AUTHOR'S NOTE: Another quick update! Drama mama! Haha! Thank you for the review and favourites and follows. Enjoy reading!
Chapter 8: Bitter
Something is just off about Erika that night.
Megumi can sense it. The brunette was quiet when Megumi returned after practice. Her mother also found Erika's behaviour strange. Not only Erika did not finish her dinner, she bowed more frequent than she used to. Megumi is feeling disturbed by the notion that Erika is troubled and yet refuses to share her problems with Megumi.
Of course, Erika says they are best friends.
But is it really okay for her to keep a secret from her best friend?
Megumi cannot blame Erika fully because Megumi is not someone who pries on other people's business. She admits she can be a coward when she has to somehow force herself in asking about sensitive stuff. She is just not good at it. She is the type where she does not demand answers and just wait for them to open up to her willingly.
Apparently, Erika is strong enough to carry that mask of fake smiles and hide it.
Nevertheless Megumi insists to know, in some way. That is why she insists Erika in helping her with their Maths homework, although Megumi can do it herself.
"What formula should I use for this one, Eri-chan?" Megumi points at the question, while rolling the lolipop in her mouth.
"That is the same at question number four, Megumi-chan. You should get the hint already," Erika sighs as she continues writing her essay which is actually due next week.
Megumi pouts alittle and starts scribbling the working in solving it.
"Ne, Eri-chan."
"Hmm?"
"You know, friends share things."
"They don't share answers during exams," Erika smirks. "I won't allow you copy mine."
"That's not what I mean! I was saying about problems. Not Maths problems. Just problems," Megumi speaks hesitantly.
Erika blinks at her. "Problems? Megumi-chan, what problems do you have?"
"Not me!" Megumi bites her lolipop that it cracks inside her mouth. "You!"
Erika's right eye twitches. "I'm the problem."
"No, no, no!" the orangehead tousles her hair in panic and drops her head on the table, mumbling.
"Megumi-chan," Erika calls her soothingly, poking her head with her own pen. "Are you okay? If you want to tell me your problems, go ahead. I'm all ears."
"Why are you so dense? Why?" Megumi grunts so soft Erika cannot hear it.
The brunette taps her pen on her lip, cocking her head to the side. She looks at the orangehead, cannot help smiling at her awkwardness. Erika knows Megumi is worried about her. Erika cannot blame her for feeling that way because Erika is guilty of feeling upset and cannot hide it perfectly.
Megumi is trying hard not to ask her directly. Erika finds this side of her very cute.
"Don't tell me," Erika lengthens her smile. "You have a crush, Megumi-chan!"
"Eh!" the orangehead sits bolt upright. "What are you talking about?!"
"Hmm, who can it be?!" Erika teases and giggles.
Megumi grabs her pen and suddenly becomes attentive to work on her Maths problem.
"Who is it?" Erika leans towards her. "Is he a senior?"
"Eri-bunny, continue your essay."
Erika frowns at the nickname. "I think I know who it is."
Megumi pokes her forehead. "Shut up!"
"Kuramochi-senpai!"
The cheeks of the orangehead bloom. "What?!"
"Is it true?"
"Of course not," Megumi hisses. "Why would you think like that?"
Erika smiles and winks. "Cause' I saw you and Kuramochi-senpai during yesterday lunch."
"Eh?!" Megumi gasps and shakes her head. "No, that's coincidence!"
Her heart really sank when Erika mentions about that secret meeting. She did not plan to meet him. It was really a coincidence that they bumped each other and Megumi was asking about their deal on a whim. Kuramochi had not gotten the chance to ask Eijun so Megumi lectured him in how to deal with that idiot. She hardly realised their conversation took longer time than necessary.
Erika continues to give her the leering gaze. Megumi cannot handle the embarrassment anymore.
"I think I just solve this later!"
Erika widens her eyes. "Eh?"
Megumi chuckles. "I have to get going and firm up my biceps. Maybe a hundred hits before bed!"
"But Megumi-chan," Erika gasps. "It's cold out there."
"No worries. I'm used to it. Next week is the big deal, ya know," Megumi gathers her things and leaves the table. "Goodnight, Eri-chan."
"Hmm, goodnight."
As soon as Megumi disappears, Erika blows a loud sigh. Finally Megumi decides to give up on asking about her. It will be tough what happened to her.
