If only things were different... [OPEN]

[Hino Tetsuya]

Hino breathed a heavy sigh of relief, pulling his jacket back on and zipping it up to his neck. He was happy the day was finally over, it had been so full of tension he’d been just about ready to pack it in half way through. He wasn’t sure if he found himself mentally fit to deal with these people anymore. These uncouth delinquents who were making a mockery of something that he loved. The only thing in his life where he felt he belonged.

He despised them for it, the Yankees that is, not the others so much. No, the other’s, he knew were there for the right reasons. They enjoyed tumbling just as he did, though their ability was not as advanced as his own, it didn’t mean they didn’t have potential.

Closing his locker, Hino took a look around the empty locker room. It felt like it had been a long time since he’d been in there alone. Recently there always seemed to be some kind of bad smell buzzing around the room. The corner of his lip curled up into the tiniest hint of a smile. Right now, this was far better than home…

Hino took a seat at the table on the lower level. He placed his school bag beside him and removed the mess of magazines and junk food wrappers off the tables’ surface. Piling the magazines to one side a throwing the trash out. Hino frowned, the now tidiness of the table did nothing for the remainder of the dump like room. Hino knew that if the boy’s team was taken more seriously they’d have a decent locker room. But instead they had this.

He glanced around morbidly.

He also knew, that was in no way his fault. In fact he was pretty sure he could pinpoint some of the reasons their situation was not improving and their reputation was plummeting.

Hino hadn’t even realized he was glaring at the wall when the door opening suddenly shocked him from his stupor.

[Kiyama Ryuichiro]

As Kiyama entered the locker room, he was surprised that there was someone else there at that time. It was late in the afternoon, after practice, and he'd thought that the rest of the club members would be long gone. It only took one glance to see who was still left -- that JAPAN-embroidered track jacket could belong to no one else but Hino Tetsuya.

The third-year wasn't sure how to greet him, or whether it was worth bothering with it. Hino was one of the quieter members of the team, so he probably wouldn't even get acknowledged. However, Kiyama was very sure it had little to do with shyness or reservations. Hino just seemed disinterested in other people.

Hino Tetsuya was rude and prudish, and showed few redeeming qualities outside of his ability in gymnastics. Kiyama wasn't sure about his teammates, but he genuinely had a problem staying upset at the second-year. After all, he reminded him a lot of himself.

It was easy to tell. Hino Tetsuya was a boy who'd experienced Hardships, with a capital 'H'. It was the kind of thing you couldn't really understand unless you'd experienced it yourself. Even if you did understand, you knew how personal and intricate all the details were and how tough, if even possible, it was to address in other people with the proper respect.

Kiyama suddenly caught himself tracing the beaded bracelet on his wrist.

That is, if you could address your own problems...

He shoved his hands in his pockets and started down the steps. Hino still had not looked his way, and still had not said a word. Maybe Kiyama was completely off-base and the kid was truly a douchebag. Either way, it had little to do with him.

Kiyama considered greeting, or maybe starting a conversation with his teammate as he passed him on his way to his locker. It would just be a friendly, polite gesture and something he probably needed to work on, anyway. But how to start...? From what little he knew about the boy, the two were in different grades, had very different interests... and small talk was definitely not his forte.

That was when Kiyama noticed that Hino was standing not too far from the table, which was cleared off. It was probably something he'd just done; it was a mess when he'd last seen the other yankees snacking and goofing around not too long before.

He bit his lip and started fidgeting with the lock on his locker. Without looking at the boy, he sighed and let his voice take on a slightly apologetic tone. "Sorry about the mess. Thanks for cleaning up," he said quietly, sorting though his things.

[Azuma Wataru]

It was late. The sky, orange and pink with a trace of yellow over the horizon. Wataru was walking back home when he suddenly realised he forgot his towel. It was still in the club room. Lying there, cold and lonely at the bottom of his locker.

He was just outside the door, about to turn the handle when he faintly heard a voice.

...for cleaning up

Someone was still in the room at this time. Wait, more than one person because it was obvious that they were talking to someone else. The voice also seemed very familiar.

Pushing the door open, Wataru walked a few steps then glanced around the room, realising Kiyama was there fiddling with his own locker looking very occupied.

It was kind of dark in the room, but the movement of the door loudly announced his entrance.

"Oh, yo! Still here?" He asked Kiyama with a smile.

Then Wataru started walking to his own locker when he felt another person in the room. He glanced back at Kiyama, but he was still busy. Walking down a few steps of the stairs, he recognised the 2nd year boy.

