ended their warming up.
"We will be doing some exercises with the boys! Koyumi…" Sayaka stood there a bit lost and with lowered eyes. The coach blinked.
"Koyumi!" she raised her voice and Sayaka snapped out of it.
"Sorry… Let's go, girls!" she led the way to the other courts. She spotted Tezuka taking a few sips of water after warm up. The coach left the practice program to Tezuka and Sayaka. Inui suggested practicing smashes and they agreed. Everyone were busy with their smash training, as Tezuka and Sayaka stood outside the courts for a while not proceeding to do the same.
"Did Atobe call after you did?" he started.
"Eh, he said she's at his place but said nothing else because she was sleeping…"
"I see… What now?" Sayaka sighed.
"I don't know. I would want to talk to her but I think we should wait before Keigo calls. After all, he's the only one who can really help her now…" Tezuka sighed.
"You're probably right-"
"Besides, we have other things to worry about," Tezuka smirked and nodded.
"You know, it's hard to concentrate when you know that someone close to you isn't feeling well…" he started.
"Then mind to practice with me for once?" Tezuka turned to her and blinked.
"For once?" Sayaka grinned and looked at one of the courts.
"Well, we never really practiced with each other and I need someone to work on some things. Besides, this will help me take my mind off other things. What do you say?" she turned to him again and smiled. Tezuka smiled back.
"I don't mind…" the both of them took their rackets and headed off to a court that was free. The other regulars stopped their practice and observed the captains walking off to a court. Fuji smirked tensaish.
"Hou… This is unusual." They started off with the same smash training to warm up a bit. The others turned back to their own task but soon afterwards turned their attention to them again. They ended the smash training and Tezuka was holding three balls in his hand.
"You sure about this, Koyumi?"
"Eh, I'm sure. I need to work on my speed a bit and this will help you to improve you Tezuka-zone…"
"But doing this with ankle weights-"
"It's fine! Don't worry…" He smirked and served one ball after the other. Sayaka returned all three of them. Tezuka didn't move from his spot as he started off his Tezuka-zone to return the balls. He hit them to different spots and Sayaka still returned them catching up to every ball. The regulars stared in awe. Eiji even dropped his ball. They decided to watch the whole thing and left their courts.
"How fast is she anyway?" asked Momo. Fuji smiled sadistically.
"I think this is only like 30% of her speed… Considering that she's wearing ankle weights." The others dropped their jaws open.
"Is she crazy?" asked Oishi.
"No, that's our buchou. That just proves how serious she is about the final round," said Ayumi with her arms crossed.
"I've never seen her sweat so much before… Compared to that, Tezuka-san must be really relaxed in hitting those balls-" before Kotoko could finish, Fuji cut her off.
"I wouldn't say that. Look…" They turned their look at Tezuka. He was sweating like hell as well.
"Why is he sweating? He hasn't moved from one spot, has he?" Ayumi widened her eyes as she asked.
"Hmm… Yeah, but he must hit every ball with a different spin to it, so that it lands in a different place… So, this puts real stress to your muscles and you have to concentrate even more," this time Inui explained.
"Huh… So they actually train each other," said Fuji turning back to observe this.
"I wonder how long they are going to do this," said Momo staring in awe.
"Hmm… Either, one of them makes a mistake and continues until one ball is left; or until they get tired and stop…" said Fuji.
"Huh…" This went on for 5 minutes or so, when Sayaka missed one ball but they continued with the other two balls. After another 5 minutes she missed another ball and continued their rally with the remaining one. This lasted quite a while when Tezuka smashed the ball and she couldn't reach it in time.
They were sweating like hell, as they wiped their sweat away with their wrist bands. They stood there for a while regaining their breath.
"Koyumi? Up for one more task?" asked Tezuka holding up two balls. She turned to him and smirked.
"Sure," she walked up to the net and so did Tezuka. He explained what to do and she nodded and walked back to her side of the court.
"I wonder what's next…" said Fuji smirking tensaish as usual. Tezuka served one ball and Sayaka served the other at the same time. The ball landed in front of both of them and they hit to the open side of the court. They continued to do this for a while hitting the ball continuously to the open side of the court and at the same moment moving to hit the other ball.
