I don't own PoT, it belongs to Takeshi Konomi!
Enjoy the chapter!

Hibiki POV

The alarm woke me up and I slammed it shut. I got up, stretched and yawned. I checked the time; 6:30. I walked to the bathroom to freshen up for the school day. I was lucky to have spare shirts for my uniform. I sighed as I got out, in my towel as I padded to my room to get changed. I looked at my phone and there weren't any new messages from Kenneth. I placed my phone back down and decided to leave my shinai at home. I got changed and I decided to let my hair down today, it reached to my waist, I clipped my fringe to the side a little but still allowed the sides to drape. I then made sure I packed everything for the school day before heading downstairs.

"Good morning," I greeted my papa.

"Morning love, do you want to walk to school or want me to drive you?" He asked, looking at his newspaper.

"I'll walk today, thank you," I replied, sitting down at the table eating the egg and toast. Mama was still in bed, she didn't need to wake up till later.

"Papa, you can take my lunch," I blurted out, seeing the wrapped lunch.

"Eh? I made it especially for you, are you ok?" He asked, placing his newspaper down, worry on his wrinkled face. I got my dark blue hair from my papa, my dark blue eyes from mama.

"Yeah, just, I didn't eat my lunch yesterday because I was busy, so it went to waste," I lied, and he nodded understanding. I got up after finishing up and went to grab my shoes.

"I'm going," I shouted and he nodded. As I walked outside, some school kids were also walking, probably for morning practices. I didn't have anything going on, I just wanted to get out with an early start. As I was walking, I felt my phone ring and as I was about to take it, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Good morning," it was Tezuka. His deep morning voice made me melt. I turned around, ignoring the call.

"Morning," I replied, a little too bluntly.

"Are you not going to pick it up?" He asked, looking at my ringing phone. I looked down at my hand and I picked up.

"Morning Hibiki, thought to check up on you since you didn't sound well last night," Kenneth's voice passed on the other line, he sounded sleepy, he was behind by 7 hours, so he probably wanted to check up on me before sleeping. I looked at Tezuka and his face expressionless as usual.

"I'm good. I have to get to school, talk to you later," I abruptly ended the call and placed my phone back in my pocket.

"Who was that?" Tezuka asked curiously as we walked together.

"A friend… back in the UK," I replied, quietly. He nodded. The silence was deafening, but I liked it. We both didn't talk as we walked. When we reached school, he didn't leave my side and waited for me every moment he could. As we were approaching the entrance, Daichi waved to us.

"Ado, Tezuka!" He greeted with a grin, his sister next to him, angry and pissed, "Apologise, Rin," he scolded and she huffed and turned away.

"It's fine," I told him as I walked to my locker to get my indoor shoes. Daichi apologised for her attitude but I didn't blame him as it was her own doing. We all walked to our homeroom, Daichi wasn't in our homeroom, but he was next door to us. As we approached, I sat down on my seat, waiting for homeroom to start. Whilst waiting, I couldn't help but send a text message to Kenneth, apologising for ending the call so abruptly. As I was typing, I felt Tezuka gaze at me and I turned to face him, putting my phone away.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked, tiling my head a little.

"Ah, no," he replied, turning away his face back to frowning. I shrugged the little exchange off and faced the teacher as he was walking in.

Tezuka POV

Who is she texting? Her friend back in the UK? Why does she look so sad and confused whilst doing so. I didn't know why I was thinking these things, it wasn't like me to worry about a girl. Well, in a sense she's not just any girl, she's a childhood friend and very important to me. She's changed throughout the years that went by, she was more serious, focused and sometimes her aura can emit something scary, but it never phased me because I knew her, or so I thought.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked me, as I didn't realise I was staring. She tilted her head a little and I found that cute.

"Ah, no," I replied and returned back to my usual self-composure as the teacher walked in. Once homeroom was done, I looked over to Hibiki and she was packing her things, then she turned to me with a small smile.

"Let's go?" She asked as she stood up and I nodded, walking to our World History class. I noticed that her hair was down today, her fringe clipped to the side. It flew around her as she walked, I never really noticed until now but she has turned out to be really beautiful. As we were walking, Oishi saw us and walked over.

"Oh Tezuka! Whose this?" He asked me, looking at Hibiki.

"Ado Hibiki, it's a pleasure to meet you," she bowed, her face emotionless.

"Oishi Shuichiro," Oishi bowed to with a small smile.

"Tezuka, Ryuzaki-sensei wants to see us later," Oishi told me and I nodded. We walked in and sat in our seats. I took glances over towards her every now and then, and she was looking out the window, distracted. Sensei bumped her head with a book to grab her attention and she apologised, forced to read a line from the textbook. She got up, her face showed emptiness, but her eyes showed confusion and worry. I wonder what was going on in her mind, was it what I did last night? I hope it didn't scare her too much, I can really relax around her. I could listen to her read all day, her voice was deep and melodic to my ears. Once she was done, she sat down and sensei scolded her, saying that she needs to pay attention. I saw her nod and I slightly smiled to myself. As the class finished, I packed my things and walked up to her.

