A/N: Um, my bad. This isn't going to be the last chapter of Seven Days. I promise that the next one will be. Please bear with me for a little while. ^_^
Tenipuri, glad you liked it. ^_^ Yep, I'm trying to make this exciting even though it's a deadly situation for the regulars. Hope you like it until the end. Thanks for reviewing!
MidnightLoner, thanks for reviewing! I think this chapter will change your mind and will force you to believe the curse. hehe Thanks for reading! ^_^
Sakura2814, thanks for the compliments! Er… don't kill anyone? Hm… We'll just see, shall we? ^_^ Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: Characters depicted in the story aren't mine. They belong to Takeshi Konomi. Sadako isn't mine either.
Seven Days
Day Six: Thursday…
"Ne, Kaidoh." Eiji Kikumaru looked up at his companion in the quiet, empty locker room. Kikumaru, who was still shaken up from the experience he had the day before, sat alone on the bench in the locker room that morning. He was tired. He never got a good night's sleep the night before, and there were dark half moons under his large blue eyes. His senses were still quite alert from the experience he had with Sadako. That was why when the door suddenly burst open, he visibly jumped.
Kaidoh stepped inside the room. He barely spared a glance at the lone figure sitting on the bench as he went straight to his shelf. He was putting on his jersey when the unusually quiet Kikumaru spoke. Kaidoh hissed in response.
"Have you given anyone your copy yet?" The red head stood up as well to prepare for their morning practice.
"Iie." Was the mamushi's answer.
"Deadline's tomorrow." Kikumaru mumbled and sighed. At around 7:00 pm tomorrow, they're going to die a horrible death... Kuso! Panic finally kicked in through his numbness. The acrobatics player pulled at his hair and groaned. He then grabbed Kaidoh's collar in a tight grip and started shaking him. "Uuwaaah, Kaidoh! We can't die yet! We're just kids! We have a bright future ahead of us!"
"C-Calm down, K-Kikumaru-senpai…" Kaidoh managed to say while trying to remove Kikumaru's tight grip on his shirt.
"I have plans, you know? Big plans!" His panicking senpai suddenly released him. Kaidoh found himself plopped down on the concrete floor. Kikumaru remained standing up, though his back was to him. The red haired senior looked up at the ceiling and spread his arms on his sides as if he was praying for divine intervention. Kaidoh sweatdropped when he realized that his senpai really was praying. "Ah, Kami-sama, please help us in this terrible ordeal. Show us your guiding hand that we may be able to find the path to enlightenment so that we may feel peace despite this horrible dilemma we are in…"
"Fudomine's cursed too!!!" Momoshiro's sudden outburst, the moment he opened the door, interrupted Kikumaru's prayer. Both he and Kaidoh looked at the stressed junior as he stepped inside the room, followed by a nonchalant Echizen. "This guy gave our copies to Fudomine's Ibu and Shinji!" Momoshiro pointed at the freshman as he dropped himself on the bench.
Echizen shrugged in return. "You should be happy I got rid of those tapes for you, Momo-senpai." He put on his white cap and took out his red racquet from his bag. "Else you're still cursed up to now."
He's right. Momoshiro thought. So why was he even complaining? "D-Demo…"
"They're free, Kaidoh." Kikumaru suddenly spoke up and shifted his gaze on the silent junior. "We should start thinking of ourselves first, too. Or we die."
"Hsss…" The grim junior stood up and, without a word, left the room. Kikumaru quickly followed him outside.
"Oi, matte, Kaidoh!" Kikumaru said as he caught up with the junior. He draped an arm around Kaidoh's shoulders as they walked toward the courts. "I have a plan on how we can get rid of the curse without feeling guilty about it."
Kaidoh hissed, a sign that he was listening.
"We leave our copies in the school's audio-visual room." Kikumaru continued. "That way, we're assured that someone will really watch it without us knowing who did. It somehow lessens the guilt feelings we'll suffer later." Kikumaru moved away from Kaidoh. He frowned as he rested his racquet on his shoulder. "We'll just brace ourselves for the news on who among the students or teachers here, for that matter, died."
"It's unbecoming of you, Kikumaru-senpai." Kaidoh replied. "Being firm on this deadly decision."
