Nioh Masaharu, the Trickster of Rikkai Dai, yawned as he sat in his health class. Nationals were over and now teachers were piling the students with homework, which Nioh spent most of his evening on last night. The teacher for health was a whack job, in Nioh’s opinion, and he knew no one in this class to make things worse. All his teammates got the gym portion this semester around.
“Okay the project for this class is simple. I’m going to pair you up in boy-girl pairs and you will act as if you are a newly married couple for one month,” said the health teacher. She took out two hats, filled with folded papers. “Thankfully, Nioh-kun is not busy with tennis anymore so that he can actually pay attention in class.” Unfortunately for Nioh, the health teacher is also in charge of detention which Nioh attends time from time from pulling pranks on other students. Also unfortunately for Nioh most girls in this class are his fangirls. “Okay let’s see the first pairing couple---Nioh-kun and -chan.”
“,” screeched all the other girls in class. Nioh looked around to find his partner.
“-chan please stop mumbling and pay attention,” said the teacher, not really annoyed because she was used to her behavior by now. “Come up here and sit next to your husband.”
“Ah sure sensei,” said , a girl with black hair and blue eyes. Her hair was in wildly braided knots, she wore two different color socks; she wore caprice with her school skirt on top. Nioh wondered why she seemed familiar. The blue eyed girl got up with her books and then proceeded to fall flat on her face. “Ow!” People laughed and giggled except Nioh and the teacher. Nioh blinked. Oh yes, she was the one assigned to give Yukimura his homework and then was banned from the hospital because she fell and almost ripped Yukimura’s IV out.
“Are you alright,” asked the teacher, exasperated.
“Fine, sensei,” said , with a red mark on her face. Soon all the pairings were announced and the teacher looked thrilled to announce the next part.
“Now I will give you an assignment on a card and you will do it because I have people watching you. You don’t know where and who they are but I’ll know if you are doing the assignment or not,” said the teacher. Nioh grumbled. “And now Nioh-kun, pick a card.” The Trickster took a card from the pile.
‘You must each lunch with your partner, alone.’
Oh freaking wonderful.
“Are you serious, Nioh-senpai,” asked Kirihara. “But she’s the resident freak and klutz of the school!”
“Kirihara, it’s not nice to say things about people like that,” said Yukimura, sternly. He, of course, remembered that poor, strange girl.
“Sorry, buchou,” said Kirihara. “But can’t you get your partner changed?”
“It’s either her or one of the screeching fangirls,” said Nioh, blankly. His teammates looked at him with pity, lucky that they did this project a few months ago. Nioh left them and went to find his ‘wife’. She was sitting against one of the trees that were around the school grounds. She seemed to be preoccupied. “-san, I have to eat lunch with you.”
“Oh hello,” said , surprised. “Nioh-san this is for you as my assignment was to make you something with my hands. I only had a little about of time to do it though.” Nioh sat down on the ground.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” said Nioh. She handed him a black beaded necklace. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to wear it,” said . Nioh put the necklace in his pocket. Nioh took out his lunch that his mother made him.
“Aren’t you eating,” Nioh asked.
“My lunch went missing from my locker,” said . Nioh shrugged and handed her one of his rice balls. “Oh, thanks.” Nioh did not response and wondered who would steal someone else’s lunch. After the lunch bell rang, got up and then proceeded to get hit by paper balls.
“Hey, knock it off,” said Nioh, loudly. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” said . That afternoon he went with Yukimura and Sanada to Yukimura’s house. Nioh told him what happened to his ‘wife’.
“That’s so mean,” said Yukimura, frowning. “She may be klutzy and a bit off but there’s no reason for anyone to steal her lunch or throw paper balls at her.” He, of course, had a point. Nioh just hoped that it was just a one day thing. The next day in class, Nioh got another card with a different assignment.
‘Learn two new things about your partner.’
Nioh looked , reading her own card. She looked at him.
“Do you like hugs or kisses,” asked . Nioh looked at her. “See, it’s on the card.”