"This doesn't seem that hard," said Eiji.
"No, this isn't easy. Look closely…" said Inui. Eiji turned to watch them again and noticed that they're moving to hit the ball at the same moment equally. Eiji widened his eyes.
"Noticed? It's not that it's easy to move at the same moment your opponent does but to hit the ball with equal strength, so that the ball lands at the same moment is very hard," said Fuji this time.
"And… why are they doing this?" asked Momo pointing at them.
"Hmm… Maybe to improve their focus on the ball or to get used to each others movements for doubles and improve their timing," Fuji explained with a rather amused look on his face. Momo sweat dropped.
This went on for a while, when Tezuka hit the ball with his frame and missed. Sayaka stood up properly wiping her sweat off.
"Sorry about that, Tezuka. I hit it a bit off course-"
"It's fine. Let's end this, Koyumi…" Sayaka agreed and followed him out of the court. The both of them stopped when they noticed that the regulars were watching the whole thing. They twitched.
"Saa, that was interesting, Tezuka…" said Fuji with a tensaish smirk.
"That was cool, Sayaka-buchou!" exclaimed Ayumi. And the both of them twitched. They started at the same time.
"Girls…/ Neglecting your practice, huh? 20 LAPS AROUND THE COURTS! NOW!" Both Sayaka and Tezuka snapped and ordered them laps. They shrugged and started running. Tezuka and Sayaka got out of the court and sighed. After this they watched the rest running.
They finished their laps and went up to where the both captains where and took a rest. Sayaka's phone rang and she went a bit further to answer the call.
"Keigo?"
"Sayaka, hi."
"Keigo… How is she?" he sighed.
"Stupid question… What do you think?" she sighed and knew that it was pointless to ask.
"I understand. How about you?"
"The same as her. I tried to persuade her in getting out of bed but she still doesn't want to and wishes to be alone. I'm really out of strength here…"
"You need help, huh?" she said it with slight sarcasm.
"She is your best friend, Sayaka. You should care as well, you know."
"I do."
"Come over tomorrow. I think she would want to talk to you…" she got a bit lost for a while of what to answer. "If I go to her, what should I say? Maybe, I should finally tell her, that I knew…"
"I'll be there. I do have some things to explain to her… I hope she won't hate me after this."
"I'll be expecting you," he sighed.
"Eh…"
"And bring Tezuka with you, if that's not a problem. Bye!" Sayaka didn't get his last request
"Huh?" he hung up. "Why Tezuka? Whatever…" she sighed and went up to Tezuka, who was discussing something with the others. She pulled him away from them by his wrist. Tezuka got a bit surprised by her action and blinked for a second. The other regulars were rather shocked at this.
"What is it, Koyumi?" she sighed.
"Keigo just called and told me to come…"
"Huh… And why are you telling me this? You should just go then-" she cut him off.
"He wants me to drag you along for some reason."
"Why?"
"How should I know? He just said so himself. You do want to see Yu-chan, don't you? You should just come along…"
"Okay… I'll go with you. I hope she's doing fine…" he turned back to the regulars. Sayaka smiled at that but then lowered her head.
"I should think of how to explain things to her…"
Let's see how Yuki is doing…
It was the next day and she was still not moving out of bed. It seemed to her as though the whole world just stopped in front of her eyes. She stared into emptiness. Atobe didn't walk in to check on her and she thought that he might be sleeping. What comes to her, she couldn't sleep. More precisely, she was afraid to fall asleep…
"He must have it good to sleep peacefully now…" was what she thought. She was wrong; Atobe didn't even close his eyes; not even for a few hours. He stayed up all night and was afraid to let her out of his sight. He was passing her door, when he stopped and raised his hand to knock but then stopped and walked downstairs.
"She would rather be alone right now. I don't want to be a bother…" As he came down, he noticed that next to his mother stood another beautiful woman with brown hair, which reached her shoulders. He recognized her; it was Yuki's mother.
He came down and greeted her. He didn't get a response, instead a gentle smile followed by her putting her hand on his cheek and kissing his forehead. Atobe froze for a second and widened his eyes.
