MY FATE

Chapter 2- Try being Honest with Yourself

Tatsuya snapped out of his day dreaming when a bunch of swimmers surrounded Hiroki, who was smiling awkwardly. They kept on asking him questions about this and that creating a lot of chaos. Hiroki was clearly uncomfortable, but before Tatsuya could say anything, someone scolded them.

"Yah! Scram off! All of you!!"

They looked at the person who scolded them and immediately scrambled off. Hiroki looked at that person and was shook for a long time. Jake smiled at Tatsuya, who recognised him immediately. He was Hiroki's coach.

Hiroki stammered," Co-coach! You-what......how....."

Jake sighed," After all these years, this is your first sentence when you saw me. Too bad."

Hiroki was still in daze and couldn't form a proper sentence.

Mito came rushing towards Hiroki. She was trying to find her brother for so long and she finally found him, not alone, but with The Golden Coach! She looked at Jake with utter shock, just like Hiroki. Tatsuya was clearly able to see how similar Mito and Hiroki looked, for the first time.

The situation was growing very awkward because of these two idiot siblings. He shoved Hiroki slightly to snap him out of his day dreaming.

Hiroki blink very fast and started rubbing his cheeks in embarrassment.

Jake laughed, "You have changed a lot, Hiroki. The last time I saw you, you were this strong headed, free spirited teenager. Now look at you! A handsome, sophisticated and calm young man with a gorgeous boyfriend!"

Hiroki looked at Tatsuya with wide eyes and immediately denied," Nonononono! We are not together! He is my boss!"

"Oh! I am sorry! I thought you were*sigh* Silly me. Anyways, how have you been?"

Hiroki finally calmed down and said without stammering," I am fine. Actually, great. I am legal advisor, in his company."

Jake said proudly," As expected! You have always been an intelligent guy!But I am still bitter how you left swimming and me so suddenly."

Hiroki smiled awkwardly and couldn't say anything.

Jake looked at Mito who just kept staring at him. He asked," You are Mito Kamazura, right?! Congratulations on your first win!" He extended his hand for a hand shake but Mito was so lost that she didn't notice anything.
Hiroki cleared his throat, causing Mito to look at him, blankly. He indicated her to shake his hand back and she nodded unconsciously. She blurted out," I am a big fan of yours, sir. Can you train me?"

Hiroki scolded her," Mito! Manners!"

Jake laughed," It's fine. Well, it will be my honour to be your trainer. After all, you are Hiroki's baby sister!"

Mito looked at him with wide eyes," That means, it's a yes?"

He nodded.

Mito looked at Hiroki, still with wide eyes and said," It's a yes. It's a YES!"

She started jumping with excitement and almost hugged Hiroki with her wet clothes and body, but stopped immediately.

Hiroki looked at Jake and asked," Are you sure, coach? You don't have to do it just because of me or anything?"

Jake said plainly," I am not doing this only because of you. Did you see how amazing her movements were during the match?! It's been so long since I have seen such talent! I can't lose a champion like her! A talent like her!"

Mito said with excitement," You think I am talented?!! Oh, my god!!! Did you hear it, brother?"

Hiroki smiled at her and said," Yes, I did. I am very proud of you."

"You are proud of me?!"

"Mm-hm."

Mito squealed loudly," This. Is. The. Best. Day. Of. My. Life!!!!!!"

Hiroki calmed her down," Okayyyyyy! Relax!"

"How can I?!"

Tatsuya looked at the brother and sister duo and couldn't help feeling guilty about how he just shouted at Takara. He should not have shouted at her like that. She just lost a big match and all he cared was about his family name. He behaved as a worst elder brother!

Jake said," You are just like your brother when he was of your age."

"Really?!"

"Yeah! Oh, right!" He took out something from his pocket and gave it to Mito," This is my gift for you, for today's win."

Mito looked at the DvD in confusion and asked," What is this?"

"This is your brother's match recording of his nationals. You should definitely watch it."

Mito," Thank you so much! I will definitely see it!"

Bunch of Mito's friends called her to come and join them.

Jake smiled," You should go. They are waiting for you for a long time."

Mito nodded," Okay! I will contact you later, if you are okay with it."

"Of course! I have officially taken the job of being your coach! How can I not be okay with it?"

Mito smiled at him and waved him goodbye.

After she left, his happy face immediately turned serious and he asked Hiroki," Hiro, are you sure you are okay? You look sick."

Hiroki looked at him for some time and said," I am fine, coach. You should take care of yourself."

"I always take care of myself, unlike you. Do you think I have not seen your hospital video?! What's going on? Why did you suddenly leave your dream of being a swimmer and started doing some 9-5 job! You always used to say how much you hated those office clerks but now, you turned into one those very people. How-"

Tatsuya interrupted his ranting and said," Sir, with all due respect, stop talking. You are making him uncomfortable."

Jake looked at Hiroki and couldn't help but sigh," What happened to you? You were one of the most active, bubbly, happy person back then. How did you change so much?"

Hiroki said honestly," Because back then, I was kid who didn't know how the world worked. As soon as I graduated high school, and the real world hit me, I realised I cannot live the life which I always dreamt of. I cannot be a teenager who was free, wild, did whatever the hell he wanted. I needed to grow up to survive................I am sorry, because of me you were hurt a lot back then. I disappointed you. I know that very well. But, I just want you to know, I never regretted this change in me. I never regretted changing my interests completely after I was done with high school. I am actually very proud of myself because I survived and am talking like this, standing infront of you! I am fine with the person who I am today."

Jake snorted," Are you?! Hiro, even though I didn't see you in years, but I still get when you are fine and when you are not. You can fool all these people but not me. It's okay if you don't want to talk about serious things but at least, try being honest with yourself."