Chapter Six

I'm so stupid!

Yeah, actually I really was. I didn't even know what I was doing anymore. All those things that I said to Hanamiya, were they unreasonable? They weren't, right? I wasn't unfair! I was only teaching him a lesson.

So he had to choose: me or his disgusting basketball.

If he really loved me then he would listen to what I say, it was for the best. Because it's not like playing agressively was all that he could do---he's a genius, a talented player, and his spider web is nearly invincible. He can even score whenever he wants to. Therefore, he needn't use his filthy basketball anymore and hurt other players.

I knew I was right. But how would I make him understand if he wouldn't even listen to me?

Makoto, you blockhead!

Sighing, I looked up at the fast food's signage. Maji Burger. I really liked the place's Cherry Sundae. At the moment, I wanted to eat all my frustration and sadness out. I knew something cold and sweet would help and besides, it's what my taste buds were looking for.

And just as I was about to open the door, somebody pushed it from the other side. It hit my face hard, causing me to squeal in pain.

"Crap! It hurts!" I cupped my nose and moved away from the glass door, cursing the bastard who opened it without even checking if there was somebody on the other side.

"You hurt her, Kiyoshi!"

"Ow. That hurts, Hyuga. I didn't do it on purpose."

"Shut up. Let's just check her, d'aho!"

I froze up and blinked a couple of times. Kiyoshi? Hyuga? Don't tell me-- Seiren? Dang it! What must I do?

I was getting incredibly nervous all of a sudden. They surely hate Hanamiya because of what he did to Kiyoshi. And me, as his girlfriend, meeting them there, should I run? Yeah, I should.

But wait..

What the fudge am I thinking?

I did not do anything wrong. What Hanamiya did to them was all on him, I had nothing to do with it. So I should stop acting like a paranoid wimp.

Stop overreacting, Nadeshiko. It's not like they know you or something.

"H-Hey! Are you okay? I'm sorry I wasn't looking." The giant brunette apologized, nervously scratching the back of his head.

I fixed myself and turned to them, "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

"No, you're not. You're bleeding." Hyuga exclaimed, quite panicking and concern was hinted in his loud voice.

"H-Huh?" I checked my nose and gasped when I saw blood on my fingers. "What the freaking.."

"Here." Kiyoshi rushed to my assistance, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket then wiping the red liquid clean on my face. He pressed it against my nose to stop the bleeding---stopping me from breathing too.

"C-Can't breathe.." I managed to say, my voice muffled up by his hand. Then I saw Hyuga gave the brunette a hand chop on the head, causing the latter to grunt in pain and move away. I immediately tried to make up for the lost air.

"That hurts, Hyuga!"

"She can't breathe, d'aho!"

Kiyoshi looked at me apologetically before handing me the piece of cloth, "S-Sorry."

"It's okay," I took the hanky and pressed it softly on my nose, carefully pampering my poor olfactory organ. It was still hurting like shit, but I managed to give them a sly smile. "Ja, I'll go inside. Be careful next time."

Hyuga returned the smile, "Yeah, sorry about that again. Ne Kiyoshi?" He turned to his friend who was just standing there, staring deeply at me---or was it at my face? I frowned, wondering what's his problem. "Oi, Kiyoshi!"

Kiyoshi flinched and awkwardly looked away. Then he cleared his throat then gave me a warm smile, his cheeks were a bit red. "Y-Yeah. Sorry again."

Still confused of his actions, I turned my back and left the two there who were starting to talk about something. I proceeded to the counter and ordered one Cherry Sundae and French Fries. Upon sitting at the table near the window, I heaved a sigh and checked my nose once again. It stopped bleeding but it was still aching and also it felt slightly numb. I groaned and stared at the blood-stained handkerchief in my hand.

Kiyoshi Teppei..

He was a good guy yet he seemed weird.

I brushed the thought away and started eating. A few minutes later, my phone rang. I plucked it out of my pocket then read the Caller ID. Hara-chan. I answered the call immediately.

"Hello?"

"Don't give me that!" I flinched and moved the phone away from my ear. He was freaking loud! "Where are you?! We were searching for you this entire time and Hanamiya said he can't reach you!" Naturally, Hanamiya couldn't reach me because I blocked him on my phone. I just had to do it so that he'd know that I was serious. "It's already late, tell me where you are! I'll come and get you!"

