Bittersweet Melody
Second Arc: Act Eleven
BEGA had come and gone. The fight against Brooklyn had ended and so did Volkov's plan on world domination and yet where had she gone? Ozuma and his team had all but disappeared after that night in the forest. She was absent during the final match without so much of a word. Question of her location had come up in casual conversation but no investigation had gone through. Rumi, Yumi and even Adof had all vanished.
He was more than satisfied with himself. He had done his part and the BBA had returned to its old self, but what to do now? Laying down in his bed, he stared up at the white ceiling above him. Where did she go? Again she had gone from his life just as quickly as she appeared. But why? Perhaps she had gone back on tour with Rumi and Yumi? Then again… the question of why she had forfeited the tournament still lingered in his mind. Ozuma would know why.
Takao bolted up from his bed and looked to the corner of the room. Ah, Daichi…his sleeping spot seemed as empty as ever. His small partner had moved in with Max and his Father some time ago, too bad to, just when he was getting used to Daichi. It was about time he paid the squirt a visit anyhow. Takao jumped to his feet before reaching down into his jacket pocket and pulling out his cell phone. He flipped the small device open to check his messages. Hm, nothing new although there was that one strange message…
'Hope to see you at the tournament.'
The text was still haunting him. Who could have sent it? He looked back at the old message and looked at the number it was sent from. It was still a mystery. He couldn't recognize the message and still he felt as though he should know whom it belonged to. It was about time he asked Max about this text message, another good excuse to see the blonde. He flipped his phone shut and shoved it back into his pocket. He then proceeded to walk out his bedroom door and exit the home. Maybe Max had an idea of where Cat was hiding…
XoXoX
Takao stepped into Max's small home with a look of delight on his face. It was comforting to know that they were once again close as teammates, no longer on opposite sides of the playing field. Max guided him through the kitchen and into his bedroom where Daichi sat on the floor, his eyes glued to a small television.
"So what's up, Takao?" The blond asked as he took a seat on his bed.
"Well, I wanted to show you this a while ago but," He spoke before reaching down into his pocket and pulling out his cellular phone. "I didn't get a chance to."
Takao flipped open his phone, located the text message and handed the black device over to Max. The freckled American male rose to his feet and narrowed his eyes at the small screen to read the text. He thought for a moment and hummed to himself. His eyes then bounced over to the phone number.
"I didn't know who it was from, have any ideas?" He asked with one hand to his hip.
"Hm," Max glanced back up at him and handed him back his phone. "I can't say who it is, I don't recognize the number. Sorry, Takao."
"Is that ALL you came over for?" Daichi curled up his nose at the blue-haired male.
Balling up his right hand, he was quick to snap at the younger redhead. "Hey! Quiet!" Lowering his fist and turning back to Max, he began to speak in a calmer voice. "I also came here to ask if you've heard from Cat."
"Cat?" Max paused for a moment. "No, I haven't."
While he took a moment to ponder to himself, his hand lifted to his chin, Max let out a loud sigh.
"I'm beginning to worry," Takao admitted. "I haven't heard from her in weeks. She…she wasn't even at the tournament against BEGA."
Max let out a small sigh. "I know."
A silence grew between the two boys. Both males looked down to their feet at a loss of words. What was wrong with them? Why was speaking suddenly so hard to do? Max was the first of the boys to look back up. He looked at Takao with stern, serious eyes; he could feel the ocean-blue stare on him as he continued to look to the floor.
He was feeling awkward in every way. That confession had built an invisible, silent bridge between him; each boy knowing different private information about one another, both carrying uncertainties about the other. Things had never been so strange between them. So many questions floated in their minds and yet their heart lacked the ability to ask them. Would it ruin their relationship?
"What's wrong with you two?"
The two boys broke their stares and looked to Daichi. The smaller boy sat on his knees and gawked in awe at the older boys. Max coughed before turning away from Takao. He then returned to his bedside and took a seat. He grunted before throwing his arms over his chest. He was not pleased at all with his own emotions. So many things seemed so confusing now. With all the drama of the tournament over, he could only focus on his social drama. How could he break the news to Max that Cat was in love with him? How could he break his heart? And furthermore, how did he feel about the confession? He couldn't…return the feelings…could he? And what about Hiromi? What about her heart?
