"Hello?" Asked Totsuka
"Yahallo!" The girl greeted. While her voice seemed cheerful, he could hear the occasional deep breath in her normally smooth delivery. If that wasn't a dead giveaway, he didn't know what was. "Sai-chan! Good luck for tomorrow's tournament!"
"Oh. Oh! Yes, thank you Komachi-chan."
"I'm sorry that I can't cheer for you tomorrow, Sai-chan."
"Don't worry about that…I mean, it can't be helped right?"
There was a pause over the line, and Totsuka held the cord of the phone tightly.
"Yes…" Komachi muttered under her breath. "It can't be helped…"
"Erm…k-komachi? What's wrong?"
He heard her swallow thickly and did the same. "N-No! It's nothing…" She said.
The silence was deafening. Totsuka tried to think of something, anything–
"How is he?" The words escaped without his permission. "How's his condition…?"
Komachi chuckled weakly, as if expecting him to ask and said: "His heart beat is stable but…"
"But?"
"T-they don't know when he will wake up. The doctor sa-said that it is already good news in its own right but–"
"Is that so?" Totsuka cut in hurriedly, his heart pounding with fear. He didn't want to hear this. Not now, not ever. "I'll see you soon Komachi-chan."
Closing his phone with a loud clap that echoed throughout his room, Totsuka hugged his pillow tightly, willing the horrible feeling in his chest to go away. The pain subsided a little, but he could still feel its presence.
"Hachiman…why did you do it?" He murmured.
"Please wake up…"
'Please…'
'Hachiman…'
There is a person that was very important to Totsuka Saika and is still important to Totsuka Saika.
A good person who could not be honest with himself. Totsuka knew from the start that he was (is) one of the few good men that will ever walk the earth. He always puts other people before himself. No matter how much he tried to deny it, Hachiman cared for others first and himself; second. Saika could prove it a million times over, but the most recent of his exploits came to mind first.
Hikigaya Hachiman, the seemingly cold and horrible boy, used his own methods to ensure success and managed to make Sagami accept the Presidential seat. His 'help' was not without consequence though, because most of Sagami's clique now hated him with a passion.
Oh, and how could he forget? The Tobe-Ebina case, the case where he threw himself to the dogs by faking a confession. He had just done it like there was nothing wrong with throwing yourself onto the path of an incoming truck. It was nothing to him. The case was wrapped up neatly, with a nice red bow as a finisher.
But yet again, the consequences for his actions come back to haunt him. His relationship with Yukinoshita and Yuigahama began to crumble before his very eyes, wilting away like a drying flower.
But Totsuka knew that whatever happened to Hachiman, he would take his side every single time and support him with all his strength purely because-
I want to know you more!
I want you to depend on me more!
Please Hachiman, can you depend on me more?
His mind flashes back to when Hikigaya made a confused face when Miura requested the service club's help.
"Totsuka, I need your help right now… please." He had said.
And now. Now… Hikigaya Hachiman was asking for his help again. Saika knew in his heart that even as Hachiman lay on the sterile hospital bed, eyes unblinking, he was still crying out for help. And Saika vowed to answer his call.
Yes, I will help you Hachiman.
You can count on me!
"Attention all participants, the quarterfinal round will start in 10 minutes. Please be on standby at the designated court, thank you!"
The crowd surrounding the court cheered madly.
"Prince! Keep working!" They chanted, Totsuka's fans swooning when the boy in question answered their call with a huge smile.
"Yes, I will!" He pumped his fist into the air, drawing several loud sighs from the crowd. His smile dazzled his fans into submission but they all quieted down when the announcer's voice reverberated through the court.
"The singles open tournament of Chiba Prefecture will now begin! Quarterfinal round start!"
Totsuka Saika was under extreme pressure right now. His energy had run out and he could feel his legs wobbling. There wasn't much time left. But…he couldn't give up here. Hachiman didn't sacrifice himself for nothing!