"We have to be firm, Kaidoh." Kikumaru rolled his racquet several times on his right hand, a sign that he was getting serious over something. "Our lives depend on it."
* * *
Syusuke Fuji, the tensai player, smiled as he spotted the quiet yet strong figure of the Seigaku captain. The prodigy found the school's number one tennis player standing by the side of the court, watching the other players in their morning practice. A poker smile pasted on his face, Fuji walked toward him and held up his copy of the flick. Tezuka looked at it but didn't take the tape.
"What is it?"
When talking to the captain, one is required to go straight to the point. Or the buchou wouldn't waste his time listening to the speaker. No formalities required; no cute comments. Just the facts. So Fuji decided to tell him just that. The pure and simple truth.
"The cursed tape." Fuji smiled. "Watch it and I'll be free from the curse. I take it that someone already told you about our little dilemma?"
Tezuka took a quick glance at the prodigy and returned his gaze back on the courts, pointedly ignoring Fuji's request. No one can decipher Fuji's thoughts behind that cool mask of his. It's even hard to tell if he really was afraid of the curse or was just playing along with his teammates. No one can really tell because of that poker smile on his face.
Neither can anyone read Tezuka's thoughts behind his stoical expression.
"Find someone else to get you out of that predicament." Fuji's smile didn't falter at Tezuka's cold reply. He shrugged as he remained silent. What did he expect? Skeptic or not, Tezuka wasn't someone who would watch such a flick. Fuji's smile widened. He better find someone else to help him out of the curse then.
* * *
Tensai Fuji went straight home after practice late that afternoon. Alas, he didn't find someone who could help him. Perhaps he should try giving his copy to his rivals from other schools in the district. Just like what Momo and Echizen did. And that what's-his-name-guy who never cared for his brother's arm in St. Rudolph would be the perfect recipient of the curse.
Hm… a wonderful plan.
Fuji smiled. He heard that his teammates who watched the film with him already got rid of their copies. Good for them. It meant that they are already safe from Sadako. Well, it doesn't matter. Fuji thought. There's still tomorrow anyway. Even though it's the final day.
"Tadaima!" Fuji called out as he entered the foyer. He removed his shoes and slipped on to his slippers. The house was awfully quiet. He frowned as he wondered why. His parents were usually home at this time, while his sister Yumiko wasn't expected until dinnertime.
So… why was he alone?
Then he remembered. It was Thursday. The poker smile was back in place. His parents usually visited his younger brother Yuuta in his dorm. That was why no one was home.
He mentally chided himself. Looks like the talk about the curse is getting into me. Frankly, he really didn't know what to think… if he should believe his teammates or not. True, he was having dreams about Sadako. But they were just that. Dreams. Nothing paranormal happened to him yet.
And nothing ever will happen to him because, just like Echizen, he found their dilemma quite entertaining and funny. A truly unbelievable situation. Tch. Sadako indeed.
Dismissing the thought from his mind, he walked toward the staircase that led to his room. He was going to check the cacti in his room. He loved that particular plant species. Little and seemingly harmless, yet the thorns are its beauty. The love for his cacti is one of the few things that can complement his unusual taste.
He chuckled when he remembered Eiji's reaction to his peculiarity.
As he passed by the massive living room, he noticed that it wasn't empty after all. The television was on, static on the screen. The TV was the only source of light, which cast an eerie glow in the large dark room. His gaze settled on a high backed chair that stood right in front of the television. And realized that someone was sitting on it. Nee-san?
Was she home after all?
Yumiko nee-san must've fallen asleep while watching. Fuji smiled as he walked toward the chair. Yet, how unusual of his sister to wait up for him in the living room. She usually just knocked on his door (the moment she hears him come home) and entered his room to talk to him there. Maybe she was going to invite him out for dinner but has fallen asleep while waiting for him.
He stopped short when she realized that the head visible from the chair's high back wasn't his sister's. The person's hair was darker, almost black.
Now who…?
Fuji frowned as his sharp blue gaze settled on the chair. He walked toward it quietly. If the stranger sitting on the chair didn't know he was behind her, then it was Fuji's advantage. Whoever this was should get out of the house. Or at least explain why he/she is here. Fuji thought reasonably as he reached out to touch the person's shoulder.