"Thank you…" was what she said and went upstairs with his mother. He stood there in shock for a while but then followed them. He saw her mother entering the room. Atobe decided to wait right there… leaning against the wall next to the door.
Yuki heard some footsteps towards her direction and thought that it was Atobe again. When she turned her head a bit, she noticed that it wasn't him. Instead, she recognized the tall figure with long brown hair and a worried look on its face.
"Mother…" she whispered. Her mother walked up to the bed and sat down on its side. She slowly put her hand on her forehead.
"How long are you going to keep this drama going, Yuki?" Yuki widened her eyes. She thought that she might say a few words to comfort her but instead, she didn't even ask for her well being. Yuki turned away.
"As long as I want to… And I thought you would care. You don't know what I'm going through-" she felt something heavy on her chest. Her mother hugged her.
"I care. I'm your mother. That is why I'm asking… How long are you intending to cry over him? The whole world doesn't revolve just around you. There are other people who care for you and want to see you… That's why you should pull yourself together and forget about him." Her mother pulled away and sat up again.
"It doesn't matter, if he's not around…"
"So you're saying that other people who you cared so much about don't matter anymore? Even if they care about you more than themselves?" Yuki widened her eyes and got the picture what she meant.
"Keigo…" her mother smirked.
"Yes, Keigo." Yuki turned away from her.
"He didn't even check on me today. How can I trust him? How can I trust anyone now?" her mother put her hand on her cheek.
"He didn't even sleep because he was worried. He didn't even eat since you were here because he cared. He gives off a depressed look because you won't smile. He loves you dearly…" Yuki turned to her with a surprised look and stared at her. "Not eating? Not sleeping? And this because of me?"
"He even refused to go to practice to stay here… If that's not love then what else? People care for you, Yuki. There are other things in this world that you yet have not experienced. Consider his feelings. No one is telling you to discard your feelings for Kai right now. You should do it slowly, step by step. It will be hard but you will see that it's even better that way…" she finished and stood up starting to leave. She stopped halfway and turned to her.
"You're really lucky to find love twice…" she left the room. Yuki was lying there a bit shocked of what she heard.
"Keigo…" she had a flashback of the previous day when he hugged her.
"Even if you run away, I will still follow you to any place that you might go to… The only thing that can separate me from you is death alone. These aren't just words… It's how I really feel. I mean it. Please, trust me…" she turned her head to the window.
"He really meant it… I trust you, Keigo. Just a little time… I need a bit more time to think about this."
At the same moment Tezuka and Sayaka were already there. They waited for Atobe to come and meet them. Tezuka sweat dropped at the size of the house but didn't show it. Sayaka on the other hand was waiting patiently because she was afraid of…
"SAYAKA-CHAN!" –"that"… As she heard the scream she hid behind Tezuka twitching. Tezuka widened his eyes and looked back at her not getting her reaction.
"What are you doing?"
"You'll see soon enough…" as he turned his look back to the entrance, he noticed a beautiful woman rushing outside with a wide grin on her face. He sweat dropped and stepped aside, so that she gave Sayaka a killer hug.
"Sayaka-chan! I haven't seen you for so long! How have you been?" Sayaka was choking and reaching her hands for Tezuka to help but he didn't dare to do anything. He didn't want to become a victim of that.
"Yumiko-san… A-Air…" she finally let her go. Sayaka got her breath back.
"Jeez… You haven't changed…" Atobe's mother apologized as she noticed Tezuka standing aside and grinned at him suspiciously.
"And who is this handsome man here?" she came closer to his face and grinned again.
"Tezuka Kunimitsu, he's Yuki's cousin… Tezuka, this is Atobe Yumiko, Keigo's mother…" Tezuka sweat dropped and greeted her. "She reminds me of someone…"
"I guess you want to see Yuki-chan. Follow me!" she started walking and they followed.
"Where's Keigo?"
"He's upstairs…" They reached the second floor and Sayaka noticed that he was talking to someone. Yuki's mother. Tezuka widened his eyes and didn't expect to see her here. Sayaka got a bit nervous for a second because she knew that she had to say something. Yuki's mother turned towards them and walked up to them.
