Break 33: Intertwined Fate

Horoscopes, numerology, red strings of fate are all simply stories…but all with some truth to them.

Awkward silence was all there was, contrary to yesterday's eventful escapades. The teens all glanced around at one another, unsure of what to say. For Kaed, the mystery of the 'incident' involving Midorima that Etsu had denied sharing was pricking at her mind. Azalea seemed preoccupied with deeply studying both Midorima and Takao, to some rather close measures. This could easily be the answer as to why the two of them seemed so stiff and uncomfortable.

Though considering the sneaky and almost scared glances the two were exchanging, there must have been something more to it.

"Erm, Midorima I know Etsu dropped by a while ago," Kaed began casually; observing him with tactful deliberation; "she didn't bother you too much did she?"

The green-haired shooter only fervently shook his head and tried to regain composure. "No, she didn't things did get quite a bit…chaotic, but nothing much else really happened," he said, but his words seemed the slightest bit forced.

"You sure about that?" the teen girl attempted to clarify, "Etsu was in a rather…odd mood when she got back."

Takao was the one to answer this time, swooping in to save his teammate. "Haha, well we had a lot of excitement that day. Your friend is pretty cool! She even managed to get tsundere Midorima to participate in the action."

"Is that so? Very well then, I'll er, drop the subject," Kaed said, nodding to the two Shutoku players.

"Ne, ne, Kaed," Azalea prodded insistently switching her attention to her student for the time being, "why don't you ask the carrot here about what you're really here for?"

"Carrot?!" Midorima choked indignantly obviously miffed by his new nickname. Unfortunately for him, it seemed his friend had betrayed him on the matter as Takao was having trouble keeping his laughter quiet.

"Did Akashi-san happen to mention anything…off to you at the end of middle school?" Kaed questioned bluntly, best not to be vague about this after all.

Recomposing himself, Midorima adjusted his glasses while looking down at her in mild interest, "Is there any specific reason why you're suddenly so interested in this subject? No, wait, I know. You somehow managed to tick off Akashi so now you're trying to scrape by, something that has to do with our past no doubt."

"Sharp as always Midorima, but yeah, that's the gist of it."

"Oha-Asa never lies," the sharpshooter declared in self-assuredness, "it claimed that Cancers would have a visit from their past today."

"Of course it did," Kaed sighed, "but back to my question: did Akashi-san mention anything odd at that time?"

"Rather certain aren't you? What makes you think I know anything-nanodayo."

"You were vice-captain I would only assume that Akashi-san confided things to you that he would not to the rest of the team."

"Precocious as always it seems Tsuji," Midorima relented, "Akashi did in fact have a few…interesting things to say. They didn't make much sense at the time, though with your presence everything is falling into place for me."

Shaking her head, Kaed refrained from making a snide remark. "Care to spread the wisdom?"

"Hmph," he regarded her closely, "I have no reason not to I suppose. I can't quite recall his exact wording, but he did say something about 'bending someone to my will', and a few other cryptic sentences."

"Odd," Azalea chimed in, "but I like it. We're getting somewhere with this now. Any idea on what this could mean Kaed?"

Even Midorima glanced over with minute curiosity at the question. Kaed could only grimace, "For all our sakes I hope it's not what I think it could be. But we still need more information," nodding politely to Midorima, she then spoke directly to him, "Thanks for the help Midorima, I really appreciate it. But I'll be taking my leave now, good luck."

She and Azalea were almost out the door when the horoscope follower called out.

"Tsuji! I expect the whole truth from you when this is over."

Back on the train to Kanagawa, Azalea studied her distracted student. "There's something bothering you. Is it something that has to do with this…situation?"

"Not quite," Kaed replied softly, barely above a whisper, "but now I'm thinking…there actually might be more layers to this than I originally thought. This investigation is bringing up an incident from a few months ago; I doubt they're connected but…"

"You think otherwise, don't you? You sense something is off so, you, being you, are trying to put everything together."

"Right as always Azalea, I think I need to make another visit today. Think you can go on ahead back home?"

Eying her with a critical gaze, Azalea nodded slowly, "If you think it's for the best I won't argue. But try not too overthink it much. That always was a problem of yours."

