Log: Liar or a Madman -- The Three Buchous
Who: Atobe Keigo, Tezuka Kunimitsu, Tachibana Kippei
What: Visit the shrine. AKA why Atobe's never, ever going back there.
When: Last Friday
Where: In and around the shrine
Rating: Um... fairly safe aside from a couple of annoyed Atobe expletives
Notes: ...Atobe = drama queen. 'nuff said.
Comments: Please?
Tachibana breathed evenly watching the two boys in front of him. Since Tezuka didn't seem to be willing to start the conversation, he did. "We want you to come to the Shrine with us, Atobe." They said honesty inherited the land, and that straight words got more done.
"Over my dead body," Atobe replied evenly. No use in dancing around the issue. "I simply see no reason for me to do that. And plenty of reasons not to."
Tezuka considered this for a moment, waching Atobe. "Then we'll leave you be," he cut in. "As soon as you admit there is no ghost."
"There is one," Atobe insisted. He wasn't going to give up on this matter.
"I have seen no proof of this," Tachibana put in calmly. "An as you know I frequently visit the Shrine for my morning meditations."
"There is no ghost," Tezuka added. "You might as well come to the shrine so we can prove it to you."
"So it only targets me. Fine," Atobe snapped. "Still doesn't mean I'm going to make its job any easier. And how do you plan to prove something inexistant when I already know it exists?"
Tachibana sighed. "How about this then, you prove to us there is a ghost, and we'll believe you, and drop the whole matter." He was very sure there was nothing to worry about in that.
"And make fun of me for my weakness."
Tezuka raised an eyebrow. "I assure you, we don't 'make fun'," He replied, folding his arms. That was almost insulting.
"Really, Atobe," Tachibana added with an indignant frown of his own. "You should know better."
Why were they looking at him like he was a child and they disapproving adults? "Fine," he finally snapped. "Have your way! It's you who'll have to carry me back, after all."
"We'll take care of you should it come to that," Tachibana promised seriously, not letting his skeptisism show through. This was not the time to show disapproval for Atobe's theatrics.
That had been easier than he had expected. "I'll carry you myself," Tezuka added confidently, glancing at Tachibana.
Tachibana nodded his approval.
"...I'll hold you to that." He had no idea why he was agreeing, really, but he figured it was the only way out of the situation anyway. He was perhaps stub -- ah, determined, himself, but it was two against one nevertheless. "And after I have proven there is indeed a ghost there, you will never mention the shrine to me again."
Tachibana looked at Tezuka. "Agreed."
Tezuka nodded. "Very well."
The closer they got to the shrine, the more tense Atobe got. As they finally reached the bottom of the steps, he stood still, looking up the seemingly endless length of stone steps. "Tell me again why I'm doing this," he murmured, not really addressing it to either of the others. Rather, he was just talking to himself, wondering just how he'd let himself be tempted into this obvious insanity.
Tezuka paused with one foot on the first step, glancing at the hesitating Atobe. "We'll be quick," he promised, ignoring the slight guilt in the pit of his stomach.
Tachibana breathed in the fresh air. Like always, coming to the Shrine was peaceful and mind-lifting. "Yes, quick. How are you feeling, Atobe?"
"Nervous," Atobe replied, uncharacteristically sincere. He wasn't exactly in the ideal state of mind for keeping up his usual facade, not when all his energy was used on not being sick simply out of nervousness. "Scared. Yes, I, Atobe Keigo, admit to being scared. Happy now?"
"Not quite," Tezuka replied blandly, motioning for him to come along. He didn't understand Atobe's apparent fright: as if he -- or Tachibana for that matter -- would let anything actually happen to him.
"We won't let anything happen to you," Tachibana said out loud the thing they were both thinking. He set his hand on Atobe's shoulder firmly, guiding him along.
"As though it's within your power," Atobe murmured, but followed anyway. This was apparently his only chance to prove to the two sceptics he wasn't either insane or faking the whole thing for attention. Rising the steps rather slowly, he kept glancing around, hugging himself as though he was cold. He didn't see anything yet, but he knew the ghost was somewhere nearby. He could just feel it.
They reached the top of the stairs eventually. Tachibana smiled. "I still don't feel anything bad in here."
