Chapter Eleven
I am in so much trouble.
replayed the sentence over and over in her mind while her eyes moved again to her watch hoping it would tell her something different. How could she out of all the days chose today to sleep in? The night before started reading the book Tezuka lent her. She surprisingly she became totally hooked and by the time she put down the book and rubbed her sore eyes she had found it to be three o’clock in the morning already!
Maybe she will sleep in just a little since it’s a Sunday. The game of Hyotei against Seigaku will not start until ten, so with the time to get ready and the time of travel calculated that it would be fine if she set the alarm at nine and maybe show just when the double game starts.
Unfortunately when the alarm clock faithfully went off at nine, somehow recalled her arm crawled about the bedside until it finally found the button that ceased the aggravating repetitious high pitch. With a sweet blissful smile returned to sleep when her surrounding once again returned to peaceful silence.
The serenity did not last long though, well, at least for it didn’t feel very long. A familiar ring tone accompanied by vibration causing her entire bedside to shake disrupted her sleep. In extreme annoyance ’s hand reached for the phone and replied with a lazy tired husky voice that everyone gets when they first wake up in the morning. “Hai…Kabaji desu,”
“Arn~?!” heard the typical nasal tone from Atobe coming through the other end. “Are you still sleeping?! Do you know what time it is?!”
Annoyed with Atobe’s exaggerated expression, replied in sleepiness, “No, I don’t know. What time is it?”
“You…” Atobe placed his hand against his forehead and replied trying to be calm. “It is already 11:15, Kabaji is about to play singles three.”
“What?!” jumped up from the bed as she grabbed the alarm clock from beside her bed to confirm whether Atobe was telling the truth. To her horror really found it displayed 11:15, and if Atobe was telling the truth, it would not be long till the singles one game.
“You better pray that you make it before my game starts.” Atobe threatened. “Now go get ready.”
Although annoyed at Atobe’s tone of demand, knew she really was the one in the wrong. With a sigh replied while she grabbed the change of clothes from her wardrobe, “I will be there in about half an hour.”
After she hung up, noticed a text message also sitting on her phone. Opening it in curiosity she found a simple short message that portrayed the characteristic of the sender well.
The game has started—Tezuka
Groaning found the message Tezuka sent was received at around ten o’clock, and knowing Tezuka’s personality, this short text message actually represented his concern for why she had not yet arrived. Different to Atobe who endured for an hour and half to finally make the call to her, a smile came onto ’s lips when she pictured what it was like for Tezuka to send this text message hoping to be unnoticed by the other Seigaku regulars.
“Anyway, no time to waste!” quickly reminded herself and headed straight for the shower and in the fastest way possible got ready and hoped she could reach the game on time.
Unfortunately the environment worked against her. The more had hoped to reach her destination on time the more everyone around her seemed to walk slower than normal and one by one tried to get in her way. Even that woman in front of her while lining up to pass the ticket gates would have her train ticket rejected causing a major delay. By the time reached the platform she had already missed her train and the next one will not arrive for another 18 minutes.
The tragedy did not end there. When had finally hopped onto the train, she was horrified to hear the announcement telling her the train has been changed into an all stop, and many times she considered hopping off the train and arrive the tennis courts by foot.
“What if it actually takes longer to walk? Would it have been better to tolerate the stop by stop train?” held onto her head in panic while the dilemma in her mind continued on.
“Jiroh is playing Fuji now.” Atobe’s second call did not help the situation either. “Where the hell are you?!”
When finally arrived the destination it was already 12:30. Luckily before she could find a pole to bang her head against, heard screams of pleasure and excitement from girls constantly repeating the same name.
Atobe-sama!! Atobe-sama!! Atobe-sama!! Atobe-sama!!
From the screams felt as if the weights were taken off her knowing the game between Atobe and Tezuka was not yet over. In haste dashed towards the sounds and saw two familiar figures on the court as the little yellow tennis ball flew back and forth in incredible speed always landing precisely at the most impossible part of the court.
