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Chapter 11
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Tezuka
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As he stood and surveyed his team mates practising, he felt their eyes on him. He knew that they knew that Sakuno was at his place that night because of Inui, but he simply ignored their looks. For once his mind was blank of her. Blank of everything, until his mobile rang.
He flipped it open.
"Hai."
"Hello Tezuka kun." Ryuzaki-sensei's voice replied.
"Sensei. Doushita." He asked.
"Well, I suspect that Sakuno hasn't told you then….." she began with hesistation.
His mind clicked along.
"No. Is something wrong?"
"Not really. But you see, I had to go away for a month to teach at another school. I … didn't feel safe leaving Sakuno behind like that, but I had to go on this trip. She hasn't been the same since that day…Tezuka-kun. I hope you wouldn't mind….but I was hoping that you could just keep an eye out for her. I reminded Sakuno to talk to you about it, but I had a feeling she wouldn't, even though she kept on saying yes."
"I don't mind…" he answered honestly.
"Yokatta. I feel much better knowing that Sakuno will be a lot safer having you around. Arigato Tezuka-kun. Sayonara."
"Hai."
Inevitable circumstances had hit him right in the face again. There was no way to avoid this. Not that he really wanted to. He sighed, and put his hands in his pockets.
"Oishi…take over for me." He said and walked out of the courts. He walked to the school building and slid open the door to the art club.
At once the students stopped their work. And once they saw who it was, the girls began whispering excitedly. It's not everyday the school tennis pro came to visit clubs. The girl in charge approached him.
"What can we do for you Tezuka-sama?" she asked prettily.
"Is Ryuzaki Sakuno here?" he asked bluntly, ignoring her efforts to impress him. Her smile wilted a little.
"Yes she is. Ryuzaki-chan."
"Haii."
She got up from her seat from the far end of the corner. As soon as their eyes met, he felt his heart beat quicken. They stood there and looked at each other, unaware that the other female students were staring with mad jealousy at Sakuno. His hands remained in his pockets as he stepped outside. She made her way out to him, and as soon as her feet were out the door, he slid the door shut, terminating those stares from Sakuno.
They walked further down the hallway and at last he stopped. He gazed at her. Her head was slightly down, but he saw her eyes looking side to side and blinking rapidly. The light that shone in from the windows made her face seem as bright and fresh as a flower waking up to sunlight.
"Is something the matter…Tezuka." She finally asked.
"I received a call from Ryuzaki sensei just a moment ago."
She looked up at him for a brief moment and bit her lip, before her eyes avoided his again.
"She said you were going to tell me about it…why didn't you?" he asked softly. She continued chewing on her bottom lip. She looked like a child who was being chastised for doing something wrong.
"I….I didn't think it was necessary….I didn't want to bother you. You're busy enough as it is. And….besides…I don't want to waste your time again…."
He rested both hands on the window sill and gazed outside breathing deeply.
"I told you to call me if you had trouble……didn't I?" his voice remained gentle.
"I….I'm not exactly in trouble…" she mumbled.
"You haven't been the same…your grandmother said so. (He didn't want to add that he had noticed too. It would scare knowing that he had been spying on her.) She doesn't feel safe having you living at home by yourself, but even worse, she doesn't want you to travel to and fro from your house alone. It's dangerous."
She scratched her hair, thinking.
"I know..that."
"I'll wait for you at the gates this afternoon…and everyday until your grandmother comes back.
She stared at him for the first time that day.
"Thank you…but you don't ha—"
"I've decided. Not unless you don't need my company." He said throwing her a look. She shook her head rapidly.
"Ja…mata ne…..Tezuka." she gave a small smile and took a few steps backwards. He nodded at her, and she jogged back to class.
He sighed again and leaned again the window, with his back facing outside.
"Can anything happen in this month?" he asked himself.
