Chapter 21: Crime of Passion
Little Falcon: Aha! I cleared a day to write an update because this chapter's been screaming to be written. Thankfully, my muse agreed so here it is. Don't forget to leave a review after reading, 'kay?
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
"Ryuuzaki-sensei? Are you alright?" The Seigaku captain's eyes showed concern behind those glasses. It was unusual for the female coach to ask Tezuka to sit-in for her place even during a practice.
Dismissing the dull pain in her chest, Coach Ryuuzaki gave a reassuring, wrinkled smile. "I'm fine. There's just something I have to do," she appeared to be convincing since the stiff captain already wheeled around to take her seat on the sideline bench.
Sweat broke through her forehead as she felt the pain in her chest growing more profound. The only thing she did was walk a couple of distance from the court to the nearby park but she was already catching her breath. An empty bench provided little relief as she calm herself.
The invigorating aroma of coffee and the scent of fresh baked bread made her eyes open instinctively. "Here," on her lap landed a mat of familiar pills. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the person in front of her and was now taking a seat beside her with the scrumptious breakfast in between them. "I'm guessing you stopped taking your meds months ago. With an early start today, you also probably skipped breakfast. That needs to be taken after meals," she said in a clinical manner.
"Sa…Sakuno…" Her gaze wandered from the young woman to the food she offered and finally, to the lozenges on her lap. Taking her prescribed meds was one of the things the old coach always forgets. In fact, it was only when she was with her granddaughter, who always reminded her about drinking it, did she remained faithful to the doctor's orders. After hearing from the old woman who took Sakuno in years ago, she never had the confidence to bring herself to talk to the granddaughter she had forsaken while she was focused on training Seigaku.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not warming up to you. I just feel it's part of my duty," her chestnut eyes that she got from her grandfather looked straightforward.
A warm smile formed on the coach's lips as she was satisfied by that show of affection. "Ah, I've heard you are studying medicine. That's great," she sipped the caffeinated drink and also looked forward. How long has it been since they sat together like this? Years ago, they would share the boxed lunch she made in between matches then she would ask about him. Those were the times she felt more like a best friend than a grandparent. However, today, although the distance between them wasn't really notable, she feels so far away.
With her peripheral vision, Sakuno watched the old coach finish her breakfast and drank the pill. "Don't forget to drink it otherwise, chest pain would be the least of your worries," just like a doctor talking to a patient, her tone was calm, distant and clinical.
And just like a frail old woman, Ryuuzaki gave a nod. Sakuno didn't even glance at her when they spoke. Just a show of kindness from a doctor to a client, even still, she was contented with the interaction. I guess I owe Echizen… In the back of her head, she knew that this drastic change in her granddaughter wouldn't have been possible if the two decided to part ways. Thankfully, they found each other and in the process, their relationship began nursing Sakuno's battered heart.
From the corner of his cat-like eyes, he saw a hint of maroon behind the fence. An arrogant smirk formed on his lips as he began the game with his signature twist serve. That color belongs to Ryuugan Academy and there was only one person from that place that made him feel he's really a prince just with her tantalizing gaze. Fighting every urge to turn his head and look at her, Ryoma settled with the occasional passing glances they shared when he followed the ball's trajectory.
The match between the sleeping genius and the Seigaku prince was superb it could almost be compared to a pro's play. But as the final point was given, she turned away, feeling as if she was the one who one. Her eyebrows shot up as she saw a familiar face in an unexpected place.
Bearing the Ryuugan insignia on his shirt, his eyes were hidden by the shadow of his cap while his hands were in his pocket.
"Teito-senpai, what are you doing here?" She approached the former captain of the Ryuugan tennis team. Since the mysterious appearance of Saiga Toushiro, he volunteered to step down, returning the position to the one who deserved it.
"Hime-chan," as he raised his head, she saw the gentle look in his eyes embellished by his wide grin. Together with his clean cut dark hair, girls fawn over his boyish charms. "I know you and him," he cocked his head towards Seigaku. "… are already together but… I suggest you to be careful of your actions…" Shigure Teito and the rest of the male Ryuugan tennis team were the ones who never treated her poorly despite knowing her faults with the fallen prince. They treated her like a sister and vice versa but still this warning made surprised her. "… Toushiro-senpai may be kind… but he's still a man,"
Her downcast eyes apologized in her place. "I'll try," Sakuno mumbled before she walked passed him.
"Wait!" Teito grabbed her arm in an attempt to stop her from leaving but what shocked him was the visible wince she made together with a painful hiss as his hand touched her. Just like touching something searing hot, he let her go instantly.
"OI!" Two Seigaku players saw the scene and made their way towards them.
"What the hell are you doing to her, hsssss?" The one with the green bandana grabbed the assistant captain's collar and glared at him.
"Are you alright, Sakuno?" The dunk smashing player asked in concern.
"I did nothing," agitated by their unsaid accusation, the Ryuugan player pushed himself away from Kaido. Without warning, he raised Sakuno's sleeve- the part he gripped. Purple bruises encircling her arm stared mockingly back at the three. "W…where did you get this?"
