Disclaimer: I don't own anything (the song included) but my OC/s
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"Ryo-ma." Ruka called out. The said turned around and caught her eye. He stood up from his 'punishment' spot and walked over.
"Here," Ruka handed her bother a can of his beloved ponta, "What kind of game was that? I think even your loud mouthed friend could have done better." She teased, pointing to Horio who was busy bragging about his tennis skills to an unknown shy looking girl.
"Mada mada dane." Ryoma sighed, taking a large gulp of his drink.
"So who're you up against next? Please tell me you –" Ruka stopped short as her phone started ringing loudly, she flashed Ryoma an 'it'll be quick' look and answered the call.
"Mum?" She answered, listening quietly to whatever her mum had called for.
"Ok, bye. See you." She ended the call bluntly and Ryoma could tell she didn't like what their mum had to say.
"So?" Ryoma questioned. Ruka smiled lightly.
"Sorry, Ryo-nii, mum said that she had to change my appointment to today since she can't take me tomorrow and it would be too dark tomorrow to go home alone if it ended at the normal time. So it's in an hour and a half, which means I have to get going now." She explained.
Ryoma gave a nod of understanding and Ruka leant forward to give him the smallest of hugs before rushing off, not before wishing him good luck though.
xxx
Ruka sighed as she waited for the train. There was no one else on the platform so she was alone. Taking out her headphones, she plugged them in, letting the music wash over her.
'She captures her reflection then she throws the mirror to the floor,
Her image is distorted screaming is it 'worth it anymore',
Are you scared of the things that they might put you through?
Does it make you wanna hide the inner you?
You're not the only one so let the criticize,
You're untouchable when you realize,
Change, change your life, take it all...'
The music faded out as the train pulled up, the hissing sound overpowering the music. The doors opened and she boarded the train, only once again finding herself alone in the carriage. She looked out the window and hummed along to the music – not singing – just humming. The world rushed past her, houses, trees, and people bustling around on the busy streets. Her eyes became droopy and she struggled to keep them awake.
She felt a buzz in her pocket and flipped her phone open, expecting it to be a text from her mum or Ryoma. Instead it was a text from Bunta, telling her that they'd finished their matches and were heading to the hospital to visit Seiichi, and that they'll be there if she was planning to visit later.
To: Marui Bunta
From: Echizen Ruka
Which hospital? I might come along later then :)
She sent the text hoping it wasn't the same hospital her psychiatrist just had to work at. Of course, her bad luck struck again when his reply came all too soon after.
To: Echizen Ruka
From: Marui Bunta
Kanagawa Private :) See you soon if you do!
She placed her phone back in her pocket as the train arrived at her stop. Unfortunately, she didn't notice that she'd dropped her hospital card in the meantime.
xxx
"Hello…" Ruka took a peek at the receptionist's name tag, "Tsukiko-san, I'm here for my appointment with Suzuki-sensei."
The receptionist huffed and held out her hand, "Card please." She said bluntly.
Ruka nodded and stuck her hand in her pocket, finding that it was not there, she checked the other pocket. When she found that one empty, she frantically checked any other pocket she had. Finding no card she sighed exasperatedly and looked at the receptionist, who now had her perfectly drawn on eyebrow cocked up in a 'patient' manner.
"Sumimasen, I think I've lost my card. Could I please get a replacement in the meantime?" Ruka asked.
"Name?" Tsukiko drawled.
"Ah, it's Echizen, Echizen Ruka."
Yagyuu walked into the entrance of the hospital towards the vending machine. As he passed the receptionists' desk, his ears perked up. 'Ruka?' he thought, turning to see that he was right.
The girl wasn't facing him, so all he could see was the back of her wheelchair and her dark hair. But he had no doubt it was surely Ruka.
"Echizen-san?" he called out, ever the gentleman. Ruka turned around, knowing she was caught. She'd been hoping that none of her friends would catch her until after her appointment, but again, luck was never really on her side.
