Deafening Silence ( prince of tennis) (#wattys2016)

31

I hope you like this





Rikkaidai Fuzoku Rooftop Garden

Roko mentally sighed in exasperation as he ate his bento box alone on the roof. Normally he would eat with the regulars under the largest sakura tree in the school grounds, but as he approached from his class he noticed several third years standing by the door that led to the outdoor grounds, and they took notice of him and all glared at him, making it clear that Roko was not allowed near the regulars. They tried to approach him but Roko quickly got the idea and walked away. He would eat alone then.

He then went to the cafeteria in hopes of grabbing a slice of cake to eat with his lunch. But as soon as he entered the cafeteria half of the conversation in the room silenced, and after a second pause a familiar group of first year girls stood up from their seats and stormed towards him, and Roko quickly left, blending back into the crowds going back and forth. Or at least he tried to, but it was rather difficult when everyone he passed stared at him in horror or anger and whispered 'mute boy'.

"It's that mute boy!"

"Shh! don't stare, you'll get his attention"

"But isn't he the one who infected the tennis club captain?"

"Shh!"

"It's that kid!"

"It's him!"

"It's the mute boy!"

"The mute boy!"

"Mute boy..."

"Mute boy..."

"Mute boy..."

The words around him faded into mumbles and incoherent words, and Roko shoved his growing malice down his throat and continued on.

Roko didn't realise until he finished recalling his day that he had broken his chopsticks in half with how tight he was gripping them. He scowled and put the broken sticks down, since he was finished with his lunch anyway. It seemed now that Sanada was gone the entire school saw this as an opportunity to get their revenge, regardless of the fact Sanada would very likely return tomorrow. But Roko didn't want Sanada to return tomorrow. He wanted him to return now.

He gritted his teeth in anger and annoyance and confusion and sadness, and stared at the ground for the longest time.

Why are you so upset? His consciousness asked.

Because I'm alone. Everyone looks at me like I'm a demon

Wasn't it exactly the same in America?

No, it was better there because people didn't think I infected their stupid 'Child of God'

And yet you're acting exactly the same

What do you want me to do?

Didn't Jackal say something important to you?

What?

He said 'Echizen. People may say you have a disease, or that you're a freak, or that you don't deserve to be a regular, but stop acting like you're not human. You can let your thoughts out, you know'

And you want me to let my thoughts out?

Yes, stop pretending that you don't care; do you think anyone will care for you if you hide behind that mask of yours?

Roko noticed that his eye was going misty, and he clenched his jaw tightly.

Do not cry, he told himself.

You're really stubborn, you know that?

Go away

Fine, but don't make me say 'I told you so' later

And then Roko's head was just empty, and he closed his eye tightly to stop the tears from falling. He would not cry. He would not cry about anything. He would not look like a helpless kid, he was not helpless, and he never will be. Being pitied was a close second in things he hated most, and the only thing he hated more was his nickname.

"Mute boy"

"Stupid mute boy"

"You don't deserve to be a Rikkaidai regular, you stupid little mute boy"

Roko clenched his fists until he knuckles were white, staring at the ground with misty eyes. He would not cry.

He stood up quickly, wiping his eye and picking up his bag and stuffing his empty lunch box into it. He was going to go for a walk, since it wasn't even half way through lunch. He quickly produced his iPod and earphones from his bag and put them in, and the music boomed into his ears. The loud, electronic chorus of guitars and keyboards helped calm his mind, and he quickly left the rooftop garden, opening the door and involuntarily slamming it behind him.

Class 2C - History

Kirihara hated history. He also hated English, math, physics, geography, biology...

The point is, he wasn't the role model student in any subject other than PE, and so he had a growing hatred of all other subjects.

But today his mind was not on the history worksheet in front of him, but on the freshman ace of Rikkaidai.

He hadn't shown up to lunch today. Kirihara couldn't understand why, he'd seemed normal enough in practice and there wasn't any problem with him when he passed him between classes. He looked perfectly fine, his face in his blank expression as usual.

The only thing that had changed, in Kirihara's opinion, was yesterday's match. He didn't even realise it, but when his match against his opponent finished, half the team went berserk at him for using his Bloodshot Mode. Kirihara didn't mean to use it, but when they insulted Buchou like that he became so angry and suddenly he couldn't control himself. But that wasn't the problem, according to them, Echizen had paled like a ghost and was shaking like a leaf at the sight of his blood-covered opponent, and Kirihara quickly realised he was afraid of blood.

