A/N: KT A/N: KT! KT! KT! YOU MAKE ME HAPPY!! You're an amazing reviewer I swear you are and you talk about my grammar but your reviews are like wow, you're grammar is better than mine. I bet if you wrote stories they would be utterly amazing! Thanks again for the review!
Disclaimer: Not mine. Still haven't forgotten it either, woo!
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Thursday had arrived quicker than most days. Shouta was excited for his first meet; he honestly couldn't wait to run. He had told his mother about it hoping that maybe she would be in a good enough mood to attend. Unfortunately he had no such luck.
(Flashback)
"So, mom, dad, I have my first meet this Thursday. Will you be able to come?" Shouta asked as he and his family were sitting at the dinner table Tuesday night.
"Sorry son, I have to work late again." His dad answered. It seemed like his dad was working later and later every night. He didn't question it; he figured it wasn't his place to be disappointed or mad about it. 'You gotta do what you gotta do' and if his dad had to work late every night to keep this house than that's what he had to do. Shouta's first track meet in high school wasn't that important right? Shouta looked at his mom.
"What about you mom?"
"I have a lot of house work to do, there's no way that I can take time out of my day to come." She put some rice in her mouth. She didn't give so much as an "I'm sorry" either. Shouta would've felt better about it.
"Oh. Alright then." Shouta wouldn't let this get him down. He had other important people coming to support him and that's what counted. He had to keep telling himself that.
No matter what.
(End Flashback)
"Shouta! Are you alright? You seem out of it?" Yuzuyu asked in a whispered tone. She couldn't help but see the dazed look he had in his eyes.
"I'm fine. Just can't wait for the meet today. Are you still coming?" He asked with a smile. He felt himself breaking a bit. He HAD to shake himself out of it.
"The silly questions never cease do they? I'll be there front and center, cheering you on."
"You don't have other important things to do?" He asked looking out the window. They had been whispering to each other during class.
"Huh? Shouta what could be more important than this?"
"Cleaning up?"
"What?" Yuzuyu said loudly no longer whispering.
"Katakura! Is there something you would like to share with the class?" Their sensei asked. Marika looked confused, why would Yuzuyu say 'what' out of the blue like that?
"No sensei, I'm sorry." Yuzuyu looked at Shouta with puzzled eyes as he looked down at his notebook with his pen in his hand.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxo
Yuzuyu and Marika walked into the girl's bathroom before they went to lunch. They told the boys to go on ahead.
"How odd." Marika said putting her hand to her chin.
"I know. I still can't believe his answer was "Cleaning up." what on earth could that mean? Why would cleaning up be more important than his first meet of the season? It makes no sense at all." Yuzuyu leaned her back against the bathroom sink.
"Hmm, he's been acting weird lately. I've noticed."
"Is it me? Am I too clingy, or maybe he doesn't think I like him as much anymore or maybe HE doesn't want to be with me anymore or maybe--"
"YUZU! Calm yourself, when you get worked up you can't think straight and I see you going and doing something stupid. So calm down before I smack you, understand?" Marika said looking very serious. Yuzuyu nodded slowly, eyes wide in worry. "Now listen, Shouta probably has his reasons for the way he's acting. But because he is a guy I highly doubt he's just going to come out and say it. You need to sit down and talk to him."
"But Marika, I've been asking him if he's alright everyday now and he always says he's fine."
"Which brings me back to him being a guy and how he's not going to tell you straight out. You'll have to put it together yourself. I'll help of course, I'll see if I can get some information from Ken ok? For now though, don't say anything, just keep watching and listening to him."
"Okay." Yuzuyu agreed. She couldn't help but wonder what could be wrong with her perfect boyfriend? He's incredibly sweet and always smiling. Who or what was trying to ruin that? She had to find out.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxo
"Dude! I'm so pumped!" Ken said with enthusiasm.
"Me too." Shouta didn't seem all that excited anymore.
"You don't look it. Come on man! You're an amazing runner! Everyone is going to be cheering for you!"
"I know, thanks Ken. I think I'm getting nervous."
"You? Nervous? No way?" Ken was confused; this definitely wasn't the Shouta he's come to know. He stopped talking because he didn't know what else to say. Ken saw Marika wave to him and he became excited again, funny how she was able to do that to him. Once they got their lunch they sat down with the girls.
