"Whew, looks like we're done for today," I said, smiling at Kaito, who picked up his ball.
"Goodbye, big bro's and big uncle." He said, running off.
"Atsushi, wait," Akane called, running towards me.
"Akane?!" Kuroba called, glaring at us.
"Atsushi, we'll be seeing each other at home," Akatsuki said, winking at me before pulling his dad along with him.
"Kuroba, please leave with Kaito first." She pleaded as he clenched his fist.
"No, I'll stay."
"Kuroba! Please, just leave." She begged.
"Hmph! Don't try to pull any stunts, Oshiba-san." He said before taking Kaito away.
"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.
"Atsushi, please can you just listen to me? I'm sorry for how things turned out. I thought I'd be able to settle things with my family before we met again." She said, sobbing.
"Why are you crying now?" I muttered, looking away while biting my lip.
"I'll tell you what happened, so please don't be mad at me." She said.
She began telling me the story of how things came to how they were.
Kuroba's family and hers had known each other for quite a long time. She and Kuroba naturally became friends. As they grew, some problems began affecting her dad's business, and he needed help. They could only rely on Kuroba and his family.
They wanted to sign a contract with them that could help alleviate their problem. Kuroba had taken interest in her ever since she started high school, so he told his dad that they should only agree if she agreed to get married to him.
Her dad didn't think twice before accepting the conditions laid out for them. To him, restoring the family's reputation was more important.
She had no other choice but to agree, though she cried and begged them to listen to her. The contract wasn't signed yet, but her dad forced her to start going out with Kuroba as soon as possible.
"Ay... I'm really sorry for the misunderstanding." I said, a feeling of relief washing over me, followed by guilt.
"It's nothing. Don't think too much about it." She said, wiping her tears away.
"Sorry, I can't do anything for you," I said, trying to console her by placing her head on my lap.
"Haha, I don't mind. It's not like you are supposed to know what to do. I just told you this but this might be the last time we meet." She said.
"What?"
"He'll tell on me. I'm sure of it, and Dad won't let me leave the house again."
"That Kuroba is a bastard. How dare he do this to you." I muttered, clenching my fist as I felt her hand on them.
"Oh God, it's raining," I said.
*It didn't even give a warning, maybe thunder or droplets.* I thought.
"Let's just stay... a bit more." She said.
"Won't you get cold?"
"It's nothing, I don't mind." She said.
"You know, I've missed you. I didn't think I'd meet you again till the one-month break is over." She said as I felt tears rolling down my lap.
"Yeah, me too," I said, my left hand over my face.
"Atsushi..." She called, sitting up.
We sat on the rain-soaked pavement, Akane's trembling form before me. Our eyes locked, and my heart shattered, knowing what troubles and difficulties she's been through.
My hands instinctively cradled her face, thumbs tracing the curves of her cheeks. Her skin was warm, despite the chill of the rain. Akane's eyes welled up, tears mingling with the droplets on her lashes.
"Akane," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I'm sorry."
Her lips parted, inviting me in. Our kiss was desperate. The rain pounded against the pavement, echoing the turmoil within us.
I tasted salt on her lips – tears, not just rain. My fingers slid into her damp hair, holding her close. Akane's arms wrapped around me, clinging as if she'd never let go.
The locket around her neck gleamed dully in the faint light.
"Akane, I'm really sorry." I said as tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Atsushi, please don't cry." She pleaded, drawing me in for another round.
Our kiss deepened, each moment stretching out like an eternity. I committed every detail to memory: the softness of her lips, the warmth of her skin, and the scent of her hair.
As we broke apart, the rain seemed to grow louder, filling the silence. Akane's eyes searched mine, her gaze a mix of longing and despair. I knew that look would haunt me forever.
*Akane...* I thought, drawing her closer to me.
*I'm sorry, I really don't know what I can do to help you.* I thought, tears flowing down my eyes.
"It's getting late." She said after pulling out.
"Y-yeah..." I answered.
"Atsushi..."
"Hmm?"
"Let's run away."
"What?! Are you crazy?" I asked, suddenly taken aback.
"I'm serious. I don't want to get married to Kuroba, even if it will take some more years for it to happen." She said.
"But still..."
"Don't you want to?"
"Akane, I..."
"Lady Akane." We heard someone call as we fidgeted.
"Akane..." I whispered.
"Atsushi, let's go." She said, dragging me up.
"But..."
We ran off the field, running into the streets and out of the area.
*What should I do? This will end up being a serious problem if I take her in. But I'll also regret not taking her in.* I thought, as we ran towards into narrow area.
"Ha... ha..." She planted before looking at me.
"Akane... I... I'll let you stay with me for a while. At least before the one-month break ends." I said, looking away.
"Really? I was actually joking." She said.
"Eh?" I asked as she giggled.
"Although I'd like to stay with you, I know the kind of person my dad is. He'll make sure to find you by whatever means possible. I can't afford to drag you into my problem." She said, smiling at me.
"O-oh," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"I'll get going now. See you in a few weeks." She said, looking away.
"Wait!" I called, holding her hand.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" She asked, sniffling.
"I'll take you out of this area," I said, taking her with me.
"Okay." She said, holding me tightly.
*Akane... I don't know what I can do for you, but I'll try my best to do what I can.* I thought.