Chapter 10
Takashi stood on the sidelines watching as his brother started his match. Satoshi looked nervous and Takashi knew it wasn't because his little brother doubted his proficiency in kendo. It was because Satoshi wanted to impress their father. This was the first year he was competing at the same level as Takashi. Satoshi took his beginning stance, as did the other boy. When the referee called start, Satoshi had little time to block the quick attack. He brought his shinai up to block and quickly took three steps back. Again, Satoshi didn't have time to attack and could only block. Takashi could tell from Satoshi's face that he was losing confidence. In a moment of self-doubt, the other boy tapped Satoshi's wrist gaining a point and ending the first round.
As the second round began, Takashi took a moment to glance up in the stands and find their father. Even from this distance, Takashi could tell his jaw was clenched and his eyes were narrowed. He was disappointed in Satoshi's performance. Takashi turned back to the match and watched as Satoshi blocked a high swinging attack with his shinai, his knees bending to absorb the force of the blow.
Satoshi was able to back away and quickly push his momentum forward to attack his opponent. Satoshi's movements were different than the other boy in that he was more graceful in his jabs and swings. Takashi clapped loudly when Satoshi gained his first point.
The boys took their places once more as the third round began. This time, Satoshi was quicker. Takashi could see he was gaining confidence as the match went on. The shinai clacked loudly with every meeting. The other boy was doing everything he could to keep Satoshi at bay. Takashi continued to watch unblinkingly. The boy sidestepped a downward blow from Satoshi and raised his shinai. Satoshi was quicker than the boy expected, as the shinai narrowly missed his underarm and the momentum forced the shinai into the air. Satoshi used that moment to his advantage and tapped the boy's wrist giving him the winning point. The referee called the match and announced that Satoshi would advance to the next round.
Takashi clapped loudly and smiled when his brother looked at him. As Satoshi climbed out of the boundaries, Takashi took the time to look back at their father. He looked pleased, but Takashi knew better. They both knew Satoshi's win was more luck than skill in this match. It was too close, and their father didn't like matches that were too close.
"Taka-kun!" Satoshi yelled running up to him. "I won! I actually won my first match!"
"Great job, Satoshi-kun," Takashi smiled patting his brother's head. "But you were reckless. You left a large margin for error. Be more aware of your opponent's movements in your next match."
Satoshi nodded quietly. Takashi could see the doubt rising back into his brother's eyes.
"Otou-san was pleased with your match," Takashi said trying to cut the tension.
Satoshi gave him a big toothy grin. "I'm going to find Chika-kun," he said before running off.
Takashi watched his brother run off. He took a deep breath and popped his neck side to side working out the tension. He needed to mentally prepare for his own match. He would still have to watch two more matches before it was his turn, but he never minded waiting. He liked to assess the talent. Just as the next match was starting between two young men he recognized from past competitions, Mitsukuni ran up to him calling his name.
"Takashi! Takashi!" Mitsukuni bounced up. "Asuka-chan is competing in her first match."
Takashi's head snapped in the direction of the Muay Thai section of the stadium. He could just make out two women in the ring, but he couldn't tell which one was Asuka. Both women were about the same height and build, both with long black hair braided down their backs. He wanted to get a closer look.
"Come on," Mitsukuni said grabbing his cousin's hand. "Let's go watch."
Takashi nodded and the pair walked briskly around the Judo stage, where two girls around the age of ten were competing, to get near the Muay Thai rings. Takashi watched as the woman with red boxing gloves had the other woman in a head lock. The girl in the hold was hitting her opponent's arms with her purple gloves trying to break her grip. The referee circled the women watching for any indication of a tap out. The girl in the hold did a high knee kick into her opponent's stomach. Takashi noticed her hold slackened and the girl delivered another high knee kick and the hold was broken. The moment he saw her face he knew that was Asuka. She shuffled back breathing hard and holding her fists up to block an incoming left hook. She was taking a beating as her opponent didn't let up. The girl extended her leg to kick Asuka in the side, but wasn't able to pull away as Asuka had her leg in a tight hold. She was able to get her opponent off balance and forced her to the floor. She had her in a vulnerable position which allowed her to throw a few punches. The referee separated them to opposite corners and noted that Asuka got the point.
