Chapter Text
What?
Yoshikiri silently pondered as he remained kneeling on the court. His opponent, Marimo, just casually left him behind and sat in a desolate place far from other members of the badminton clinic.
He couldn’t believe that he, who had taken up the sport since he was young, would be defeated by a beginner who just a few days ago had been practically dragged to this place.
As he was going to a locker, he overheard a conversation from some members who were obviously from Sunaba as distinguished by the low quality of their clothing.
“Damn that loner guy,” one of them said.
So, it wasn’t only me who’s disturbed by that Marimo, he thought. He started eavesdropping on them to learn what they were planning. He pretended to be engrossed in something to not be obvious.
“What about we have a ‘rematch’ later with him?” another one suggested, implying that the new round would not be a game. “He won’t be able to take all of us down.”
He smirked, amused with the reaction of the group.
He, however, was planning on being more subtle; he was going to befriend the amateur player to determine a weakness that he could exploit during their next game. Once he defeated the other, he would then discard him like a dirty rag to put him in his place.
But, he soon realized how hard it was to approach someone actively avoiding human contact.
“Hey, Marimo,” Yoshikiri greeted in the best way he could and then sat beside him.
“Hey,” the other weakly replied with a deadpan expression and then looked away.
The former stayed still for a few minutes, hoping that the latter would say anything more. However, Marimo soon left without another word, visibly irritated that someone entered his private space without permission.
Yoshikiri raised an eyebrow. What is wrong with this guy? Why doesn’t he speak a lot? Is he hiding something? He’s a Yakuza heir or something?
Still, the taller player was persistent, and this persistence soon hit a nerve.
“Why are you always following me?!” the black-haired player snapped and stormed off after he tried to touch his shoulder.
The other stepped back and froze because he never saw the black-haired teen like this before. So, he’s hiding a temper. If I anger him too much then I can’t get close to him. I have to be careful.
Fortunately for him, it was fate, or the coach more specifically, who made a way to bring them together. Thinking that the two had become acquaintances, he paired them up for a doubles match to the shorter player’s chagrin.
The opposing duo were pumped up for the game as shown by the way they shook hands.
Yoshikiri wanted to imitate it. He extended a fist to his silent teammate. “Good luck. Let’s do this.”
The other nodded weakly towards him, face expressionless, and then turned towards the net.
Not wanting to waste the greeting, the dismayed taller player just touched his fist to the other’s shoulder before going to his own place.
The other side took the game seriously, after all they were dead set on humiliating the black-haired teen, never mind any collateral damage.
Yoshikiri’s reach could only do so much. “Crap!” he expressed as the shuttlecock zipped past him. Thankfully, his teammate quickly went into position and volleyed the projectile back to the other side.
They weren’t always successful. Every time their side failed to return the bird, many cheered, but this just fueled the tall teen’s desire. He looked at Marimo and saw the same hunger in his eyes.
He didn’t want to admit it at first, but as the match progressed, he was enjoying it more and more. Their chemistry allowed them to ultimately prevail over the enemy; his height and Marimo’s speed worked together to their advantage. Their teamwork made their play more thrilling and exciting, something he hadn’t felt in all the years since he first held a racket.
While panting, Yoshikiri turned to his partner with a smile, which was immediately noticed by the latter who then smiled back at him.
In the end, he lost; he was unable to know the other’s weakness. Yet, he didn’t mind it at all because he won something else, something that he would like to keep for a long, long time.
He approached his partner.
“Nice game, Marimo,” he said with sincerity as he went for another fist bump.
While the other extended an open palm at first, he soon realized his mistake and balled it into a fist to touch it to the other’s, sealing the relationship that led to this moment in the warehouse.
Fate dictated that these two fools come together. And it seemed that fate had also decreed that they go out together.
What?!
Despite the revulsion and disgust he felt towards the Renaissance team, Nirei found himself disagreeing with the head.
“Kaji-san!”
The older student turned towards the speaker. “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you. We still have some unfinished business.”
This agitated some from the Sanjusanshi, but Anzai and Suo glared at them to stand down.
Kaji continued, “You said that I was the best to continue the work of the seniors, but when I tried to do my job, you didn’t want to listen to me. If you don’t trust me, fine!
“Let’s do it this way, you tell me what to do and I’ll follow whatever you say. I already told you that being a leader means you will have to make tough decisions and unpopular actions. If you really want to get to the top for Sa–some reason, better start practicing now.”
I’m not after that stupid position.
Anzai-san, Suo-san should stop speaking and doing nonsense. “Kaji-san!”
“What?! If you want me to expel them, I will expel them. If you want me to have that stupid club dissolved, I will do it. If you want all of these bastards beaten to a pulp for all they did, I’m sure they wouldn’t hesitate.” The older student cocked his head towards the group behind him, the ones he was referring to who would bring about the punishment. “So, Nirei, tell me!”
