Title: Struggle

Part: 9/?

Author: Issei

Genre: Pre-Yaoi or Yaoi already?

Paring: Up to you to decipher!

Rating: PG

Archive: Sdfic ML and Jem's homepage!

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2 Please ignore any typo errors/ gammer mistakes.

Hello people! After a long long week of hectic work schedule, I finally find time to do some of the fic..sorry for having posting it so late.it is not my fault, trust me it is the education system blah blah.well enjoy and c&c pls.

Disclaimer: the characters do not belong to me..dun sue!!

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Warning: The characters may become OOC. Hanamichi at the end maybe OOC.well a little. depending on ones point of view..but I feel that Hanamichi is not as navie as he appears, he does think, sometimes, at least.

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5 Words in * * is action

6 Words in ^ ^ is characters thinking

Words in [ ] refer to the setting

Words in ( ) are words by writer.^_______^

6.1 Chapter 9

Hanamichi: What problem? I already said I don't have any. I am the tensai right? So what problems should I ever have?

Mitsui: No, you are not a tensai and you sure have some problem. You can stop acting like an idiot in front of me. I am after all an intelligent being.



Hanamichi was silent. For once in his whole life, he was tired of arguing. (Hanamichi tired of arguing? ^^;;)

Hanamichi: Fine, if you want to know. I am sick of being chased after by a mad man.

Mitsui: Mad man? Did you just refer to me as a mad man, I am trying to be nice to you and yet you call me a mad man!

Hanamichi: I was only joking.why are you so angry? *Sweat drop* Unless you are really one? HA HA HA.

Mitsui was at a lost of words and hence decided to change the topic.

Mitsui: ^Do I really act like a mad man? Following the red head like this? ^ Well, so are you going to tell me your problem?

For the first time since morning, Hanamichi really laughed. His cheerfulness returned to him once again. The Hanamichi who loved to joke and tease others returned. But it did not last long. A minute later, he was back to the aloof Hanamichi.

Hanamichi: Are you sure, you want to know? ^ Am I sure, I want to tell? ^

Mitsui: Yeah then why do you think I chase you all the way here? ^ Like a mad man. ^

Hanamichi: Well then let's find a place to sit down.



The two boys came to a playground and a few children were enjoying themselves on the swings and the slides. Except for their occasional shouts and screams, this place was a relatively quiet place to stop and talk.

Mitsui: How about here? There is a bench there. We can talk over there?

Hanamichi didn't say a word. He only walked towards the bench. He had been thinking hard and long about the sudden concern of Mitsui over him. He didn't understand all that he is doing. He had been finding excuses, one after and another, to cover up for Mitsui. But these were only Hanamichi's reason, not Mitsui's.

Hanamichi: ^ What is his real motive then? ^

Hanamichi had been thinking of Mitsui and his words ever since the hospital visit. He had been so frustrated not only because of his own injury and inability to perform and because of this someone, Mitsui. As they approached the bench, Hanamichi came to a halt.

Hanamichi: Before I tell you my problems, can I ask you a question?

Mitsui: What question?

Hanamichi: Is that a yes or a no?

Mitsui: Well I will answer you depending on the question.

Hanamichi: Do you want really want to help me with my problems as you have claimed?

Mitsui: Yes and unless you tell me, I cannot.

Hanamichi: You will help me if you will answer this question.

Mitsui: If that will help you, then I guess I will answer you.

Hanamichi: Is that a yes then?

Mitsui: Well, yes.

Hanamichi: Er.er.why are.

Mitsui: Just go ahead and ask.

Hanamichi: Why are you so concern about me?

Mitsui was completely stunned. He opened his mouth to try and speak but no sound came out.

Mitsui: . . . .

Hanamichi: Are you all right? You are gasping for air.

Mitsui finally found his voice.

Mitsui: I.well.er.just treated you as a teammate.

Hanamichi was unconvinced.

Hanamichi: Teammate?

Mitsui: Yah I only treated you as a teammate, a friend and it is only natural I care for you. *Major sweat drop *



Hanamichi: That is all? Nothing else?



Mitsui: What other reasons do you think I have?



Hanamichi: Well, you have never shown concern for me before the IH competitions. Why now?



Mitsui: That is because you don't have any problems, there are so many to share your problems even if you had any, and they are not very serious. People like Youhei, Haruko, Ryota. Your problems didn't appear to shake your confidence at least? But this time it appears to be. Let's get on to your problem. *Trying to change topic*



Hanamichi: Wait Micchy. I will not.



Mitsui: No? Why no? I already answer your question?



Hanamichi: You are lying these are not the real reason. Are you hiding something from me? Tell me the truth!



Hanamichi was fuming a little. He hated being lied to and from Mitsui's expression, he could see, the tinge of guilt.

Mitsui: Is my answer that important?

Hanamichi: To me, it is.

Mitsui: I don't know myself. I just feel the need to see you happy. That's all.

This time, Mitsui's eyes show nothing, only a faraway look.

Hanamichi: *scratches head* Why the need? I am no related to you in anyway, am I?

Mitsui: I really don't know, I will tell you when I do. Let's get on with your problem.

Hanamichi: Well, I guess I cannot do anything about this.

Hanamichi was confused, totally, still unsure of the relationship between Mitsui and himself. But he sense that this time Mitsui was telling the truth, there was a glint of confusion and frustration within his eyes.

Mitsui: Now my question, what is your problem?

Hanamichi: I already told you. ^ Part of it, at least. Do you think I will tell other people that I cannot shoot accurately anymore? ^

Mitsui: Huh? That is all? Are you sure? *Observes Hanamichi*

Hanamichi: Yeah! *Flashes a grin*

Mitsui: *smiling with relief * I am glad if that was all. ^He must be thinking that I am dumb, who in the world will get so upset for nothing. ^

Mitsui turned and walked away. Mitsui felt a tinge of sadness invaded him. He had wanted so much to help Hanamichi o share with him his problems. But, Hanamichi refused him, lied and acted as if he was all right as if he was truly fine.

Mitsui: ^ Why can't I be his friend? Why am I just an outsider looking at things and hearing only from others? Why can't I be the first one to know? ^

Hanamichi: Hey Micchy!

A spark of hope shone faintly in Mitsui's heart.

Mitsui: ^Maybe he will tell me after all. ^ Yes?

Hanamichi: Thanks for being so concern about me. I really appreciated it. ^ This time I am telling the truth. ^ Thanks Micchy! *Gives Mitsui a grateful look*

Mitsui: Anytime! ^ At least he appreciated it. ^

Mitsui comforted himself, trying to make himself feel better.

Hanamichi headed towards home. There was a sudden release from the entire burden, the stress. And suddenly he felt he could breath freely again.

Hanamichi: ^ At least I could act without anyone realising it! ^ Ha ha. I am indeed a tensai!

Feeling half of his trouble gone, Hanamichi was back to his cheery mood, singing his own "Tensai song". (Hanamichi can be forgetful at times especially when it comes to troubles.) As he sang his way home, another problem was looming ahead.



To be continued.

Oh yes. I am done! The next chapter is gonna be. hee I won't say! C&C are much appreciated! You can dumb in all your critics I don't mind..coz I do want to improve!

Issei_kun_@hotmail.com