Complex: Part 2

"Oi, Jackal, isn't that -chan?" Marui Bunta nudged to his teammate, Jackal Kuwahara, as both of them were on their way to the club room. Jackal turned his gaze to where Marui was pointing, and saw that the girl talking to some lower-year students was indeed, .

"Oh, yeah. You're right," the fourteen-year old Brazilian said, with the hint of dismissal on his voice. Marui quickly caught up to this and decided to ask what was wrong.

As soon as the boys reached the club room and their lockers, Marui finally managed to talk. "You've been acting different since Valentines." The redhead nonchalantly said.

Jackal went quiet for a while, and then opened his locker and took out some things. Marui noticed that his doubles partner was just feigning his actions – he was actually trying to make himself look busy. Thinking of a reply to his statement, perhaps?

"Is that so?" was what Jackal uttered, after a couple of minutes. He then added, "I'm all good, Marui. It must be your imagination."

Marui, who was tying his shoelaces, stood up and looked at Jackal, who was still "busy" fixing his things. The volley specialist sighed. He really does not want to talk about it.

**********

Things really are complicated, thus, silence is the key. This is what said to herself after seeing Jackal and Marui on their way to the tennis club room. For a while, she completely forgot that she was explaining something to the freshmen members of the drama club before she leaves the school. All her thoughts quickly made a flashback to February 14, when everything is still okay with her and her friend, Jackal.

"-senpai?" One of the freshmen asked, as they noticed that the third-year who seemed to be lost in thought.

"E-eh? Oh. I'm sorry. Here." handed a small pile of paper to the freshmen, as they smiled at her and left. looked back and saw that the two boys were gone. Probably inside the room. took a one last look on the tennis room, and started walking away from the campus.

When was the last time that she talked to Jackal? Three weeks ago. That was February 14, the day when the student council had a program of sorts. What happened? She didn't know. All she knew was that she enjoyed spending the day with Jackal as his "proxy" date, and nothing else. They even managed to thank each other for the wonderful time. The next day, words were barely said. Both of them did not bother to discuss what happened the day before.

What is going on?

I don't know, thought, as if someone had asked her a question. Yes, she was happy. But she didn't know why she decided not to talk to Jackal the day after, and why Jackal refused to talk to her again since.

Or maybe she really knew what was going on, but was too stubborn to admit things.

stopped in her tracks and sighed. She was so happy on February 14th that she figured out, on that day itself that her happiness was not just because Jackal was a great companion. She was not stupid that she would not realize her feelings. She had known it right away.

**********

"-chan, are you not on speaking terms with Jackal?" Yukimura Seiichi commented as soon as he placed his tray on top of the table. , together with her twin-sister, Kayoko, and Yukimura were all sharing the same seats for lunch.

Kayoko was surprised to hear Yukimura's comment, and she shifted her attention from Yukimura to her sister.

"?"

"Well, we haven't been talking for a while. Busy schedule." answered as she quickly took her tetra pack and sipped her drink.

Yukimura smiled knowingly. "You guys can exchange a word or two in Chemistry class. Isn't he your lab partner?"

was silent. She thought for a while and then replied. "Yes, but we're not talking. What is it that you want?"

"I just want to know, since you two are pretty close, and now you're not talking to each other. It's a shame to see your friendship in ruins."

"I know." answered.

"Well, then, why–?"

"Seiichi." Kayoko finally interrupted. Yukimura looked at her and then at , and smiled at her. "Just let her be. knows more about him, no, their situation, more than we do."

Kayoko's words silenced the young tennis captain and he proceeded on eating his lunch. The three barely exchanged words after that, and the silence became heavy. As soon as finished her meal, she bade goodbye to her sister and to Yukimura, and quickly left the cafeteria to walk around the campus before afternoon classes started again.

's steps were hasty at first, but then she slowed down, upon realizing that she had no destination in mind. She reached the staircase near the science laboratory, and sat on the steps. She saw some schoolmates walking on the campus, carrying their bento boxes.

This is disgusting, thought to herself. She had never been like this. She knew that she was a smart girl, so there was no reason for her to sulk in the corner and feel bad about things. Kayoko was right, she knew what was going on, and she knew what she was supposed to do. But no matter how cheerful her usual disposition was, she cannot help but feel sad.

Perhaps...

**********

"...You are afraid of rejection?" Marui Bunta exclaimed as soon as he popped his apple green bubble gum. Jackal Kuwahara immediately looked at his friend with surprise.

