Doubt Throughout

Inei walks through the courtyard, the usual blank face rests as his face. As he walks, different people around school approach him, praising him for his game.

Student #1: "Hey Inei! You did wonderful at the game! Keep it up dude!"

Student #2: "You had us in the first half, not gonna lie!"

Student #3: "You got some battle wounds from that game I see!"

Inei nods to all of them, thinking about the last student.

These are wounds from a beating alright, but not the beating you are thinking about. One or two of these bruises sure, but everything else is from; her.

Inei then begins to frown, continuing to walk as he thinks to himself.

It was such a rough weekend, I am still so tired. The girls made me stay late last night too. I just want to rest today and forget about the weekend.

As he walks into the room, he looks up, looking at where Azami sits.

Huh, that's funny. Azami is not here yet.

He then looks to where Aneko sits, her seat vacant as well.

Aneko too?

Inei then notices that Yui, Yasu, and Chura's seats are vacant as well. The professor begins calling attendance, realizing all the girls are missing, he turns his attention to Inei.

"Where are your friends Inei?"

Inei shrugs lightly, the professor pointing at the door.

"Go call them and find out. We have an important lesson today."

Inei shakes his head and gets up, walking up and exiting the class. Inei pulls out his phone and looks at it, then furrows his eyebrows at the classroom door.

What good is it to call? I don't talk!

Inei then shakes his head again, calling Azami. The phone rings a couple of times, Azami answering her phone with a groggy voice.

"Inei, what the hell? Why are you calling me, you can't even talk."

Inei furrows his eyebrows again.

You definitely overslept, I can tell by your voice.

Azami then sleepily asks her question over the phone.

"What time is it anyway? It has to still be-"

Before she finishes her sentence, silence happens for a couple of seconds, then the phone hangs up. Inei chuckling silently for a second, then proceeds to call Aneko. The phone rings and Aneko answers the phone after one ring with frustration and agony.

"Inei, seriously? Do you have nothing better to do? Why did you even call me, you don't talk!"

Silence sits on the call, Aneko muttering then going silent.

"Why did you even call me to begin with?"

The silence passes, Inei assuming that Aneko realized the time.

"Stall the professor! I will be there in five minutes!"

Aneko hangs up the call, Inei then stares at his phone with disbelief.

There is not a chance she is getting here in five minutes.

Inei then gets to Chura, calling her. Chura's phone rings four times, then she answers the phone frantic.

"Inei why are you calling me now?! We need to be rushing! We overslept!"

Inei just sits quietly, Chura realizes.

"You're probably at campus already, I'll be right there!"

Chura hangs up, and Inei lets his phone fall to his side, beginning to walk into the classroom.

Yasu and Yui will already know by now and I refuse to call either one. I do not want to listen to them fight all day about why I called one over the other.

Inei walks into the classroom, the professor standing annoyed with his hands on his hips.

"Well? Are they coming?"

Inei nods and takes his seat, thinking to himself as he lays his head in his arms on top of his desk.

Why am I in charge of them? Professors don't even ask about students missing.

Inei then looks up, hearing the door slam open shocked at what he sees. Azami stands breathing heavily with her hair frizzed out and a shocked look on her face, going and sitting down slowly. Inei tilts his head to her, Azami not saying a word. Inei stares at her for a moment.

How did she get here so fast?

A few minutes go by, the professor instructing. Twenty minutes goes by and the rest of the girls walk in, dressed nicely with their hair done. Their attitudes are poor and dampen the atmosphere in the classroom. The professor went to scold the girls, but stops, feeling the poor aura radiating from their attitudes. They slowly take their seats, the professor slowly continuing where he left off. As the class ends, the students leave, leaving Inei and girls by themselves in the room, the professor remaining in the room with them. As he packs his stuff, the professor picks up his hand bag, looking up at the girls.

"I expect better of you five. You need to take this class seriously."

As he leaves the room, the girls attitudes become worse, Inei noticing, even flinching to their attitudes.

Wow, this is a new low for them. I have never seen them so depressed before.

All of them begin walking to the library, not a word muttered among the group. Inei suddenly feels a static shock on his arm, Azami's hair having brushed against his arm. He rubs his arm and Azami looks at him, giving a nervous smile.

"It's okay, don't worry about it, really it's okay!"

Inei rubs his arm more, proceeding to walk quietly.

That was such a strong shock! It is like she walked through a tesla gate! Why is she so shocking?!

Inei pauses his thoughts for a moment, then blushes shaking his head softly.

Not like that! Shut up me, quit thinking like that, Azami is just your friend. Think of something else, um, her hair is funny.

Inei gives a small grin as they reach the library, Inei pushing open and holding the doors open for the girls, they slowly walk past him and through the doors, Inei following in behind them. They individually take their seats, a sense of shame radiating from the table from every person but Inei for once. Inei looks around, examining every girl as they do their work silently, a frown on his face as he begins to over think.