"It's none of your business," she pulled away from Teito's hold and replaced her sleeve.
"Was it your team? Did those girls do this to you?" Momoshiro tried to keep his temper from snapping but evidently, he didn't sound as composed as he thought he would be.
"What do you mean her team?" What he heard made him more confuse as his stare bounced from the Seigaku players to the Ryuugan princess.
"They had nothing to do with this!" Sakuno's voice held a dangerous edge.
"Your little girls couldn't handle a bit of competition so they beat her up often, hsssss," Viper almost insinuated him as an accomplice with his eyes.
"What? That's impossible!"
"ENOUGH!" With her patience gone, her tone grew cold and distant. Everyone held their tongue while avoiding her eyes. "This is none of your damn business!" Directing her infuriated glare at the Seigaku seniors, she arched her eyebrow. "Here I thought I heard you swear not to tell a soul," Kaido and Momoshiro shrank in guilt. "Just forget about this okay? I almost fell from the stairs; the one who saved me had a vice-like grip. It was purely accidental. Don't misunderstand anything," she sighed then left to get to her part-time job.
Soon after they watched her figure disappear, Momo faced the Ryuugan assistant captain. "It was careless thinking on your part when you think all your members are angels. When they touch her again, we might even forget they're women,"
Teito still can't register the information he just received. For a long while, he remained rooted on the ground while the two stormed away in rage. That's…. Sakuno never mentioned anything about… A vague replay of events before flashed in his mind. There were times when he swore she saw her limping when she played; there was never a time that he saw Sakuno practicing with the team, the lack of appropriate response from the girls when she won a game. It can't be…
Weaving through the crowded streets, he headed towards the Ryuugan's practice grounds. His hazel eyes scanned the courts hastily; they narrowed upon seeing his target. Forcefully, he took the female captain's arm and led her into an unnoticeable corner.
"Let go! What's with you Teito!" The girl squirmed under his grip.
"Is it true? Is it true that you've been bullying her since she joined your team?" His eyes grew serious, it demanded answers. Fast.
Midori Yui gave a sadistic snort as she rolled her eyes up towards the heavens. "So now she decides to blow the whistle when the prince miraculously rose from the dead,"
Pushing her away as if she had something contagious, "So it's true…" he said under his breath.
Flipping her brunette hair casually, she crossed her arms defensively. "Too late for pity now, assistant captain… the damage has already been done,"
In an act on complete anger, Teito grabbed her shoulder and slammed her back against the concrete wall. "Wasn't it enough that Toushiro-senpai returned? You HAD to continue hurting her?"
Trying to act unhurt, Yui glared daggers at him. "What the hell are you talking about?" Prying his hands off her… "We never laid a finger on her ever since our prince returned!"
There was no reason for her to lie right after she confessed her crime. But… if they didn't do it… who did?
Sakuno bit her lower lip to prevent the owner from noticing the immense pain she was in because she forced her arms to work. Under normal circumstances, transferring boxes of second-hand books were never a problem but having contusions on your limbs made the job onerous. As the clock signaled her break, she sneaked towards the back exit.
Carefully, she folded her sleeves, hissing automatically when her fingers contacted a part of her skin. It would be impossible for anyone not to notice those thick purple rings around her arms. They were already too big to hide… and from what her medical know-how told… the pinkish portion around the contusions will also turn in a deeper shade given enough time. Inhaling lengthily, she took her ice-cold drink placed it directly over the discoloration. With the sudden contact, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Right after meeting with Ryoma, a sense of fulfillment materialized within her. A slight but genuine smile formed on her lips as she made her way back to her team. But even before she can reach the court, someone dragged her into an isolated alley and slammed her body heavily against the solid wall.
Her eyes began to adjust with the limited light and immediately she recognized her captor. "Are you happy now? Now, that you've got your prince drooling over you?" His face was so close she felt his warm breath on her face.
"S…senpai," she struggled out of his hold but his fingers coiled around her arms so tight it made her gasp in intolerable pain. "You're hurting me…"
"After all I did, after all you've put me through, you're just going to put me away like an old toy?" The rage behind his dark sapphire eyes scared her more than the fear of her bones breaking under his vice-like grip.
Sakuno could've just easily called for help but her conscience silenced her. It was my fault that he became like this. For the longest moment, she didn't say a thing nor did she try to get away.
"I'm sorry…" she heard him mutter before he let her go and ran away.
As her shift came to an end, she put on her jacket and unconsciously stroked her battered arms while walking back to the hotel every participant of the tournament was staying in.
Her feet stopped walking as she saw a person standing right outside her room. She shuddered upon meeting his eyes. It was indubitable that he knew she watched the other prince's practice today.
His palm slapped her face so hard it flung her body to the carpeted floor. The iron taste of blood filled her mouth as she felt the sanguineous liquid trickle from her broken lips. "Why do you always keep hurting me, Hime-chan?" Her stomach churned in disgust upon hearing him address her with that pseudo name.
Kneeling right in front of her, Toushiro tipped her chin and wiped the blood off her lips with his thumb. He began to lean in… but even before his lips touched hers. "Senpai… let's have a match,"
Little Falcon: Read and review okay?