My Worst Enemy

Chapter Seven

“Please…”

Standing before me was quite a sight of the Hyotei men’s tennis club regulars with their hands together in plead.

“If you have mercy toward us, please stop ignoring Atobe.” Oshitari sighed.

“Yes, -chan. He won’t allow me to sleep during practice anymore!!” Jiroh sobbed. “Jiroh will die very soon if he doesn’t get his sleep.”

“We all will die soon if the harsh training continues!” Gakuto held onto his head and panted in fear.

“We are begging you, Kabaji-senpai.” Even the polite Ohtori added.

However unmoved with all the pleading eyes, I smiled gently. “It is nice to know the men’s team is working hard towards their first game against Seigaku.”

“Not only that,” Oshitari gave me a bitter smile. “If you continue to ignore him I think Atobe will go mental.”

“Atobe-sama goes mental?” I mocked. “Is that ever possible?”

“It’s true, Kabaji.” Shishido crossed his arms and nodded. “Atobe has been looking up toward the sky constantly and he seems to be talking to himself.”

“Yes, calling someone’s name continually.” Oshitari smiled.

Knowing Oshitari’s hidden meaning I blushed a little but turning away I replied. “Anyway, I don’t think Atobe’s mental unstableness has anything to do with me. It’s not like I have been close to him or anything. You all should know Atobe and I were not the best of friends.”

“But what about the roof…”

Quickly covering up Gakuto’s mouth before he could finish his sentence Jiroh grinned. “Trust me, -chan. Once you started talking to Atobe, he will become normal again.”

Yes, like all of them have mentioned. It has been five days now since I last talked to Atobe. I definitely was not fulfilling my contract as his girlfriend but to my surprise, Atobe never confronted me about it. My heart started to ache the moment I thought about it. Although it looked like I was the one ignoring him, but truly it was Atobe that never needed me. He continued to be the Atobe-sama he is, adored and confident constantly surrounded by endless fan girls.

“Anyway, I have to go now.” Sensing my eyes becoming wet I said quickly scared they would notice.

“ -chan…” Oshitari looked to me and from his eyes I felt that he looked through my heart.

“Sorry, I can’t be of much help.” I quickly squeezed out a smile. “I am sure all these harsh trainings are for your own good. Seigaku men’s team is very strong, trust me.”

“ -chan,” Shishido interrupted. “Are…are you going out with Tezuka?”

“At least he is someone that has proper respect for tennis.” Not really answering the question I waved goodbye and walk off.

“They both are stubbornly proud.” After I left Oshitari shook his head. “No wonder they are the king and queen of Hyotei.”

“What do you mean, Yuushi?” Gakuto asked.

Oshitari’s eyes looked towards the stairs that leads to the rooftop and gave a sigh. “If only Atobe would let -chan know how he truly feels instead of waiting everyday at the rooftop hoping for a miracle.”

***

“Tezuka-san?” My eyes opened wide in astonishment with the appearance of the person before me. His appearance at the Hyotei tennis courts not only surprised me, as expected it caused an arousal from the women’s team and of course from the men’s team.

“Kabaji-san.” However unmoved by all the focuses Tezuka’s face remained calm as he looked straight at me. “When will you finish your club activity?”

“I will finish in about ten minutes…” Replying my heart was startled. Knowing Tezuka’s personality he will not show up here for no reason.

“In that case, I will be waiting for you over there.” With that sentence Tezuka turned and walked away.

Immediately I was reminded of the sentence Atobe said to Tezuka when they last met, taking a peek quickly towards Atobe I found that unlike everyone else, he continued to be overseeing the practice as if he did not notice anything that just happened. Or more, Tezuka’s open visitation to me had nothing to do with him. Once again I sensed that twitching pain in my heart, however quickly regaining my calm I refused to let Atobe interfere with my emotions.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.” I ran up to Tezuka quickly after I have finished everything.

“It’s alright.” Tezuka replied calmly.

“So,” Smiling I asked. “What brought your presence here? Tezuka-buchou doesn’t come visit little nobody like me for no reason.”

Upon my tease Tezuka’s forever emotionless straight face soften a little. “I just returned from my final check up at the hospital.”

“Check up?”