He was worried. Kirihara wasn't stupid enough to think he could just supress his Bloodshot Mode; it was far more complicated than that. He couldn't simply stop, and it scared him because it scared Echizen because he was afraid of blood. Echizen didn't look at him any different today, but Kirihara still felt like something was off, and he knew it was because Echizen was scared of him.

As much as Kirihara hated to admit it, he wasn't half as good as he was without Bloodshot Mode, and he knew that that was the only way of winning against tougher opponents. But could he just use it in every game with Echizen watching? How would he react? Kirihara didn't know, but all he knew was that Echizen was scared of blood, and his tennis style was all about injuring his opponent.

Kirihara knew that he was the reason Echizen hadn't shown up at lunch. He couldn't bear to look at him, and it was tearing him up inside. How much longer would this go on for? Would Echizen think of him as some kind of demon?

He gritted his teeth in confusion and anger at himself. This was all his fault, he'd lost control and injured another player, all while traumatizing his own teammate. He hated his Bloodshot Mode, he hated injuring people, and he was inwardly scared of his own tennis, but when it came down to a match and Kirihara did his best not to get angry, that somehow made it easier for him to lose control.

"Kirihara!" the teacher called, and he looked up to notice the teacher was glaring at him.

"You haven't written a word. Get on with your work" she ordered, and then turned and walked away. Kirihara gritted his teeth even more in anger. He couldn't write a single word right now, but he had to in order to keep a decent grade. His grades had to be at least above average - meaning a C+ or above - or he would be kicked off the tennis team, so as much as he didn't want to, he picked up his pen and wrote words that were all code to him.

Class 1A - Music

Roko inwardly sighed as he wrote out the scores for the piece he had to compose for his exam. Music was a very different subject that he rather enjoyed, because rather than playing an instrument, they were taught the different notes and how to properly compose a piece. They then put their notes into a specialised computer programme that played it back to them with a choice of instrumental sounds. For his piece Roko had decided to compose a classical violin piece, since he rather enjoyed composing slow, soft sounding music. It contrasted greatly to his choice of music, but there were times where electronic and rock music didn't exactly cut it when it came to calming him down.

He knew that his music teacher wanted him to play an instrument since he enjoyed composing and was pretty good at it. In fact he too wanted to play an instrument, but he could never find one that suited his tastes. He did enjoy the sounds of the violin, but there was something about the instrument that was... off-putting. He couldn't really describe it, but that was how it felt to him.

Fortunately because he had headphones on plugged into the computer, he could play his piece back in peace, but he could feel the stares of people on his back. He mentally sighed in annoyance for the hundredth time today; it seemed that no one would give him a moment of peace, and he hadn't been able to talk to the regulars either, since there were always two to five third-years between them glaring at Roko.

He played back his piece, and closed his eye as he allowed the slow violin piece to overtake him, and he felt his anger drifting away like a cloud in the sky.

And then he felt something heavy hit his back, and he turned around in flaring annoyance to see a text book lying on the ground.

Stupid immature brats, he thought irritably as he picked up the text book, and stopped when he realised he sounded exactly like the third-years that despise him so. The thought made him scowl, and he picked up the text book and scanned the cover. It appeared to be a text book on music composure, though Roko already had a copy. He frowned and put the text book on the desk in front of him before turning back to his computer, not even bothering to turn to the assailant. The teacher didn't seem to notice either, but Roko didn't really care, continuing to listen to his piece like nothing had happened.

What did I tell you? His consciousness cut in irritably

I thought I told you to go away, Roko mentally replied.

Yes you did, but you clearly didn't listen to me when I said to let your thoughts out

So what do you want me to do? Punch the guy in the face?

If it makes you feel better, then yes

No way, not in a full classroom.

His consciousness sighed, and Roko's brow furrowed. Could his consciousness sigh? Did it even work like that?

Yes I can sigh, and it works however you want it to. I'm just the logical part of your brain telling you what to do.

Roko mentally sighed in annoyance, it seemed even his own brain was against him today.

I'm not against you, I'm trying to help.

If you're trying to help then could you leave me alone for the rest of the day?

The rest of the day, his consciousness repeated, but tomorrow I'll be back

His head felt empty again, and Roko gave the barest audible sigh possible before returning to his score. It was nearly finished despite the project being due in two days, which gave him some time to relax.

Rikkaidai Fuzoku School Grounds

Roko mentally groaned as he noticed seven third years all standing by the door to his next class. His second-last period of the day, History, was located on the other side of the school, so Roko had taken a shortcut through the school grounds, but immediately regretted it when he noticed the third-years waiting for him. He would have stopped and turned away but he felt a very tight grip on his shoulder, and he noticed another third year standing behind him. The others seemed to notice and sauntered up to him.