“Hugs I suppose,” said Nioh. “What’s your favorite hobby?”
“Sleeping,” said .
“And what’s your favorite fruit,” asked Nioh.
“I like pineapples,” stated . “Any more questions?”
“No I just needed to find out two new things about you,” said Nioh. She nodded. Soon about two weeks went by of Nioh having to deal with the eccentricity of his partner for the health assignment. He learned various things about —like she wore pants under her skirt because when she falls she does not want anyone seeing her underwear, she was horrible at matching socks, and she loves Skittles. They also got very odd assignments besides learning things about each other and eating lunch together. One time Nioh and had to have an argument over ‘Nioh being out late with his friends’. Thankfully, that only happened once because is awful at acting. He also noticed, along with his teammates, that people make fun of her and sometimes trip her on purpose when she walks in crowded halls. But since she has been near Nioh most the time for the past month no one dared mess with her.
“So what’s your assignment today, Nioh,” asked Marui.
“We have to walk around,” said Nioh, blankly.
“That’ll be hard since she falls every ten steps,” said Marui, shaking his head. Nioh nodded. He waited for her near her locker. Her locker was open and someone smeared peanut butter all over it and her stuff. Nioh twitched; he does not understand why people do these things to her. She never does anything to anyone, ever. He also noticed that her shoes were gone, so she must have gone home. He hoped their health teacher was still in the school.
“Ah, Nioh-kun, yes -chan had to leave early,” said the sensei. “You can do your assignment tomorrow.” Nioh nodded and went home. He just hoped that she was alright and he wondered why he cared. The next day after school, Nioh told that he was going to walk her home.
“Oh thanks,” said . The whole way he made sure that she did not fall down and get hurt and when they got to her house, her mother pulled inside immediately. Nioh thought that was strange but ignored it. Soon the last day of the project came and the teacher gave Nioh and a perfect passing grade. To his surprise, asked Nioh to talk to her after class.
“What’s up,” asked Nioh.
“Um, I wanted to thank you for tolerating me this past month,” said , looking at the ground.
“Its fine, we got a good grade, so don’t worry about it,” said Nioh. She nodded and left him alone. He wondered why she looked so sad. He talked about it with Yukimura and Marui.
“She doesn’t have any friends,” said Marui, chewing some gum. “And she’s not in any clubs, she’s probably real lonely. But she makes no attempts in making friends.”
“I don’t think she knows how,” said Yukimura, pondering. Nioh sighed and thought that they were probably right. A few days later, Nioh was walking down the hallway when he saw a crowd of people.
“What the hell is she doing,” laughed some people. Nioh pushed his way through the crowd. There was talking and it seemed to people who were not there. Nioh looked confused but he needed to get her some place without a crowd. He grabbed her and dragged her away to the teachers’ lounge.
“Sensei, something is wrong with ,” said Nioh, opening the door.
“Aw, man not again,” said a sensei. “Someone call her parents. Nioh bring her in here and tell us what she was doing.”
“Standing talking to imaginary people it seemed,” said Nioh. Despite it not being his business, he wanted to know what was wrong with her.
“Oh no, not again,” said , loudly. She bolted from the room.
“I’ll go after her,” said Nioh, running after her. She went to the deserted hallway leading to the roof. She sat and went into the fetal position. The silver haired tennis player kneeled down and tried to get her to look at him. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m such a freak,” muttered , not realizing he was there.
“Come on,” said Nioh.
“Nioh-san, get away from me please,” said , desperate to be alone. “Just leave me here and my parents will find me.”
“What’s wrong,” asked Nioh. He never got his answer as her parents showed up and took her away. The sensei avoided any of his questions so he decided to go to her house. Her mother answered the door.
“She’s fine, now,” said her mother, lying through her teeth. Then she tried to shut the door in his face.
“Don’t lie,” said Nioh, he put one foot inside the house to stop her from shutting the door. He heard yelling from upstairs. “What’s going on?” He rushed in the house and to find the source of yelling. ’s mother grabbed his arm.
