Chapter Text
"Sorry Chinatsu Senpai but I'm already dating Hina"
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Blink* *Blink* That's New. Chinatsu didn't really expect that. Although now that she thinks about it from time to time, it was pretty obvious.
How They would sometimes hold hands tightly, or the slight blush on Taiki's face whenever he sees Hina.
It's been about 2 weeks since that rejection. Although still a bit stumped about it, she's gotten over it.....maybe. She has nationals to work towards, and a rejection can't hold her down from trying her hardest.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Good Morning!" - Chinatsu said to Yukiko Inomata, whose Taiki's Mom.
"Good Morning Chinatsu!" - She returned. "Breakfast is ready and Lunch has been packed for you"
Infront of Chinatsu was just a normal mix of nutrients for breakfast, and so was lunch from what she could see. She got some chopsticks and was about to dig in when another male voice just broke in.
"Morning" It was Taiki, who seemed more tired than ever despite having not done much recently, and it was also pretty shocking that he woke up almost the same time as Chinatsu, who typically went out and got up before Taiki.
"Morning" "Good Morning Taiki!" -The two women replied at the same time.
Even though it was just a fleeting feeling in her chest, it still felt heavy. That small bump in her heart, just a constant reminder of the recent heartbreak. It's like her mind doesn't want to forget about it despite it already being 2 weeks after that. Just a small stare, even a glimpse of Taiki's face was making Chinatsu's Heart sink to 6 feet under, but she had to push forward for Nationals, she couldn't afford to just back pedal out of the match just because of her feelings.
Not like she would...she still has expectations and promises to fulfill.
The walk towards Eimei's Gym was silent. No words were ever muttered between the two, because it seems like both sides are still trying deal with the recent situation.
Chinatsu got on with Basketball.
Taiki got on with Badminton.
It was another standard day of practicing for the upcoming tournaments. Both can't afford to really lose the chance to get into Nationals.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*A few hours later*
"Break Time"
Kengo Haryuu, the Second Year of the Boys Badminton Team, who's also the main ace of the badminton team too.
"Alright!"
Taiki Inomata, the First Year of the Boys Badminton Team, who's the most promising out of the bunch of people in the Boys badminton team.
The boys went to sit down and have their fair share of water, with a few snacks to maybe slack off a bit.
"So!" A slap landed on Taiki's Back. "You both are really working hard for Nationals huh?"
Nishida Ryosuke, another Second Year of the Boys Badminton Team.
"Yeah" -Taiki Replied "The opportunity is unreal, and I want to get in"
"Heh, you better get 2x the training if you want to even get to Nationals" -Haryuu Teased
Taiki chuckled and decided to stand up and just look at the Girls Basketball Team for a second. And there she was, Chinatsu Kano. Sometimes Taiki wonders if rejecting her that day was the best decision he could've made. He can't change the past, but it still nags at him a few times that...What If....he went out to date Chii...
"Oi, you're zoning out hard there Taiki" -Nishida kinda shouted into his ear. Standing next to Nishida now was Kasahara, another First Year of the Boys Badminton Team.
"I can agree on that" -Kasahara added on with a look of "It's about her, isn't it?" Taiki of course nodded, since he didn't feel like lying today.
Kasahara eye's look noticeably softened at the sight of the nod...and he went back to drinking the drink he just bought.
"Oh yeah I realized something" -Nishida said "We've been getting an awful lot of new students"
"You're not wrong, and I've seen some of them running out the school." -Taiki replied.
And two seconds later, the Gym Doors flung open, with only one boy standing at the front. It was too literally nobody's shock that everyone at least took one look at the person who just literally smacked open two doors.
"So this is the gym huh?" -The boy said, looking around in a face of either Disbelief or Suprise. Everyone went back to doing their thing after realizing it was just another new student.
Now back at the Boys Badminton Team, they were all - except Haryuu - looking in slight confusion because who with any form of matters would just slam doors open like that.
"Who's that guy?" -Taiki asked. "Kairu Taihen, one of the new students I saw around in the school" - Haryuu replied.
"You think he's here for any of the sports here?" -Kasahara asked. "I doubt, I heard he's in the Martial Arts team" -Haryuu replied once again.
All three boys proceeded to just stare at Haryuu in disbelief.
"The Martials Arts Team?!" -All three boys just shouted in disbelief, which caught a few eyes, including Kairu himself. "Yeah, I was also surprised when I first heard it, because most of the people in the team are either Second or Third Years, but a First Year actually got into the team."
And within the blink of an eye, Kairu just appeared behind Taiki Inomata.
"Yo" -Kairu greeted casually.
And as usual whenever a person randomly appears, Taiki jumps away and nearly crashes into something, and this time it was almost into Kasahara.
"So you guys are the badminton team?" -He asked, with the same casual aura. "Yeah we are!" -Nishida replied with much exaggerated pride in his voice.
"That's cool, mind if I try one round?" -They blinked....a bit too much. Especially Nishida. "Are you really sure about that? We are the Badminton Team after all..." -Nishida replied "100%...and I choose that guy" -He was pointing at Kengo Haryuu. Haryuu chuckled in response "Sure, if you want to try then sure...i'll entertain atleast" Kairu basically stole a racket as he just took Taiki's racket without asking, and now with both players standing in court it was Haryuu's time to serve. "I'll go for only one point, since I'm just testing" -Kairu said to Haryuu across the court "Fine by me" Haryuu replied.
And there goes the serve, with a bit of a sloppy receive from Kairu, and then a receive from Haryuu too, and for a while to game of receiving the shuttlecock just went on, with no clear winner, but of course most of the boys were placing bets on the Haryuu, since he's part of Badminton Team. After counting about 20 receives Haryuu proceeds to hit the shuttlecock right infront of the net, and within two seconds Kairu just smashed it into the ground at lightning speed, and Haryuu blinked...multiple times, so did the boys watching.
How did Kairu go from the back of the court to the front of the court within two seconds of Haryuu touching and receiving the shuttlecock.
"Oh sorry, that was too close for comfort" Kairu apologized to Haryuu, half sincerely. "Apology Taken" Haryuu replied.
And with that Taiki's racket was returned to him and Kairu kinda just sat around for the next 2 hours looking around the other's play and just drinking his soda drinks.
Haryuu was still a bit bewildered by the smash Kairu pulled off, and it was very clear since he sat and zoned out for a good 5 minutes just thinking about it.
And after classes had ended too, everyone went home, everyone except Kairu, who was now walking around the empty school, looking around the classrooms, nothing in mind, and just relaxing. Until he reaches the Second Year classroom...