Tezuka was silent, studying the shrine and waiting for any possible sign of Atobe's ghost. It felt strange standing with Tachibana and Atobe, though that was more because of the ridiculous of their situation.
"Obviously you don't," Atobe huffed, warily looking around. "It's not as though it makes a hobby of ruining your life!"
"It's not ruining your life," Tezuka insisted. It wasn't real, after all, which was what they were trying to prove to Atobe -- even though he didn't seem to understand this.
Tachibana nodded, looking wise on the other side of Atobe, thinking along the same lines.
"Oh, really? It's caused half the camp to laugh at me and the other half just think there's something seriously wrong with me. How's that not ruining my life?" And even now it was watching him. He could just feel it.
"You are exaggerating." Tachibana looked around himself. No, he still didn't feel a thing, except that familiarity with the place, that had been with him ever since he'd first been here. That strange visit, that had ended with Fuji mad at him.
"Not half as much as I'd like to be," Atobe replied. "...It's somewhere around here... I can feel it."
"Perhaps," Tezuka cut in dryly. "Your ghost is hiding in the shrine."
"That is to say it would actually be scared of someone." Tachibana shrugged, his tone as dry as the last ones.
"Perhaps the ghost is more scared of you, Atobe, then you are of it," Tezuka suggested.
"Like bees."
"It's certainly showed no fear in the previous times," Atobe argued. "But then, anything would be scared of two faces such as yours," he then snapped.
"Like bees," Tachibana repeated. "Why would it be scared of me? It hasn't even shown its face to me."
"This is assuming it even exists," Tezuka shook his head. "I'm not convinced Atobe." He could insult them as much as he wanted but it wouldn't change the fact that this ghost didn't exist to even act like a bee.
"You're still calling me a liar, I see," Atobe said icily. "Fine! Go check the shrine, perhaps it is indeed hiding. No danger in that, is there? After all, I'm just trying to be dramatic."
"Please, stay calm, Atobe," Tachibana sighed. "We are all here to prove something."
"I don't recall saying you're a liar," Tezuka replied curtly, arms folded again.
"I have told you there is a ghost here," Atobe pointed out. "Yet you claim it does not exist. How are you not calling me a liar?"
"You might be mistaken," Tachibana said flat-out.
"I have told you it does not exist," Tezuka replied, unintentionally ignoring Tachibana. "Because it does not. Obviously, someone is either playing a prank on you or you haven't recovered from your jet lag."
"Yes, my thoughts exactly." Tachibana nodded his consent.
"If there is a prank being played, the only one capable of it would be Tachibana here, or perhaps Niou," Atobe replied. "But even that wouldn't explain my physical reactions. And jet lag? Oh, please! Even you must know it cannot carry on for such a long time."
Tezuka almost rolled his eyes. Really, did they all think he was totally incapable of sarcasm? "Tachibana?" he echoed skeptically.
"Tachibana," Atobe echoed. "After all, the ghost bears a great resemblance to him."
"Do I look like Niou, perharps, Atobe?" Tachibana scratched the back of his head oozing indignity. "I don't do pranks."
The shock was blatant on Tezuka's face. "...I beg your pardon?"
"Obviously you don't," Atobe replied. "Niou merely has a way of looking rather convincingly similar to other people, should he so desire."
"I see." Sometimes silence (and Tachibana cloked himself into one) was the best answer.
Tezuka sighed. This was getting more and more ridiculous the more they discussed it. There was no ghost, and that was all.
"There is something here," Atobe said determinedly, hugging himself in the time honoured manner of people who seem to find themselves cold despite no particular lack of warmth in their surroundings. "I may not see it right now, but it's here. I can feel it."
"..." Ever the gentleman, Tachibana shrugged off his tracksuit jacket and put it around Atobe, taking a step past him. "Ghost or whatever! Show yourself!"
"Of course it's not going to come if you're calling for it," Atobe hissed. "I certainly never invited its appearance."
"Well," Tezuka replied coolly. "Perhaps it will find something more attractive about Tachibana, since they look alike."
No answer came. Tachibana turned to face the other two. "I hate to say you're just pulling our leg, Atobe, but there's nothing here."
