A Gentleman's Facade
By: Reinne141
A/N: The initial parts will be based on the manga, wherein Yagyuu hits a ball to Kikumaru's face, causing him injury.
II.
...
Everything was black and white..
...
It was the day of the Kantou finals.
"Absolute winners- RIKKAIDAI!"
Loud cheers erupted from the crowd, accompanied by raised banners and thunderous applause. Excited smiles and arrogant smirks were the expressions mostly worn by the people around, and Hiroshi's silver eyes never failed to study it all.
Observing was still his favorite habit, honed by years of silently analyzing the faces of the people he see everyday, because it teaches him many things he could never find in books.
"Let's go for a third consecutive win- YOSH!"
His intent gaze, hidden by his opaque glasses, travelled from one face to another, figuring out how that person must feel right now in the midst of all this.
There was Fuji Syuusuke's calm visage, which was something Hiroshi knew to be a farce, as the Tensai's pleasant smile can't hide the sharp glint in his blue eyes, especially whenever it's on their Rikkai Brat's direction. The brunette must be aware now of what truly happened to Echizen, and of the identity of the one who injured the young prodigy. There Kikumaru Eiji was, being all jovial and energetic, though the slight crease on his forehead indicated that he too was worried. Narrowing his eyes, Hiroshi told himself that he definitely can't let them win.
Victory is a must.
He continued to peer at the other members of Seigaku, taking in their tense yet determined stances. Seeing them, he could almost say that these people love tennis just as much as his teammates do. But he disliked how they kept trying to act tough, and hiding how they really feel. It made observing them a bit more complicated. Without feeling anything himself, Hiroshi knew his deductions about their emotions won't always be correct, so he'd prefer it if people just openly show how they feel.
He mentally scoffed at himself. How hypocritical for someone who keeps pretending to say such a thing.
Moving on to another one, he tried to focus his gaze on the face of the figure standing near the anxious Ryuzaki Sumire. When he looked closely, it was a petite girl with a long, auburn pair of braids, splendidly lustrous under the sun. The auburn hue of her hair was somewhat common, yet there was something about it that made it stand out. Lowering his eyes to her face, Hiroshi took in the odd look in her chocolate brown orbs, before momentarily stilling his whole body, staring at her as if she was some sort of a foreign specimen.
For a brief second, he seemed entranced by what he saw, and only a single thought ran in his mind.
Looking into her eyes.. was practically like looking into her soul.
"Yaaagyuu, let's warm up. Jackal and Marui's sure to finish their match real quick, c'mon."
That snapped him from his frozen state, and when he turned, he saw Niou throwing a glance at the direction where he was looking at, before smirking at him teasingly.
"Ogling someone? Didn't think I'd see the day."
Hiroshi refused to answer his taunt, and discreetly taking a gander of the auburn-haired girl, he was slightly disappointed to see her gone from the spot she was on earlier. Oh well, he'd see her again later, that's for sure. He walked ahead, ignoring his silver-haired partner.
"Well, aren't you shy, Mr. Gentlema- Oi, wait up!"
But even as he was already playing some tennis with Niou, the very image of her lovely face scrunched up in concern and fear, with her teeth nervously biting on her lower lip and her clear, bright doe-like eyes wide in its sincere worry and something akin to fondness- maybe, towards her Senpai-tachi- filled his consciousness and stirred his interest.
She was the only person he'd ever seen who wore her heart on her sleeve like that. Yes, he could see the other people's worried faces, but just by looking at the young girl, he could tell right away that she was a person whose smile was pure and untainted of any ill motives, who would become flustered just from the thought of lying to other people.
Because she cares for people with all her heart, as proven by her concerned face before.
While him, a heartless and uncaring man, won't have any qualms about lying to others.
The difference was amazing, he noted.
Heartless? Yes, he is. He didn't even think twice about finishing Kikumaru Eiji off when he found a chance. Hiroshi shot a ball that went to his face and gave him a minor concussion. Honestly, the purple-haired lad couldn't care less as long as they win. It's his objective, therefore he shall obtain it, no matter the consequences. Besides, they can't afford to lose, especially that Yukimura's in the hospital, about to take on a surgery that could change his life forever. They promised that they will win.
And a Gentleman never breaks a promise.
"How pitiful, but this is what a battle is all about. Adieu."