In matter of fact, Erika herself cannot fathom the problem, let alone explaining it.
It started since that afternoon when Miyuki forced her to sit and listen to him rant.
"Your two minutes has multiplied by ten, Miyuki-senpai," Erika giggled as they walked down the corridor. "But I'm grateful I learned abit about baseball from you."
"Of course," the glasses guy chuckled too. "I don't rant on stupid things."
"So true," Erika smiled.
"Erika-chan."
Miyuki suddenly halted his stride, a few steps from the stairs of the entrance. Erika turned towards him, looking curious.
"The Fall tournament is coming soon. Seido baseball team is really looking forward to the nationals. It is the last chance for our third years to make it there."
Erika batted her eyes at him. "Miyuki-senpai. Are you afraid?"
The glasses guy burst in laughter and settled on a smile. "No, silly. I'm saying this because it explains why from now on, I will have to keep my distance from you."
"Eh?" Erika beetled her brows.
A large smile stretched on his face. "Erika-chan, I will be focused on the team and training. You won't be seeing me around most of the time. But even if you see me, and I ignore you, I hope you understand."
Whatever he is saying does not sit well with Erika. She kept on glaring at him.
Miyuki looked at her with calm firm eyes and his smirk remained intact. "I guess whenever I have free time, I definitely drop by the tennis courts to see you play. I'm sure when you are playing, the whole school is going to talk about it. So I will be informed."
Erika could not form an answer. She was too confused at what Miyuki suddenly decided onto himself. It was always him who kept on bugging her whenever he saw her. But now, he told her he would keep his distance from her. She could not figure him out.
Yet one more thing he said disturbed her. Erika has not even once told him that she is not in the tennis team anymore. But even if she said so, it would not change the fact about Miyuk's decision.
"Erika-chan?" Miyuki noticed her silence. "Are you okay?"
Erika looked away from him. "I understand. Good luck in your games then."
Her heart was breaking at that moment. It felt that sulking was the only thing she could do at that point of time. How could she not feel hurt when he sounded as though he was breaking their friendship. She did not know what she did wrong to deserve this treatment from him. He was the one who always forced himself on her and now he took his leave from her.
First of all, why does she feel hurt?
It has been four days since that and she has experienced him deterring every chance to get close to her. If she is walking across him, he will not chance a glance at her. She even asked Furuya if something is troubling Miyuki. Furuya has no answer.
Erika feels she lost a good friend in Miyuki. The senior has become as far as a stranger to her.
She thought of asking Eijun but she knows well that Eijun is busy with training. He also mentions about trying to patch things up with his catcher. At first, Erika cannot believe what she heard from Eijun, after listening to him berating hatred towards his assigned catcher. Now it looks like Eijun hails his catcher like the god of baseball.
Eijun is trying his best to obtain the catcher's trust and get better in his pitches.
Erika cannot bother him about Miyuki when Eijun is fixated on Chris.
She is helpless right now.
After too much thinking, Erika stops writing her essay and gathers her stuff to her room. She passes by the window where she can see Megumi practicing her racket swings. Erika offers her a smile before heading to her room.
When she switches on her bedroom lights, she captures the sight of a drawing Mizumi made for her.
"Eri-nee-chan! Look at what I draw for you!"
"Oh isn't this cute? What is it?"
"It's a tennis ball," Megumi's little brother mouthed through his chubby lips.
Erika smiled gently. "It is a tennis ball. Why not, we frame this and put it in your scrapbook?"
"No, I'm giving this to you, Eri-nee-chan!" the boy jumped and pushed it to her. "One day, you will like tennis and play with me!"
"Thank you, Mizumi-chan."
Erika touches the drawing she pinned to her noticeboard. She looks at how the green ball has a smiling face on it. The boy will definitely follow his sister's passion for tennis.
It seems everyone wants her to play too.
She stares at the drawing until a teardrop escapes her right eye.
Even though her heart wants to come to their calling, her body continues to decline.
"Tadaima."
Eijun enters his dormitory, throwing his stuff to one side and heading towards his bed.
"Oh, Sawamura," Kuramochi turns around from playing his Playstation and looks at him. "You're back."
"Yeah," Eijun sits on his bed and slouches in deep thoughts.
The room is dimmed where the light is only coming from the screen of the tele. Eijun thought everyone is asleep when he returns from his midnight run. He is surprised to see Kuramochi still awake despite tomorrow's early training. Matsuko is already in dreamland.
