Act 3:  Weakness And Endurance (Steps to reality)

Kaidou was all huffy and heavily scowling when Tezuka and Echizen saw him entering the gates to the training center.

Echizen, who had been poising his racket, ready to give his shot at the tennis ball in his hand, stopped convulsively when his eyes fell upon the disgruntled man with a nonplussed expression, which made Tezuka turn to look as well.

"…What's up with Kaidou-senpai? He looks as if he wouldn't hesitate to rip the head of the first person he sees. His face's as red as a volcano ready to erupt its lava."

"Maybe he's in one of his usual moods again." Tezuka replied with a massive hint of nonchalance in his tone.

"Could be." Echizen whirled back to face Tezuka and aimed the tennis ball he was holding with his racket again. "Sorry 'bout that. Got distracted by Mr. Bad-Tempered-You-Know-Who."

"S'okay."

~ ~ ~

Brilliant… Fucking brilliant…, Kaidou thought hatefully, raking a cold trembling hand through his wet dark hair and pulling the ragged-looking scarf tied around his head free as he did so, twisting the water free of it.

So much for trying to be single.

Damn that Inui. It was all *his* bloody fault, wasn't it? If he didn't confess his stupid love for him, this kind of awkward situation wouldn't have existed.

Not in this world, at least.

And Kaidou would have been off a happier man. He had to admit - he loathed situations like this; they made him weak and fragile inside, like a thin piece of glass easily disintegrated with a flick of a finger.

As far as he is concerned, he would not, in his entire sane life, show that *he* is *weak*.

He mustn't.

He shouldn't.

Kaidou sighed aloud as he hung the now-slightly-dry scarf loosely around his neck.

So Inui-senpai, the straightforward prick, confessed his feelings to him. What next? Flowers and a friggin' sickly-sweet romantic serenade outside the balcony of his house every damned night? Kaidou repressed the sudden urge to retch in disgust. He was fairly sure he would never succeed in trying to overcome his repugnance for Inui's indelicate personality...nor would he be able to sleep well from that night onwards. 

He used to be indifferent towards Inui when it came to sexual matters; he had clearly thought of that guy as a teammate, and perhaps a friend.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Now it seemed that Inui had gone and wrecked their friendship bond - the only bond that was strong between the two of them.

Good riddance.

It shamed him enough about the thought of two guys - involving him, Kaidou for this matter - having an intimate relationship, moreover, a homosexual one. That stray thought shaken him immensely. What if he couldn't find a way to escape from the situation he was in? What if he failed to make Inui stop having puppy love and crushes on him? What if…

"Ah, hell…" Kaidou muttered, forcing his mind to think straight as he sauntered over to the locker room to change his wet clothes. "I'm not an open-minded person, so fucking what?" But for an unfathomable reason, he didn't really like the thought of Inui with a girl...or another guy. "Damn…must've drunk the wine a glass too many last night…" 

And . . . the resonant voice of Inui . . . kept echoing endlessly in his ears, much to his disapprobation.

I love you . . . Kaidou . . .           

~ ~ ~

Throughout the whole practice session, from the very beginning to the end, Kaidou had carefully avoided glancing at Inui's direction, which made the other man wonder vaguely if what he'd just did was right. But Inui wasn't one to be ashamed of his actions. He had his pride, and he believed in the saying of 'What's done is done.' He had been honest to Kaidou. Nothing else mattered besides that.

Maybe Kaidou won't accept him.

Maybe he never will.

Still, Inui would take the risk of losing a friend just to get a possible chance for his loved one to return his feelings. Better something than nothing at all. If Kaidou rejected him, and it seemed like that so far, there was nothing Inui could do then.

But one thing is for sure . . .

He would never let go of the one he loves that easily.

Not even if it hurts or dangers him.

That, he can promise.

~ ~ ~    

"That was a great shot you made, Oishi-senpai," Momoshiro commented as he walked over to him after the practice.

Oishi, who was wiping the perspiration off the sides of his face with a towel, replied with a sidelong smile, "You did pretty good yourself."

Momoshiro blushed slightly and let his gaze fall to the ground. "Naw, it was nothing…"

"That reminds me… I was planning to go to a mini-market with Eiji. You wanna come along?"

"Oh?" Momoshiro blinked. "With Kikumaru-senpai?"

"Well, yeah. I'm sure he won't mind in the least if you come."

Momoshiro felt his heart sink a little. "I guess it's okay. I have things…to do at home."

"I see. Perhaps some other time then." Oishi, evidently, was oblivious to the other young man's disappointment.

"I suppose. Enjoy yourself, Oishi-senpai." Momoshiro gave him a small smile.

"Thanks." Oishi patted him once on the shoulder.

~ ~ ~

"A date?" Echizen repeated, not bothering to conceal his surprise.

"Um…yes." Sakuno Ryuzaki, the girl who had a crush on Ryoma for quite a long time, answered, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her skirt. "A-Are you free tomorrow? Since it's a Saturday and all…"

"I may be busy tomorrow…" Echizen shot her an apologetic smile. "But I'm free on Sunday."

"Really?" Ryuzaki's heart leaped with joy.

Echizen nodded. "How about I meet you at the Kiza Cinema at five?"  

"Oh, sure! I'll be there. Ja ne, Ryoma-kun~" With that, she waved goodbye and ran off happily.

Echizen merely watched as the girl took off, just before he caught sight of Momoshiro walking a few distances away, a glum expression overtaking his features.

"Momo-senpai…?" Echizen murmured, as he blinked at the depressed-looking man.

~ ~ ~

Notes: . . . Um, indifference is one thing, but it seems most of the characters just won't cooperate with me!