"Sayaka-chan, Kunimitsu, so, you both came…" Tezuka greeted her and Sayaka was still hesitating.
"Rima-san…" Yuki's mother smiled lightly.
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry… It's my fault that she's-" Sayaka started but was cut off by her.
"I'm not the one who should be hearing this. Instead, you should tell her and not me…" Sayaka raised her head and looked confused. Her mother put her hand on Sayaka's shoulder.
"Don't take all the blame on yourself. Life is just not fair sometimes… I'm glad to see you again and hope it stays this way. Bye!" she left off. Atobe was observing the scene still leaning on the wall. Sayaka walked up to him.
"Sorry I didn't meet you downstairs-" Sayaka put her hand on his cheek and made him look at her.
"How long have you been like this, Keigo?" he widened his eyes for a split second but then gave the same expression as previously.
"Since that very day…" Tezuka widened his eyes at his reply. He couldn't believe that THE Atobe Keigo is like this. Sayaka hugged him.
"You shouldn't be like this. He'll pay for this… I can't stand seeing my two closest friends like this. He got what he wanted…" she pulled away and smiled at him. She then turned to Tezuka signaling him to go inside. As he was passing Atobe, he stopped him by his wrist.
"I will need to talk to you after this…"
"Ah…" He walked in and saw Yuki in her bed. Sayaka walked up to her and sat on the side of the bed. Yuki widened her eyes.
"Sa-chan?"
"Yu-chan-" before she said anything Yuki wrapped her arms around her.
"I wanted to see you-" the one who started crying was not Yuki but Sayaka. Yuki didn't get what's happening and pulled away.
"Sa-chan?" Sayaka cried and lowered her head.
"I'm sorry… It's my fault. I'm so sorry…" Yuki didn't get what she's saying. Tezuka took the chance and approached her.
"Kunimitsu?"
"Koyumi, calm down… Just tell her."
"Tell me what? Sa-chan?" Sayaka calmed down and raised her head.
"Yu-chan, the truth is… I knew that he might do something like this to you because his real target was me. He wanted to hurt me by hurting you… I knew that this day may come." Yuki stared at her in shock and lowered her head.
"You knew? Why did you let me date him then? Why didn't you prevent this?"
"How could I? You were in love with him. You wouldn't listen to me even if I told you the whole truth." Yuki sat silent for a while thinking.
"That's true. I wouldn't listen. This would have still happened… I should be angry. But I'm already tired of it. I'm tired of giving other people the blame. I should take things into my hands for once…" Sayaka didn't get anything from her and was about to get up and leave but was stopped by Yuki's hand.
"Don't go… It's not your fault. This would have still happened… If I become angry at you it won't change anything." Sayaka smiled at her.
"Yu-chan-"
"Why? Why did he do this? Does he enjoy seeing people hurt to get to his real target? This is just cruel…"
"I'm sorry. It's something I don't want you to know now… It's not that I don't trust you-"
"I know…"
"Yuki, are you feeling better?" Tezuka decided to change the subject for once.
"A bit though… I'm sorry that I made you worried. I'm really glad to see you…" Tezuka and Sayaka blinked at each other. Yuki noticed that and threw a questioning look.
"What?"
"You must be feeling a lot better…" Tezuka started.
"Why?"
"You seem much more talkative than we had expected. Keigo, said that you refused to talk…" Yuki dug her face into her knees but left her eyes out.
"Keigo… I guess I'm tired of closing myself from the world. When my mother came she told me that he's in the same state as me and refuses to leave my side… I'm just so stupid to think that everyone will just come and pity me. I'm so pathetic. I didn't even consider other people who cared around me…" Tezuka and Sayaka smiled to themselves.
"Have you made a decision?" asked Tezuka.
"Not yet… I'm still at a loss of what to do. More precisely, I know what I should do. Since, Kai is such a person, then I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore… I want to forget. I guess I'm starting to forget bit by bit. But I don't know how I should continue this…" Sayaka smiled at her and put her hand on her best friends' cheek.