Slim, fit and very good at rhythmic gymnastics. A word which would summarise the person sitting down near the half cleaned was : Rival.

He was also a rival in Wataru's love life.

"Oh, it's Hino. What are you still doing here?" While questioning him, Wataru seemed to have realised a trace of annoyance and as usual, his face was almost expressionless.. What was he sulking about?

Wataru swung his bag over his shoulder and rested his arms on the rail, facing Hino. While he did publicly claim to always want to beat Hino, there was no hard feelings.

Secretly, he had always envied Hino's ability to tumble and his skilled moves. He was certainly one of the best in their team.

[Hino Tetsuya]

Hino tried to pay little mind to the new entrant in the room . He’d seen out of the corner of his eye that it was Kiyama and wasn’t sure whether he was more put out by no longer being alone or that it had been one of the Yankees that had entered. Though he would admit, out of the four options, Kiyama was the most tolerable. He was quiet and moderately well mannered, and Hino didn’t feel that his presence was threatening to his person.

To keep himself seemingly occupied Hino pulled a textbook from his bag and flipped open to a flagged page. He heard Kiyama making his way down the stairs remaining silent, and wondered if the other was reluctant to talk as he was.

He disguised the unease he felt by reading the page in front of him.

Integers…

He frowned slightly at the text, he wasn’t looking forward to the test on this.

"Sorry about the mess. Thanks for cleaning up,"

He heard Kiyama speak from his locker, and was a little shocked from the break of silence that his eyes were drawn across the room. He kept his features in check and gestures reserved, emotions were not something he shared with his family members so keeping them to himself in public was a high priority.

He was about to reply to the thanks with a subtle brush off, but his thought process was abruptly cut off by another entrance, one that was even a bigger menace.

Hino turned his attention back to his readings when he became aware of the newcomers identity.

"Oh, yo! Still here?"

Azuma’s voice was just as obnoxious as usual, the sheer volume of it sunk beneath Hino’s skin to torture him from the inside.

Integers… he repeated to himself, hoping distracting himself from the others presence would in turn make him disappear. Just like the silence had.

"Oh, it's Hino. What are you still doing here?"

Hino cringed, his bubble had been burst. He stared down and didn’t meet the others gaze he felt boring into the side of his head.

“Studying” He replied dully, as if it should have been obvious. Though Hino knew it was in fact a lie. He hadn’t had the intention of studying until later in the evening.

“What are you doing here?” He countered with the same uncaring tone, turning the page of his text book. Hoping it would express his disinterest in the question and his aversion to the others company.

[Kiyama Ryuichiro]

There was a moment of quiet; Kiyama wondered if Hino was actually going to grace him with the honor of answering him... but he would never find out.

The door to the locker room creaked open again, and within seconds, it was easy to tell who entered.

"Oh, yo! Still here?" the voice boomed.

Kiyama wasn't sure whether to wince or rejoice; Wataru's appearance was indeed a mixed blessing. He wouldn't have to deal with the awkwardness of being stuck alone with Hino any more... if there was anyone who could lighten the mood, it was Azuma Wataru.

But could it always be considered "lighten"? Kiyama found himself disappointed... He'd been curious about the starlet of the Kara High team. Besides, the second-year was probably the safest person to practice with, being the member probably as antisocial than him... if not more so. But if Hino wasn't put off before, he certainly was then. Though Azuma Wataru was generally well-meaning, his forthrightness could be downright stifling and the enmity between Hino and the redhead was well-known.

Oh well. Kiyama looked to the boy at the top of the stairs and returned the smile before going back to attending to his locker. What had he been looking for anyway...? He resumed inspecting his locker, paying a bit more attention to its contents. A few T-shirts that needed washing, a manga digest from two months ago, a bottle of juice that may or may not still be safe for human consumption... yeah, he should probably clean it out.

"Oh, it's Hino. What are you still doing here?"

He looked to the side to see Wataru leaning against the railing, eying Hino... somewhere along the line he'd picked up a textbook and started "reading".

“Studying. What are you doing here?” It was obvious that the second-year didn't even want to look at Wataru, let alone be in the same room with him. Kiyama wondered why he didn't just leave if he found the company that bad.

But Kiyama wanted to see Wataru rile up a response from Hino, for him to get mad, for him to do something. Of course, he'd jump in if anything got too heated... but he just wanted confirmation that the gymnastics prodigy wasn't completely a jerk. He began folding the clothes in his locker and putting them into his bag, listening to hear if something interesting would arise between his two teammates.

[Azuma Wataru]

As Wataru was leaning on the rail, he realised how hungry he actually was. He had forgotten to eat lunch today because he was practising in the gym and now, his stomach was calling for attention. It was growling. But he ignored it. Hoping that no one else heard....

