Only Obsession - Prince of Tennis - Series [Chapter 08]

Why did my heart have to waver? It’s impossible. I would never waver. Izumu, you made a resolution, remember? Atobe Keigo is out of your life now. You didn’t want him to come back and now he never will. 

“Izumu-chan?” My head whipped around to face Yuushi who was walking a little bit behind me. 

“Yes?” 

He merely smiled at me and picked up his pace. I can tell he knows how I am feeling. He’s that kind of guy. I am grateful he did not broach that subject with me though. Instead, he left me to my own thoughts. 

I felt bad that I left Mukahi-kun’s party without telling him, and brought Yuushi along with me. Even if Mukahi-kun doesn’t notice me gone, he will definitely look for Yuushi sooner or later. Great, now I feel really guilty. Maybe we should get back to the party. But the thought of having to face Keigo-kun is just… stifling. No, Mukahi-kun doesn’t deserve this. He needs Yuushi there at his party and I can’t be selfish and monopolize him all to myself. 

“Yuushi…” I said and turned to him. 

“No, we are not going back,” he said. “You are in no state for it. Gakuto will understand. He’s a pretty understanding guy despite how he acts and looks most of the time.” 

“But…” 

“It’s okay, there are more important things to care about right now,” he stopped walking, so I did too and then he turned to look at me. I tried to hold his gaze, but I faltered as I remembered the accident in the storage room. 

It didn’t take long for him to bring me home. Without even realizing, we were already in front of my house gates. 

“Yuushi…?” 

“Hm?” 

“Thank you,” I told him. He just nodded without saying a word and left. I watched his retreating back until he was out of sight before walking into the house. Ignoring the cries of worries from the maids and butlers, I instantly made my way into my room, locking the door behind me and opening my closet. I picked up Keigo-kun’s blazer and umbrella. I’ve decided what to do with them. Stuffing them into a paper bag, I asked the maids where Izumi’s new room was and placed the paper bag on her bed. She’ll know what to do with them. Keigo-kun’s name was clearly sewn into the blazer in gold thread. 

Back at my room, I dug out an old and dusty box and went over to my bed and sat on it, spilling the contents of the box on the bed. I stared at them and remembered what I told Yuushi that night in his room. That I still miss him but I didn’t want history to repeat itself. Maybe what I told Yuushi back then was something that I truly realized only now. 

I picked up the album on the bed and flipped it open. Those were the good times when the four of us were still friends. When we still too young to understand what pain and hate are. Pages after pages are filled with memory I treasured and wished would come back. Of course that is an empty wish, but still… 

I can feel tears flowing down my cheeks and I hastily wipe them away and discarded the album somewhere on the bed. There are lots of things here that concerns Keigo-kun. The torn up piece of paper I drew as a child. The letters we used to exchange even though we live next to each other. The uncategorized musty old photos that I never find time to put into the album. 

I stuffed everything back into the box and walked to the backyard. It didn’t matter if the tears are already flowing uncontrollably. I have to put an end to this. I don’t want to be tied to the past and be hurt anymore. Locating the incinerator wasn’t hard. Having to throw the box into it was hard. The heat of the flames licks against my face and I can feel my tears drying. 

This is it. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I dumped everything into the waiting fire and ran, not even looking back to see if the flames successfully engulf the box and turn my memories into nothing more than charred remains. 

====

“I can’t believe it’s raining again,” Izumi sighed as she wiped the raindrops off her face with the sleeve of her school blazer. Keigo quickly shut the car door behind him and leaned back against the leather seat, not saying a word even when Izumi complain non-stop about the continuous rain. 

“I thought moving here would mean that I am finally able to escape the rain in England, but even here…” Izumi stopped when she realized Keigo wasn’t paying attention anymore and only watched the raindrops fell against the window and roll away with a blank look. 

“Keigo-kun… Are you okay?” 

Keigo blinked at her and nodded before going back to staring what is outside the window. Izumi sighed again and wrapped her hand around Keigo’s, trying to let him know that she is there. Keigo only held on tighter, not saying a word. 

====

Keigo never felt so lonely before. Well, he had once when he knew that Izumu had left him without telling him all those years ago. But that was it. He didn’t know why he felt like a teenage girl with unbalanced hormones right now. He needed to calm down. The great Atobe Keigo never panics or gets flustered by anything. 

