Ch.7【Shooting Stars Saga】together they shine pt II
Wednesday - The Week After
«As of now this will be the starting line-up for the incoming match this weekend. We expect you all to be in tip-top shape then! It will be the last official match before the tournament so I expect everyone to do their best!»
«Yes!» The club members replied towards their coach's words respectfully.
Said coach nodded in acknowledgement. «Good. You are dismissed!»
Without being told twice the students and club members left the premise one by one.
Sae too trodded along with his towel and water bottle in hand.
«Itoshi-kun, may I have a word with you?» His coach, a retired professional player from the Japanese Team, requested.
Sae obeyed. «What is it?»
«Your preparations are going well, I assume?» The coach asked.
Sae just responded to that with a raised eyebrow. He didn't get why his coach would ask a question as unimportant as this.
The coach saw the aloof boy's reaction and cleared his throat once.
«I assume they are then. Now, here's what I called you for. It's more of a request than a suggestion but...»
Awhile later Sae returned from the shower. He listened to the few talks of his upperclassmen while he dried himself off and got changed.
One of them, a regular and probably the second best player of the team - Sae was still better by a large margin, of course - turned around to face him.
«Hey Itoshi, you little star. I didn't expect for you to get a girl this soon before leaving! Did the anxiety get you?» He had said as he ruffled the younger teens hair.
'?'
Sae gave him a death stare. However his senpai didn't waver at that. Instead he continued his rant.
«Arw, come on now. Don't act clueless with your senpai! You know people have been seeing you everywhere together. Hanging out with the "Allstars", I mean.» His senpai clarified and Sae just wished for him to shut up.
The other seniors who had noticed Sae's gradually worsening mood tried to step in and stop their friend from agitating him further. However a dangerous glare from said upperclassman stopped them.
«Come on, let's go.» They whispered to one another and left the locker room. Now, only Sae and his senior remained.
After awhile his senior broke the silence. «Hey, where did you get that bracelet from?»
Sae who was already halfway done continued to ignore his senior.
«Everybody has been talking about you guys running around with these... what was it called 'friendship bracelets', right? How ridiculous. You have friends? Don't mess with me.»
After Sae heard these words, he understood why his senior was here.
'Jealousy. Fear. The weak are always oppressed by the strong.' In this case his senior felt oppressed by Sae's astounding skill and talent level.
Suddenly his coach's words made sense.
«It's more of a request than a suggestion but... please give Kota-kun chances to score.»
'Pathetic.' Sae thought. Seeing his senior's nasty jealousy, twisted Sae's stomach further. Sae decided that he had enough and packed his bag now that he was done changing.
His hair was still wet but he figured that he didn't want to hear any more of the disgusting things coming out of his senior's mouth.
Said senior sighed suddenly.
«Hach... you sure are lucky man. I've had my eyes on her for quite awhile. Never would have guessed you would go and make the first move.»
'Her?'
Sae questioned in his mind. Suddenly Yui's beautiful crystal blue orbs popped up inside of Sae's mind.
'Don't tell me...' The teen boy realized as he stopped what he was doing for a brief moment.
«Do you know who I'm talking about? Of course you know, don't you? 'The Immovable Queen' aka Nakahara Yui from Class 1B. So many dudes tried to get her attention. It's become a bit of a game among the seniors to see who would be the first to score and guess what, everyone failed so far. It was my turn next.»
'A game-' Sae thought as he felt a dreading flame of anger roar from deep within him.
«I had a pretty good plan to win her heart, even. Get her in a little bit of trouble and then I was going to come and sweep her up like a prince on a white horse.»
At this moment Sae remembered what Takao had told him during their shopping trip.
'Back then, one of the upperclassman seemed to be seriously smitten with her. Let's say it was pretty bad. He was a misogynist and all that sh-t.'
Wasn't this situation right now another repetition of what happened back then? Sae wouldn't be surprised if these two actually knew each other.
Without regards to Sae's line of thoughts his senior just continued.
«Anyway, that was before you came along. I'm not sure what's going on between you two but I can tell that you're only friends. Won't you do me a favor and bring her to our match on Sa-»
Slam! His senior was forced to shut up when Sae quite strongly slammed close the door to his locker. The sound reverberated across the now quiet room.
«Fck off.» The young teen spat out coldly as he strapped over his bag and left the locker room with a loud shut of the door. His senior's yells landed on deaf ears.
