Author's note

Umm… Sorry that the chapters may seem shorter than usual. I just want to revise them a bit and make the best out of the story so far. I'll be updating within two days.

Chapter 50

In a night when her sorrow resounds around

After the Seigaku team regulars were done with their first match, they took a break. They had won against Shishigaku. It wasn't much of a problem for the boys to win, however, the girl were in trouble. They were in a terrible state after they found out about Sayaka's betrayal. Still, somehow they got through it.

Tezuka sat on a bench, a towel covering his head. His match had ended not too long ago. One would think that he was tired, and yes, to some point he was tired. He was hurt. He felt as if his heart would sooner or later burst open or just jump out of his chest. Bitter and cold, was what he felt. Anguish, pain, distrust… Nothing could explain what he felt at that moment.

"Say, Inui. Who are we facing next?" asked Eiji. The others were either sitting or standing around.

"Nagoya Seitoku. We're in a different block than Hyotei this year, so we'll have to face them to get to the semi-finals." he said.

"I heard that Yamabuki were having a match against Kurōdo in their second round." mentioned Kawamura.

"Ah, yes. Whoever wins will face Hyotei to advance to the semi-finals." said Inui adjusting his glasses.

"And who won?" inquired Haruhi.

"Care to take a guess?" asked Inui. There was dead silence because it was hard to tell this time. Inui sighed.

"Kurōdo won and they'll be facing Hyotei tomorrow. They've increased in strength rapidly and I don't think that this is because of Koyumi-san." he said.

All of the regulars turned their eyes on Tezuka the second Sayaka's name was mentioned. The hazel nut haired teen's heart skipped a beat just by hearing her name. They knew he was in a terrible state. After all, she was the girl whom he cared about deeply, whom he had approved, loved…

"What do you mean, Inui?" asked Oishi. Inui searched through his notes.

"You know that their girl's team was originally stronger than the boy's team, right? Now, they're on the same level." he explained.

"Do you mean to say that they did some serious training and got stronger after the Kantou tournament?" asked Kaidoh. Inui pointed at him.

"Bingo." he said.

"Wrong." countered Ayumi. Inui raised an eyebrow.

'Is my data wrong? Impossible.' he thought.

"What do you mean, Ayu-chan?" asked Haruhi. All eyes now were on the blond haired girl.

"I heard Hajime-kun mentioning something else." she started.

"Mizuki?" inquired Fuji.

"What did Hajime say?" asked Yumi. Ayumi sighed, rubbing her chin.

"He said that Kurōdo had recruited some new regulars and that they were all from different other schools, plus National level players." explained Ayumi.

The regulars stared at her in confusion, then they turned to Inui, who was in deep thought. It was possible and it explained the reason why they became this strong in such a short period of time.

Tezuka's eyes widened as he tried to comprehend the reason for Kai's father's actions. He didn't get it. What did Kai's father need Sayaka for, when he had other strong players in his team?

As Tezuka pondered over the current topic, his thoughts wandered someplace else.

"No matter what happens from now on-"

"-I want you to know that-"

The same sentence, the same words drifted in his head, repeating over and over again. With pain in his eyes, he covered his face with his palm.

"-I love you."

'Stop it.'

"-it's not like anything would change."

"-I love you."

'Why? Sayaka.'

"-just trust my last words-"

"-it's not like … would change."

"I love you."

'What?'

Tezuka's eyes froze for a mere second, as realization struck him.

"Trust my last words, it's not like my love for you would change."

His mind felt calm as he translated the last words that Sayaka had said. His eyes softened. Placing his hand to his mouth, he closed his eyes, sighing in relief. He smiled faintly when he realized that their trust was much stronger than he had thought. It was just as he had guessed from the start. Sayaka wanted to keep him silent to prevent the others from doing anything. He couldn't believe that she actually tried to fool him by hurting his feelings.

Tezuka's eyes became more determined than before. He pulled the towel off of his head as he quickly left the Seigaku team.