"Oh, it's Hino. What are you doing here?"

There was a slight pause before the 'Japan' embroided figure responded. And the response? Definitely not happy or pleased.

Studying

Wow, never enthusiastic about anything, this boy...thought Wataru. But for some reason, he thought it was normal. A Hino which was cheery and a huge chatterbox would scare the heck out of him.

It was just unimaginable.

What are you doing here?
Now, Hino did seem pissed. What was his problem? And here, Wataru was so nice to ask...

Wataru looked at Kiyama slightly hoping he would say something... or so something.

Then he turned back at Hino.

"Well, it doesnt seem like you're studying to me. Atleast turn the light on, its too dark in here." Wataru nodded towards the lightswitch and thought it was the most obvious thing to say.

"Sheeshh.. are you stupid or something?"
That slipped out faster than Wataru could process. It must be the hunger getting to him. His brain could not perform well without food.

Wataru slightly regretted the last sentence... but most likely not.

How could the 2nd year member always put on such a face? One that doesnt seem interested in anything and almost like everytime he was with Wataru, he despised his appearance?

Wataru wanted to change this.. but didnt know how. If only some things were different.. Wataru didnt want to get all chummy with Hino, but less tense would be just fine. And then maybe a smile once in a while?

Then, Wataru pursed his lips and looked nervous, realising he had definitely made the situation worser. He glanced at Kiyama...

[Hino Tetsuya]

Hino waited patiently for a response, there was no use in pretending it wasn’t coming. Because he knew it was. Azuma wasn’t the type of person to leave things alone.

"Well, it doesnt seem like you're studying to me. Atleast turn the light on, its too dark in here." Without turning his head Hino looked to Azuma who was eyeing the light switch pointedly. Hino reverted his gaze once more, and rolled his eyes lightly. To Hino, Azuma had a terrible habit of misreading the atmosphere or missing the point entirely. In this case he had done both.

He almost threw in that he preferred the dark just so the conversation would end and that maybe, just maybe, Azuma would leave it at that and be gone. But he wasn’t even given a chance to give that much when the yankee spoke up again.

"Sheeshh.. are you stupid or something?”

Hino blinked.

And he blinked again.

Azuma had quite the mouth on him, but very little brain, and this, Hino thought dryly; is where things got so mucky. Azuma needed to learn his place as a part of the team. Sure everywhere else, Azuma was his senior. But as far as Hino was concerted, the second he walked into this room or their gym, that status no longer applied and Azuma may as well be a preschooler amongst adults.

He stood slowly adjusting the hem of his jacket and turned to look directly at the other.

“Stupid?” He questioned tilting his head at the sheer absurdity of the statement. He raised an eyebrow only slightly.

“Are you being ironic?…” He asked keeping his gaze intent on Azuma as he spoke. “Because I wouldn’t have thought that that word was even in your vocabulary” He paused, knowing very well he’d made quite a point, but unsure whether that point would have come across to someone such as Azuma.

“Considering your mental capacity you could almost consider ‘stupid’ a compliment.”

For some reason deep in the pit of his stomach, Hino didn’t have any fear saying these things to Azuma despite the fact that he knew Azuma could knock him out with one fist. Hino thought that maybe a lot of that confidence came from Kiyama’s presence, because although he may not have any faith in Azuma’s state of mind he knew Kiyama was level headed and wouldn’t let Azuma do anything…

Stupid.

[Kiyama Ryuichiro]

Upon further inspection, Kiyama found that his locker wasn't that dirty, so he'd arranged the manga inside so he could read it while... whatever was going to happen would happen. It wasn't like the room's other two occupants were paying him much attention, anyway. Even if they were, he'd make like he was sorting through his things every time he turned the page.

He found himself smirking (he'd forgotten how that comic with the pirates was so funny that week) when he heard the remark from Wataru.

"Sheeshh.. are you stupid or something?"

He didn't look back, and didn't need to see how the tension of the room had suddenly changed.

"Stupid?" Hino answered. Azuma Wataru had touched a nerve... though Kiyama had no idea what nerve it could be. He turned the page, the smile gone from his face.

“Are you being ironic?…Because I wouldn’t have thought that that word was even in your vocabulary. Considering your mental capacity you could almost consider ‘stupid’ a compliment.”

Kiyama looked up. Honestly, he didn't want to say or do anything. Despite hating this kind of situation, he wanted Hino to go on. From the tirade so far, it seemed very likely that the kid had a lot of pent-up frustrations... the he probably needed something like this.