"I. Will. WIN!" He vowed, teeth biting into his bottom lip.
Totsuka could never face him again if he lost. He'd sworn that he would win the tournament and become the representative of Chiba!
As he body reacted to each return of the ball, his mind wandered back into the depths of his memories…and soon enough, the half-time bell rang and he was heading back to the stands. His friends eyed him with worry from behind the tall green fence. Yui seemed to fidget for a few moments before standing up from her seat and went to greet him.
"Sai-chan, are you okay?" She asked.
"Oh! I'm fine Yui-chan, don't worry." The exhaustion in his voice made them both cringe.
No…I still can make it!
"Please don't pressure yourself too much, or you will turn into a dead corpse with dead fish eyes for the rest of your life." A voice deadpanned. Yui turned in surprise and pouted when she saw Yukino's neutral expression. She hit her on the arm lightly only to receive an annoyed look. The annoyance faded into a grimace when she realized how distasteful her joke must have been.
"That's so mean Yukinon! Hikki is n-not a corpse! He's still alive!" The girl cried out.
"But that's does not change the fact that he is comatose and unlikely to wake up soon."
The harshness behind the words made the two teens flinch. But when Yui looked up to rebut her statement, she felt her body freeze. Yukinoshita looked pained, as if every word she said stabbed at her like rusty forks, and it was then that Yuigahama realized that her friend was just putting on a brave face.
"Yukinon…." She murmured, reaching out to grasp the edge of her shirt.
"Don't worry Yukinoshita-san, Yui-chan, I will be alright, see?" Totsuka cut through the suddenly depressing atmosphere. He was relieved when they turned to him with small grins of gratefulness, and he was glad that they had at least stopped worrying about him.
And then–
"It is as lord Totsuka said, so mi 'lady Yukinoshita and Yuigahama need not fret too much."
The blustery voice made all of them sigh simultaneously.
His sun kissed skin was slick with sweat, and Totsuka felt his eyebrows pinch when he eyed the tennis ball in his shaky hands.
This is it, my final shot. If I lose now, it'll all be over.
He breathed in deeply, trying to calm his rattled nerves. The court was silent, save for the occasional whimper of the wind. He could feel his friend's eyes on him, their gazes burning a hole into his back. Swallowing, Totsuka prayed to whatever god that was willing to listen to him right now.
"Hey…Um Yukinon. Sai-chan is gonna be fine, r-right?"
"Who knows? All we can do is hope that he overcomes the battle within himself."
And then the ball was flying. All eyes watched in anticipation as it was pulled down by the force of gravity; falling and falling…
This serve is everything to me.
Please make it happen!
With a loud roar, he brought his racket down and swung.
"Woah! Did you see that Hayato!?"
"It's the same serve that Hikitani-kun used that day!"
"So cooool! Go! Go! Totsuka-KUN!"
Tobe cheered wildly, his hands flailing about like a rabid monkey who was had eaten too many bananas. Beside him, his friend smiled in relief.
"Yeah, I saw it. That was really his serve, huh?"
A small grin appeared on his dashing face.
"Who knew Hachiman serves had such power?" He chuckled. "Using the wind as the tool to manipulate the direction of the ball is really just…"
"Yes, you're right Hayama-san. It was a serve invented by that… thing… after all."
"But honestly though, it feels more like cheating than a skill." She sighed.
"He's really infecting people with that disgusting virus of his. What a rotten skill to have."
The statement came from none other than Yukinoshita, who drew several amused looks from the people surrounding her.
"But that's not a bad thing. You're so foul mouthed, Yukinoshita-san."
Shockingly enough, Yumiko Miura had been the one who rebutted Yukinoshita's statement. She glared at the chilling look sent her way and huffed.
"Hikitani's serve , why do I suddenly feel so assured?"
Yumiko smiled softly.
And then–
"Match set. Winner, Totsuka Saika!"