But a cold pale hand suddenly darted out, grabbing Fuji's right wrist in a tight grip. The stunned junior couldn't do anything but watch as the chair slowly swung around to face him…
* * *
Day Seven: Friday…
"I'm going ahead, Taka-san." Oishi waved as he walked toward the Locker Room door. Their afternoon club activity was about to start. Most of the club members were on the court already and it wasn't right for him to be late. And Kawamura should hurry up as well. The dark haired vice captain looked back at his companion when the timid blond haired teen didn't reply. Kawamura was just staring blankly at his shelf; a worried frown creased his brows. "Taka-san?"
"Huh?" Kawamura suddenly snapped up from his thoughts. He looked at Oishi as he tried to remember what the vice captain said. "Ah, hai, Oishi." Kawamura tried to smile. "I'll follow after I change."
Oishi nodded and turned to leave. But thought better of it and faced Kawamura again. "Taka-san, if you're not feeling okay, you can skip practice. I'll just tell Tezuka." He knew that Kawamura was still a little paranoid about the curse. After all, today was supposedly their last day. Even he was uneasy over it. Then again, they have given their copies to other people. They should be safe.
Right?
Kawamura shook his head. "Iie." He smiled. "I'm okay, Oishi. Thanks." He then proceeded to take out his jogging pants and jersey from his locker. "I'll be out in a few minutes."
Oishi nodded and stepped out. Before he could close the door behind him, a nagging feeling told him to stay and wait for Kawamura until he finished changing. Then again, he was being silly. He shook his head and closed the door behind him.
Leaving Kawamura alone in the locker room.
Oishi walked toward the courts and found a lone figure sitting by the court bench, away from the other club members who were warming up for the practice matches later that afternoon. He smiled as he recognized their tensai player and walked toward him.
"Fuji? What are you doing sitting there all alone?" Oishi made his way toward the court bench which Fuji was sitting on. He noticed that the tensai was in deep thought, sitting with his head lowered, his elbows resting on his knees.
And his eyes were wide open. Eh? How unusual…
"Fuji?"
"Huh? Ah, Oishi." Fuji looked up, his poker smile quickly replacing his troubled expression. He stood up and reached for his racquet sitting beside him. "Practice going to start now?" He asked as he rested his racquet on his shoulder. "Maybe I should start warming up."
"Uh, yeah." Oishi answered. What could possibly be troubling the Fuji? Although the tensai was acting as if nothing was wrong, Oishi could sense Fuji's agitation. It was highly unusual that something could make the calm player act this way. His gaze then flickered to Fuji's exposed right arm before the tensai could walk away from him. "Fuji!" Oishi suddenly exclaimed. "What's that?!"
There were red hand marks on Fuji's right wrist.
"Eh? Nani? Nani?" Kikumaru, hearing Oishi's unusually raised voice, appeared behind Fuji and rested an arm on the tensai's shoulder. He looked up at Oishi's pale face and wondered at his disturbed expression. "Oishi, what's wrong?"
"Eiji… Fuji's arm… I-It's…"
"Eh?" Kikumaru moved away from Fuji, his blue gaze settling on the burnt-looking marks on Fuji's wrist. "Where did you get that?!"
A lot of heads turned in their direction when they heard Kikumaru's loud outburst. Oishi quickly stepped up and told them to continue with their warm-ups and practice swings. It wouldn't be wise if the whole team knew of the regulars' predicament.
"Maa, maa, it's nothing to worry about…" Fuji tried calming Kikumaru down with his poker smile.
"What do you mean it's nothing to worry about?!" Kikumaru exclaimed through gritted teeth, careful not to catch the other members' attention again. "It's from Sadako, isn't it?!"
"What? I thought you're out of the curse!" Oishi cut in a low yet frantic voice; panic also starting to seep in to him. A bead of sweat ran down the side of his face as realization took place. Six of the Tenipuri are going to die!
"That's how it should be, senpais." All three of them looked up when Kaidoh entered the courts. Hands in his pockets, he walked toward the group. "The signs don't stop until the final day. Remember the movie, Kikumaru-senpai? We don't really know if we're safe or not." He hissed. "Until the final hour comes."
"Y-Yeah, I remember." Kikumaru answered weakly. He dropped himself on the nearby bench and sighed. He rubbed his hands on his face and groaned. "This sucks!"
The other three couldn't agree more.