Atobe walked around the courts, frowning. He had seen Sayaka in Kurōdo's uniform. He was angry. He wanted to talk to Sayaka about it, however missed the chance to ask her anything. Something had happened right before the Nationals, therefore he needed to find Tezuka and talk to him about it.

Just then he spotted Tezuka leaning against a pillar near the benches. Atobe sighed as he noticed that Tezuka was taken by all of it. He made his way towards the captain of Seigaku.

"Tezuka, what's going on?" asked Atobe.

"You saw her." said Tezuka in return. Atobe sighed, staring at the sky.

"Ah, I saw her. Why did she do it?" he asked again. Tezuka sighed silently.

"You should know why." he said.

"Nope, I have no idea. I won't believe you if you say that you don't know either because judging by that expression, you know." said Atobe.

"Why should I tell you?" asked Tezuka. He was really out of strength right now. He was tired.

"I told you before. She's the best friend of the person I love most in this world and she's like a sister to me. Tezuka, I won't let you off until you tell me." he said still looking up at the sky.

Tezuka closed his eyes. He needed to tell this to someone. Maybe then, he would feel a bit lighter. After all, Atobe did care about Sayaka as well.

"Did Sayaka tell you that her mother's death wasn't an accident?" he asked. Atobe glanced at him.

"No, she didn't." he said.

"Then listen carefully…" Tezuka told everything about how Sayaka's mother died and what she had told him about her previous coach. He also told Atobe about what happened not too long ago. Atobe listened carefully. As Tezuka finished his story Atobe's eyes widened. He then sighed, holding his forehead.

"This is-"

"Say no more. I know." said Tezuka, pushing himself from the pillar.

"What are you going to do?" asked Atobe, glancing at Seigaku's captain again. The hazel nut haired teen turned around.

"I don't know. But for now, I need find her. I need to see her." he muttered. He then walked away.

Atobe pulled out his cell phone and dialed Yuki's number.

"Yuki?" he asked.

"Keigo. What? Missed me?" she asked on the other end. Atobe blushed.

"Umm… Yeah, that too but I have something serious to tell you. Are you standing?" he asked.

"Ah, yes." she said.

"Then you'd better sit down." he said. The redheaded girl on the other end did as he said.

"What is it, Keigo?" she asked. Atobe sighed and told her the same thing he heard from Tezuka. He heard a gasp from her when he finished the story.

"Sa-chan… she… Unforgivable. I won't forgive that guy for doing this to her!" she hollered. Atobe smirked.

"I thought you'd say that. So, what now?" he asked.

"Isn't that obvious? I'm coming to Kyushu and we'll help her with all means." she said with determination.

"What about your practice?"

"Screw practice! My best friend is in trouble! I'm going right now!" she hollered, slamming her hands on the nearest table. Atobe sighed and said that he'll wait for her. Yuki agreed and both hung up. He really didn't want Yuki to get involved into this but extra help wouldn't hurt. He already had someone in mind that he could ask for help. It was Miyako.


Tezuka walked through the hallway of the hotel that they were staying in. He stopped when he saw Sayaka in front of him. She stopped as well. For a few seconds silence engulfed the place as she stared at him. The black haired girl then gathered all of her courage again. Smirking evilly, she passed him.

Tezuka froze at her action. He knew that this was fake. He was well aware of her actions. He lowered his head.

'Again, she's doing this. It's enough already!' he thought as he spun around in a flash. He grabbed her wrist in an instant. As Sayaka felt her arm being pulled the other direction she turned around. She didn't get to react or say anything when her body submitted to Tezuka's force. He started pulling her down the hallway to his room.

For a few seconds she stayed silent as she was taken aback by Tezuka's strength. Never had she felt such power from him. The black haired teen again regained her senses. Trying to put her act back together, she smiled sinisterly.

"Ha, what are you trying to pull? Do you really think anything good will happen after you do this?" she asked. Tezuka didn't answer nor look at her.