It was quiet for a minute and everyone was looking at each other except for Shouta. He wasn't looking around at all. Ken and Marika exchanged glances and Marika knew that Shouta's behavior was bothering him too. Lunch went by in their first uncomfortable silence.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxo
It was almost time for Shouta's meet to begin; Yuzuyu's excitement had returned. She was going to cheer him on no matter what. She figured he was really nervous since this was his first meet and that's what was causing him to act so weird; pre-race jitters. Yeah, that was it. She saw the other side of the field was filled with people from the rival school. Shouta and his team came into the field along with the rival school's team. They both did little cheers to get themselves pumped and ready. Marika and Ken came and sat next to Yuzuyu after going to get some snacks for them and they made sure to buy Shouta an extra water.
"I thought you guys were going to miss the beginning of it."
"Nope, we're here." Ken said.
"Sorry Yuzu." Marika said looking at Yuzuyu with apologetic eyes. She knew Yuzuyu was really worried and she didn't mean to take as long as she did. She really hated leaving Yuzuyu alone.
(Flashback)
Marika and Ken walked to the vending machine holding hands.
"Ken I--?"
"I know. You're worried about Shouta and so am I to tell you the truth. He hasn't been acting like his cheerful happy self. I don't even know why."
"You don't? I was hoping you did."
"If did I would've told Yuzu already. I mean guys don't usually do this but in this situation, I would have told her everything I know. But because I don't know anything, I have nothing to tell her." They stopped in front of the snack machine and got out some change.
"Hmm, I don't have the slightest idea either except for maybe things at home aren't going to well." She put some change in for a box of pocky and pushed a button.
"Actually, that could be it. When we went to the movies he did say that his parents barely talk. Maybe the tension is starting to get to him?" Ken pushed a button and got out some water for Shouta.
"Hmm, it must be really bad then because it didn't seem like it was bothering him before." Marika got out a bag of chips, followed by one more box of pocky. Ken got three juices from the machine he was at. They started walking back to the stadium.
"Then again you really can't expect him to tell us if things are going badly at home. I mean he's a guy and our trouble is our trouble."
"Ken, you would tell me if things were going wrong wouldn't you?"
"Yeah, because you are my best friend before my girlfriend. Though there's a difference, if the same person is both things then you kind of have no choice in the matter."
"You better not be complaining."
"I'm not I'm just saying." He smirked.
"So do you think he doesn't want Yuzu to know because he doesn't trust her?"
"No, I think its more of he doesn't want to bother her. I mean being around Yuzu's family so much probably puts a strain on him because his family isn't like that and that's what he wants. He probably doesn't want to mess up her happiness in any way, shape or form. Telling Yuzu that something is wrong would probably kill him because things have been going so perfect so far."
"Well that's just stupid. Can't he see that Yuzu is worried sick about him? She's beginning to blame herself for his demeanor; She thinks it's because of her that he's acting this way."
"Don't tell Yuzu I told you this but there is no way its her. He honestly loves her. If he knew she was thinking this he'd probably stab himself."
"WE HAVE TO TELL HER!"
"NO!" Ken said just as loud as Marika. He stopped walking to look at her. "Look Marika, I would expect you to know this with out me, of all people telling it to you. You have to let them get passed this hump on their own. If we interfere than what would they have accomplished as a couple? Shouta has to come to terms with how much he wants Yuzu to know about his life and Yuzu has to be confident about how much Shouta likes her. It's the only way they'll know if things will work out between them."
"But Ken, I understand that, really I do. But not knowing is the worst thing." Marika didn't look too happy at all anymore.
"I know. But everything that we talked about was just a guess; we don't know for sure that, that's what the problem is. He could have really bad gas for all we know."
"Ken."
"I'm not trying to be funny. I'm just saying regardless of what it is, we can't interfere, we can only listen to them when they need it and give advice but no answers. This will make them stronger as a couple I know it." Marika sighed. She really couldn't stand it when Ken was right. He's smart; she would've never thought that he was this capable of thinking this clearly in a million years. She liked him more each and everyday and she was so happy that he really cared about Yuzuyu as much as she did.
"Wow Ken, I'm totally impressed."
"Why?"
"I just am. I thought I was good at thinking clearly but you're obviously better. It comes as quite a shock."
"Hmm, are you somehow insulting me in a complimenting way? That's what I'm feeling right now. You're sneaky like that."
"No no, I'm not. Its just surprising is all."
"Shouta's a really big influence on me. I think it's because of him that I can put things in perspective and not think like a little kid anymore."
"Well I'll have to thank him later."
"Hey!" Ken said; Marika stuck her tongue out at him. They were back outside walking toward the bleachers.
