"Sorry, we did everything we can in our power, but... it's impossible."
Kunimitsu was returning home from school. As he walks towards the doorsteps, he heard an unfamiliar voice from his house.
"Not able to locate him?" Kunimitsu mumbled to himself, stunned. Syuusuke was with him. He heard that too.
Kunimitsu suddenly lost his strength and collapsed. Syuusuke on reflex stretched out his arms and support him with his small yet reliable arms. As Syuusuke lifted the seemingly weak Kunimitsu, he saw and unusual side of Kunimitsu. The golden, passionate eyes were no more. There was not even a single light left in his eyes. In it place, was a dull, unpolished hazel pupil, brimming with shimmering, hot tears. Tears, like raindrops, fell from his face uncontrollably.
Tezuka Kunimitsu, the usually stoic, stern-looking child is actually crying. He never cries, not even when he fell from his bike, or when he was bullied, or when he was caned, or when he accidentally staple his finger, not even during such circumstances. Even back then when they couldn't find Ryoma, he did not even shed a single tear. Sure, he was on the verge of tears, but he did not cry at all. However this time around, reality had finally sunk into him. Ryoma is gone. The loss of his brother had such a huge impact on him, to the point that it pushes him past his breaking point.
He cried. Crying would be an understatement. He bawls out his eyes, crying, regretting.
Why? Why didn't he take good care of Ryoma? Why? Why must Ryoma be taken away from him? Is this some kind of cruel joke? Just because he didn't blow out all his candles on his cake, that's why his wishes couldn't be fulfilled? There are so many things, so many things that he would want to do, together with Ryoma. He promised Ryoma that when both of them are rich enough, they will go around the world, watching tennis matches live instead of watching from the television. He promised Ryoma when he is old enough to play tennis, he will bring him out to a sports store, and personally pick the best equipment for him. He promised Ryoma, that when he becomes a regular, he will bring Ryoma to watch his first match. And Ryoma even said that he is dying to watch Mitsu-nii play! And they both promised that they will aim to go Pro, they will rock the tennis world together, as the TezuBrothers. As cliche as the name sounds, but it doesn't matter anymore.
It will never happen. All the promises are turned into lies. All the ambitions are reduced to fantasies. They are IMPOSSIBLE to achieve. They are nothing, without Ryoma.
As Kunimitsu sank deeper into his depression, Syuusuke was just standing beside Kunimitsu, unable to help him in any way. He wanted to help him so badly, but he just has no idea what to do.
After a long period of silence, he finally uttered, "Kunimitsu, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Kunimitsu replied, as he stood up to his feet and walked into the house. He obviously wasn't fine. But even as Kunimitsu's back gets further and further away from Syuusuke, Syuusuke just couldn't call out his name. It's not like Syuusuke did not understand how much Ryo-chan means to Kunimitsu. Even the cute nickname of "Ryo-chan" was given by the usually serious and stoic Kunimitsu. And now, this sweet little angel suddenly disappeared from Kunimitsu's life, in such a horrible way.
Kunimitsu may not know this yet, and neither of his parents would want him to know, but Ryoma is not just kidnapped by some normal kidnappers. Normal kidnappers would call the family up for ransom money, but this one didn't. The policemen just revealed to them that most probably, Ryoma is kidnapped by a certain crime syndicate, which kidnaps children for organ trafficking purposes. Chances are, they will never see Ryoma alive, or in one piece, ever again.
...
R&R appreciated:)