"What keeps you from sleeping this time, Kuramochi-senpai?" slurs Eijun as gazes at the back of his senior.
"Shouldn't I ask you that question? Idiot, you're gonna kill yourself for training like a mad man."
"It's not like I have choice! I have to get better before the game with Kokushikan High School! I have to prove to Chris-senpai that I'm serious about him catching my pitches, damnit!" Eijun bristles, hands clutching on the knees of his pants. "I've been stalking him since I found out about his injury. I cannot stop approaching himin until he gives in."
Kuramochi sighs and pauses his game. "You are over-bearing, Teme! Who like to be stalked like that? Everywhere he goes, you are there demanding his attention. You are not a pitcher. A psycho, a psycho!"
"Call me whatever! I'm not going to give up until he says yes!"
With that, Eijun lies his head on his pillow and shuffles his body onto the bed. Seeing how exasperated his junior has become, Kuramochi bulges his lip forward, mocking him. He was there when Eijun relentless spew hatred about that soulless senior and now he is desperate for that senior's attention. He wonders if comforting him will reward any good from him.
A thought about his twin sister suddenly crosses his mind. Kuramochi swiftly faces Eijun's bed.
"Oi, Sawamura."
"What? I'm sleeping already."
"Is this somehow your first time dealing with someone who has an injury that stops him from playing?"
Eijun opens his eyes, surprised at that question. "First time?"
Kuramochi cocks a brow, unsure if the boy understood his question. "Seems to me, you are desperate. You are literally dragging Chris-senpai back to the field. Everyone knew about Chris before you but no one, not even Tanba or the captain is that forceful-"
"What are you trying to say, Kuramochi-senpai?" Eijun sits upright again, looking angry at his senior. "That I should just give up like everyone else. That a guy who is known to be Miyuki's rival should just warm the benches because of a shoulder injury? If that is so, why is he still going to therapy to get better? So he can give away high school baseball and save his muscles for his professional career?!"
Kuramochi frowns. "Oi, keep it down!"
"Don't joke with me! I'm done listening to people who gave up the sports they love just because they think it is right thing to do. I'm done with people who thinks it's okay to throw away their high school years because they think they will not be a burden to the team. I had enough, Kuramochi-senpai. I had enough of them keeping such important things about them from me, making me look like an idiot. I had enough."
"So Erika hid it from you too?"
"What do you expect? She is selfless at this kind of things. As if the glory she gained during middle school is enough to last her throughout high school, she decides that high school should just be about me. What is she thinking? Of course I want the both of us to gain victory together. Me in baseball and her in tennis! We promised to bring back two trophies home!"
"Chill, chill," Kuramochi giggles. "If you pursue her like you pursue Chris, she may want to change her mind."
"I've been doing that since last year, since her last match, senpai! She's surprisingly stubborn about it but that is really expected from my own twin sister-" Eijun freezes and stares hard at the green haired senior who is smirking a white grin in his own shadow. "Ahhh!"
"Kyahahahahaha!" Kuramochi breaks into laughter, watching the junior spring on his feet. "She is right! You spill anything when you're agitated!"
"Teme!" Eijun jumps on him, grabbing his collar. "How did you know about Ri-chan?! And who told you about her?!"
In one split second, Eijun is shifted becoming a victim of Kuramochi's clawhold. "Idiot Sawamura! Why didn't you tell me you have a pretty sister in school?!"
"Why do I need to tell you?! Get off me!"
"Oi, Furuya!"
The droopy eyed lad turns around from entering his class and faces his catcher. "Oh, Miyuki-senpai."
The glasses senior approaches him, smiling like a goofball as always. "Do you have extra lessons today?"
"No," Furuya answers dully. "But I have cleaning duty with Chairman."
Miyuki bats his eyes. "Eh, you paired up with her?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
Furuya notices a hint of anger from Miyuki's shivering grin. "Maybe I'm the most unreliable one."
"You only act like that on purpose," Miyuki insists. "Just hurry up with it so we can work on your split finger pitch."
"I don't think I can," Furuya cuts his speech. "I've asked her to tutor me on English for tomorrow's test."
Miyuki cannot resist himself from slapping Furuya's shoulder, intending it to be a tease but it is hard enough to mistake it as an assault. The junior is secretly provoking Miyuki, knowing he will be jealous.