"You know," Daichi's voice again entered the air. "I haven't seen The Saint Shields around either."
"That's right." Max nodded his head. "Where ever Cat went, they were sure to follow."
"What about Rumi and Yumi?" Takao looked to the roommates. "Have you guys heard anything about them on TV?"
Max and Daichi looked at one another for a moment before returning their stares to him. "No." They answered at the same time.
"In fact," Max lifted his index finger into the air. "I haven't heard about Cat on TV or the radio."
"That's strange…" He muttered to himself.
"Perhaps, something happened?" The blond's facial emotion took a turn for the worst.
He paused. No, that couldn't be right. Surely they would have heard something on TV or the radio. Takao unfolded his arms and sighed. There wasn't a number he could contact her with, not even an address to see her at.
"I don't know how to contact her," The champ grumbled under his breath. "She was never good at staying in contact."
"She always has a habit of disappearing like that." Max added.
The trio of boys fell silent once again, each brainstorming on how they could find or contact Cat. It seemed impossible in some ways, for all they knew Cat and party could be out of the country. If only they had Adof's number, only if they had asked for it earlier. Who knew things would turn out the way they did. Didn't Cat care about their victory? Didn't she know about his effort to save the sport of Beyblading from BEGA? What excuse could she have for just disappearing on him like this?
The cool day's air hit Takao's upper arm and caused small goosebumps to appear on his arm. Was the window open? He dismissed the small nuisance and continued to think to himself. It was then a dark shadow shaded the side of his face. His cheek twitched, trying his best to again ignore the incident.
"Ozuma!"
He felt his head twitch at the sound of Max's voice. He turned up to look at his old friend and Daichi to see the two younger boys had their stares directed toward the open window. Feeling confused, his head and eyes darted over to the left to see a hunched over figure sitting in the windowsill. He let out a yelp and took several steps backward; the image of a darkened figure sitting in the window caused a child-like fear to ignite within him.
With one swift movement, Ozuma slipped one leg over the other and removed himself from his perch. Both feet landed on the carpet with a small thud. His hood and cape hiding most of his face and body, Ozuma stood in front of the three boys with a serious look in his eye. He lifted both hands to his face and slowly pulled back his brown hood.
"Ozuma," Max said in a calm voice. "What's the matter?"
Adjusting his hood, Ozuma let the fabric rest on his small shoulders. His eyebrows laid low on his forehead, creating a glare. He looked very stern and serious. His whole body stood stiff and his shoulders pointed back allowing his back to stand straight. Both hands gripped to make fists laid by his sides.
"What are you doing here?!" Takao shouted.
Before Ozuma had a chance to answer any questions, the rash champion rushed forward and extended his arms out to the shorter male. He reached outward and took a tight hold of the brown hood. He then yanked the smaller boy forward into his face and snarled.
"Where have you been?!" He shouted at Ozuma. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Where is Cat?!"
"Takao!" Max reached out to him and placed his hands on his extended arms. "Calm down!"
Ozuma remained silent. He stared into Takao's eyes and refused to utter a single word. He tightened his grip on his hood, his nails digging deep into the fabric while his cheek began to twitch. How could Ozuma show his face after all that happened? And what was his deal showing up here and now? The American began to tug on his arm in an effort to pull him off of Ozuma. Max moved his face closer to Takao and whispered again in his ear.
"Something's happened."
Both boys' eyes snapped open. Ozuma's voice left his mouth softly. The boy spoke with no emotion, not even a twitch of his cheek. He let his grip loosen on Ozuma's hood. A moment or two more passed before Takao finally released Ozuma. The shorter male's feet hit the carpet for the second time. The Saint Shield captain continued to give both males a cold stare. Shivers slithered up his spine, what was with that look? He let his hands hit his sides. He was all-ears now.
"What's happened?" Max asked in a low voice.
"I need you, and whoever else you want to come, to meet me somewhere to talk." Ozuma spoke with a still face.
"What's going on?" Daichi's small head popped up between the three older boys.
"Listen," Ozuma lifted one hand into the air. "I can't stay for long. Just meet me tomorrow, we all need to talk."
"Where do you want to meet?" Max questioned.
"Anywhere," He said with a twitch of his brow. "I don't care."
Takao took a single step forward. "Where is Cat staying now?" He moved his arms over his chest. "We can meet there."
