When You Smile - Complete

Chapter Fifteen - The Mutiny

Chapter Fifteen – The Mutiny

Despite her better judgement, Miyako strained to listen in. Her heart was pounding so hard she could not only feel it in her chest, but also drumming away in her ears.

“We’ve been thinking a lot about earlier today about what happened to Kiba and we’ve decided that we should tell you the whole truth while we can.” Rika said.

“While you can?” Oshiro asked.

“When Anne is around…it’s harder to speak completely truthfully about something she doesn’t want to be said.” Rika explained.

Oshiro sighed. “She did it, didn’t she?”

There was silence for a moment until Yori spoke. “Kiba came running towards our group – I have a dog myself, so I can tell that she only wanted to play.”

“But Harris-senpai picked up a stick and….well…I looked away.”

“We all did.” Rika added. “The sound that the dog made still echoes in my head.”

“But she told us not to say a word to anyone!” Teruko added.

“And we just want her to just…leave Tezuka-senpai and Miyako-san alone.” Susumu said softly. “They’ve done nothing…and Harris-senpai treats them in such an unfair way.”

“I can’t help but agree with you.” Oshiro said to them. “But there is little that I can do but insist to the principal that Harris-san be disbanded from the Tennis club.”

“We think that it would be the best idea.” Rika said. “And…we’re not doing this for any glory or notice. I don’t know if I even want the responsibilities of being Captain, but…I’ve noticed now that Tezuka-san actually cares about his team members. He takes care of them. All Anne does is make sure that the team takes care of her.” She sighed. “And a team just doesn’t work that way.”

A hand suddenly landed on her shoulder, and Miyako turned in surprise as a familiar feeling hand covered her mouth to keep her from screaming. “Tezuka…” She mumbled.

He frowned at her from behind his glasses and turned her towards the doorway. “Come on Miyako, you should eat something before you faint.” He said, pushing her through the door.

“Uh, h-hey, Tezuka!” Miyako stammered, stumbling in ahead of him.

He smirked and whispered. “Serves you right for eavesdropping.”

“So sue me, Fuji-senpai and Eiji-senpai had a bad influence on me.” She said as he led her towards the counter where one of the kitchen staff was cleaning a bench top on the other side of the window.

“Excuse me?” Tezuka asked. “There should be a bento box dinner kept from tonight’s meal.”

The woman nodded and walked off.

Miyako looked at the group from the corner of her eye. They had fallen completely silent when Tezuka had pushed her into the room and now she felt like such an idiot.

The woman returned with a traditional styled bento box and handed it to Tezuka along with disposable chop sticks.

He handed it to Miyako. “There you go.”

Miyako smiled. “Thanks.” She said softly.

Tezuka sighed and gently took a hold of her elbow and led her out of the hall and towards the beach. “You know, people like you more than you think.” He said, looking out towards the waves.

Miyako began to eat from the bento box, forgetting how hungry she really was.

Tezuka chuckled. “Don’t make yourself ill, Miya.”