Sae's whole being felt like he was being consumed by immense rage and anger. He regained a slight bit of peace and calm when he heard Yui's piano. But he only truly felt at peace when he was in the same room as her and saw her with his own eyes.
She truly was his sole place of solace.
Sae wished he could indulge in this situation longer but his instincts told him that now wasn't a good time. And that they should leave the school ground as soon as possible.
«Yui.» Sae called. He softened his voice slightly as to not startle the girl.
Yui stopped and smiled at him her usual cheerful smile. «Welcome back, Sae-san.»
'Welcome back.' He liked these words coming out of her mouth with his name in it but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
«Let's go.» Sae said getting straight to the point.
Yui was surprised but something about the way he said it, the tone of urgency in his voice and the fieriness in his eyes told her to listen to him.
In twenty seconds Yui had cleaned her things away and closed the piano. She hurried up to him with her bag in hand.
«Let's go.» She mirrored his words and when she reached him at the door, Sae didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed her hand and together they escaped the school ground.
«So... what are you guys doing here?» Shuu asked as one of his eyebrows twitched in mild irritation.
He had just returned home from his guard duty at Yuusuke's and was excited for a nice and warm long bath at his apartment when not long after someone had rung the bell.
Once he opened the door, the sight of Yui and Sae standing there and looking like two kicked puppies greeted him.
It was then that he knew he won't be able to get his relaxing bath today.
«It's a long story...» Sae drawled. Shuu understood. Shuu was slightly older then them by two years and belonged to the more reliable and mature people of the group. In a sense he had become the group's older brother before anyone knew it.
«Come in.» Shuu had said immediately giving way for them to enter.
Yui hesitated to enter slightly and Shuu gave her a worried look. She returned it with an apologetic smile.
«Pardon the intrusion.» She said as she entered.
Shuu patted her head. «It's fine just make yourself comfortable. Do you want me to call Ageha over?» He offered kindly.
Yui looked at Sae after Shuu asked the question. Sae thought for a moment and then slowly shook his head as he approached her and comfortingly whispered. «Not yet.»
Yui replied with a smile. «It's fine. Thank you, Shuu.»
Shuu nodded and led them to the living room. The teens made themselves comfortable around the coffee table and it was silent for a few minutes.
«I will start.» Sae broke the silence after taking a sip from his tea cup.
Sae's report was clear and concise. In just a few sentences he mentioned the 'game' his senior talked about, as well as his senior's request.
He didn't tell them about the things Takao had told him during their shopping trip and he didn't need to. Judging by Shuu's look he was fully aware of what's happening.
When Sae finished telling his story he looked at Yui with hidden worry. 'Was she okay?'
He asked himself yet when he turned his head he just saw said girl looking slightly sad but more caught in her thoughts. When she noticed his glance she softly smiled at him.
Once again Sae's breath hitched in his throat. He cleared his throat once and awaited their responses.
During the days they spent together, Sae had realized that Shuu despite his quiet manner was a good leader. Not only was he trustworthy but most of all Shuu was a good decision maker as well and that's something Sae needed now.
As for Yui, she was a bit of an enigma. While naïve and pure at first glance; she would at time outsmart everyone else and come up with the most unique opinions, options and thoughts at random.
Sae felt like she always keeps him on his toes and that there was never a boring day with her. Yet the most important thing he realized was that he could trust her. If ever the day shall come to pass, where he needed her, she would be there for him. He knew that without a single speck of doubt.
To be frank, it might be this knowledge of Sae's that influenced him to act in a different way towards her than anyone else. Otherwise, he couldn't explain to himself why he was caring so much right now.
If this matter involved only him, Sae wouldn't be here right now. He would have been at home having dinner or practicing football in any kind of way. He wouldn't have cared about his senior or anything he had said and would just continue to focus on his football until his departure and by then he would have forgotten all that happened.
Sae could handle this matter alone with no problem but this time it involved Yui as well and Sae lacked the necessary information to make a proper decision.
Besides, Sae couldn't stand the thought of endangering the girl.
Just the mere thought of Yui and his senpai together got his insides to boil.
After a brief moment of silence Shuu opened his eyes again.
«First of all...» His eyes went to Yui. «Are you okay?» He asked.
«Yup.» The girl replied jolly without missing a beat as her bright smile illuminated her face.
The guys watched her in confusion.
«?» Yui mirrored their confusion when they didn't say anything after awhile.
