Love, Come Home Please

Chapter 5: Confrontation

The following days everything seemed normal between Kaita, Izuki and Kagami but every so often Kaita would glance at Kagami in class then snap back to the lesson being presented. Even during lunch when Riko invited Kaita to join her and the others on the basketball team Kaita would glance at Izuki, remembering the look he had given her when she left to meet with Kagami for dinner.

"Kaita... Earth to Kaita, are you in there?"

Kaita blinked and found that she was staring at nothing; Izuki had left with the other boys to go to the gym. She then looked over at Riko and smiled half- heartedly.

"Sorry about that Riko. I've just had a lot of things on my mind, that's all. Now what were we talking about?" Riko let out a sigh then put a hand on Kaita's shoulder. "Tell me about it, I may be able to help you."

Kaita hesitated but then began speaking softly. "Well it has to do with Izuki. I just don't know what to do. A couple of days ago Kagami invited me out to eat and I hadn't told Izuki that I was going to meet Kagami. Before I left to meet with Kagami, Izuki gave me this look like he didn't want me to go; it was almost the same look I saw when I walked through the gate at the airport when I left for America. Recently it feels as if he's been avoiding me and when he's around Kagami and I come along he makes excuses to leave. I just don't get what's going on with him."

Riko looked as if she was in deep thought, then looked at Kaita. "You know what you could do to find out the truth, why don't you stick close by to the team? Like why don't you become the teams manager, I could use the help too."

Kaita contemplated the thought then nodded in agreement, "I wouldn't mind being the manager and if it means learning more about what's going on between Izuki and me then that would be good."

"But there is one thing that's bugging me Kaita. Which one has been more influential here?" Riko pointed at Kaita's heart, making Kaita looking at Riko puzzled. "What I'm asking is who do you have strong feelings for, Izuki or Kagami?" Kaita sat there speechless and blushing, she didn't know since her heart felt as if it would tear in two if she answered now.

At the next practice Riko introduced Kaita to the team as the manager, everyone welcomed her even Izuki but Kaita could see that he had somewhat of a forced smile. Riko told Kaita the names of all the players so that Kaita could get used to recognizing them by name and not by the number on their jerseys.

After another few days had passed Riko had announced that the team would be going to a training camp during the two week break they had coming up. "You all better be ready to train hard. What I have planned will not be easy to accomplish." The team responded with a mighty yell to signify that they will not take the training lightly.

The rest of the week dragged on and Kaita quickly got used to being the manager for the Seirin basketball team. Kagami would always be the one to talk to her whenever Riko told them to take a short break. Practice was over and Hyuga looked over at Izuki who seemed as if he was on his way to Kaita but stopped short when he saw Kagami close by. He snickered then called out to Izuki, "You look as if you're in battle but are getting beat to the victory point."

Hyuga's voiced had reached everyone even Kaita and Kagami. Izuki turned towards Hyuga, "What are you talking about? Do I look like I'm roaming around a battlefield? I'm just stretching my legs."

Hyuga then turned his attention to Kaita, "Riko told me that you had some physical trainer training. Why don't you take a look at Izuki's legs to make sure he's alright?" Kaita instantly blushed. Izuki then blurted out, "I'm fine, let Kaita and Kagami talk. You're making a fuss over nothing Hyuga."

Kagami then intervened, "What does this have to do with me talking with Kaita?" Izuki looked taken aback and turned his back on everyone, "Never mind, I'm going to go home since practice is done for today."

"Wait for me then Izuki, I'll walk with you." With his back still turned Izuki shouted, "I'm fine on my own, wouldn't it be better to have Kagami walk you back home since you to seem so close." The air in the gym seemed to darken and tension grew. The rest of the team seemed to have left quietly as if they didn't want to be a part of the argument that ensued. Hyuga and Riko stood there watching.

"What are you talking about Izuki? Kagami and I are just friends..."

"Would friends meet up with each other so late at night and go out to dinner?" Kagami stepped closer to Izuki. "What are you trying to say Izuki- senpai?" Izuki then turned back around and faced Kagami, "Why is it that since the both of you came back to Japan, you stay by each other's side? Why is it always you who Kaita goes to find during lunch?"

Kaita stood there rooted to floor. Izuki and Kagami argued over and over Kaita's actions and then Izuki blurted out, "I should be the one that Kaita looks for not you. I knew her before you did and was there for her before you. Plus I've liked her longer than you have. I've even waited for her to respond to me about my confession before she left for America."

"But I'm the one that was there for her when she moved to America. Whenever she talked about Japan all I heard from her was about her elementary school friends and the memories she had of them. And you know what; she always had a pained expression when she talked about those memories. I wonder why that is, Izuki- senpai? Could it be because you troubled her with a confession that she couldn't respond to and didn't want to hurt you by telling you how she felt?" Kagami and Izuki grew closer, both steaming mad as if ready to start a fist fight with each other.

Kaita had had enough of the heated banter and threw two close by basketballs at the arguing boys, "Enough both of you. I've had enough off this ridiculous fight, just forget it." Tears seemed to appear at the edge of Kaita's eyes. She gathered her stuff and ran off, leaving the two boys to look after her retreating figure.

Izuki and Kagami moved at the same time to go after Kaita but Riko shouted at them. "Leave her be. You both are such idiots. Why couldn't you let things go Izuki, you know things would have worked out eventually. Kaita would have come out and told you both everything, but now I think it may take longer than that." Riko hit both boys over the head, "I would suggest you keep your distance for a while until things cool off. Kaita will be the first one to talk so you might as well wait until the training camp. Also," Riko turned towards Hyuga who flinched in fear, "this is also your fault for starting this. Don't think you were helping in any way by starting this whole thing."

Izuki looked out the gym door in the direction Kaita had fled to, he gathered his things and before he left Riko called out to him. "Izuki don't check on her. Otherwise you may be pushed away and you don't want that now do you lover boy."

Izuki sighed and nodded in agreement, Kagami took what Riko just said to Izuki into consideration as well and decided not to go and check on Kaita later that night.

Kaita had run all the way home. She quickly closed all the blinds and went upstairs to her room. Tears and brimmed over and stained her cheeks, "Why... I thought it would be a while from now when I had to face this situation. It's come sooner than I expected and my heart can't take it."

Kaita curled up under her covers and cried herself to sleep; the only thought on her mind was how Izuki had acted when she tried to go with him. "Izuki...tell me again please. I want to make certain of all this..." Kaita then drifted off to sleep in a sadden state of despair.