So basically he was out alone in the school grounds with eight angry third-years now surrounding him. Wonderful.

They didn't waste any time with talk or snide remarks, and one of them just drew back his fist and tried to punch him. Roko stepped to the side despite the guy's grip on him, avoiding the punch.

"Oy, Azuki!" one third year snapped, "Hold him still!" The third-year identified as Azuki sighed and hooked his arms underneath Roko's armpits and hoisted him up in the air so he was at eye-level with the third-years. Roko didn't even bother trying to protest or fight back, considering he was severely outmatched, so there was no point in trying. The third-year drew back his fist for another punch and Roko just looked at him passively, mentally bracing himself.

Pain blossomed on his face as he heard the sharp crack of flesh on flesh, and Roko's head was jerked to the side by the force of the punch. His face stung but he ignored it, turning back to the third-year with his cold expression.

Just get it over with, he thought despairingly. He just wanted this to end so he could go to his next class. The third-years got the message, and the next one moved forward and punched in across the face too. There was a sharp pain and a lasting sting, but Roko kept his mask on.

Smack!

Smack!

Smack!

Smack!

Smack!

It continued like this for a while, each third year taking a turn to punch him, sometimes the face and sometimes his gut. Roko was rather impressed that his jaw was holding together and his mouth wasn't internally bleeding, but he probably had a very bad bruise.

It hurts, he thought as the next third year stepped up and punched him square in the gut. All of the air in his lungs whooshed out and Roko gasped in agony as more pain erupted in him. The third-years seemed to be getting bored, and the tall guy Azuki dropped him to the ground, and Roko was instantly on his knees, holding his stomach and curling up in agony. Azuki himself grunted once, and then kicked Roko square in the face before he walked off, his friends in tow.

Roko was spread across the ground, still amazed he hadn't received any fractured bones. He was pretty sure his nose was bleeding from the guy's kick, but other than that he was relatively fine. He tried to stand up, only to be greeted by agonizing pain in his stomach, and he audibly gasped at the rush of pain. He clenched his teeth, willing for tears not to fall.

Do they really hate me this much? He wondered, and forced back his tears. Why was he hated this much? No one had ever hated him this much. Was he really that much of a burden to the team? Did they hate him too?

They hate you. Everyone hates you.

That's not true. The regulars care about me.

Stop lying to yourself, that's all an illusion.

No. You're lying.

The silence that followed caused Roko's eye to become misty again, and yet he refused to cry. He would never cry.

He quickly stood up, ignoring the eruption of pain in his gut and head, and dusted himself off. He wouldn't let this get the better of him, but he knew that if he went to history now there would only be questions.

Screw this he thought, and walked out of the school gates. He didn't know where he was going; he just wanted to get away from everything.

You don't deserve to be a Rikkaidai regular, you stupid little mute boy

Roko increased his pace as he hid his cracking facade behind a cold mask, wandering aimlessly away from his school.

Rikkaidai Fuzoku Tennis Courts

"Where the hell is Echizen!?"

"How should I know? I don't follow him around all day"

"Actually, you do, and you have done for the past three weeks!"

"Only when he's playing tennis, and I have my own classes too!"

"Well next time you shouldn't lose him!"

"We haven't lost him, he'll show up later"

"It's been twenty minutes since your club's practice started! He's not going to show up"

"And what do you want me to do about that?"

"Find him! I'm not waiting another day to get my revenge on him!"

"Fine then, let's go look for him"

Niou listened for a long while to be certain the footsteps had gone before standing up from his crouched position behind a bush. He was curious what Daigo was doing walking into the trees in the middle of practice, and had decided to follow him, hoping it would be good blackmail material. What he found was the guy he remembered from their second game standing there having an animated conversation with him.

He remembered his anger flaring at the very sight of the guy had insulted Echizen, and he wondered what Daigo was doing with this guy. From what it looked like they were forming some kind of alliance to get back at Echizen for beating them. Niou scowled as he noted how idiotic their tactic was, because it wasn't like the two of them together would stand a chance against Echizen anyway. What he found interesting though was that Daigo had been following Echizen around for the past three weeks. It seemed that he was really dedicated to beating Echizen, and Niou sighed loudly in annoyance. These guys were just too stupid.