“The princess has finally arrived.” Oshitari grinned as he walked up to her. “Atobe nearly broke his phone you know.”
“What’s the score?” Ignoring Oshitari’s tease asked quickly although her eyes moved to the scoreboard for the answer anyway. To her relief the scoreboard showed 0-0 proving the game had only started and from the play in the court before her, it looked like the two captains’ strengths and skills were practically even.
“15-0, Atobe serving and won the first point,” Oshitari reported but his eyes narrowed at the never ending rally before them. “Tezuka had not moved from that spot for the entire rally.”
nodded in agreement knowing Tezuka had used his Tezuka Zone against Atobe and no matter where Atobe tried to land the shot, it always curved and landed before Tezuka. However as watched the rally going back and forth between the two, a frown came onto her face when she started to discover something.
Knowing Atobe’s play style all these years, had found Atobe to be less aggressive and somewhat holding back all his attacking moves. Rather it was as if he was plainly returning the shots from Tezuka without wanting to win the point just as long as the ball kept going.
Immediately ’s instinct told her that Atobe was onto something. The doubts were confirmed when she saw a smirk came onto Atobe’s face as his eyes pierced back at Tezuka on the other side of the court.
“15-15,” The umpire announced when Tezuka managed to win the next point successfully with his Tezuka Zone.
“Tezuka,” Surprisingly not at all disturbed with the fact Tezuka had won that point from him, placing his hand before his face as the sign of his insight, Atobe confronted Tezuka. “You are doing rather well,” pausing, Atobe added with a smirk that showed he knew something. “With that arm of yours.”
What…what did Atobe just say…? ’s eyes looked straight at Atobe in disbelief. Atobe actually knew about Tezuka’s prior injury? The same thought went through Tezuka’s mind as well although he remained silent to whatever Atobe was hinting.
From Tezuka’s silence Atobe knew he was correct, with a cold laught Atobe continued in arrogance, “That left arm of yours, it’s hurting isn’t it? Na, Tezuka yo?”
Atobe’s statement caused uproar from both Seigaku supporters and Hyotei supporters. However from the expression on Tezuka’s face and most of all from his silence, it seemed to confirm what Atobe said was correct.
“No way, Tezuka’s elbow has completely healed!” Oishi called out in defence of Tezuka not knowing what he had actually done.
“I see,” Atobe smirked with Oishi’s statement. “It is the elbow.”
“Oishi-senpai,” Momoshiro turned to their fukubuchou in jolt, “Is it true?”
“Sorry,” Oishi lowered his head in guilt knowing he had accidentally given away the secret Tezuka had hid for years. “Tezuka’s elbow had been hurting until recently. He kept this to himself because he did not want us to worry about him.” With a sigh Oishi’s eyes moved to Tezuka. “The last thing he wanted was become an obstacle to us and prevent us from entering the Nationals.”
Unmoved by all the pointing and comments about his prior injury, Tezuka remained calm and returned Atobe’s serves powerfully and precisely regaining all the faith and respect to himself. To Atobe’s surprise Tezuka moved forward and with a beautiful swing of the arm did a drop shot that landed just on the other side of the net and as if magic occurred, the ball did not bounce forward but rolled back to the net without bouncing.
“Zero…shiki…” Atobe exclaimed seeing the infamous shot known to be only doable by Tezuka.
“Don’t hold back Atobe,” like a proud king Tezuka replied calmly but his voice showed such authority and weight. “Give me all you’ve got.”
“Game, Seigaku Tezuka 0-1.”
***
Tezuka, you are really somebody.
Atobe thought to himself as he swung a shot back across the court but only to find it curved around and once again landed before Tezuka.
Despite the fact your elbow was once injured, you have excellent control over the ball and that drop shot of yours…
Atobe hated to admit it but he knew from his heart Tezuka was different from any opponent he had played against before. A frown of displease came onto Atobe’s face when he saw his return failed to pass the net.