"Urm Mr. Totsuka, you do not need to fetch the ball, our field assistance will do it."
"Don't worry; I only wanted to take this ball…can I?"
"It's not that you can't but-"
Totsuka Saika gazed up at him with pitiful eyes, the gesture melting the frigid man in moments.
"O-k ok, you can have it."
"Thank you!" The boy chirped. Slowly walking away, Totsuka held the ball to his chest and gazed upon his prize softly. His eyes prickled with unshed tears, and he began to sniffle.
Thanks for everything
You have helped me once again
Thank you, Hachiman!
A lone tear found its way down his cheek.
"15-love!"
His arm whipped the ball back to his oppenent, the muscles protesting painfully against the movement. Heart pounding in his ears, Saika pushed himself to his limits.
"30-love!"
And then–
"40-love!"
And finally…
"Game!" The announcer yelled, his voice soon overshadowed by the crowd.
"Game, first set to Totsuka Saika!"
The winner of the match beamed at the crowd, making his fan club swoon and melt underneath the cuteness that was Totsuka. Yukino snorted, and Yuigahama just giggled at the display. The court was allowed a fifteen minute break before the game was in session once more.
Totsuka let his body flow with the rythem, sending the ball back with strength that belied his small stature. And all the while, his mind wandered to that little dark corner at the back of his mind again.
"Hey! Hey! Hachiman!"
"What is it Totsuka?" The boy replied with a scary smile.
"Why do you always use Kaidoh Kaoru as your player in this game?"
"Why? That's easy." He said. "He reminds me a little of myself."
"Really?"
"Yeah, if you watch The Prince of Tennis, you'll know what I'm talking about."
"Haaa- Another anime character." Totsuka smiled playfully. "I forgot that you and Zaimokuza liked this anime stuff."
Hikigaya held his hand up in a stop gesture, making the boy flinch.
"Another reason for my choice." He paused for a bit before continuing "-is because of his skill."
"Skill?"
"Yes, that Snake shot and Boomerang Snake skill. Both are useful in single and double matches. Snake shot is good for draining an opponent's energy while the Boomerang Snake is a special skill that when the shot is swerves out of bounds, around the net pole, it rebounds."
The boy laughed evilly and mashed the buttons to form his devastating attack.
"Here, this is Snake Shot! Take this Zaimokuza!" The character on the screen flew back, but then it was on its feet again, coming back with a vengeance. The smile transformed into a smirk.
"Now for the finishing move, Boomerang snake!"
– Game Over! –
The screen flashed.
"Waaaah! Cruel! You're so cruel Hachiman!"
Zaimokuza whined from the opposite side of the gaming machine. Saika giggled cutely and looked at Hikigaya with admiration shining in his beautiful eyes. "Cool!" He said with glee. "So if I learn that move, I'll be unstoppable?"
"No. That's wrong Totsuka." Came the reply.
"Huh? What do you mean Hachiman?" When there was no answer, Totsuka pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. "Boo. You are so mean nowadays you know".
The boy laughed weakly and scratched the back of his head. "Well, It just that…"
"Hmm? Just what?"
"It is nearly impossible to execute this skill repeatedly because it requires the player to constantly predict the enemy's next move. And we can't do that every time! The spinning of the ball is just insane sometimes. Bah, it's just like life. Such a crappy game."
Totsuka hummed thoughtfully as he contemplated the cynical words. "If that's what you think, then I will show you Hachiman!" He declared soulfully. "That I can master this skill!"
"What? Er- well, I would like to see it with both of my eyes one day. Good luck with that, Totsuka."
"I will Hachiman. Hehehe. And then…."
"Then?"
"When I manage to learn it and use it perfectly" Stuttering a bit "Will y-you like to play doubles with me?"
"That's er- um- ah" Spluttered Hachiman with his face flushing dark red and started fidgeting nervously. He cleared his throat.
"That's fine I guess." He said.