"Do you really think I would do something as childish as that?" Atobe huffed. "That I'd voluntarily make everyone question my sanity and credibility just for a lark? Risk my reputation just to get you walk up those damned stairs?"
"You have to admit that you're a proud person. If it was a joke that grew too big too fast, you probably wouldn't dare to admit it." Tachibana reasoned. He was done being tactful. "Atobe, if it's a lie just tell us now. We won't spread it."
"If I were to joke, I would certainly find a way less potentially damaging to my reputation," Atobe said. Not that he would admit it, but Tachibana's words... hurt, a bit. Was there no one who would actually trust him anymore? "When I say I saw it, I saw it! Three times. Each time causing me to get increasingly more unwell. Why do I even bother? It's obviously not going to show itself to you, and if it doesn't, nothing will convince you of it existence. Just label me a liar or a madman, whichever suits your fancy, so I can get out of this damned place and never return!"
Tezuka studied Atobe for a moment and then looked back at Tachibana. "Let's go back," he said, shaking his head slightly.
"I would have thought you of all people would know well me enough, Tezuka," Atobe said quietly, still hugging himself, freezing despite Tachibana's gentlemanly gesture of the jacket. "I guess I was wrong..."
Tachibana just looked at Atobe. Really Looked. His lie-detector was either very broken or Atobe was telling the truth, which was a disturbing thought. "Atobe. Forgive me for my crude words," he said, apologetic. His mind was still searching for a logical explanation, that didn't change.
"...An apology does little when your opinion does not change." Atobe's hands clenched into fists. He was fed up with it all, Tezuka and Tachibana and the ghost and all. "Not that you ever intended to believe me from the beginning, now did you?"
"Atobe!" Tezuka shouted, his arms falling loose to his sides again. He was already gone, dashing away like some rejected junior high girl - like Tezuka had never expected to see from him. He turned and looked at Tachibana for help.
"How could I know he'd act like a little girl?" Tachibana shrugged, his words retorical. He looked after the ex-Hyoutei captain exapparatedly. So, he should've known. Didn't change the fact he wasn't used to this type of people. You never knew how they'd react.
It was quite fortunate Atobe was no more close enough to hear such words, as he would have been quite upset to be called a girl. True, his behaviour wasn't the most manly ever, but being at the shrine unsettled him quite a bit, and facing such attitude from his rivals didn't exactly help. Muttering a curse under his breath, he found himself inside the shrine. He'd never been there before; he'd never made it far enough. Finally stopping, he took a moment to calm down. Okay. Foolishness, your name is Atobe. At least he should have had the good sense to run the other way.
...There was something there besides him. He was sure of it.
Tachibana looked at Tezuka. "We should follow him." Who knew how hysteric the third boy would get left alone in a place he seemed afraid of.
Reluctantly, Tezuka nodded. Why would he run towards the thing he seemed to be so scared of? That seemed impossibly careless.
Okay. Foolish. Definitely foolish. Calm down, Atobe, just get out and back outside and then as far from here as possible. Admitting defeat couldn't possibly be as bad as --
Tachibana. Except it wasn't. Because Tachibana hadn't been there just a second before, and because Tachibana wasn't quite that transparent, and because he was dressed in more modern attire, and because he most definitely couldn't pass through walls.
A huge wave of nausea hitting him, Atobe couldn't really help the admittably rather girlish scream that escaped his lips as he retreated until his back hit the fall.
Hearing the scream Tachibana exhanged looks with Tezuka and broke into run. He entered the Shrine in a hurry, feeling cold for a second, but the feeling passed. He looked at Atobe, who seemed to be having a panic attack. "Calm down."
There didn't seem to be anything wandering around. Tezuka frowned and peered around them carefully. Atobe was just going to keep surprising him today, it seemed.
As this Tachibana arrived, the other one disappeared, yet for a moment Atobe still stared at where it had been, his eyes wide with fear. He didn't quite hear Tachibana, not paying them much attention, yet as his mind finally registered the ghost's disappearance, his legs gave out as he slid down the wall. Ending up on the floor, shaking, he fought the immense nausea that lingered, feeling too weak to even lift his head for the moment.