Sae and Shuu sighed at the same time.
«Yui, you do know-... never mind.» Shuu was about to say something but he stopped midway when he saw the clear purity in her eyes. It was like she was unable to see the malice of the situation and Shuu didn't have the heart to tell her.
«What's going on in that head of yours?» Sae asked intrigued.
Yui looked and smiled at him. «Right now?» She pondered for a moment.
«... I'm happy, because you are here with me. You took my hand and brought me here. That's why I'm safe. And... I finally know why people kept confessing... No matter how many times I rejected someone, they kept coming. That thought frightened me but now that I know why I don't feel as scared anymore...»
Yui trailed off. She found herself unable to continue.
In the end she just smiled.
«More importantly, » Yui switched the topic and her gaze turned to Sae with sparkling eyes. «I'm excited for your match.»
The two guys were moved by the obvious joy in her voice when she said.
Especially Sae. He was overjoyed at what she said. Even if he didn't show it, he was happy.
It took them awhile to realize what that statement implied.
«You want to go? / You're coming?» Shuu and Sae asked at the same time.
Yui giggled at their response and replied with a bright joyful: «Yes.»
Her eyes then went back to Sae and she softly added. «Can I?»
Sae was stunned for a moment. His feelings, his head, he felt like his entire being was a jumbled mess right now. A part of him didn't want her to come; simply because he didn't want her to run into a certain jerk. Another part of him however wanted her to come and watch him.
Sae didn't care for other's opinions. He didn't need most of them. But it was different when it came to the few people Sae trusted or respected. Towards them, like now, he wanted to show off.
«Whatever.»
Sae relented after another staring battle. While his words were cold, his voice was slightly warmer and softer than usual.
He also hoped that nobody noticed his warm ears.
Sae resigned himself. 'There really is no way for me to say no to her, isn't it?'
Shuu happened to be in Sae's line of vision and he saw his friend nod in acknowledgment with a slight smile.
Knowing that Shuu will do his best to help, Sae felt a new kind of strength flow through him.
«By the way» Shuu suddenly spoke when he remembered something. «How did you know to come here?»
«Yuusuke.» Was Sae's curt response as he motioned towards his phone.
For Shuu somehow that answer explained everything yet nothing at all.
'Beggars can't be choosers.' Shuu thought and nodded to himself as he decided to let that topic slide. By now he was far too used to Yuusuke's ways to not question them anymore.
The teens soon went their separate ways as it was getting late. On that day Sae had walked Yui home instead of to the station only which he usually did.
The moment he entered his own home the teen didn't bother to change out of his clothes but immediately went to get Rin.
The two played football till late at night. It was to the point where both of them were overcome with exhaustion.
They barely made it home with how sore and exhausted they were. The idea of a shower was, as tempting as it sounded, only secondary right now. Sae fell onto his bed tiredly.
'If Yui really comes, I'll have to keep that creep away from her.' Sae thought while taking a break.
He grabbed his phone and opened LINE again.
Sano Yuusuke
Yuusuke: I heard from Shuu about the situation
I can't come but he will be there
Let's talk later
Sae: *thumbs up emoji*
Goodnight
A few hours had passed since Yuusuke sent the messages. Sae checked the time and saw that it was time to sleep soon. Typing that reply quickly Sae discarded his phone.
In the end, Sae's habit still won and he found himself unable to sleep without a shower. He went for a quick rinse before calling it a day.
In no time sleep overwhelmed him and soon Sae drifted off into a deep, well-deserved goodnight's rest.
Saturday - The Day of the Match
Finally it was the day of the football match.
When Yui arrived at the football field, she was surprised to see it bustling with people. The field was surrounded by viewers and curious on-lookers. It wasn't only them though, there were also plenty of journalists and photographers near the football field.
«This will probably be Sae's last official match until his return.» She remembered what Shuu had told her and Ageha on their way here.
The tension was high, to the point of being festive and triumphant, yet the moment the teams entered, it was as if Sae thrived in this atmosphere. The young teen was not the slightest bit affected by it. Instead, it was as if this whole moment was made and meant only for him. This field was his domain.
As Yui watched him she was filled with awe.
Sae's eyes lazily swept through the crowd. Usually it would not be possible to spot someone among this many people but Sae spotted Yui right away. Even with the white FILA cap she was wearing, he could sense her from a mile away.