“Don’t go in there, you are just going to upset her,” said the woman. Nioh ignored her and went in the room to see yelling.
“No, shut up, I know he does not and should not care,” said , pausing then saying, “NO BECAUSE YOU’LL JUST HURT HIM!” Nioh entered the room and the black haired girl saw him. “Nioh-san, leave now before they hurt you!”
“Who’s going to hurt me,” asked Nioh.
“Them,” said , pointing to no one.
“There’s no one there and even if there were, they would not be able to hurt me,” said Nioh as she began to push him out of her room. It was then he realized that her room was padded and there was just a bed in there. Nioh stopped her from pushing him by grabbing her arms and then he hugged her. “Calm down, you need to calm down.” He held her until she fell asleep.
“Amazing,” said her father, entering the room. “She never let’s either of us do that for her.”
“I know this isn’t my business but what’s wrong with her,” asked Nioh for the umpteenth time today.
“She’s schizophrenic, it’s been getting worse over the past few months,” answered her father, sadly. “Pretty soon her doctors will want her to stay permanently in the hospital.”
“Isn’t there medicine to control that,” asked Nioh.
“Her body rejected the pills and they don’t work and sedatives just make her worse,” said her father. “We hoped that she could at least graduate middle school before she got worse. She’s a very smart girl, after all.”
“Well, we only have a month left, so if you really want to let her graduate I’ll keep an eye on her for you,” said Nioh.
“I think she will appreciate that more than anything,” said her father, smiling. The next few days could not look Nioh in the eyes. She told him he really did not have to do this, but he just ignored her objections.
“Why are you being so nice,” asked , one day at lunch.
“Because you never did anything to anyone and you deserve to graduate with us,” said Nioh. She did not respond. Then one day, went off to the bathroom and Nioh began getting worried. Marui bounced over.
“Hey where’s your charge,” asked the bubblegum chewer.
“Don’t call her my charge, Marui, she just went to the bathroom but that was ten minutes ago,” said Nioh.
“Nioh let’s go look for her and if worse comes to worse we’ll ask Yukimura-buchou to dress as girl and go in the girls’ room,” said Marui.
“Have Yukimura-buchou do what now,” asked Yukimura, voice laced with a threat of torture training. Marui jumped behind Nioh, in which Nioh left Marui with an annoyed Yukimura and headed to the girls’ bathroom.
“She’s not in there,” said the school’s resident bookworm, Mizuki. “She went that way.” Nioh thanked her and ran in the direction that Mizuki pointed in. He found her being accosted by some guy, rather violently. Nioh pushed him to the ground.
“What the hell do you think your doing,” asked Nioh to the guy.
“She started freaking out about something or another, I just wanted her shut up,” said the guy. Nioh glared at him and he scurried away like an animal.
“Are you alright,” asked Nioh. She nodded.
“I’m sorry,” said .
“Stop apologizing,” said Nioh, taking her hand and leading her back to class. “Next time don’t wander off, okay?” nodded.
“Um, thank you,” she said.
“No problem,” he replied. Soon graduation was rolling around and was not going to be attending the graduation ceremony because her parents thought it best to not get her excited so she would not have an episode. But she did make it through to the end of the year, at least. The silver haired tennis player sat in his room reading a book, well trying to at least.
“Haru-chan,” called his mother from downstairs.
“Yeah, what,” called back Nioh.
“You have a visitor,” she yelled back. Nioh grunted and headed downstairs to see none other than Atobe Keigo standing in his hallway. What, in the name of the seven hells, was he doing here in his house?
“Atobe,” asked Nioh.
“Ah, took you long enough,” said Atobe, he looked angry at Nioh. The Trickster knew he did not do anything to him or the other rich brats. “Come with Ore-sama, we must talk.” Nioh shrugged and followed Atobe outside.
“What do you want from me,” asked Nioh.
“Stay away from her,” said Atobe, blankly.
