Thank You

I don’t like to show people my real self.

Maybe I’m just too ashamed of it. I don’t want to show others my weak side.

But he made me discover my other side. He made me think otherwise.

He changed me… for the better.

Sports Day had always been a grand event in Hyoutei Gakuen.

sat by a corner, stretching, getting ready for her next event.

A few of her classmates came by, holding pom-poms, and loudspeakers, “ -chan!"

waved her hands, brushing their comments off. “Hey, don’t stress me like that!” She winked and stuck her tongue out as the girls left, still giggling away.

She sighed. She never had what you called best friends or anything. She was a very shy girl. This shy character made her somewhat boyish, refusing to accept help. She knew of her over reliance on others. She was ashamed of it. And one day, all of the sudden, she just kept everything to herself. Not saying anything. A loner.

+++

There was one guy she admired though. His name was Shishido Ryou.

She had heard of his attempt to return to the tennis regulars, and she admired that determination and perseverance.

If only she could be like that. Perhaps, that would help her overcome that shyness.

+++

clenched her fist. “Gambare yo, .” She said to herself.

The High Jump event started.

The crowd cheered. ’s heart palpitated as her turn came.

She ran with all her might. As she reached the line, she pushed her feet up and leaped as high as she could.

“Thump!” a perfect landing.

She beamed and moved back to rest.

+++

Reaching a corner, she felt an acute pain in her calf. She agonized, but no one heard her. The screaming was too loud for her voice to be audible.

Just then, a boy walked by her…

“Che! Atobe has many fans, hasn’t he?” Shishido Ryou smirked, then looking at .

“I guess you’re one of them?”

He thought the girl looked oddly familiar.

“No…” answered in starts, distracted by the pain.

“That’s strange. I thought all the girls were crazy over him.” Shishido remembered her now. She had appeared in all of their games. So naturally he remembered. That was what he thought though.

He didn’t understand why he only seemed to recall her.

“There’re always exceptions… aren’t there…?” snickered. The pain was still there, but seeing the guy she had a high regard for made her feel better.

Was that all?

+++

It took Shishido quite a while to notice that the girl was hurt.

He gasped at that realization.

And all that time he had been bantering, rather happily, with her.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” The boy exclaimed.

“Well… I… Well… It didn’t hurt very much!” answered.

It was a lie. It was hurting more now. She must have done more practice that she should have.

+++

“I’ll help you.” Shishido knelt down, wanting to help up to the sick bay.

pushed Shishido’s hands away from her and shifted backwards with her hands supporting her. That worsened her condition.

She was still adamant though, “No! I’ll… manage. Somehow…”

“Hn, you’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?” Shishido couldn’t just leave her here all alone. Besides, she was really cute to refuse his help like that. The girls he knew would have made a big fuss out of it and begged for his help. But was different.

“Or are you just… shy?” Shishido grinned, forcibly carrying in his arms.

blushed. “Hey! I said I don’t need your help already!”

Shishido chuckled, “So what’s your name?”

“ …”

“ eh…? It’s a cute name.”

“…”

“Suits a cute girl like you...”

’s face flushed a deeper red and she finally stopped fidgeting.

+++

“I see that you’ve accepted my help.” Shishido gazed down at .

He blushed faintly as he noticed that his hands on ’s bare thighs and thin shirt. He looked away, letting his hand touch ’s head and then pulling the little weight onto his chest.

’s cheeks burnt as she leaned in, without anymore resistance. Shishido’s body temperature felt warm, and she forgot all about the pain.

+++

No words were exchanged between the two, but the silence was not uncomfortable either.

The journey to the sick bay seemed too fast for the both of them.

Shishido let down a little reluctantly and placed her on the bed.

+++

“Oie! Someone’s injured!” Shishido called out. But there was no answer.

“Damn…” Shishido cursed. He knew nothing about first aid.

“Er…” 

Shishido sighed and sat down beside her. “No one’s here... And I don’t think first aid goes well with me.”

“Actually… I’m feeling fine already!” looked up and grinned at Shishido. “Sankyuu na…” she completed the sentence with increased sincerity.

Whoa…

Shishido didn’t expect that. It was beautiful…

He touched her calf softly, “You… sure?”

felt it for a while, “Hai!”

Shishido felt an impulse to do something. He placed a hand on ’s and clasped it tight. “I’m glad…”

+++ 

looked across her feet, embarrassed. She took a small peek at Shishido, and then looked down again.

Shishido placed his other hand on her chin, looking into her eyes. They were really clear. It reflected him.

There was only Shishido in her eyes, had realized.

The two breathed heavily, tempted to move forward…

+++

Shishido pulled in his arms and spoke into her ears, “It’s okay… to be shy sometimes… It’s okay to be weak. There’s nothing wrong with that. Because, no one is perfect…”

smiled. Shishido was right.

She wrapped her arms around Shishido, returning the embrace.

Holding in his arms, Shishido pulled themselves down to lie on the bed.

“Rest,” he said finally, lying down beside . “I’ll be enough to keep you warm…”

The two fell asleep holding each other in their arms. All was peaceful, and there was no disturbance. The water droplets from the tap dripped and dripped…

+++

“ !” Oshitari Yuushi came by the sick bay.

“Heh, they’re there.” Mukahi Gakuto sneered.

“They?”

“ . With Shishido.”

“Seems like she got a better prize.” Oshitari grinned, holding the trophy in his hands.

He walked in and placed it beside the couple.

You changed and helped me with those little words.

Thank you.

//Summer. 15th Nov ’04.