'Shuu and butterfly girl are here too.'
Sae noticed and they lined up in front of today's opponent and bowed. «Let's have a good match!»
On the sidelines Ageha noticed a certain taller guy and whispered to Yui.
«There, the one with the Nr. 4. He's the senpai Sae talked about.»
Ageha, despite her shyness, had a lot of connections due to her helpful and kind attitude. With a bit of poking around she had managed to gain some intel on said upperclassman.
As Sae had guessed beforehand, Kota-senpai was a friend of the senior that got expelled after harassing them. Now Ageha was resolved to nip the trouble in the bud, once and for all.
The girl held onto Yui's arms as she thought so. Yui looked at her friend's resolute expression and chuckled at the girl's supportiveness.
She tilted her head lightly and gently nudged their heads together. The two girls giggled happily at that cute and comforting gesture.
Sae happened to see the girls clinging and being affectionate towards each and a mild sense of jealousy and annoyance bubbled from inside of him.
Sae stretched his neck and turned his attention back to the field.
Fweet! The sound of a whistle. The game began.
The first half went by uneventfully. Sae's team was leading by 2-1. It was a close game only because Sae actually went against his logic and listened to his coach's request by playing more passively, giving more chances to others, mainly Kota, to score.
Still as the end of the first half drew near, Sae got impatient and decided to score the leading goal himself, seeing how utterly useless his senior was after his first (fluke) goal. Sae took a sip from his water bottle while he drowned a sigh.
Suddenly his senior approached him.
«Hey, Itoshi! You're actually such a good junior!» Kota unexpectedly complimented him and tried to ruffle his hair. Sae coldly slapped his hand away.
Kota's eyes went towards the visitor's zone. There he saw Ageha, Yui and Shuu standing.
Kota raised an eyebrow. «You actually brought her here! Good going, man!» Kota said obnoxiously.
Sae squinted his eyes slightly.
'Oh Lord please give me patience.'
Sae thought as he clenched his fist tightly.
'Because if you give me strength I'll need bail money.'
He resisted the urge to punch a certain senpai in the face right now.
His mood slightly lifted after musing over that thought, but once Kota began talking again Sae just felt his annoyance built in full force.
«I know you're friends but you will be leaving soon anyway, won't you? So no hard feelings if she ends up falling for me or anyone else!» Kota said with an amiable smile.
«Just continue to lay low as requested, you future superstar.» He added quietly with a hint of malice and envy in them.
Seeing no reaction from the boy, Kota left with a victorious grin.
After his senior left, Sae was left to his own devices.
'Damn, this sucks.' The teen boy thought as he leaned his head backwards. What his senior said had made him think.
It's true, Sae won't be there to spend time with them for much longer and he won't know when he will return or if he will ever return. Then, what will become of them?
A part of him always knew that this day would come. Maybe that's why he had always subconsciously stayed away from hanging out and meeting people outside of football. He didn't want anyone or anything that could tie him down and hinder his advance towards his goal. Yet here he was.
'It won't be too late to cut them off now.'
Sae thought for a brief moment.
His eyes went to the bracelet comfortably secured around his wrist. If he only threw it away now, then it would be like all this never happened and everything would slowly go back to how it was before. His world would return to one of only football.
Suddenly, that black lusterless object weighted down on him heavily. But more than the bracelet itself, it was the little symbol engraved onto it that seemed to bother him more than anything else right now.
A random question suddenly popped up in his mind. One he hadn't ever thought of before: 'Why a sun?'
It was random, but he figured he was better off knowing before he decided. He knew that an answer could be found here and with just that one answer, the dozens of questions and hesitations roaming in his head right now would cease.
Sae also knew where he could get them.
Sae didn't like to be distracted during a match and thus he reached the same conclusion as Ageha and decided to nip the trouble in the bud.
Sae finished his water bottle and walked towards the visitor's area.
During the break, Shuu went to get some refreshments for himself and the girls. The thought of leaving the two girls alone displeased him but he couldn't exactly let them wander through the dense crowd themselves. In the end Shuu went on his own, with Yui and Ageha passing by the time talking.
They were sharing their thoughts on the match excitedly. At times they would cheer, and agree while smiling along the others. Ageha liked seeing her friend happy. In her eyes Yui, who's usually calm and collected was showing a very lovely and cheerful side of herself today. It made the empathetic girl happy as well.