"You have Keigo, you know. You're so fortunate to have found love twice… Consider his feelings." Yuki widened her eyes at the sentence. "The same… She just said the same…"
"I need a little more time alone to think about this…" both Tezuka and Sayaka got the message and left the room. Atobe turned his look at them. Sayaka walked up to him and smiled.
"Give her a bit more time. She's coming around, don't worry…" a light smile escaped his lips as she said that. Tezuka approached him.
"What was it you wanted to talk about?" Atobe turned to him.
"Actually, I wanted to ask a favor from both of you…"
"A favor?"
"This concerns my team…" Tezuka and Sayaka looked at each other a bit confused.
"Go ahead…"
"Since I'm here, could you take up this day to practice with my team? I know it's a bit much to ask-"
"No, it's okay," said Tezuka sternly. Atobe widened his eyes.
"Tezuka-"
"Since you agreed once to my request of training my team when I was gone, I will agree to this and help. Besides, you've already done quite a lot…" Tezuka looked at the door, where Yuki was. Sayaka smirked lightly at him.
"Thanks, you two…" with that Tezuka and Sayaka left to proceed with their practice and helping him out for once. Atobe saw them off and looked up at the sky.
"Yuki… the weather today is just the way you love it…"
At the same moment Yuki was lying in bed and thinking things over.
"Sa-chan knew… But that won't bring things back if I blame her. I should think about other people as well… Keigo. He really cares. Maybe I should really consider his feelings and try to forget about him. He did say so himself that he'd do anything. If I'd ask him to help, he would… I'm really getting tired of acting like this. I need to get myself together. They did say that I'm fortunate to find love twice… I might as well try and fall for Keigo. Try… I will try. Try to begin a new life without "him"…"
After a while she finally got up and noticed some clothes next to her bed and changed into those sitting up.
"I do have a tournament tomorrow… And it's against "them". I hope I can do this…"
Atobe decided to check on Yuki. He thought that it would be hopeless but still wanted to see her. He opened the door and the first thing he saw was her sitting on the side of the bed dressed into a skirt and a shirt that was a slightly hanging on her. Atobe widened his eyes as he approached her.
"Yuki…" Yuki raised her head and looked up at him.
"Could you… take me outside, please?" she reached out her hand for his. Atobe was at a loss for a second but then took her hand and she pulled him outside.
They walked around the territory. She was still holding his hand. They walked a bit further from the house. He didn't know what to say but as he decided to say something, she let his hand go and took a few steps further ahead and stopped. Yuki stretched herself.
"The weather feels so nice today…" she exclaimed as she let her hands fall. Atobe widened his eyes and got a feeling… It was just a feeling that it might be so. He still trusted what he felt and took her wrist so that she would turn around. As she faced him, the first thing that escaped his eyes was a smile. The smile that he longed to see for the past few days. Still, it was weak but it was there and he was the first one to see it.
"What?"
"Nothing… It's just… You don't have to push yourself to smile-" Yuki lowered her head.
"I'm not pushing myself. I'm doing it because I'm tired of being depressed all the time. I want to smile again, even if it is a fake one, I still want to… Just the way you did… at that time…" Atobe widened his eyes but then smiled lightly and hugged her.
"I only did that because I didn't want you to be sad…" Yuki hugged him in return.
"I know. But still you tried…"
"I thought I'd never see you like this again."
"I thought so myself… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that I got angry at you so many times and thank you… for not leaving."
"It's okay, Yuki."
"Can I ask a favor from you?" she pulled him away.
"A favor?"
"I've decided to forget everything that has to do with him and I'm not sure if I can do it alone. That's why: could you help me with that?" Atobe smiled at her and put his hand on her cheek.
"Sure. Anything that will keep you smiling…" she put her hand on his.
"Thank you."
They walked a bit further but then stopped.
"You know, I'm kind of hungry. Let's go back," said Yuki turning to him. Her stomach growled. She sweat dropped and Atobe laughed a bit to that.
"You're stomach says it all…" she twitched.
"You're one to talk… You haven't eaten for as long as I haven't." Atobe widened his eyes and smiled.
"Okay, let's go back-" Yuki cut him off.
"I'll race you to the house!" she stood next to him. Atobe was surprised that she had so much energy.