"Hey, are you listening?" she asked again. Tezuka just ignored her. Sayaka stared at him in suspicion. She then sneered.

"Well, I don't care what you say. After all, this is how it would have ended anyway. No matter-" she stopped in mid rant when Tezuka pushed her into his room, locking it from the inside.

Sayaka spun around. She widened her eyes when he came closer to her, putting his hand onto her cheek.

"What-" she started but then froze as she looked up at his face. Tezuka had a sympathetic look. Gazing into her eyes, pain, sympathy, love and anguish reflected in his eyes. He expressed all of his feelings with that gaze alone.

As the look in his eyes struck her, made her immovable, Sayaka's hands started to tremble. She was afraid of that look. She didn't want anyone to get involved. That look alone told her that he would give away anything for her. That was what she had feared most.

"Sayaka, you don't have to do this. You're not supposed to go through it all." he said gently. Something snapped inside of Sayaka as she regained her senses. She slapped his hand away. She narrowed her eyes, with an angry expression; she tried to glare back at him.

"What are you talking about?" she retorted.

"This. All of this. Stop this act." he said in all seriousness.

"Huh? Act? Oh, I see. You still believe that the real Sayaka is the kind, loving and earnest girlfriend from before! Well, you were wrong. This is who I am." said Sayaka with confidence. However, it didn't convince Tezuka; he saw through it. He felt lies behind that voice.

"Stop it already. You don't have to lie in front of me." he said as he advanced further to her. Sayaka widened her eyes. She almost softened at his words but still managed to hold up her previous attitude. It was hard for her, she had to admit.

"Ha! Lies? I wasn't lying when I said that I used you." said Sayaka. Tezuka frowned; he had no choice but to be rough with her. Sayaka staggered when he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Didn't you listen to my final words back then?" she raised her voice, trying to push him away. Tezuka took her wrist roughly, looking back angrily.

"Oh, I listened to your words. I heard them clearly back then! So will you just end this already or what?" he raised his voice in return. Sayaka stayed silent for an instant. She quickly rounded on him again.

"You see, I already did end this back then!" she hissed with her last effort. Tezuka stared at her. He clearly saw that she was lying. She misunderstood his words.

"Lies. Just tell me the same words like back then." said Tezuka calmly this time. Sayaka got thrown aback by him. Staggering, she took a deep breath. Her last resort was to push him away with every hurtful word she could think of.

"I said back then that your love was just what I needed for things to go smoothly." she started. Tezuka gripped her wrist tighter.

"That's not what I want to hear-"

"Then what do you want me to say?" she hollered back at him. He pushed her against the wall roughly.

"Just say it!" he hissed in anger. Sayaka's eyes froze.

"I-I used you for my own convenience!" she countered hesitantly. Tezuka slammed his other hand against the wall next to her face. Sayaka got startled the second she saw his look. It was that of love. Her expression turned to that of confusion and fear.

"Yes, I heard you the first time you said this back then." he said calmly.

"Then what-" started Sayaka but Tezuka didn't let her finish.

"Those clearly were lies." said Tezuka sternly, silencing the girl in front of him. He continued, "For a second there, you actually made me believe those words which were all… lies." he said slowly, gazing into her eyes. Sayaka's heart skipped a beat.

"Lies? What the hell-" she raised her voice, trying to break free. Tezuka pushed her back, lowering his head.

"I love you, I love you… I love you." he repeated these words as if it were a chant. He gritted his teeth as he looked up at Sayaka. She trembled slightly at his last words. As she feared what may follow, her eyes swelled in tears.

"These words kept on repeating in my head." he said desperately. As she realized that he saw through everything, she started trembling even more.

"They kept on ringing in my head for they alone weren't a lie. These words ARE the truth!" he shouted, looking deep into Sayaka's eyes. The girl in front of him tried to suppress her tears, however her breathing got heavier. Tezuka rested his head onto her shoulder.

"I know that these words alone were true. Why? Why can't you just trust me? Why can't you depend on me just a little?" asked the Seigaku captain in desperation. He looked up at her again.