Neither of them noticed the red-head that was approaching them nor the gasps around them. It was only when some people rushed past them, towards the football field that they noticed him, Itoshi Sae, standing not far away in front of them.
The only thing separating them right now was a small fence and the crowd of people that tried to get a closer view of him.
Sae's eyes dropped into an annoyed glare. It calmed the excited crowd a bit but the mass of people was still there. Most of them frozen.
It was at this time that Ageha realized what to do. In a flash she had removed her hat and sunglasses and flamboyantly called out in a elegant beautiful voice:
«Oh, excuse me please~ May I pass through?»
Ageha had interrupted the silence as she entered her acting mode. She put on her cutest and most charming look; one she had mastered through effort and experience.
Immediately everyone turned around and stared dumbfoundedly at the gorgeous girl. They all only had one thought in mind:
'A-an angel?!'
It didn't take long for someone to recognize her as the popular teen actress and fashion model «Tachibana Ageha» and with her charm Ageha managed to pull the attention of the crowd to herself temporarily.
Yui used this chance to approach Sae.
Sae didn't expect the shy and quiet girl to actually be of help but he too quickly used the chance.
«Sae-san.» «Yui.»
They both spoke at the same time and for a moment they just silently looked into each other's eyes.
'I can look into these eyes forever.'
Sae thought for a moment and he refused to look away.
«You first.» Yui spoke up ending the moment and Sae slowly recovered from of his staring.
He stretched out his right arm and Yui looked at it curiously. Quietly, as if to not catch anyone's attention, Sae put a finger on the bracelet's metal lock and asked: «Why did you choose this?»
'..?' It took a moment for Yui to realize what he was referring to.
«... The sun?» Yui asked visibly confused and Sae just looked at her in response.
For a moment she looked at the sun engraved onto his bracelet. She remembered a past conversation between her and Ageha as they were deciding on the designs for the bracelets.
For some reason Yui was asked to choose a design for Sae's and the girl had been thinking it over for awhile.
It wasn't until the day she saw a glimpse of Sae's kindness when she had thought of it and now, the more she got to know him; the more she saw the resemblance.
«It's... because you shine, when you're on the field...»
Yui started slowly and she remembered the first time she had seen Sae play during break; Sae was shining. Just his mere presence could illuminate the field.
It wasn't only then but now as well. And all the other times she had seen him play too. Sae always seemed so free and focused, unbounded by anything.
«Watching you makes me feel like you'll always be the same, no matter where you are.»
She remembered that focused look in his eyes whenever he was on the field. It was pure and vivid, untarnished and driving. Sae only had football on his mind. He was a pure football fanatic.
«I know you're strong and courageous but you shine the most when you're thinking about football.»
Yui remembered that one time when she had caught him watching a soccer clip during break. He would wear a look of intense concentration mixed with a tinge of excitement in his eyes. It seemed as if he was off in a world of his own.
«That's why... you're dazzling like the sun. And that's why you're my sun.»
Yui confessed these things without giving it much thought. She was just being honest, the way she always was. She smiled at him the way she always did.
The delight in her eyes that twinkled like stars at each word she said, filled Sae with a calm and they washed away all doubts and noise in his head. Her words shattered something within him but he felt much more free and deliberated than ever.
For the first time in Sae's 13 years of life, someone understood and accepted him and his desire for football without wanting or expecting anything from him.
For the first time, someone entered Sae's world and broke through the walls he had built around himself in his kingdom of football.
Yui understood Sae and his greed, yet she was still willing to embrace him and stay by his side. Even more, Yui seemed to love even that side of Sae; that selfish, greedy, egoistic side even his parents had a hard time accepting.
Sae thought Rin was the closest one to ever understand the depth of his greed. Yet even his adorable baby brother expected him to always succeed.
For the first time Sae felt like someone saw him for who he really was: Just a young boy who loves soccer so much he thirsts for the throne, and that single person was a mere girl by the name of Yui.
Sae reached out his right hand and held onto her left one wordlessly. He looked at their two bracelets together.
'They really are identical except for the symbol.' Sae noticed. 'I wanted to... throw it away.'
Sae slowly lowered his head and leaned it against hers lightly. His movement resembled a light nudge, similar to what he had seen the two girls do earlier.
'I'm sorry...' Sae apologized to no one and his eyes closed, masking the regret he felt for nearly abandoning them - the very few people who could understand him.
