Chapter-4
Asuna woke up with a start. She was bundled up on the floor, near her couch. She wondered what had happened and checked the time. It read 4:30 am. Memories of the previous night flooded her mind.
She was shocked, to say the least. She did not expect to see him that very night. Out of habit she stepped aside and let him in. They sat facing each other for a long time. He kept a steady gaze on her while she looked everywhere ignoring him.
"What do you want Fuji?" she finally asked. His sharp cerulean eyes didn't weaver. If anything, they hardened. "You've never called me by my family name before." This time, forced to look, she met his gaze. "I don't think we have that sort of familiarity anymore that I'd get to call you by your given name, Fuji."
"You left Seigaku just to go away from me." He said bitterly. She narrowed her eyes. "Don't pretend to be all innocent. I know what you did. Don't think I don't know why that rumor got the chance to spread. You made my life a living hell and now, you're sitting here, pretending it was all my fault?" Fuji looked away. "You're lucky I didn't tell them all of it. Niou senpai would've buried you alive." Fuji looked at her incredulously. "You didn't?" she ignored his question. It was taking all her will power to not scream and kick him out. She took a deep breath and got off the couch. Walking to the door, she said "If that was all-"
Just then Fuji's hand slammed on the door right beside her head. Eyes wide, she looked at him. He was merely inches away from her. The serene smile back on his face. "I'm not done yet, Asu-chan. You didn't answer me." He pressed himself against her. "Don't you want to spend time with me anymore? Don't hate me so." He murmured. His hands trailed her neck and cupped her cheeks. Asuna could feel her face grow warm. She pushed him but he just wouldn't budge. "I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore." She said angrily. Fuji pinned both her arms above head. "You don't really mean that, right Asu-chan? You couldn't even tell Rikkai about our whole past. That must mean something." He cooed. "I mean it Fuji. And me not telling them means nothing." came her cold reply.
Fuji's blue eyes snapped open and his grip on her wrists tightened. "Why not!" his was dangerously low. She looked away. His grip hurt, but she wasn't backing down. With his free hand, Fuji turned her head to face him. "Is it… Is it because of…Yanagi Renji?" his voice showed the despair that he desperately wanted to hide. And out of spite, just to hurt him, she confirmed his suspicion.
Fuji grabbed her hair, trapping her mouth in a fiery kiss. "I won't have it! You hear me?" he seethed. "I don't want him anywhere near you!" his mouth trailed kisses down her neck. With great effort she pushed him away from herself. "I don't want you anywhere near me! I want you out of my apartment right now Syusuke Fuji." She was shaking with anger. Fuji looked at her a bit longer, then left, slamming the door shut.
Her legs gave out and she slid to the floor. She fell for his charms again! Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pulled her blanket that lay on the floor near the couch. She cried herself to sleep right there on the floor.
She took a shower and made breakfast. It wasn't helping. She left for school early, hoping early morning practice would help take her mind off things. She changed into her tennis clothes and began her laps.
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Yukimura and the others came to the courts to a very odd scene. Asuna curled up on the court, unconscious. They immediately had her taken to the infirmary. She never came early and she never exerted herself. She was aware of her lack of stamina and refused to play like crazy unlike the others, although Sanada would insist she play more to increase it.
The nurse had informed that she was under a lot of stress and playing for too long caused her to collapse. That was odd. They just finished the District Prelims with the ultimate victory. Why was she stressed?
They were forced to leave for their classes and couldn't wait till she was awake. All a little worried but relieved that she will be fine.
Niou, Yagyuu and Renji walked to class together. Niou couldn't help noticing how preoccupied Renji seemed that day. "I sure hope Suna-chan wakes up soon." He said, looking at Renji from the corner of his eyes. The data master only nodded absent-mindedly. No data backing him up. Even Yagyuu was surprised. Was he that worried about her?
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Asuna woke up screaming. Renji was right there by her side, looking at her with concern. Her cheeks flushed. Is it because of Yanagi Renji? What did he mean? Why did he only mention Renji senpai? "I'm fine senpai." She said in a weak voice. "Just a bad dream. We should get to practice, no?" she tried to leave the bed, but Renji gently pushed her back down. "No practice for you today. I'll be watching. And No. Sneaking. Out." "But-but- "No buts. Eat your bento and lie back down. You gave poor Kirihara a heart attack." He got up from the bed and took his seat on the chair nearby.
She stole glances at Renji. Was he worried about her? "What is it?" he asked calmly while turning the page of his book. Asuna's cheeks turned bright pink and she choked on her food. "I-I was j-just wondering…um…what you did to your hair senpai. It looks different. Yeah, that's it. Uh-huh."
Renji only raised his eyebrows. She was clearly lying. But for the first time he didn't point it out. For the first time he wished she wasn't lying. He wished her eyes would reveal the same softness for him that came out even while she pretended to not care about Syusuke Fuji.
Yes, she was not yet over him. She didn't even tell them what actually happened that made her leave Seigaku. Why else would she protect the very person that made her life so hard that she had to change schools?
