Chapter 28- Aftermath

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I have to go after him.

Is all my body says as I lifted myself off the ground sprinting towards the gym doors as tears were falling down my cheek.

I had to know, why was he here? Why now?

I could hear voices call my name but only ignore them as I got closer to the door.

Opening it quickly I stare at the hallway as no one was there.

"Dad?!"

There's no way he left that fast...

Hurriedly I run down the hallway looking left to right for the familiar built figure with those light brown eyes till reaching the exit.

Opening the doors my skin is met with the cold fall air. Setting my hands on my knees I try to control my breathing as my body basically had no energy left it in.

Gasping for air I take deep breaths not only tears but now sweat trickling down my face.

Gaining my composure I jog a few meters looking around for him before my legs give out as I stumble to the ground.

My body makes contact with the cold cement as I try to bring myself up.

That's when I break down.

Everything from last year was now coming back to me. I let down my teammates, my family and even my dead beat of a father who I don't know as to why I care for.

I could only whimper as tears cascaded onto the cold cement my hands getting dirty from it's rough surface.

Why did he have to come at that one moment?

Why does something bad have to come to my life when I'm happy?

Suddenly I feel a warm object wrap around my trembling body warmth instantly covering my cold skin.

Looking at the jacket I already knows who's it was as I turn around slowly to see Iwaizumi who was looking at me worriedly.

Not wanting him to see me in my state I quickly get up slightly stumbling in the process to which he was already there to help me.

My arms twitch at his touch as I pull it away from his already missing his warm touch on mine.

"You alright Ren?" I could feel him studying me as if he was trying to figure out how I was feeling.

Still not wanting to make eye contact with him I decide to place my eyes on the ground.

"I'm fine, just leave me alone please," I whisper as I watched small stains form on the road as more tears were escaping.

"Nakaβ€”"

"I said leave me alone Iwaizumi!" I suddenly shout as I take a step back from him.

His eyes widen at my change in voice as he can almost see how broken I was.

The boy cautiously takes a few steps towards me, "Look I understand that you've beaten yourself up about losing, butβ€”"

"Hajime can you just listen to me and leave me alone! I don't need you acting like you're my boyfriend! I don't want to be a burden to your life too!" I choke out between tears as I stare into those beautiful green eyes.

"Shouldn't let him get too close to you Ren. You're just going to cause him trouble in the long run," Kinura's voice echos in my head repeatedly.

"A burden?" His eyebrows furrow slightly, "What do you mean by thβ€”"

"Ren where are you?!" A voice suddenly shouts and I glance behind Iwaizumi to see Akari and Hina looking around before spotting me.

"Just stay out of my life," I grit out like poison on my tongue as I walk towards him giving his jacket before walking towards the two girls.

I couldn't even look back as I was too scared to see the reaction of the boy I loved with all my heart.

It's for the best Ren. Its for the best.

"Why did you run out like that?! We were worried sick!" Hina exclaims as she meets me halfway.

Akari on the other hand was only looking behind me her eyes slightly widening before glancing back at Hina and I.

Before I could say anything the captain suddenly pulls me by the wrist as she drags me back into the facility.

"We have to still thank Niiyama and the audience," Hina mumbles sadly as Akari follows behind us.

Reaching the gym, my tears by now are gone as the three of us walk back towards the court.

I couldn't help but feel many eyes on me due to the scene I just caused moments ago.

Walking up to the other girls on court I glance up slightly to see all of them giving me worried looks.

They probably think I'm crazy now huh.

All of us line up at the front of the crowd as we slowly bow saying a quick thank you for being at our match.

Claps are heard from the stands as they give small words of encouragement to us.

"You girls did amazing!"

"You'll win next time!"

"I'm so proud of you all!"

None of those phrases meant anything to me as I knew that truly only felt pity towards us losing.

We then walk towards centre court where Niiyama was already waiting, all of their faces filled with joy.

Both teams are in a straight line as we face the announcer.

"May I present to you the winners of the Miyagi Prefecture Interhigh Preliminaries, Niiyama High!" He speaks through a microphone as he presents Ichika the plaque.