Both women came to the center again and the referee signaled for them to begin. Asuka was quick, throwing a straight right punch. The other woman was just as quick blocking the attack. Asuka took her opponent's defensive position to deliver a low right kick, effectively knocking the woman off balance. She dropped to one knee as she stabilized and had to make quick work in crossing her arms above her head to block an axe kick from Asuka. She locked Asuka's leg in the flexed position and rose pushing her off her feet and onto her back. The woman straddled Asuka and delivered three quick punches before the referee separated them. The other woman got the point.
"Wow, Takashi," Mitsukuni said looking up at his cousin. "They're both fighting really hard."
"They are," Takashi said never taking his eyes off Asuka. Her mouth guard had come out on the last punch. He watched as she rinsed it and replaced it in her mouth before rolling her shoulders and taking a deep breath.
"Asuka," Takashi heard a woman from the sidelines yell. "Kick her ass!" He recognized her as the instructor he had met at the gym. She was competing at nationals as well, taking the time to cheer on her friend.
The women met in the center of the ring once more. Whoever won this match would move on to the final stages and have a chance at winning a trophy. Takashi knew from being involved in martial arts all his life that a win at nationals was a win for your home gym as well. Winners brought in business and credibility.
The referee signaled and the two women circled each other. Asuka blocked as her opponent threw a left hook and then a right uppercut. The woman delivered a high right kick, but Asuka ducked, the momentum forcing the woman to spin on her heel. Asuka pushed up hard from her heels and knocked her opponent onto her back. Asuka delivered two jabs to the woman's ribs before she was hit with a knee to the head. The woman got her legs around Asuka's neck, pinning her to her stomach. Asuka continued to throw rib jabs while taking punches to the top of her head. She was able to get her knees under her and Takashi's eyes widened as he watched her use her strength to lift her opponent, while still in a lock, and slam her against the mat. The woman's lock broke and Asuka was able to get free, delivering a straight left punch and a hard right hook effectively disorienting her opponent enough for the referee to call the match.
Takashi heard the other instructor cheering and looked over to see her punching the air. Asuka had won the match. He had watched her put up an impressive fight and showcase her strength. He watched her as she climbed down from the right give her friend a double high five with her gloves still on. Her friend helped her remove the gloves and she removed the mouth guard. He realized he must have been staring at her too long because he friend eyed him before saying something he couldn't hear. Asuka turned around and their eyes locked. It was like she flooded his senses, the yellow dress Ouran required female students to wear, the way he got lost in her emerald eyes, the scent of cherry blossoms, the memory of her tears on his shoulder when she was shunned by everyone around her.
"Takashi," he barely heard come from his left. "Takashi," Mitsukuni said tugging on his sleeve. He looked down and saw his cousin pointing furiously to the other side of the arena.
"Huh?" he asked. He looked back and saw Asuka had moved on as the next match got started.
"You're up next," Mitsukuni cried. "You'd better hurry before they disqualify you."
Takashi rushed to the kendo stage, having to slip between crowds of competitors and coaches. He made it just in time, taking his shinai from his brother who was inquiring where he was. He didn't answer and took his place on the stage, facing his opponent. He recognized the young man as a kendo fighter from Kyoto who had placed in the top three the past four years. He was a few inches shorter than Takashi, but had about the same muscle mass. The referee called a start and Takashi released a long breath as he went on the offensive. His opponent blocked every attack, the shinai clacking loudly with each meeting. He could hear Satoshi cheering him on from the sidelines. With two quick attacks, Takashi tapped his opponent's elbow and won the first point. He heard both Satoshi and Mitsukuni cheering as he took his place again.
Takashi was quick to be on the offensive again. With a few swift strikes, he tapped his opponent's wrist and won the match. Satoshi, in his normal fashion, was the loudest person cheering and clapping on the side. Takashi and the other young man bowed toward each other and cleared the stage for the following match.
"That was awesome, Taka-kun!" Satoshi grinned.