He knew that he wasn't exactly on good terms with Echizen, but that didn't make him any less worried about him. He hadn't seen the kid all day, aside from morning practice, and he had heard from the other third-years that people were going to get their revenge on him since Sanada wasn't here to protect him. Revenge for what, he wasn't quite sure, but what he did know was that Echizen was very likely in trouble.

He quickly stood up and left the forest area next to the courts and quickly emerged out, spotting Yanagi and approached him immediately.

"Yanagi" he began, "We may have a problem". Yanagi looked up at Niou with a raised eyebrow, and his face became serious when he noticed that Niou's characteristic smirk wasn't present.

"What is it?" he asked sharply, and Niou explained what he had heard to an ever-stoic Yanagi.

"I see" he said when Niou had finished, "So Daigo and Yakuta have formed an alliance..." He paused for a moment and then closed in notebook in his hand.

"In that case there is something I must do" he said, walking away, leaving a stunned and confused Niou behind.

Kanagawa General Hospital

Yukimura turned towards the opening door, expecting a nurse to enter and give a false smile while she checked the machines that monitored him, but he was rather surprised to see Echizen standing in the doorway. He smiled widely at his visit, already opening his mouth to thank him for the photos when he noticed Echizen's expression. He stopped, and softened his features.

"Echizen, what's wrong?" he asked softly, and in an instant Echizen had crossed the room and was crushing Yukimura into a hug. He was so surprised at the sudden action that he was momentarily stunned, and then quickly recovered and awkwardly returned the hug, not really sure what to do.

"Echizen?" he asked again, very confused, but he stopped when he noticed that Echizen was shaking.

Was he... crying?

Echizen's body started to shake more, and Yukimura could feel water droplets on his hospital clothes, and yet Echizen didn't make a sound. Yukimura was stunned for a moment before he realised what was happening and wrapped his arms around him in a comforting embrace.

"Shh, Echizen, don't cry" he said softly, and Echizen didn't respond but only continued to shake and silently cry into Yukimura.

Who had done this? Why was Echizen crying? Wasn't he supposed to be in school right now? Yukimura felt his anger flare suddenly, and he lifted Echizen's head so he could look him in the eye. He slowly lifted his head and gasped when he noticed an ugly purple bruise on the side of his head and his cheeks were both bruised to a deep red. Echizen's one visible eye had tears streaming down it, and Yukimura suddenly felt guilt wracking his guts as he looked into his despairing eye.

"Echizen. Who did this to you?" he asked, his voice flaring with silent anger. Echizen's eye only filled with more tears and he buried his head back into Yukimura as he continued to shake. Yukimura held him in a comforting embrace, swallowing his anger that was burning in him like a furnace. Whoever had done this will pay. They will suffer. Yukimura would make sure they never saw the light of day again.

Where was Yanagi? Where were the regulars? Yukimura hadn't received any sort of message from Yanagi signalling distress, so what had happened? Did the others not know about it?

Echizen continued to shake for the longest while, and Yukimura just held him, feeling so confused and useless that he couldn't do anything, and eventually Echizen slowly stopped shaking, until he stopped completely, his head still buried in Yukimura, and he could tell that Echizen had fallen asleep in his arms. He must be exhausted.

Yukimura immediately snatched his phone from the table next to him and dialled Yanagi. He picked up after two rings.

"Seii-" he began.

"Are you with the team?" Yukimura cut in, and Yanagi paused.

"Yes, I'm in the clubroom with them" he replied.

"Put me on speaker" he ordered, and Yukimura could hear a small beep on the other end.

"Buchou?" he heard Akaya ask.

"What the hell happened to Echizen?" he demanded, and there was a shocked pause.

"Seiichi?" he heard Yanagi ask.

"You heard me. What happened to him?" he asked sharply, and there was another long pause.

"Seiichi, we have no idea what you're talking about" Yanagi replied hesitantly.

"Don't give me that Yanagi!" he snapped uncharacteristically, "Are you saying you have no idea what happened?"

"Yukimura" he heard Jackal cut in, "Please calm down, we don't know what you're talking about". That did not help Yukimura's attitude in the slightest.

"Where has he been all day?" he asked, and there was another pause.

"He was here at morning practice" Yanagi said, "But we didn't see him afterwards, he didn't eat lunch with us either, and he hasn't shown up to after-school tennis practice". Yukimura fumed angrily.

"Why?" Yanagi dared to ask, and Yukimura felt his temper rise.

"Because I have him with me!" he snapped, "He came to me crying and covered in bruises, and eventually passed out from exhaustion from all of his crying" He paused.