“Game, Seigaku Tezuka 3-2.”
“Oshitari, what is happening to Atobe? He had allowed Tezuka to break his serve.” Shishido asked the calm tensai of their team. Maybe he would understand what Atobe had in mind. Being a powerful buchou, not once have they seen Atobe falling behind in a game.
After a pause Oshitari replied calmly with his arms crossed indicating something deeper. “Looks like Atobe planned to take this game into a long slow game. In other words, Atobe is slowly wearing out Tezuka.”
Upon Oshitari’s observation felt as if lighting struck her. Atobe was trying to slowly wear Tezuka out? Unintentionally her eyes moved to Tezuka’s left elbow for the worst scenario that could happen.
No, it’s not possible. shook her head with the terrifying thought. Tezuka said it had fully recovered so whatever Atobe planned should cause no harm to him. However if that was the case, what was this bad feeling felt inside her heart?
I will take tennis away from you, forever.
was reminded of the cruel declaration Atobe made to Tezuka that day. She had thought it was just another typical display of arrogance from Atobe but would he have really meant it? ’s eyes followed Atobe during the change court break and whispered secretly inside hoping Atobe’s nasty declaration to Tezuka was only another of his haughty joke. Most of all pleaded from deep within, Keigo; I have finally come to know that kindness exists in you. Do not take that recognition away from me….
“The opponent has clearly been attacking.” Sakaki stated when Atobe stood before him taking a sip of his drink. “He had obviously planned to make you lose your stamina by hitting the ball to the corners.” With a pause Sakaki finally concluded, “He seemed rather anxious wanting to finish the game quickly.”
Atobe smiled in confidence upon Sakaki’s warning, “It simply goes to show how frightened Tezuka actually was.”
“Do not be careless, Atobe.” The kantoku reminded sharply. “It’s about time you control the game.”
“Humph,” Atobe snorted as his eyes landed on Tezuka who sat quietly on the bench with Echizen next to him. “I am already in control.”
***
“Genichiro, something is wrong here.” Yanagi Renji the data specialist from Rikkai stated calmly to his friend and the vice captain of Rikkai.
“Were you referring to what happened last year?" Sanada replied knowing exactly what Yanagi was referring to.
“Yes,” Yanagi continued, “Atobe did not use what he showed at the Junior Senbatsu last year.”
“Hmm, you meant that unbelievable smash he showed?” With his eyes looking sharply towards Atobe, Sanada replied, “Where the first smash aims at the opponent’s grip, causing them to drop the racquet thus become defenceless to the second smash.”
“Oh?” The Rikkai second year Kirihara was amused with what their fukubuchou said. “What was it called?”
“Hametsu e no Rondo.” Sanada replied as his eyes continued to look towards the court. “Rondo to destruction.”
“We shall see,” Yanagi nodded. “It was rather odd Atobe had not yet used it against Tezuka.”
The game played on and felt her heart becoming heavier and heavier when she watched Atobe continued to reserve his attacking shots. The score between the two extraordinary players remained close and even. When at this time she saw Tezuka accidentally returned a high lob across the court.
“Chance ball!” from beside her she heard Gakuto called in excitement, “Here it comes, Atobe’s Hametsu e no Rondo!”
Knowing Atobe was about to do a smash, Tezuka gripped onto his racquet tight and moved backwards ready to receive the shot. When unexpectedly a smirk crept onto Atobe’s lips and with a second of delay returned the shot back to Tezuka not in a smash but a normal flat shot.
“Huh? Atobe didn’t use his Hametsu e no Rondo.” Gakuto tilted his head and commented the peculiarity. “That was such a good chance to use it and win the point.”
Atobe’s absurd return immediately caused arousal in all the viewers. However as if nothing had happened Atobe and Tezuka played on normally and ’s felt a thump against her heart when she noticed the sly smirk on Atobe’s face.
