Ciel's eyes glinted curiously as she got into her Lamborghini. "With whom are we going to play today, Jesse? I don't remember you scheduling any games today."
Jesse sighed, and shot a glance at Erin and Melina. The two girls shook their heads imperceptibly. Nope, not the right time. She turned back to Ciel, and grinned. "It's a surprise for you this time. I just need you to come along like always. I haven't exactly decided on the playing team yet, so I want everyone tagging along." She sat down on the passenger's side of the car, while Ciel got into the driver's seat.
"Are you sure?" Ciel asked warily as she started up the car.
"Sure I'm sure! Was there ever a time I let you down before?" Jesse asked lightly, trying to cover up the fact that she was leaving out some very important details. If she knew whom we were playing against, she'd NEVER come along. She grinned at her best friend. "And besides, you've locked yourself up in your room and brooded there for FAR too long. You need a bit of fresh air, girl! A little bit of sunlight! It'll bring some color back to your cheeks!"
Ciel laughed as they pulled out of the garage, and sped down the highway, following Melina's BMW. "Okay, I understand! This game is a cheer-up-Ciel mission, right? Come on, don't deny it!"
"Yeah, you're right on the mark, Ciel!" Jesse replied as they whizzed down the streets, the Lamborghini's engine purring like a kitten. I only hope that she doesn't figure out where we're going exactly until she can't back out anymore…
However, her hopes were dashed when they rounded the corner into the street where their destination stood. Ciel took one look, and immediately turned to the side of the road, parking her car. She turned to Jesse, and demanded, "Jesse, what are we doing here?!"
Jesse noticed that Ciel was about ready to bolt, so she put a hand on her friend's shoulder, and said, in her most serious tone, "Ciel, you can't run away from this forever. You know that. Unless you do something and face up to the problem, you're never going to get anywhere." She sighed. "I know that this hurts you; why else would you lock yourself up in your room and brood over it? But don't you see that you're just going to hurt them AND yourself more if you do that? Come on Ciel, you're the strongest girl I know. I don't really know what troubles you had to face before we met each other, but I can tell you now that running away isn't going to solve anything. Please Ciel, this is for your own good…"
Ciel stared at her for a long while, her purple eyes suddenly seeming to be hazy, like a veil had been dropped over them. Jesse had never seen Ciel like that before, and it probably meant that this whole affair had stirred up memories or feelings that Ciel had attempted to control or keep hidden away from the surface. But if that's the case, what could they be?
At long last, Ciel sighed, and turned to the steering wheel, starting the engine up again. "I know you're right, Jesse," she murmured. "I'm not afraid to choose between the two of them; given a chance, I'd declare it to the whole wide world. But…things are a lot more complicated than that. No, I can't choose between the two of them. If I choose, I'll lose the both of them. If I love…it will be the end."
Jesse stared at her friend, puzzled as hell by what Ciel said. What in the world is she talking about? But there was not much time left for contemplation. Ciel had already driven the car into the parking lot of Shoyo High School, and she had to condition herself mentally for the upcoming game. She slid a sideways glance at Ciel, and noticed that the poor girl had withdrawn mentally. I hope that what I'm doing will be good for her…
* * *
CJ looked at Ciel, and felt very bad for her friend. Something's wrong with her…I wonder what it could be…
When she had told Melina that she was more mysterious than Ciel and Aleine, it was one of those things that she used to tease her friend. After all, when it came to mystery, none were better at it than Melina, Ciel and Aleine. While she, Jesse and Erin were more of the what-you-see-is-what-you-get types, the three others were…well, different.
Though Melina was often the happy-go-lucky type of girl and managed to get along with almost anyone, there were times when she would space out and not come back to reality for a long while. As Erin termed it, "The lights are on but no one's home". Also, she had a tendency to waking up screaming in the middle of the night because of some nightmare or other. And there was also Melina's strange mistrust of men. It hadn't escaped CJ's observation that although Melina easily made friends with guys, when they started to get TOO close to her (otherwise known as having ROMANTIC intentions), she'd suddenly jump away from them and insist that she never see them again. That was how she managed to leave 58 broken hearts in her wake AND earn the title of "Black Widow", because, like her arachnid counterpart, she was always "killing off" her suitors.
