I am worried. Worried that I actually starting to like this place.I guess time really makes a person change. It's has been one month since I came here and it's nearing the day that I take part in the Kansai Junior Tennis Doubles Tournament with Zaizen.

To be honest,it's the first time I am actually playing with our people other than Zaizen. It's really nerve-racking for me to imagine what the outcome would be like. Zaizen ensures me it would be fine and even if we lose,we did our best. Wait a minute,why do I even care?!

The day before the event,Zaizen brought me out after school to have our dinner together. It was alright for me since my father is coming home late again and he was actually treating me. We went to a local shop to eat Japanese stuff and I already noticed Zaizen likes to eat shiratama a lot and dislike bitter parts of the fish. How do I know? Simple,he leaves the bitter parts for me to eat and takes most of the shiratama whenever I eat with him. Overall he is picky about food...

But this time he treats me to udons which is my favourite food of all. I was suprised and begin to question him. He just says he felt like it.I doubt him but I guess I shouldn't be that nosy about it and as usual I started the conversation to avoid the topic. Mid-way through the conversation,Zaizen suddenly ask me,"Akiyama,why do you hate tennis anyway?".
"Why are you asking me?",I said joking,to avoid it.
"Just answer me.",he said that,determinely.

I couldn't avoid it anymore,so I told him the whole story. After that,everything went quiet,even during paying and walking back home.I felt aweful,I wished he didn't ask me that,I didn't even feel like facing him tomorrow,to appear in the tournament with him.

When I arrived home with Zaizen's escort,I finally spoke but it was a goodbye to him. Then I turned to my home,ready to walk into it. Suddenly,Zaizen grabbed my hands and embraced my in his head was burried in my shoulders and he spoked softly,gently to me,"I'm sorry.I shouldn't have asked you must have been aweful telling me that."

At that moment,I too couldn't bare with it anymore.I lifted my arms around his shoulders and cried,"Thank you....."

Back at home,I laid on my bed thinking of all the wonderful stuff I have been through since my arrival here. It's already a month and I felt so happy to be here,to be part of it. My father too must have felt the same way. Just when I was about to fall asleep,my father came in with that look on his face. It was time.....

The next day,I lifted my spirits to face today's tournament. I wanted to win,to win for him and me,myself before I leave. So when I arrived,I put on a smile to ensure Zaizen I was alright. Actually,I was already fine from yesterday conversation,it was another thing that was bugging me. That thing was going to erase my time here for good.

In every match,I gave it my all. We managed to advance to the finals easily. I really have to thank Zaizen for this. But Zaizen was watching every move I make. He seem to be tense,about me. Fearing that he might think I wasn't over with yesterday's issue,I dragged him to a spot with fewer people and begin assuring him.

Zaizen was ingoring very word that I said to just stared at me as though he saw through me. I was now really scared,so I quickly left him. Unluckily for me,he blocked my way and question me now.
"Something is up right?It's not yesterday,that's for sure."He asked.
"It's nothing. Well we better hurry,the finals about to start."I walked off again.
Then when I walked about 10 metres away he shouted,"No matter what,I am there for if something is up,it's are good friends,right?!".

I turned around and looked at him. He was blushing,his face was seriously red. But he looked serious as though as he meant it. I smiled at him and at that moment I have decided to tell him what was bothering me,that thing that was about to break us apart for good after this match.