"Ah, Yagyuu-senpai, Bunta told me you were all going to visit Sei-chan and said I should come along." She smiled then turned back to the receptionist who handed her something that Yagyuu couldn't quite make out. "Could you also tell me which room Yukimura Seiichi is in?" she asked Tsukiko sweetly.
Tsukiko rolled her eyes but typed in a few words on her computer before answering. "Level 4, room 416."
Ruka nodded then headed to where Yagyuu was still standing.
"You can go back Yagyuu-senpai, I'll meet you all up there later. I just need to go to the bathroom." Ruka pointed to the door with the wheelchair symbol on it.
"Hn, I can wait." Yagyuu offered. Ruka sighed, knowing he would wait for her even if she said no. He was Rikkai's gentleman after all. She nodded slightly and pushed through the door to the toilet and locked it behind her.
Now she just had to think of a way to get rid of her senpai before her appointment which started in… she quickly checked her phone… less than ten minutes. She waited for a few more moments before going back out where Yagyuu was still waiting.
"Ne… Yagyuu-senpai, I have to do something before I come visit Seiichi, so you go on ahead and I'll catch up soon." She chose her words carefully.
"I can take you there then." Yagyuu pushed up his glasses. He knew something was up, and his inner Niou wanted to find out.
"Uh… ok. But, please don't tell anyone…" Ruka trailed off knowing she should trust him.
"You have my word." He said, following her to the elevator.
Pushing the 'up' button, the door opened almost immediately and Yagyuu wheeled Ruka in.
"Which floor?" he asked, his finger poised, ready to press a button.
"Seven." Ruka quietly replied. Yagyuu pressed the button before asking.
"Seven? That floor is for…" he stopped, quickly catching on. He pressed the button which had the number four on it and continued. "We'll catch up with you later then."
He felt like he had no right to intrude and left the elevator when the door opened at level four.
"Thanks, Yagyuu-senpai…" she whispered, grateful he understood.
The rest of the elevator trip seemed to pass awfully slowly even though it was only three floors away from where Yagyuu had gotten off. Her thumbs twiddled nervously since she had said that she would talk a bit at her next appointment, which happened to be today. She'd prepared herself to open up tomorrow, but surprise, surprise. Luck wasn't something you would find in her dictionary.
xxx
"Ruka, it's nice to see you again." Suzuki Yoro said as she entered the room
"Same here Suzuki-sensei." Ruka greeted back.
"Please, just call me Yoro. We see each other every week after all." Yoro said, sitting back into his own chair.
"So…" Ruka looked down, "I made some friends…"
"That's good." Yoro nodded.
"But Sei-chan is in hospital… this one to be exact. I'm going to visit him after." Ruka stopped and silencer filled the room.
"They're not always the same." She changed the topic.
"What? Your dreams?" Yoro questioned. Ruka nodded.
"Yeah, but they always have something to do with…" she gestured to her legs.
"But do you see what actually happened? Or is it just scary things and in some of it you can't run away from… let's say, a monster chasing you?"
"Scary things."
"Ah ok. So maybe I could help you find the trigger. Did you have these dreams before the accident?"
Ruka shook her head no.
"Then, do you mind telling me what actually happened? Or if you don't really know, just what you remember of it?" Yoro asked, knowing he was now touching a delicate topic for the young girl.
Ruka nodded, "I know most of it I guess." She whispered.
Yoro nodded and waited for her to continue.
xxx
"Oi, Yagyuu!" Marui called out when the said entered the room.
"I thought you went to the vending machine to get snacks."
"Ah, something came up and I guess I forgot." Yagyuu replied, not really paying attention.
Niou noticed something was off about his partner and decided to find out.
"I'll be back, just going to take a piss. Puri." Niou stood up and left the room to investigate.
He vaguely remembered a vending machine just inside the doors of the hospital, so he pressed the button for the elevator and went back down to the ground floor.
As he stepped out of the elevator, the first thing he noticed was the receptionist's desk. The girl was lazing about, flicking through a girly magazine. 'Perfect.' He thought.