“You were right when you noticed there was something wrong with my left arm.” Tezuka said calmly as he started walking.

Following quickly after him I nodded and waited for him to continue. He denied it last time and yet what had made him change his mind to now reveal it to me?

Knowing I was waiting for him to continue Tezuka explained as he looked afar. “An incident happened when I was in first year, and there I injured my left arm. Due to the injury I have been visiting the hospital for rehabilitation and today I have just finished my last session.”

With the news my joy came onto my face. “So this means…?”

Nodding Tezuka told me the good news. “Yes, the doctor has confirmed today that my left arm is perfectly fine now.”

“Really?! That is great!” I called in happiness genuinely happy for him. “But, wow, what made you decide to reveal this to me?”

To my surprise Tezuka stopped walking as his beautiful eyes looked straight at me with a look of determination. “I want to let you know that when I play against Atobe in our game against Hyotei next week, I will be playing him with my full strength. Atobe will not be able to destroy me.”

“Tezuka-san…” With Tezuka’s declaration I felt my heart ached. “Don’t mind what Atobe said. He is always like that, arrogant and mean…”

“It’s not his arrogance I am challenging.” To my surprise Tezuka interrupted me as he said with a most serious tone. “I will not become the reason Atobe use to hurt you.”

“Te…Tezuka-san…?” Never expecting Tezuka to say anything like that I did not know how to continue as I felt my heart pumping faster with the look in his eyes. For the first time I have seen Tezuka shown such passion towards anything other than tennis. With this passion he had shown, I discovered that Tezuka had decided to take on Atobe’s challenge for me…

“Anyway, I thought to let you know that.” Nodding as a sign Tezuka greeted goodbye.

“Tezuka-san!” I stopped him before he walked away.

When I saw Tezuka stopped to look at me, I felt blood rushed to me face as I stuttered in embarrassment. “We…we should…I mean….”

“?”

“We should go celebrate!” I finally let it out. “Celebrate that you can finally play tennis with your full recovery!”

“Celebrate?”

“Yes!” I nodded quickly. “Since you bought me so many ice-creams and cakes before, it should be my time to celebrate for you! What would you like?”

“I see…” The expression of tenderness came onto Tezuka’s face again with what I said. For some reason today it is the first time I discovered how gentle and meek Tezuka face could be. “In that case, would you be free this Saturday?”

“Saturday? We are not going now?”

“If we are going hiking we will need a whole day.” Tezuka replied.

“Hiking?” I blinked with Tezuka’s suggestion. “Is that what you wanted to do?”

“Yes.”

“Hiking it is then!” I nodded with a smile. “Let’s go celebrate in the mountains! What time should we leave?”

“To be able to make it back on the same day, we will have to leave around 6 am.”

“Alright, I shall meet you at 6.” I smiled and winked. “Now I know one more thing about you. Tezuka’s hobby is hiking.”

***

"Fresh air!" I took a deep breath as Tezuka and I walked our way into the mountain. "You have a good hobby, Tezuka-san."

"I am glad you are enjoying it." Tezuka replied. "Also I am impressed how fit you are."

With my arms crossed in pride I nodded. “Of course. Don’t forget I am after all the buchou of Hyotei women’s tennis club. I have been through many tough and harsh trainings too.”

“In that case we probably could try to reach the peak of the mountain today.” Tezuka replied as he looked to the top of the mountain which still seemed quite distant. “If you could take the challenge.”

Following his eyes I found the top of the mountain looked so high and far. However I am never the kind of person to back away from a challenge. “Alright, let’s aim for it.”

Upon my reply I swore I saw a smile on Tezuka’s face. However as if he did not want me to notice Tezuka turned and head off. I smiled secretly inside me when I realised I could make Tezuka smile! With Tezuka leading the way, I followed quickly and closely behind him as we hiked our way in the forest towards the peak.

“We did it!!!” Raising my arms into the sky in extreme joy I called out to Tezuka when we have managed to reach the peak by about lunch time. Wow, that was about six hours of walking! Nodding I was very proud of my accomplishments.

Seeing the joy and satisfaction on my face Tezuka replied. “This is the first time I reached here with another person.”

Looking over to him I asked in astonishment. “You have reached here many times?”