"You know that I would do anything. I would give you anything you ask. I would stay by your side no matter the circumstances until the very end." he said.

Upon hearing his words, Sayaka broke out into tears. She cried hysterically, with all her sorrow, pain and despair engulfing the dark and silent room. When she understood that her feelings had reached Tezuka, even though she hurt him at first, she cried her heart out.

Tezuka let her hand go when he felt her crumbling on the floor. He kneeled down as well. Sayaka covered her face with her one hand and wept. Trying to comfort the distressed girl in front of him, Tezuka put his hands onto her shoulders. She gripped into his shirt. For a long while she cried until finally her crying became fainter. Tezuka then put his hand onto her cheek, raising her head.

"Sayaka, it's okay. I'm here." he said with reassurance. The black haired girl stared back in fear at him with teary eyes. She shook her head.

"No. No, please. Stay away from me. Don't do this, Mitsu." she begged. Tezuka's eyes softened.

"I can't. I don't want to see you bear all of this alone." he countered. Sayaka placed her hand onto his and closed her eyes. She calmed down a bit. Suppressing her tears, she stood up. Tezuka stood up as well.

"Please, don't. Don't do anything." begged Sayaka again. The Seigaku captain came closer to her, placing his hand onto her cheek again.

"You see, you're not alone this time." he said gazing lovingly.

"Promise me. Promise that you won't do anything, that you won't say anything." she kept on begging.

He couldn't promise her. He only wanted to reassure her now that he would not leave her. He kissed her passionately. Not thinking about the past or what still may come, he only wanted to hold her at that moment.

Sayaka gave into him. She let his passion take over her. Like before all of this happened, she wanted to hold onto him but she realized that she couldn't do it. Feeling her bad health condition acting up again, she pushed Tezuka away. Her breathing becoming faster, she quickly spun around, heading straight to the door. Tezuka reached his hand out to her in an effort to stop her.

"Saya-" he started but swallowed his words when his love stopped before she opened the door.

Glancing back at him she said, "Don't. Please, for your own sake, don't come near me."

That being said, Sayaka in a flash opened the door and rushed outside. Tezuka stood in his room frozen, remembering the look in Sayaka's last glance. It clearly said that she was determined with her decision. He then gained back his senses and rushed out to follow her but upon exiting his room, Sayaka was long gone.

The Seigaku captain entered his room once more. Closing the door, he leaned against it. He stared at the ceiling as his thoughts drifted back to the moment when Sayaka was still in his room, with her sorrow resounding around the shallow walls.


Sayaka walked quickly downstairs. Prior to her encounter with Tezuka she had a meeting arranged with her team. The second she walked downstairs, she felt dizzy and leaned on the wall for support. This wasn't the first time she felt like this. She didn't sleep quite a lot for the last week. She overworked herself very often and the last break down made things worse.

She slowly reached the washroom. She leaned over the washbasins and held her hand in front of her mouth. She felt sick.

Misaki a girl from Kurōdo, who was Sayaka's stand-in captain walked towards the toilet but stopped when she saw Sayaka at the washbasins. She hid herself and watched the raven haired teen. As Sayaka pulled her hand away her palm was covered in red. Misaki widened her eyes.

'Blood?' thought Misaki. Breathing hard, Sayaka leaned over the washbasin even more. Her whole body was shaking.

Gritting her teeth she said to herself, 'Keep strong. My body doesn't matter. What matters most are the people around me.'

Sayaka washed her hands and splashed cold water on her face. When she finally calmed down, she walked outside. Misaki quickly hid behind a corner and watched her with worry in her eyes. Misaki had a feeling that something was wrong. She couldn't believe that Sayaka would come back so freely on her own. Furthermore, pushing her to such extremes was wrong.

Next chapter

Atobe and Yuki confront Sayaka. Miyako shows up already confident in her plan. …"Hn. I wonder how he will feel, when I really do something to you, Sayaka."