“From who Monkey King,” asked Nioh, taking that name from Echizen.
“,” said Atobe.
“Huh,” asked Nioh. How did this guy know ?
“You dolt, she is Ore-sama’s cousin,” snapped Atobe. “Stay away from her.”
“Listen I don’t know what anyone told you I was just looking out for her,” said Nioh.
“Ore-sama knows that you would not have watched out for her unless you either had feelings for her or pitied her beyond belief,” said Atobe. “I just don’t think it is wise for you to go for someone that will eventually have to be locked away for the rest of her life.”
“Woah, woah hold it right there Atobe. I don’t have romantic feelings for her nor did I pity her, she just looked like she needed a friend and apparently she really needs one. And please tell me that your rich ass family is not the one wanting to put her away,” said Nioh, blankly.
“Are you suggesting that Ore-sama, Ore-sama’s parents and grandparents are ashamed of ,” asked Atobe, raising an eyebrow. “You do realize that Ore-sama’s family is paying for the best psychologists in the world for her.”
“And look what is it doing—nothing,” snapped Nioh, starting to get a headache.
“Ah that’s unfortunate but her episodes are getting worse and the doctors fear that she will try to hurt others or herself again,” said Atobe, glaring at Nioh. “Ore-sama will tell you that he does not want to have to find her in a pool of her own blood again and is very worried about her. And Ore-sama does not wish for you to get hurt either, despite everything else.” Atobe left him standing outside in front of his house to think.
‘Pool of her own blood, did try to kill herself? Well that would be obvious after all people with one mental illness probably all wind up with depression, but dear Kami-sama when did she try that?’ Nioh sighed and went back inside.
“Atobe actually thought I had feelings for , okay so maybe I wanted to take care of her and can’t stop thinking about her or wishing there was something more I could do,” muttered Nioh to himself as he laid on his bed. He began to doze off when his cell phone rang.
“Nioh, its Yukimura.”
“What? I’m trying to get some sleep here.”
“Ah, sorry I just thought you would like to know that I was walking to Sanada’s house when I saw -chan out in her front yard I assume yelling at no one.” Nioh hung up on Yukimura and ran out of the house. Meanwhile Yukimura blinked as he heard the tone dial.
“Well, he at least could have said goodbye or something,” said Yukimura, shaking his head. Nioh got to the household just as he saw ’s father attempt to get her in the house. The silver haired boy walked over to her.
“, let’s go inside,” said Nioh, calmly. She seemed not to hear him meaning that she probably was preoccupied with whatever the illusions were saying. “ look at me, ignore the others.” She then snapped not at him but to the illusions.
“SHUT UP I KNOW YOU AREN’T REAL, I’M NOT GOING TO LISTEN, SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP,” she screamed. knows that they are not real, but sometimes she just can’t help but listen to them and their threats about her family and more recently her only friend, Nioh. She knew that the people that she sees knows what she really feels, but she will not put him on the spot in fact she bets that he can’t wait to stop looking after her. Nioh sighed and picked her up as she screamed ‘Shut up’ some more. Her father then was able to take her upstairs.
“How did you know,” asked her mother.
“A friend of mine saw her and called me,” said Nioh.
“Thank you,” said her mother.
“Ah no problem,” said Nioh, but then he asked. “So you weren’t going to mention that you’re related to the Atobe family, were you? Atobe Keigo came to visit me today and bugged the hell out of me and unfortunately knew where I lived because Rikkai Dai and Hyoutei are major rival schools in tennis.”
“I’m Keigo’s father’s sister,” said ’s mother. “And why would Keigo go bother you?”
“He told me to stay away from ,” said Nioh. He was not going to add the part about feelings and such because frankly that was his own business. Her parents let Nioh go up to ’s room to talk to her.
“Hi, Nioh-san,” whispered , sitting on her bed with her knees pulled up to her chest. “I’m sorry I’m such a bother.”
“Stop apologizing,” said Nioh. “Are you alright now? What were the illusions saying to you this time?”