"By the way." Kaidoh suddenly spoke up after a long silence. "I just thought of this yesterday when we left out copies in the A/V Room. I think we did something wrong."
"What is it, Kaidoh?" Oishi prompted when Kaidoh didn't continue.
"Come on!" Kikumaru stood up. "Spill already!"
"Our copies…" Kaidoh started, "were made by that baka powerhouse. I was thinking…" he paused again, "shouldn't we be the ones who were supposed to make our own copies?"
The three merely continued staring at him, waiting for him to finish.
"The curse doesn't stop that way." Kaidoh continued. "I think that we should personally---"
Whatever Kaidoh was about to say was drowned by a terrified scream from the Locker Room. Everyone in the court turned to look in that direction. Was that Momoshiro who just screamed? They wondered as they ran toward the fence gates to see what frightened Momoshiro so. The Regulars were hiding something from them and it's about time they should find out what.
"Okay, everyone, calm down! Go back to practice!" Oishi shouted over the curious chatter of the club members as he tried to stop them from leaving the courts. "It's probably another raccoon! Momo must have overreacted!"
Most of the club members listened to Oishi's instructions and remained in the courts; but the others ignored him, their curiosity foremost in their minds. They were nearing the fence gates when Tezuka suddenly entered the courts
"B-Buchou!" One of the few members who defied Oishi's orders choked out when he nearly collided with their captain.
"What's going on here?" The low yet authoritative voice of Tezuka rang on the now silent courts. The members who stood right in front of the strict captain flinched when his cold gaze settled on them.
"W-We were just…" One of them actually tried to reason out with the captain. But one sharp look from Tezuka sent the members back to their practice spots. Everything's back to normal. Oishi sighed. But…
"Tezuka! Gomen!" Oishi apologized as he, Fuji, Kikumaru, and Kaidoh ran past him toward the Locker Room. "We're just going to check on Momo. We'll be back in a few minutes!" All four regulars disappeared even before Tezuka could answer.
"All of them seem troubled, ne, Tezuka?" Sadaharu Inui remarked as he walked toward the silent captain, the green notebook in his hand. The captain didn't move nor reply as he watched the members in the court continue their practice. "Must be the curse."
There was a long silence before Tezuka replied. "You believe that nonsense?"
"Iie." The data collector answered with a little chuckle. "I think they are being ridiculous." He closed his notebook and fixed his glasses. "I'm going to check the Locker Room. I might get good data." With that, he turned to leave.
"Tell them to get back here at once." Inui turned to look when Tezuka spoke. "Or else they'll be running 30 laps around the court."
"Hai. Hai." Inui answered.
* * *
"Momo! What happened?" Kikumaru asked the moment they reached the Locker Room. Here, they found Momoshiro sitting by the doorway, stunned, pale, and visibly shaken. His eyes were empty of emotions as he stared straight ahead, as if he was seeing nothing. "Momo?!" Kikumaru yelled to get the junior's attention.
"T-Taka-san!!!" The dark haired junior started and pointed inside the room. "H-He's…"
"What is it?" Kikumaru grabbed Momoshiro's collar and started shaking him. "What about Taka-san?!"
"Momo's terrified over something, Eiji." Fuji, as calm as always, tried to remove Kikumaru's tight hold on Momoshiro. "He's pretty incoherent. We won't know what happened to him in his state."
"Baka powerhouse." Kaidoh mumbled under his breath. If he was hoping he'll get a reaction from his so-called rival, then he'll be extremely disappointed. Momoshiro was too disturbed to rise to the mamushi's bait.
"Let's just go inside the room." Oishi suggested, his hair at the back of his neck rising as uneasiness crept up to him.
Kikumaru finally let go of Momoshiro's collar and impatiently shoved him out of his way so that he could enter the empty Locker Room. Oishi, Fuji, and Kaidoh followed suit.
And what they saw inside explained Momoshiro's current state. For what they saw also made them numb with absolute shock.
Neither one of them moved for it took all of their strength just to stand up.
Because there on the cold ground, they found the motionless body of Kawamura. His eyes rolled toward the back of his head, his face frozen with fear, his mouth wide open as if he wanted to shout for help but wasn't able to, his hand clutched at his chest as if he couldn't breathe before he…
Takashi Kawamura, their friend and teammate, is dead.