But as much as Kiyama would've liked continuing his voyeuristic armchair psychologist act, he knew he'd just witnessed a low blow. Given that Wataru's temper could flare up in seconds, he wondered if he should go on and step in while he had the chance.

Kiyama decided to compromise. He turned to Wataru and shot him a look. As smart or as stupid as the redhead could be, he would have to see that should he get too out of line, Kiyama would force him to shape up. Making sure the eye contact was long enough for Wataru to know that he was serious, but brief enough to hint that he really didn't care to get involved if he could help it, he turned back to his locker.

He sighed after turning another page. That ninja comic was next, and it had been such a downer lately...

[Azuma Wataru]

"Sheeshh...are you stupid or something?"

It was awfully quiet.

Stupid? As usual, Hino's face didnt seem to change much but Wataru had finally realised the tense atmosphere.

He had crossed the line.

Are you being ironic? Wataru thought about this hard. Ironic? What did it specifically mean again? He had forgotten. The yankee was clearly not good with words or expressions. Hmm.. did it mean making fun of people?

He was just about to ask when Hino started talking again.

Because I wouldn’t have thought that that word was even in your vocabulary He was right, Wataru thought. How did Hino know that ironic WASNT in his dictionary?

Considering your mental capacity you could almost consider ‘stupid’ a compliment. Hino's tone was definitely not friendly. OH.. finally he realised that the word he was talking about had not been 'ironic'.

Wataru almost didnt know how to respond. He wanted to argue back because that is what he always does. But then he felt someone else look at him.

It was Kiyama.

And the look didnt seem very happy. Clearly, he did not want the situation to get worse and Kiyama's expression on his face confirmed this.
Wataru had gotten the message.

Wataru sighed and looked back at Hino. He wasnt happy. The 2nd year looked bothered by something more than the arguement happening right here. But what was it? Hino's personality was hard to approach and didnt seem to open up to anyone. It was just like Kiyama. Only on a more serious level.

"Okay okay.. I get it. My bad okay? I shouldnt have said that. But what you said wasnt very nice either."

Wataru wasnt going to back down that easy. He hated to always be the weak one apologising especially when he thought that he wasnt completely being the bad guy here.

"What's up anyways..? You seem extra moody today"

Wataru looked at Hino. He was concerned. Keeping all the bad stuff in himself was bad. And Hino was that type of person. The type that will bottle everything up and then one day, just EXPLODE. Out of control spontaneously explode.

[Hino Tetsuya]

Hino knew by Azuma’s silence during his words, that the other had very little comprehension of his words meaning. And the short silence afterwards only confirmed his thoughts.

He was expecting an explosion when the Yankees brain caught up to his mouth. Expecting him to shout, yell and show his brute strength on some poor unfortunate inanimate object close by.

But nothing came. Hino didn’t let his shock show.


"Okay okay.. I get it. My bad okay? I shouldnt have said that. But what you said wasnt very nice either."


Came the others words, in a not-so-angry way.

Hino blinked.

He hadn’t quite known what he’d expected in return, but it certainly wasn’t something that could be taken as an ‘apology’. Hino didn’t like the feeling that welled in his gut. He’d wanted Azuma to explode; he’d wanted him to be the immature one. But now he felt it was him.

He’d didn’t like feeling as though he was in the wrong. And he certainly didn’t like that Azuma seemed to be trying to make amends. It made him felt uneasy, he liked being able to predict how others react to him, he didn’t like when he could no longer do that.

"What's up anyways..? You seem extra moody today"


Azuma directed the question at him, and he was immediately stumped. He didn’t know how to reply to the question with faltering character or dropping his shield. He was in no mood to talk with anyone about it, the reason he didn’t want to go home, let alone talk about it with Azuma.

It was no-one’s business but his own.

… and no-ones burden but his own.

To seek refuge and help from someone else was a weakness, and he wasn’t weak. He could handle his own problems with his father without the help to their ‘team’.

“Nothing” He replied dully, sitting back down at the small table. “There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just fine” He compensated his lie for more words than he needed to share.

He pulled the text book close to himself.

“Why are the both of you still here?” He asked doing very little to disguise his disinterest. “Don’t you both have homes to go to!”

It had come across a little harsher than he’d meant it to but he brushed it aside.

[Kiyama Ryuichiro]

Kiyama wasn't too surprised at Wataru's restrained words and half-apology; the boy could keep his temper in check when it really counted. But he was surprised at Hino's less-than-convincing denial... and his reply.

"Don't you both have homes to go to!"

There was something about that comment... Then and there Kiyama decided that Hino was a douchebag with problems.

