Bestfriend | Ran Takahashi

Liar

The Olympics... It's the biggest stage for the top athletes around the world. All that hard work to get to this stage, all that blood, sweat, and tears to represent your country, to make your country proud. All the sacrifices you've made to make your dreams come true...

1 week before the Olympics..

"I can't tonight, you know I have practice" I said on the phone as I pack all my belongings to go to practice.

"Ran.." I sighed, "I miss you, I really do, but I can't miss today's practice, you know that"

I took my bag and went to the door, putting my shoes on. It's the last day of practice before the opening ceremony in a week... Then we're moving to the village tomorrow. "I'll talk to you later, ok? love you," I ended the call and ran out the door, I was going to be late if I don't run for the train.

"Come on, Higurashi, don't tell me you're losing your steam now" captain yelled at me when my spike lost it's strength.

"One hit wonder" someone yelled

I fucking hate that phrase. I'm not a one hit wonder. I jumped again for another spike, the hit on this one was stronger.

"There we go, that's what I want"

I nodded.

Practice was tough, I expected it to be tough since it's the last one before we head to the village tomorrow. I was exhausted, which is good, that means I worked hard.

I was in the locker room when I got a call, it was my younger cousin, Hayate, he was supposed to come down from Hokkaido to support me.

"Hayate-kun," I answered. I noticed a couple of girls looked at me, surprised, I ignored it.

"What do you mean he just left you infront of the stadium? Yes, I'm almost done, I'll see you outside then?" I said on the phone.

Once I got my belongings together, I quickly left, excited to see my cousin who I haven't seen in years. He's planning to move to Tokyo to study fashion next year and he wants me to give him a short tour after the volleyball event of the Olympics. I saw him just outside the gate. He waved at me and was jumping up and down when he saw me. I ran to him and give him a hug.

"It's been so long, Hayate-kun, you're so big!" I exclaimed.

"I'm taller than you now," he said.

Indeed he was taller than me, only by a few inches. The last time I saw him was about 6 years ago when my family and I had a vacation in Hokkaido for a week.

"How was your train ride here?" I asked as we walked to the train station.

"It was long and boring... but you have to tell me how you managed to catch the rising star, Takahashi Ran" he said, linking our arms together.

"Ohh that, remember the bestfriend I told you about back then?"

He nodded.. then he realized..

"He's the bestfriend? The next door neighbor?"

"The one and only"

"Wow, I did not see that coming, since when?"

"May, so not that long ago"

We got on the train and it took about 45mins before we got to our station since he will be staying with Daisuke-nii and I.

"So, you mean this was you?" he asked, showing me a picture of Ran. It was from the zoo trip while we were in line to buy tickets.

"Yup, that's me"

"Holy shit, I have star athlete cousin who's dating a star athlete... have you guys done it?" he asked, very curious.