“This game is going to be bad.” Out of the blue Fuji spoke up. What surprised all was different to the smiley Fuji they knew, his bluish eyes opened and the friendliness had disappeared.
“You noticed too?” Inui looked to Fuji. Atobe’s play style was way off the data he had collected.
***
Indeed your elbow has completely healed, Tezuka.
Atobe thought to himself while he returned another shot cross the court. The Zero-shiki Tezuka performed was perfect and knowing with an injured elbow Tezuka could not have done it. However smiling to himself Atobe dashed forward holding his racquet with both hands and jack-knifed the ball mightily across the net.
Your elbow has healed, of course. How about your left shoulder, Tezuka? Nothing could possibly escape my insight and I can see it, the weakness you hold Tezuka was not your left elbow but your shoulder!
Upon the powerful impact of Atobe’s return, Tezuka’s racquet flew off and lost the point 15-0. Hearing all the cheering and screaming in the background from his performance Atobe brushed his hand through his hair victoriously while his eyes landed on .
Unfortunately Atobe found unlike everyone else who cheered for his performance, ’s eyes continued to look to Tezuka with a most serious concern. Upon such expression on ’s face, Atobe sensed a rush of anger hit him. Coldly his eyes moved back onto Tezuka and made up his mind.
Tezuka… I can defeat anyone in 30 minutes, but if I do that it would be rather plain wouldn’t it? Just defeating you isn’t fun. I want you to be my dance partner for at least two hours. Along with the destruction of your shoulder!
“Tezuka,” Atobe called out across the court. “Your shoulder can only last an hour and I have completely controlled the game.”
Ignoring Atobe’s threat Tezuka returned a winning shot fast and swift cutting through the air. With a cruel chuckle Atobe leapt forward and reached the shot, “I won’t let you end the game here. The dance is not yet over!”
Tezuka was not stupid of course. He had long noticed what Atobe had conspired to do. To be honest he was unsure either how long his elbow could manage the long rallies Atobe threw at him. Although the doctor had confirmed that his elbow had completely recovered, but this game against Atobe was the first game he played after the recovery.
At the same time Tezuka knew he could not rush the game either because Atobe was not the kind of player you could play while not using your full concentration and strength. A slight loss of focus could cost him the game.
Promise me that you would not force yourself…
Tezuka remembered the plead from the night before, the way her eyes gazed at him with concern reminding him to not destroy a life time of tennis for a present victory. Gripping onto his racquet tightly Tezuka’s eyes took a glance at knowing the decision he was about to take will disappoint her. However, he is Tezuka Kunimitsu, the buchou of Seigaku. Nothing had mattered to him more than bringing Seigaku to victory. This meant even with the cost of his arm.
From the power and skill of the shots returned by Tezuka, Atobe’s eyes opened wide in amazement when he suddenly discovered what Tezuka was doing. His every shot came after Atobe harsh and testing. It was as if Tezuka was telling Atobe, if a long rally was what he had thrown at him, he will take up the challenge.
***
“Damn it!” Atobe cursed in frustration, panting trying to regain his composure.
“Game Seigaku Tezuka, 6-5.”
“Tezuka, you are crazy…” Atobe muttered in aggravation glaring up at the man who took on his challenge. “You are crazy to challenge a protracted game. You knew this would lead to the destruction of your shoulder and yet you took this path.”
Holding the ball tightly in his hand Tezuka took a deep breath before he served for the 12th game. “I am sorry Atobe,” Tezuka’s eyes pierced straight at Atobe, “I am going to take your place in the Nationals.”
As he swung down the serve, to everyone’s surprise the ball landed exactly on the line. Quickly moving to receive the serve Atobe growled inside himself, “Why? Tezuka, your body should have reached its limit already. How could you still manage to control the ball so skilfully and precisely?!”
Although Tezuka’s performance was outstanding, Atobe’s pride was provoked and as a man who stood on top of the Hyotei Tennis Club he was not going to back down. Dashing to reach the serve Atobe returned Tezuka’s sharp powerful serve fast and swift right down the line. “Take this Tezuka!”