"Oi, monster rookie. Are you serious in becoming ace? If you're gonna slack, Tanba-san and Nori will not share the mound with you."
"I have to go," Furuya proceeds to enter his class.
Miyuki jerks up his shoulders. "Oi! What the hell? That brat just ignored me!"
"Ah, pervert glasses."
Miyuki cringes and turns behind to meet the orange head. "You, the tennis beast?"
"Who are you calling Tennis Beast, baka?!" Megumi scoffs. "What the hell are you doing here for? Peeping on Eri-chan again?"
Miyuki shakes his hands. "No, not at all. Just a little chat with Furuya."
What the two did not realise, Erika is behind the corner listening to their conversation.
"I'm off now," Miyuki intends to move away but Megumi blocks him by standing in his path.
"What did you do to Eri-chan? She's behaving differently and I cannot think of anyone else being the problem except you," Megumi questions him straightforwardly, gluing her eyes on the boy with glasses.
"Me being the problem?" Miyuki chuckles. "I have been behaving good around her. So what's the deal? It's supposed to be Furuya you should be confronting with. They both are going to be alone after school for cleaning duty and tutoring."
"What rubbish is that? I will be around too, baka senpai," Megumi cusses.
Miyuki widens his eyes, suddenly feeling out of place after showing a careless sign of jealousy.
"Have you been avoiding Eri-chan?" Megumi asks him directly again. "What did she do wrong to you?"
At the corner, Erika stiffens in embarrassment. Megumi can be confrontational with people she does not like.
Miyuki on the other hand is not fancying anymore of this confrontation, especially when it comes from his female junior. In matter of fact, he has no intention to talk about Erika with her. He has decided that it is the right decision to keep his distance from Erika after what happened between him and Eijun. Erika has not tried to approach him since that small meeting so he figures she has already found out about their fight and agreed to stay away from him.
Although Miyuki is internally hurting whenever he has to tear his gaze away from Erika every time they cross path, he has to do what he decided to do.
"Oi, I'm asking you a question," Megumi demands, folding her arms this time.
"I'm just upset with her. That's all."
A lie. Miyuki has to set things straight here.
"Upset?" Megumi cocks a brow.
Miyuki shrugs. "She watched me play in a game but she has not once invited me to her game. So there, I'm upset."
"Are you bloody childish?!" Megumi stiffens in anger. "For that, you're avoiding her!"
"You should know, I'm only interested in her because of what she can do in tennis. Nothing else," Miyuki sneers playfully. "If I can't see her play, what's the point of befriending her?"
"Why you piece of-" Megumi raises her hand to hit the senior.
"Stop, Megumi-chan!"
Erika appears behind Miyuki. Megumi pulls back from Miyuki and glares at her best friend.
"Eri-chan, I..,"
"Enough," Erika approaches her and grabs her hand. "Class' starting soon."
Miyuki has his face whitened. For him to say such cold words that are heard by Erika, he is flabbergasted. He thought if he speaks like that to Megumi, she will not disturb him again. Now that Erika heard him, he is speechless.
At that moment when she is right in front of him, he cannot remove his gaze off her no matter how loud his heart is screaming. He begs to see her eyes on him one more time.
"Sorry for bothering you, Miyuki-senpai," Erika speaks lowly, her fringe of hair shading her face. "Excuse us."
Miyuki has his hand raised to stop her from leaving but she has long moved far from him, dragging Megumi into the classroom. The boy with glasses stares at the brunette's long hair for too long. He then realises his hand is clung in the air frozen in time.
"Oi, Miyuki. You're here."
Fingers snapping at him, he blinks hard and captures the sight of Kuramochi standing in front of him.
"What the hell are you daydreaming about?" the classmate snickers. "Come on, our class is going to start soon."
Miyuki moves that hand to rub the back of his neck and gives one last glance on the brunette who is chatting happily with Furuya. Kuramochi grabs him by the sleeve, dragging him away from the classroom, echoing eerie laughter into his head.
His mind cannot stop rewinding his words that stabbed her heart mercilessly.
The fruit of him not mincing his words has always tasted bitter. This time, he tastes it too.
Thank you for reading!
What do you think will happen to Miyuki and Erika relationship? hehe. Any idea why Erika dont want to play tennis hehe.
Hope to hear from you. See ya next chappie!