Accidental Reverse

Chapter 9

Hey guys!

I'll probably hate myself for this but I'm going to mass upload AR here so that it will be at the same chapter as AR on ffn. Will be a lot easier to upload both at the same time!

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Accidental Reverse Arc 1

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''Are you okay?''

Tenma flinches back, but the older teen keeps a firm yet gentle grip on his shoulder to make sure he can't break free.

When the brunet doesn't respond, the elder sighs softly and kneels down in front of him so they're both sitting on the ground. He smiles gently yet the worry in his eyes is impossible to miss. ''I know something's wrong with you,'' he says softly. ''And... and I know you probably won't tell me what it is, so I won't ask, but... I'm here for you. I want to help you. Don't hide from me.''

The first-year looks up, startled. ''Sangoku-senpai...''

The keeper smiles kindly at him. ''I knew something was wrong. I've seen you a few times now. At my house, after the match against Tengawara, and just now when the match ended. You've been doing a good job at hiding it, but I know now what to look for.''

When Tenma averts his eyes again, Sangoku sighs softly and pulls back his hand. The first-year doesn't react at first, until the keeper offers him a water bottle. ''Drink.'' The brunet blinks in surprise but then takes it from him.

The silence between them is only broken by the sound of Tenma taking small sips from the bottle. Absentmindedly, the time traveler wonders if the keeper is uncomfortable on the ground, but then pushes it to the back of his mind. There are more pressing matters right now.

Eventually, Sangoku breaks the uneasy silence. ''I won't tell the others.''

Tenma stills, not looking up from the ground but his tense posture easily gives away that he's listening.

The keeper presses on. ''You've been trying to hide it, whatever 'it' is, and I guess I can respect that... Raimon hasn't exactly made you feel welcome before.'' The guilt in his voice is hard to miss. ''But I just want to help you.''

(And this is the Sangoku Taichi that Tenma knows – the big brother figure for every younger player in the team. The older Sangoku was famous for his ability to figure out whatever was bothering his friends, especially the younger ones. Tenma can easily remember various instances where his worried teammates sent Sangoku to talk with whatever player they were worried about, always coming back with successful results.)

''I-'' he cuts himself off there. He what? He can deal with it himself, but can he really? Besides, Sangoku has seen him before, too many times to shake it off as a simple moment of weakness.

The brunet tightens his grip on the water bottle, shadowing his eyes behind his bangs. ''It's nothing. You shouldn't concern yourself about me, senpai,'' he whispers finally. ''There's enough to focus on, with Holy Road and Fifth Sector...'' he trails off hesitantly.

Sangoku frowns, worry swimming in his dark eyes. ''Tenma, you are not nothing,'' he protests gently. ''If you have a problem, you shouldn't have to deal with it by yourself.'' Then he smiles. ''And besides, I'm your senpai. It's my duty to help the first-year students, you know?''

Tenma cracks a smile at that.

The keeper's smile widens at the little progress. ''So please tell me honestly... are you okay?'' he repeats in a soft, gentle voice.