Before the blond could react, Marimo injected, “Wait! I… I…”
After giving the speaker a look, the leader turned to Nirei again. “If that’s too overwhelming for you, let’s start with this scumbag.” He then grabbed the president’s shirt and dragged him to a free space between the two groups.
Kaji put his face closer to Marimo’s, the latter hyperventilating and quivering, eyes watering. “Man up. You were so brave in detailing your despicable plans, do the same now.”
“Nirei! Quick! Tell me, how many blows I should give this trash,” the older maniacally barked at the captain.
What?! “Kaji-san!”
“Why? Tell me now! Don’t you see? This is what they deserve. You deserve to be avenged.”
They did all those things, but nothing more because they are in Furin. Being in here limited them and made them resort to hiring thugs, and even so, they ordered those scum not to do much. “Kaji-san!”
“Come on! Do it for your girl. Do it for… your classmates. Do it for your friends.”
She’s not my girlfriend, but I care for her. I care for all my friends.
But if these… people are expelled, what would stop them from doing worse? What if they become the new Noroshi? I can’t let them be the new Noroshi. “Kaji-san!”
“Nirei, he wouldn't have allowed this to happen to you had he been here. He wouldn’t allow this crap to run free. Or even live. I would know. So, tell me now!”
Or what if they followed the footsteps of… Sa– No! Why the hell am I thinking of him like this? But he– but they were only targeting me because my classmates were giving them threatening looks because they were mocking him because he– If he only hadn’t– He slammed his hands on his face.
If they get kicked out, they will just cause more trouble for everyone while our number is reduced. This will just make everything worse. “Kaji-san!”
The top dog growled at not getting the answer he wanted despite his arguments. He put his face closer to the offender again. “Ten. If you survive when I’m done with you, I’ll reconsider. Do what you need to do.” He then pushed forward as he released him.
Marimo tried his best to stand upright. He knew he was no match even in his peak condition. This was the Beast after all.
He closed his eyes shut, making tears run down his face. Nonetheless, it made everything easier. He didn’t have to see the fist shaking in fury that was being prepared for him as well as the menacing stares of Suo, Anzai, and the rest who were calling for his blood.
He tried to mute the noise around him too, which included the groans of his team who feared what would happen next.
More importantly, he wouldn’t hear the desperate yet vain pleas of his longtime friend.
“Marimo! No!” Yoshikiri extended his arm beyond the shoulders of Kuromo who was pushing him back.
“Stop being an idiot, Yoshikiri!” The Class 2-2 student rebuked him as he struggled. He intentionally chose to restrain his peer this way, not only because this would be more effective, but so that he would not be able to see what would happen to their leader.
“But–” the taller player tried to reason.
“No! Shut up! You’ll just make it worse for everybody.” Ashina shouted as he captured his friend’s extended right arm and pulled it back.
The two Class 2-4 students also helped in making him stay put as it was difficult to restrict the movements of a man of his stature.
Now only divine intervention could save Marimo, the club, and those who foolishly joined the Renaissance team.
After someone gave a desperate shout, Kaji delivered his judgement.
Marimo fell face flat on the floor.
He opened his eyes and touched his face. It was painful, but not as much as he had expected.
He looked to his right and saw the third year, now alone, frantically unwrapping a lollipop and consuming it while looking towards somewhere beyond his field of vision.
He next felt his friend, who had escaped his captors, crouch beside him.
“Are you alright?”
The one on the floor sat up before nodding. He then asked to confirm what he perceived, “Did he really…”
“He did,” replied the taller one as the two of them looked towards Class 2-1 who crowded around a spot some distance from them.
Marimo sighed and hung his head.
But why? I thought you were bent on destroying me, all of us, if not in the past, now. Yet, you did this. You still tried to stop Kaji at the last moment, shouting his name one last time, and when that didn’t work, you shoved me away and took on the punch yourself. For what? After all I’ve done. Or do you consider me… No, I may be stupid, but I’m not stupid to believe that.
I don’t know what will happen now.
Nirei’s eyes fluttered as he regained consciousness. His nose and mouth were bleeding. His entire head was throbbing in pain.
He slowly lifted his head and tried to see through the crowd despite his classmates telling him not to make sudden movements. Once he saw that Kaji, Marimo, and the rest were focused on him alone, he laid down again and stared at the ceiling.
He clenched his fists, but it was not for his overprotective classmates who rattled many in his name, or his batchmates who tried to get rid of him, or the senior who crushed his heart with a demand and his face with a fist.
It was for the one in his heart and mind.
Why, Sakura-san?
Why did you want this to happen?
Why did you want me to suffer?
Why did you want my friends – your friends – to get treated like this?
Why did you want Furin to get torn apart like this?
Why don’t you face me now and tell me I’m wrong, even beat your answer into me?
“Sakura…san,” he said in a low voice with gritted teeth.