That thought helped him cool his head as he paced around his bedroom. There was no reason for him to be overly worried about Izumu and Yuushi. It’s true that he now knew that Yuushi had feelings for Izumu, but for years, Yuushi never acted on them. There was no reason why he should start now. 

And Keigo was pretty confident that Izumu didn’t feel the same way towards Yuushi. Even though she said she hated him, Keigo still refused to fully believe in that. He knew that in the end, Izumu will end up being his again. 

He was also pretty confident of that. 

====

I can feel the awkwardness in the air as Izumi cut her own piece of steak from her plate across from me. Daddy looked happy beside me as he downed his own glass of wine. But no one had said a thing. I poked at a broccoli and played with it. 

“How was your day?” Daddy asked Izumi after he finished wiping his mouth with a napkin. 

“Splendid,” Izumi said and Daddy nodded at her encouragingly. “I love it here in Tokyo. And I get to see Keigo-kun again.” 

“At least someone’s happy about seeing him again,” I muttered under my breath. 

“What was that, Izumu?” Izumi asked me and I quickly shook my head. 

“I said I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” I lied and went back to poking a carrot. 

“Don’t play with your food,” Daddy reprimanded me and I shove the carrot into my mouth. 

“I am done. Thank you for the meal,” I said and pushed myself off the chair and walked away despite Daddy’s calls. I locked myself in my room with a book and ignored the maids who greeted me. A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door. 

“Go away,” I said. 

“Izumu, it’s me.” 

“Onee-san?” I asked and went to open the door for her. “What do you want?” 

“May I come in?” 

“If you’re going to talk about Keigo-kun, you can leave now,” I said, not batting an eyelid. 

“It’s not about him,” she said and pushed past me and into the room much to my annoyance. 

“Nee, when are you going to call him ‘Kei-chan’ again?” Izumi said and sat on my bed. 

“Unless you didn’t notice he didn’t like being called that,” I replied and closed the door, settling on sitting on the chair away from her. 

“Hmm…” 

“I thought you said we’re not talking about him?” 

“Ah, that’s right!” 

“So…?” 

Izumi bit her bottom lip and actually looked nervous as she approached me and grab my shoulders. I raised an eyebrow carefully at her. 

“I wanted to ask about… Shishido-kun.” 

I can feel my eyes going wide in surprise. Did Izumi just said what she just said? 

“I heard that since you sat in front of him in class that you must be close to him and all that. Do you think you can help me?” 

“Help you with what..?” I asked. It was pretty obvious, but I still wanted to make sure that this is actually happening and not some stupid illusion. 

A small blush spreads throughout Izumi’s face. “You know with what,” she said. 

I frowned and thought back to what Shishido had said earlier about how Izumi and Jirou seemed to be on close terms with one another. What is with this sudden plot twist? 

I decided to ask her anyway, “Neesan… What do you think of Jirou-kun?” 

“Well… He is nice,” she said briefly, “But our current topic is Shishido-kun, isn’t it?” 

“Right…” 

“Can you give me his phone number?” 

“Can I ask him about it first?” 

She frowned and stared at me. I knew I had no other choice. I took out my phone and gave her my contacts list. 

<<<Previous Chapter
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Amusement Parks - Prince of Tennis - Oneshot

“Kaito-sama, what are you doing?” the house nurse cried out in surprise when Kaito made a move to get out of bed.

“I feel perfectly fine,” he said and continued to stand up stubbornly. His left leg almost gave in when he stood up, but he caught himself in time.

“Where are you going? Kaito-sama, your leg is not fine enough to move around,” the nurse said and Kaito tried to block out her complaints as he went to dress himself.

“I have an important date today, and nothing will stop me,” he said, irritated at the nurse. The nurse saw his serious expression and instantly shuts up.

====

“Masako, there’s a phone call for you,” Kuririn called from the living room with a smile. Masako curiously came out from her room and reached for the phone, purposefully ignoring Masataka who was grumpily switching the movie channels in front of the TV, grounded after last night’s events.

“Hello, Masako speaking,” she said slowly.

“Masako-chan.”

“Kaito-niisan!” she quickly said, recognizing the voice. A wide smile grew in her face. “Are you feeling better?” she asked and glared at Masataka who ignored it.