True to her word, Azalea stayed on the train as Kaed stepped off a stop earlier than her usual route. A few times she had to check her phone to make sure she was heading in the right direction, but otherwise she stayed on track. Coming across a street tennis court, it was easy to spot her friend, rallying against a wall.

The rhythmic thuds of the tennis ball echoed slightly and only once Maiya had caught sight of her did they falter. "Kaed-san? It's a bit odd for you to be here, and I'm assuming it isn't for a friendly visit."

"Unfortunately not," Kaed relented, "I just think I might have an idea as to what happened a few months ago. What can you tell me about your last year of middle school? Anything…off about the end of the year maybe?"

Maiya furrowed her brows together. "I'm not quite sure what you mean by this, but yeah, something did happen. Ue-chan actually mentioned something about an old friend of hers calling, she seemed kind of…disturbed though. She kind of avoided me and Etsu-chan for a few days after that, but since if blew over within a week we brushed it off. Why?"

Tapping her fingers along her arm, Kaed placed it to thought. "You don't happen to know this friend's name, do you?"

The other girl shook her head in a negative, "No, sorry. If you really want to know, you could ask Ue-chan directly but she tends to clam up if you bring subjects like that up."

"I see then, thanks anyway Otani," Kaed sighed, ready to leave.

"Hold on," Maiya said, reaching out a hand to stop her friend, "what does this have to do with anything? I'm both your and Ue-chan's friend, I think I deserve to at least know what's going on in that guarded head of yours."

"Nothing Otani," Kaed spoke dryly, "it's just, I believe Ueno knows an old," she grit her teeth slightly, "acquaintance of mine and Kise's. Someone who we're none too fond of by the way. And someone who's methods are questionable."

Maiya narrowed her eyes, "Really now? And doing all this behind everyone's backs isn't questionable? Why keep this under wraps? If any of them are in any sort of danger they deserve to know!"

Kaed pursed her lips, pondering her next move. Maiya had posed a question she was in no position to answer fully or truthfully at that. On one hand telling her anything would lead to a bad end, on another Maiya would most likely not keep her mouth shut and tell someone else. But if she just didn't answer that would place her in an even worse position. There was only one way to go now.

"It'd be even worse if they knew; I'll come clean once I settle everything. And, they aren't in 'danger' per say…simply in a complex series of connected events. Keeping secrets isn't always a bad thing we all have skeletons in our closet that we'd never want to see again. Take my word for it, delving into things you shouldn't never ends well."

Her wording only seemed to arouse Maiya's suspicions, but served their purpose in confusing her. "Fine…if you promise to explain everything after all this, I'll let it slide for now."

"I promise," Kaed assured her, "though I doubt at the end of this that you'll even need an explanation."

"For all our sakes I hope you know what you're doing," the currently appeased tennis player said, arms crossing defensively over her torso.

Kaed eyed her in derision, "As much as I would like to say I have everything under control, I don't. Keep that in mind for the time being will you," her tone was light, and almost mocking, as cynical humor flickered in her eyes' auburn hue. "I won't waste any more of your time though, so I'll take my leave."

This time Maiya made no moves to stop her, she only watched as her friend's figure grew smaller as she strode out of sight. "Geez, what did I do to deserve such a complicated life…and friends."

Fumiko scrutinized her younger sister as she entered their home. "Is something going on? You have a more melancholy aura than usual." When she received no reply but the sound of footsteps trudging upstairs, she sighed. It was times like these when she wondered if she should inquire or just leave her be.

She heard her sister's words but chose to ignore them, instead opting to think on her own thoughts. Kaed collapsed onto her bed with a heavy sigh. The stress of what she had chosen to do was certainly starting to get to her. Oddly enough, she was proud of the progress she had made, but the evidence pointing to thatperson wasn't at all helping her case.

In an interesting train of thought, she found herself wondering how to keep this from Kise. Without a doubt he'd be the worst to find out what she was up to. It wasn't quite like her usual self to care so much about the blonde's opinions but a strange feeling of protectiveness had managed to work its way into her head.

With numerous thoughts plaguing her mind, eventually it all faded to black. An inky darkness concealed both the best and worst of it, of everything, and of her own being.

A/N: Unfortunately for the time being, my original stories and school will be taking priority. That and a lack of inspiration for this story have placed it on the back burner for now.

Trivia

Fumiko used to run a matchmaking business in high school