Youthful Days (Book 1)

22. Captain's Disapproval

The sun already sunk beneath the horizon when Ayuna woke up. The last glow of twilight dwindled, filtering through branches and casting scattered specks of light into the infirmary. Hovering over treetops, a pale half-moon was on the rise. As the veil of night closed in, everything was enveloped in an ethereal haze of violet.

Ayuna blinked several times for her eyes to readjust. As she struggled to sit up, a jolt of pain shot up her skull and made her see stars.

"Let me help you," someone said softly, easing her up by the shoulders. Peering up, golden brown hair and sapphire eyes entered her vision.

"Fuji?" croaked Ayuna. Her lips were dry and chapped. "What happened? Why are you here?"

"I came up here when I heard you fainted." Squeezing her hand, he said, "You gave us all quite the scare."

"I fainted?" She tried to lean forward and then winced again. The back of her head hammered with even the tiniest movement.

Fuji steadied her. "You did. Eiji and Momoshiro were frantic. It took me a while to figure out what went on because they were shouting over each other."

Ayuna grimaced; she could just imagine the chaotic scene.

"Thankfully, our school nurse is experienced and very calm. She explained everything and assured all of us you'd likely be fine." Eyes darkening, he went on, "The nurse said your head was struck with a blunt object. Later, Eiji and Momoshiro found your bag in the courtyard, so the nurse figured that was it. She feels that it would be best for you to see a doctor if it still hurts after a day."

"My bag..." Ayuna eyed the bag in the corner of the room pensively. Sasaki must have thrown that, she thought.

"You didn't know?"

Ayuna shook her head.

"Did you see who did it?"

"Well, if I turned to look," she quipped, "I'm pretty sure it won't be the back of my head that's hurting."

Fuji's severe expressions didn't budge. "That's not funny."

He paused and moved to sit on the edge of the cot. "Tell me, who did this to you?"

Ayuna grew silent.

"Even if you don't tell me, I can still ask Momoshiro and Eiji to get an answer. But I want to hear it from you first."

"I'm going to report this incident to the school officials tomorrow," said Ayuna. "Before then, I don't want to discuss it anymore. I know you dislike publicity, so I don't want you to get involved and broadcast your private life to the entire school."

Fuji gazed at her intently. "While that's all true, my life's also changed. I've never cared about what those girls did or said behind my back, and I've always kept my distance. It's become obvious that what they think of me is not all harmless. Perhaps I haven't made my position clear before, but now these girls ought to know that I'm not interested in anyone else and I never will be."

Ayuna smiled at him. "As much as that flatters me, don't you think that's a little cruel? Especially to a bunch of younger girls who have looked up to you for a long time?"

Fuji's expressions grew stern as his eyes moved to her head. "Define harsh."

Ayuna sighed and leaned back. "Okay, I can't argue against you. Do what you have to do."

"Glad to have your permission."

Ayuna made a face. In a lighthearted tone, she said, "It's your fault, anyway, for being so popular. I mean, who can blame these girls when you're a gentleman, a senior with outstanding grades and a tennis prodigy packaged all in one? I suppose even I should feel honored by your presence."