Ciel was more or less the same. CJ was certain that beneath her cool and calm exterior was a tortured and broken soul. She could see it all too clearly in Ciel's eyes sometimes, but there were also times when they were clouded and full of…something that CJ couldn't put her finger on. Though all of them loved her, Ciel wasn't the type to get too close to anyone. She rarely shared anything about herself, being more content to listen to others and share in their pain than discuss her own problems.
But Aleine was an entirely different cup of tea altogether. Though they had managed to break through her cold exterior and had come to know her ways and habits, there were still hidden layers that were yet to be unmasked, and CJ didn't know what they had to do to get Aleine to show them who she really was. It seemed to her that Aleine wore a multitude of masks, and around that she had also built high walls and were quite impenetrable except to the few who knew her. She was the epitome of mystery, and not even they had managed to unravel her yet.
SWISH!!!
CJ looked up, and watched as Ciel dropped to the floor on her feet right after scoring two points with her lay-up. She smiled, and got to her feet, yelling at her teammates as they ran past. "Come on girls, you can do it! Nothing to them! Go!"
Melina laughed from where she was guarding one of the players of Shoyo, blocking him with her body. "Speak for yourself! How's about you come down here and try playing these guys for yourself?!"
"I decline the offer, Mel, but thanks anyway!" CJ called teasingly, watching as Erin suddenly made off with the ball, and ran over to the other end of the court. Unfortunately, it seems that Hanagata was quick in getting there, and he blocked her way. Erin swiftly passed the ball to Aleine, who jumped up and shot it for a three-pointer.
As her friends dashed back to the other side to play defense, her eye almost unconsciously fell on Ciel. She bit her lip. Oh Ciel…
* * *
Fujima stared intently at Ciel as she dribbled the ball, attempting to watch her every move. He winced when he saw that she never met his gaze, and whenever they made contact as a result of the playing, he could see her flinch quite visibly. Ciel…
He knew for sure that she had overheard everything that they had argued about a few days ago, and it made him feel quite guilty that she had to hear all of it. The last thing he wanted to do was make her think less of him because of that argument with Hanagata.
But in the meantime, they had other things to think about. Like the way these girls were beating them down because Hanagata wouldn't pass him the ball, even if he were open. And the girls were taking advantage of it. They had seen that weakness immediately, and started hammering it mercilessly. Though he had hoped that at least Ciel would go easy on them, she didn't. In fact, she was the most unrelenting on their team.
It hurt, seeing her like this. It really hurt. He felt that he was responsible for the way she was acting at that moment. I wish I hadn't started it.
And then what? Let Hanagata have his way, his snottier side demanded.
Fujima mentally shook his head. No, I wouldn't let him have his way! Not ever! But I shouldn't have confronted him in front of everyone…especially in front of her…
It was for the best, his snotty side whispered. That way everyone would know who has the REAL right to claim her.
But she isn't an object that I should "claim"! Fujima raged at himself. She's a living, breathing person with feelings, and I KNOW that I hurt them! Gods, of all the people to hurt, it had to be my "best friend" and the girl I like. What's she going to think of me now?!
Suddenly, the girl named Jesse walked to the middle of the court, waving her arms to get their attention. "Hold it, hold it, HOLD IT!"
Fujima looked up at her, curious as to why she suddenly spoke up the way she did. What could be wrong?
"This game isn't going anywhere," Jesse said at last. She eyed the Shoyo players. "I don't know what's going on, but something's the matter. This isn't the way you played against Shohoku. Something's wrong here, and it sure as hell ain't depression from losing to Shohoku." She gave a pointed glance at Hanagata, who lowered his eyes almost immediately, then at Fujima. He met her gaze for as long as he could, but then lowered his eyes to the floor.