"Are you serious? Where do you have the strength to-"
"Ready… Go!" And she dashed off before he could finish.
"Hey! Wait!" he started running as well.
"The loser will have to do something daring!" she exclaimed and Atobe just sweat dropped and didn't want to lose. "Jeez… At least she's a bit more cheerful…" They reached the house and both were leaning on the door. They both were catching their breath.
"Damn, you're fast," said Yuki.
"That's my line. I didn't know you could run so fast… Besides, on an empty stomach? How is that even possible?" Yuki grinned.
"When there is food at the end, I'll be willing to run even for an hour…" Atobe sweat dropped and laughed a bit.
"What would you dare me to do then?" she started (she lost the race).
"Ah, that. I was thinking a bit about it but then thought it would be difficult for you to do…" Yuki blinked.
"Huh? That's what a dare is all about. Now tell me."
"If you insist… I dare you to hit that guy for what he did the next time you see him." Yuki widened her eyes and lowered her head for a second. Atobe sighed.
"See? I'll think of something-"
"No. I'll take it. You don't have to think of anything else…" Atobe widened his eyes and smirked.
"Jeez… you never stop surprising me-" Yuki lost balance and fell on him. He caught her.
"Yuki, what's-" she moaned.
"I can't stand anymore. I'm hungry to death…" Atobe sighed and afterwards laughed a bit. He took her bridal style and walked inside.
"Where the hell do YOU get the strength to even carry me?" he grinned at her.
"You…"
"Huh?"
"From you, Yuki. You…" They finally got something to eat. They got to the living room. Yuki was sitting on one couch and switching through some TV programs and Atobe sat on the other and reading something.
"Ne, Keigo?"
"Hm?"
"What about your practice? You did skip a few days…"
"I got it all handled for me."
"Huh?" She looked confused at him.
"I let my team practice with Tezuka's and Sayaka will help him as well, so don't worry." Yuki sweat dropped.
"That was a bad idea…" he raised his head and blinked.
"Why?"
"You'll see later…" She was still switching through programs and pictured the terror that Sayaka could put for the poor Hyotei regulars. Her gut instinct was really right… in a way…
After a while Atobe's mother dashed into the room the minute she saw Yuki in the living room.
"YUKI-CHAN! How are you? I missed you so much!" she gave her the killer hug but a bit not that tight as usual.
"I'm fine, Yumiko-san. I missed you, too…" She let go of her the minute she sensed her son giving off a death glare towards her.
"I'll leave you two to your doings-"
"Ano?" Yuki stopped her.
"Hm?"
"Can I stay here for one more day?" his mother laughed to that and smiled in return.
"You shouldn't ask about that and just stay for as long as you want, Yuki-chan. Bye!" Yuki turned off the TV and yawned. Atobe noticed her state and sat next to her. The minute she turned her head towards him he flicked her on the forehead.
"Ouch! What's that for?"
"Go take a rest. You need some sleep, Yuki."
"Says the person who is as sleepy as me…" she pointed at his bags under his eyes. He took both her hands.
"Yuki, you need some rest-" she sighed.
"I thought of doing some exercises before the tournament though…" Atobe widened his eyes.
"You will participate?"
"Well, yeah and I need to prepare myself a bit." Atobe sighed and hugged her.
"The more reason for you to rest." Yuki started becoming childish and fought against his hug.
"No! No! No! I'm going to do some exercises!" Atobe sighed again and twitched at that. He took her bridal style again and carried her upstairs.
"Atobe Keigo, let go of me, right now!" he didn't listen and dropped her on the bed. He then pointed at her.
"I will not listen to any of your childish requests. Now sleep," he was about to walk off, when he was pulled by his wrist. She pulled him quite strong that he leaned on the bed. She took his collar of the shirt and pulled him closer, so that he faced her.
"I won't sleep until you do," Atobe blinked.
"Huh?"
"You're tired as well. You didn't sleep at all because you were worried about me. I refuse to take a rest until you do as well…" he widened his eyes and stood up properly.
"She told you, huh?" Yuki nodded and took his hand again.