“That, um, I was stupid enough to, uh, think that anybody could love me.”
“Why can’t anyone love you,” asked Nioh.
“They said I’m such a thorn in everyone’s side because they have to take care of me,” answered , sadly.
“Your parents love you very much and so does the rest of your family,” said Nioh, sitting next to her.
“But its family obligation,” said .
“That’s ridiculous,” said Nioh. “Plus I don’t have family obligation to you right?” She did not say anything to that but she did hug him. He hugged her back.
“You’re a warm, good person,” muttered . “Thanks for being my friend for a little while since in a few days I’ll be living in the hospital.” Nioh felt his heart tighten in his chest as she kept hugging him gently.
‘Oh Kami-sama, I do love her.’ All the Trickster knew was that he could not say anything to her or anyone for that matter and he knew as he tightened the hug just a little bit that he did not want to let her go. But he was going to have to.
A few days later, after graduation, Nioh was off for a few months before starting school again. But that’s not what he was really worried about. was just admitted as a ward of the psych ward in the hospital yesterday. Her parents and the rest of the family had visiting rights and Nioh felt that maybe it was for the best that he did not see her again. After all if they were ever going to be together, Nioh might hurt her worse mentally than she already is or something along those lines.
“Sweetie, are you sleeping,” asked his mother, whispering as she entered his room.
“No, what’s wrong,” asked Nioh to his mother.
“You have a visitor and it’s not Atobe-kun again,” said his mother. After Atobe came over he told his mother to just tell Atobe that Nioh was not home at the moment. The silver haired boy sighed and followed his mother downstairs. There was a woman sitting on the couch waiting.
“Ah, you must be Nioh-kun,” said the blonde haired, blue eyed woman, smiling brightly. “I’m Tsume-sensei, -chan’s doctor and I wanted to talk to you.” Nioh’s mother smiled and went off to get some drinks. The Trickster sat across from the doctor.
“Well, is something wrong with ,” asked Nioh.
“Oh no, she is adjusting fine to life in the hospital,” said Tsume-sensei. “You see I have sessions with -chan and she can freely talk to me. I can’t disclose what she told me but I was wondering if you would not mind having your name on her visitors list. Of course your parents would have to agree and -chan’s family agreed already. But her cousin Atobe-kun objected vehemently.”
“I figure he do something like that but are you sure it would be okay for me to visit her then,” asked Nioh.
“Oh I see,” said Tsume-sensei, suddenly. “You’re in love with her and afraid that you might hurt her if you tell her.” Nioh blinked. “I understand how you feel; my husband is like -chan. Although he can stay at home since his sister lives with us too while I am work she takes care of him.”
“How long have you been married,” asked Nioh.
“Ten years and it’ll be twenty for how long we’ve known each other,” said Tsume-sensei. “It’s okay to love her and I’m sure you won’t hurt her either.” Nioh blinked. He figured out that she probably became a psychologist to find a cure for schizophrenia. His mother gladly gave him permission to visit.
“Hey, ,” said Nioh coming into the room that belonged to her at the hospital. It just looked like the room she had at home.
“Nioh-san,” asked . “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, uh, your doctor put me on the visitors list,” said Nioh. He had no idea what else he was supposed to say.
“Oh,” she said. She looked like she was coloring in a coloring book. She wore a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. And frankly, she looked bored sitting on the floor. “It’s not so bad here, I can walk around outside as long I’m with someone. The food is okay, I suppose.”
“They won’t let you have Skittles,” said Nioh.
“It’s not healthy,” said , pouting. “I still have episodes, if you’re wondering, I can see them now actually but they are being quiet for once. I think they’re angry I can’t go out in public and make a fool of myself.”
“They sound mean,” said Nioh, sitting next to her. She nodded.
“You’re wearing the necklace I made you,” said , astonished.
“Oh, yeah I’ve been wearing it for a while,” said Nioh. It was true the day after she gave the necklace to him, he put it on since it was black and did not look so bad. She just looked at him as if he were the crazy one. “What?”