“I am fine now; the doctor said I am all healed.”

“Did he? I am so glad to hear it.”

“Whatever he said, I am not glad to hear it,” Masataka yelled out loud. Masako scowled and carry the phone away from the living room and into the kitchen where her mother was making lunch. She sat on a dining chair and switched the phone to her right hand.

“So I was thinking that I will still bring you to the amusement park today,” he said.

Masako could not believe her ears.

“R-really?”

“Of course. An Atobe never breaks a promise.”

====

“Have fun and stay safe,” Kuririn said fifteen minutes later.

“We will, Kuririn-baasan,” Kaito said and held out a hand for a blushing Masako. He held the door of the limo open for her and got in after her.

“Ah, such a gentleman,” Kuririn sighed.

“I wouldn’t trust him so easily, Mama,” Masataka said with a scowl.

====

“Kaito-niisan! I want to ride that, that, that, that, and that,” Masako said, excitedly pointing at everything in view.

“We will try anything you want,” he said. He was aware that eyes were looking at them. It was after all, a rare sight to see a couple of kids being surrounded by black-suited, weapon-bearing, bodyguards in real life. Such things are only seen in movies.

Kaito wasn’t sure is Masako feels comfortable with everyone staring at them like that, but she looked like she doesn’t really care, so he was relieved.

“What are we waiting for, let’s go then!” she pulled at his hand and made him try all the rides.

====

After the nth ride that day, Kaito can feel his legs shaking and pain resumed shooting down his left leg, but he gritted his teeth when Masako went to stand beside him. He did not want to burst her bubble just because of some pain.

“Niisan, do you want to rest now? I am hungry,” she said and he nodded. They walked along the street trying to look for the bodyguards’ waiting place and a nearby restaurant when Kaito suddenly feel what felt like an electric jolt running down his left leg.

He stumbled and Masako quickly held him up before he can hit the ground.

“Niisan? What’s wrong?” she asked and he shook his head, steadying himself on both legs again. Masako caught the growing red stain in his pants though and quickly brought him over to sit at a bench.

“Niisan, your leg is bleeding,” she said worriedly and rolled up his pants to his knees. The bandage that was keeping the injury in place was dyed red with his blood. “You weren’t okay! Why did you lie? Niisan, you’re still hurt!”

“I am sorry. I just didn’t want to… disappoint you…” he said as he struggled not to just scream in pain.

Masako’s eyes began to water.

“Kaito-niisan, don’t be stupid… Th-this is all… my fault,” she sobbed. “I am so so-sorry…”

Kaito gave a wary smile and pulled Masako to sit at the bench next to him.

“It’s not your fault, Masako-chan,” he reassured her as he pats the top of her head.

“B-but…”

“I just wanted to make you happy,” he said, his skin even paler than before and cold sweat running down his forehead. Masako needed to quickly find help, but her fear numbed her senses as she saw him slipping deeper and deeper into unconsciousness.

Everything slowed down around her. She could hardly feel it when the bodyguards rushed over and pushed her out of the way, carrying their young master and calling for an ambulance.

====

An hour later, Niou rushed into the hospital’s waiting room to see his daughter curled up in the corner, crying.

“Masako…?”

“Papa!” Masako wailed and threw herself to her father’s waiting arms. “Papa! I am so stupid! I did not realize it when Kaito-niisan was in so much pain…”

“Shh,” Niou said. “It’s not your fault.”

“But it is,” she insisted and sniffled.

“Did you know what the doctor said about his condition?”

Masako shook her head. “I am too scared to go see Kaito-niisan. What if he hates me?”

“He doesn’t. And he won’t,” Niou said. “Now go see him. Papa will be out here waiting for you.”

Masako nodded and walk into the hospital room where Kaito was resting in. It was a private, high-class room, so they don’t have to worry about being disturbed.

“Masako-chan,” Kaito said and smiled when he saw her.

“Kaito-niisan, I am so sorry…”

“It’s not your fault, Masako-chan. Please don’t blame yourself.”

“But because of me…”

“It’s not because of you,” he quickly said, “I promise and…”

“An Atobe never breaks a promise,” she mumbled.

“That’s right, do you believe me now? Just seeing your smiling face is worth ten times worse the pain.”