Looking down at the beautiful city below us, Tezuka said with a look of calmness. “I often come here by myself before a game to remind myself that I could accomplish the challenge and I will win.”

I felt my heart moved and echoing to every word Tezuka said. Looking up at him I felt my respect for this man grew more than ever. I knew from deep within Tezuka Kunimitsu is a very special person. He is a leader who respects what he loves and endeavours to win.

Tezuka Kunimitsu is also a proud king.

It was as if Tezuka had shown me once again what it means to lead a team, what a true buchou should be. With the thought I turned to the beautiful scenery before us as I held out my hands and called out. “Hyotei girl’s team will go to the Nationals! We will be able to do it!”

Turning back to Tezuka I saw the tenderness in his eyes again, with a smile I asked. “Go on, it is your turn.”

“No, I am fine.”

“Don’t be shy.” I teased Tezuka knowing he will never do it.

“No, really.”

Giggling I turned back to the scenery as I called out once again. “Seigaku men’s team will also go to the Nationals! It is a message from Tezuka Kunimitsu buchou!”

“Kabaji-san…” With a sigh Tezuka looked to me.

“You can call me from now on if you want.” I smiled. Taking two lunchboxes out from my bag I passed one to Tezuka. “Sorry it is nothing big because we had to leave so early this morning. But still, hope you will enjoy my cooking.”

“Thank you…” Not expecting that Tezuka looked to the lunchbox in his hand. Finally looking up at me again he added. “ -san.”

***

“What’s wrong?” I asked noticing the frown on Tezuka’s face as we were on our way down the mountain path.

“The weather has changed.” Tezuka replied as he looked to the fog that sneakily set in swift and fast.

With what Tezuka said I too noticed compared to the bright sunshine blue sky we had an hour ago, already there were clouds forming above us and with the fog moving in fast I noticed the sudden drop in temperature and the moist in the air.

“We better speed up, this change is not a good sign.” Tezuka said as he increased his pace.

Nodding, I also increased my pace and tried to follow quickly behind him. However I soon realised with about another half an hour of walk we could hardly see where we were going as the fog soon took over our vision.

“Tezuka-san, are we going to be able to recognise the way back in this visibility?” I asked starting to get worried.

“I have been hiking on this mountain many times before so it should be okay.” Tezuka replied. “However even if I know the way with the dark cloud on top of us it looks like it will soon rain.”    

As if what Tezuka said was the cue, the rain started pouring immediately down upon us. In haste Tezuka and I speed up our pace even more to try to walk down the mountain as fast as we could.

While we were walking down the steep hill, suddenly one of the rock I stepped on collapsed and losing my balance I sensed a sharp pain on my ankle.

“ -san,” Tezuka rushed up to me quickly. “Are you alright?”

I nodded as I tried to stand up. However once again that pain on my ankle took over as I moaned and sat back down. Seeing my reaction Tezuka knew immediately I had injured myself as he crouched down before me.

“Let me see,” Tezuka held up my foot in his hand and the moment he touched it I moaned again in pain. With a frown Tezuka concluded. “You sprang your ankle severely, you can not walk anymore.”

“But we have to continue walking right? It is pouring now and the sun is also going down soon.” I said quickly.

“True, we can not remain here.” Tezuka sighed as he looked around us. “We are only one third of the way down.”

“Just give me a stick or something,” I said quickly. “I can still walk.”

However shaking his head Tezuka replied, “You will bust your ankle if you force it. For a sportsman it is not an option.”

“But,”

“I guess we don’t have much choice.” Before I could figure out what Tezuka’s final decision was I sensed myself lifted off the ground as without warning Tezuka carried me onto his back.

“Te…Tezuka-san!” I called in shock feeling my cheeks burning hot with Tezuka’s action.

“Sorry if you are uncomfortable with it,” I heard Tezuka apologised.

“No…it’s not that…” I said quickly but feeling my heart pumping so fast in nervousness. However knowing too that this was the only way I said no more as I placed my arms around Tezuka’s neck to make it easier for him.

“Ne,…Tezuka-san,”

“What is it?”

I softened my voice in embarrassment, “Gomen ne?”

