[Multi-chapter] Change (7/??)
Title: Change
Authors: tsuchi8562
Bet: andreja1989 ArigaPYON~!
Pairing: SakurAiba, Aimiya (friendship), Yama (friendship), Junba (friendship)
Genre: AU, Romance, Drama, School
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: They are not ours, they belong to themselves...
*MASTERPOST*
Sho was sitting in his apartment, staring in the darkness and thinking about the recent events that took place in his life. This was weird. He didn’t have any intention in having friends, at least not in that school and now ends up with one, and now, to make things even more completed his feelings started to change. During the last week he was meeting Masaki every day at school, during lunch and sometimes they were walking a while together after classes. Always talking about everything and nothing, Aiba’s behavior made him feel calmer and he was able to forget about his troubles. The hours spent with the younger boy was becoming more and more precious and without even noticing it Sakurai caught himself red-handed on thinking about Aiba more than he should, in a different way. It took him a few days to realize that he has a crush on his kouhai. The butterflies in his stomach, the warmth in his heart whenever Masaki said his name… It had to mean something!
“Admit it, you are in love…” Sho mumbled to his reflection while brushing his teeth. Somewhere between putting on boxer shorts and combing his hair he started to ask himself if it is really love or maybe he is just mixing this feeling with gratitude. Maybe he didn’t have anyone to talk to or just spend time with for too long and now he is pouring all attention to the only person who decided to crush his shell? Sho shook his head, smiling. He never could let that happen. He was way too mature for confusing those two things; he had to grow up fast. When Sakurai was sure about his feelings, he started to worry about the consequences… From the most trivial matter (Aiba doesn’t share his feelings) to the most serious - he does and all Sho’s enemies will become Masaki’s. The older boy remembered how Aiba saved him from being beaten to death; that time nothing happened, but who knows what future can bring? The last thing he wanted to see his kouhai being bullied as the second public enemy in the school. If Sho wants to make any move he has to be one hundred per cent sure it is worth it.
“Earth to Sho…” Masaki’s hand covered his sight. “Are you okay? I know I talk a lot but you can just tell me to shut up…” The younger one pouted and took a bite of his egg roll.
“You know I don’t mind…” Sakurai smiled and finished his onigiri.
“Something happened? You seem lost in thoughts more than ever…” Aiba looked worried and that sight squeezed Sho’s heart.
“I am fine…No, I am not…” Sho took a deep breath and looked at his friend seriously. “Aiba-kun I want you to promise me something…”
“What is it?”
“Next time… If you see me being beaten, don’t interfere.” Sakurai stated as seriously as possible, looking straight in Masaki’s eyes.
“You can’t be serious… You expect me to stay still and just watch?”
“No, you can go away. Just don’t try to act brave again, next time they might not be so kind to you and I won’t forgive myself if something happens to you.”
“Nothing will happen.”
“Aiba-kun, you don’t know them… They can be really brutal. I can’t allow you to get hurt.”
“Let me make sure I understood correctly… You want me to leave you in the time you will need me the most, am I right?”
“You make it sound so seriously when in fact it’s not that big… I got used to it; I don’t want you to get hurt. You’re my friend and I care about you…”
“So you care about me and I can’t do the same?!” Masaki raised his voice angrily.
“It’s not like that… I am a public enemy; I don’t want you to become one too because of me.
“It is not fair, Sakurai-senpai! It’s simply not fair!” The younger boy dashed from the gym and Sho didn’t even try to stop him, he won’t catch up anyway. Why did Aiba act so emotionally? Way too emotionally for Sho. It is possible that the younger boy shares his feelings? No… this would be… Exactly, what? On the one hand it would be great; he would have somebody who can share his problems with, somebody who can take care of him… But on the other - this could mean serious troubles for Masaki and that’s the last thing Sho wanted. The older boy sighed and closed his bento box, slowly walking to the class still trying to guess the true reasons of Masaki’s behavior. Lost in thoughts he didn’t notice the boy, apparently waiting for him and he accidentally bumped at him.
“I’m sorry…” Sho mumbled and wanted to walk away but his arm was grabbed by the latter.
“Listen Sakurai… I don’t care who are you and what you do but if you hurt Masaki I swear I will treat you the right way so even your own mother won’t recognize you. Understood that?” The older boy swallowed and looked at the latter trying not to get angry.
“I believe it’s not your concern Ninomiya-kun. Aiba-kun made a choice and I think you should trust him enough to accept his decision…”
“I trust him, I just don’t trust you. Just remember, I am watching you. Closely…” Kazunari stated and left without giving Sho a chance to reply. Sakurai could understand the other boy’s worries and lack of trust, after all the older boy is seen as a monster. What Nino didn’t know about were Sho’s feelings for Aiba. He couldn’t understand them clearly himself but he was sure of one thing - he doesn’t want Masaki to get hurt in any way. Sakurai shook his head and slowly headed to the classroom, sitting on his place, this time without finding any new “decorations” on his desk. Instead of focusing on the lesson he was staring through the window at the moment empty track, imagining Aiba’s running silhouette.
