When We Crossed Paths

Chapter Twenty Three: It's None Of Your Damn Business!

That conversation with Akamori was pretty strange. Pretty worrying too. I was feeling quite a wide range of emotions. I found it difficult to land on just one. Asahi was suffering with everything at home. His dad was clearly acting on his hurt pride, and Asahi was on the receiving of it. I was angry with him for treating Asahi that way. Making him quit volleyball, making his home life uncomfortable. But I was also angry at Asahi for not telling me. The fact I found out about the volleyball thing from her of all people. And where was he going!? Why was he still refusing to tell me!? It was so frustrating.

I was also angry at myself. I was too weak for too long. I should've pressed further much sooner. I should've taken action quicker. I was about to something that I found difficult. I was going to confront him. I had no idea what would happen. But... I couldn't let it lie now. I had to force the issue. I was going to make him talk. That's why I was heading to his house. He thought it was to hang out but I doubted that there would be much "hanging out". An argument was looming.

I approached his front door with a huge sense of dread. I didn't want to do this but I knew I had to.

I knocked on the door and waited...

The door burst open and a smiling Asahi stood before me.

"Hey!" He said with a smile.

"Hey." I replied.

"Well don't just stand there. Come in!" He jolted grabbing my arm and pulling me into the house. I was quite surprised. Almost tripped over. Why was he so excited, I wondered to myself.

He slammed the door shut behind me and pulled me closer. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my lips. He leaned his forehead lightly against mine...

"Hey..." He said again softly.

"Hey" I giggled. "Why so excited?"

"I'm just happy to see you." He replied. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Of course I am!" I responded.

"Good!" He chuckled. He had let go of me by that point and started to walk up the stairs towards his room, gesturing me to follow. I started to feel guilty as I walked behind him. That feeling in the pit of my stomach, that told me that maybe I was making a mistake about confronting him. I had to keep reminding myself that I had to do it. Akamori said I was the only one who could help him. I couldn't abandon him now. I couldn't back down.

I followed him into his room. I stood at the doorway as I had the feeling that I wouldn't be staying long. He sat on his bed and looked over at me.

"Uhm...Asahi?" I began.

"Yeah?" He answered looking at me with a blank expression.

"I...I uhm...I need to ask you something..." I stuttered.

"What is it?" He quizzed.

"How...how have things been...at home?" - I knew I could've worded that better.

"Things are fine." He said, as expected.

"No...they're not. I know they're not. I know you're determined not to tell me because you want to 'protect' me but...I know you're in pain..."

"Hideki..."

"No! I need to confront you now!" I said determined.

"Oh? And what is it you need to confront me about?" He said. Although, it was said with a hint of defiance.

"Tell me the truth!" I demanded.

"The truth about what!?" He exclaimed.

"This! Everything! I know your dad has made you quit volleyball! I know that you've been lying to me when you say you've been at practice because you haven't."

"How do you know about that!?" He asked, standing up.

"Akamori told me!" I confessed.

"You've been speaking to Akamori about me!?" - I could hear slight anger in his voice.

"She came to my school to speak to me."

"You've been speaking to her about me...behind my back!?" He quizzed gritting his teeth.

"No! She's worried about you! I'm worried about you." I pleaded.

"I'm handling it!" He said just brushing it off.

"No you're not! You're hurting! You're in pain! You're keeping it to yourself! It's not good for you!"

"Stop..."

"I love you! You need to be honest with me! Enough of the tough guy act! Enough of the lying!"

"Stop it!"

"You need to tell me what's going on!" I begged

"And what the FUCK are you going to do about it!?" He screamed, putting me in a state of shock.

"You've no idea what I'm going through. You have no idea of the shit I'm going through to protect you from this! My father is a selfish, nasty man! He's making life hell for me and I'm trying to make sure he doesn't know about us so, that you're protected from whatever he'll do if he finds out. You can't even begin to understand what it feels like to know that your father doesn't care about you. That he doesn't love you. That you're nothing but a pawn in his game!"

"Asahi..." I whimpered.

"You know nothing!" He snared. "...I thought I could trust you! But you're conspiring against me with Akamori of all people!"

"Conspiring? You're not even making sense now!"

"Well, what's it to you anyway!? Because last time I checked, it's none of your DAMN BUSINESS!" He screeched.

I stood there completely petrified. The anger and hatred in his eyes. He was breathing heavily. His words pierced through me like a sword. His aura poisoning the atmosphere. Remaining exposed to it would poison my very soul.

"Asahi..." I cried. My tears, like a tsunami crashing with destructive force onto the floor.

"Just get the fuck out, Hideki!"