Upon Atobe’s return, Tezuka quickly stretched forward his arm but only managed to return a weak shot. With the ball high up in the air, everyone present knew Atobe will now perform his magical smash, Hametsu e no Rondo. As expected Atobe ran forward and jumped up in the air, “Ore-sama no bigi ni yoina, Tezuka!”
To everyone’s bewilderment although the ball hit Tezuka’s grip, the racquet did not fly off as expected. Stunned by the result Atobe knew immediately that Tezuka had lowered his racquet in that instant and avoided the impact against his grip. In frustration Atobe returned the shot towards Tezuka’s right and was horrified to see the ball once again curved back to Tezuka.
“Tezuka zone, damn it!” Atobe cried in irritation.
As if to make Atobe’s situation worse, with a cut Tezuka returned a drop shot and once again like magic the ball landed but did not bounce. It was none other than Tezuka’s exquisite shot, Zero Shiki.
“15-0.”
“30-0”
“40-0.”
“This is impossible,” Oshitari muttered in disbelief, “Atobe is about to lose the game...”
felt her heartbeat thumping hard and fast as she gripped her hands tight. What is this confusion she is experiencing right now? Although she was angry at Atobe for playing it dirty but now it had seemed that Tezuka was about to win the game she did not sense the joy she had anticipated. Slowly closing her eyes knew there was somewhere inside her that had wanted Atobe to win.
No way will I lose to Tezuka, and when I have won, you will be my girl.
’s eyes moved to Atobe when she was reminded of the proud declaration from him. Atobe had always been a proud and egotistic moron to her. However when he declared it to her so possessively like that had found that there was no anger aroused in her. Actually she was rather pampered to know the pompous king had actually desired after her.
However she felt her heart ached when she saw the expression of frustration and self-hatred in Atobe’s beautiful deep blue eyes like a wounded lion. To be forced to face defeat must have shattered Atobe to the utter most. Yet even if it was only one last point, knew Atobe had refused to give in. Even if it was a mere chance to victory, Atobe was not going to let it go.
“This is it! The match point!” Seigaku supporters called in excitement. Despite the rumour of an injured elbow their buchou still managed to take on the challenges Atobe threw at him.
With all the cheering and support from around him, Tezuka reminded himself to remain calm. It is just one more shot, one more point to victory. Please let it happen! Tossing the ball up for the serve, suddenly a stabbing dreadful pain struck Tezuka by surprise the moment he lifted his left shoulder. With a moan Tezuka fell on his knees as he grabbed onto his left shoulder in pain.
“Tezuka!!!!!” Oishi screamed in horror with the scene before his eyes.
“Tezuka buchou!” Momoshiro hopped over the fence and started running towards Tezuka.
Momoshiro was not the only person that ran into the court in great concern for their buchou as Inui, Kikumaru, Fuji, Kaidoh all sprinted towards the man who had fought for their team until he had finally terminally wounded himself.
“Tezuka-san?!” covered her mouth in shock too with the unexpected outcome. As a reflex turned and headed towards Tezuka when suddenly someone grabbed onto her shoulder and stopped her. Turning around in surprise found Oshitari looking at her in all seriousness as he slowly shook his head.
“Why are you stopping me, Oshitari?” pulled Oshitari’s hand off her, “Tezuka-san is injured! His arm…his arm…”
Unlike Oshitari replied calmly, “You must not go to Tezuka, neither should you go to Atobe.”
“What?”
“These two men are fighting for you and anything you do, a look, a word would affect them severely.” Oshitari explained logically. “Therefore you must remain neutral until the end of the game.”
“I can’t go to him?!” Before could respond Tezuka’s voice interrupted and stopped all those coming up to him. “The match is not yet over…”
With Tezuka’s words felt tears came onto her eyes. Even until this moment Tezuka had refused to give up. Covering her face in frustration took a deep breath. What should she do? It must have been her fault. A while ago she had secretly hoped for Atobe’s victory and it must have been her evil thought this had happened to Tezuka.
