Log On: KHR Reality

3 - And now We all Fall Down

Yamamoto Takeshi, despite his looks and personality (or at least the one that most were familiar with), was a master of deception. He could easily evade any and every single conversation that was thrown at him with practiced ease, accompanied with a bright smile and a cheerful laugh. The best thing was that no one would ever expect it from him, especially with the well constructed mask of friendliness and denseness that he exuded on a daily basis.

Yamamoto Takeshi was also a very lonely person. The problems with masks, you see, was that what others see is what he wanted them to see. Simply put, all those 'friends' of his, only saw one facet of his true self, while he kept his most precious parts locked away in a metal chest, untouchable by anyone. It also meant that he could hardly trust anybody.

How could he, when they did not even see him for who he was?

Normally, baseball was the only thing that was on Takeshi's mind. Baseball was like living and breathing to him. Without it, he would drown in an abyss of self pity and that he was so, so alone. That was exactly what was bringing him down.

There was a baseball competition coming up, and his teammates were relying heavily on him to bring the trophy home. Of course, this unwittingly put pressure on Takeshi to perform, to excel, and there lay there problem. Recently, he noticed that his shots were sloppier, his arms were lethargic and he struggled to focus. What was happening to him?

Takeshi practiced relentlessly, day and night, but there was no improvement. He couldn't understand why. Practice makes perfect, no? So why were his skills starting to leak away from him like liquid seeping from a cracked bottle of water?

The team was counting on him. How could he let them down? No... he had to practice even more! He had to win! He had to triumph over the other teams and hold the trophy up high for his teammates such that they could beam with pride! Yet...

Why was it that he could barely move his hand - the hand that he depended on for victory?

******

The next day...

"Physical education is such a pain..." Tsuna grumbled to himself as the two teams fought over who would get him. Ah, that was misleading. Neither teams wanted him, therefore they were fighting over who would not get him. Utau sighed disappointedly, as expected of a bunch of narrow minded classmates. (Why was Utau having Physical Education with the boys? No one wants to ask, or rather they would never dare to.) However, before she could voice her opinion, someone spoke up.

"Isn't it alright? Just join our team," The lone voice of hope piped up and everyone swivelled towards Takeshi. Immediately, groans broke loose but they eventually gave in to the baseball star. Relief flooded Tsuna. It was the only the second time he had been accepted into a team, and it was by Yamamoto, who had the respect and admiration of almost everyone in school.

Unfortunately, they still lost, and as the "loser" in school, it meant Tsuna was to clean up by himself.  Tsuna sighed in despair as he slowly began to clean up the place alone.

"Help is here!" A cheerful voice loudly jolted him from his thoughts, said voice belonging to Yamamoto Takeshi?

"Eh! Ah, Yamamoto-san, you don't have to help out! I mean, it was my fault... Er... What am I saying?" Tsuna fumbled clumsily.

"Ahaha... The more people helping, the faster we can finish right? Besides, we are on the same team anyways?" Takeshi replied cheerily with a closed eyed smile, one that made Tsuna feel slightly uncomfortable for some reason.

"Besides," At this, Tsuna looked up warily at the Baseball Ace. "I've been wanting to ask you... Lately, no matter how much I practice baseball, my average is dropping and my fielding is screwing up. At this rate, this will be the first time I won't be a starter in baseball. Tsuna... What should I do?"