I sighed. Hara sounded so mad and worried at the same time. "I'm here in Maji Burger. But please don't bring him with you."

"Wait, what??" He paused, as if waiting for me to explain. But I remained silent, I heard him sighed. "Fine. Wait for me, I'll be there."

"Okay.."

***

A sweaty, panting Kazuya Hara smacked me on the forehead the moment he arrived ten minutes after he called. He was apparently worried and at the same time, annoyed. "Don't make people worry, Na-chan!"

"Sorry," I said apologetically before rubbing the aching part of my forehead. "Not my intention."

"Let's go home, it's already late. And--" He trailed off upon noticing the handkerchief in front of me. Then he turned to me, clearly appalled due to seeing the stains of blood on the piece of cloth. "What is this? Are you hurt?" He grabbed both sides of my face, forcefully pulling me closer. He checked every part of my head, finally catching sight of my slightly swollen nose. "What happened to your nose?! Who hurt you?!"

"Woah there," I gently removed his hands from my face and composed myself. "Relax, okay? Kiyoshi didn't do it on purpose, it was an accident."

He froze up, jawdropped. "Kiyoshi? KIYOSHI TEPPEI?!"

Because of his loud mouth, the costumers around turned to us. I groaned and mentally punched him on the face. Of course, I couldn't do that physically because I would only embarrass ourselves even more. So I stood up from my seat instead, gathered my things, and dragged him outside the premises. "What were you thinking? That was embarrassing!"

"I was just really surprised," he took something out of his pocket then opened it before chewing whatever it was inside. It was already too late when I realized it was a pack of gum. "So what happened to you and that Kiyoshi Teppei?"

We started walking home, side by side. I sighed first before telling him everything that happened---of how Kiyoshi Teppei nearly broke my nose by accident. "But I'm already fine now so don't worry."

"Then?"

I raised a brow, not getting what he was trying to dig up. "Then what?"

He turned to me, popping a comical vein. "Did he even apologize to you? Jeez."

An 'oh' formed my mouth, smiling upon remembering Kiyoshi Teppei's apology and silliness. "Of course, many times. So chill. Ok?"

He focused his attention back on the road ahead of us. "That careless bastard," he grumbled darkly while blowing a bubble out of his gum.

"Tch," I elbowed him on his side which made him flinch and grunt in pain. He turned to me with a pained expression but was not able to protest because I beat him to it. "What happened was pure accident, he didn't mean to hurt me. But when you hurt him, it was intentional. So stop speaking ill of him like he's the bad guy here. In case you don't know, everybody thinks that you, my friends, are ruthless players. You are the villains."

He sighed exasperatingly as if getting impatient, "Here we are again. Don't you ever get tired, Na-chan? I've had enough of your drama."

"Drama?" I paused on my steps and grabbed his wrist, stopping him too. "You think I'm just a meddling old hag who does not have her own life to worry about? Is that it?"

I didn't intend to sound so mad but I was really offended so I wasn't able to control myself. Good God! So he was thinking I was just being dramatic? That's shit! I fucking care for them!

He seemed to has taken aback upon hearing what I said. He sighed in surrender then removed my hand that was gripping his arm, pulling me closer to give me an apologetic embrace. He would always do this whenever I get upset with him, and it's always effective. Like now, I found myself slowly sinking into my bestfriend's comfort. "I'm sorry, Na-chan. Please don't get mad." Moments like this are one of the rare times that he would sound entirely serious and humorless. "You had a fight with Hanamiya over this matter, didn't you?"

I fought the urge to cry and hugged him back, as if asking for some of his strength. "Yeah. I just don't want to see him injure other people again, I want him to change. And.." I tightened my embrace, "I want my bestfriend back. The Hara-chan who never even thought about hurting other people just to get what he wants."

He pulled away, ruffled my hair, and smiled. "I'm sorry for worrying you all this time, Na-chan. I guess I got a little crazy and desperate and even selfish."

"But I know you're not like that. Promise me you'll stop doing those nasty things again. Stop listening to Hanamiya for once."

A short moment of silence passed by before he nodded his head, "I promise."

I beamed and immediately hugged him again, "Thank you so much, Hara-chan."

"You're my bestfriend. You're much more important."

If only Hanamiya could understand me like how Hara does.. If only my boyfriend would listen to what I say like how my bestfriend does.. But maybe that was impossible, he could never abandon his basketball. Winning was much more important to him than what I say or feel.