"Ne," Niou walked up to the desk and took a peek at the woman's name tag, "Tsuki-chan. Did you see a boy with purple hair and glasses come down a while ago?" he added a wink for extra precaution.
The receptionist jumped up and flustered about, patting her hair down and giving a bright blush. Nodding, she said,
"Yes, I did see someone like that… he went back into the elevator with a girl in a wheelchair. She's probably his girlfriend or something." She drawled out the 'girl in a wheelchair' with hatred.
"I see… do you know anything about that girl?" he questioned seductively.
"U-um, I think her name was Echizen or something. She was here for her appointment." She frowned a little.
"Appointment?" he repeated.
"Yeah, she comes every week or so, she must have pretty bad mental issues if she comes by so often huh?" she gave a quick wink as turned back to her desk as the phone rang. She picked up the call and told him to stay there, but Niou already knew enough and went back to his buchou's room.
As he stood at the doorway, he caught the eye of his partner and mentioned him to follow him. Sighing, Yagyuu got up and exited the room, trailing after Niou as they went to a secluded area.
"Spill…" Yagyuu said when Niou stopped walking and leant on the door.
"Ruka." Niou simply said.
"What about her?" Yagyuu feigned innocence.
"Don't lie, I know you better than anyone, I've been you." Niou retorted.
"I made a promise." Yagyuu said back.
"Fine." Niou knew that this gentleman would never break a promise and almost gave up, "Then tell me what floor."
"Floor?" Yagyuu looked surprised.
"You know me. Of course I knew something was up. Mental problems huh? Why didn't she tell us?" he sighed.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Niou." Yagyuu said before walking back towards Seiichi's room.
"Why didn't she just say something…?" Niou mumbled to himself before shaking his head. 'Niou Masaharu. Since when did you ever worry about a GIRL?' his inner thoughts told him.
'Shut up.'
xxx
Yoro nodded and waited for her to continue.
"Yoro-san…?" Ruka asked.
"Mhmm?"
"I don't think I'm ready… yet." She said, even quieter if possible.
"Saa, there's always next time. How about we finish up here? Although there's still a long time left, you don't want to keep your friend waiting." Yoro suggested, the girl had done quite well today after all.
"Are you sure that's ok?" Ruka brightened in an instant.
Yoro gave a hearty laugh. "Of course, after school next Monday ok?"
Ruka gave a nod and rushed out of the room as fast as she could with a wheelchair.
She jabbed the down button on the elevator like a small child pressing the crossing button out on an intersection. Impatient, she pressed it a few more times, just to be sure.
Finally, after an eternity, the doors popped open and she was about to enter when she crashed into someone.
"Whoa! Sorry! I wasn't looking where – Masa-chan?!" Ruka exclaimed. Niou laughed at his new nickname but stopped when he realized he'd been caught red handed.
"Ruka? Eh I didn't know you were already here!" the silverette said.
"Uh, yeah, I came just a while ago. I had to check something before I went to visit though. What brings you to the seventh floor?" Ruka asked.
"I was just checking something too…" he muttered unconvincingly.
"Hn… I can't wait if you want." She offered.
"Ah, it's ok, I forgot what I was going to check, so let's go back down." He laughed and stepped back into the elevator.
Ruka just smiled and went in too. The doors closed and they remained silent, looking at the small box which had the floor numbers flashing by.
Niou walked slowly, pushing Ruka towards Seiichi's room. He walked slower and slower, until he came to a stop. He just couldn't hide anything from the poor girl.
"Ruka, I'm sorry." Niou stated, making the girl turn around.
"What did you do this time? You said no more pranks on me Masa-chan." She frowned slightly.
"Well, are you ok? I'm just… worried about you. A-as a brother you know?" he added on quickly, flustered.
"Masa-chan, I think you should be worrying about yourself, do you have a fever or something?" Ruka stretched her arm, reaching up to touch his forehead, but pouted when Niou pulled away, out of her already short reach.
