Somewhere In The Middle
After the practice,
I have to do It now, no time will be better. If I don't, then I won't. Koshino was gathering all his courage, after all, Miyagi was in the shower.
He walked towards Ayako who was busy with her record book. He tried to avoid a scene but it was no use, he looked nervous beyond obvious. Sakuragi stopped fixing his stuff to watch him, Mitsui and Kirin looked away.
"Er, are you busy?" He asked the beautiful manager.
"Not really…er, you did great today, I mean, the practice." She said grinning, starting to blush.
Mitsui went to the shower room, Kirin and Sakuragi followed. They knew better than stopping Koshino.
"You were watching-I mean-of course, you should…you noticed then." Koshino said, slightly flattered. Ayako started to blush even more.
"well, I'm supposed to monitor each of you."
"Yeah. Uh, I never got to, er, how am I gonna say…uh, would you…are you and Miyagi together?" he managed to ask before he could stop himself. Ayako looked at him for a while then,
"No, it's…it's not in my mind right now. It's hard to choose, you know…"
"Between me and him?" Koshino asked, not too boldly.
"Uh, between that and basketball." She clarified.
"Oh, sorry. But, I've been thinking, if I'm not gonna tell you this now, then I probably won't. would you-"
"Listen, I'd love to but under such circumstances it's quite hard to take the opportunity. Miyagi's been acting warmly towards me and I think I owe him that for some reason and if we do something that would be a cause of another fit of his anger I guess it would be more than he could handle. I know what he feels about me as well as its dangers," Ayako said all this very fast but Koshino didn't seem to miss a thing.
"So this is what it's all about? Miyagi this and that? Look, I just happen to find it unfair you wouldn't even give me a chance. If all your decisions would have to depend on the mood of Miyagi-" Koshino said in a half loud tone but Ayako took over,
"Not quite. If you're taking this against the captain then please put aside all your thoughts at the moment because it's unhealthy for the team. Secondly, nobody would want a bloody injury since the games are nearing, and lastly, I am trying to decide independently as much as possible but…" She faltered, Koshino struck the reality behind it all.
"But you couldn't. You see, you're afraid he would beat me up like a punching bag again for coming near you and all," Said Koshino. Ayako tried to open her mouth but found no words to say so Koshino went on, "Listen, it's getting late and I'd better be going. If you change your mind about this just give me a ring and I'll pick you up at 7 this coming Sunday," He lifted up his bag, gave her a smile and winked, "Bye." He said speeding down the road. She covered her face when Koshino had gone.
"What's wrong, Aya-chan?" Miyagi had just came out of the shower. Mitsui, Kirin and Sakuragi were behind him, looking quite relieved that Koshino had gone.
"Nothing, I'm okay, just a headache. You see, I have to go, bye now." She went to go before Miyagi could react.
Saturday afternoon.
Koshino dialled Ayako's number.
"Haven't decided yet?" Koshino asked Ayako.
There was a long pause, then,
"Listen, Hiroaki, you know this is not a good idea, I know you find it unreasonable but it's just not something worth risking. I'm really sorry."
Koshino wanted to punch the receiver and out of his control, he said,
"I'll be there in 10 minutes, bye."
And there was the busy tone. Ayako couldn't believe this. He was giving her more headache.
BLACK HOLE SUN
He was having second thoughts about pressing the doorbell. Here goes nothing. Koshino thought.
It was she who opened the door.
"Come in." Ayako said.
"er, hi." He said awkwardly and followed her into the living room. He sat down opposite her and before he could start,
"Listen, I've been thinking about this for quite a time as well and, I think I know what should be done though you probably wouldn't consent to this. The games are starting next week and it's high time we settle any burdensome issues on the way. Hiroaki Koshino, if there's anything you feel about me, say hatred or affection, please kindly put them aside or better, forget about it," she said filled with consternation and well, pity.
"So, basically you're asking me to pretend I don't feel anything for you which is no worse than revealing that you're choosing him over me, well I guess that's how it goes when you come too late," said Koshino rather indignantly.
"No. It means that I'm neither choosing Ryota Mityagi over you nor you over Ryota. None. I guess that's all." She said. It was surprising that she wasn't offended by Koshino's despicable tone.