Oh, that despicable guy..

***

With his car parked in front of our house, his back leaning against the vehicle, his hand grasping his phone tightly, and his head hung low---Hanamiya was giving off a strange aura of vulnerability, hopelessness, and desperation.

Makoto..

When he finally noticed our incoming footsteps, he immediately raised his head and turned to our location. We locked gazes for a moment and my chest tightened at the sight of his exhausted and helpless demeanor. How long had he been there? Ten minutes? Thirty? An hour? Two?

"Nadeshiko," he uttered my name in a longing tone. He walked towards me with long strides, encasing me in his arms tightly as if Hara was not around. "Please. Let's talk this out."

His shaky, helpless voice was tearing my heart into pieces. "Did you finally understand my point? Are you going to stop playing dishonestly and choose me over your basketball?"

I heard him gulp then in a voice filled with dissent, he spoke my name. "Nadeshiko.."

"Then forget it!" I pushed him away, "Go home, Hanamiya Makoto!"

"But that's unfair! Why are you making me choose? You know how important you are to me and how much I love basketball! Why are you doing this? This is bullshit, Nadeshiko!"

Clenching my fists in anger, I hissed. "I'm doing this because I fucking love you, that's why! And I'm not telling you to stop playing, I--" I held my forehead tightly when suddenly I saw the world around me blackened for a moment---literally!

It was aching.

My head was fucking aching.

"N-Nadeshiko, what- Are you okay?" He attempted to hold me once again but I shoved his hands away. Then as if on cue, Hara rushed to my assistance then secured me inside his arms. I saw how Hanamiya's eyes darkened at my act of rejecting him then choosing Hara instead.

"Are you okay?" Hara placed a hand on my forehead then to my neck, "You don't have a fever. Maybe this is because of what happened earlier, I think we should go to the hospital for a check-up."

I shook my head, "No, I'll be fine. I just need some rest."

"Wait!" Hanamiya butted in, worried and curious. "What are you talking about? What happened?"

"She got into a small accident with some careless guy earlier, she's badly hurt and her nose was nearly broken." Hara answered, Hanamiya gaped. "So let's call it a day, she needs rest."

Then without hearing his reply, Hara began to lead me inside the gate and into the house, leaving Hanamiya there alone. Before my bestfriend closed the door, I turned to look at him. And I saw the restless look on his face, his eyes mirrored with extreme concern and anxiety.

I'm sorry, Makoto..

The moment the door shut closed, I breathed out a heavy sigh. Of relief? Of agony? I didn't know. Because honestly, the aching of my head was trying to shut away all my sentiments. What I needed was the comfort of my soft, warm bed.

"I'm home," I said softly to my mother who immediately came to greet us.

"Hello, Auntie."

"Hi, Hara-kun. Okairi, Nadeshiko-chan." My mother walked over to us, giving us a sweet smile. "Hanamiya-kun was waiting for you outside for hours already, did you talk to him?" Then he turned to Hara and squeezed his right cheek, much to the poor guy's chagrin. "And you mister, you should really cut your hair."

I gave her a faint smile, ignoring the topic about Hanamiya. "Leave Hara-chan's hair alone, Mom. And I'll skip dinner tonight, I already ate outside. I'll just sleep in my room." I turned to Hara and gave him one last hug, "Thank you, Hara-chan."

"Should I tell your Mom about what happened to you?" He whispered into my ear.

"No," I whispered back. "They'll just make a fuss out of it. I'll be fine, don't worry."

"Okay, your call. But make sure you'll be."

When he was finally gone, I immediately headed to my room, changed into my pajamas, and laid down in bed. I wanted to take a shower but I was too lazy to move around. The past few days, I felt so strange. I became lazier than usual. My body had always felt so heavy too and most of the times, I just wanted to sleep all day.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I reached for my phone above the bedside drawer then read the caller ID.

Kentaro-kun

I took the call, "Hello?"

"Nadeshiko."

I quickly covered up my mouth to prevent myself from letting out a loud gasp, then I pulled my body up into a sitting position.

This voice.. Hanamiya Makoto!

"I know you said that you won't talk to me, but I just want to know if you're okay. I can't stop worrying about you."

Tears started to form in my eyes as I placed a hand on top of my pounding chest. He was really worried. And since I blocked him on my phone and e-mail, he couldn't get through to me so he used other means instead.