Tezuka eyed the shaking boy and turned to look at Tachibana. "Let's get him to the infirmary," he said quietly, goosebumps making the hair on his arms stand up.
"Yes, let's," Tachibana said, taking a small paperbag from somewhere, and gave it to Atobe, since the other seemed to be gasping for air. "Breathe in it, it'll help." He'd been watching late-night hospital series before he had enrolled in the camp, and remembered this first-aid for panicking people.
The sugar-scented air of the now empty candy bag flowed into Atobe's lungs, vaguely reminding him of reality. Little by little he got himself under control, still shaking badly even as he drew a few trembling but regular breaths, slowly sitting up although he still felt simply awful. "...I'm fine," he muttered, the barely audible voice alone belying the lack of truth in his words.
"Can you walk?" Tezuka asked, crouching next to Atobe. This was almost panic-worthy, he found.
"Atobe, I'm still not sure if you have a much too vivid imagination, or if this is explained in some other way," Tachibana said in his anal-style. "But I'm inclined to think this is just one of those things I don't need to find out. Let's get you to the infirmary." He also crouched down on the other side of the fallen boy.
"I'm... not sure," Atobe muttered at Tezuka's question. He was really not feeling well, but he also wanted out of the shrine as fast as possible. "...No infirmary..." he still managed to utter. He didn't want anyone else to see him in his weakened state. Who cared if the two other buchous thought him insane now, at least he didn't want Miyuki or anyone else to see him as a trembling, nauseated mess. It was hard enough just sticking to English as it was.
"You can't sit and shake," Tezuka pointed out, moving closer and taking one of Atobe's arms gently. "Will us just helping you hurt your pride any?" He still didn't believe in this ghost nonsense, but Atobe couldn't possibly be faking this.
Tachibana took Atobe's other hand. "Pride or not, you're coming."
"There's little left of my pride," Atobe murmured. First Yukimura and now Tachibana and Tezuka. Soon there would be no rival left with any respect remaining for him.
"That's that, then," Tezuka agreed, placing Atobe's arm around his shoulders.
"...I'm never coming back here," Atobe mumbled, stumbling forward. Even with Tezuka and Tachibana's support walking seemed like such a horrible chore... God knew how he was going to clear the 500 steps ahead.
What: Visit the shrine. AKA why Atobe's never, ever going back there.
When: Last Friday
Where: In and around the shrine
Rating: Um... fairly safe aside from a couple of annoyed Atobe expletives
Notes: ...Atobe = drama queen. 'nuff said.
Comments: Please?
Tachibana breathed evenly watching the two boys in front of him. Since Tezuka didn't seem to be willing to start the conversation, he did. "We want you to come to the Shrine with us, Atobe." They said honesty inherited the land, and that straight words got more done.
"Over my dead body," Atobe replied evenly. No use in dancing around the issue. "I simply see no reason for me to do that. And plenty of reasons not to."
Tezuka considered this for a moment, waching Atobe. "Then we'll leave you be," he cut in. "As soon as you admit there is no ghost."
"There is one," Atobe insisted. He wasn't going to give up on this matter.
"I have seen no proof of this," Tachibana put in calmly. "An as you know I frequently visit the Shrine for my morning meditations."
"There is no ghost," Tezuka added. "You might as well come to the shrine so we can prove it to you."
"So it only targets me. Fine," Atobe snapped. "Still doesn't mean I'm going to make its job any easier. And how do you plan to prove something inexistant when I already know it exists?"
Tachibana sighed. "How about this then, you prove to us there is a ghost, and we'll believe you, and drop the whole matter." He was very sure there was nothing to worry about in that.
"And make fun of me for my weakness."
Tezuka raised an eyebrow. "I assure you, we don't 'make fun'," He replied, folding his arms. That was almost insulting.
"Really, Atobe," Tachibana added with an indignant frown of his own. "You should know better."
Why were they looking at him like he was a child and they disapproving adults? "Fine," he finally snapped. "Have your way! It's you who'll have to carry me back, after all."
"We'll take care of you should it come to that," Tachibana promised seriously, not letting his skeptisism show through. This was not the time to show disapproval for Atobe's theatrics.
That had been easier than he had expected. "I'll carry you myself," Tezuka added confidently, glancing at Tachibana.
