Deafening Silence ( prince of tennis) (#wattys2016)

58

Anyway, sorry about the late update, but I can safely say I haven't died

Rikkaidai Fuzoku Music Hall

Roko and Oharu played their duet together before the other students, both of them caught up in their own worlds as they played. It was strangely amusing for Roko that they were playing a strings interpretation of an English rock song, but at the same time it sounded perfect. Roko couldn't help but smile ever so softly as he played his own notes, singing the words in his head.

Something's getting in the way

Something's just about to break

I will try to find my place

In the diary of Jane

So tell me,

How it should be ~

The day wasn't even half-over and Roko was rather excited. Why wouldn't he be? It wasn't often he got to see his friends being hounded like they were gods all day, and despite how they were practically ripped apart Roko was infinitely amused by it. There was also the question of who had gotten him that Valentine's chocolate. Roko wasn't complaining about it, because who wouldn't complain about free food? But he was still curious about it, after all most of the school hated him, but it seemed there was another person who really cared about him.

There could be people who did think he wasn't diseased other than the regulars, which was always a plus for him. The only suspect Roko could really draw was Oharu, the second-year playing the violin right next to him, and he had to wonder whether or not this was true. If it was he guessed it was a nice gesture, though he was rather unsure what to do about it, should he return the favour?

No, he quickly decided, it would only cause complications, and so Roko would act like nothing had happened. He would deal with the problem later if it persisted.

It didn't even occur to him that the piece had ended into the music stopped and Roko was pulled out of his world. There was a sudden chorus of clapping, and Roko looked up to the approving smile of Yamura-sensei, taking his cello and carrying it back to his stool with Oharu.

"Wonderful everyone" Yamura-sensei claimed ecstatically with a wide smile on her face, "The duet project is done, and we'll be starting our newest project next week, but until then have fun during lunch". Just on cue the bell rang, signalling the beginning of lunch, and the students stood up, packing away their various instruments, Roko doing the same, closing the clasps on his cello case tightly. He half-turned and was dimly surprised to see Oharu standing in front of him, twirling her auburn hair in her finger and blushing lightly.

"Echizen..." she began hesitantly, and Roko almost frowned. What was that blush for? Was she really the one who gave him those chocolates? Oharu produced a small paper bag in her hand with a red ribbon on it, and Roko's suspicions were confirmed.

Well this would be awkward. What was Roko supposed to do now? Go with it? Accept the chocolates like nothing? Turn them down?

Interesting, his consciousness stated, and Roko mentally blinked.

Interesting? You think this is interesting?

You've never been so overdramatic before, his consciousness declared.

I have an excuse, Roko argued.

Have you even heard her out yet? His consciousness asked, and Roko mentally sighed, looking at Oharu flatly and awaiting her request.

"Can you give this to Sanada-senpai for me?" she asked in embarrassment.

Roko blinked.

All suspicion of her giving him those chocolates dissolved immediately, and Roko couldn't help but feel awkward at what he had thought to himself. What a stupid suggestion. How could he have possibly thought it was Oharu? In fact, why on Earth did he think Oharu would give him chocolate if Roko thought she did already? How on Earth had he been so overdramatic?