"Nadeshiko, please. I'm begging you."

I quietly took a deep breath, blinked back the tears in my eyes, and held the phone ever so tightly. "I'm okay."

"I'm glad to know that. That's all I needed to hear. Good night, Nadeshiko." Then a short pause, "I love you so much.."

My heart skipped a beat. I opened my mouth but it was already too late, he already hung up. "Shit," I groaned then fell back on the mattress, hugging my phone. I fucking didn't know what I was doing anymore.

I love you too, Makoto. So much.

***

There was a volleyball game being hosted by Kirisaki Dai Ichi. The gym was dominated by the male species, not that I cared. What only bothered me was the certain person standing at the entrance of the gym. He seemed to scare all the men who would look at me, or my legs, or my ass. Well yeah, death threats.

Hanamiya Makoto's glare is a death threat.

It had been days already ever since I started playing tag with him---ignoring him, avoiding him, and not even giving him a single glance. And honestly, it wasn't easy because I was missing him so much. But I had to hold myself back from hugging him or peppering him with kisses because then everything would be meaningless.

"Let's smash this, girls!"

"Yes, Captain." They chorused, smiling confidently.

We were one point away from victory and it was my turn to serve. Despite being awfully conscious of Hanamiya's piercing stare, I managed to act like my usual tough self throughout the game.

"Go, Captain!"

"Harashi-san! Go, go, go! Captain Harashi!"

The cheers made me smile. Dribbling the ball twice, I waited for the signal before tossing the ball into the air and doing a very powerful serve which our opponents didn't manage to receive. And that made our team win.

Loud cheers flooded the gymnasium as my girls and I started to hug and congratulate each other. Then after the handshake with the losers---joke, our opponents, we headed for the locker rooms to change. I released my hair from the tight ponytail and slipped on my school uniform.

"Good work, girls." I waved a hand at them before opening the door and stepping out. "Careful on your way home."

"Hai! Bye, Captain!"

Rubbing my grumbling stomach, I made my way out of the gym and into the pathway towards the school gate. But halfway through the exit, somebody called out my name. When I turned around, it was my stupid yet strangely kind friends---of course, Hanamiya's not counted.

"Congrats, Na-chan. You were amazing." Hara patted the top of my head, smiling.

"As always," Kojiro Furuhashi also gave me a smile. "Congratulations."

Kentaro Seto smirked, "That's her only merit anyway."

"Hey!" I turned to him, puffing my cheeks. "Is that why you're here? To tease me? Jeez," then I rolled my eyes. "Thank-you-very-much," I added sarcastically.

"Congratulations." Hanamiya said softly, staring directly into my face.

Silence.

As in, it was very quiet you could hear a penny drop.

I secretly gulped before glancing at Hanamiya, "Yeah. Thanks."

Hiroshi Yamazaki faked a cough, "Ehem. Awkward. Ehem."

Hiroshi, you idiot!

So to kill the awkward moment, I composed myself then turned to them, eyes still refusing to took at him. But I knew very well that he never once tore his gaze away from me, as if trying to bore a hole into my body.

Hanamiya Makoto! You're killing me here!

"Thank you, guys. But I really need to go, I promised my Mom I'll be home early." And before they could even say another word, I already scurried away, feeling their stares all the while. Especially Hanamiya's.

I didn't know how much longer I could put up with this act of mine. I would probably die due to terribly-missing-him-so-badly.

Oh, what a horrible cause of death.

MAJI BURGER.

After dipping the fries into my icecream sundae, I placed it inside my mouth and chewed it up. I let out a smile of content. At least food was still comforting. At the moment, I just wanted to eat. Food, food, and more food. I didn't know why but I've become a real glutton lately.

Do you become a glutton when you get depressed over your boyfriend? Stress-eating? But I certainly didn't become this way before when Hanamiya and I first broke up. I exhaled. I didn't know what was happening with my life anymore.

"Um, excuse me." Hearing that seemingly familiar voice made me twitch. "Can I sit with you?"

Looking up, up, up, up---my eyes widened upon recognizing the person standing in front of my table. He was holding his tray of food, a silly smile plastered on his face as he looked down at me.

Oh my freaking!

Just what I needed at the moment---note the sarcasm there.

I mean, wtf?

Kiyoshi Teppei.