CHAPTER 58

Still inside the clubroom a discussion was going on. There was Arai and his two friends along with the freshmen trio. Horio was of course the main one complaining. Saying how it was unfair and there was favouritism, which shouldn't be allowed. Ryuzaki had left just along with quiet a lot of the other members of the team. She had to go change the training plan for today with Inui's help. The regulars had thought it best to not get involved and stayed in the club room with their own conversation, since they would probably just make it worse if they stuck up for Ryoma. Momo was now going over in his head what was so wrong with leaving the boy there.

Ryoma had calmed down and had told them that he was going to the library and wait for Sei. Both Syu and Mitsu had offered to come with, but it was then the captain remembered he left his bag in the club room. Letting out a sigh since he really didn't want to go back in there he told them that he will meet Syu in class and left.

As Mitsu was about to enter he could hear the talking. He knew straight away who it was. "I mean he doesn't even show up for lessons in the afternoon and yesterday he didn't turn up to class at all. Echizen is getting away with everything." Mitsu opened the door and walked in. It was now completely silent and no one said anything. They just all stared at him.

"Nya, is O'chibi alright?" Mitsu paused as he just picked up his bag. Knowing that Eiji was genuinely worried about the boy. He looked the red-heads way and nodded. All the other members except the regulars were confused. Finally one of the second years spoke up.

"Captain, why is Momo getting punished for something that is not his fault?" This second year had nothing against Ryoma. In fact he found the boy just rather strange. "And what is wrong with Echizen?" He didn't want to sound rude, but that was the only way he could think of asking such a question. Mitsu had to think of something. He knew that this whole team could go into shambles if he didn't tell them a good enough reason, but they should know that it's none of their business.

"It's none of you concern and Momo should of known not to of left Ryoma." He said nothing more and he left the room. No one said anything and Momo was still wondering what it was that he did. Thinking back to yesterday and the strange call he got from An. He suddenly paled. He had stolen Kamio's bike and he was with Shinji. Ryoma must of seen the Fudomine's genius and followed him thus meeting An. She made up something and he ended up giving her Ryoma's home number. Now he felt bad.

Horio had frozen wondering what big secret Ryoma was hiding. It annoyed him to no end that Ryoma always got singled out. He wanted to be the centre of attention. Then some random kid who missed the first week of school has all the tennis regulars and teachers attention. 'Damn, attention seeking brat.' The only thing that he could think of that was nice to say was admitting that the cat was better at tennis than him. 'If he wants attention that much I'll give it to him.' Was Horio's last thought as he went to class.

Everyone was outside and Ryoma was sitting on the side with Sei wondering why everyone was staring at him. It seems no matter what, Horio had spread it round the whole school that Ryoma no longer attended lessons and it seems everyone was wondering what he really did during the school hours. What they also wanted to know was that Sei had been turning up and watching the tennis practice as well.

They all watched as Momo had gone up to the boy. "Ryoma, I'm really sorry." He stared up and could see the sincerity in the tricksters eyes. The cat stood up and gave Momo a hug. The second years couldn't of felt more relived when Ryoma. They where brought out of this small moment when they heard Tezuka.

"Momo you still have your 30 laps." The trickster patted the boy on the head before letting out a sigh and starting them. Horio had already completed his laps and was once again bragging about his 2 years of tennis experience.

The regulars had now all gathered on one court as the other tennis players went to go practice on another. "Today you'll be conducting continuous matches involving restricted zones. This is also known as zone practice." As Mitsu was about to carry on he noticed something. "Where's Ryoma?" Even Sei who was sitting on the side didn't notice the boy disappear.

Ryoma had wondered off to the vending machine when he had found 200 yen in his pocket. Not caring about anything else at the moment he just wanted his ponta. "Echizen!" He heard someone shout as he picked up the can of ponta when it dropped out the machine. Looking up he saw Horio making his way over.

Since all the students were either at some sort of club or had gone home this part of the school was completely abandoned and everyone else was on the other side of the school grounds. Ryoma watched as Horio now stood in front of him, standing there with a straight back, arms folded and glaring down at the boy so he could make him feel small. "You know, you should stop going around trying to get attention from everyone." Ryoma having no idea what he was talking about just tilted his head and looked at him in confusion. The unibrow growled getting frustrated.

Horio balled his hands into fists and grinded his teeth. "What the hell is so special about you anyway? You get everyone to like you even though your a selfish, good for nothing, who cries when someone laughs at you. You act like a kid and yet no one points it out. What are you? Some kind of perfect child that has no faults?"

(Flashback / Ryoma POV)

I am Beauty. I will listen to my Master and I will never betray him. He is the only one I really see now. He said that all the others are gone. They didn't want to stay with a monster like me. Master is too kind. He never saw me as a killer or anything else. In this place of hell where only I now live.

I killed everyone. There all gone. I had just recently been moved to the main laboratory. I now sit in the middle of the room in a cage that has been made so I can't get out. Only master has the key. Only he can free me.

It had been weeks and I haven't seen Master. He doesn't come much anymore. I am starving and I feel weak. What did I do? Does Master think I'm not worth it. I promise to him and only him that I'll be a good boy and I'll stay by his side.

I'm alone. It's making everything worse. The darkness. I can't remember what it was like to laugh or cry. I only know pain. My last punishment didn't get treated and my back feels funny. Master has never harmed my face or would never pull my tail. I'm lonely. I think I'm losing my mind. I can't think straight. I want to go home. Where is home? I don't know.

My Master said that if I didn't kill all the children I might still have someone to talk to. I think he was right about that. I always thought the worst was the screaming from listening to the others going through the torture of having there bodies slowly eat themselves, but no. The never ending silence is what is driving me mad. I started to hit my head on the bars of my cage. I hoped that I might accidentally hit myself so hard I would fall asleep and never wake up.

For me, Beauty age 14. I have nothing to live for and the only thing I can think about is death, just to end this black hole which has taken place. My never ending cycle. I want my story to finally be at its last page.

(End Flashback / Normal POV)

Horio was breathing heavily and watch as the boy froze and got a glazed over look in his eyes. He carried on watching wondering if the cat would actually do something. He heard a sniffle and watch as the boy didn't even blink and tears where streaming from his face. Getting more frustrated than he already was he shoved Ryoma into the brick wall of the school building and yelled once again.

"See crying again because you got shouted at. Grow up Echizen. Don't tell others about this. After all you wouldn't want to be a snitch." Grabbing the ponta from the boy's hand he opened it and emptied the content of it over Ryoma's head before throwing the can at him and walking away. The cat could only think of the pain going though his back at the moment. He brought his hand up and put it under his shirt and felt the middle of his back. The place where it made the most impact against the wall. He made a hissing sound and brought his hand out. Looking down at the said hand he winced when he saw the blood.