He finally closed the manga, looking instead into the darkness of his locker. And noticed a lingering thought in his head... a sudden restlessness that wasn't there before... something about what the second-year had said touched a nerve in him.

Maybe it was the fact he'd watched Hino systematically ignore, belittle, and at times downright interfere with the efforts of seven of the most earnest and dedicated people he knew. Maybe it was a smug knowledge that whatever was going on with the kid wasn't likely to be half as bad as what he'd gone through over the years. Maybe it was that the comment, well, did hit a little too close to home. Maybe it was that Hino wasn't just taking jabs at him, but also at Azuma Wataru -- who, despite his own problems, had tried his best to reach out to him and pretty much everyone that needed it, whether or not they deserved it.

He didn't really know, and didn't dwell on it. It was was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"You're a liar."

Kiyama paused, almost surprised that the husky whisper that came from out of nowhere was his own voice, but he continued. "You say that you're fine when you're not, but that's okay. You can't deal with whatever is going on in your home, but that's okay, too."

He slammed his locker, and finally opted to look at Hino; staring far deeper than his eyes.

"Acting like you're the only one who ever had anything bad happen to them... acting like it gives you license to treat everyone around you like crap... The selfishness and sense entitlement and being a bitch to the members of your team... and they are your team... it's bullshit."

There was a pause. Kiyama opened his mouth to continue, but he ended up almost gasping for air. He had been yelling.

This realization hit him hard. Very unsettled by his loss of emotional control, he looked from Hino, to Wataru, and back to Hino before averting his eyes from both. He wasn't planning on getting personal, or letting it get personal. The longer he stood in the room with his two teammates, the more ashamed and embarrassed he began to feel.

Clearing his throat, he hurriedly ascended the stairs, still making sure not to look at the other two. Without another word, he slipped out of the locker room door to escape to... well, anywhere.

OOC: Sorry, didn't mean to write myself out... it kinda just ended up like that... >_>

[Azuma Wataru]

There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m just fine Hino didnt sound very convincing thought Wataru. He wasnt a very good actor and he never has been. Hino might think that alot of people would be convinced by when he was trying to hide something but in truth, the whole team could usually see through the disguise.

Wataru was about to protest when the boy added:

Why are the both of you still here?Don’t you both have homes to go to!

Wow, he was getting more than defensive here. It was more than transparent that Hino had been experiencing some problems with his family. Everyone knew that Hino came from a rich and famous family and how he didnt get along with his dad very well. Hino was always expected to do the best and maybe he had been experiencing too much pressure lately from his family. This was what Wataru theorised. He didnt want to say anything else than aggrovated Hino's mood any further because he knew very well how it was like not to get along with your own family. Especially a dad.

Then, Kiyama's voice almost startled him. You're a liar Yes, he agreed with Kiyama but the way Kiyama said it was in a very serious tone. Wataru was surprised to see the way Kiyama had acted since the yankee would usually keep quiet and stay out of these situations. But Wataru also liked this side of Kiyama. How he would be so straightforward. The slam of Kiyama's locker reassured Wataru that Kiyama certainly didnt like how Hino was acting and what he was saying. He looked at Kiyama almost questioningly.

You say that you're fine when you're not, but that's okay. You can't deal with whatever is going on in your home, but that's okay, too.Acting like you're the only one who ever had anything bad happen to them... acting like it gives you license to treat everyone around you like crap... The selfishness and sense entitlement and being a bitch to the members of your team... and they are your team... it's bullshit.

It was really rare to see Kiyama acting like this. Very rare indeed and Wataru hadnt seem him act like this for a long while. The way Kiyama was yelling at Hino somewhat made Wataru uncomfortable. The atmosphere got a lot more tense.

"Kiyama..." Wataru didnt know what else to say. He appeared dumbfounded, just looking at Kiyama. Kiyama then cleared his throat and started to make way to the door. "Wait, Kiyama! Where are you going?" He hoped that Kiyama didnt leave that soon. He wanted to somehow help Hino solve this hardship and with the presence of Kiyama, he felt more at ease. But it was too late.

Kiyama was too quick.

Then hurriedly, Wataru turned back to Hino, biting his bottom lip. "You know, he's right. He might have said it a bit harsh but i'm sure his intentions were good. Don't mind ne? Whatever problems your experiencing, you can talk about it. Although we might not be the best people to 'counsel' you, if we work together, i'm sure we can work things out."

He gave Hino a weak smile, hoping that he would release whatever burden he was carrying. Even if he got more of his anger out, it was better than keeping it in.

"We're a team right?"