"And what do you suppose I am to do? Just go away and be like a loser? You know, I'm quite displeased by the fact that I hoped so much and in the end get nothing, not even consolation. You're the one who gave me reason to feel like I was up to something with you and now, huh." Said Koshino, his anger increasing each second.
"Well, while I must've done anything of the kind you said I did, I, however, did not confirm anything to you. You're the one who expects so much with so little assurance. You know, I'm not used to this kind of conversation so I'll just admit this is my fault and apologise to you for the sake of ending it, and it must've been my fault really, anyway. Sorry." Ayako now seemed to be in equal anger with Koshino.
"That's nice…I do not completely agree with this but since I've no choice left, I accept. And I'm sorry too. But I just want it to be fair and I know this will leave you caught in between…will you treat us, I mean, Miyagi and me with equal attention and importance? I'm not your mom to ask this of you but I believe it will avoid misunderstandings." Koshino said, not knowing how much he had just asked of her.
"Of course, that'd be fair enough since I'm partly responsible for bringing this all up and I think the captain would understand this too although he doesn't even know anything yet. But there is one thing I want to say to you before we part this evening,"
"What's that?' asked Koshino still hoping she would give him a hint of hope.
"Well, it's amazing how far you would go to try to succeed in the matter, you know, but please think for yourself if it's really worth it, like getting beaten up badly, not being able to sleep all night-"
"If you're in love I guess you tend to sacrifice everything," interrupted Koshino but,
"Not that. It's just that maybe you're doing all this stuff because of your pride, maybe it's that that pushes you to do silly things. Just this: you don't need to be in a relationship to be satisfied, there are a whole lot of things that could indemnify for what you thought you lost," Ayako said seriously. She seemed to have placed all her principles at Koshino's foot at the moment, hoping he would pick them up.
"Well, maybe so is the case for other people but as for me, I don't know. Well, I'm sorry to have disturbed you tonight. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye." Koshino said preparing to leave.
"Goodbye, then." Ayako said feeling relieved.
Koshino drove home, his head filled with Ayako's last words. Maybe she's right, I mean it's amazing she doesn't want to get herself a boy right now when every girl her age would've loved to. Maybe I'm just stupid to think a relationship would make up for everything, sigh. He thought feeling more embarrassed than he had ever been.
After the practice,
I have to do It now, no time will be better. If I don't, then I won't. Koshino was gathering all his courage, after all, Miyagi was in the shower.
He walked towards Ayako who was busy with her record book. He tried to avoid a scene but it was no use, he looked nervous beyond obvious. Sakuragi stopped fixing his stuff to watch him, Mitsui and Kirin looked away.
"Er, are you busy?" He asked the beautiful manager.
"Not really…er, you did great today, I mean, the practice." She said grinning, starting to blush.
Mitsui went to the shower room, Kirin and Sakuragi followed. They knew better than stopping Koshino.
"You were watching-I mean-of course, you should…you noticed then." Koshino said, slightly flattered. Ayako started to blush even more.
"well, I'm supposed to monitor each of you."
"Yeah. Uh, I never got to, er, how am I gonna say…uh, would you…are you and Miyagi together?" he managed to ask before he could stop himself. Ayako looked at him for a while then,
"No, it's…it's not in my mind right now. It's hard to choose, you know…"
"Between me and him?" Koshino asked, not too boldly.
"Uh, between that and basketball." She clarified.
"Oh, sorry. But, I've been thinking, if I'm not gonna tell you this now, then I probably won't. would you-"
"Listen, I'd love to but under such circumstances it's quite hard to take the opportunity. Miyagi's been acting warmly towards me and I think I owe him that for some reason and if we do something that would be a cause of another fit of his anger I guess it would be more than he could handle. I know what he feels about me as well as its dangers," Ayako said all this very fast but Koshino didn't seem to miss a thing.
"So this is what it's all about? Miyagi this and that? Look, I just happen to find it unfair you wouldn't even give me a chance. If all your decisions would have to depend on the mood of Miyagi-" Koshino said in a half loud tone but Ayako took over,
"Not quite. If you're taking this against the captain then please put aside all your thoughts at the moment because it's unhealthy for the team. Secondly, nobody would want a bloody injury since the games are nearing, and lastly, I am trying to decide independently as much as possible but…" She faltered, Koshino struck the reality behind it all.
