The King Fell and Needs Help Getting Up

Chapter 24

As Kei and Tobio walked home from the cat cafe, enjoying the afterglow of their wonderful day, they suddenly found themselves face-to-face with someone unexpected. It was Kindaichi, Tobio's former teammate from middle school, the same teammate who had abandoned him on the court during their match at the Inter-High. It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and the air grew tense and awkward.

Tobio instinctively looked down, a mixture of shame for his actions in middle school and lingering hurt from Kindaichi's betrayal. The memories of that painful match and the subsequent realization of his abusive home life flooded his mind.

Kei noticed the uncomfortable atmosphere and the way Tobio's shoulders slumped. While he had never been a fan of Kindaichi, even before hearing about what had transpired with Tobio, he understood the weight of the situation. He gently squeezed Tobio's hand, offering silent support and reassurance.

Kindaichi, on the other hand, seemed unsure of what to say. He could feel the tension in the air, and guilt gnawed at him for how he had treated Tobio back then. He cleared his throat awkwardly, breaking the silence.

"Kageyama... Tsukishima," he mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Tobio. "It's been a while."

Tobio nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His feelings about Kindaichi's actions were still raw, and he wasn't sure he could find the words to address them.

Kei, ever observant, remained vigilant, ready to protect Tobio from any further harm. The encounter with Kindaichi was a stark reminder of Tobio's challenges and progress.

Tobio's attempt at apologizing echoed in his mind, and he found himself at a loss for words once more. He had tried to make amends before, only to be met with Kindaichi's refusal to forgive him. The hurt from their past interactions weighed heavily on Tobio's shoulders, and he didn't know how to bridge the gap between them.

Kei continued to stand by Tobio's side, offering silent support. He could see the turmoil in Tobio's eyes and the pain this unexpected encounter had stirred up. Kei knew that sometimes, wounds took time to heal, and reconciliation was not always immediate.

Kindaichi shifted uncomfortably, his gaze still averted. The silence between them was palpable, heavy with unresolved emotions and unspoken words. He knew that he had hurt Tobio deeply in the past, and he felt guilty for it. Yet, he wasn't sure how to address the situation either.

At that moment, as they stood on the street, it became evident that some wounds ran deep, and forgiveness was a complex process. The encounter with Kindaichi was a reminder that Tobio's journey toward healing was ongoing, and Kei was determined to be there for him every step of the way.

Kindaichi's abrupt farewell hung in the air, leaving an awkward silence. He side-stepped Tobio and Kei, clearly eager to escape the uncomfortable situation.

As Kindaichi started to walk away, Kei turned to Tobio with a concerned look. He knew there were unresolved issues between Tobio, Kindaichi, and Kunimi, and he believed that addressing them might be the first step toward healing.

"Don't you think you should tell him?" Kei asked Tobio softly, keeping his voice low. "And Kunimi?"

Kindaichi, who had only taken a few steps away, paused upon hearing Kei's words. He couldn't help but wonder what Tsukishima was referring to, and he turned back, his curiosity piqued. The tension in the air was still palpable, but it seemed that there was something more to be said, something that had been left unsaid for far too long.

Tobio's internal struggle was evident in his contemplative expression. He understood that there may have been reasons for his past actions, but he also recognized that Kindaichi and Kunimi had been hurt by his behaviour. It had been a wake-up call for him, a catalyst for change, but it had also left a painful mark.