"Ah, there he is! Isn't Ryou-kun gorgeous when he plays?"

Despite the headache slowly forming in her head, 's lips twitched into a smile as she watched her best friend wave cheerfully at her boyfriend. Every day, she and would go to the Rokkaku tennis courts, which were next to the specially-made playground for neighborhood children. They did some of their homework while watching the team practice or, when they wanted a break, they would play on the jungle gym with the kids. Their daily ritual all started when and Kisarazu Ryou officially started dating. was more than happy to accompany her best friend on their little trips to the courts. One, it put in a good mood. Two, it gave her a chance to gaze as long as she wanted at her crush.

The thought of Saeki Kojirou put a light blush on her cheeks. She looked at said tennis player through the chain-link fence. He was someone she always glanced at a moment longer when they passed in the school hallways. But it wasn't until had dragged her to the tennis courts for the first time that she found out his name, let alone even realized he was part of the tennis club. However, since then, she slowly began falling for him. His passion for the sport he loved and his gentle nature had gradually drawn her in.

Before she knew it, she was in too deep to even think about turning back.

But even dreams of Saeki weren't enough to comfort her now. pressed a hand to her forehead, blinking rapidly as her head began to spin. She barely heard 's excited chatter next to her.

    "-chan…" she murmured faintly.

    "…and I think you should make a move already. He glances at you a lot, y'know. See? He's looking right now! Wave!" A weight fell against her back. "-chan?" She turned around and let out a startled yell as her best friend slumped into her arms, unconscious. "-chan!!! Are you all right? -chan!"

---

Saeki didn't know the reason, but his eyes always managed to stray to the one particular spot behind the fence where he knew two of the tennis club's most loyal fans would be. It never failed – every day, they would be there, watching and smiling at the team or even playing with the children. Not only that, they kept the team's morale up, especially at games. Their presence was something he, along with the other tennis members, had now come to expect. They were all just good friends.

Then why, when he heard the scream and saw hunched over, did panic seize his heart so violently?

Practice came to a sudden halt as everyone turned to see what happened. He dropped his racket and ran out through the gate to the two girls, followed closely by Ryou.

    "What happened?" asked the capped player. He touched his girlfriend's shoulder gently.

    "What's wrong with -san?" Saeki demanded, sharp eyes looking for any kind of injuries.

shook her head worriedly. "I don't know. She just collapsed." Her arms trembled as she tried to pick her friend up properly.

    "I'll take her," the Rokkaku vice-captain murmured quietly. He easily lifted into his arms and looked carefully at her face. "She's so light… and she looks exhausted."

    "I should have noticed it sooner." suddenly looked very tired herself and leaned against her boyfriend's shoulder gratefully. "What kind of friend am I?"

    "Don't blame yourself. This is no one's fault." Saeki began walking towards the nurse's office, not wanting to jostle too much. "We'll just have to ask -san when she wakes up."

clasped Ryou's hand tightly, whispering guiltily, "Why didn't I know something was wrong?"

He kissed her forehead in reassurance. "She'll be fine…-chan's tough."

---

    "Uhhh…" opened her eyes groggily, lifting a hand to touch her forehead. "I feel like crap…"

    "That's not surprising."

Her gaze followed the voice, and her eyes widened as she identified it. "Saeki-san!" she yelped. Then she immediately regretted it as her head pounded. "Ow…" She looked up into the vice-captain's frowning face. "Anno… is something wrong?"

    "The nurse couldn't reach your parents, so I offered to stay," he informed, tone not betraying any of his thoughts.

For the first time, looked around and noticed the plain white setting of the room she was in. "I'm in the hospital?" she asked, confused. "What happened? I… I remember watching you practice… and then–"

    "You fainted." His eyes gazed at her face in a way that she couldn't place. "The doctor says you're malnourished, and that's why you collapsed." He leaned forward in his chair when she looked down at her hands. "-san, what's wrong? Why haven't you been eating?"

Her hands clenched the bed sheets and she bit her lip. "It's nothing, Saeki-san. Don't worry about it." She looked up and smiled at him, but he noticed the smile was decidedly forced. "Shouldn't you worry about your upcoming match against Higachuu instead?"

Something flashed through Saeki's eyes then before he reached out and grabbed her hand with his own. "We're friends, aren't we?"

She nodded meekly, trying not to blush as her hand trembled in his.

    "You're shaking," he noted, concerned. "Please, tell me what's wrong. -san and the others are worried about you. I'm worried about you." He grinned slightly. "What would the team and I do without one of our favorite cheerleaders?"

returned his smile, but couldn't help but feel a little disappointed as well. ‘What did I expect? A declaration of love? He doesn't even know me…' She looked into his eyes. "I haven't been feeling well lately," she said lamely.