He didn't see the smirk on Jesse's face. "Right. Now, how's about we make you a deal? We'll stop this game, and have a new one some other time. That way, we can play fair and square. How does that sound?"
Fujima blinked. What? They want to have another game at another time? Why would they want that when they're already in the lead? But after a moment of thought, he realized almost instantly why Jesse would suggest that. She saw right through Hanagata and me. He cleared his throat, trying to sound authoritative. "Alright, I accept your suggestion. Just come by when you think it would be a good time to play against us again."
Jesse smiled. "Great! Now then," here she turned to her friends, "let's get on out of here." She glanced at the other Shoyo players, pointedly not looking at Hanagata and Fujima. "Hey, you guys want to come with us? We're going out for some ice cream. Our treat!"
That was more than enough incentive for the other Shoyo players. In moments the gym was empty, save for Fujima, Hanagata, and, in a little corner of the gym, Ciel.
Fujima looked at her with a wide-eyed gaze. Why did she stay here? I thought that she'd be the first to bolt out of here when her friends suggested they go out for ice cream. She stood up then, and flashed them a sort of half-smile. "I'm going out to get some ice cream too. You want me to get you some?"
* * *
Ciel looked at the two players who stood just a few meters away from her, staring at her with strange gazes in their eyes. She sighed. Why does it have to be so hard for me to face up to this? I should just walk up to them, tell them what I really feel, and leave it at that.
She sighed, and turned around, no longer waiting for their answer. "I'll be back in a while…"
At that precise moment, she felt a hand close around her wrist, tugging her gently back. What? She turned around, and noticed Hanagata staring at her, his fingers wrapped around her wrist. She stared back at him. "What is it?"
"We need to talk," Hanagata said, and there was remorse in his voice.
Ciel nodded wordlessly, and let Hanagata lead her to the nearest bench. She sat down, and looked at the two players who stood in front of her. They didn't say anything for a while, but the silence was broken when Hanagata said, "Ciel, we'd like to…apologize. We know you saw us that day, and we know it wasn't exactly a nice scene, and, well…" Here he trailed off, unable to think of anything more to say. Fujima simply stood there, silent.
"I thank you for apologizing," Ciel said quietly, "but I think I'm the one who has to apologize here. The way I see it, you two have been friends for much longer than I've been yours. Like they say in the States, 'Three's a crowd'; and I don't want to be the third party that ruins everything. It really hurts to see that I'd be the reason that your friendship would be destroyed. If it will help any, I'll try to keep a little distance from you two from now on."
Fujima shook his head vigorously. "No Ciel, there's no need to do that! You're still our friend in spite of what's happened, and believe me, we wouldn't like it if you stayed away from us."
Ciel smiled up at Fujima, noting the anxiety in his dark blue eyes. He's always been like that. It's such a pity that there aren't a lot like him in the world. God only knows that this world would be a better place with more like him. "Okay then, I won't stay away from you. But remember this: you two are back to Square One when it comes to me. I'd like to work our friendship from scratch, and maybe it will be better than before." She stood up then, and managed to put on a smile. "So then, how about that ice cream?"
When the two boys nodded, she turned around, and headed out of the gym in search of her friends.
* * *
Hanagata sighed when Ciel had disappeared behind the door. That went smoothly enough. He glanced at Fujima, and grinned. "So I can safely say that this little spat is over?"
Fujima smiled back at him. "I guess so." But then, he sighed. "Back to Square One…looks like it's going to be a little harder from now on."
"You can say that again," Hanagata agreed. He's right. Ciel's going to be a little more wary of us from now on. She's going to try to strike a balance between the two of us so that we don't argue about her anymore. "Fujima, I still like her, even after all she said."
His best friend nodded. "Hai. And I feel the same way." Fujima glanced at him, and held out his hand. "If you're not going to change your mind, then so be it. Let HER make the decision. I won't interfere, and you won't interfere. We'll play fair. And may the best man win, ne?"
Hanagata grinned, and shook Fujima's hand. "Hai. May the best man win."