Holidays in a month! I'm starting a countdown!

To my reviewers, followers and favoriters:

Surugasasa: Awwww, now I feel bad for Kenya as well!

Snowpoppy: Hehe thank you! I do see Speed of Love growing up everyday. Its actually really cute :D


Speed of Love

Chapter 53: A Thousand Pieces

A groundbreaking roar was heard from the crowd as the bright green tennis ball fuzzed its way past the net before bouncing off the symmetrical court. Surprised by the unexpected flash of speed- the opposing member stared with startled eyes.

"Game and Match, Oshitari- Six games to four!"

The stadium released another round of cheers while the sidelines applauded with pride, "Now that's our speed star!" Yuuji was heard yelling above the excited fans.

Glancing over to where the team stood, I managed a grin as my eyes scanned across the viewing platform. There was the bible of tennis who looked overly pleased on his bench seat, Koharu and Yuuji pronounced on the genius brat and endlessly teased the younger boys hair while Gin and Chitose held back a hyper super rookie. All was present- expect for the smiling face of Hikari.

"Oi, Oshitari."

Snapping my attention back on court, I darted my head to where the call of my name was heard. Realizing that the opponent was waiting to shake hands, I hurried forward before gladly taking up a rather rough and blistered right hand.

"Nice game," he declared, giving his navy blue hair a wild flip, "Your speed certainly impresses me."

I forced a smile, "You're not too bad yourself," I pronounced as our hands parted, "We should have another match sometime."

With a chuckling agreement, the figure glanced towards the remaining members of Shitenhoji before we both turned around and headed back to our respective teams. Instantly greeted by a pat on the back and an arm snaking around my shoulder, I was surprisingly choked by Koharu affection.

"Kenya-kun, you're so cool!" he squealed in a girlish voice

"Koharu! Are you cheating on me?" Yuuji's protests were heard as he rushed forward and tugged his partner off me, "This is adultery!"

Watching as the two began a dramatic romance scene that nearly made Zaizen empty his stomach contents, I sweat dropped as Shiraishi twirled around to see what his noisy teammates were up too. A glare of 'you better behave yourself' was emitted from the bible of tennis before his eyes stopped on me and his face calmed into a smile,

"Wonderful match today Kenya," he complimented, "Well played."

I sheepishly laughed and scratched the back of my head, "I-It's nothing," I retorted

Shiraishi grinned, "Hikari-san would also be pleased," he added, "I'm sure she'll congratulate you tomorrow."

"Hikari?" I jotted at the name, "Where did she go?"

For a quick second, the biblical figure looked uneasy, "She left after your fourth game, Kenya," Shiraishi insisted, "She said she wasn't feeling well."

Blinking at the news, I felt my brows weaver with uncertainty, "She's wasn't feeling well?" I echoed, staring at the person sitting in front of me, "You could've said something sooner!"

"But I thought you already knew that she was sick today," Shiraishi flashed a confused look, "Hikari-san did say that there was no need to remind you."

As the bible trailed on, I soon found myself tuning out and allowing Shiraishi's words to flow through one ear and out the other. Simply staring with shocked eyes, I stood dumbfounded with a scattering heart.

~Speed of Love~

It was early in the afternoon when Shiraishi took down the closing match and Shitenhoji was given a glorious win. Presented with the ticket to the Kansai Finals, the team celebrated by bringing stack-loads of food (i.e. Takoyaki) to Kagami's hospital. And despite the fussy nurses and scowling doctors- the team nonetheless feasted in a crowded, yet homey feeling room.

"I won four games in a row today!" Kintaro was heard boasting to Kagami as he picked up his sixth serving of Takoyaki.

A gentle laugh was heard, "I'm glad," Kagami replied, taking a slip of her tea, "Kuranosuke, you should be proud too."

The bible of tennis who was perched up next to his lover- merely pulled a grin as he leaned up and stole a kiss from Kagami's sweet lips. Sighing at such an action, I grumbled and slumped back against the couch.

"That sounded pretty painful," Chitose snickered from the armrest, "Everything alright in that Oshitari brain of yours?"

Shooting the Shitenhoji Giraffe a glare, I snorted and folded my arms, "I'm fine," I declared, "Just a headache."

Yuuji and Koharu soon joined into the conversation, "Are you sure you're not just lovesick, Kenya?" Koharu sang while making kissy faces with his partner.

I shivered, "Why would I be lovesick?" I argued

"Oh come on Kenya," Yuuji grinned, "Don't be so stubborn and mundane, you'll turn into the next Zaizen."

An irritated scowl was heard across the room.

"See?"

Rolling my eyes and glancing away from the two idiots, I reached for a serve of Takoyaki. Shoving a saucy snack into my mouth, I chewed rather slowly in order to occupy my mouth to do something other than talk.

"What a cutie! Kenya- I'm in love with you!"

"Oi Koharu! Are you cheating on me again?" Yuuji's voice fell into distraught, "This is the second time today!"

~Speed of Love~

After the last serving of Takoyaki was finished and the sun was starting to set, Kagami's room was somewhat relatively quiet as the semifinals celebration ended and everyone respectively parted their ways. Leaving only Shiraishi and I behind to accompany Kagami, the bible of tennis voluntarily went out to purchase drinks and promised to return in less than ten minutes.

"Kuranosuke is always in such a rush these days," Kagami mumbled as she slowly slid on a thin cardigan.

I chuckled from the bedside chair, "His been worried about you lately," I insisted with a slight curl of my lips, "So let him be a perfect husband for once."

Kagami erupted a small giggle that shook her body, "When is he not perfect?" she threw out a rhetorical question that made the both of us laugh.

"It's good to be back again," Kagami uttered after the string of laughter died down, "I've missed what life feels like."

Watching curiously as Kagami stuck out a needle-stabbed arm before bending down from her bed in attempt to reach for a long plastic tube, I couldn't help but to notice how weak her body was.

"Here," I offered, reaching forward and picking up the tube that Kagami was aiming for.

There was smile of gratitude, "Thank you, Kenya," Kagami uttered before taking the plastic pipe from my hand.

Carefully sliding the transparent tube around her shoulders before pulling it up behind her neck and ears, Kagami successfully inserted two nubs into her nose. Leaning back against the supporting bed, Kagami closed her eyes before sighing with relief.

"The cannula helps me breathe," Kagami informed after a moment of silence.

I nodded, "Seems like you need it."

Titling her head to the side, Kagami studied me for a quiet second before speaking, "So how's Hikari-san?" she asked, "Are you guys all lovey dovey now?"

"Lovey dovey as in you and Shiraishi's overly gross kissing moments?" I corrected, "Then no, not yet."

Kagami mouthed a laugh, "Then I am guessing you two go on dates?" she presumed

I shook my head, "No," I replied before adding, "I'm not that close to Hikari."

"What do you mean?" A sense of panic suddenly appeared in Kagami's voice, "You really like Hikari-san don't you?"

Lowering my eyes, I folded my arms, "I may love Hikari, but our relationship-" I paused, "Our relationship isn't like the type that you and Shiraishi share."

Kagami stared.

"In fact-" I staggered on a breath, "I think that Hikari is avoiding me."

The broken voice of a usually strong and confident tennis player bounced off the hospital walls as a deathly atmosphere hung from the ceiling. Kagami was lost for words- her mouth pressed closed as she watched her 'brother in law' shatter and fall into a thousand pieces. A thousand freaking pieces.

-To Be Continued…-

~Speed of Loves~

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