“Oh it’s just that you are the only person to ever wear a piece of jewelry that I made. I mean my parents still have them and I am pretty sure Keigo misplaced the ones I gave him,” babbled on . Nioh chuckled.
“Relax,” he said. looked embarrassed as Nioh decided to ruffle her hair. “Don’t those wild braids hurt?”
“Oh I don’t how to do a regular braid,” mumbled . “And my mother is afraid to come near me with a brush, just in case.” Nioh then pulled her in front of him and began unbraided the randomly placed and shape braids. She did not say anything and let him move his hands through her hair. Of course, Nioh did not have a brush so he had to improvise with his hands. He used to play with his mother’s hair when he was younger and she was the one to teach him how to braid. Nioh noted that her hair was very soft as he ran his fingers through her hair and braided it.
“There,” said Nioh, whispering in her ear. blushed red. She leaned against him as he held her until he felt that she was sleeping. Nioh and did not notice the eyes of Tsume-sensei looking at them, smiling knowingly. The next few days, Nioh visited until Yukimura told him to come and meet the team to discuss tennis. He told her that he would be by a bit later the day before. While Nioh was hanging out with his team, had a session with Tsume-sensei.
“So, -chan you haven’t had an episode in two days, which is very good,” said Tsume-sensei, smiling. “Okay you know the drill start talking.”
“I am feeling okay, and I’m glad you let Nioh-kun visit me,” said , and Tsume-sensei noted the change of the honorific she gave him. “He’s really nice and he even braids my hair for me. He even wears the necklace I gave him. He-he, um, Nevermind.” She began blushing.
“Come now -chan, you can tell me and I won’t tell anyone,” said Tsume-sensei.
“He’s the only one that treated me like another human. I feel alive when I’m with Nioh-kun.” Tsume bit her lip as began tearing up.
“You love him,” said Tsume. She nodded and began crying. The doctor got up from her desk and sat next to her and let the poor girl cry on her shoulder.
“It’s not fair why I am like this,” cried , as the good doctor tried to comfort her the best she could. “SHUT UP IT’S NOT DADDY’S FAULT!” Tsume winced and knew that ’s illusions were talking to her again, but just let the girl let everything she felt out. After the session and calmed down, Tsume took her back to her room.
“Later you should take a walk outside,” said Tsume, before leaving. just sat on her bed staring at the wall, eyes red from crying.
“Idiot girl actually thinks that she can have a normal relationship with anybody.”
“I can believe she loves that boy, Kami-sama knows he will never return her feelings. He just pities her.”
“You’re telling me. The only ones that understand her are us! Isn’t that right -kun?”
“NO,” yelled , shaking her head. “JUST STAY SILENT!”
“,” asked Nioh, entering the room. He studied her for a moment. Her eyes were red, she was visibly upset and he knew that she was about to have another episode. He went over to her and made her look at him. “Look at me, , tell me what’s wrong.” She tried to divert her eyes from his but she could not help but get lost in his eyes.
“I, uh…Do you want take a walk,” asked , quickly. Nioh raised an eyebrow. They got permission to walk around the hospital grounds. Nioh walked slowly to make sure that did not trip on her own feet again. Once they were a good distance away from other people yet still in close vicinity to the hospital, stopped.
“What’s wrong,” again he asked. She would not look him in the eyes.
“I just wanted to tell you that you can just think I’m crazy or whatever but I need to tell you and please just don’t laugh at me,” she muttered. Nioh made her look at him in eyes again. “I am in love with you.” There was a pause as if time itself stopped.
“, I—” Someone then, shoved Nioh away from , cutting off what he was about to say.
“I thought I told you to stay away from her,” stated Atobe, angry and not even using ‘Ore-sama’. “Get back to your room , now.”
“But Keigo,” started . But she just shut up and walked away. That left Nioh and Atobe to glare at each other.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing putting your hands on her,” growled Atobe. “You did something to her to believe that she is in love with you.”
