Chapter Thirteen: Contagious Depression
The Tobita Clubhouse that day was closed for the rest of the members, except for the World Cup participants, as they needed ample time to train for the said international competition. Since Kouya and Jirou were the only ones who showed up, their loud-mouthed, always fiery team manager, Kaoru, forced them into a match. Not that playing against each other was a problem; it was just that they weren't exactly in high spirits. Shortly after Kuroudo's departure for the United States, Kyousuke did his own disappearing act as well, and they hadn't heard from him ever since, no matter how hard they tried to contact him.
And the World Cup was supposed to start off as a team competition.
"I'm tired," Kouya whined, squatting down on his side of the arena, uncaring if there was still a battle going on. He watched Garuda Phoenix play another circuit of tag with Jirou's Racing Bull --- his new Gear was yet to be completed --- for a few more seconds before he caught his teammate's gaze and silently pleaded that they stop.
It was definitely a bad idea, and it was too late when the captain of the Tobita Club realized that. It didn't take a minute for a brunette to come up from behind him and snap in her almighty voice, "This is no time to kid around, Kouya! The World Cup is only a few days away, and you haven't taken your training seriously! All you've been doing is sulk in your misery, neglecting the more important matters at hand! Do you think Kuroudo would want you to act this way? I don't think so!"
He got up to his feet and spun around to meet her challenge, russet eyes meeting indigo. "Oh yeah?" He felt something warm creep up to his cheeks --- was it his anger? The tone of his voice undeniably betrayed the emotions he had tried to lock up inside of him, and his words so much more. "Who started all this sulking anyway? Definitely not me! If there's anyone to blame here, it's him! If he didn't want us to act this way, then he wouldn't have acted so miserable in the first place! If he didn't want us to act this way, he would've left us not with a scowl, but with a smile and the hope that everything will be fine! But no, his grand exit was that of bitterness! Do you expect us to go around whistling a happy tune after that?"
"But Kouya, you have a responsibility---"
"Kyousuke's not the only one who has the right to feel depressed! Sure, he's the best friend, but we're Kuroudo's soulmates, too! Didn't you ever think of that? Or have you been too caught up with your fancy thoughts of grandeur at one of us bagging the title of World Cup Champion?"
"Enough," Jirou interrupted at the nick of time, stepping in between the two to prevent them from strangling each other. He looked weary, but not hopeless. In fact, there was a certain gleam in his eyes that reflected the hope he held for the future despite the sadness that seemed to dominate his features. "This isn't the time to fight. If we keep up with this, the Tobita Club will fall apart before we can even get to Australia to compete. We're all depressed, okay? Let's keep it at that. Don't rub it in any more than you have to." He looked at Kouya. "If you don't want to train anymore, it's fine with me. I care but I'm not pushing you to do it. Just remember, Takeshi isn't a tad bit affected by all this."
Those words seemed to touch a few sensitive strings inside the young captain's being. Since he was unable to whisk away his sadness, he just used it to fuel his fighting spirit and determination instead, along with the anger and resentment he felt towards his greatest rival. He cast a glance at Garuda Phoenix, then met Jirou's challenging gaze. "Bring it on."
Suddenly, a humorless laugh erupted from within the room, and they all turned around to see their Gear Master enter the premises, after how many days of absence. Kaoru was about to go on a scolding spree, just as she would always do whenever one of them would arrive late or skip practice, but Jirou pulled her back before she could do anything that would further tip the balance of their emotions towards the sinking point.
"'We're all depressed.' That's nice. And perhaps the understatement of the year."
"Glad you could join us, Kyousuke," he greeted mildly, carefully stepping down from the arena to meet the raven-haired mechanical genius. The other two soon joined him, positioning themselves at his sides. He allowed himself to project a soft smile, his brown eyes observing the smaller boy from a safe zone. "Garuda Phoenix needs a little tuning-up."
"Hey! Don't use my Gear as an excuse!" He then walked towards the Gear Master, stepping up in front of the former baseball player. "Don't listen to him, Kyousuke. He's just trying to calm us all down by settling on such ridiculous topics. It's his Gear that needs tuning-up, not mine. Garuda Phoenix is in perfect condition, and I'm readier than I'll ever be to defeat Takeshi once and for all! He stands no chance against my superior Gear!"
Kyousuke let out an exasperated sigh before he went over to the nearby table and put his Gearbox on top of it. He then turned back to look at his teammates and said in a low yet audible and certain voice, "Don't be ridiculous. All of you. I know you don't want me to tune-up your Gear. You want to know if I bring any news of Kuroudo. And as a matter of fact, I do." He pulled out a folded yet slightly crumpled piece of paper from one of his jumper's pockets, held it out for any of them to take, and smiled lightly. The letter was still of the depressing kind, yes, but he knew Kuroudo far better than anyone else did, and he was able to tell that the blonde was a little bit more hopeful than he was the last time they talked.
-x-
Hey, Kyousuke. Greetings from America.
I'm sorry if I only had the time to write now. Shortly after we got here, I had to see a handful of doctors for my upcoming surgery. And, well, I was depressed. For that, I'm sorry. It was unreasonable of me to be so angry when you hadn't done anything wrong. I guess it's just the pain of having to give up something I really enjoy doing, and to once again fail the people who held a lot of hope in me. I honestly don't know what I'll be doing once this is all over. I'll offer no promises, because, right now, I'm standing at the losing end of the Gear Fighting world. My Gear's a wreck, my hearing's severely impaired, and my heart isn't in the game anymore. And to achieve victory for myself may just be to ultimately fail the Tobita Club, to fail you. I'll be a victor if I play despite my illness, but the price you would have to pay would be defeat.
Please, don't lecture me about winning and losing. I'm not asking for it, but rather, for your forgiveness. You're my best friend and I need you. Now more than ever. Also, please send my regards to everyone, and tell them not to worry about me. I'll be fine… I hope.
Kuroudo
---
Author's Notes: A little bit more hopeful, ne? Well, perhaps I just made Kyousuke a bit more optimistic than I hoped he would be… anyway! Sorry for the delay of this update, I've been struggling to write the rest of the chapters before my inspiration runs out. And yes, I've finally decided as to how to end this story. There will be a sequel, but I'll only be writing it if I would be asked to. Oh, and one more thing. I'm using the manga ages here. That means Kuroudo and Kyousuke are 16, Kouya and Kaoru are 15, Jirou and Takeshi are 17, and Lilika's 19. Got any questions? Ask away.
PS. Forgive me for failing to answer you question the last time, Yukitsu; I forgot to check the reviews while making my notes. Well anyway, Midori doesn't really have a big part in Kuroudo's life, but I needed a filler chapter. I couldn't bring myself to write two successive Kuroudo-centric chapters for some reason, that's why I had one of Kyousuke and her instead. If you're worried about her turning into a Mary Sue, I tell you that I'm doing my best to keep her character at a believable level. I certainly don't want to have a Mary Sue lurking around my story, after all.
Review, minna? ::puppy eyes::