What if this is my fault? What if I caused them to act like this because they hang around me? Are they no longer happy people?

Inei begins to lower his head in shame, Azami noticing as she brushes her hair, the static stretching down her brush on the final stroke. Azami then nervously giggles, speaking up to the group.

"Hey, it's okay everyone, it's not like no one is ever not late to class, it's okay!"

Everyone just kinda looks at Azami, Yui speaking up after her.

"She's right, everyone is late time to time, at least we made class. We must accept what has happened and move forward."

Sniffles come from Yasu's direction, everyone looking at her as tears stream down her face.

"I am never late, how did this happen to me? I am never a bad student."

Aneko furrows her eyebrows and crosses her arms, slumping back in her chair.

"Now I see you how you view me Yasu, I'm late all the time."

Chura speaks up on her and Aneko's behalf as well.

"It's not bad to be late! Sometimes we get over worked and it's too much!"

Yui tries to calm everyone down, mainly protecting her sister.

"Hey, it's okay, all we can do is accept what has happened and move on! So can we please do that?"

Yui says it in a stern voice, the other girls slightly backing down to Yui's sudden tone of aggression put in a polite manner. Inei notices and looks up, making eye contact with Chura who then looks away quickly, seemingly down at her phone. Inei raises an eyebrow, his phone buzzing in his pocket. He reaches down and pulls out his phone, noticing a text from Chura

"Hey Inei, we should hang out tonight."

Inei glances at her, Chura lifting her eyes and looking to the side with a blush, awkwardly shifting on her chair. Inei looks back at his phone and types, responding to her message.

"I have practice today, remember?"

Inei glances at Chura once more, noticing her shift to look at her phone, a small frown on her face then softly smiles, texting back Inei. His phone buzzes and he looks at it, reading her text.

"That's okay, if anything I can meet you at the front of the school after practice and we can go to my house. You live close so regardless if it is late you won't have but a ten minute walk."

Inei hesitates for a second, then answers.

"Okay, Yui and I will meet you at the front."

A moment goes by, Inei not looking up, a response appears as fast as he sent it, Inei in shock.

"Why would Yui know? I mean just you and me."

Inei sweats a little, thinking for a moment then replies.

"Oh I just thought we were all going, and Yui has training after school in the gym too."

Inei thinks to himself while waiting for Chura's response.

The girls cannot know that Yui stays and helps me train during practice. If they really do like me that would make them jealous of her and I do not want them to hate each other.

Inei's phone buzzes, he reads the reply.

"Oh, okay. Well it will just be us, so I hope you are looking forward to it."

Inei looks up, Chura has a soft smile and blush on her face as she writes on a piece of paper. Inei looks down at his textbook.

Now I need to find a way to get to Chura without Yui.

Inei shoots a right corner three point shot, sinking it through the hoop with ease. Yui catches the ball underneath the basket, passing the ball back to Inei, exclaiming with a grunt.

"Just a few more of those and you will be done for the night!"

Inei does nothing, feeling in the zone as he shoots and sinks the shot again. A couple more shots go by and Yui begins to talk.

"So who were you texting earlier today?"

Inei shoots it and misses off the back rim, Yui barely catching it as it comes down, passing it back to him.

"In the library where we all sit, you were on your phone when you were looking at that textbook. What were you looking at?"

Inei stops, holding the ball at the beginning of the shooting position, then shoots, sinking it. Yui catches it then passes him the ball.

"I thought I would try to trick you into talking to me since we do this so often. I figure I'm the closest to you since we spend so much time together. I was thinking, maybe we can do something other than this sometime?"

Inei keeps shooting, seemingly ignoring Yui, but Yui knowing that he is just focused.

"Then how about tonight after we finish? Maybe we can go get sandwiches at Railway and go to the park?"

Yui speaks this as he shoots, the ball completely air balling and going over Yui, Yui running to grab it. As she grabs the ball, Inei begins thinking to himself, breathing a little heavy.

This is not good. Chura wants to spend time at her house, Yui wants to go out to the park, what should I do? I cannot tell either one of them no, especially not Chura. But Yui and I usually-

His thought is cut off by the ball hitting him in the chest, Inei stumbling to grab it, Yui tilting her head.

"What were you thinking about? You didn't move the whole time I was getting the ball."

Inei squints at her as he holds the ball in his hands.

So you knew I was thinking and still threw the ball at me? That's mean.

Yui giggles a little at his expression then walks over to their stuff.

"Come on, Inei. Let's talk about it."

Inei nervously walks over to her and sits next to her, getting out his phone and looking at it, then Yui puts her hand on his shoulder, Inei looking at her, both of them not being too far apart.