Masako took a deep breath and smiled.

“Just like that.”

Birthday Parties - Prince of Tennis - Oneshot

Masataka’s ten-year-old head was whirling. It was Atobe Kaito’s ninth birthday and he was throwing a grand party in the Atobe Mansion and so far, Evil Monkey Jr. had managed to put another spell on his sister. He had tried to consult Sanada Satoshi with it, but was only waved off, so now Masataka was left to do things by himself. Unless…

“Takuya-niisan! Daiichi-niisan!”

The Zaizen twins, who were busy trying to catch the attention of the Sanada twins, glanced over at Masataka.

“Ah! Masataka, it’s you,” the twins said in unison.

“Niisan-tachii! Please help me?” he asked and the twins tilted their heads.

“With what?” Takuya asked.

“I need to lift the curse Kaito placed on my sister,” he said and the twins rolled their eyes. Not this again. Masataka have been saying the same thing for the past four years and last year, it ended up with half the ballroom being eaten up by flames and Kaito’s hair turning green.

Which is not a very good plan.

Not because of the fire.

But because Masako likes green.

This year though, Masataka will be sure not to make the same stupid mistake. This year, he had thought up of a very good plan and even consulted his father with it who enthusiastically helped him with it.

“If your mother knew what you were up to…” Daiichi said with a sigh.

“She won’t! Look, if you help me, I am pretty sure Umi’s curse would also be lifted!”

Takuya was bought. He looked expectantly at his brother.

“I am so going to regret this,” Daiichi said.

 ====

“Ready? Over.” Masataka said into his plastic toy walkie talkie. He saw the twins nod from across the room from behind a huge pole. “Use the walkie talkie! This is a top secret mission! Over.”

“Yes we are ready,” they dutifully said into their own walkie talkie. There was a silence as Masataka waited.

“Over.” Takuya said, annoyed, to the walkie talkie. Masataka grinned and he gave the rope he was holding in place a huge pull before letting it go. The rope was connected to three pails that was strategically sitting on top of the barrier on the second floor balcony and when Masataka let go, it tilted over and the contents of the pail came flying downwards. As the paper balls that were previously in the pail came flying downwards to the floor, the gun powder in them went off and creates bright sparks and loud bangs all over the room.  Guards ran into the room, raising weapons and guests were screaming in the panic and confusion. Masataka gave the twin quick thumbs up and ran into the crowd.

“This is our chance. Over.” He said quickly to the twins. The twins ran out of the ballroom and into courtyard and Masataka quickly grabbed a huge chunk of steak from the buffet table and locked on his target, Atobe Kaito, being surrounded by guards.

But that wasn’t a problem for Masataka. He went under the buffet table and took out his Nerf rifle that he got for his birthday from the crook of the table and loaded the meat inside. He took careful aim into the sky and calculated the arc perfectly before shooting. The mirrors in the ceiling let him know that he had hit where he wanted it to hit.

He can see Kaito’s arms flailing at the surprise of having meat dropping out of the sky and landing on his head, the juices dripping down his head and into the suit he was wearing. Masataka did a quick fist pump and hid the rifle back where it was previously hidden and watched as the commotion around him went on. Kaito had successfully knocked down a guard with his arms and punched another one.

Right at that moment, two guard dogs came running inside the ballroom from the open doors of the courtyard. Looks like the Zaizen twins successfully did their duty. Masataka only grinned when the guard dogs ran towards Kaito at full speed, lured by the smell of juicy meat, knocking over the guards in their way and doubled over in laughter when Kaito gave a high-pitched scream when he was bitten.

====

“Oniichan, baka!” Masako screamed and slapped Masataka across the face.

“What was that for?” Masataka yelled and rubbed his left cheek where Masako had slapped him.

“What if Kaito-niisan was permanently scarred from the dog bites! Why don’t you ever think?”

“I thought over it a lot, okay!? That’s why I was able to come up with such a brilliant plan!”

“Baka! Baka! Baka!”

“Enough, you two,” Kuririn said and sighed deeply. She really doesn’t know how to explain all this to Keigo. She stared at the mess around her, the Zaizen twins getting their own share of tongue-lashing from their mother.