’s eyes followed Tezuka as he picked up the racquet and stood up from where he was. Taking a deep breath Tezuka returned to the bench as Oishi and the rest quickly came up to him and attended to his injury.
“Looks like Tezuka had after all fallen into Atobe’s trap,” From the other side of the court Yanagi Renji stated calmly. “The injury looks fatal, and it would be impossible now for him to face Atobe.”
“This was what Atobe aimed for, right?” Gakuto asked once again seeking advice from Oshitari.
“No matter what,” Oshitari gave a sigh his eyes landed on . “The table have turned.”
“But if that was what Atobe-buchou had aimed for…” Ohtori interrupted his eyes also landed on Atobe who stood still on the court to all the incidents that had suddenly occurred.
“Yeah,” Shishido nodded in agreement. “Atobe did not look the slightest happy at all.”
***
“Tezuka!” Unlike how he always was, for the first time Fuji raised his voice. “It would be dangerous if you kept playing!”
Inui nodded too and joined the persuasion, “With your shoulder now, the chance of you defeating Atobe is exceptionally low!”
As if what both Fuji and Inui said did not matter to him Tezuka remained quiet as he continued to examine his shoulder. Seeing this Momoshiro also interrupted, “Buchou, you are overdoing it!”
Tezuka continued to remain silent as he stood up and picked up his racquet. Upon Tezuka’s actions Fuji’s eyes opened in surprise, “Tezuka, stop!”
Tezuka stopped when he saw a person stood before him to stop him, “Oishi…”
“Tezuka,” Oishi called softly in pain knowing his friend’s personality too well. “Are you carrying out the promise you made with Yamato buchou, the promise of opening a path for Seigaku to the Nationals?”
Tezuka did not reply but the determined look in his eyes told Oishi the answer. Oishi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, yes Tezuka knew his position as the buchou well and now as the fukubucbou of Seigaku what must he do?
“Tezuka!” Finally opening his eyes again Oishi called out to his fellow friend and partner. They have come this far now and the best he could do for Tezuka was to support his decision. “Then do it! Keep your promise to Yamato buchou!”
“SEIGAKU!!!!!!!!”
Everyone turned around and found Kawamura waving the Seigaku flag ignoring his injured wrist. Upon such scene Tezuka closed his eyes and whispered to his fellow teams and friends, “Thank you…”
***
“36-35, Hyotei Atobe!”
Everyone present were on their feet watching the impossible game before them. The game had entered into a 12 point tie-break and with Tezuka’s injured shoulder Atobe soon caught up. However watching Tezuka’s every move sank deeply into Atobe. Who could imagine such wordless logical person like Tezuka could have taken this path of destruction. Atobe knew immediately the reason to Tezuka’s absurd actions.
I was wrong about you, Tezuka. I thought you were more calm and manipulative. I never thought I would see you this passionate in a match. There are not many players in the world that can play at this level in this situation. Who would’ve imagined that we would be playing in a match like this? I couldn’t read past the strong will Tezuka had for Seigaku to win. This match is without a doubt meaningless to me. But I will put everything I have behind every ball. No matter how long this tie-break continues.
“37-36 Seigaku Tezuka!”
“Tezuka,” Fuji whispered in disbelief. “It should be even impossible now for him to lift his arm.”
“It’s not only Tezuka,” Inui interrupted. “I think Atobe has reached his limits too. These two are using tennis to compete in a battle of the will.”
“It is indeed, the battle of the kings.”
Fuji was right about Tezuka. The pain in his left shoulder was unbearable but it was the one word that Yamato buchou said to him that kept him going. Being despised and discriminated against because of his ability in the first year had once taken away his will for tennis. It was at that time Yamato buchou saw through him.
Become the pillar of Seigaku, open the path for Seigaku to the Nationals.