Tachibana nodded his approval.
"...I'll hold you to that." He had no idea why he was agreeing, really, but he figured it was the only way out of the situation anyway. He was perhaps stub -- ah, determined, himself, but it was two against one nevertheless. "And after I have proven there is indeed a ghost there, you will never mention the shrine to me again."
Tachibana looked at Tezuka. "Agreed."
Tezuka nodded. "Very well."
The closer they got to the shrine, the more tense Atobe got. As they finally reached the bottom of the steps, he stood still, looking up the seemingly endless length of stone steps. "Tell me again why I'm doing this," he murmured, not really addressing it to either of the others. Rather, he was just talking to himself, wondering just how he'd let himself be tempted into this obvious insanity.
Tezuka paused with one foot on the first step, glancing at the hesitating Atobe. "We'll be quick," he promised, ignoring the slight guilt in the pit of his stomach.
Tachibana breathed in the fresh air. Like always, coming to the Shrine was peaceful and mind-lifting. "Yes, quick. How are you feeling, Atobe?"
"Nervous," Atobe replied, uncharacteristically sincere. He wasn't exactly in the ideal state of mind for keeping up his usual facade, not when all his energy was used on not being sick simply out of nervousness. "Scared. Yes, I, Atobe Keigo, admit to being scared. Happy now?"
"Not quite," Tezuka replied blandly, motioning for him to come along. He didn't understand Atobe's apparent fright: as if he -- or Tachibana for that matter -- would let anything actually happen to him.
"We won't let anything happen to you," Tachibana said out loud the thing they were both thinking. He set his hand on Atobe's shoulder firmly, guiding him along.
"As though it's within your power," Atobe murmured, but followed anyway. This was apparently his only chance to prove to the two sceptics he wasn't either insane or faking the whole thing for attention. Rising the steps rather slowly, he kept glancing around, hugging himself as though he was cold. He didn't see anything yet, but he knew the ghost was somewhere nearby. He could just feel it.
They reached the top of the stairs eventually. Tachibana smiled. "I still don't feel anything bad in here."
Tezuka was silent, studying the shrine and waiting for any possible sign of Atobe's ghost. It felt strange standing with Tachibana and Atobe, though that was more because of the ridiculous of their situation.
"Obviously you don't," Atobe huffed, warily looking around. "It's not as though it makes a hobby of ruining your life!"
"It's not ruining your life," Tezuka insisted. It wasn't real, after all, which was what they were trying to prove to Atobe -- even though he didn't seem to understand this.
Tachibana nodded, looking wise on the other side of Atobe, thinking along the same lines.
"Oh, really? It's caused half the camp to laugh at me and the other half just think there's something seriously wrong with me. How's that not ruining my life?" And even now it was watching him. He could just feel it.
"You are exaggerating." Tachibana looked around himself. No, he still didn't feel a thing, except that familiarity with the place, that had been with him ever since he'd first been here. That strange visit, that had ended with Fuji mad at him.
"Not half as much as I'd like to be," Atobe replied. "...It's somewhere around here... I can feel it."
"Perhaps," Tezuka cut in dryly. "Your ghost is hiding in the shrine."
"That is to say it would actually be scared of someone." Tachibana shrugged, his tone as dry as the last ones.
"Perhaps the ghost is more scared of you, Atobe, then you are of it," Tezuka suggested.
"Like bees."
"It's certainly showed no fear in the previous times," Atobe argued. "But then, anything would be scared of two faces such as yours," he then snapped.
"Like bees," Tachibana repeated. "Why would it be scared of me? It hasn't even shown its face to me."
"This is assuming it even exists," Tezuka shook his head. "I'm not convinced Atobe." He could insult them as much as he wanted but it wouldn't change the fact that this ghost didn't exist to even act like a bee.
"You're still calling me a liar, I see," Atobe said icily. "Fine! Go check the shrine, perhaps it is indeed hiding. No danger in that, is there? After all, I'm just trying to be dramatic."
"Please, stay calm, Atobe," Tachibana sighed. "We are all here to prove something."
"I don't recall saying you're a liar," Tezuka replied curtly, arms folded again.
"I have told you there is a ghost here," Atobe pointed out. "Yet you claim it does not exist. How are you not calling me a liar?"