Takashi offered a small smile and ruffled his little brother's hair. Mitsukuni was bouncing next to him with excited energy before climbing up onto his shoulders.
"Let's go find Tama-chan and the others," Mitsukuni said.
"Okay," Takashi answered before turning toward the stands where the host club members were waiting for them. The final matches wouldn't take place for another hour or two, so they could take the time to relax with their friends.
"Honey-senpai, Mori-senpai!" Tamaki was waving them over flanked by the rest of the host club.
"Hi everyone!" Mitsukuni called back. Before they could officially meet up, Akira was making his way toward them.
"Takashi," he stated motioning for him to follow.
The host club's eyes followed the older man as Mitsukuni climbed down from Takashi's shoulders.
"Is that Mori-senpai's father?" Haruhi asked quietly.
"Yeah," Hikaru answered. "Can't you see the resemblance?"
"Mori-senpai," Tamaki started. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Takashi said holding his composure. He knew exactly how this conversation was going pan out. Without wasting another moment, he followed his father up to the private viewing box. He could feel the tension and frustration rolling off his father's back before he even spoke the first word.
Takashi noticed his mother had moved outside the box, no doubt at his father's order. This was going to be a conversation where Akira scolded him and left no room for him to defend his actions. He had experienced many conversations just like this one, but they usually pertained to Mitsukuni getting him into trouble. The guard shut the door and Akira rounded on him, his voice like venom, but his face as calm as could be.
"What were you thinking? You could have been disqualified! Do you have any idea how your actions reflect on me? How they reflect on your mother? Your uncle? You were careless. You will end all contact with Miss Ryokei."
"Otou-san," Takashi started.
"No!" Akira cut him off sharply. "This is not open for discussion. I told you to end it, and instead you were nearly disqualified because you were so distracted by just being near her. I will not allow the disgraced daughter of that slime ball banker to have any part of this family! You will not associate with her, and I will be speaking to Satoshi as well. I heard Ryokei's son came for dinner some time ago. I will not allow either of my sons to sully their names with filth!"
"Otou-san," Takashi tried again a little more forcefully.
"What?" he practically growled, his face still calm. Takashi could see the vein at his father's temple throbbing. It was taking everything in him to hold his composure.
"Asuka-san has no ties to Hideo-sama. She doesn't associate with her parents, even though she still bears the family name," Takashi tried to reason.
Akira was shaking his head, "That doesn't matter. I have already told you, end it. I do not want to have to tell you again."
Takashi could feel all his tension accumulating in his jaw. His teeth were clenched so tightly he thought he might crack a molar. "No."
His father's eyes flashed dangerously, "Excuse me?"
"No," Takashi said with more conviction. "I will not let you or anyone else dictate who I associate with." He began to feel light-headed. He couldn't remember the last time he spoke against his father.
"Then I will take care of this," Akira told him. "You're still a child, Takashi. You've forced me to clean your mess."
"Nothing has happened," Takashi said quietly. "There is no mess to clean."
"There will be," his father said. "With the Ryokei family, there is always a mess." Akira motioned to the guard with his hand and the door opened. That was that. The conversation was done. Takashi exited and caught sight of his mother. He had never seen her look so concerned. Her eyes were darting between Takashi and Akira.
As he passed his mother, she caught hold of his wrist.
"Takashi," she practically whispered. He looked down at her as she placed his hand between both of hers. "Are you alright sweetheart?"
He couldn't find the nerve to lie, so he shook his head. At that was all it took. She stood, hugged him and walked past him toward the viewing box. His father was still there, his eyes watching his wife's every move. His mother slammed the door shut and he was surprised it didn't come off its hinges. He turned away, intending to head toward the locker rooms. He felt numb. How could one person cause so much animosity within his family? His feet carried him while his mind wandered. He didn't realize Mitsukuni was next to him until he felt a tug on his hand just outside the locker rooms.
"Takashi," his cousin said, a silent question written on his face.
"Tell me what to do," Takashi told him.
Mitsukuni nodded, "Do what your heart is telling you to do, Takashi."