Daiichi glanced over at Masataka and mouthed, “I knew I was gonna regret it.”

Masataka only shrugged at him. He was pretty happy when he heard that Kaito had to stay in bed for a couple of days because one of the dogs bit his leg so hard he could hardly move it, but Masako had not had the same sentiments.

“And Kaito-niisan even said he will bring me to the amusement park tomorrow,” she grumbled under her breath and glared at her older brother who only acted innocently.

“I am so sorry,” Kuririn apologized over and over again, coming up with blank explanations. She won’t be surprised if they did not receive an invitation next year. Masako was really scared of that.

“Masako, don’t be too unhappy, okay? Niichan will bring you to the amusement park tomorrow,” Masataka tried to cheer her sister up, but Masako only walked away and pulled their father out of the Mansion and into the waiting car. Masataka sighed. He had not wanted to make Masako angry.

“You are so dead when we get home, Niou Masataka,” Kuririn said and walked over to the car. Masataka thought of running away while he can, but he did not want to make matters worse. Grudgingly, he walked back to the car.

====

“Grounded. For one whole month. No supper after ten and bedtime is before nine, clear?” Kuririn asked.

“Kuririn, don’t get too angry with him, he’s at that age where he has tendencies,” Niou said.

“I haven’t even started with you, Masaharu! I told you we shouldn’t have gotten him that Nerf rifle! And you so obviously helped him cook up this plan!”

Niou looked at his son, “You’re alone on this one, buddy,” he mouthed and picked up Masako, trying to dodge his own share of tongue lashing. “I will put Masako to bed, good night Kuririn,” he said and kissed her quickly and fled.

==== 

“Kuririn, chill. When I was Taka’s age, I ran away from home, rode bicycles on ledges and I still grew up fine,” Niou said as he hugged Kuririn that night, on their bed.

“Fine,” she scoffed. “You did not grow up fine!”

“Hey, remember when we were ten, I had asked you to elope with me?”

“And I refused.”

“You did.”

“But you still run away by yourself anyway.”

“Yes I did.”

“And then you came home by the end of the day.”

“Because I know you will miss me when I am gone. I came back for you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“It’s true. I knew you were worried when I was gone.”

“Was not,” she said, defensively.

Niou raised an eyebrow at her.

“Okay, I might have. A bit.”

“And then I asked you to elope with me again ten years later.”

“And I said yes.”

“Yes you did.”

Evil Monkey King - Prince of Tennis - Oneshot

Kuririn was literally fidgeting every few seconds in her seat as Niou drove towards their destination. She was nervous about having to meet Atobe Keigo again after so long. It was only a few days ago that an invitation for his engagement party arrived in the Nious’ doorstep.

When Kuririn saw it, she was happy to see that he finally found someone else, but at the same time, she can’t stop the sinking feeling at the bottom of her stomach. Niou had prevented her from going and they had a fight about it, but in the end, he gave in and the whole family is now going to the Atobe Mansion.

“Do you really think I look okay? Is my make up wearing off?” Kuririn asked nervously at Niou who only grunted in annoyance as a response. “Maybe I should’ve just worn the red heels instead of these silver ones.”

“Mama, where are we going? Why do you sound so worried?” Masataka asked from the backseat, wondering if he should be worrying over something himself.

“Nowhere, Mama is just going to meet the monkey king with a giant mole on his face,” Niou grunted and Kuririn slapped his shoulder.

“It’s not a giant mole! It’s his beauty spot!”

“Mama, is this monkey the one you use to love?” Masataka asked, not feeling too happy about the idea.

“He is not a monkey, Taka. Masaharu, stop teaching the kids weird things!”

“Well, is he?” Masataka pressed on, not wanting to give in.

“Sit back properly, Taka,” Kuririn told her. “Even Masako is sitting nicely.”

Masataka gave up and leaned back in his seat, deciding to look out the window to look for other amusement instead. He hated this monkey already.

====

“Ahn~ Ore-sama has not seen you in a long time, Niou-kun,” Atobe said when he laid eyes on Niou carrying Masako. Kuririn was busy trying to keep Masataka from running around and she eventually settled in picking him up and walking over to where Niou and Atobe were talking before putting her son back down on the floor. Masako waved her legs around and Niou placed her on the floor next to her brother.

