The Truth Behind His Smile

Reassurance

After the emotional hug, Tenma pulled away and thanked yet apologized for his behavior. Of course, the others said that both were pointless and needless, but he did it anyway.

Endou and the rest also showed themselves from where they were watching the whole encounter. Needless to say, Tenma and the team were surprised. Tenma and Tsurugi looked away embarrassingly while the others just blushed.

The brunet afterwards, like he promised, flicked everyone in the forehead. He said it was their punishment for acting too straightforward. Even Endou was flicked. But, nobody complained. Sure, there were some dramatic squeals of pain from a certain someone ("OOOUUUCH! IT HUUUURRRTTTTSSS!" "Shut up, Kariya!"), but other than that they accepted the punishment.

Tenma also told them that he would explain the situation when he's ready. The captain was still mad at them and he didn't trust them either, so it was to be expected. Since it was getting a bit late, the brunet finally advised them to go home. But, they were hesitant to do so.

"Your families are worried, you better show them that you're okay." Tenma reasoned.

"Still..." Shinsuke frowned.

Tenma stayed silent before he hesitantly added, "...I also want some time alone, if you don't mind."

Apparently, those words were enough to convince everyone to go home. They forgot that this must've been a shock to Tenma, since this was the first time people, other than the staff at the mansion, knew about his situation.

"Alright." Tsurugi nodded. "We'll be going now." He said in behalf of everybody.

Tenma sent him a grateful smile. "Be careful on the way home." Tsurugi stared at him and smiled in return. The striker turned around and made his way to the manor door, hearing everybody saying their goodbyes and 'see-you-laters' to Tenma.

To be honest, he wanted to stay here a bit longer. Tenma had been alone for a long time and he needed comfort. No one was waiting for him back home, anyway. His parents were always so busy that they rarely come home. And his brother was, of course, at the hospital for, well you know why.

But since Tenma wanted to be by himself right now, he didn't have the heart to object.

"Oh yeah." Shinsuke halted and turned around. "Will you come to school tomorrow, Tenma?" He couldn't help but ask.

Tenma pursed his lips in thought and shrugged. "Probably, yeah. I'm kind of behind at some subjects. Aki-nee wouldn't like it if my grades dropped again."

"Tell me about it." Kariya snorted, walking ahead of Shinsuke. "My parents won't stop telling me to get good grades for once."

"Well, that's because your grades are a bit low, Kariya. You need to make it higher." Kirino stated beside him.

"Not true! My sports grades are awesome!" Kariya said annoyingly at his senior.

"Of course it would! You wouldn't be in the soccer club if it weren't!" Kirino told him back.

Shindou sighed before he put his hands on their shoulders, making the duo turn their heads to him. "Stop it, you two. You can argue on the way." Shindou said sternly, pushing them gently to the door.

Kariya frowned for a second before he slowly let out a defeated sigh and shrugged, continuing his walk out of the manor. "Alright, Shindou-senpai. I was planning to do that, anyway."

"No, you weren't." Kirino sweat-dropped, seeing through the lie. Kariya turned to the defender and crossed his arms smugly. "Yes, I was."

"No, you weren't." Kirino repeated.