ℍ𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕟 ℍ𝕚𝕤 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨

Chapter 10

Once Mr. Saito came into the classroom, Tezuka stood up and ordered, "立ってください！(stand up!)"

The other students immediately stood up, and in unison, greeted Mr. Saito and had the same given back to them. They sat down, getting ready for their last few classes before school would end and the co-curricular activities began.

Yoshika took notes and shared them with Tezuka. She knew that Tezuka's notes were almost flawless to everyone else, but she knew a few things that he could use to help him with improving his notes. He never used color for one, and he didn't abbreviate most of the time.

While Tezuka helped her with tennis, Yoshika helped him with his notes. They had a tight friendship, but that didn't mean that they didn't begin to crave for more. Yoshika felt her affections for Tezuka strengthening with every passing day. She tried to hide it as best as she could, forcing herself to not blush or stutter around him.

The same could be said about Tezuka. He's been spacing out recently and even had began to dream about Yoshika while he peacefully slept. He didn't know what was wrong with him, he saw her as a friend right? He was too busy with tennis and that was what he wanted to become...

They were in the Regionals and if they won, would be going to Nationals! Winning Nationals would be Tezuka's dream and he wanted to accomplish it, but with his ingured arm, he couldn't fulfill it. Not anytime soon.

When Tezuka got home, he went over a few things for school and the tennis competition, finding that he had to travel to Germany for rehab since Atobe Keigo, the captain of Hyotei's tennis team, had pretty much broken his dominant arm. He didn't know how to break the news to Yoshika though. How would she react? Not only that, but the next game would be against her brother's school, Rikkaidai, and he wouldn't be able to watch over Yoshika nor play against the captain, Seiichi Yukimura. He felt guilt build up in his chest as if he was being drowned underwater with no way out...

He looked down at his left arm, the image of Yoshika's face when he had lost to Atobe Keigo...

***Flashback***

Tezuka and Atobe Keigo were in a match, the score currently in a tie of 6-6. The game score was 40-40 and they were rallying back and forth with the ball that would decide their fate. Yes, they had a reserve play, but if Tezuka won this match, the game would be over and Seigaku would win, going on to the next round against MIdoriyama.

Tezuka had lost points due to Atobe aiming to break Tezuka's shoulder, even though he knew that his elbow was trying to heal. A loud scream of pain was heard as Tezuka fell to the floor, his racquet on the court while he painfully gripped onto his arm.

Yoshika stood up and ran to him, not caring that he lost the match, but more so was concerned about Tezuka's arm...

"Tezuka~kun!" Yoshika yelled as she ran up to him, dropping everything onto the bench.

Yoshika knelt down next to her friend as she looked completely panicked and worried, "Are you okay? Can you stand up? What's wrong?"

"I-I'm fine..." Tezuka replied, his face almost blushing because of Yoshika's close proximity.

"Come on. I'm going to check that arm of yours...." Yoshika ordered. Tezuka was hesitant to oblige, but with one stare from Yoshika, he was up and walking with her towards the coach's seat.

Yoshika began checking his arm, her emotions becoming darker and darker as she continued checking him. "I-Is buchou going to be okay?" Kaido asked.

"Tezuka, you aren't playing anymore. I'm stopping you right now," Yoshika darkly said.

"B-but-"

"No!" Yoshika said, cutting him off as she knew what he wanted to say, "I am holding you off from breaking your arm completely. Ryoma can handle himself enough to win this for you. You can't just abuse your arm till it's completely gone! Your dream is to go and win Nationals, but without an arm, how will you do that?"

Tezuka stayed silent, his head hung low. Yoshika looked up at Ryoma who was watching from afar...

"Ryoma," Yoshika called, catching his attention. She motioned for him to come over and he abided, knowing what she was capable of since he'd gotten on her bad side before.

"Yes Yoshika~sempai?" Ryoma asked politely.

"Tell the umpire that the match is being forfeited. You need to win this match for us to be able to go up against my brother and Rikkaidai..." Yoshika sighed. Ryoma nodded and headed over towards the umpire's chair. He had a small chat with the umpire before he walked back, the umpire announcing the forfeit being made.

Atobe Keigo seemed surprised, but when he looked over at the beauty that sat next to Tezuka, he couldn't help but feel a bit of rage boil into his blood. Stupidly, he took a ball and shot it in Tezuka's direction, but Yoshika was quicker...

*THWACK!*

The audience and players went silent, the only sound being heard was the ball hitting the floor. Yoshika stood up, her cobalt-hued hair covering her eyes, creating an eerie and creepy illusion. Yoshika held her racquet in one hand, her other wrapped around Tezuka...

"No one. hurts. Tezuka!" Yoshika snarled. Her eyes held a deadly glare, her anger directed at Atobe. Atobe could definitely feel the anger that seeped from Yoshika. He had a feeling he'd regret shooting that ball...

Yoshika silently walked over to Atobe Keigo who was standing in the courts with what seemed to be a strong aura, but inside he was beginning to cower in fear. Yoshika stood in front of the Hyotei tennis captain for a bit before she looked up at him and punched him...

"I'm tired of your dirty tricks. Leave him alone!" Yoshika yelled...