Okay, okay. I know I said I would update by next week, which was the beginning of December by then. To make up for it, I'll be updating my Wattpad stories everyday 'til New Year (including the intro to the Rin fanfic). Eyy!

Chapter 14 (Proofread on a sugar rush. I had Sprite, a slice of chocolate cake, a huge slice of mango graham cake, a mango jelly, and some holiday mint M&Ms.)

I stood frozen as the papers floated down the floor. I hung my head low, not wanting to look at the disappointed look on my mother's face. My hands clenched into fists at my side as I willed myself to breathe slowly and not start crying.

"Look at me," Mom ordered.

I shook my head. A couple of traitorous tears leaked from my eyes and dropped to the floor. I remained firm and squeezed my eyes shut to prevent more tears to fall.

"I said, 'Look at me!'" she demanded, her voice rising to a level that might be alarming to our neighbors. When I remained defiant of her, she stepped forward and lifted my chin to make me face her. Seeing my tears, she seemed to have mellowed as she dropped her own hand to her side.

Running her hand through her hair, Mom sighed. "Why couldn't you tell me?" she asked. "Why did I have to learn this from your coach?"

"He's not my coach anymore," I replied, biting my tongue as I avoided the real question.

"So I've heard," Mom said flatly. "Have you told your father?"

"No, and he wouldn't mind either way," I replied. "Why do you always have to make him an issue?"

"Because I know you despise me for not being able to care for you the way he can!" Mom shouted. "You quit the volleyball team to spite me, didn't you?!"

My tears ceased to fall, or rather, they just dried up from her words alone. I might as well have another anxiety attack because that would hurt a lot less than her words. "You... you think I hate you for not being rich?" I scoffed. "I quit the volleyball team so I can keep my goddamn scholarship! As a matter of fact, it was my own act of kindness for you."

Mom blinked. "What are you talking about?" she asked with pure confusion.

She didn't know.

"They weren't letting me stay on the team, so they got me to fill up the form," I said.

"What?!" Mom exclaimed. "That Sasagawa. He and I will have a talk first thing on Monday."

"No," I shook my head. "He was right. Staying would've... would've ruined me further." I took a step to the side and fell into a seat in the dining table. "I couldn't stay in the volleyball team."

"Why not? You were an excellent player," Mom said, taking the seat in front of me from across the table. "I can't believe you would just throw away that opportunity, all those training. You've been doing this since middle school. I... I just don't understand."

"You think it didn't hurt me?! I had to give up something I love because I just wouldn't function properly!" I raised my voice. "My first practice on the swim team was a complete flop because I still loved volleyball."

"'Function'?" Mom looked even more confused than ever. "Kai, you have to stop taking out details. Tell me. Is it an injury?"

"It might as well be," I replied, but when Mom looked at me, her expression now showing more worry than disappointment and worry, I braced myself to tell her the truth she deserved.

Haru's reaction were always subtle, but in time, I learned to read his expressions, especially his eyes, which were always a dead giveaway. When he found me sitting in his living room - this boy really needs to learn how to lock his doors when he's upstairs - he was slightly startled by my presence before he took a seat beside me on the couch. I leaned my head on his side, and he grabbed my hand as I began to sob softly.

"She knows?" Haru asked.

I nodded, sniffling. "I came here as soon as she left for work," I said. "She didn't want to leave, but you know how it is." I sighed and leaned closer to Haru, wrapping my arms around him. "I'm so tired. Jetlag and this..." I trailed off, my eyes slowly shutting. "Haru, I'm sorry." Then I fell asleep.

I woke up on the couch with a blanket around me. I sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, and looked around for Haru. Seeing the front door ajar, I slowly made my way outside and found Haru sitting near the doorstep. I sat beside him, and we both looked at the burnt orange sky in silence.

"Haru," I began, "what are you planning to take in university?"

"Culinary," was his quick short answer.

I looked at him surprised. I was very sure that he would take up sports to continue swimming. "I thought you loved swimming," I said.

"I love the water and swimming free," Haru said, "but I don't see the point in doing it for the rest of my life for other people." When he was met with my confused face, he continued, "When a person like me hits twenty, my talent would be normal by then."

I laughed, the first genuine laugh that I produced since I got home. "Trust me, Haru," I said. "You will always be amazing to me." I reached for his hand and reveled the comfort and strength in those fingers.

After another long pause, I started again. "Are you taking up culinary as a second choice?" I asked. When I met his questioning gaze, I rambled on, "I know you just said that you love swimming, but cooking? That totally out of the blue."

Haru looked at me, really looked at me. I shifted in my seat from his piercing gaze because I knew he can read me. "Kai," he said, "what's wrong?"

"My mom... she still wants me to take volleyball," I admitted. "I know the swimming club has an upcoming tournament, but if I'm being honest... I still love volleyball." I let out a shaky breath. "It's just that I'm scared... I'm scared of my teammates, of failing... of me." I continued, "But I also don't want it to seem like I joined the swimming club as a second choice. Well, it was as first, but then, every moment has been special." I looked up at him. "Especially with you."

"Do you want to?" Haru asked. "If your mother and your condition wasn't in the picture, would you return?"

I took a deep breath and sighed for the nth time while resting my chin on my raised knees. "I honestly don't know," I said. "To be fair, as much as I loved the sport, I don't want to go back to a team that don't trust me to begin with."

"Whatever your choice is, we'll be there for you," Haru said, tucking me under his chin before kissing the top of my head. "Just choose whatever makes you free."

"You know what?" I tilted my head to meet this eyes. "You always manage to say or do things that don't make sense," I paused and smiled at him, "but somehow they do at the same time." I kissed him briefly on the lips. "Thanks, Haru."

Merry Christmaaaas! Didn't mean to post a very emotional story, but it is the ending. I'm planning to end it very cheesy, very anime-ish. Ha. Keep your seats warm for tomorrow! (I'm serious this time. Like I actually wrote my ass off to update everyday until New Year.)

Reviews and follows/favorites are greatly appreciated. No writer likes a silent reader. Love 'ya.