"So, it's a promise right?"
"Yes, I promise."
Months have passed since that day, and he was still captivated by the Boomerang Snake skill. Totsuka Saika always practices secretly for his special skill. Months have passed, but his training had not brought him any closer to his goal. However, his reaction speed towards the ball are much faster than before. He was ready to challenge Hachiman in single game, in order to show how much he had grown.
But before he could challenge Hachiman.
Hachiman sacrificed himself.
Right in front of Totsuka's eyes.
Hachiman. Hachiman. No. No. Nononononono!
Terror flooding through him, he slammed his racket at the incoming tennis ball. It rocketed to the far corner of the court, and his opponent raced for it; but…
"Game, Set, Match!" A voice hollered.
Lifting his cap, Totsuka smiled weakly at the cheering crowd.
"Game, first set, Totsuka Saika"
"Game, second set, Jumanji Ryuji"
"One – all, new sets"
The ball…I can see it! It's heading straight towards me!
Now, take this-
Totsuka reared his arm back and put all his strength into the next swing, his body humming with adrenaline and tension.
Boomerang snake!
Time slowed to a crawl, and all eyes strained to focus on the spinning ball, the object flung from one side of the court to another. The crowd gaped at the scene before them. The ball seemed to be heading for the left corner of the opponent's court at first, but then, is shifted off course and veered to the right. The ball hit the ground with a loud 'smack' before spinning out of the court. All was silent. It was soon broken by the obnoxious yells of delight erupting from the stands.
The announcer felt his hands trembling. "Love, 40!"
"What the hell was that?! Are you kidding me right now?!" Jumanji's shout was drowned out by the deafening chants of 'Saika Saika' from the stands. He glared at the referee fiercely.
"Wait! Wait! Referee! This move can't possibly be allowed can it? It's a goddamn foul!" Jumanji shouted out
"What! Who the hell does he think he is?!"
Thoroughly agitated by the display of blatant favoritism, the opponent glared angrily at the cute boy. With a menacing growl, he sent the fallen tennis ball flying back toward the other side of the court. But sadly, Saika was ready.
Sorry Jumanji-san, thanks for playing with me, but I cannot lose. Especially not now.
There is something that I have to achieve.
This is the finisher…
This serve is for you, Hachiman!
"Take this!"
"Game, set, match! Totsuka Saika, two sets to one, 6-2, 4-6, 6-0." The loud voice bellowed from the stands. "And the winner for the final Chiba Open tournament is; Totsuka Saika from Soubu High!"
Applause rang out from all sides of the stadium, drowning the boy in question with shouts of joy and tears of happiness. Totsuka threw his arms up in the air, tears trickling down his face.
I…I did it Hachiman!
I did it!
I…
Watching the gleeful students bellow with joy, Totsuka suddenly felt a pang in his chest. It gnawed at him, and he should feel happy right now so why…?
Why did his heart feel so painful?
Why?
And then Totsuka realized. That though he had kept his promise- his friend had not kept his.
"S-Sai-chan?" Yuigahama called from the stands in confusion when the boy started to shake, the action visible even from the distance. And then, she felt her heart shatter when a pain-filled cry erupted from the lonely victor, his face tilted towards the sky.
"Please come back- Hachiman." He begged. "You promised!"
A stunned silence fell over the court as an earth-shaking yell sent chills down their spine. Ignorant of their shock, Saika continued to mumble incoherently. He sobbed in the middle of the tennis court, his small form shivering under the too-bright sun. Like a hopeless child which had lost their parents, Totsuka Saika let his sorrows fill the air.
Please come back to my side again, Hachiman!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year and cheers to a new decade to everyone of you, this chapter was a bit off-putting to correct and to, to be honest, I kind of put-off cause of my laziness
Anyway, If you find any mistakes that I've missed in my sleep derived correction, leave a review for me to fix, and if you want more, go bother ledochorz for the continuation of the story