He didn't want to push her, but he also knew that he wanted to help her through whatever she was going through. "Why though? If you tell me, I can help you."

breathed in deeply. If she didn't let it out now, she didn't know when else she could. She had kept everything inside for far too long. Maybe Saeki… maybe he could be the one to save her.

This time she gripped his hand tightly and drew strength from their connection. "My parents… have been fighting a lot, lately. All they do is argue – yelling and screaming at each other. I hate it… I really hate it when they fight." She lifted her free hand to her chest, closing her eyes. "There's been a hole in my heart… and it's opening wider and wider… Sometimes, when I hear them shout, I want to crawl into that hole… and disappear." She turned her head away from him. "That's terrible, isn't it?"

Saeki gazed at her profile and down at their entwined hands. "That's why you aren't eating?"

    "And sometimes not sleeping," she admitted softly. "I try not to show it at school in front of the teachers, and God knows they don't notice it at home. The only time I can forget it – the only time I can be happy – is when I'm with …and the team." She opened her eyes as a sad smile played across her lips. "But I still can't help but feel lost… I just don't know what to do anymore."

He hesitated before placing a hand under her chin, and turning her face to look at his. "Let me help you."

remained silent before bringing their clasped hands up to her heart and nodding.

---

    "Here! Eat this!"

's eyes crossed as two dumplings were practically shoved in her face from either side. Sighing, she brushed both hands away. "-chan…Kentarou-kun...you already saw me eat my bento."

    "We're making up for lost time," her best friend retorted. waved the dumpling in 's face until her best friend ate it with a roll of her eyes.

    "I'll only get fatter if you guys make me eat more than I need to."

    "-chan, we're determined to help you no matter what!" A resolute Aoi Kentarou pumped his fist into the air.

    "I appreciate it, Kentarou-kun, but…" glanced at . "I can't believe you told the entire team."

    "Just them," she replied defensively. "Besides, we're only worried about you. You hid it for so long without telling anyone…It was a wonder you hadn't fainted sooner."

winced. "That was a particularly bad week."

patted her friend's hand softly. "We just don't want you to think that you can't come to us for help. We're here for you…"

couldn't help but feel guilty as two anxious faces gazed at her. "I'm sorry that I kept it from all of you… but it was my burden to bear."

    "Ah! Now we've made you sad!" Kentarou frowned. "Let's think about happy things, okay?"

had to smile at that. She had some very good friends. Slowly, ever so slowly, it felt like her heart was healing itself. But there was still a long ways to go.

---

    "It's not so bad anymore. I can usually ignore them now." walked next to Saeki on their way home from school.

The Rokkaku vice-captain was still worried though. "Have you tried talking to them?" he suggested gently.

    "I've tried." She frowned. "Doesn't mean they listen."

Saeki frowned, frustrated that he felt so powerless. "There must be something I can do to help you."

    "You've already done more than enough." She touched his shoulder gratefully. "You've been here for me, listening to me chatter on and on about my problems." She tried to lighten the mood. "I'm sure you've been bored a couple times."

    "Actually…" A small grin made its way onto his face. "…quite the opposite."

She blushed. "You're a charmer, aren't you?" She noticed the concern in his eyes even though he was smiling. "I hate that you're worrying about me so much. I wish I could do something for you in return, like a favor or something."

    "I'll remember that."

The couple stopped in front of her house. "Thanks, Saeki-san. I appreciate you walking me home."

    "You say that every time." He handed over some of her books he was carrying. "It's no trouble at all."

She hesitated for a split-second, before going up on tip-toe and kissing his cheek. She pulled back, face flaming red. "Sorry!" she squeaked, running into her house without looking back.

Saeki touched his cheek with a smile. "I'm not."

---

    "…and how is your schoolwork?"

    "I've been catching up with the help of a tutor." fidgeted in the leather lounge chair across from her psychiatrist, Dr. Mizuno.

    "And your situation at home?"

    "It's been getting better now that Dad has moved out." She put her arm over her eyes. "It still hurts though…"

    "I know this may be a hard thing to accept, but this is most likely the best thing for your family," Dr. Mizuno said gently. "Your parents sound like they need some time for themselves. Just like you need time as well."

    "Heh." turned her head to look into the doctor's eyes. "That's why I'm paying you the big bucks, isn't it? Or my parents anyway. I guess they should have to pay for something."

Dr. Mizuno regarded her patient carefully. ", this has been a trying time for you. You've just recently gotten back on a normal diet. Are you sure you're okay? Do you still feel depressed?"

