Tsurune Fanfic-Shot Your Heart!

Chapter 07

Three days have passed since the incident at Ishida Andini's house.

Takigawa Masaki tried to forget about that incident. But, no matter how hard Masaki tried, Masaki still couldn't. Andini's face was pale, her eyes were cold, empty, and seemed to have no soul, as well as her sharp and painful words, all of which Masaki could still remember well. Masaki had been close to several girls. He also has several ex-girlfriends. But, none of them could make Masaki feel this way at all. The feeling of wanting to protect someone and wanting to do whatever it takes to make that person happy.

"I can't go on like this," Masaki muttered. The man took a deep breath and massaged the bridge of his nose. "I couldn't even focus when I was training Minato and the others."

"And you haven't answered my phone calls again in the past few days."

Those words made Masaki blink and turn his head around. Takigawa Ren, his half-brother, smiled as he raised his right hand in greeting. Masaki smiled a little and let Ren into the dojo of Kazemai High School's Kyudo club.

"I'm busy," said Masaki. "What are you doing here, Ren?"

"Checking if my little brother is alive and breathing well," Ren replied. The man chuckled and sat across from Masaki. He stared at the papers on the floor between him and Masaki. "What's this?"

"Just this and that. Even if I tell you, you won't understand, Ren."

Ren snorted.

"You're not working?" asked Masaki.

"I'm not that busy," Ren replied with a shrug. "And, I'm in need of a lot of inspiration. I came here, not only to check on how you are doing but also to ask permission so I can take pictures of the Kazemai High School students' Kyudo practice."

"I have no problem with that. However, I still have to ask permission from Tommy Sensei as well as the members of Kazemai High School's Kyudo Club." Masaki started tidying up all the papers in front of him. "Soon, they will come."

Takigawa Ren looked at his little brother with a probing gaze. Something had changed, Ren knew it. Masaki looked a bit livelier than before. Is it because that guy decided to become the coach of the Kyudo club at Kazemai High School?

"How was your day as a coach?"

"So-so," Masaki shrugged. "They are good and smart students. I love coaching them."

"Then, why do you look strange?"

Masaki raised one eyebrow. "Yes?"

"It's as if you're carrying the burden of everyone in this world." Ren took a deep breath. "If you have a problem, you can tell me. Or, are your students bullying you?"

Masaki laughed. "That is the most impossible thing, Ren."

"Then, what?"

"I—"

It was then, that Masaki and Ren heard approaching footsteps. The two men turned their heads around and Masaki immediately stood up when he saw the appearance of Ishida Andini. The girl was behind Tommy Sensei and was carrying quite a lot of papers. Looks like it's material regarding Kyudo and Tommy Sensei asked Andini to help him bring it. Ren, who saw Masaki standing up, naturally followed the man.

"Andini..." Masaki muttered. His hands clenched tightly at his sides. Ishida Andini was looking down and the girl had no expression at all on her face. Her eyes still look empty as if they have no soul.

"Andini-chan?"

Ren's call to Andini made Masaki turn his head around and wide-eyed. Likewise, Andini raised her head. Those empty eyes are now starting to change. Seeing that change, Masaki frowned. How did Ren know Andini?

"Ren... Oniichan?" Andini called in a doubtful tone. The girl frowned. "You... what are you doing here?"

"Visiting my very adorable little brother," Ren pointed at Masaki. Ren smiled broadly and approached Andini. "You've grown into a beautiful girl, Andini-chan. I didn't expect to meet you here again." The man immediately hugged Andini, making Masaki wide-eyed.

What the hell?!

"Little brother?" Andini looked at Masaki, then back at Ren. "Isn't Ren Oniichan an only child?"

"I was. But, my Father remarried Masaki's Mother." Ren rubbed his chin. "By the way, you two also met when you were little. Maybe you have forgotten that incident. Ah, right! My little brother is the coach of the Kyudo club here. Andini-chan, do you still do Kyudo?"

"No."

"No?"

Andini smiled slightly and looked away. "I'll tell you later, Oniichan."

Masaki was silent. There was a strange feeling rising in his heart. Andini will voluntarily tell Ren while he has to force the girl a little until Andini feels cornered and is finally forced to tell him. He even made Andini cry. Dammit! How close are Ren and Andini's relationship?

"Tommy Sensei," Andini called. "Where should I put these papers?"

"Just give it to Masaki-san," answered Tommy Sensei with a smile.

Hearing this, Andini froze. It had been three days since she met Masaki. At that time, Andini also said she really hated Masaki. Andini knows Masaki is innocent and is a very good man. However, Andini needed someone to blame and she selfishly vented all her anger, sadness, and hatred toward Masaki.

"Give it to me," Masaki said in a gentle tone. Even after what Andini did to Masaki, the man still smiled warmly at her.

Andini cleared her throat and handed the papers to Masaki. Then, she looked at Ren and smiled.

"I have to go home, Ren Oniichan."

"Stay here," said Ren, holding Andini's arm. The girl blinked and her mouth opened wide.

"Yes?"

"Accompany me. I don't know why you don't do Kyudo anymore but I guess it wouldn't hurt to see your friends practicing Kyudo, right?" Ren looked at Masaki. "Besides, I don't want to be here alone. Masaki will be busy training your friends and I will get bored waiting for him."

"Ren, don't—"

"Okay."

Masaki was silent. He looked at Andini in disbelief. Okay, she said?! Ishida Andini, the girl who really hates Kyudo, now agrees to Ren's request to see Kyudo practice? Hadn't the girl's Father threatened her never to be involved in anything related to Kyudo again? But, Ren can convince Andini to stay here and see Kyudo?

Unbelievable!

"Yeah!" Ren exclaimed while ruffling Andini's hair. "You are indeed a very good girl."

"I'm going back to class to get my backpack," said Andini. The girl bowed and went out of the dojo to pick up her backpack that was still in the classroom.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm. Andini stopped walking and turned her body around. Those blue eyes that were very similar to the sea stared at her firmly and sharply. Andini raised one eyebrow and tried to get away from Masaki but Masaki didn't let her.

"Why are you being nice to Ren?" Masaki asked in a firm tone.

"What?"

"You complied with his wish to see Kyudo practice but you were cold to me and snapped at me when I tried to convince you that you still really love Kyudo." Masaki pulled Andini's body closer to him. Andini widened her eyes and froze. "How close are you to Takigawa Ren, Ishida Andini?"