"You might be mistaken," Tachibana said flat-out.
"I have told you it does not exist," Tezuka replied, unintentionally ignoring Tachibana. "Because it does not. Obviously, someone is either playing a prank on you or you haven't recovered from your jet lag."
"Yes, my thoughts exactly." Tachibana nodded his consent.
"If there is a prank being played, the only one capable of it would be Tachibana here, or perhaps Niou," Atobe replied. "But even that wouldn't explain my physical reactions. And jet lag? Oh, please! Even you must know it cannot carry on for such a long time."
Tezuka almost rolled his eyes. Really, did they all think he was totally incapable of sarcasm? "Tachibana?" he echoed skeptically.
"Tachibana," Atobe echoed. "After all, the ghost bears a great resemblance to him."
"Do I look like Niou, perharps, Atobe?" Tachibana scratched the back of his head oozing indignity. "I don't do pranks."
The shock was blatant on Tezuka's face. "...I beg your pardon?"
"Obviously you don't," Atobe replied. "Niou merely has a way of looking rather convincingly similar to other people, should he so desire."
"I see." Sometimes silence (and Tachibana cloked himself into one) was the best answer.
Tezuka sighed. This was getting more and more ridiculous the more they discussed it. There was no ghost, and that was all.
"There is something here," Atobe said determinedly, hugging himself in the time honoured manner of people who seem to find themselves cold despite no particular lack of warmth in their surroundings. "I may not see it right now, but it's here. I can feel it."
"..." Ever the gentleman, Tachibana shrugged off his tracksuit jacket and put it around Atobe, taking a step past him. "Ghost or whatever! Show yourself!"
"Of course it's not going to come if you're calling for it," Atobe hissed. "I certainly never invited its appearance."
"Well," Tezuka replied coolly. "Perhaps it will find something more attractive about Tachibana, since they look alike."
No answer came. Tachibana turned to face the other two. "I hate to say you're just pulling our leg, Atobe, but there's nothing here."
"Do you really think I would do something as childish as that?" Atobe huffed. "That I'd voluntarily make everyone question my sanity and credibility just for a lark? Risk my reputation just to get you walk up those damned stairs?"
"You have to admit that you're a proud person. If it was a joke that grew too big too fast, you probably wouldn't dare to admit it." Tachibana reasoned. He was done being tactful. "Atobe, if it's a lie just tell us now. We won't spread it."
"If I were to joke, I would certainly find a way less potentially damaging to my reputation," Atobe said. Not that he would admit it, but Tachibana's words... hurt, a bit. Was there no one who would actually trust him anymore? "When I say I saw it, I saw it! Three times. Each time causing me to get increasingly more unwell. Why do I even bother? It's obviously not going to show itself to you, and if it doesn't, nothing will convince you of it existence. Just label me a liar or a madman, whichever suits your fancy, so I can get out of this damned place and never return!"
Tezuka studied Atobe for a moment and then looked back at Tachibana. "Let's go back," he said, shaking his head slightly.
"I would have thought you of all people would know well me enough, Tezuka," Atobe said quietly, still hugging himself, freezing despite Tachibana's gentlemanly gesture of the jacket. "I guess I was wrong..."
Tachibana just looked at Atobe. Really Looked. His lie-detector was either very broken or Atobe was telling the truth, which was a disturbing thought. "Atobe. Forgive me for my crude words," he said, apologetic. His mind was still searching for a logical explanation, that didn't change.
"...An apology does little when your opinion does not change." Atobe's hands clenched into fists. He was fed up with it all, Tezuka and Tachibana and the ghost and all. "Not that you ever intended to believe me from the beginning, now did you?"
"Atobe!" Tezuka shouted, his arms falling loose to his sides again. He was already gone, dashing away like some rejected junior high girl - like Tezuka had never expected to see from him. He turned and looked at Tachibana for help.
"How could I know he'd act like a little girl?" Tachibana shrugged, his words retorical. He looked after the ex-Hyoutei captain exapparatedly. So, he should've known. Didn't change the fact he wasn't used to this type of people. You never knew how they'd react.