    "Sometimes," she answered honestly. "But those times are getting fewer and fewer with the help of my friends and…" She trailed off, self-conscious.

    "Saeki Kojirou?" The doctor resisted the urge to smile as her patient looked around the room nervously. "And how has he helped you?"

    "He's… listened to me." sat up on the chair and sighed. "He's been there for me every step of the way. In the beginning, he didn't even know me that well. He just wanted to help. Now..." Her hands clasped together. "I don't know what I would've done without him."

    "It looks like this young boy has been a great asset to your somewhat swift recovery." The doctor nodded thoughtfully before jotting down a few notes. "I suggest…not letting him get away." Her lips quirked up before her features returned to their trained expression.

    "Dr. Mizuno!" was more than a little embarrassed.

The doctor laughed lightly. "I express a personal opinion now and again, , not just a professional one. On that subject, at least think about my advice."

's heart seemed to thump just a little louder. "M-maybe…"

---

Saeki answered his ringing cell phone as he skimmed through his History textbook. "Hello?"

    "Kojirou-kun! Have you heard from -chan?"

The Rokkaku vice-captain immediately straightened as he heard 's anxious voice. "No, I haven't," he answered calmly, even as his mind started working in over-drive. "Why? What happened?"

    "I don't know. Her mom called, asking if she was with me. I'm worried… it's so late. Where could she be if she's not at home?"

    "I don't know either." Saeki was already up and putting on a thick coat. "But I'm going out to look around."

    "Please Kojirou-kun…"

He ran out the door and got on his bike. "Don't worry. I'll definitely find her."

---

stared up at the stars with a distant look on her face, using her legs to propel herself slowly on the playground swing. She barely noticed herself shivering through her thin track jacket. She wondered vaguely if anyone would even notice she was gone.

    "There you are."

She smiled as she recognized the voice. "Kojirou-kun. I should've known." The change to his first name was as natural as hearing his voice now. She tilted her head back until she could see him standing behind her. "You're always coming to my rescue, aren't you?"

    "I really don't mind as long as I'm your only knight in shining armor." He came up closer and placed his coat around her shoulders. Then his hands grabbed onto the swing's chains, and he looked down at her tilted face. "What are you doing out here so late, -chan?"

    "I was just… thinking." She looked straight ahead again and stared out at the park. "Today, my mom seemed so much happier than she has been in awhile. I heard her laugh for the first time in months. It made me happy to see her happy, but then I regretted that my dad wasn't there. The thing is… if he was there, then my mom would be miserable again. They both would be." She laughed bitterly. "How messed up is that?"

    "You just want your parents to be together. There's nothing wrong with that."

    "Yeah, but I've realized that's just a fantasy now." She sighed. "Tonight, I just needed to get out of that house. I needed to breathe and clear my head." She unconsciously leaned backwards against Saeki's chest. "When I was younger, I thought my parents were a fairytale come to life. They were so in love. If they couldn't make it… maybe any relationships I have won't either…"

Saeki knelt in the sand and 's eyes widened as she felt his arms encircle her waist from behind.

    "Stupid… Don't think like that." He leaned his forehead against her back. "‘Cause if you do… how will I ever have a chance?"

placed her hands over Saeki's tightly, thinking somehow, she was dreaming. "What… are you saying?"

    "Will you go out with me?"

A thrill ran through her then, but as she thought about it, she hesitated. "I…" She stood up and broke away from his embrace, walking over to the monkey bars. "…don't know."

Saeki followed her movements with his eyes, trying to decipher her thoughts. "You like me, don't you?"

With a blush, she met his eyes and nodded, not surprised that he had figured it out. "I do."

He smiled at her admission. "Then what's the problem?"

    "Me." She bit her lip. "What about my depression? My family problems? I've already put you through so much. How can I ask for more?"

    "You think that matters to me?" Saeki walked over to her slowly. ", over these past few months, I've gotten to know you so well. I saw you struggle to get better, and I saw how much strength you really had, especially when you had the courage to ask for help. At first, I helped you because I cared for you as a friend." He tucked a piece of hair behind her right ear. "Now, I'd like to be something more, if you'd let me."

How did he always know exactly what to say? "But what if –"

    "Shh." He pressed a finger against her lips. "Stop trying to think of excuses of why this won't work. Besides…" He leaned in close with a mischievous twinkle in his gaze. "You can't escape me…"

For a few minutes, just stared into his eyes before she smiled shyly. "You're right. After all…" She wrapped her arms around his neck, secretly delighted when he blushed. "Why would I want to escape from my guardian angel?"

fin.
Krys Yuy