"You ready to go?" I asked, hoisting my bag on my shoulder and she nodded not looking up as we walked out. A bunch of girls huddled at the entrance, glaring at Hibiki but I saw that she didn't flinch, she just walked past the crowd.

"I'll see you in class," she spoke, her face emotionless but her eyes showed the same sadness as before. I cursed to myself at these fangirls.

"Tezuka-sama, before you go I made lunch for you!" A girl squealed and I started to get a little annoyed but I kept my composure.

"I have my lunch made by my mother, if you'll excuse me," I replied, pushing through them and some squealed saying I touched them and I marched off, hoping to catch up with Hibiki but she was gone.

Hibiki POV

I walked to Calligraphy as fast as I could, and upon reaching I was greeted by Daichi.

"Yo, Ado!" He greeted, grinning at me. I nodded and sat down opposite him, grabbing my brush.

"Try not to break the equipment today, Ado-san," the teacher warned me, his smile slightly scary. I sweat dropped and nodded with a "yes". As I sat down, I saw Tezuka walk in, his face stoic as ever, not phased by the fangirls. He sat next to me, grabbing his brush and we began writing down the quotes given in this lesson. I didn't do too bad, I saw Tezuka look and he smiled at me, a small smile and I was relieved that he found it good.

"Did you just smile? Tezuka?" Daichi pointed out, shock in his voice. Tezuka cleared his throat and closed his eyes, returning to his original rigid posture.

"No," was his reply as his face returned back to its blank façade. I mentally smiled inside, how cute he was trying to keep himself composed.

"Haha! Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. So even the infamous Tezuka can smile," Daichi teased some more and I felt a sweat drop appear as Tezuka glared at him, his eyes piercing. Class was interesting, Daichi wouldn't stop talking and he kept getting scolded by sensei because it was meant to be a quiet class. When it was done, Daichi was talking to us as we were packing our things and her sister was at the door, she glared at me and flashed a smile at Tezuka.

"Nii-san, I need to talk with you," she spoke, walking away her curly hair flowing behind her. Daichi bowed and followed his sister. I looked at Tezuka and he was also staring at me and I adverted my gaze, calming my beating heart. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I looked at the message, it was from Kenneth;

From: Kenneth 9:15

Don't worry about it. I just woke up, really not wanting to go school. I hope you're feeling better today.
I'll call you later, if your up? Take care.

K

I smiled at how simple his messages are. I still feel bad with rejecting him, but the thing I like about him is that he's a supportive type of person, no matter what happens he would be there to support you. As I put my phone away, I turned to Tezuka asking if he was ready but his face showed sadness. My eyes widened and as I was about to talk, he walked ahead.

"Let's go," he spoke, his voice deep and low, not turning back. I followed, shocked at the face he made.

Tezuka POV

Kenneth? Who was Kenneth? The friend she said back in the UK, the one who rang her earlier? I don't know why I felt this pain in my chest, why would I care? She probably… doesn't find me interesting. I stared at her as she put her phone away, my mind and chest was filled with sadness. As she looked at me, her eyes widened in shock and I adverted my gaze, walking ahead of her.

"Let's go," I said, my voice had a ring of jealousy. I heard her footsteps follow me, I didn't turn around. When we reached outside, the Minokawa twins were talking and Daichi greeted us, and I saw that his sister walked away, glaring at Hibiki.

"She wanted me to split you two up," Daichi confessed, "I wasn't meant to say but eh, she's stubborn, so just be careful, Ado," he warned as he walked off, waving a good-bye. I walked ahead, Hibiki following in tow. I didn't want to talk to her right now, but I couldn't just leave her hanging in the hall. When we got Math, I didn't say a word and sat down in my seat, I saw from the corner of my eye Hibiki followed my movement and she sat down 2 seats away from me, I didn't look at her. My chest felt tight, and I didn't like that at all. During math, I saw a pen fall from the desk next to me, I picked it up and handed it to the girl next to me, but she looked at me confused.

"That's not my pen…" she spoke, confused and I nodded, apologising for interrupting. I looked around to see if anyone lost a pen, but when my eyes landed on Hibiki, she was staring at me. I briefly cleared my throat, realising what she just did to grab my attention and so I asked the girl next to me to pass the pen over to her.

"Sorry, could you pass this over to Ado-san one seat away from you?" I asked and she nodded, grabbing the pen from me she passed it onto the boy next to her then it got to Hibiki. I didn't look at her after that exchange, I just couldn't. I needed to focus on the regional tournament against Hyotei.