"Just rest… for my sake, please. I don't mind if you sleep next to me…" he stared at her but then gave in and lied down next to her. They lay on their own pillows looking at each other and talking a bit. Atobe couldn't believe that she was so close to him and didn't mind. He was overwhelmed by this feeling and pulled her closer into a hug.
"I'm sorry but I can't help it-"
"I don't mind. This is my sorry for the times that I sent you away and you couldn't be by my side; and thank you for caring…" he was surprised for a second but then smiled and ran his hand through her hair.
"I love you…"
"I'm sorry. I might not answer you so soon-"
"Don't be… I know it won't be soon enough but at least I will know that you'll consider it." Yuki looked a bit depressed for a second for him not to notice. But then closed her eyes and didn't want to think about anything. She just wanted to feel safe in these arms and finally sleep peacefully. They both slept through the whole afternoon and night.
Atobe was first to wake up. It was early morning and he didn't move for a while. He observed the figure lying next to him and ran his hand a few times through her bangs. He then slowly got up not waking her up. He walked out quietly.
After an hour or so Yuki woke up and walked out of the room. When she opened the door Atobe was standing in front of it and a bit surprised that she opened it so suddenly.
"Good morning, Yuki," he gave a wide smile to her.
"Morning. What time is it? I need to get ready-"
"You have more than enough time. It starts after lunch, right? You should have something to eat-" he was about to head off but she stopped him by taking his wrist.
"Will you come to the match? I know you skipped so many days of practice already. It's okay if you can't-" he smirked to that and put his hand on her cheek.
"I believe I can skip one more day for this. If you want me to come, I will…" Yuki smiled and went into the room again to freshen up. Before she did, Atobe said something that made her even happier.
"Sayaka and Tezuka are coming as well. I already called her, if you wanted to ask her." She sent him a "thank you" smile and went to her doings.
They reached the tournament place. Tezuka and Sayaka were waiting for them at the gate.
"Yu-chan!" Sayaka went to her best friend and hugged her tightly.
"Sa-chan… Glad you came! Kunimitsu, hi!" Tezuka gave her a smile.
"You sure you can handle this, Yu-chan? You don't have to push yourself-"
"I'm fine, Sa-chan! Don't worry. Since I have, you guys, around, I'll be fine." Atobe was standing next to her and grinned at that. Yuki also smiled but that smile withered, when she heard a very familiar voice. The same voice that she once loved. Only this time it sent her a terrified look.
"Hou… And I thought you were completely crushed, Yuki-chan. I guess I should have waited a bit longer before completely destroying your world." As she heard the same voice, she was afraid to turn around but still did. She had to face him. She would have to face him eventually… Kai.
"Why now? The same… He has the same expression as then." Atobe also turned to that guy. The one who dared to hurt the most precious person in this world to him. He looked at him with anger, frustration and the intention to kill him, if he says another word.
Sayaka and Tezuka were surprised by his sudden appearance. Tezuka was pissed but didn't show it. On the other hand, Sayaka was already ready to strangle him. No motion was seen from any of them for a while, when Kai smirked and continued to provoke things further.
"How did you like my act, Yuki-chan? I must admit it was rather fun having two girlfriends at the same time-" Atobe gritted his teeth, as he was already at the edge of snapping. Sayaka was already boiling in rage.
"That bastard! He dared- I'll kill him!" Kai smirked again and Sayaka snapped going his direction and raising her hand to hit him.
"Shut up!" she was about to hit him when she was stopped by Tezuka.
"Calm down, Koyumi…" Sayaka tried to free her hand but he still didn't let go.
"Let go! How can you stay calm after-" Sayaka blinked as she noticed the person in front of her being pushed against the wall with quite a sound. Kai's head hit the wall. Atobe was holding him by his collar looking furious.
"Don't go near her ever again." He said not raising his voice but with fury. Kai smirked.
"She still has feelings for me, you know. She will never be yours until she fully discards her feelings…" Atobe gritted his teeth and pushed him even more against the wall. Yuki widened her eyes and didn't know what to do. She did have feelings for him but at the same time she wanted him gone. She approached Atobe and pushed him away from Kai. Atobe widened his eyes as he noticed that she was confused.
