Tennis no Ouji-sama © Konomi Takeshi, Shuheisha, Inc.
- Act XXXV -
[ Battle of Determination ]
The moment he saw her, everything around him was blurring around the edges. The gravity was swirling around him and her being in the centre when she vaulted from the spectators' bench and ran into the court. His racket would've fallen from his hand if he hadn't tightened his grip around it. Last night's occurence flooded his mind all at once, then came the plan of revealing everything to her. He wanted to tell her everything, every single thing. But not this way…
Not in front of so many eyes…
In front of his teammates…
In front of her brother…
"Why are you here, Hikari?" Even Kunimitsu didn't hide his shock.
"P-please stop this, Onii-chan!" She tugged on her brother's jersey. "Stop hurting yourself!"
"The match isn't over yet. Stay back."
"No! Please stop this match! If you injure yourself then you'll have to—"
"Would you stop dancing if I asked you to when you're on the stage?" Kunimitsu's voice was soft but there was still a tone of firmness. Hikari's silence indicated how the question had taken her aback. "This is my stage, Hikari. I appreciate it if you stay back."
"Hikari!" Genichirō jumped into the court. "You can't just jump in in the middle of the match like this!"
Who did Genichirō think he was for shouting at her like that?
"B-but—"
"No but! Come here!" Hurl of anger was swirling within his centre, realising that Hikari had Rikkai's golden jacket around her—probably belonged to Genichirō as he didn't wear one. However, none of it mattered at that moment. Not especially when their eyes met.
There was a mixture of emotions in her eyes when she was gazing at him—sadness, confusion, and anger. How would he explain everything to her? This wasn't the way he wanted her to find out about him.
The umpire decided to halt the match for a moment and called the medic to check on Kunimitsu's injury. Keigo slumped on the bench beside coach Sakaki, drinking his water while having his eyes on Hikari who watched the medic examine her brother's shoulder. Running his hands on his hair, he sighed in exasperation. He could hear people bustling behind him that even coach Sakaki turned around to see what was going on.
"Atobe-san …"
He widened his eyes when he heard her voice, calling him by his real name, instead of 'Weirdo' like she usually did. He turned around to see her entwining her fingers together in front of her chest, eyes still puffy because of her recent outburst.
"May I help you?" The politeness in his sentence tasted foreign in his tongue as he tried not to be familiar with her.
"I know this might sound selfish, but… can you stop the match?" When Keigo didn't answer, she suddenly fell to her knees and bowed at him. "I beg you, please… don't destroy my brother's tennis career."
Was she kneeling on him?
What was worse than having his queen kneeling on him?
Keigo's mouth was dry. His hands were clenching on his racket so hard to hide how his hands were trembling by the hurricane of emotion that was swirling on the upper part of his body. He always enjoyed people's attention but for the first time, the eyes of his teammates and supporters felt like heavy boulders on his shoulders.
The umpire blew a whistle to call the players back to the court. Rising from his seat, he brought his racket along. He could feel his lips slightly trembling when he answered her.
"The winner will be… Hyotei…"
It was his favourite quote, but it tasted so bitter when it rolled from his mouth. He couldn't feel his knee when she let out a soft sob. Wasn't he a coward for not being able to look back? He wouldn't be able to hold himself from holding her if he turned around. At the same time, the gazes around him were the ones that pushed him to the court.
What kind of a man was he?
"Hikari!" Genichirō grabbed her by the shoulder. "Don't do unnecessary things!"
"But—"
"You're hurting your brother's pride doing this!" How he wanted to slam the geezer for shouting at his queen but he had his point. Both he and Kunimitsu were putting their pride in the match. It was the match they were both waiting for their entire life. "Now go back to your seat and watch the match until it's over!" Genichirō pressed his tone and Hikari silently followed him back to the Seigaku's bench.
"Atobe. Do you know that girl?" Coach Taro asked him while having his eyes on her. It was more than just knowing her but not that he'd tell him about that. Taro sighed in response. "Don't let anything bother you once you enter that court. Show them the tennis of the one who stands at the peak of all two hundred in the Hyotei tennis club."
"I know my responsibility more than anyone." He took his racket and entered the court. After getting the emergency treatment he needed, Kunimitsu bent his body and spoke close to his crying sister's ear with Genichirō crossing his arms beside her. After Hikari gave him a nod, Kunimitsu entered the court, not looking faltered despite his injury.
"Sorry for making you wait, Atobe. Now let's end this."
Kunimitsu's eyes didn't show any sign of giving up…
Not even after Keigo had pushed him this far…
Gripping his racket tighter, Keigo hit the ball to resume their battle of endurance for both of them would never want to back down. Kunimitsu's face had changed. He had lost the calm mask he was usually wearing and never had Keigo seen him wear the expression he did at that moment. Of all the things he learnt from Insight, he had made a mistake in his thinking. Kunimitsu had always been a calm and prudent person. But never once did he think he would see Kunimitsu get so heated.
Was it for the sake of his team or was it for their bet?
Not even a professional level player would be able to play at such a high level when they were already at their limit. Seeing his teammates, Hikari, even Genichirō's expressions, it seemed that even people close to Kunimitsu imagined that even he had such a reckless side.
"6-5. Atobe leads!"
Hikari was holding her hands in prayer. It wasn't like Keigo expected whatever she was praying was intended for him but a small part of him still wished she did. More importantly, what was she thinking about him at that precise moment?
All he wanted was her love …
But in front of it and pride, why was it still hard for him to choose her?
The rush of adrenaline was like the electricity that spread all around his body. He was leading thanks to Kunimitsu's injury. If not, he would be a mess with his inability to control the tremble in his hands. The image of her kneeling kept flashing down that guilt was burning his guts down.
It was already too late to go back now …
Taking a deep breath, Keigo dissipated all the thoughts away. The tennis ball he was holding had been so heft with people's expectations of him. Closing his eyes, the Hyotei's chant started to summon his focus back. Keigo bounced the ball once, catching it.
He would put all his power into each ball he hit, no matter how long this tie-break went on …
I'm sorry, my queen…
AN: Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate it! I hope that this year will be better for all of us. I really hope that this pandemic will be over soon so I will once again travel all over the world. XD Please stay safe and healthy wherever you are!
What I enjoy writing since the last chapter is Sanada howling all over because of Hikari. XD I can't make Tezuka do that since he's busy with the match but seeing the personality, Sanada is the one who's most likely to do this, don't you think?
If you ever have an older brother, will you choose to have a brother like Tezuka or Sanada?
Favourite, follow, and most importantly—review are gold for me! As I mentioned in the previous chapter, the story is also posted on Wattpad. Since the site allows me to post videos and images, I might be able to pamper your eyes there. Check my account in ReikaNanatsuki!
Thank you for reading and have a nice day!