“K-Keigo-sama,” Kuririn stuttered and blushed when she saw him, and deliberately averted her gaze.

Atobe’s expressions soften when he saw her. “Ore-sama is glad to see you doing well, Kuririn. You look really pretty tonight.”

Kuririn’s face flushed a brighter red. “Th-Thank you! I-I am glad to see you doing well too, Keigo-sama.”

Atobe then felt the piercing glares of Niou Jr. and decided to pay him some attention.

“So these are your kids, eh, Kuririn?” he said and was about to pat Masako on the head when Masataka quickly hugged his sister protectively and swat his hand away.

“Stay away from Masako, you evil monkey!”

“Taka!” Kuririn was alarmed at Masataka’s reactions while Niou was trying hard not to burst into laughter. Kuririn jabbed at his ribs and he puts on a poker-face and pretended to be angry at Masataka. “I am sorry,” she quickly apologizes to Atobe.

“Well, at least now we know who he takes after,” Atobe said bitterly.

“Go and find Satoshi and the others,” Kuririn said and the children left after Masataka gave Atobe another glare.

“I am really sorry about that!” Kuririn apologizes again and glared at Niou from the side of her eyes as if it was his fault.

====

“Satoshi-niisan! You have to help us!” Masataka cried out when he saw the Sanada kids lounging beside the buffet table with the Zaizen twins.

“Why? What happened?” Satoshi asked when he saw Masataka looking flustered and out of breath.

“The evil monkey king is going to kidnap Mama away with him!” Masataka said and pointed over to Atobe and her parents.

Satoshi gave them a glance. “Hah? What are you talking about?” He scoffed and walked away, but Masataka grabbed hold of him.

“No! You don’t get it! The monkey king was in love with Mama!”

“This is Atobe-san’s ENGAGEMENT party,” Satoshi said pointedly.

“Yes! But you don’t get it! The evil king is going to take Mama away from us! I have to stop this!” he declared.

“They were exes, so…?” Satoshi asked, still not getting Masataka’s point.

“I hate him!”

“Machako likes him,” Masako said and Masataka gasped dramatically. “Machako wants to marry him.”

Masataka grabbed a hold of Masako who was beginning to wander towards Atobe.

“Look! He even cursed Masako!” Masataka said to Satoshi who rolled his eyes and went over to his own siblings.

“Niichan… can Machako go back to Mama?”

“No!” Masataka told her. “Or else the curse of the monkey king will be even worse! You have to stay with me. I will protect you!”

“But Machako wants Mama!” she wailed and began to cry. Masataka was torn about what he has to do. In the end, he begrudgingly walked back to where Atobe was with their parents, guiding Masako by the hand.

“Masako, why are you crying? Did niichan bully you?” Kuririn asked when she saw Masako’s red face. Masako shook her head and bounded over to Atobe, clinging to his leg.

“Machako wants to marry handsome uncle!!” she wailed and Masataka tried to pry her away from his leg.

“Papa! The evil monkey cursed Masako! Do something!!” he wailed, looking at Niou for help. Niou was trying his hardest to keep a poker face lest Kuririn jabbed him again even if he just want to roll around the floor in laughter.

“Masako, let go of the evi--- I mean, Atobe-san,” he said, pulling her away. She reluctantly let go and settled in her father’s arms instead.

“I am sorry about that again, Keigo-sama,” Kuririn profusely apologized.

====

That night, Kuririn was exhausted from all the embarrassment her family had given her in front of Atobe. She came out of the bathroom and instantly crashed on the bed next to Niou. He took her in his arms and she sighed.

“You were so… sooo…. sooo…. embarrassing today. Was it funny to see me feeling so embarrassed?” she scowled.

“Stop talking about Atobe. You are with me now.”

“But---“

“Enough. Just go to sleep,” he said. She pushed away from him and went to sleep as far away from him as possible, turning around and refused to look at him.

“Good night,” Niou said and Kuririn can feel his warm body pressing closer as he draped an arm over her. She shrugged it off and a moment later, their bedroom door opened.

“Mama, Papa, can we sleep here tonight?” Masataka asked and they both climbed up to settle between their parents. Kuririn turned around again to hug Masataka as Masako yawned in Niou’s embrace.

