Paul Walker, my idol in life- may you rest in peace :(
To my reviewers, followers and favoriters:
Gale .Frost: Yep, Kenya ripped those medical cords out again! I think he has some kind of hatred for those tubes….
Snowpoppy: Kenya is on an adventure with a tube still hanging out! Hikari and Yuushi? I think Hikari will make a good cousin in law huh? ;)
ChocoxxPochii: Awwww, Shiraishi and Kagami are practically husband and wife- those two can truly rub all the lovey dovey stuff against each other. Good luck with your project!
Hala: Hello again! I haven't seen you in ages! But your back again! Yay!
R111792: Thanks for following! Hope you enjoy this story!
Speed of Love
Chapter 36: Oxymoron
(Back to normal POV)
The phone line buzzed for a short few seconds before the voice belonging to the bible of tennis was heard on the other side. Sounding relatively confused and somewhat surprised- Shiraishi stuttered on a word of greeting.
"Ken-"
"When does the first match start?" I questioned in a hurry, dashing past slow pedestrians that dotted about the street
A quiet pause was held, "Kenya, you can't-"
I frowned, "Just tell me the time Shiraishi!" I growled with impatience, "For goodness sakes!"
Sighing, the bible of tennis mumbled something, "Ten minutes," he replied, "Ten minutes before the first doubles match is held."
Adding more pressure onto my feet, I slowly lured myself into a jog, "I'll be there in two," I announced
Snapping the phone shut and stuffing it back into my jacket pocket, I ignored the shots of pain that ran through my body, but instead forced myself to sprint even harder.
~Speed of Love~
(Hikari's POV)
The streets below the hospital were filled with people. Despite the morning weekend, early hours and cool weather- navigating my way through the crowds of people was certainly a task made difficult. Nevertheless, with the constant alarm bells ringing in my head, I had no choice but to focus on finding Kenya-kun.
Weaving my way past trotting citizens, I stopped at an intersection and glanced around. There, I spotted a couple holding hands and laughing with one another, a young boy enjoying a little window shopping and an old lady happily chatting away to a grocery owner- so far, no signs of Kenya-kun.
Yet, just as I was about to take off again, a sudden buzz and twinkle of music was heard from my phone. Staring down, I quickly snatched the buzzing object from my pocket and hoped most sincerely that it was Kenya-kun- but much to my disappointment, it only turned out to be Yuushi-kun. Nonetheless, I flipped the case open and answered his call.
"Akatsuka-san, any luck with Kenya?" the phone line questioned
Sighing, I shook my head, "No, nothing here," I replied, taking another glance around, "How about you?"
A cough was heard, "Same with you," Yuushi-kun ushered, "Although I did get confirmation saying that Kenya had a match today- his probably heading to the courts now."
Suddenly remembering the announcement of the preliminary matches, I felt my brain click after recalling Kenya-kun babbling on and on about the importance of these games.
"I'll call you back later, Yuushi-kun," I mumbled
"Akasu-"
Cutting the phone line dead, I spun around to the opposite direction and immediately allocated my feet into a steady run down the bustling morning street.
~Speed of Love~
(Back to normal POV)
"Kenya, give me one excellent reason on why I shouldn't call the hospital and have you dragged back to bed," Kagami bloomed, her hands crossed over her chest and an unapproved eyebrow risen
I snorted, "Because I'll be kicking and screaming along the way and possibly end up knocking out the whole ambulance," I insisted
Kagami didn't look too happy, "You know you shouldn't be here Kenya," she reminded, "Yet alone play tennis."
Shiraishi who stood next to his lover, merely nodded, "I agree with Kagami," he urged, "You really shouldn't even be here right now."
I shot the bible of tennis a glare, "You're not really helping here, Shiraishi," I muttered
"Kenya, you were in a car accident yesterday," Kagami remarked, "You just got out of an operation so I can guarantee you that your wounds haven't yet healed."
I managed a shrug, "But my body is working perfectly," I argued
The two stared at me like I was speaking some foreign language that no one could understand. Kagami blinked while the infamous bible of tennis flashed a neutral look.
"Look, I'm not going to die halfway through the match," I assured, "Its only doubles one-I can handle that with Zaizen."
