It's been a few weeks, I guess, and I'm already tired of keeping it all in. I seriously don't know how to confront him, but I am sure he had his reasons.
"What are you spacing out for, Atsushi?" Akane asked, walking towards me.
"Oh, Akane. It's you." I said, smiling at her.
* The same goes for Akane, I don't want to make any mistakes. So I think I'll keep my distance.* I thought as she handed a bottle of water to me.
"Thanks." I said, opening it and gulping half of it down.
"You look bothered about something." She said, looking down.
"Oh, I am not."
"Are you sure? You can speak to me about anything, okay."
*I know I can trust her, or maybe I want to believe but...*
"There's nothing, really." I said, smiling at her.
*Maybe I'll confront him today.* I thought, looking away.
"You look kinda sad, but since you said it's nothing."
"Yeah."
"Whoa, looks like the bicycle kick is super easy for you." Akatsuki said, clapping.
*Mm*
"You know, it took me months to learn it." He said.
"Oh?"
"Many guys from my high school couldn't even attempt it."
"Mm."
"Yeah, even my..."
"Hey, Akatsuki." I called, cutting his speech.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Atsu?"
"Tell me, do you really..."
*Goddammit.*
"Like me?" I asked, looking away.
"Huh? You've been acting kinda weird since you lost your position as captain, I've been acting like I didn't notice. What's this about?"
"Akatsuki, tell me. Am sure you dislike me, you wish I never came here, you wish I..."
"Cut the crap Atsushi!!!" He shouted as I looked up at him shocked.
"Huh?"
"What the hell are you saying? Am not Akaji okay."
*Haha, he's really trying to fool me.* I thought smiling before looking up.
"You set me up with Team G, right? Am also aware of the times you set me up with other teams." I said as he looked down.
"You knew all this time, so why did you still speak with me? Why didn't you just leave me the hell alone?! At least I'll be happy not playing the kind and nice cousin, brother!!"
"Ha ha." I laughed as he looked up.
"What's so funny?"
"Pathetic." I said.
"Huh? Do you think I am pathetic?!"
"No, not you. I mean myself."
"Tchh."
"I knew from the start that you disliked me. Ever since we were kids."
"Huh?"
"I knew, but you always tried to hide it. Maybe it's cause your dad always praised me and took serious interest in me."
"You knew, huh?"
"You got it all wrong though, he told me tye reason he had hope in me."
"You...!"
"Akatsuki, why do you dislike me?"
"What a fool? I don't dislike you. I hate you, from the depth of my heart."
*Well yeah, I expected that.*
"Ever since we were little. I was the one who took interest in soccer. You pretended to not know anything about it but became better than at it than me! I'll show you how much I trained for the past few years. You are no more the captain and Akaji has promised me the Second striker so you'll go back!! I'll show this world, and then I'll show our world and my dad. Everyone! Everyone would see how great a player I am!!!"
"Wow..."
"Hmm?"
"Your anger is too deep. But if you really want to show your worth, do it on your own. Don't ask others for hell cause thise people might eventually turn on you." I said about to walking out.
"Huh? Some kind of world advice or something? Hey, go give your self that stupid shit of an advice, don't tell me shit."
"Akatsu... I- I really loved playing with you as a partner." I said before walking out.
*Ha, I thought I steeled myself for this day but now.* I thought cleaning my eyes with my clothe.
*Akatsu... I really wished it was a dream when I found out, why wasn't it?* I thought walking out.
"Huh?" I looked shocked as I heard sobbing.
"A-a-Akane?!!"
"Oh, Atsushi-kun. Am sorry. I just couldn't come out when you guys started talking to each other." She said standing up.
"Oh, don't worry about it." I said looking away.
"You say that but your eyes are teary."
"Huh? How so?" I asked looking away.
"I'm sorry, about all this. I can't believe I let you carry the burden alone."
"Don't say that Akane, it's not like it's your responsibility or anything." I said patting her head.
"Atsushi."
"Hmm?"
"I-I, I really... like you." She said looking up at me.
"Huh?!"