"But you couldn't. You see, you're afraid he would beat me up like a punching bag again for coming near you and all," Said Koshino. Ayako tried to open her mouth but found no words to say so Koshino went on, "Listen, it's getting late and I'd better be going. If you change your mind about this just give me a ring and I'll pick you up at 7 this coming Sunday," He lifted up his bag, gave her a smile and winked, "Bye." He said speeding down the road. She covered her face when Koshino had gone.
"What's wrong, Aya-chan?" Miyagi had just came out of the shower. Mitsui, Kirin and Sakuragi were behind him, looking quite relieved that Koshino had gone.
"Nothing, I'm okay, just a headache. You see, I have to go, bye now." She went to go before Miyagi could react.
Saturday afternoon.
Koshino dialled Ayako's number.
"Haven't decided yet?" Koshino asked Ayako.
There was a long pause, then,
"Listen, Hiroaki, you know this is not a good idea, I know you find it unreasonable but it's just not something worth risking. I'm really sorry."
Koshino wanted to punch the receiver and out of his control, he said,
"I'll be there in 10 minutes, bye."
And there was the busy tone. Ayako couldn't believe this. He was giving her more headache.
BLACK HOLE SUN
He was having second thoughts about pressing the doorbell. Here goes nothing. Koshino thought.
It was she who opened the door.
"Come in." Ayako said.
"er, hi." He said awkwardly and followed her into the living room. He sat down opposite her and before he could start,
"Listen, I've been thinking about this for quite a time as well and, I think I know what should be done though you probably wouldn't consent to this. The games are starting next week and it's high time we settle any burdensome issues on the way. Hiroaki Koshino, if there's anything you feel about me, say hatred or affection, please kindly put them aside or better, forget about it," she said filled with consternation and well, pity.
"So, basically you're asking me to pretend I don't feel anything for you which is no worse than revealing that you're choosing him over me, well I guess that's how it goes when you come too late," said Koshino rather indignantly.
"No. It means that I'm neither choosing Ryota Mityagi over you nor you over Ryota. None. I guess that's all." She said. It was surprising that she wasn't offended by Koshino's despicable tone.
"And what do you suppose I am to do? Just go away and be like a loser? You know, I'm quite displeased by the fact that I hoped so much and in the end get nothing, not even consolation. You're the one who gave me reason to feel like I was up to something with you and now, huh." Said Koshino, his anger increasing each second.
"Well, while I must've done anything of the kind you said I did, I, however, did not confirm anything to you. You're the one who expects so much with so little assurance. You know, I'm not used to this kind of conversation so I'll just admit this is my fault and apologise to you for the sake of ending it, and it must've been my fault really, anyway. Sorry." Ayako now seemed to be in equal anger with Koshino.
"That's nice…I do not completely agree with this but since I've no choice left, I accept. And I'm sorry too. But I just want it to be fair and I know this will leave you caught in between…will you treat us, I mean, Miyagi and me with equal attention and importance? I'm not your mom to ask this of you but I believe it will avoid misunderstandings." Koshino said, not knowing how much he had just asked of her.
"Of course, that'd be fair enough since I'm partly responsible for bringing this all up and I think the captain would understand this too although he doesn't even know anything yet. But there is one thing I want to say to you before we part this evening,"
"What's that?' asked Koshino still hoping she would give him a hint of hope.
"Well, it's amazing how far you would go to try to succeed in the matter, you know, but please think for yourself if it's really worth it, like getting beaten up badly, not being able to sleep all night-"
"If you're in love I guess you tend to sacrifice everything," interrupted Koshino but,
"Not that. It's just that maybe you're doing all this stuff because of your pride, maybe it's that that pushes you to do silly things. Just this: you don't need to be in a relationship to be satisfied, there are a whole lot of things that could indemnify for what you thought you lost," Ayako said seriously. She seemed to have placed all her principles at Koshino's foot at the moment, hoping he would pick them up.
"Well, maybe so is the case for other people but as for me, I don't know. Well, I'm sorry to have disturbed you tonight. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye." Koshino said preparing to leave.
"Goodbye, then." Ayako said feeling relieved.
Koshino drove home, his head filled with Ayako's last words. Maybe she's right, I mean it's amazing she doesn't want to get herself a boy right now when every girl her age would've loved to. Maybe I'm just stupid to think a relationship would make up for everything, sigh. He thought feeling more embarrassed than he had ever been.