-Tokyo Hospital(ICU room)-
*cough* *cough*
"Honey, you shouldn't over exert yourself. You might worsen you condition." The mother hurriedly went to her husband's aid. Clasping his hand while carefully helping him lay comfortably in bed.
"I feel that I have little time to live. I'm glad the entangles of fate gifted me with such a wonderful wife." The father stroked his wife's hair while resisting the throbbing pain he felt in his chest. Maybe old age has made the man senile enough to show affection to his wife.
----------------------------------------------
Glenn's POV
We resided at an old-fashioned inn for our stay in Tokyo. The air felt fresh as the wind flew freely yet gently throughout the inn. We stayed at the lobby when the attendees arrived,
"Fuyumizu High School? This way please." We were lead to out respective 4-person rooms. Since it was us who picked our roommates, I was in a room with Dean, Arby, Glenn, and Astrio.
The rooms were pretty huge even for 4 people. After some time unpacking, we were asked to gather in the coach's room. "We have a full day of practice tomorrow. For now, sleep and replenish your energy, but don't go over sleeping on me. That's all."
As soon as I got to my room, I hit the hay in exhaustion caused by the tiresome trip. The 3 had the same idea,
-"Ahh, these futons feels nice."
-"Ahh, these futons feels nice."
-"Ahh, these futons feels nice."
-"Ahh, these futons feels nice."
The four of us said with our eyes closed all the while excited for our upcoming games.
-Next Day
*whistle*
"Faster, faster. Stay on edge and be quick on those receives. Benz, put more swing to it. Spence, good good." The day started off rough as we woke up at 4am and had to go by bus to arrive at the nearby court by 5:00.
The team was still sleepy then so we warmed up by running accross the court and doing basic exercises. Now, we're on the strenuous ball exercises where we do everything from receiving, tossing, to spiking. Probably the one who had it the hardest was Arby, our setter.
He was sweating so much but still continously set us up for quicks, back row attacks, and front row attacks with little to no mistake. He might be a flirt but his skills are no joke.
We weren't given much of a break considering it was 15 minutes for every 2 hours of practice. A few of us almost collapsed from fatigue, but at least it wasn't that hot during the winter season.
But even under this immense strain, I still couldn't get something off my mind. It was what Ramil said the other day. "Something about his family situation huh..."
I have this concerning feeling that I'd regret doing nothing. It's sort of a conflicting feeling that makes me lean more toward getting involved with him. Involved with a former rival at love and a former best friend.
Night shortly befell as the whole team walked to the bus all the while sore from head to tow. Because of my thin frame it was a bit even more of a pain.
"Brrrr, snowy nights like these are too much for me." Astrio's breath was clearly seen as he shivered intensely under the cold weather. The two of us were walking together since the other two were still packing.
"Glenn, you've been awfully distracted the whole day. Mind telling me why?" It seems Astrio noticed the slight change in the way I act.
I was uncertain if I should tell him why, but that would cause the daunting feeling I have to be restless, "Have you ever heard rumors of Ramil having any complicated family affairs?"
Astrio paused and abruptly gathered his thoughts, "Ramil? Hm... none, but I have heard he lives alone"
Alone? His father would never allow that since he was awfully protective of Ramil when we were younger. A fight maybe?
"I don't know why but if you can't get it off your mind, I know someone who knows some of Ramil's club members. Someone on our team." Astrio seemed curious but didn't bother asking. I noticed it from the manner he glanced as if thinking deeply.
"Huh? Who?"
-Next Day
We were having our fifteen minute break when Astrio took me to our informant. "Adla, you have friends from the basketball team, right?"
"Yeah, quite a few. Why? Why? Why?"
Always super energetic, I can feel him sapping the energy right off me. "I need to ask them about something."
"Hmm... Okay!"
Later at evening, he happily skipped as he led us to the room of members of the team. He did a light knock then the door opened, "Oh, it's you Adla *yawn*
what brings you here?"
He happily entered the room without a care in the world, "Sorry to disturb you right now Kai but my teammate wanted to ask you something."
Me and Astrio were unsure if we would enter considering the reputation of the team, but Adla ensured us, "He's a passive member of their team. In fact, I think Ramil's the only aggressive member, the rest just look like seasoned bouncers."
His name was Kai Emi, my first impression of Kai was he had an athlete's body and looked taunting. He was more laid back tho since he kept yawning and looked sleep deprived. Then I asked the question.
It took him a few yawns before answering, "Complicated family affairs? Well there's one that the whole team knows. His dad is apparently about to undergo surgery. Problem is, his mom wants Ramil to see his dad off but Ramil doesn't wanna."
Understandable since he pretty much hates his dad. I couldn't blame him either if I'm being honest.
I was pretty much unfazed by the news considering how calm Kai said it, "His dad looked pretty healthy last time I saw him so I'm guessing it's only a minor one."
"I wouldn't be so sure. After all, it's a heart surgery."