Those words hurt like hell. Watching the joy all the girls had on their faces as each of them looked at the award made me feel like shit.

What made it even worse was that is all happened because of me.

After giving them the award, both teams had to stand infront of each other thanking one another for a good match.

I couldn't even glance at a single person as I lined up beside Sakura bowing at our opponents.

-
"Alright girls everyone get on the bus!" Coach calls all of us as we exit the hotel or luggage in hand.

Not even wanting to interact with a single sole I put my earphones in boarding the bus, sitting all the way in the back by myself.

I could tell that this loss took a toll on everyone as the loud and chirpy bus before was now dead silent as no one spoke a single word to one another the entire way back.

Arriving back at school we all one by one get off the bus grabbing our bags with us.

"Alright girls before you leave I just wanted to say that I'm so proud of you all," Coach tells us as she slowly looks around.

I could hear faint cries and sniffles come from some of the girls only breaking my heart more.

"Although we didn't end up with a win you all played your hearts out and that's all that matters," Coach says a small smile on her face.

"I agree coach," Hina suddenly speaks up as a small tear falls down her cheek, "we still have another tournament to go to qualify for nationals so let's no forget that,"

I honestly didn't fully pay attention to Hina's speech as my mind was swarming with different thoughts and emotions.

Why was he here? Was my main question as I tried to grasp the concept of father coming back after a year.

"Ren, can you stay back for a minute," A voice says breaking my thoughts as I look to see coach.

I only nod in response as everyone else leaves the school parking lot, some being picked up by their parents or walking home.

With just myself, coach, and Hina, the captain whispers a few words to her before walking up to me.

"You did amazing out there Ren. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise," She gives my hand a light squeeze before grabbing her luggage as she walked towards her car.

Both coach and I watch as Hina puts her luggage in the trunk of her car and drives off onto the main road.

"So I saw him at the end of the match," Coach speaks up, "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," Is all that comes out of my mouth as I try to look at anywhere but her.

"I know that's not true," She says with not the slightest stutter in her voice, "A man who left you and your family for an entire year with no explanation finally comes back with no context. I would be feeling a whirlpool of emotions right now,"

"Just don't begin pushing everyone you love away because of this, alright Ren?" Coach adds putting her hand on my shoulder reassuringly.

Too late for that.

"Alright coach," I finally look up at her giving a gentle smile.

"Okay then you're dismissed,"

With that I grab my luggage giving coach a small wave before walking on my own path home.

I couldn't help but think I was a bit too harsh on Iwaizumi as coaches words repeated in my head.

The boy was only trying to help me so why was I quick to push him away?

Nearing my house I see an unfamiliar car parked on the side of the street.

"Why are you here Haruto?!" A sudden shout comes from my house.

Quickly I jog to the front of the house where the door was open slightly.

Slowly peaking my eyes they instantly widen at the sight infront of me.

It was mum and dad.

Mum on one hand was balling her eyes out as she tried to keep her angered composure whereas father was trying to calm her down as he tried to comfort her.

"Why of all days after a year of being gone do you decide to come to Ren's match scaring the girl to her death?!" She chokes out between sobs my heart clenching at the last time I saw mum like this.

"Huh tell me Haruto! What is your reason?!"

"I had to come home because I had to know if she was mine!" He shouts back taking a step  towards mum to which she takes one back.

I can't take this.

As I was about to burst into the house to save mum from him, my father uttered words that left me stunned.

"I couldn't just leave without knowing if she was biologically my daughter Temari,"

With those words I could only back away from the door slowly as my mind couldn't take in more of anything he was saying.

β€”
Hehe another cliffhanger! I'm honestly surprised as to how fast I wrote this chapter. It's probably because I'm so excited to write it out and it is quite a short one.

It'll be the second part to this chapter as I didn't want to put it all together in one.

Oh also thank you all so much for almost 50k reads! I'm so grateful for each and every reader as I never expected that this story would even be getting any reads in the first place. All of you reading this is pushing me even more to write and update so thank you again πŸ₯Ί.

Soo the next chapter should come out by tomorrow which is going to get even better so stay tuned :)

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