The audience was shocked to find out that it was Yagyuu Hiroshi who injured the genki redhead, not Niou. But their reaction's expected, since the Platinum Pair made a switch and pretended to be each other since the start of the match. They won 6-4.
When Hiroshi tried to search for the auburn head among the Seigaku students, he once again caught himself stopping in his tracks at what he saw.
She was staring back at him. And no, there was no hatred in her expression but rather, her demeanor was something he didn't anticipate to see.
She was sad.
She was sad for him.
...
Empty, hollow and deprived of life.
...
After the Kantou finals, Hiroshi didn't see that strange girl again for quite a long time.
And soon, Niou's jokes about him having the hots for some Seigaku she-spawn halted, and the silver-haired Trickster found another to annoy. Poor Kirihara.
Their painful defeat against Seigaku was also already forgotten, and its place was a burning drive to win again and have the championship for themselves. Of course, only victory befits the Kings.
So, the bespectacled reasoned, by now, he should also be over the memory of that girl's forlorn expression. It's only logical for someone like him to stop dawdling on such trivial things. It's very unlike him.
But her face kept on haunting him.
It won't stop. It just won't stop.
Although his mask did a great job in covering it up, the truth was her memory's disturbing him to the point of not being able to concentrate on tennis, there even came a time when he just didn't know what to do with himself.
That's why when he saw her again in a Tennis Camp where various players from different schools gathered, shyly fidgeting beside a pig-tailed girl as Ryuzaki-sensei introduced the assistants, Hiroshi's mind just went blank, and absent-mindedly noted that it's the third time she (who was apparently named Ryuzaki Sakuno) rendered him incapable of moving.
...
But another color suddenly came to sight..
...
"That is quite dangerous, don't you think?"
Hiroshi's voice made the auburn head snap her eyes down to where he was. At that, the metal ladder she was on wobbled a bit, and the glasses-wearing lad prepared himself to move if she falls. The girl was holding a medium-sized box and standing on her tip-toe since the ladder wasn't high enough to reach the sixth level of the shelf. One wrong move and she's a goner.
"Demo.. I-I'm being very careful. It's.. fine, really!"
When Hiroshi saw her walking to the storage house with piles of boxes in her arms, he just followed her on impulse, maybe just to watch her again. He knew it was inappropriate to do, especially for him who was dubbed as a Gentleman. But ever since he met her again, the chap just can't help but stare at her everytime they cross paths. He liked how her facial reactions can change so quickly and how transparent she was with her feelings, so he kept watching her from afar the whole time.
"It's not fine, miss. That is a job suited for males. I suggest you go down and call one of your co-helpers to take your place."
What he was doing can be mistaken for stalking and have him sued, yes. That's why he was not supposed to show himself in front of her, but when he noticed how close she came to danger, his feet automatically moved on their own.
"I can't possibly do that, t-they're already busy with their chores.."
He didn't understand why he said the words he uttered next. It was not him to say things so rashly. So, his brain told him that maybe it was just his gentlemanly self acting out. Yes, that's probably it.
"Then I'll do it."
Her chocolate brown orbs amplified, worry replacing the surprise on her face. Now, why would she worry when he just told her that he'd do her task for her? Wasn't she supposed to be relieved?
He can't quite understand her.
"N-No, Yagyuu-san!" And Hiroshi blinked when he heard her say his name for the first time, "T-This is a job assigned to me, I can't just pass them on to you, it will be unfair. Besides, this is really high and a bit dangerous.. L-Let me do this, I'll be fine."
Yes, he really can't understand her.
"Then you admit, you do think it is dangerous." He pushed his spectacles up with a pointer finger, a crease marring his forehead. "But despite knowing that, you still intend to do it yourself?"
"B-Because.. it's not safe, what if you fall down? It will be my fault.. I don't want anyone to get hurt because I didn't do my job right.. It would rather be me-.."
She was a puzzle.
"-Who falls?" Hiroshi eyed her quizically, his glasses glinting as he studied her face. "You'd rather put yourself on the line than let other people do the job, even though they can do it better than you?"
Sakuno visibly flinched at the way he phrased his words, but still did a nod. Realization dawned on Hiroshi, and he inwardly scolded himself. He had let his facade slip for a moment, and said something without thinking about how she'll feel. It was an insensitive blunder he commonly made when he was a kid, before he found out that gentlemen are careful with their words.
But still, what he said was true.
Letting the argument end there, Hiroshi just opted to stay and watch her, just in case something happens.