"R-rejection? What the hell are you saying?" Jackal stuttered, as he tried to ignore what Marui had just said. He took the right piece of Marui's earphones and listened to the music.

"Well, that's what I think. You guys look good together, and I think you like her too. I cannot see any other reasons why you're avoiding each other."

"We're just busy, that's all."

"Busy, my ass." Marui dismissed, as he took off the left piece of his earphone from his ear and handed it to Jackal. "She likes you, I am sure of that. I think the reason why she is avoiding you is because she knows that you like Takagi-san."

"Well, I do like Takagi-san." Jackal interjected.

"Stale news, Jackal. Stale news. Everyone likes Takagi-san. But what you feel for -chan is something different. And you are too stubborn to admit it. Now look what's happening."

Jackal remained silent. Why was his friend saying these things?

Marui replied as if he read Jackal's mind. "I am saying this because you are in danger of ruining all the chances that you have. Everything's in front of you already. You just have to make a move."

The redhead stood up and stretched his arms. "I'm not really the type of person who talks of these things, because seriously, it's not really my kind of thing. But I'm you're friend, and I hate to see people who are feeling devastated even though they know what they're supposed to do."

"Why are you saying this?" Jackal asked, as he turned down the volume of Marui's mp3 player.

Marui blew up his gum and popped it again, and then looked at his doubles partner. "But of course. I'm a genius."

**********

"Yo." Jackal said as soon as he saw already busy taking out a couple of beakers from the laboratory counter. was surprised upon recognizing his voice, and accidentally dropped the glass equipment. The sound of glass smashing on the floor echoed in the room, and everyone's attention was on .

quickly muttered a litany of apologies under her breath as she tried to pick up the broken pieces of glass. As she was picking them up, one piece slit her finger, causing it to bleed.

Jackal saw what happened and quickly took her arm. "You're bleeding."

"I-I'm okay. Don't worry about me. I just need to put a band-aid on it and..."

's explanations fell on deaf ears.

"Sensei. I'll just take her to the clinic." Jackal quickly said to their teacher, and then pulled out of the laboratory. The two were not speaking for a while until they reached the clinic. The clinic was empty, and the note "Sensei is out for a board meeting" explained where the doctor was. sat on one of the beds while Jackal took a small first aid kit sitting near the doctor's table.

Jackal carefully applied some medicine on 's fingers while mumbling things under his breath. "Seriously, you're not being careful. It's a good thing you got some minor cuts here."

"I love you."

The young tennis player stopped from what he was doing upon hearing 's voice.

"Jackal-kun. I love you."

Jackal did not say anything.

"I know it's pretty hasty of me to say this. You might say that maybe I was just carried away when we went out last Valentines, but I am definitely sure that there's basis to what I am feeling. We have been friends for a while, and..."

"Why are you saying this?"

was stunned by Jackal's tone of voice. She remained silent, trying to prevent the impending tears from falling.

"Why are you explaining your feelings to me? Why... are we going around in circles? Why do I feel like my chest is going to burst... out of happiness?"

"Eh?" looked up and noticed that Jackal was finished putting band-aids on her fingers.

His eyes were now clearer. And he was smiling.

"What I'm trying to say is that, I don't know. We had been trying to avoid each other when in fact, I was so used to seeing you around, right here beside me. The past few weeks didn't feel right at all."

"S-so, Jackal-kun, what are you–"

"What I'm trying to say is that, well. How should I put this...?" Jackal tried hiding his embarrassment and paused for a while, as if he is rummaging through his mind and choosing the right words to say.

"Okay. I love you. I love you. I–"

"Ara? Why are you guys in here? Is anything wrong?" The doctor exclaimed as soon as she entered the clinic. and Jackal looked at her with surprise. The doctor, upon seeing the two, did not wait for an answer and chuckled and went back to her table. The two rushed out of the clinic and ran on the corridor, their faces both red and flustered.

They reached the chemistry laboratory, but instead of coming in right away, the two stood outside. Leaning on the wall, Jackal turned to look at . "Are you okay now?"

did not answer. Instead, she smiled, and let her injured fingers lock with Jackal's.

##########

May 16, 2007
Written by: Megane-ko
Edited by: linchpin

A/N: This the continuation of the story "Love Lottery: Kuwahara Side" which I wrote last February 2007.