Hibiki POV

I couldn't believe it. He was ignoring me as much as possible. What's his problem? What did I do? I asked myself questions as I felt my face scrunch up in confusion and hurt. I didn't want to make him hate me, he's the only person I trust in this school. My mind was creating different scenarios and I couldn't focus. I didn't make any notes and I cursed to myself when the bell rang for fourth period. I decided I'd talk to him, but as I looked up he was out the door already, didn't even bother to wait. I felt my jaw drop, I was shaken. Why…? I asked myself, I felt tears threatening to spill but I knew if I showed any sign of weakness, I'd be the target of emotional bullying. I put a brave face on, if he doesn't want to talk to me now, I'll find a way. When I walked out, I felt lost, I was used to walking with him but… walking down the halls felt lonelier than ever. When I reached classical music, Daichi greeted me and I nodded a little, taking my seat I sighed. As lunch came by, I packed my things quietly and slowly, glancing briefly at Tezuka, he was ready to head out but as I opened my mouth to talk, nothing came out. He glanced at me briefly before walking out. That was the straw, I felt tears prick my eyes and I ran past him, and just for a brief moment he face showed emotion in public. Worry and guilt. I kept running until I reached the courtyard, it was empty. I sat by a tree, my phone began to ring. I picked up without hesitating.

"Hibiki? Hello? Hibiki?" Kenneth spoke on the other side, I didn't respond as I felt the tears spill out, I cried.

"Hibiki, why are you crying? Hibiki, are you ok?" His voice was laced with worry, I couldn't stop the tears flowing out.

"I… I… I don't know…wha-what I did…" I hiccupped and sobbed, my sentences broken. Kenneth tried to calm me down at the other end of the line, but I couldn't stop.

"Breathe in and out, in and out," he instructed and I did what he did, eventually I calmed down, he was silent after he instructed me, allowing me to let it out a bit more.

"Feel better?" He spoke, his voice soft and gentle, I felt like he was right there.

"Yeah…" I whispered, my voice a little shaky but calmer.

"Tell me, what happened?" He asked on the line.

"I… I don't know. Tezuka has been ignoring me, he… he seemed a little off, like I did something. We would usually walk to class together but… he didn't and I felt so lonely, I don't know what I did to make him hate me…" I confessed, my eyes threatening to water again. As if he knew I felt crying again, he spoke.

"Hibiki, it's ok to cry. You shouldn't bottle it up, I know you want to keep a brave face but sometimes you have to rely on people. Have you tried talking to him about it?" He asked, trying to help.

"I tried but… nothing came out," I whispered back, bringing my knees up out of habit to my chin, enveloping myself in my hair like a protection barrier.

"Take your time with it. When your ready, tell him. He's right beside you, there's no rush in it okay?" He replied back, I felt a smile appear on my face a little at how supportive he was.

"You always know what to say…" I whispered, wiping my eyes. I felt him chuckle on the other end.

"You're just very easy to read for me. I wish I was there to comfort you properly," I heard him reply, and my heart tightened a little. I still felt guilty rejecting him, trying to pursue a love that I wouldn't even know would blossom.

"I wish… that too," I whispered, my feelings was set on loving Tezuka, I couldn't return Kenneth's feelings.

"It's lunch time there right? You should eat something, it usually helps brighten up the mood," he suggested, I felt a smile in his tone of voice.

"I didn't bring my lunch, I forgot too," I lied, knowing that I didn't bring any because of it going to waste, with the fangirls throwing it about. I felt him sigh on the other line and then some more voices.

"HIBIIIKI, HOW ARE YOU? LOVER BOY HERE MISSES YOU," I heard a shout and I laughed, hearing Kenneth calm them down.

"Sorry about that, Ray keeps teasing me about my confession… annoying," I heard him say, chuckling. I giggled.

"Thanks, Kenneth, really. I should get going, need to eat something," I spoke, placing my legs down on the ground again.

"Sure. If you feel the need to talk to someone, that isn't Tezuka, I'm here, I'm one call away," he reassured me and I felt a smile come to my face. I bid good-bye and looked up at the dark filled sky. Rain, huh? I thought to myself. I saw a slight movement on the corner of my eyes, and I looked at the direction with confusion. I ignored it and headed to the cafeteria, looking for the food shop. When I found it, I bought some melon bread and I saw Fuji next to me.

"Oh, Hibiki-chan, hello," he spoke, his eyes closed and his smile in place. I nodded at him and paid for my melon bread.

"Do you want to eat with us?" He asked as he pointed at the table crowded with all the tennis regulars, including Tezuka. I shook my head no and headed outside. I felt Fuji stare at my back.

Fuji POV

I walked to the table and looked at Tezuka, he was glancing towards the retreating figure of Hibiki and he closed his eyes, returning to eat his lunch.

"Did something happen between you two?" I asked, eating my bread, looking at him. The others on the table were too occupied and arguing, especially Echizen and Momo to hear the small conversation I had with him.

"No," was his curt and quick reply, but I could tell he was hiding something. I continued to eat my bread.

A shorter chapter than the previous one! I hope it's alright though, reviews would be nice!

Hibiki~