"You can tell me whatever it is, you know I will not tell anyone or judge you, I was the first of the four to accept you anyway."

She giggles, slapping his shoulder playfully, Inei rolling his eyes then typing to her:

"I would love to go tonight, but I promised Chura that I would hangout with her tonight. She didn't want me to tell anyone so please don't tell her you know. I am meeting her at the front of the school to walk to where we are going."

He hesitantly sends the message, Yui then reading it, putting a smile on her face and looking at him with it.

"I understand. What about Friday after the game? That way we can also go over some statistics of your performance."

Inei nods instantly, smiling a little bit.

That actually sounds nice and thoughtful, I'm glad she understood about Chura.

Yui stands up and punches Inei on the arm softly.

"Well, you better get moving, you don't want to miss out on Chura. I'll clean up what was left here."

Inei stands shaking his head, Yui giggling softly.

"No, no, it's okay Inei, go hang out with Chura, I got this."

With that, Yui walks off, waving to Inei, cleaning up the court.

"Bye Inei! See you tomorrow!"

Inei waves to her, going into the locker room and getting dressed, walking to the front of the school.

Chura and Inei walk along the road to her house quietly, Chura wearing a large smile on her face. As they approach the house, Chura runs up to the front door and cracks it open, looking inside. She nervously looks back.

"I am sorry for the mess, Inei."

She opens the door and walks in, Inei walking in behind her, looking around. As he looks, he notices that the house is spotless, a table with two chairs sits in the dining room with an elegant white table top with silver-lining draping over the edges. Chura rushes to the kitchen and begins getting out ingredients.

"I am sure you are hungry, Inei. I will make you some food, please, do not hesitate to look around. I do not mind."

Inei removes his shoes, then begins wandering around mainly the dining room and kitchen. He notices pictures of Chura with her parents when she was younger, then enters the living room that is connected to both the kitchen and then dining room, noticing a gaming console under her television on the dresser. He picks up a controller and examines it.

No way, a Fantona?! These are amazing consoles, where did she get one?! And look at these games!

Inei checks them all out, then picks out a fighting game, then walks over to Chura, showing it to her then pointing at the television as she stirs a pot.

"Yeah you can play it! I have the remote next to the television and it is on the gaming input. I will join you after I finish cooking."

Inei smiles then walks over, taking the television remote and the console remote, turning both on to what they need to be. Inei begins playing the game, button mashing as he does. As time goes by, he slowly begins figuring out the buttons, when his shoulder is touched, making him jump. Chura giggles, then waves him over.

"Come on, dinner is done."

Inei then gets up and goes to the table, pulling out Chura's chair for her and pushing it in, Inei then takes his seat, looking at the able in front of him. Three taper candles are lit in between the both of them as they sit across from each other, their dishes covered, Chura smiles then grabs the top of her cover.

"Ready to be amazed? Lift the lid!"

Inei grabs the lid and they both lift up, Inei instantly hit with amazing scents that make his stomach want to crawl from within him and eat the food itself. His plate holds chicken Alfredo with a very creamy and leafy sauce, a Chicken Parmesan to the side with a couple of breadsticks on the other side. Inei looks at Chura with a smile, nodding, then picks up his silverware, beginning to eat. Chura laughs as she does the same, enjoying her own cooking. After some time of eating, Chura speaks.

"You know Inei? I can tell you my ridiculous dream, because I trust you."

Inei looks up with a half bitten breadstick in his mouth, Chura laughing as he chews, then continues on.

"I want to open my own Italian restaurant. That is what I am going to school for, but I doubt it can happen."

She slowly puts down her silverware, kinda sulking as Inei still eats.

"The food is amazing, I understand the atmosphere, but I am just not smart enough to run a business."

Inei looks up to her and shakes his head in disagreement, Chura doing the same to him, becoming more sad.

"No, I can't Inei! I have no financial responsibility, I live alone and have nothing but a roof over my head! I don't even have family!"

Chura begins to cry, Inei getting up and walking over to her, opening his arms. Chura stands up practically jumping in them, sobbing into his shoulder. As time passes, she eventually regains her composure, sniffling then talking again.

"I lost my parents when I was fourteen, I lived with my older sister here. Then, when I turned eighteen, she left and never came back. I lived alone ever since."

Inei tilts his head, Chura explaining further.

"I don't know where my sister is or if she even knows I am alive. All I know is I live here and go to school, I am so dumb."

Inei shakes his head, then grabs his phone, typing in a notes app he has. He then hands her his phone, standing in front of her.

"Why not go for your dream? If that is what you want I know you can do it. If you think you are dumb because of number grading on a paper then don't. That does not determine your intelligence because it is not experience. Your food is even greater than it was yesterday, I can tell you have had practice since the competition. Plus, why not use some of that inheritance to buy yourself a little shop when you graduate to start your business? Just trust in yourself and your dream will be completed."