“Sure, you can,” Niou said and Kuririn smiled, kissing Masataka’s forehead, her previous anger towards Niou has long been forgotten.

“Good night.”

Matsuri - Prince of Tennis - Oneshot

“Taka!? Where is Taka!? Where did he disappear off to!?” Kuririn freaked out when she turned around and lost their son amidst the crowd of people. She was holding his hand for one second, while carrying his two-year old sister, Masako, on the other hand and the next moment, he was gone. “Masaharu! We lost our son!”

“Relax, he probably just found something interesting and ran off, he’ll reappear just before the fireworks.”

“How can you be so calm? What if he went missing!? He’s only six! I am going to look for him. Here, hold on to Masako!” she said and shoved Masako into his arms and quickly disappeared into the crowd yelling out Masataka’s name.

“Mommy is such a worry-wart isn’t she?” he said with a sigh to his silver-haired, gray-eyed daughter. Masako only nodded and leaned down to rest on her father’s shoulder. A moment later, Kuririn reappeared, looking flustered.

“On second thought, I will hold on to Masako too,” she said and took her daughter off Niou’s arms, “Lest you teach her something funny.”

“I told you to relax and trust me,” he said, reaching out for Masako, but Kuririn had already turned around and disappeared once more into the crowd. Niou let out a frustrated sigh and went to sit in a nearby bench. Ever since that dream she had where Masataka died and he left her, it just got harder and harder to break the ice around her.

That wasn’t the reason why he never married her. He had long decided to never leave her side no matter what happened. If only she can see that. The reason why he never married her was because he was… scared. Scared that he will not be enough to bring her happiness.

“Oniichan,” Masako said and pointed to the pond. Kuririn quickly looked over to where her daughter pointed and sighed in relief when she saw the messy blue hair of Masataka. He was busy watching people fishing out trout in this cold weather.

“Taka!” she yelled and rushed over. Masataka looked up at his mother.

“Mama, can I fish? Can I? Can I?”

“No! We are almost late for the fireworks! Do you want to watch them or not?”

“Yes, but I want to fish too!”

“You have to choose one or the other.”

“I want both! Let me have both!”

“Taka! Listen to me, okay?”

“I want to fish! I want to fish! And I want fireworks!” he yelled.

“Machako want firework,” her quiet daughter suddenly said and shocked Kuririn. Masako was the opposite of her brother. She rarely says anything, let alone express what she wants. Her declaration made Masataka stop yelling.

“Fine! We will watch the fireworks,” he said and Kuririn sighed in relief. “But only for Masako!”

Kuririn had to drag him back to Niou’s waiting spot because he kept looking everywhere else and begging to stop at places.

“Masaharu! Please hold on to Taka and keep an eye on him,” she said when she finally sees him.

“I thought you didn’t trust me with the kids,” he said.

“What are you talking about, Masaharu? I am already tired; just don’t start something!”

Niou shrugged and lifted Masataka in his arms. “Where did you run off to, you brat?” Niou grinned at his son who laughed in return.

“Mama won’t let me fish,” he said.

“Did she? Papa will bring you fishing next time, but its soooo boring~”

“Papa has fished before?” Masataka asked, looking incredulously at his father.

“Yes~ one of your mother’s senpais’ husbands has a dreadfully boring hobby.”

Masataka laughed and Kuririn calmed down. Niou was especially good at handling their overactive son.

“Mama, can Masako and I watch from over there?” Masataka asked excitedly and points to the top of a tree, holding Masako’s hand.

“Taka, it’s too dangerous. What if you or Masako falls?”

“I will hold on to Masako tightly. I won’t let her fall!”

“But—“

“Let them go Kuririn,” Niou said and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“But…”

“I am sure Masataka is responsible enough to take care of his sister.”

“Yes! Because I am the older brother! I will protect Masako forever!” Masataka declared.

“See?”

“Fine,” Kuririn gave in. “But only if Masako wants to go.”

“Do you want to go?” Masataka asked her and she nodded.

“Be careful,” Niou said and they ran off to climb the tree. Kuririn sat on a nearby bench and Niou sat beside her, gently brushing her hair and pushing her head against his shoulder. She didn’t fight him and only sigh in contentment.

“Tired?”

“How can I not be?”

He kissed the top of her head. “It’s because you worry too much.”