He truly can't understand the human heart. How can a person put other people's lives above theirs? Isn't it natural for people to prolong their survival? Why was she so keen on doing something that could hurt her?
He truly can't understand.
But he wanted to.
Later on, as dinner came and she gave him an extra plate of food she made solely for him as a thank you for his concern, when he saw how happy she was when he complimented it, and when he was completely taken aback by the brilliance of her smile..
"R-Ryuzaki Sakuno desu. Y-Yoroshiku."
..he landed on a conclusion that maybe, just maybe, she can help him understand.
...
And lit his heart- once bereft of light.
...
After that, watching her became easier. Maybe it's because ever since that encounter, the girl became friendlier and would always greet him whenever they see each other. They'd make small talk, and say polite goodbyes after. Soon, the small talks turned to long, aimless chats, though it's Sakuno who does all the talking. He preferred to just listen to her voice and her stories. They were mostly trivial, and usually won't interest him but the girl was an exception.
Hiroshi thought she would find it awkward to talk to him, but when he told her about it, she just said..
"N-Not at all! I'm actually glad.. that you talk to me. And I-I.. I'm used to these kinds of conversations. Ryoma-kun seldom answers back when we talk, and whenever Tezuka-senpai comes to our house to watch over me during the times Obaa-chan's on a trip, I'd always try to talk to him.. even if it's one-sided most of the time."
Through all the times he watched her and followed her every movements with his silver eyes, he soon learned that she was harboring a childish crush on the cocky freshman of Seigaku.
It was the same one his admirers said they had for him whenever they'd confess, but he never understood it until that one time when he saw how she blushed and stuttered in front of Echizen.
Hiroshi avoided looking at her the rest of the day.
But it was something he couldn't keep doing though, as he found himself drawn to her again the next day, when he witnessed how the girl gave half of her Bentou to the injured female cat just behind the main building, desperately trying to help it but to no avail, and how she patiently fed its newborn kittens some milk using a medicine dropper. He kept watching her as she buried the corpse of the cat while muttering a silent prayer, the tears flowing down her cheeks making it impossible for him to look away.
"S-Sorry, I just can't help it. T-They just lost their mother and they're only babies. And it's sad to think.. that someone would throw rocks mercilessly at a cat. Even if she was just a cat, her life is still important.. yet some people don't know how to cherish it."
Her pained words triggered a series of images in his mind.
A tabby cat.. with its stomach cut open and innards exposed, its tongue hanging limply and tears mixing with its crimson blood. The memories were gruesome, but despite that, the only things he could think about.. were how the owner must've felt after finding her cat slaughtered in a cardboard box.
Did she cry.. just like Sakuno now?
Was she sad?
Heart-broken? Or angered?
For the first time in his life, without him realizing it, he genuinely contemplated about what he had done, and considered about somebody else's feelings.
It was new to him, yet not unwelcomed.
The sight of Sakuno with crystal-like liquid streaming down her face was a strangely riveting sight, but somehow Hiroshi had the persistent urge to rid of them. Rid of them all. It was odd, but seeing her in such a state was something he knew he didn't like seeing, and won't want to see ever again. And as he fished out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears with a gentle hand, the purple-haired lad thought that even though he couldn't feel any regret, if a deed such as killing a cat would make her sad and cry like this, then perhaps.. he shan't do it again.
...
But then, there was auburn..
...
On some levels, they could be called 'friends'. Though, it was a relationship no one ever imagined would form between two completely different individuals. Others would say that they assumed he was courting the girl, but Hiroshi repeatedly denied their assumptions, that even Niou got tired of teasing him.
"What a shame. She's pretty cute, ya know. Someone might steal her away if you don't make up your mind. Na, Sakuno-chan?"
"E-Eh?! Ano.."
"Niou-kun, quit harassing her."
"Look, she's so red. So cute.. I wonder how red she will be if I try to kiss her."
"Niou-kun."
"You jealous?"
"Quit it."
"Puri."
So, their unlikely friendship continued for a long time. With Hiroshi always watching her. She became the only person whose expressions he studied, because he thought she alone was enough to show him the emotions he so craved.
There was nothing wrong with that, right? He just wanted to watch her, is all.
He even became her tutor, since she was not that good academically, which was fine because it allowed him more time to observe the auburn-haired girl. It was what enabled them to know each other more.
It gave them an opportunity to be closer.
"Yagyuu-san, congratulations on your graduation!"