He indulged in the moment for a second before he slowly opened his eyes again.
«Yui... » Sae's soft yet smooth voice broke through their intimate silence. He kept his voice barely above a whisper to ensure that only Yui could hear the incoming words.
Afraid to look up Yui just nodded.
Whatever Sae did, their close proximity made her cheeks burn.
«Do you want to see me shine even more?»
Sae pulled himself back after asking this seemingly innocent question. Even then, he refused to let go of his hold on her arm.
He intended to wait for a reply, but his eyes widened in recognition, and he stared dumbfounded, when he saw the blushing girl in front of him. He wanted to tease her, but the situation didn't really allow for that; thus he forced himself to remain quiet.
Now that Sae had retreated Yui could finally breathe a bit better. She calmed herself down and fixed her hair with her other free hand. At the same time she tried to retrace their conversation.
Once Yui remembered his question, she looked back at him with a radiant smile.
«Yes, I do! I want to see you shine.»
Sae got the answer he was looking for and wordlessly turned around with a nod. He felt a bit of hesitation to let her go but with the time running, and the break ending, Sae had to return.
On his way back to the benches, he swore to crush anyone and everyone standing in his way from now on instead.
True to his words, their team won by a large margin of 7 - 1 after Sae got serious. It was a crushing defeat for the opponent's team yet his own team's morale was tense and stifling inside of the changing room.
Sae just calmly used the towel on his neck and awaited the lesson.
«Itoshi-kun, explain yourself! Didn't I tell you to give more chances to the other players?! You're a team-»
The coach started his bashing but the moment he looked into Sae's terrifyingly disinterested eyes he felt his momentum being taken away.
As if regaining his senses, the coach softened his voice and tried to butter him up.
«See? I mean, it's great that we won. Very great but...» Their coach was once again interrupted but this time by Kota.
«Coach... I-, I want to talk to Itoshi myself.» Kota said coldly, a dark shadow cast over his eyes.
The coach was unsure of what to do and he helplessly glanced around the room. No one knew what to do.
No one except for Sae. The teen finally seemed to be paying attention to something.
Sae stood up and arrogantly looked down on his senior.
«Get up.» Sae then said coldly. He motioned towards the door and led them out.
It was a rather rude and scary act of behavior. Mixed with Sae's natural charisma and domineering presence none of them dared to comment on it.
Silently Kota stood up and followed the younger teen.
Once outside and a safe distance away, Sae rounded a corner. There he unexpectedly saw Yui, Ageha and Shuu who looked at him with wide surprised eyes.
Sae blinked a few times in surprise.
'...Hm, this is fine.' Sae quickly thought of a new plan as he motioned for them to stay quiet and retraced his steps before Kota could turn around.
«What the fck!» The older teen cursed loudly. His facade of the nice senpai now completely gone.
Kota kicked the innocent trash bin angrily. Sae was getting more and more unimpressed by him.
Kota's anger then directed himself at Sae as he grabbed the teen by the collar.
«You! If only you weren't born!» He started yelling and shaking the teen by the collar violently.
Sae didn't retaliate nor did he refute. He just remained silent but his eyes narrowed into a disbelieving glare.
'This son of a-!'
Sae mentally cursed. He knew what he had gotten himself into, but it still pissed him off.
«I was meant to be the best. If only you weren't here! You took it all from me! At least, today was my day to shine! Once you're gone, I was supposed to take everything that's yours! Your fame, your money, your career, your skills and your girl!» Kota started yelling delusional.
«Everything that's yours is mine!» Kota laughed crazily.
Sae finally seemed to have enough of his senior's antics and he strongly gripped onto his seniors arm. He swore he could hear some bones cracking.
Either way, not expecting for Sae to be this strong, Kota was forced to let him go.
The moment he did, light footsteps approached them rapidly.
«Sae! Are you okay?» Yui was immediately by his side, her eyes brimming with worry in them. In her worry she had forgotten about the honorific - not that Sae minded.
For a moment even Sae was surprised by how quickly she had reacted.
'Even in such a situation, her eyes still look so beautiful.' Sae found his calm in those dazzling blue orbs.
Before Sae could reply, another voice interrupted.
«Yui-»
The moment Yui heard her name, a shiver ran across her body. She hated to hear her name coming out of a ruthless, annoying, sc*mb*g of a guy like this.
Yui turned around and took a confident step forward. She put herself in between Kota and Sae and acted as a protective wall between the two of them.