"Yanagi, you have five seconds to tell me what happened to him" he hissed, and there was a very long pause.

"I think I might know" Niou said, and Yukimura waited.

"I heard some third-years talk about how they were going to get their revenge on him" he began, and Yukimura frowned. Revenge? For what?

"Niou-kun?" he heard Yagyuu ask hesitantly.

"You know how people think that Echizen has a disease?" Niou asked, and Yukimura narrowed his eyes.

"Yes?" he asked testily.

"Well from what I've heard, they think you're in the hospital because Echizen infected you, Buchou. So they decided that since Sanada isn't around to protect Echizen, they'd get their revenge on him for infecting you"

Yukimura and the rest of the team were silent for a very long time.

"Who?" Yukimura asked, his voice a razor.

"I'm not sure" Niou replied, "But I know that it's mostly your fan club". Yukimura gripped his phone so tightly he was sure he would snap it in two.

"Yanagi" Yukimura said sweetly, his sudden change in mood causing a terrified silence.

"Y-yes?" Yanagi stuttered.

"I want the names of every single culprit who did this by tomorrow. If you don't have them you will suffer". Yukimura then hung up, and placed his phone back down on the table, and turned to the sleeping Echizen and stroked his hair.

Echizen, he thought angrily, I will not let them get away with this

Rikkaidai Fuzoku School Gates

Sanada Genichiro was a man of many traits. He was sometimes calm, sometimes irritable, sometimes a taskmaster, and sometimes lovable.

And on very rare occasions, he was equivalent to a psychopath-murderer.

This was one of those very rare times. Yanagi had given him the details of what had occurred, and Sanada had reached the school gates at the speed of a bullet, since his illness had mostly cleared up. He instantly saw the faces of the two people Niou had mentioned as conspirators against Echizen - Daigo Kakuba and Yakuta Ippei.

So now he had both of them pinned against the walls of the school, one person in each hand, while on-lookers quickly walked the other way at the sight of Sanada's psychopath-murderer death glare. The two people in question were both pale as ghosts and sweating profusely onto Sanada's hands, which disgusted him even further.

"You two" he began slowly, "Will tell me what you have been up to right now", the two shuddered in fear and their eyes grew in size, and Sanada glared at them with such unbridled fury that the stare alone would have bored through their heads.

"W-we..." Daigo managed to stutter.

"Go on..." Sanada said slowly, his murderous aura never leaving.

"We wanted to get back at Echizen for beating us s-so..." Daigo continued, his voice tight with fear.

"Yes?" Sanada asked, slightly louder, and shoved them both further into the wall for good measure.

"So we teamed up and... and we wanted to get our revenge" Daigo finished. Sanada's eyes flared maniaclly.

"Did you hurt him?" he demanded lowly, and Daigo and Yakuta both shuddered.

"N-no!" Daigo protested, "We were just going to humiliate him like he did to us"

Sanada snarled and dropped them both to the ground, since they were both totally useless. In an instant the two sprinted away for their lives, and at least they would never bother Echizen again. He growled lowly to himself in burning anger that made his head feel like it was going to explode.

"Genichiro, you're here already" he heard Yanagi's surprised voice, and Sanada turned to him, so angry in that one moment he distantly considered killing him even though he had done nothing.

"Yanagi, what do you know?" he asked sharply, but Yanagi was not fazed.

"I found several loud culprits under Seiichi's orders. They were particularly loud and bragged about how they took turns punching Echizen in the gut and face" he replied calmly, and Sanada gritted his teeth in rage.

"Where?" he asked, but Yanagi shook his head.

"They're being interrogated by Kirihara right now, and you know how he is when he gets angry, and he's especially angry today. You might not want to interrupt in case Kirihara does something stupid". Sanada felt some of his anger subside at the memories of his Bloodshot Mode, and he felt himself grow cold.

"Kirihara severely injures his opponents on the courts, and you left him that angry alone?" Sanada demanded, "He might kill them!" Yanagi shook his head again, and Sanada frowned.

"I called Seiichi about the interrogation, and he himself gave Kirihara specific instructions not to harm any of them or he would suffer. So he will likely just shout at them menacingly, and since half of the tennis team is already afraid of his Bloodshot Mode, they will snap quickly under his demands" Yanagi replied, and Sanada finally let his anger subside.

"Until then" Yanagi continued, "Would you like a drink? It'll be my treat" Sanada nodded once, only noticing now how hoarse his throat was from shouting. Let Kirihara mentally scar them all he wanted, as long as Sanada went next.

Incoming time skip next chapter.