“Yes, my shoulder does not matter. As the pillar I must open a way for Seigaku to the Nationals.” Tezuka thought to himself. Most of all he knew this goal was no longer to be accomplished alone. He had made the declaration on the mountain peak with , they will reach the Nationals together! He will take her there with him!
With a slice the ball bounced off Tezuka’s racquet as he positioned himself for another Zero Shiki. Seeing this Atobe dashed forward in horror to reach the ball. However to everyone’s bewilderment the tennis ball did not roll back but bounced forward. Leaping forward Atobe managed to return the shot but was too late to get up to return Tezuka’s shot again. Unnoticed leaned forward and her hands gripped onto the fence when she saw Tezuka swung his arm and returned the shot.
“Tezuka…” Atobe struggled onto his feet when he saw the ball that Tezuka returned had actually hit the net and eventually landed on his own court.
A dead silence befall the court as none dared to make a sound to the final shot that just happened before their eyes.
“Game and match, 7-6 won by Hyotei Atobe.”
Even with the final result announced by the umpire no one dared to make a sound except the sound of the soft summer breeze that swept pass the court. Slowly closing his eyes Tezuka lifted his head to heaven as he let out a long deep sigh.
Tears rolled off ’s face finally when she saw the look on Tezuka’s face. The dream and goal Tezuka held had been broken, he had failed to keep his promise to Yamato buchou. He did not lead Seigaku to its victory.
However on the other side of the court Atobe got up slowly from where he was as his eyes looked to Tezuka, the best rival he could ever have. Atobe smiled mockingly to himself knowing although he will never admit it, deep inside he held a respect towards Tezuka. In this game Tezuka had shown him many things and although he was the one who won the match he knew clearly he never overcame Tezuka in the entire game.
“It was the best game ever,” Atobe stated as he shook hands with Tezuka. Lifting Tezuka’s arm high in respect Atobe added. “You must return and play me again this time in your full state. By then I will really defeat you and climb to the top.”
“Atobe…” Not expecting that from his opponent Tezuka whispered.
Immediately ear-deafening cheering and applause echoed throughout the entire court for the best game anyone has ever seen played by the two strongest kings, the battle of the will to win and the battle to lead their school to victory.
“Kabaji, towel,” Atobe commanded as he sat down.
“Usu.”
Returning to the Hyotei bench, Atobe was showered with cheers and praises of how he had defeated Tezuka, the buchou of Seigaku. How foolish of Tezuka to think he could last the game against him and he indeed was the king of Hyotei. In the past Atobe would have found all these complements and admiration a law of nature because he is Atobe-sama, worthy to be adored.
However right now knowing from deep within, he had not really defeated and overcame Tezuka. Everything people said to him just sounded like constant mocking and sarcasm irritating to the ears. Slowly moving his eyes towards the agitation increased to maximum when he found her focus somewhere else and worst of all it was towards the Seigaku bench where everyone attended to Tezuka’s injured shoulder.
“Good work, Tezuka.” Oishi passed the towel and drink to their captain.
“Sorry…” That was all Tezuka could say.
“Let’s see that shoulder of yours,” Ryuuzaki sensei smiled in understanding and pulled up Tezuka’s sleeve. To everyone’s horror it was red and badly swollen, it was unimaginable how Tezuka tolerated the pain and took on the challenge from Atobe.
“Tezuka-san,” whispered in concern when she also saw how bad the injury was. Without hesitation she turned and headed quickly to the Seigaku bench.
“Where do you think you are going?”
When this time heard a cold voice from behind her, turning around she saw Atobe standing before her and there were extreme displease in his eyes.
“I am going to check out on Tezuka-san of course,” replied in defence while giving Atobe the unfriendly look. “It’s unbelievable how depraved you could be in order to win a game. You knew from your heart that you actually could not defeat him.”
Upon ’s harsh words Atobe felt as if she had just added salt to his already wounded pride. Nothing damaged his ego as much as having the woman he loves despising him and most of all misunderstand him.