"Stop it, Keigo. Don't hurt him…" Atobe looked at her. "Yuki…" Kai smirked again and put an arrogant look on his face.
"See? She will always have feelings for me no matter how many times I hurt her-" Atobe again gave him an angry look. Sayaka was about to break free and kick his ass but before she could, Yuki walked towards his direction and punched him with all her strength into his face. This was so strong that he actually hit his back against the wall.
Atobe, Sayaka and Tezuka stood there in awe, as they watched the now breathing hard Yuki. She stood up properly and started screaming at him.
"You bastard! This is for what you did! I actually loved you and yet you played with me! Even after this you dare to insult me! I'm not that weak to just cry over such a bastard like you! Now that I know who you are, I don't want to have anything to do with you! Don't you ever show your face to me again!" she yelled out the final sentence and ran to another direction.
Atobe stood there in awe for a second but then followed her because he noticed that her eyes were already dwelling in tears. Kai just stood up and walked away pissed. Sayaka and Tezuka were in awe.
"That was quite a punch…" she started.
"Ah…"
Yuki walked rather fast but wasn't crying, yet on the verge of it. Atobe sped up and hugged her from behind. This made her stop.
"Yuki, you don't have to hold back. Just cry…" as he said that, she started crying. She put her hands on his arms and cried everything out that she had inside. Pain, anger and sadness. She calmed down afterwards and sobbed a few times.
"Better?" he asked again not letting go.
"Eh… This is the last time. I won't cry over him anymore. With that it's over…" He hugged her even tighter. Yuki felt a lot more calmed when he was around. If he wouldn't have been there, she couldn't have found the strength to face him.
"He's so warm… The same feeling again. The feeling of being safe in his arms. Now that I don't have anything else binding me, I can consider his feelings. I guess that they were right… I'm really so fortunate to have found love twice. Only, will I be able to give the love in return?"
They stood there a bit in silence, when Atobe broke it.
"By "that" you meant the punch that you landed on him? I didn't expect you to really hit him…" Yuki widened her eyes and turned to face him.
"Why? You dared me to hit him the next time I'd see him, so I did." Atobe widened his eyes and then smirked, while wiping her tears away.
"So this was only because of the dare?" Yuki lowered her head.
"Not really. I really felt like finally letting my anger out… I did it because I wanted to discard my feelings."
"I would have expected a girl to slap a guy… But that was quite a punch you landed there, Yuki," he laughed at the last sentence. Yuki did the same as she remembered how he flew all the way against the wall.
"That's true. You should be careful and not try to kiss me or anything or I'll do the same thing to you…" she warned him. Atobe grinned at her and moved closer to her face.
"There will be no need for you until you let me yourself-" She twitched.
"Keigo…" he hugged her again and smirked.
"Really, I won't until you let me. I don't want you to feel rushed. Just take as much time as you want… I'll wait. No matter how long…" Yuki let him hug her but he then pulled away because she reminded him that she has a match to attend to.
"You sure, you can do this?"
"I'm sure. If you're there, I'll be fine," before she headed off, he softly ran his hand down her cheek.
"I'll be watching. Good luck, Yuki."
She smiled lightly and ran off to change for her match. Little did she know that this won't be an all that regular match. Sure, she was strong but how will the past few days reflect on her game? She thought that it would be easy for her because she faced "them"… Kurōdo High.
Next chapter
Yuki finally faces her opponent in the last round of the tournament. What happens during Yuki's match against her previous school? She can't believe who she sees on the other side and gets crushed again. She tries to fight it and fake her expression but Atobe sees through it. What happens in Seigaku as they prepare for their own match? Hmm… Read and find out!
Authors note
Wahhh! This was so long! Sorry! I wanted to make this in one chapter… Anyway, I've decided during this chapter that the next one will be a double story again and the next one will be… Seigaku!!! Yay! Hope this was interesting. Don't worry. Yuki will slowly consider Atobe but this will be a long road before she finally realizes who she actually loved all this time. I made that bastard suffer! Muahahaha! –takes a can and kicks in his face- Yes! Thanks, for the idea though, my dear readers. I appreciate it! Review! I want to know your reactions on this! See ya!