"You know Marika, I definitely spent more than you did."
"No you didn't."
"You bought, a bag of chips and two boxes of pocky. I bought a bottle of water and three juices…I spent more."
"So what. You're the guy, that's how it's supposed to be. Stop complaining."
"What? That's not fair!"
(End Flashback)
"No need to apologize Marika, I wasn't complaining or anything." Yuzuyu gave her a soft smile. Marika couldn't help but wonder about the conversation she had with Ken. She let it leave her mind for the time being and handed Yuzuyu a box of pocky and her juice. Yuzuyu thanked her and opened her box of pocky. She watched as the first race about to begin. Shouta was going to be last to run so she hoped that their school would come in first. The gun sounded for the runners to dash off. The first boy running for their school was in second place. The next boy that ran was in second place as well. The next girl had made them fall behind a little more but then she handed the blue baton to Shouta and he dashed off without a second thought. Yuzuyu, Marika, and Ken stood up instantly and cheered and clapped for Shouta.
"YAAAAY SHOUTA!! RUN RUN!!" Yuzuyu yelled. She wasn't the only one yelling though; everyone that was there, was hoping for Shouta to bring their school to first place. Shouta could hear everyone shouting for him, but the only one that mattered to him was the loudest and she was the only one he really heard. He ran even harder bringing them to first place and winning the first event of the meet. Everyone stood and clapped for Shouta while some cheered as well. Shouta smiled when he saw Yuzuyu waving and blowing kisses at him. He made sure to catch the kisses and blow some of his own back.
After that race, the meet went along with their school winning every event. Yuzuyu was so happy, she saw Shouta smiling and cheering for his teammates. She hoped that today was the last day he'd act weird.
The last race was about to start so Ken ran out to the field to hand Shouta the extra bottle of water he bought. Shouta smiled and thanked Ken, he didn't expect to have another bottle and he needed it badly. Ken was such an amazingly caring friend. When Ken got back to his seat Marika had a strawberry pocky in her mouth.
"Marika?"
"Hmm?" She turned to him and he took a bite of the stick and started to chew.
"Ken!" She swallowed, "Get your own! This is my pocky!" Marika protested.
"Now Marika, what's wrong with sharing?"
"Everything! When it comes to my pocky!" Ken laughed. He loved to mess with her. She was completely cute when she was angry. Yuzuyu saw and couldn't help but laugh right along with Ken. The gun sounded and the race began.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxo
"Shouta you were SO amazing! I can't believe that boy cried when you beat him! What a pansy!" Ken cheered as they walked home.
"I feel really bad about that though." Shouta said as he held Yuzuyu's hand.
"He had no reason to cry, you win some you lose some, it's a part of life." Marika said. "Plus crying like that is just embarrassing." Ken continued. They walked in silence for a minute.
"Thanks again you guys for coming. It means a lot." Shouta thanked with a smile.
"Any time man, it's what friends are for." Ken answered.
"Yay for support!" Yuzuyu cheered happily. "Well we're almost to my house so Shouta make sure you call me tonight ok, but we won't talk too late because I know you're tired."
"Ok Yuzu. I'll call after I eat and take my shower."
"Ok." She kissed him on the cheek as they got to her walkway. "See you guys later." Yuzuyu said giving Shouta a soft peck on the lips.
"Good night Yuzu." Marika waved.
"See ya tomorrow." Ken said.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
"Hey auntie! I'm home!" Yuzuyu called.
"Welcome back! Dinner is sitting on the stove for you!" Her aunt called from upstairs.
"Thanks!" She replied. She wondered what her aunt had made for her tonight. Dinner was always ready for her when she got home. She was so thankful. After she ate she went to tell her aunt what an incredible job Shouta did at his first meet.
Oxoxoxoxoxoxo
"I'm home!" Shouta called out as he took his shoes off. No one answered yet again so he walked into the kitchen. It was completely clean. His mom didn't cook anything and his dad wasn't home yet. He didn't see his shoes when he walked in. Shouta sighed and washed his hands before he started to cook himself something quick. His mom walked past the kitchen with out a word and went upstairs. He heard her footsteps but didn't bother to tell her what an amazing job he did at his first meet. He figured it wasn't important anymore, it was over and done with anyway right?
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I FEEL SO TERRIBLE FOR WHAT I'M DOING TO SHOUTA! FORGIVE ME!! Anyways I liked this chapter WAY more than I did the last chapter. My head was on straight this time. And it makes me happy to know I have AWESOME support. So I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