"Arigatou, Ryuzaki-san."
"Y-You'll be enrolling to the high school division of Rikkaidai, right?"
"Yes. And I believe you'll do the same after you graduate middle school?"
"H-Hai. Obaa-chan said she will retire after two years, and we'll go back to Kanagawa."
"Then I'll be waiting for you."
"E-Eh..?"
"I'll wait for you in Rikkai."
During those times, he discovered that he has preferences now, unlike before when he'd go along with what people wanted because he didn't really care. Now he has his likes and dislikes.
He liked seeing her smile rather than her tears.
He liked how she'd always be so clumsy and trip, because it gives him the chance to catch her.
He liked seeing her in a dress, because she'd look just like a proper lady befitting a gentleman.
He liked her holding his hand whenever she's scared, because her hands were always so warm and they fit his perfectly.
He liked her auburn locks freed from its usual braids, because then he could touch it without her really noticing.
He liked spending his time with her, because he'd always discover something new about himself everytime they're together.
On the other hand, he found that he disliked her talking about Echizen. Or rather, he disliked her talking about other males in his presence.
He disliked the way boys would throw her covert glances.
He disliked the way they'd try to make her blush more.
He disliked the way they'd try to get her attention.
He disliked the way they'd ask if she was single.
Hiroshi didn't like those things. He strongly disliked them. But in the end, it would still be okay. Because everytime they happened, Sakuno would always hide behind his back and clutch his shirt, as if she feels most secured around him. As if she preferred him more than them.
And he found that he liked that the most.
...
Pink, blue- all the colors he once yearned.
...
Hiroshi kept watching her..
As she gradually lost her crush on the famed Prince of tennis, who went back to America after the U-17 camp.
As she improved in the very sport her former crush excelled at, and even became a regular at Seigaku.
As she graduated from middle school with a lovely smile on her face, her chocolate brown eyes brimming with happiness when he shook her hand.
As she grew from a little girl into a fine lady
As she became more and more beautiful each day.
"A wish?"
"H-Hai. You promised to grant it if I pass the exams.."
"Well then, a promise is a promise. What is it that you wish?"
"I.."
"Hmm?"
"I-I wish.."
"You wish to-?"
"I wish that Yagyuu-san.. will start calling me by my first name from now on."
"..."
"W-Was it too much.. G-Gomen, don't mind-.."
"A gentleman never breaks a promise, Sakuno-san. But in exchange, I expect you to do the same from now on."
"Hontou..? H-Hai! Arigatou gozaimasu.. H-Hiroshi-san!"
It was something his books mentioned to be too casual and informal.
But Hiroshi thought that it was okay.
Because she was the exception to his rules.
...
She was the one thing he'd been longing for..
...
His desire to learn more eventually deepened, and so did their friendship. It was amazing how this single person could provide the answers he was searching for since young. She taught him the things he never knew about himself before, and more.
And he did not.. could not understand why her.
Behind his polite and gentlemanly facade, he kept watching..
As she enrolled into their high school, and wore their uniform. It suited her so much that he kept a photo of it in his journal.
As she befriended many of the Rikkai students, being the skillful yet humble tennis regular that she was. It was to be expected. They could clearly see what kind of an extraordinary girl she was.
As she caught the attention of many boys, and as she politely rejected each and everyone of them. And everytime she does, she always inquires about his thoughts. And every single time, he'd say, "Do what you think you must." It was a decision she should make, it was not his to meddle in. As a gentleman, it was what he should say, even if the very thought of other men being with her troubled his mind to the point of sleeplessness. So that was what he said, but her involuntary flinch didn't escape his notice.
As she suddenly became more and more conscious of him, how she'd blush more than normal and how her face would always seem disappointed about something everytime they meet.
As she slowly changed, and started hiding things from him. But her expressive doe eyes could never lie, and he was startled to find an emotion there that his brain classified as 'Hurt'.
As she tried to date a few, and would always ask him about his thoughts. Again, his words would always leave her oddly disappointed, and her eyes would have that pained look in them. And Hiroshi didn't know what to do anymore, because no matter what he did, he could not figure out what was wrong. It was like that time when the injured cat died, but he could find no reason as to why she was hurt.
As she began distancing herself from him, and how she'd seem quite fidgety when he talks to her. He couldn't understand her, and he couldn't understand himself. So in the end, he'd always resort to consulting his mental social rulebook. But the results would still be the same: She's disappointed, he's confused.