Tezuka did not reply immediately as he continued walking. After a moment of silence Tezuka replied. “No, I should be the one saying sorry. We are out here because of me.”

“No!” I said quickly knowing Tezuka was probably blaming himself for what is happening to us. “I had a great time, really!”

However Tezuka did not say anymore as he continued to carry me down the mountain path. I knew with his sense of responsibility, he had decided to do whatever he could to bring us both to safety.

Unfortunately with me on his back, our pace was rather slow. With the weather getting worse both Tezuka and I knew we will never make it down before the sun goes down. Finally breaking the silence Tezuka told me the bad news.

“We will have to spend a night here.”

“Spend….spend a night?” I heard myself stuttered with the news.

“Yes, the worst thing that could happen to mountain hikers is to get lost in the woods especially in the dark. Once the sun goes down I won’t be able to see where we are going and if we get lost that means we might never get out of here.” Although telling me the shocking facts Tezuka’s voice still sounded deep and calm.

“So, what should we do?” I asked knowing what Tezuka said is true.

Gently putting me back on the ground Tezuka took a map out of his bag. “According to the map there should be a hut just three kilometres from here. We should try to make it there before the sun totally sets.”

“Alright.” I nodded in support. “We will go there.”

***

“How’s your foot?” Tezuka asked when we settled down in the hut we found. Although a hut but there was really nothing here. However compared to the pouring rain outside I already felt like we are in heaven.

“It’s okay…” I replied although the pain was unbearable. I knew Tezuka already had enough to worry about, I did not want to add more to it.

“No reception…” Tezuka frowned when he took out his phone.

“Really?” Taking out my phone too I found because we are deep in the mountains, our phones are useless. This means I will not be able to call home or even for help! With the thought blood rushed to my face when I discovered that my parents would kill me mistaking me spending a night with another boy without notification!

“I guess we can only wait till tomorrow morning,” Tezuka sighed. “I will take full responsibility and apologise to your parents.”

Hearing what Tezuka said I felt I blushed even more as I wrapped my arms around my legs. If this news ever get out no one will believe that there is nothing between us. Most of all, what would Atobe think of me?

Wait! Why would I care what Atobe think about me?! He always has girls around in his room late at night anyway! Just like that night when I called!! However immediately another thought entered my mind. Just like how everyone will misunderstand me and Tezuka, could I have also misunderstood Atobe?

While I was in my lost mind, I sensed warmth came upon me. Looking up in surprise I found Tezuka had placed his jacket on me.

“It will get even colder at night time.”

“But Tezuka-san will be cold too right?” I said quickly as I took the jacket off.

“I will be fine.” As usual Tezuka replied calmly. Feeling my heart warming up with Tezuka’s action I suddenly really appreciated that at least I am not alone.

***

Atobe’s Point of View

“Arn~?” Coming out of the shower I heard my phone ringing. Taking a look at my watch it is about 11:45 pm. Who calls at this time of the day? I doubt it to be since she had not called me for over a week already.

In irritation I picked up the phone and saw the caller ID displaying Kabaji Munehiro. “Arn? Kabaji, why are you calling me at this hour?”

“Atobe-san,” Kabaji’s deep slow voice came through. “My sis has not come home…yet.”

“Arn?” Immediately my eyes opened wide with Kabaji’s news. “What do you mean is not home yet?”

“She had left with Tezuka-san this morning for hiking. But now it’s late…I am worried.” With Kabaji’s slow lazy tone I felt my patience worn out until he finally reached the end of the sentence.

“Tezuka?” I frowned immediately with the name. had gone out with Tezuka this morning and now it is nearly midnight they still have not returned? Looking out the window I could see the pouring rain and the ghastly wind making the leaves rattle like crazy. Immediately my heart started beating faster with a bad feeling.

“You are saying they went hiking in this weather?” I asked Kabaji again.

“It was fine this morning until this afternoon…sis said she would be back by eight tonight…” Kabaji tried the best to explain the situation.

“Eight?! It is already midnight!” I heard myself called in anger.  

“Usu.”

I collapsed into my chair feeling as if every cell inside me was going to jump out with anxiety. What hit me was not the fact was with Tezuka, it was the fact that she had gone hiking in this weather and from the sound of it she had not returned safely.

