Secrets, Socials, and Seigaku

Chapter 27

After being sent to the hospital for food poisoning, I was sentenced to bed rest for a day. I didn’t do much really I sat there and watched kuroshitsuji and kaichou wa maid-sama all day. Upon Coach Ryuzaki’s request I had also researched all opposing schools and their tennis teams in the region. She said something about needing to know what I was up against, and not only improving on my strength, but my knowledge too. I was going to say that was what Inui was here for, but once she brought up telling Tezuka I was slacking, it was end of story. 

As I typed in each school in the district it only seemed to make me more excited about the upcoming matches. Which was probably the opposite effect of what Ryuzaki wanted, she probably wanted me to get scared and then improve because of it. Well either way I found out a lot. I now know every team in our district as well as the rumors and truths about them, so overall I feel accomplished.  

One team in particular had caught my interest though. Rikkadai middle school; rumored to have harsh training, but amazing results. I smirk crept onto my face as I continued to read about the school. There training was based off of a high tech schedule. Just as I was done reading though, a bit of interesting information caught my eye.

“Rikkadai’s captain is currently not playing due to extenuating circumstances.” I muttered out loud. I sat back in my own bed trying to figure out what that meant. Was he having family issues or maybe he’s in another country or something? I sat there contemplating the mysterious captain’s fate. “Why is it always the captains that I seem to have issues with.” I muttered; hardly ecstatic about the mysterious scenario before me. 

I sighed and moved my laptop to my nightstand beside me. A knock on my door brought me out of my disappointment. “Come on in!” I called.

The door opened slightly, and almost hesitantly, as I saw my dad on the other side. I raised a brow at him. “Something wrong?” I asked.

“Are you presentable for some guests?” he asked with a smile.

This time I was truly surprised. “I have guests?” I asked, pointing a finger at myself to make sure we were talking about the same person.

He nodded and opened the door all the way this time. “Ah, Tezuka? Oishi? What are you doing here?” I asked suprised. They were standing behind him rather awkwardly.

After my dad left, they sat down on the couch I had across from my bed and made them selves comfortable. Oishi smiled lightly. “How are you feeling?”

I smiled at him. “I’m fine. Inui’s drink only had so much of an effect on me.” I smiled, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.

He seemed to breathe out in relief. “Thank goodness, we thought we lost you there.” He said jokingly.

“Nah, you can’t get rid of me that easily.” I joked. He chuckled silently. I watched Oishi and Tezuka carefully. Oishi kepy squirming in his seat, while Tezuka just looked around. Then it hit me. "Oh!" I realized allowed. "This probably isn't a normal thing in Japan, is it?" They both looked at me in question. "Being in a girl's room?" Then it clicked for Oishi that I had noticed.

He looked down, slightly embarrassed with himself, "Sorry." he mummbled out. "Is this normal in America?" Oishi asked. Tezuka remained silent and observed instead. 

"Um, I guess it depends." I answered honestly. "If it was my boyfriend or something like that it wouldn't be okay. But, if it was just a friend and I trusted them I wouldn't mind being alone together." I finished with a shrug of my shoulders. 

Oishi continued anyway, "Still, I'm sorry." 

"No!" I said, waving him off, "It was our bad. My dad's traveled around a lot, but never seems to consider other cultures and their mannerisms." I sighed. "Do you want to move the the living room instead?"

"No!" He said, having calmed down a bit. "I'm fine, really."

I turned to look at Tezuka who had been looking around my room now at the various pictures and posters hanging. "Tezuka?" His eyes snapped over to mine at the mention of his name. I corrected myself instantly, "Sorry! I meant Captain! Still getting used to it!" I told him. He still silently looked at me. "Are you fine here?" I asked him.

He closed his eyes momentarily before speaking. "I am fine. Thank you for the consideration." He said.

"No problem." I leaned back a bit making myself comfortable in the mountain of pillows behind me. “So,” I sung out. “What are the both of you doing here?” I asked curiously, not taking my eyes off of them. 

“Well, it is our job as the club vice president and president to make sure that all of our members are in good health.” He said, as if reading the rule right out of the manual. 

I looked over at Tezuka who seemed to be quiet, not that he wasn’t always, but more so than usual. “I see you’re acquainting yourself with the other teams.” Tezuka said in a ever-stoic tone. 

I noticed his eyes looking over to my laptop, which I had forgot to turn off. I nodded my head, confirming his observation. “Yeah, Ryuzaki said to get a better feel for all of my future opponents.” I explained.

“And?” Oishi chimed.

I smiled at the thought of the future to come. “ It’ll certainly be a challenge.” I said honestly. “But,” I smiled once again, with determination in my eyes. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.” I said cockily.

Tezuka didn’t miss the greedy gleam in my eyes as I spoke of the future. “You’re not hesitant anymore.” He stated, he wasn’t asking it though, he saw this as a fact.

I stared into his eyes, before a smirk was plastered on my face. I closed my eyes, smiling at the thought of what Nanjiro had told me to clear my conscious. “Of course, that’s because I have something I have to do now, a goal I have to reach.” I said vaguely.

“And the quicker I get to Nationals, the quicker it’ll come true.” I said more to myself then my guests.

Tezuka eyed me a bit longer before abruptly standing up. “We’re going.” He announced to Oishi with no further explanation. 

Oishi sighed at Tezuka’s lack of manners, but followed his orders. “We’ll see you at practice Clair, I hope you feel better.” He said as he reached the door. 

“Before you go!” I said, cathching their attention. They turned to me, slightly, but with one hand still resting on the door-handle. 

“Do you know what happened to Rikkadai’s Captain? When I looked up what he was doing currently I came up empty handed.” I asked curiously.

I saw Oishi’s clear black eyes darken slightly, as he moved his eyes to another part of the room awkwardly. “Well….” He trailed off.

It was silent for a few moments before Tezuka interrupted again. “We’re going now.” He announced once again, and before I could stop them both they were gone.

It was obvious they were hiding something. Oishi definitely wasn’t to good about hiding it either. I don’t really see what they could be hiding though. I sighed out loud before turning over in my bed and getting comfortable. It was better not to stress too much right now anyways. If I took a step back and looked at it, I would find that eventually I would happen upon him. Besides, he is the captain of Rikkaidai, and seeing as my run with all the captains has been…spectacular. It’s fate that I’ll eventually find him.

I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to overtake me. Tomorrow is a new day, and that means another chance to get stronger. I grimaced a bit remembering Teito. When I’m done with Nanjiro, I’m coming after you Teito. I let myself slip into the black abyss known as sleep.