Misunderstand him? Atobe chuckled devilishly at the thought. He knew that no matter how hard he tried he could never alter this misconception has towards him. Fine, if he was destined to be misunderstood by her then let it be!
All of a sudden as if another personality took over an icy coldness painted Atobe’s beautiful face as his deep blue eyes pierced straight into ’s. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Atobe…?” as a reflex stepped back in fear when she noticed the change of expression on Atobe’s face.
“I told you once I have defeated Tezuka in today’s game you will be my girl.” Atobe replied his eyes not deterring from ’s.
“Why…?” asked again. Why would Atobe go this far just to make her his girl? Even by now knew she had managed to hurt Atobe’s pride.
“Why?” Atobe smirked as he stepped forward pinning back against the wall with one hand. “You asked the same question last night and I said I would tell you the answer today after the game. So here is the answer for you.” Leaning down Atobe whispered deeply by her ear his voice extremely cold. “Knowing how much you meant to Tezuka, taking you away from him would surely destroy him. You didn’t think it was because you were special did you?”
As if a lightning struck her cruelly felt her head spinning with Atobe’s malicious words. Her biggest fear had come true. She was never someone special to Atobe but only a challenge to be conquered. Worst of all only a way Atobe uses to hurt Tezuka.
“Get away from me! Atobe!” screamed in anger as she pushed Atobe with all her might. However to her surprise she found Atobe caught her arms as he pinned them onto the wall with his own.
Before could moan in pain she found anger in Atobe’s eyes as he threatened. “I told you to call me Keigo, damn it!” Not giving a chance to respond Atobe stooped down as his lips searched deeply and passionately for hers.
“Oh my god, Atobe-sama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Atobe-sama!!!!”
As expected Atobe’s action caused an extreme uproar from the surrounding. His fan girls screaming in pain and the Hyotei regulars stunned and eyes wide open to the passionate scene before them.
“Wow, Atobe…” Shishido swallowed a gulp of saliva.
“Atobe and -chan!! I told you so!!” Jiroh whistled in excitement.
Horrified with the responses from around her, started to struggle like mad only to find the more she struggled the stronger Atobe’s grasp became and the deeper his kiss was to her. It was as if it was a demonstration of his absolute control and dominion over her. Her feeling meant nothing but only his ego and pride was all that mattered.
“Okay…that is something you don’t see everyday,” Momoshiro could not help but stare.
“45 seconds, 46, 47…” Quickly writing down in his notebook Inui mumbled to himself. “That was a lot longer than Tezuka’s kiss.”
“Tezuka…” Fuji’s eyes landed on their buchou and found coldness and an arousal of anger he never saw from Tezuka’s eyes as he continued to stare at the kiss scene from the Hyotei bench. Fuji frowned when he noticed the grip Tezuka had against his left shoulder tightened.
Finally when Atobe sensed no more struggle from , slowly he moved away from her. However the moment he moved away as fast as lightning lifted her hand and with a clear crisp sound slapped Atobe hard across his face.
“How dare you hit Atobe-sama?!!!!!”
“Hit her back, Atobe-sama!!!” Crazy fan girls screamed again.
Atobe sensed a huge thump against his heart when he saw the look in ’s eyes. There were extreme sadness and hopelessness as droplets of tears rolled down ’s beautiful face like pearls.
“Atobe Keigo…” sobbed as she continued to look to him with such hurt in her eyes. “You have just taken away the last remaining place you had in my heart… I have no other feeling left for you except hatred…” Covering her mouth to prevent herself from breaking down in sobs turned and ran off not looking back again.
Slowly closing his eyes in self-hatred Atobe gripped his hands tight. He knew from the bottom of his heart he had managed to hurt in a way that no one else could. Knowing her all these years although they always fought but not once had she looked to him with such despair and hurt.
“Atobe, why do you…” Oshitari held onto his head and whispered u