___
The classes were over and surprisingly, without any troubles, Sho managed to leave the school area. He didn’t have any plans for that day but he somehow didn’t want to go back to empty apartment. Wondering a while what he should do, he was kicking the dirt, hesitating, if going to the track and check if Masaki is there, was a good idea. The school was still full because of the festival that will soon take place so talking with Aiba could be risky. However he can just stand there and watch for a while, right? Sakurai, sighing, slowly walked towards the track field being as careful as possible not to be spotted. As expected the whole running team was there; the older boy probably came in the middle of the training. Masaki was drinking the water and his breathing was fast, but Sho felt that something is wrong. The younger boy was wincing gently from time to time as if he were in pain. Sakurai frowned and sat on the ground, watching his friend closely until the end of the training. When everybody started to get ready to go home, Aiba talked with the coach and after another ten minutes he was alone, running slowly as always hardworking. This time however he didn’t have a chance to finish the lap when Sho stood in the middle of the track, looking at him, worried.
“Aiba-kun, are you okay?” The older one asked firmly. Masaki coughed few times from the effort and smiled gently, nodding. “Don’t lie to me…”
“I am fine Sakurai-senpai… Sakurai-senpai… I wanted to apologize for the situation at lunch… I shouldn’t act like that...”
“It’s okay, I shouldn’t ask you for that anyway… We’re okay?”
“Yes, we are. By the way what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be home?”
“I… I don’t want to go there yet…” Sho mumbled, still watching his friend’s face carefully. “Can I wait for you here?”
“Yes, I will do another two laps and we can go. My coach said I should work on long distance runs… Wait there, I’ll finish soon.”
“Okay.” Sakurai smiled and sat on the bench, but he still was worried. His predictions were right as it occurred when Masaki groaned from pain and fell on the ground, holding his ankle. In no time Sho was beside his kouhai, looking at him and gently touching his leg.
“I am fine, it’ll pass soon. I just have to run for a bit and it’ll pass.”
“Not a chance, champ. I’m taking you to Ohno-sensei. Come on.” The older boy helped his friend get up and slowly they walked to the doctor’s office. Satoshi was about to leave when both students came; Sakurai helped Masaki sit on the settee and explained everything that happened. Aiba was pouting, hissing from pain from time to time when Ohno touched his ankle and tried to move it.
“Aiba-kun did you feel this pain before?”
“Yes… Once or twice, but when I walked, it passed.”
“It happens since the last injury, right?”
“Yes, sensei. How do you know?” Masaki opened his eyes wide.
“I think I know what that can be…” Ohno took the elastic bandage from the cupboard and gently wrapped Aiba’s leg. “It’s called a joint mouse. A piece of bone managed to get into the joint and from time to time it can cause the pain…”
“This doesn’t sound good, sensei.” Silent until now Sho spoke, handing the doctor the metal clip.
“It’s not that bad, though it can cause some troubles, especially to a sportsman. There are two options: first is an operation, but that means a vacation from running during the rehabilitation…”
“No! It’s out of the question!” Masaki shook his head nervously. “I have to train for the competition I have…”
“Second option is to leave it as it is but that can mean that the pain will be coming back. And you have to take the risk that it can come during the race under consideration.” The doctor sighed and looked at his patient. “You are the one who will make the choice, but you should meet an orthopedist, he will know better about the options I gave you. Now you should go home and get some rest. And don’t force that ankle, that’s an order!” Ohno smiled and looked at the older student. “Can I ask you to take him home?”
“Of course, sensei!” Sho smiled and helped Masaki get up. The taller boy was walking more firmly, probably because the piece of bone moved again. Sakurai walked in silence, trying to hold his kouhai whenever the pain was coming back.
“Why are you so quiet?” Aiba smiled and looked at the older boy. “Nothing serious happened…”
“I had a little conversation with Ninomiya-kun…”
“Oh? Nino-chan talked with you? About what?”
“It was more like a warning than a conversation…” Sho sighed and looked at shocked Masaki. “It’s okay, he is just worried about you.”
“But it’s not a reason to talk with you in that way…” Aiba pouted and sighed. “Why is it that bad to be your friend? It’s not fair…”
“Aiba-kun, we won’t change the whole school so it’s better to pretend we don’t know each other… For your safety…”
“Will you stop worrying about me? I will be fine… I just…” Masaki didn’t finish the sentence because another wave of pain hit him. He hissed and stopped, holding the ankle tight.
“Are you alright?” Sakurai asked, helping his kouhai keep the balance.
“I am fine…Come on, let’s go home… It’s getting late.” Aiba put his feet back on the ground and walked slowly towards his home, still holding Sho’s arm. After few steps the pain attacked with double force and Masaki lost his balance, pulling the older boy with him. Both of them fell on the grass, rolling down from the small hill. Sakurai landed on his back, groaning from pain and Aiba landed on him, also wincing. For a while neither of them moved, trying to make sure they are both okay, but then… Sho looked at the latter’s face so close to his and all thoughts from this morning came back.
Admit it, you’re in love… those words were echoing in his head when he put his hand on Masaki’s nape, pulling him closer and pressing his lips to the younger boy’s. The world outside disappeared when after a small oppose from Aiba’s side their tongues started the sweet wet dance. Sakurai didn’t know if he should stop or not, but Masaki’s lips were so soft, so kissable, so… his…
It was Aiba who broke the kiss; looking at his senpai with questioning eyes. Sho wanted to say something, anything, apologize and assure Masaki that this won’t happen again but all sounds drowned in his throat. Only wind was whispering in his ear some incoherent words that with passing time started to ring more clearly and audible.
He just didn’t know why the wind was saying that he likes him…
And why it had Masaki’s voice…