Running After You

#9: Locked Eyes

Hospital

Erina entered and saw Rei already being assisted by one of his team member. "How come?!", Rei was shocked. "I called her using your phone. You don't want your mother to know", his teammate, Shiro, shrugged. "Toka, are you alright?", another one entered and ran towards him. "And her?", Rei face palmed. "I didn't do anything", Shiro gulped.

Rei used his crutches and stood properly. "Hey, you can lean on me", Shiro offered. "Aisawa is also here", Nami noticed. She loosen the honorifics. "Senpai, are you also here for Rei-san?", Erina was curious. "It's the duty of Captains to take care of one another. We can't afford to lose after all", Nami patted her head. "I'll be fine. Erina, let's go grab a cab", Rei walk oass through them. He suddenly lost balance. Fortunately, Nami was nearby to catch him. "You don't need to push yourself", Nami whispered. Erina got a cab and Rei entered first.

"Aren't you coming as well?", Erina asked. Nami looked at Rei gritting his teeth. "Take care of Toka", Nami clenched her fist at her back.

Toka's Residence

Rei went directly in his room and locked it. "Did something happen?", Inori asked. Erina gulped and told him that he was injured but it's not that serious.

"I'll be visiting again, Inori-san", Erina bowed. Mayu ran to her and hug her tightly. "You're always welcome here", Inori gave a warm smile. "See you again, Mayu", Erina smiled at her and went outside.

She looked back and heard some noise coming from Rei's room. From the look of his injury, it seems that he won't be able to play for the next game. Rei haven't spoken a single word ever since they came from the hospital.

Audio-Visual Shop

Erina entered and was surprised to see Hana in the counter. "I see. Part time. I'm stuck in my aunt's pet shop during weekends and some weekdays", Erina informed. "What would you like to rent?", Hana asked. "Some kind of gaming stuff", Erina answered. "Eh? Are you also a fan of that?", Hana hummed and toured her to the corner for games. Hana left to accommodate some customers.

Erina checked carefully the content of the games. All she knew was that Rei likes those that have dragons and swords. She doesn't have a clue what the rest are all about. She reached for one but someone already took it. She stared at the person and stepped back. She nearly collided with the shelf but the person pulled her arm. "Those are expensive", he said. This timw, he's wearing a loose white sweatshirt and pairs of black jeans with sneakers. "Are you also a gamer?", Fushimi asked. Erina violently shook her head. "Don't worry. I won't judge you", he gave the cd to her. "I'm going to give it to someone", Erina clarified. "Whatever Aisawa. There's nothing wrong if you like to play it as well", Fushimi said with a friendly tone. Erina had never imagined for her to meet Fushimi in a shop like that. Also, for him to be casually conversing with her.

"It's a good choice. You can have it", Fushimi informed and proceeded in the other shelf. Erina followed him and bowed very low. "Thanks", she closed her eyes and raised her head once again. "Sure", he responded.

Hana smiled as she watched the two.

Erina and Fushimi went out at the same time. A can of juice suddenly was thrown on Erina's chest. The soda was all over her shirt. Some middle school boys are having a fight outside. Erina stepped back since they seems to really going all out battle. Fushimi stepped forward and grab on the boy's skate. "You're interrupting the peace of this neighbourhood. Plus, someone randomly threw a can of soda to this lady. Aren't you going to apologize?", he towered the middle high students.

They all felt extreme fear when Fushimi's eyes sharpen. They ran away and the other one bowed very low to Erina.

Fushimi sighed and turned to look at Erina." Sometimes, my okd self ooze out", Fushimi offered his handkerchief. Erina took it and bowed her head. "Thanks again", she feels so embarrassed.

It's irritating to see you so weak.

"I haven't grown at all. You still end up saving me and helping me", Erina finally got the confidence to speak without stuttering. "I don't know about that. You seem so different from the last time I saw you", Fushimi led the way. Erina just followed behind him. She was puzzled with what Fushimi said. What actually changed in her?

Mikami's Apartment

Hana entered carrying vegetables and some groceries. She saw that her door in her room is wide open. She ran and saw that it was all messy. The first thing she checked was the money she saved inside the closet. It was all gone. She cursed her father and marched towards the living room. She saw him lying with an unknown woman. "Get out", she said trying to control herself. Her father woke up and saw her clenching her fist. "Clean up your room, you lazy bun", he went back to lying on the couch again.

Hana grabbed the woman's hair and started to drag her outside. Her father was furioused and pulled Hana's arm violently. The woman is already outside the apartment so Hana closed the door. Yoro slapped her hard that the sound was heard even outside. "Why do you have to do that to my girlfriend?! Open the door!", he shouted. "You have money to pay for that whore but you can't even buy us food!", Hana was so fed up that she pushed Yoro so hard. The man fell on his butt and stared at Hana's angered expression. "You look exactly as that dead hag", he commented with bitterness in his face. He didn't dare to fight back but he just went back at the living room. He drank the remaining alcohol.

"That money that you stole was for my class field trip", Hana said before leaving the apartment once again. Her face was swelling but she didn't mind.

The next day,
Park

Rei walked Mayu at the park hoping to feel a little bit comforted. Mayu is 10 years younger that him. Inori remarries after his father died.

"Mayu, be careful playing in the slides", Rei warned then sat down at the bench. He leaned the crutches by the tree. So how is he going to explain to his team that he won't be able to join the next game. How could he possibly missed out a landing after a three point shot? He clenched his hands and closed his eyes. The frustration just won't leave him. Erina dropped by a gift for him but he didn't dare to open it. He feels like rejecting the console from her because he things he didn't deserve to get this misfortune.

"A person?", Mayu's hand dropped on his. He wasn't even able to keep track of the time thinking about it. Mayu grab his hand. He used his crutches and went to see where Mayu is leading him. They saw a body inside the sliding shade. "Excuse me, are you alright?", Rei asked. There are no response. He went further inside and was startled to see Hana. After a while, the lady woke up. She went out and saw two figures. "What are you doing there, Mikami?", Rei asked with concern. He saw the swell in her cheeks.

"Mayu, you can go ahead. Mother said she'll prepare some ice cream", Rei gently pushed her sister.

Rei and Hana sat on the bench with no one talking. "How about you? What happened to your feet?", Hana looked away. "I miscalculated where I should jump. Now is your turn to answer as well", Rei answered. "I just...", Hana felt some warm liquid falling in her cheeks. She must have been so fed up already.

Rei's big and warm hands patted her head. She felt so ashamed for appearing so weak and vulnerable in front if some random people. She covered her face with her hands and silently cried. Her heart was screaming loudly but she can't afford to make a sound. She's not weak. She survived this far. "I'm fine", she managedto answer. Because she was wearing a shirt, Rei saw the wounds and burns that Mio had seen before. Rei's heartbeat raced faster.