"We can't do that." Ozuma replied with a shake of his head.
He lifted a brow. "What? Why not?"
"She is staying here, isn't she?" The blond added.
Ozuma shut his eyes and grunted with frustration. "Of course."
Takao began to speak, "Then why not-"
"Just listen to me!" He barked back. "Let me make it easy for you all, let's meet at the park." His eyes opened and he shot a glare in their direction.
"Sounds good." Max nodded.
"Can't you tell us anything?" Takao whined before sighing.
"No," Ozuma turned his back to the trio. "It's too important to tell you right now." With a small glance over his shoulder he continued. "Besides, I'm sure you'd want to bring the others along with you. They will like to know as well."
"Wow," Daichi said with a flutter of his eyes. "It must be important then!"
Ozuma sighed before lifting his hand to his forehead. He then lifted his right leg to the windowsill and propped his body upward. Seated on the sill, he turned to the three boys for the final time. He stared directly at Takao and narrowed his eyes at the blue-haired boy. The champ felt his body flinch, what was with the sudden death stare? Before he could blink again, Ozuma hopped out of the window and took his leave.
"So I guess we get the guys together tomorrow?" Max asked.
He hesitated to reply for a moment. What was going on? A sudden twisting in his gut forced him to place his hand on his belly. Again with this sick feeling? Takao bit down on his lower lip before looking back to Max. The blond male stood in front of him with a look of worry spreading across his face. So he wasn't the only one feeling sick to his stomach?
"I'll send the message to them." Takao allowed his hand to hit the jacket pocket that contained his cellular phone. "Kyoujyu, Rei and Kai, I'll tell them."
"All right," Max agreed with a firm nod of his head.
"I'm coming too!" Daichi threw one arm up into the air.
"What about Hiromi?" Max cocked his brow.
"Ugh," He lifted his hand to his forehead and groaned. "Fine, I'll tell her too."
"Then we'll see you tomorrow then." Max replied in a low tone.
He turned his back to the two males, ready to leave the room. "I'll be there."
XoXoX
He flipped his phone shut. His eyes traveled from the phone up to the ceiling and sighed. Takao had just finished sending the last text message of the night to Kai. He let his head fall back on his pillow. What was he thinking now? Why was his mind suddenly blank?
He turned to his left to see a small glass of water on his nightstand. He had taken some antacids earlier in the evening to subside the pain in his stomach. Yes, the pain had still lingered in his gut but why? It couldn't be nerves…could it? This pain it was always associated with Cat but why? Since her confession the pain seemed to have grown worse. It was an ache that he couldn't name. True, the medicine he had taken earlier had taken away some of the aching but it still there. It was an emotion he had never felt before. For two years he had kept this mysterious stomach pain to himself, not uttering a word about it to anyone. Why was he so insistent on keeping this to himself? Embarrassment perhaps? But there was no reason to be embarrassed, was there?
Just then Takao's bedroom door creaked open. The boy jolted out of his laying position and sat upward. The light from the hallway filled his dark room and a shadowed figure stepped into his room. He recognized the figure to be his older brother, Hitoshi. He was dressed in day attire, ready to leave for his flight. Hitoshi had made it clear to the family that he would return to his work of training underprivileged children the art of Beyblading. He watched as his older brother approached his bedside and took a seat beside him.
"I'm leaving in a few hours," He said in a soft tone.
"I know." Takao replied, his eyes on the carpet below.
"So," Hitoshi placed his hands on his thighs before turning to face his younger brother. "You're going to see Cat tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Tell her I said, 'hello'."
"I will." He inhaled through his nose before falling backward on his bed.
Silence fell over the two. Hitoshi lifted his head and peered out the bedroom window. How silent his room and become since Daichi's departure. It was slightly eerie to hear the crickets outside his window. Takao stared at the ceiling once again, a mixture of emotions rushing through his body and mind. He lifted his hand and touched his gut once again. Hitoshi turned to his younger brother and watched as he began to stroke his stomach.
"You're stomach upset?"
"No." He was quick to counter his brother.
"Takao, I'm not stupid."
He refused to answer. He inhaled a deep breath of air before shutting his eyes. What was he going to say to her tomorrow? How could he face her again after everything that had happened? And what would her excuse be, for missing the tournament against BEGA? She had to have a reason…
"You're nervous." Hitoshi spoke again, his voice hitting the cool room air.