Seeing this, Sae's eyes widened slightly. His heartbeat quickened and he could hear the loud thumping sounds reverberating in his ears.
'She never ceases to impress me.' Sae mused as his mind reassessed the girl in front of him.
Yui looked so frail and meek yet she tried her best to stand up to the taller teen. She was shaking slightly, whether due to fear or anger Sae didn't know, but even so Yui had her head held high and looked up at Kota's eyes unrelenting.
'She's far too cool right now.'
Sae felt his heartstrings being pulled and he couldn't help but fall for her just a little bit more.
Unbeknownst to Sae's thoughts, Yui glared at Kota dangerously.
Her glare was filled with such a ferocity that the tall teen was taken aback slightly.
He tried to put on an amiable facade and placate her, after all he was in front of the girl he liked, but Yui wouldn't give him a chance to speak.
«No other word.» Her cold and stoic voice baffled everyone that heard it. After a short pause she continued coldly.
«I... I really abhor guys like you, senpai. No... I should say; I absolutely hate you, Kota-senpai.»
Yui gathered the last of her resolve and looked into his eyes one last time. «I know that you were involved in that incident with Irano-senpai. You planned it together, didn't you?»
«That-!» Kota tried to excuse himself and went to appeal to her. His hands shot out frantically in an attempt to grab her.
Yui watched in a frightened state as she saw the sudden aggressive motion of Kota's. She tried to move away but couldn't move. As a last resort, she prepared herself for the incoming pull... but it never came. Instead, all Yui felt was the notion of falling and then warmth.
In a split second, Sae pulled Yui out of Kota's reach and into the safety of his own arms.
Sae could feel the warmth that radiated from her back against his chest, and suddenly it was hard for him to tell right from wrong.
'Screw the patience. Just give me strength.' Sae thought as he revoked his earlier mantra.
«Senpai... I really want to kill you right now.» Sae declared darkly with unhidden murderous intent.
His eyes widened dangerously as he retained his stoic face. In his hold he had an arm around Yui's collarbone and he tried to tuck her away into his arms - as furthest as possible - in a rather protective manner.
Said girl was unable to see Sae's face from her position but his grim voice pulled her back to reality.
She patted Sae's arm lightly as a sign that she was okay and Sae hesitantly looked down at her. He then slowly, and unwillingly, loosened his hold on her.
Now that she was able to move again, Yui turned around and faced Sae with a small nod and a lovely smile. «Thank you, Sae.»
Yui thanked him with slightly reddened cheeks and Sae's ire thawed away like snow on a hot summer's day.
He couldn't help but frown to himself slightly after he was suddenly deprived of her warmth.
'It felt good to have her in my arms.' Sae thought absentmindedly and that thought startled him. Now wasn't the time for this.
Sae shoved this matter to the back of his mind and forced himself to focus on the situation at hand.
After she had thanked Sae, Yui turned around to say the last final piece she needed to say.
«I'm sure you know by now but I came here with a request... No, it's probably more fitting to call it a threat.»
Yui was straightforward till the end. No beating around the bush, no white lies.
Her eyes burnt with such an immense harshness and wrath that Kota stiffened.
«Please stop the games you've been playing and stay out of our sights. ...I can't guarantee your safety otherwise.» Yui mumbled the last part with a mixture of warning, guilt and compassion in it.
She quickly regained herself and turned around to leave. «I'm sure you know what to do.»
With that said, Yui softly pulled onto Sae's fingers and meekly invited him to follow her with her crystal blue eyes.
It was a small and possessive gesture and unexpectedly Sae didn't mind following her. He had to admit; he was charmed by her.
Sae couldn't look away from the girl nor deny her wishes. Even though he knew that he still had his stuff in the locker room. Even though he knew that he still needed to take a shower and get changed. And how he still needed to pack his stuff and get something to eat as well.
He knew he still had things to do but at this moment, as if a spell had been cast upon him, there was something more important than anything: He didn't want to be separated from her.
It was then that Sae realized: At a certain point along the line, what started of as a simple meeting and tentative acquaintance, had now grown into something special and powerful and it was still growing.
Sae was intrigued by the girl in front of him. This girl always led him to where the other's were. She always orbited around him and refused to let him alone. Her light connected him to others.
She was a star and right now that star was telling him to follow. Without knowing what kind of future awaited them, Sae continued on with confidence.