It was quite fortunate Atobe was no more close enough to hear such words, as he would have been quite upset to be called a girl. True, his behaviour wasn't the most manly ever, but being at the shrine unsettled him quite a bit, and facing such attitude from his rivals didn't exactly help. Muttering a curse under his breath, he found himself inside the shrine. He'd never been there before; he'd never made it far enough. Finally stopping, he took a moment to calm down. Okay. Foolishness, your name is Atobe. At least he should have had the good sense to run the other way.
...There was something there besides him. He was sure of it.
Tachibana looked at Tezuka. "We should follow him." Who knew how hysteric the third boy would get left alone in a place he seemed afraid of.
Reluctantly, Tezuka nodded. Why would he run towards the thing he seemed to be so scared of? That seemed impossibly careless.
Okay. Foolish. Definitely foolish. Calm down, Atobe, just get out and back outside and then as far from here as possible. Admitting defeat couldn't possibly be as bad as --
Tachibana. Except it wasn't. Because Tachibana hadn't been there just a second before, and because Tachibana wasn't quite that transparent, and because he was dressed in more modern attire, and because he most definitely couldn't pass through walls.
A huge wave of nausea hitting him, Atobe couldn't really help the admittably rather girlish scream that escaped his lips as he retreated until his back hit the fall.
Hearing the scream Tachibana exhanged looks with Tezuka and broke into run. He entered the Shrine in a hurry, feeling cold for a second, but the feeling passed. He looked at Atobe, who seemed to be having a panic attack. "Calm down."
There didn't seem to be anything wandering around. Tezuka frowned and peered around them carefully. Atobe was just going to keep surprising him today, it seemed.
As this Tachibana arrived, the other one disappeared, yet for a moment Atobe still stared at where it had been, his eyes wide with fear. He didn't quite hear Tachibana, not paying them much attention, yet as his mind finally registered the ghost's disappearance, his legs gave out as he slid down the wall. Ending up on the floor, shaking, he fought the immense nausea that lingered, feeling too weak to even lift his head for the moment.
Tezuka eyed the shaking boy and turned to look at Tachibana. "Let's get him to the infirmary," he said quietly, goosebumps making the hair on his arms stand up.
"Yes, let's," Tachibana said, taking a small paperbag from somewhere, and gave it to Atobe, since the other seemed to be gasping for air. "Breathe in it, it'll help." He'd been watching late-night hospital series before he had enrolled in the camp, and remembered this first-aid for panicking people.
The sugar-scented air of the now empty candy bag flowed into Atobe's lungs, vaguely reminding him of reality. Little by little he got himself under control, still shaking badly even as he drew a few trembling but regular breaths, slowly sitting up although he still felt simply awful. "...I'm fine," he muttered, the barely audible voice alone belying the lack of truth in his words.
"Can you walk?" Tezuka asked, crouching next to Atobe. This was almost panic-worthy, he found.
"Atobe, I'm still not sure if you have a much too vivid imagination, or if this is explained in some other way," Tachibana said in his anal-style. "But I'm inclined to think this is just one of those things I don't need to find out. Let's get you to the infirmary." He also crouched down on the other side of the fallen boy.
"I'm... not sure," Atobe muttered at Tezuka's question. He was really not feeling well, but he also wanted out of the shrine as fast as possible. "...No infirmary..." he still managed to utter. He didn't want anyone else to see him in his weakened state. Who cared if the two other buchous thought him insane now, at least he didn't want Miyuki or anyone else to see him as a trembling, nauseated mess. It was hard enough just sticking to English as it was.
"You can't sit and shake," Tezuka pointed out, moving closer and taking one of Atobe's arms gently. "Will us just helping you hurt your pride any?" He still didn't believe in this ghost nonsense, but Atobe couldn't possibly be faking this.
Tachibana took Atobe's other hand. "Pride or not, you're coming."
"There's little left of my pride," Atobe murmured. First Yukimura and now Tachibana and Tezuka. Soon there would be no rival left with any respect remaining for him.
"That's that, then," Tezuka agreed, placing Atobe's arm around his shoulders.
"...I'm never coming back here," Atobe mumbled, stumbling forward. Even with Tezuka and Tachibana's support walking seemed like such a horrible chore... God knew how he was going to clear the 500 steps ahead.