Smile for Me

"Smile for me."

"Huh?" Her dark eyes blinked once in confusion.

"I want you to smile only for me," he tweaked her nose and winked.

A barely perceptible blush colored her cheeks, "Ah. I will."

**********

He stood quietly behind the trunk of a solitary tree. Its giant branches provided more than enough cover from the weak autumn sun and its trunk was thick enough to shield him from the object of his observation.

.

The sound of a branch breaking brought him out of his thoughts. Jerking his head around, Niou was greeted by the sight of his doubles partner making his way quietly towards him.

Both of them said nothing, only greeted each other with a small nod.

The gentleman turned his gaze in the direction where Niou was focused. He sighed softly as he saw her.

Niou's expression was one of boredom, but having been friends and teammates for so long, Yagyuu saw the tightness of the jaw that showed the inner tension.

The gentleman placed a hand on Niou's shoulder, silently giving support.

The silver-haired boy shook his head and sighed softly, "It was going to happen one day. I just wish…"

Yagyuu said nothing, just stood calmly, waiting.

Niou joined him in silence for a moment as well, searching for words that could express his feelings.

"I just wish that I could tell her, just once, about how much it meant to me."

Yagyuu's gaze moved from his doubles partner to the solitary girl sitting by herself. The question in his eyes was obvious, 'Why don't you?'

The silver-haired boy only shook his head and continued watching.

The question was answered a moment later as a familiar figure joined , gathering her into his embrace.

Both of the boys standing in the shadows watched as she reciprocated the hug shyly and murmured his name, "Seiichi…"

The sound of her voice raised bittersweet memories for Niou.

Yagyuu patted Niou on the shoulder once more before turning away and leaving him to the memories.

There was nothing more he could do for his closest friend.

Niou closed his eyes and remembered.

Memories.

That's all he had left.

**********

He petted her hair gently and touched his lips to her cheek.

Her flush made her even prettier.

Niou's smile had never been so clear as he handed her the small flower he had hidden behind his back.

The smile she gave was the one she reserved for him only, "Thank you."

**********

He closed his eyes and smiled.

Turning away from his vantage point, Niou couldn't help but look back at her once more.

She was safe now, from him, from heartbreak. She deserved to be with someone who would treasure her. Someone who wouldn't lie to her for amusement. Someone who wasn't him.

Strands of his hair floated in the wind as he turned away.

This time, the words came easier.

"Thank you for giving me a place in your heart, even if it was only for a short time."

The trees rustled as the wind softly blew.

And only they heard his final farewell.

"Goodbye."

##########

October 19, 2007
Written by: Linc
Edited by: LeiLei