“I didn’t do anything to her, jackass,” snarled Nioh. “You’re the one that just yelled at her!”
“I know what you were going to say,” said Atobe. “Don’t say a thing and never come to see her again.”
“Fuck that,” said Nioh, grabbing Atobe by the shirt. “You will not tell me that I can’t see her, you are not the boss of her or me. Unless the hospital kicks me out I’m going to come and see her.” They glared at each other as Nioh released Atobe.
“I’m just trying to protect her from heartbreak,” said Atobe, turning away from him.
“I love her Atobe there’s nothing you can do about that,” said Nioh, blankly.
“I know.” Atobe left and Nioh walked back to the hospital hoping made it back to her room one piece. Luckily she was sitting in her room, crying and muttering to herself. He did not announce himself as he kneeled near her bed and took her hand in his hand.
“Don’t cry, everything is going to be alright,” said Nioh, soothingly.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to tell you,” said , sniffling. She got up and walked away from him. Nioh got up after her. He grabbed her to face him.
“I love you, and I’m not joking,” said Nioh. She burst into tears and Nioh brought her into a hug. “I love you, I love you and I’ll tell you a million times if you want.”
“I love you,” said , muffled because her face was buried into his chest. Eventually she stopped crying and calmed down. They sat on the floor with Nioh holding onto in his arms. He placed a kiss on her head.
About three years later, Nioh was in his last year of high school and he and have been in a relationship for that long. He visited her every chance he got to do so. At first it was hard for him to not kiss her a lot since the hospital was kind of jerks about that. He tried to be content with just hugging and kisses on her forehead, but he had to control himself otherwise the doctors might decide to ban him from the hospital. Anyway, he had to tell her that Rikkai Dai made it to the Nationals again so he would be busy with tennis for a few days.
“Of course, you and your team are in the Nationals,” said . “Too bad I can’t come to see you play.”
“No I think you would get upset if you saw me play,” said Nioh.
“You aren’t the Trickster for nothing, Masaharu-kun,” said . Nioh nodded.
“Anyway, I have to go train with the team or Yukimura and Sanada will have my head if I don’t show up on time,” said Nioh, ready to leave.
“Wait,” said . He turned to look at her when she kissed him on the lips. “Uh, good luck, I love you.” Nioh then leaned down and kissed her again for a few minutes. No one knew how long he wanted to do that but he still held back and broke the kiss.
“I love you,” said Nioh, grinning at her. He left as touched her lips in a daze. A few days later, Rikkai Dai was going against Hyoutei in a semi-finals match. Doubles 2 and Singles 2 & 3 were won by Rikkai Dai already and Doubles 1 is Nioh and Yanagi verses Hyoutei’s Atobe and Kabaji. Yes, Atobe is participating in Doubles 1 because he really likes to play Nioh and beat him.
Nioh and Yanagi dominated because of their superior doubles tennis skills.
Soon the finals were going to be in a day and Nioh was spending his evening visiting his girlfriend that he neglected for a few days. His teammates followed just to make sure that he got some more training in before tomorrow. They stayed in the hall while Nioh went into ’s room.
“Hey,” said Nioh.
“I heard that you won from Keigo,” said .
“Yeah, the finals are tomorrow,” said Nioh. “We are going against Seigaku. My team is outside just to let you know.” He chuckled at her confused expression. “They want to get more training done before tomorrow.”
“Oh just be careful and don’t hurt yourself,” said , suddenly shaking her head.
“They’re here again aren’t they,” asked Nioh. He sat next to her and hugged her. “Just concentrate on me right now, ignore them.” She had her face buried in his chest.
“I love you.”
“I know, I love you too,” said Nioh. He loved holding her in his arms and really wanted to kiss her but he knew that either Yanagi or Marui was peaking in the room. He picked up a pillow and threw it at the door. Outside, Marui cursed Nioh’s perceptiveness.
