The Great King -「大王様」

Chapter 23

及川徹の恋人、内山夕暉
Oikawa Tooru's Lover, Uchiyama Sekki

-x-

I felt like a celebrity, being interviewed by almost everyone who saw me. If not for Yui, they wouldn't have stopped. When we arrived in our classroom, she patted my shoulder and muttered, "警戒を怠らないで (Don't let your guard down.)"

Not dropping my poise, I walked to my table, which, as I came closer, was covered in insults and threats. Some written, some carved. Breathe... Don't let your anger consume you. I just hope Tooru doesn't show up right now and act as my prince charming. That'll only make me look weak and helpless. Other people shouldn't be able to look for a hole to penetrate me. Calm down, Sekki.

"すみません (I'm sorry)," I said in a calm but loud voice. "誰かとテーブルを交換してもいいですか？(May I switch tables with anyone?)" I don't know what I'm saying. I'll just.. probably improvise.

A girl cut her way through the sea of students. She wasn't from our class. "何故？(Why?)" she leaned closed with a smirk on her lips that sparked my anger bad. "汚れてか？(Is it dirty?)" she laughed then threw a rug on my shirt. I looked down at it as it fell to my feet. "悲壮だな〜自分で片付けてね！(How pathetic~ Clean it up yourself okay!)"

It would be so satisfying to punch her right now, but I can't put Mom's efforts to waste. I bent down to take the rug. She started to laugh at me. I folded it, then, in a pace quick enough for her to not be able to dodge, I held her wrist up and placed the rug on her palm. "いいよ(Sure)," I said with a smile, in a soothing tone that probably did the opposite to her. I left the room without looking back to look for our teacher. A table like that will distract me from classes. It's out of pure luck that I was able to get the help from a kind teacher. He got me a new table from then on.

Tooru got so worked up to teach my haters a lesson, but Mom warned him too last night, telling him that he should practice poise too, so he ended up expressing all his anger in 3 emails sent to me.

Honestly, it wasn't that hard to deal with the haters. They weren't that serious. My day would've gone alright, if I didn't bump into some students who were gangsters. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side. For this kind of situation, I apologize for being dirty.

Three girls got me cornered at the school's courtyard. I expected this to happen, so I informed one of my close female teachers in advance to tail me when I approach the courtyard. This is a one time thing. It has to work just this once, for it to be effective.

"及川さんを離れる！(Leave Oikawa-san!)" The girl in the middle commanded. Her loss of composure made her little statement a joke. If I were to pick, Suzuki was lightyears way better than this girl despite saying practically the same sentence.

When I asked for their reason, the other girl reasoned that Oikawa Tooru belongs to everyone, while the other reasoned that I didn't deserve him since I can't be a good girlfriend to him. The first one was childish, the second one was stupid. She added that she can't forgive me for taking Oikawa Tooru all for myself, which was stupid. In the first place, I'm not apologizing.

"では、俺を嫌がって (Well, hate me then)," I replied. I also owe Mom an apology, for I have slightly lost my cool there.

Time to get ready anyway.

A punch landed on my shoulder blade. In that instant, the teacher I called showed up from her hiding spot to stop them, but the middle girl managed to find time to crush my stomach with her iron fist. It twisted as it reached my spine. That was painful.. Too painful.

--

Great, the infirmary again.

I could hear Tooru talking on the phone with Mom, who sounded extremely irritated, whereas Yui celebrated the moment she noticed that I was awake. Tooru glanced at me twice, not believing it. I tried to sat up, but the electrifying pain from my stomach dropped me back to my back. My hand felt the bandage wrapped around my stomach. It was that bad, huh.

Yui dialed on her phone, and without delay, was answered by the girls. "セッチ！大丈夫か？怪我はない？(Se-cchi! How are you? Do you have any injuries?)" Shiro's voice was loud enough before Yui even put her phone on speaker.

"少し有るよ、けど大丈夫 (I have a bit, but I'm fine)," I answered, having my hand feel my bandage.

Suzuki's sigh could be heard from the speaker. Judging from Shiro's response to it, however, it may have just been a positive one. "無事で良かったです (I'm glad you're fine)," she stated.

The door busted open. Hino ran towards me, while Shirabu followed just behind her with the same worried face. Seeing them together makes the similarity between their faces more distinguishable.

"うっちー！良かった！(Ucchi! Thank goodness!)" she hugged me tight. It felt rather relaxing than painful.

Shirabu, with a straight face, added, "心配させた (You made us worry.)" Slowly, his face made such a funny face, as if he was trying not to look annoyed. I laughed and teased him over it, earning a lecture from him afterwards.

These guys are precious to me. I think I'll be alright as long as I have them. There's nothing to worry about with them around. I'm glad I chose the right friends.

— ６年後 —
Six Years Later

Tooru fixed his suit. His appearance kept its youth and his good looks. Like always, he only wears his glasses when necessary. His body's grown bigger and more appropriate for his age, but the attitude and face remains to be that middle school boy I met at the volleyball gym.

We locked our arms together as we walked down the isle at the beach. The scenery was amazing. Our close friends were all there. The music playing made us feel nostalgic. It's like time rewound to our highschool days.

As we reached the front, we broke off from each other and stood at our respective positions at the side. The music changed to the one for the bridal's walk, and our beauty started to walk down the isle. Her veil was glittering like the water. She looked stunning. A tear of joy escaped my eye just by watching her walk to her groom.

I kept glancing at Tooru the whole time. We were communicating with our eyes. It wasn't a simple conversation too. We talked about how nice their wedding was. Using just our eyes. The first time we did that was when he graduated high school. We fought the day before, so I stayed stoic when he received his diploma. Unfortunately, my dear lover saw right through me. He could read my mind just by looking into my eyes.

Eventually, the bride and groom exchanged vows, and I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. It's been so hard for them. At the start, it almost felt impossible, and yet here they are, husband and wife.

"おめでとう赤葦！(Congratulations, Akaashi!)" I nudged her side, emphasizing her new surname.

Ren's hand landed on her mouth as she laughed and said, "全く。。徹さんが遅いな (Seriously... Tooru-san is slow.)"

My eyes turned to him who was with the boys, laughing as he choked on the champagne he sipped on. What a dork.

But I have no problem with going slow with him.