But still, he kept watching..
Because he was clueless about what to do. It was the only thing he could do.
He still kept watching..
Even as Niou Masaharu fell in love with the girl.
...
She was his kaleidoscope of iridescent colors.
...
"He confessed to me yesterday. W-What do you think should I do, Hiroshi-senpai?"
"Niou-kun is a good man."
It was the right thing to do.
"You think.. I should say 'Yes'?"
It was what was written in the books.
Friends are supposed to support their friends.
"He gave me his word, he was sincere."
And his mom always said that he should follow them. Because it was the right thing to do.
Sakuno lifted her brown gaze to him, staring intently as if she wanted to know what he was thinking. But with his opaque glasses, it was impossible. He was blankly staring back, preventing her from understanding him even a bit.
Sakuno didn't know anymore.
She bit her lower lip, so hard that it reddened, and Hiroshi's hand instinctively reached out to it, gently pressing her lip away from her teeth. And as he touched her, she solemnly closed her eyes.
"You shouldn't do that. You're-.."
"..I'll say 'Yes' to him."
His hand fell limply to his side, his brain searching for the right response.
"Then I'll wish the best for the both of you."
He reminded himself that it was the right thing to do.
"T-Thank you."
She didn't look thankful.
Hiroshi was only supposed to observe her, not make her decisions for her. So he thought he did the right thing.
But it didn't feel like it. It didn't feel like it at all.
The next day, as Sakuno finally accepted the Trickster's confession, and as Niou grinned and hugged the auburn head tightly, the bespectacled lad's hand went straight to his chest, rubbing it to ease the strange suffocating sensation the scene gave him. It was uncomfortable, and despite taking long, deep breaths to rid of that feeling, it was still there. Even when he leaned his back against the wall where he was hiding in and tried to relax, that constricting feeling in his chest mercilessly made him suffer, gripping him until he wanted to scream.
It was painful. Too painful. For someone unaccustomed to pain, it was too much.
And what shocked him more was the warm liquid dripping from behind his glasses, and flowing down his cheeks.
They were tears.
Even though it was right, even though he did what his mom deemed right, it was painful.
And for the first time in his life, Hiroshi cried.
...
"We really thought she'd be your girlfriend."
"..Why is that, Marui-kun?"
Hiroshi zipped up his tennis bag, before slinging it on his right shoulder. The Gentleman began walking away from the courts, with the self-proclaimed Tensai tailing behind.
"Well, for the most part, you spend more time with her than you do with us. For three years, dude. And.. you do these things you don't do for other people. I mean, don't get me wrong. You're kind, too kind actually that it seems unnatural sometimes, you know? Like.. you're doing them 'coz you're obliged to do it. Cold kindness.. But with her, it's different. It's like she's the only person you really took an interest in."
"I don't understand.."
From afar, Hiroshi could see Niou and Sakuno strolling side by side, exiting the school gates. His silver eyes narrowed.
Of course, she won't walk home with him anymore.
"Like this.. You're alive when you're around her. Even Yukimura said so. With Ryuzaki-chan, there's heart in your kindness. So, we thought you were in love with her."
Love?
It was a foreign word.
And his mental encyclopedia provided little and useless information about the said subject.
He didn't want to understand it anymore anyway.
Because it was painful, and confusing.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm going ahead."
He just wanted to go back to being emotionless and empty, than be barraged by these unknown and unexplainable feelings he hated.
"O-Oi.."
Marui wanted to talk some more, but Hiroshi already doubled his pace. Just when the redhead was about to turn around, he caught sight of a female student approaching the Gentleman, probably going to confess or something.
But what made him freeze in his tracks was when the said Gentleman strode past the girl while coldly gritting out, "Shut up and go away."
It was a shocker. But then Marui sighed in sympathy, his amethyst eyes sad as he said, "We were right. She was the only one you truly cared for. You just didn't know it, but you really loved her, didn't you?"
The team was well-aware that Yagyuu Hiroshi was someone who never felt anything for them. He was another Trickster in a Gentleman's facade. But despite knowing that he never saw them as anything more than 'Other tennis players', for them he had always been their friend.
And right now, they know that his facade was cracking.
He was hurt.
He was angry.
He was sad.
And it was all because of Ryuzaki Sakuno.
...
End of Part Two.
...
A/N: The next part will be the last one. Thank you for reading, everyone.