Hidden Plays

15: But he saw through my facade

Another day at Hyotei. When heading to the student council Atobe caught up with her.

"Say, why break up the duo?" He asked. She knew what he was asking.

"Simple...One word...Professional." Tomi said as they entered the room. Most of the student council consisted of girls who were Atobe-san's fans. She just wished they would actually do work.

As soon as it was over the two headed to the tennis club.

"I guess we'll never be able to see the Ultimate duo in action." One member said while practicing.

"Yeah, such a shame. Tomi was so selfish. I guess it was expected of her, since she does represent the ice." Another member said. Satomi winced. They were insulting her without knowing.

"Yeah, if I were her, I would not leave the company just to go pro. After all most of her fame came from being part of the Ultimate duo. Without that duo, she's nothing." Their third friend said. Atobe heard the exchange and he looked over at Satomi whose eyes were shadowed.

"Nows not the time to be gossiping focus on practice." Atobe yelled at them. They quickly stopped talking about that and focused on their moves. During his break he went over to Satomi.

"It was a hard decision wasn't it?" Atobe asked, not even looking at her.

"Yeah...But I felt my own dreams were more important at the moment." Satomi said quietly. Atobe nodded understanding. She looked down and noticed a small daisy growing at her feet. She smiled softly as she plucked it. She got along better with animals and nature than she did with actual human beings.

After practice she went to Kawasaki Hospital. She decided she had to visit him, at least one more time.

She entered the room to see him lying on the bed.

"Hey..." She said closing the door behind her.

"You came..." He said, his eyes closed.

"Yeah, I felt the need to come...At least one more time." She said the last part softly so that he could not hear.

"I'm glad you did. It was getting quite boring." He said. She sat down next to him.

"I can tell there's a lot on your mind. Let it out." Yukimura said.

"I'm sorry. It's just...You're such an easy person to talk to. I know it sounds like I'm using you, but please don't think that way. With everyone that's going on right now. I'm confused. My reputation is declining in Japan. I lost my best friend to follow my dream, and I'm just conflicted with everything." Satomi said. A few tears forming in her eyes.

"My parents were never on good terms, but it's getting even worse. My father won't even allow me to see my mother anymore. I never had a good relationship with my brother, but I miss him. I haven't seen him in months unless it's on television, same with my mother." Satomi said as tears rolled down her face.

"Don't cry." Yukimura said carefully wiping her tears away.

"Maybe, maybe, I'm not suppose to be famous, I'm just suppose to be your average girl, like my parents want me to be." Satomi said. Yukimura stayed silent for a moment.

"Maybe you need some time and space. Have you ever went to school aboard?" Yukimura asked. Satomi shook her head, she used that excuse many time, but she never actually did so.

"Have you ever trained in a different country?" He asked.

"Yea." She said.

"Talk to Mizuno about relocating. Get a coach from a different country for a while. Train in that country. Let go of yourself for a while." Yukimura said.

"Thank you." She said giving him a slight hug. Her hair fell into Yukimura's face.

He smiled.

"Your hair smells like lavender. It's nice." Yuki said. Satomi smiled and blushed.

"I've cut all connections with Nori...And since your her cousin...." Satomi stopped for a moment.

"Is this Goodbye?" She asked.