He opened his left eye and stared at his brother. "No I'm not." He then shut his eye once more and asked, "What makes you say that?"
"Because you love her."
Before Takao could realize it, he had sprung up out of laying position. His eyes opened wide and he stared at his brother with his mouth gaping open. What did he just say?! He could feel his stomach begin to rock back and forth in a sea of pain. How could Hitoshi say such a thing? How could he just assume his feeling about Cat? It was insane! It was rude! It was…it couldn't be…true, could it?
"What are you talking about?!" He shouted at his brother.
"It's true." Hitoshi shut both eyes and sighed to himself. "And you know it is."
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" The younger male shook his head violently from left to right. "I don't love her! She's like my sister, you know that!"
"That sick feeling you've been having?" Hitoshi reopened his eyes and looked straight at his little brother. "It's because you have feelings for her. You're nervous around her. That's called 'butterflies'."
His jaw dropped, what was he supposed to say? He looked down to his belly and felt that the pain and subsided for a moment. He gulped aloud before looking back at his brother. He opened his mouth to speak but no words could form on his tongue. What could he say to combat this statement?
"Ever since she left you," The older man lifted his chin and looked out at the evening sky. "You've been lost. You realized you needed her just as much as she needed you."
"And what makes you such an expert?!"
Hitoshi glanced over at Takao with a small grin. "I can feel it on you, Takao. I'm your brother, I notice these things." He lifted his hands from his lap and crossed them over his chest. "Not to mention Grandpa told me how defensive you were when she came back last year."
"I was mad because she left us! She left the team!"
"Exactly." The smile on his face began to spread. "She left you. And you didn't know how to handle that. It's because you love her."
His hands relaxed. He felt his heart thump away in his chest and his breathing pick up. His face then began to feel hot. He lifted his right hand to his cheek and felt the warmth growing there. Was he blushing? With his eyes and mouth open, he turned to Hitoshi. He managed to chuckle, probably because he was blushing or something! He puffed up both cheeks and turned away from his big bro.
"I should get going." Hitoshi replied as he stood to his feet.
"Now?"
"Yeah," He nodded, looking down to him with a smile.
"All right." Takao pushed his body off of the bed.
He stood beside his brother, his chest pushed out and shoulders back. Hitoshi smiled down at him and reached out to him. He placed both palms on his shoulders and gave him a single shake.
"I'll see you around." The former manager's voice was soft and low.
The littler man gave the older teacher a firm nod of his head and smile. The pressure on his shoulders then gave way; Hitoshi released himself from Takao and walked forward. He paused in the doorway and peered over his broad shoulder. He looked straight into Takao's eyes and lifted his left hand into the air. His hand formed a thumbs-up.
"You can do it."
Without another word, Hitoshi left the room and quietly shut the door behind him. He stood in the darkness, the red dusting still glowing in the night. What was that supposed to mean? He felt the weight on his legs give way and he fell backward on to his bed. Hitoshi, why did he have to be so mysterious? He moved both hands to his face and covered his eyes. What a night…
Did, could he love Cat Greco? The one female he spent most of his childhood with? The one female he could stand? His hands dragged off his face and down to his cheeks. The pain in his stomach had begun to return. Nerves again. Why couldn't this be easier? Why did it have to be this female? Any other girl would have been easier to love. So much history had passed between the two that it made this situation so hard to deal with. Only if it were Hiromi, then maybe it wouldn't be so hard.
"I care a lot about her. I love her, Takao."
Max… What would he say to Max? He loved her too. He closed his eyes and recalled the night Max had told him confessed to him. He could remember the sharp pain in his belly that night. Could that have been because he loved Cat? Takao grunted to himself, this was just too much to deal with. It was then the image of Cat confessing to him entered his mind. That warm evening in Egypt when she came to him and placed her head in his chest. She cried that time and told him how she had loved him all along. Was he feeling the same emotion?
Then their faces became so close…was he going to kiss her that night? It was obvious that his body craved it but what about his mind? Is that really what he wanted? What about Max? Yes, that was the reason why he stopped himself then. How could he face Max now? How could he tell one of his best friends that he loved his crush?
Act End.