Chura looks up, wiping away at her eyes then smiles.

"That's the nicest thing you could have said Inei, thank you."

She then grabs his hand and walks to the television, Inei grabbing his food as they walk by the table, going to the television. Inei sets his food in front of him on the table as they sit on the couch, Chura taking Inei's controller and giving him a second one. Chura resets the game and picks a character, Inei picking one too. As they begin to play, Inei notices he immediately begins getting his butt kicked, Chura's character performing incredible combos on Inei's character. Once Chura beats Inei in the first round of five without taking a single hit, Chura stands up boasting about her win.

"Ha! Take that Inei! I thought you knew how to fight but I took you down easily!"

Inei squints with a smile, then Chura sits back down.

Okay, time to button mash.

The round begins and Inei mashes buttons, Chura's character taking hits. Chura begins to grow worrisome but also frustrated. Inei beats Chura in the second round, Chura crossing her arms and pouting.

"You didn't even play it right! I will not let you have the next one!"

Round three begins and Chura begins destroying Inei again, even with the button mashing, Inei begins to plot.

I can't lose again, I will certainly lose the game if I lose this round! I have to do something!

Suddenly, Inei leans over and kisses Chura on the cheek, Chura dropping her controller and putting her hand on her cheek. Inei proceeds to play, beating Chura in seconds, Inei smiling and looking at Chura innocently who stands, stomping her foot with embarrassment and disbelief.

"Wow Inei! That's not cool to use my affection to you as a way to beat me! Watch yourself this next round because I'm going to get back at you!"

Inei rolls his eyes, round four starting. As the round proceeds, Inei's vision becomes blocked from the screen as Chura's weight lands in his lap, Chura having placed herself there. Inei blushes majorly but doesn't forget about the game, trying to lean to see the game but with no luck, Chura having beaten him with ease. She celebrates, putting her arms up and her body shifting on top of him.

"Yeah I won! That's what you get Inei!"

Inei looks away, embarrassed.

Okay we're even!

Chura leans back, her head resting on his should next to his chin, looking up to him backwards.

"Let's play this one fair; okay?"

Inei nods in agreement and they proceed to play, Chura cleaning the floor with Inei. As she celebrates she jumps off his lap and does a victory lap around the table, Inei putting his controller down and finishing his food as she does. They proceed to sit together as Chura talks and Inei writes responses down over time. Finally, when Chura is reading a response from Inei, she notices the time.

"Oh my gosh, Inei! It is midnight!"

Inei looks at her and shakes his head, thinking she is joking. Then she hands him the phone and points at the time.

"I am not joking, Inei! It's super late!"

Inei then looks at the time on the phone, believing the time after she showed it to him. He gets up to leave then Chura runs to the door, blocking him from it.

"Inei, can you please stay? I get super lonely at night, I haven't slept with someone else in the house in years."

Inei is shocked with the request, looking down at himself, Chura nervously rubbing her arm and looking to the side.

"I bought shampoo and pajamas for you in case something like this happened. Not that I planned it!"

Chura blushes trying to recover her words and not sounding like a creep. Inei thinks for a moment as she splutters out words.

It is very late, by the time I got home and bathed and in bed it would be one in the morning. At least here I would already just be ready to sleep as soon as I get out.

Chura finishes her words with a question.

"So will you please stay, Inei?"

Inei nods and Chura smiles, then takes his hand and leads him to the bathroom, showing him in and then leaving to her room. He showers and then comes back out, changed into the basketball themed pajamas he has on. He then walks through the house, looking for Chura. He walks up to a closed door and knocks, no response coming through. He walks back to the kitchen and proceeds to clean up after Chura. When he finishes, there is no sign of Chura, Inei becoming frustrated.

I waited long enough and I am ready for bed, where is she?

Inei walks up to the closed door and slowly opens it, when he does, Chura sits on the side of her bed with only a towel on her body and a towel on her head. They both are motionless, stunned with what is happening. They both then begin to blush and Inei leaves the room slamming the door, rushing and lying on the couch. After a few minutes, Chura comes out in a tee shirt and athletic shorts, the towel still on her head and the blush faintly on her face.

"It's okay Inei, I was taking a while. You can extend the couch to a bed and I can bring you everything to make it."

She then looks to the side and holds her arm.

"Or you could just sleep in the bed with me and we could sleep right away."

Inei stands up and heads to Chura's room without a second thought.

I am so tired, I do not care at this point.

Inei then lays in Chura's bed, getting under the blankets, falling asleep. Chura smiles at him and gets in the bed too after turning the light off. After some time, Inei feels movement. He notices Chura sit up and move some, something soft hitting the floor, then lying back down. Inei then slowly falls asleep, not paying any attention to what as happened as he feels Chura push her body against his back.