“I don’t!” Kuririn protested and sat upright, feeling a bit offended. She had knocked the bottom of his chin with her head in her haste to sit up, but didn’t even feel sorry about it. Her own head was hurting. Niou gently rubbed the top of her head.

“Does it hurt?”

“You bet it does,” she said. A second later, the fireworks started shooting up at the sky and Kuririn went back to leaning against his shoulder.

“Masaharu…”

“What?”

“Will you stay with me forever? Will you promise to never leave me?” she whispered. Niou had a hard time catching the things she said, but he had heard what he needed. Niou groped the inside of his pocket and took out a plain silver ring.

“I am still in the process of getting rich, so…” he took her left hand and slipped the ring on her finger, “One day; there will be a diamond on it.”

Kuririn looked into his eyes, feeling tearful with joy. “Usually people would ask for someone’s hand in marriage by kneeling down and asking.”

“I don’t ask,” Niou scoffed, “That’s for people with no confidence. I know you want me.”

She rolled her eyes and averted her gaze.

“Yeah, I do.” 

A Little Too Late - Prince of Tennis - Oneshot

Kuririn thought Niou didn’t care how she felt. He should understand that she was in as much pain as he is. In fact, maybe even more than he does. Masataka was both of their son, and for the first half of the pregnancy, she has no one to rely on. If it wasn’t for her good friend, Liliadent Krauzer or the then married husband, Atobe Keigo, she wasn’t sure she would see it through. She wasn’t the one who impregnated him and just went MIA for nine months. She wasn’t the reason he has to leave his happily married life to run away and raise their child away from everyone they had loved and cared for. Except for her few trusted friends; there was no one else who knew where they were.

And it definitely wasn’t her fault that Masataka passed away after a fever that refuses to go down. She finds it unfair that all Niou can do was blaming it on her. She remembers that day Niou came home a little later than usual, and all she could do was cry.

“Masaharu… Taka… is dead…”

Niou’s face paled, and a second later, she found herself being slammed against the wall. She knew that her head bled and that her shoulder dislocated from the impact, but the physical pain was nothing compared to what she was feeling inside. The pain in her heart numbed the pain in her body. Without a word, Niou had left her bleeding and crying on the floor, helpless and weak, and disappeared. The only time he reappeared and the last time she saw him was Masataka’s funeral last week. He had refused to talk to her or acknowledge her pleads no matter how she called out to him.

“Masaharu, what are we going to do now?”

“…”

“Masaharu… Please… Don’t leave me alone in this…”

“…”

“Masaharu…”

Kuririn gave up trying to get through to him. She knew he blamed her for everything, and she felt like she was at fault. Separation meant no problem to them. They were never officially married. Kuririn used to wonder why Niou did not register their marriage despite having a son and even after four years of living together. The reason was crystal clear now. He could disappear from her life anytime he wanted. He won’t have to feel tied down or pressured into anything. There wasn’t any guarantee that he will stay by her side forever and always.

The funeral was a blur to her. Many people came to pay their condolences. Her own family came. It was awkward for her to meet them in such a situation, and she knew they weren’t happy with the things she had done in her life. Kuririn felt like they were gloating over the fact that Masataka is dead; that they were silently telling her that if only she had listened to them she wouldn’t be in this position.

She knew that she doesn’t have a place in that family anymore. That she smeared the Sanada name and was a shame to her family and she wasn’t welcomed home anymore. She had no more place to go. Long after everyone left, and long after the sky darkened and rain fell, she still sat crouched over her son’s grave because that was all she had left in this world.

She has no more home, no more family, no more Niou, and no more friends. There wasn’t a person whom she could rely on. She was all alone, and all that she had disappeared along with Niou.

“Kuririn…” she felt someone wrapping his arms around her and she finally looked up.

“Keigo…”

“Come back with me, you’ll catch a cold.”

“I can’t do this to you. I left you.”

“I don’t care, come back to me.”

Kuririn stayed still. Was it really okay for her to lean into him one more time? After having hurt him like that? Kuririn was never sure why she had left this wonderful man for someone like Niou who has no sense of responsibility.

“Mm…”

She let him carry her away from all her miseries and sadness, hoping she can finally do something right in her life. Hoping that she had made a right choice for once in her life.