Cocktail

The sweet scent that showered my dry throat,
I want to run away from those painful and melancholy things.

Oshitari Yuushi turned his head, catching a glimpse of . The girl looked drowsy, like she was going to fall asleep anytime.

He was worried.

He wondered if she had been studying too hard, or if she was up late. These were quite impossible though.

The he knew, was hardworking and diligent, she didn’t need to burn midnight oil. She was clever, to begin with.

Oshitari couldn’t think of any valid reason for her to be so inattentive in class, and decided that he would talk to her after the lesson.
 

+++

“Oie, ,” He called out before the girl could reach the door.

“Yes?” the girl answered, turning her head to face Oshitari.

Boy, she looked really weak. What exactly happened to her? This was completely senseless.

“Are you okay? Sick perhaps? I could accompany you to the sickbay, you know.” The boy offered.

“And if you’re feeling unwell, don’t go for the cocktail party tonight. I don’t mind.” Oshitari continued, good-naturedly.

just gave a faint smile; though she didn’t even felt like smiling. “I’m okay, and I’m going later. I didn’t forget that you’re my date, Yuushi.” With that, she left, leaving Oshitari more worried than he was.

Somehow, ’s heart felt a little lighter, knowing that her best friend cared. She felt that, perhaps she could smile a little more truthfully, like she did before.

+++

Evening
Hyoutei Gakuen’s Grand Hall

A party for the students was held at the exquisite Grand Hall (because Atobe had requested for it); it was spacious and now, nicely decorated with steamers and balloons for the occasion. Luxurious dinners with classical figures and exotic birds in a fairy forest donned the tables.

Oshitari and were seated on a table with the other tennis club members and their dates.

“You look stunning, .” Oshitari commented, with a smile, while the others nodded in unison. (Yes, even Kabaji.)

“But -senpai, you look so drained! Are you okay?” Ohtori asked, full of concern.

“Heh?” said in response, “I’m fine, Ohtori-kun. Don’t worry.”

Was it that obvious?
Even Ohtori, whom she barely spoke to, noticed her pale face.

“Are you really okay?” Oshitari asked for the sixteenth time.

“I am, Yuushi. I am.” said, embarrassed. She was making her best friend really anxious, wasn’t she? She felt really bad about it and left for the restroom, excusing herself.

Oshitari wasn’t very convinced.

+++

After about forty-five minutes, still wasn’t back, and Oshitari was really bothered now.

“Why don’t you just go and look for her, Yuushi? You’ve been looking at your watch since she left.” Mukahi said.

“And you haven’t touched your food since then.” Shishido added.

How helpful of his teammates to comment on his silliness; but he couldn’t deny that he was very concerned when it came to .

It was a bond that they had had since the first time they met many years ago. The pair’s parents were rather close friends and business partners, and since ’s parents were always busy with their overseas business, she was always left at his house when they were younger.

After much taunting, anxiety filled Oshitari’s mind, and he finally left for the restroom.

+++

It didn’t take him too long to find a fallen on the floors near the restroom.

Oshitari panicked, shaking the girl as hard as he could.

After what seemed an eternity to Oshitari, the girl cracked an eye, and gazed at the person beside her.

“It’s Yuushi…” the girl said tiredly, as she tried to stand up. She felt an acute pain around her head, and had difficulty moving.

With one thump, she fell into Oshitari’s arms.

“Oie!” Oshitari called out, shaking the other’s shoulders violently again.

“Relax… Yuushi… Let me rest a little while…” the girl said, leaning against Oshitari’s firm build.

Oshitari could not contain that anxiety anymore, he pulled her away, hands still on her shoulders.

“Tell me…”

Oshitari’s voice was so soothing… so trusting…

felt her eyelids closing in on her. She closed them and remembered…

“Cocktails are nice, you know, Yuushi…”

“What? You’ve been drinking cocktails? But you’re underage! You can’t have those! No wonder you’re so tired… You’ve got hangovers! You better stop that… it’s bad for health…”

just gave a fake smile. “No one cares anyway. No one knows anyway… Otou-sama and Okaa-sama are always busy… They’ll never know…”

“They don’t care… No one does…”

With that, two streams of tears flowed from her eyes.

Oshitari saw, and pulled her closer. She sobbed and sobbed and sobbed, burying her face into the boy’s warm chest.

Gently, he kissed the top of her forehead.

“Who said no one cares? Don’t you have me…?”

stopped momentarily, and looked up at the other.

Oshitari revealed a affectionate smile.

Softening his gaze, the boy cupped her face, “I’m always here if you ever need me… okay…?”

With a finger, he wiped the tear stains away. smiled, a true one, this time.

She had made a silly mistake of not realizing that Oshitari was always right by her side, all along… ever since they were kids, and when they entered elementary school, then middle school and finally high school… The moments they had shared, how could she have forgotten?

“Well, then I guess I won’t drink cocktails anymore!” braced herself and grinned. She felt alive again, as though a burst of energy has been pumped into her veins.

“Of course not,” Oshitari said, tapping the girl’s nose.

“But it’s really good! Yuushi should try it!”

“No.”

“Mou…!”

The couple chatted happily, hand in hand, as they returned to the Grand Hall.

I don't need nights where I must drown in sweet cocktails.
From now onwards, you’re all that I need.

//Summer. 8th Feb ’05.