“Kiss me,” said . Nioh blinked. He did not need to be told twice. They kissed and Nioh felt like he could do anything. He loved her so much. Later when he was his team at the courts training, Yukimura sat him down.
“Nioh, I know you really love -san and I’m, we’re all very happy for you but you know you made a few mistakes in your match against Hyoutei,” said Yukimura, sternly. “Make sure you are not distracted for tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, buchou,” said Nioh, putting his famous poker face on. Unfortunately he had no time to go visit before the matches but he called her and told her loved her. He sat in the stadium looking at the Seigaku team, they were the same but he did notice that there were a few girls there doting on Fuji, Kikumaru and Tezuka, they must their girlfriends. A rematch from the Nationals from three years ago, Nioh will be playing Singles 3 against Fuji Syuusuke again.
“Let’s see how better you have gotten, Nioh,” said Fuji, smiling.
“You’re on, tensai,” replied Nioh, feeling as if something bad was going to happen. He shook the feeling off and began the match. As they played Atobe disappeared and Nioh’s mother came near the Rikkai Dai team. She said something to Sanada, who went straight to Yukimura. He frowned. Tezuka and the other players of the team watched this from across the stadium. Luckily Nioh and Fuji got a five minute break but unfortunately Yukimura said something to Nioh.
Nioh ran and everyone, but a few people, looked confused. Fuji frowned something was wrong.
“Seigaku’s Fuji Syuusuke wins via forfeit,” said the referee. Meanwhile, Nioh reached the hospital. By now the nurses and doctors knew who he was and played with the idea to let him live here with since he came so often. He ran to ’s room. He opened it to see blood on the floor. Nioh’s stomach dropped, he stopped breathing, and he ran to the nearest doctor.
“Where is she,” he demanded. The doctor told him she was in operating room. He went to the operating room’s waiting area to see Atobe, his parents, grandparents, and ’s parents. Tsume-sensei was sitting there too with her arm in a sling; she looked like she wanted to cry. “What’s going on?”
“Another psych patient got a hold of one of the guards’ guns,” answered Tsume-sensei. “He went on a firing rampage. He killed two other people before he got to -chan’s room where I was talking with her. He shot at me first but -chan pushed me out of the way in time, but…” She trailed off and everyone waited for his reaction. He stood there doing nothing, he felt numb. He sat down next to Atobe and stared at the ceiling.
‘Do not take her away from me please. If I lose her, my whole world will fall apart. No I can’t do this now, she has to make it.’
The operating doctor came out with a solemn face.
“I’m sorry but it was too late,” said the doctor. Nioh’s heart broke into many pieces.
“Can I see her, please,” asked Nioh. He knew his voice gave away his pain. The doctor could do nothing and led him to where body was at the moment before it would be removed to the morgue. He stood next to the bed of his deceased beloved. He lightly touched her cheek and it was ice cold, he retracted his hand quickly. “I love you, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you, I should have been here with you.” The tears came and he could not control the tears. He smiled bitterly. “At least my angel is back in heaven.” He continued crying. He went home and Nioh locked himself in his room. Soon enough the funeral was taking place and Nioh was sitting in the front, face blank. He cried enough. He did not even listen to the people talk, they did not know the way Nioh did. The people then began dispersing. Even when the coffin was taken away he did not move. He already said goodbye.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Nioh,” said the voice of Fuji, sitting next to him. Nioh just shrugged. “You are a strong person Nioh.”
“No I’m not, I want her back but I won’t have her back,” said Nioh, angrily. “Her life was one bad thing after another and I could do nothing about it.”
“But she had you right? At least she loved and felt love because of you. All you could do now is to live your life to the fullest because she never had a chance,” said Fuji. Nioh looked at the tensai.
“I suppose you are right,” muttered Nioh. Fuji smiled and left. Nioh got up and look to the heavens. “I love you, my angel.” He walked out of the church and didn’t look back. He needed to live so his angel in the heavens that is watching over him can be proud.
©CrazyGirlOfManyNames, 2008