“Oi, Kabaji. I will get back to you.”

“Usu.”

After getting off the phone with Kabaji I quickly dialled ’s phone and as expected it went straight to the recorded message saying is not reachable. I held onto my head as I heard the same message over and over again after several attempts.

Taking a few breaths to calm myself I told myself to think. I have been educated to be the heir of Atobe-Group, and it means to stay clear and calm to all disasters. Only if I could think clear will I be able to come up with a solution.

Finally picking up my phone again I dialled another number. “Good evening, sorry to have called you at this hour.”

“It is not a problem Atobe-sama. How could we be of assistance?”

“I require a search and rescue team immediately. I don’t care how much it costs just get it ready.” I commanded now as the next heir of the Atobe-Group.

“Yes, Atobe-sama. May I ask who would you like to lead this operation?”

“I will be leading it.”

“But Atobe-sama, it is late now and it is not necessary for you to make such appearance…”

“I am going to be leading the operation. Have the car ready to come pick me up in ten minutes.” Not budging I ordered. How could I possibly sit here and wait for the news while is out there in danger?

“Yes, Atobe-sama. It shall be done.”

After getting off the phone I sank back into the chair as I held onto my head. A bitter mocking smile came onto my face as I whispered. “How much more are you going to torture me, …?”

***

I frowned as I crossed my arms with the scene before me. We have been out here for an entire night now and still we could not find and Tezuka. From Tezuka’s parents I was informed that Tezuka had not returned home either.

“Atobe-sama.” One of the rescue team approached me. “We have report that there were traces of footsteps in the hut about 10 kilometres from here.”

“The hut?”

“Yes, but the people who were there have left already. We are still trying to follow the trace to see if we could find them.”

While we were talking my eyes fixed on a moving figure coming down the hill. I felt a huge thump against my heart when I recognised it to be Tezuka.

“Tezuka!” I ran up to him immediately however I stopped when I saw lying on Tezuka’s back. I felt as if blood rushed to me feet when I found her eyes closed and her face pale.

“Atobe?” Not expecting to see me Tezuka called in surprise.

“What did you do to ?!” I grabbed onto Tezuka’s collar in anger.

“Tezuka-san…?” Before Tezuka answered I heard called softly as she opened her eyes.

“ …” Slowly letting go of Tezuka I felt as if I was finally relieved when I saw her opened her eyes.

It took a while for to figure out what happened when she finally looked to me. “Atobe…san?”

“You…” I did not know what to say as I continued to look at her. I wanted to tell her how happy and relieved I am right now but instead I found myself said. “You really have the guts to spend a night out with another man, arn~?!”

Immediately upon what I said blushed and justified. “It’s not like that! I fell and hurt my ankle so Tezuka-san had to carry me all the way down! Did you know how much hardship we went through?!”

“Atobe,” Tezuka interrupted seeing the look on my face. “I apologise for the problem caused. Thank you for sending a rescue party to look for us. It is because of the sound of your rescue team I could find my way down here.”

“Tezuka,” I smiled scornfully as I closed my eyes. “If it is not because you guys had a rough night, I would kill you right now.”

After the meds team helped off Tezuka’s back and took her away for further care, Tezuka’s eyes looked straight at me as he said. “Atobe, -san is a special girl.”

“Arn~?” I frowned immediately when I noticed Tezuka had addressed from Kabaji-san to -san.

“If you love her you should let her know.” To my surprise Tezuka stated.

“It is none of your business!” I glared back at Tezuka.

“Maybe,” However not backing away from my look Tezuka replied in determination, “In that case I will take her away from you.”

“Ho…” My eyebrow lifted with the challenge from Tezuka. With my arms crossed I replied with a proud smile. “No one can take her from me. Even you, Tezuka.” 

Note from Kaho:

Hiking in bad weather is dangerous people! Speaking from personal experience when I went hiking in New Zealand, it was a 6 hour walk as well, and half way through the weather changed. I mean it! In the mountains the weather could change just like that! And it was pouring bad and in panic I got lost and I was so cold and thought I was going to die… so Tezuka made the right decision to not roam around in the dark because you will be surprised how easy it is to get lost in the forest!