Kagami sighed, "Not when you're injured, Kenya," she retorted, "The risk is too high."
I rolled my eyes, "Ever heard of risk-taking then?"
"Not when there's a serious cut on one side of your chest," Shiraishi uttered, a knowing expression plastered across his face
After a short moment of silence, I frowned and stared at the two guarders of hell, "Who was replacing me anyways?" I questioned
The bible of tennis looked up, "A second year," Shiraishi replied, "He's pairing up with Zaizen."
Kagami dipped a brow, "Though the poor boy is terrified of Zaizen," she added "Chitose says he stays a ten meter radius away from Zaizen."
I felt my throat erupt a chuckle, "See? That's why you need me here," I declared, "At least I can control that little genius brat."
Letting out another tired breath, the two lovebirds glanced at one another before Shiraishi finally spoke up, "It does seem that you have some skills to handle Zaizen-"
"So you're letting me play?" I lightened up
Kagami coughed, "Only if you don't kill yourself on court," she warned
I grinned, "I promise I won't," I vowed
Uncrossing her arms, Kagami held up her index finger, "You better keep that promise Kenya," she threatened, "Your captain and I have a date tonight- though I'd hate to spend it outside your operation room. Have I made myself clear?"
I gulped, "Yes ma'am," I muttered as Kagami turned around and headed back to the main courts
"Just watch after yourself," Shiraishi ushered as we trailed after Kagami
Glancing at the bible of tennis, I sighed, "I swear that Kagami is some trained assassin," I mumbled
Shiraishi chuckled, "She can be scary huh?" He insisted, "But that's what makes her so irresistible."
I raised a brow, "I can see why she calls you a pervert now…."
~Speed of Love~
"Kenya?" Chitose greeted me with a blank expression, "What're you doing here?"
Following the confused Chitose, was the yappy Yuuji, "You're alive?" he questioned with awe and widen eyes
I nodded, "Of course," I tugged my lips up, "Oshitaris have a strong will to live."
Silence suddenly spilled across the slot of viewing bleachers. Everyone shot careful glimpses at one another before awkwardly adverting their eyes back onto me. Blinking at the uneasy quietness, I gazed around with suspicion.
"Don't tell me you guys gave up on me." I remarked
Hearing my statement, Chitose looked up and quickly shook his head, "N-no," he replied, "W-we all knew you'd make it."
Raising a brow at the uncertainty in his voice, I snorted, "You're lying," I accused, "You guys thought I won't make it out alive."
"I-" Chitose panicked before turning around and pointing at Kagami, "She started it- Kagami had no faith in you and said you'd die."
I darted my eyes at the figure standing next to Chitose, "Kagami?" I determined, staring at the girl who threw Chitose a light punch in the arm
Swiftly twirling her attention back onto me, Kagami nervously smiled, "Don't get me wrong here Kenya, you're an awesome brother in law and I love you, but-" she shot her head to the side and raised an index finger, "Yuuji was making this death scene in the hospital and it made the atmosphere pretty miserable"
"Oi! Don't blame this on me!" cried Yuuji who raised his palms up for defense, "Koharu was weeping like a little girl."
Koharu, who was planted next to his partner, furiously shook his head, "I pretended," he argued, "But my heart was still beating for you- unlike Kurarin who was already planning a rough draft of your eulogy."
Whipping my head around to glare at Shiraishi, I narrowed my eyes as the infamous bible of tennis slowly peeked up from his folder and sheepishly laughed.
"I was just jotting a few notes down-" he insisted, "Gin was the one who inspired me…."
The muscular player merely grunted, "I was praying, leave me out of this," Gin muttered
As the last person from the accusing team finished their argument, I lifted both of my eyebrows and did a circular motion around the group. Quiet and not peeping a sound, the group all shuffled their feet and lowered their heads.
"You guys are all hope-"
"Oh senpai," Zaizen suddenly appeared behind me, "You're alive, I thought you're dead."
Blinking at the random appearance of the bratty genius, I stared as he nonchalantly stepped into the viewing bleachers and threw his bags down. Kin-chan, who followed behind- did the same but hardly even realized I was standing there.
"I came back from the dead just for you, Zaizen…."
-To Be Continued…-
~Speed of Love~
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