"I'm fine... don't worry about it." Niou walked away quickly, leaving Ruka behind, confused once again.
'Damn and she looks all cute and innocent like that too.' Niou felt his cheeks flare up and he desperately supressed it as he walked into the room. Ruka entered soon after, still seemingly in a daze, of which she was snapped out of when Kirihara and Bunta jumped up to greet her.
"Kirihara-senpai, Bun-chan and senpai-tachi" she nodded her head in greeting.
Kirihara pouted.
"You know, you should just call us by our first names. We're all friends, right?" he said, the others nodding in agreement – even the all too stoic Sanada.
'Maybe he's actually a softie inside.' Ruka thought, breaking into a grin.
"Then you should all call me Ruka too then!" she replied, giving a few people relieved smiles – they didn't want her to feel too left out in a way.
There was a slight cough and everyone looked over to Seiichi who was lying in bed, looking at the rest of the regulars expectantly. They all moved their chairs over hastily, creating a small pathway of which Ruka could use.
"Sei-chan, are you ok!?" Ruka quickly pulled up beside Seiichi's bed and threw her arms around him, making him smile radiantly and others to pout at their lack of attention.
"I'll be fine, I hope." He chuckled, but eyed everyone else seriously, making them all shudder. Their buchou may be stuck in a hospital bed, but who knows what he could still do?
'So whatever happens, DO NOT tell Ru-chan. Or there will be hell to pay.' Seiichi's words fluttered through the regulars minds. They'd all grown accustomed to Ruka's mindset of putting the best of others first, so no way would they be telling her their team mate had been cursed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. She really had to worry about herself more.
The team remained silent as they all listened to Ruka talking animatedly to Seiichi, making him laugh from time to time. No doubt was she trying to cheer him up.
xxx
The whole tennis park became silent as a well-known team in the district of Tokyo walked past. Fan girls whispered to one another.
The team held their heads high, having easily won the prefectures. The tallest on the team held several bags and a sleeping boy, and a boy looking of royalty lead at the front, causing hearts to leap into girls' eyes, even several boys blushed at the sight of him.
This team was none other than Hyotei Gakuen, one of the richest schools in Japan.
A flashy limousine pulled up and the chauffeur came out to open the doors.
Half of the members stood to the side while the other stood in front of the vehicle, facing their 'audience.'
"Be awed by my prowess." Was all the 'royalist' said before hopping into the car with the taller, bulky boy – who still had the blonde thrown across his shoulder and a bluenette with 'designer' glasses.
The car drove and off and the remaining of the team started walking in the direction of the train station.
"Gekokujo." One muttered, turning away from the rest of his team mates and looking across the road. He'd been the reserve and was itching to play.
The others kept silent as they preferred to look back to their games in silence.
When they reached the train station, they parted ways.
"Ja ne, Muhaki-senpai, Hiyoshi-san." The tall silverette waved, along with a long haired brunette.
"See you soon, Shishido, Ootori." The other two waved back, the maroon-headed one much more enthusiastic than the other.
The two now known as Shishido and Ootori climbed up the steps to the platform.
"Ne Ryou-senpai." Ootori looked at the brunette, "You played well today."
"Same could be said to you." Shishido replied lightly.
"Well, now that we've won today's matches, at least we won't be kicked off the team." Ootori joked.
"Hn." The older boy agreed, having worked hard for his place on the team.
The train finally arrived and they boarded onto an empty carriage.
The two were about to sit down when they noticed a discarded object lying just in front of their seat.
Shishido bent down to pick it up and examined it.
"So?" Ootori questioned.
"It just says 'Echizen Ruka, Kanagawa Private Hospital.'" The asked recited what he saw on the card.
"Eh, someone's hospital card? I hope they're alright." The silverette worried for this 'Echizen Ruka.'
"Hn. Where have I heard of Echizen though?" Shishido wondered, his gaze still on the card. After moments of thought, he placed the card in his pocket, "It has the address of the holder here so we can just post it to them later."
This caused the younger boy to nod in agreement.