Prologue
#1 of My Summer Camp Experience
Prologue The door was opened leading to the quiet atmosphere of the locker room. One person stepped inside looking a little worn out and fatigued. This person, an anthropomorphic wolf, stepped towards his locker.
He donned a serious look he usually had. Peering around for a bit, he saw that no one else was there. He did not mind it. In fact, he actually preferred to be alone. He was not much for company anyway.
The wolf opened his locker and pulled out a towel to wipe off the sweat from his face. Then he looked at one of the mirrors beside him, and observed his appearance.
He had a tall, muscular body covered by gray fur, and some white inner fur over his face, chest and hands. His large bushy tail, a combination of white, black and gray fur, wagging back and forth slowly; much to his dismay. His fur also has darker tones on his forehead, ears and long hair that was tied in a ponytail. He also has a loose strand of fur at the top.
Several scars adorned his face. A result of a failed dodge attempt from sword training. This combined with his piercing yellow eyes gives him a threatening, yet respectful aspect.
He wore a white Judo Gi, well adjusted for his body with a black belt on his waist. His pants had a hole for his tail, which made volumes on the lower back of the suit.
Gazing on his reflection, a medal hung around his neck. As he silently gathered his thoughts, one thing became clear. His name is Ten Kodori, and he just won the Kazenari Judo championships.
Ten was the captain of his high school Judo team. Now having won the title match, he is retiring from the club on a high note. That is not to say he'll give up on martial arts completely though. He'll still train his body on a regular basis, but he knew he had to leave the high school realm at some point.
However, that really wasn't what was on his mind right now. As he changed from his Gi and into a pair of black pants, a white buttoned on shirt and some sensible shoes, something inside kept gnawing at him that he could not yet comprehend. But he needed to get out of there before anyone else showed up.
So he got dressed, got his bag and left the building. Ten just walked down the road silently under the setting sun. He didn't want to walk with anyone or talk to anybody. He wanted to be alone so he can keep into his thoughts. Out of all the things that transpired this last month, one thing stood out among the rest: his co-captain and friendly rival Juuichi Mikazuki... and Mikazuki's childhood friend, Hiroyuki Nishimura.
For all his life, Ten was always trained by his family in martial arts to serve and protect the ruling house of the Kodori clan. Since Ten is part of the branch house, this is why he refers to his cousin Shun in honorifics, and is only protective of him.
A serious person with expressive willpower, he never makes jokes and gets mad at those who are too carefree. He was always obstinate and persistent about his training, and as a result became captain of the school's Judo club. He is very strict as a trainer.
Because of this, he usually puts walls on new relationships. Making him someone of few friends. This is much like a habit. His convincing power came from threats and cold stares, solidifying his reputation as a scary person.
Ten is a rather deep person, comprehending someone's eyes better than their words. He's correct and fair, and doesn't like to show happiness, but it's a dead giveaway whenever his tail wags. He tried not to demonstrate it much, but he really did care about Juuichi, and was concerned for him during the tournament. But for Hiroyuki, it went deeper than that.
He only knew him for just a few days throughout the month. Even though he behaved the same way he usually did around other people, Hiroyuki left an impression on Ten. During those times he interacted with him, it was to make sure Juuichi didn't eat too many sweets, so he would be the right weight for the tournament.
Sure, Mikazuki did make the tournament, but it came with a price. Ever since the day of the Bon festival, Mikazuki did not seem like himself.
He was sure Hiroyuki had something to do about it, and was worried Mikazuki's mood would affect his performance in the tournament. Nevertheless, Hiroyuki's words of encouragement gave him the strength to go on all the way to the finals. Looking at Hiroyuki's eyes when he came over though, and Ten could see how much Mikazuki meant to him.
He never got to know him, but Ten could not help but blush when he thought about him. The more he thought about it, the more he realized Hiroyuki and Mikazuki had feelings for each other.
Ten may have ultimately won the championship, and avenged his defeat from Juuichi last year. But Juuichi had won a much greater prize.
Ten could only blush deeply as he continued to walk home by himself. He stopped and looked back at the empty road. Various things started to surface in his mind. Like why was he thinking this way? How can anyone, let alone this human, make him ponder as much as he's feeling right now?
Could it be?... No, it couldn't be. Could Ten have secretly harbored feelings for Hiroyuki all this time? He shook his head at the thought, blushed even further and walked again. His tail uncontrollably wagging even more.
Eventually the former Judo captain made his way through the forest where he trains and meditates in private. Then he went straight home.
The next day he was alone in his room. He lost himself in thought, believing meditation would clear his mind as always. But his ears twitched, as no matter how much he tried, he could not shake his feelings for Hiroyuki away.
He tried so desperately to find the logical reason for feeling this way, but got no clear answer. There were a few reasons for feeling this way, but got no clear answer. He opened his eyes and looked out the window at the serene late Summer scenery. There were a few reasons Ten could think of that they could never be.
First and foremost, he had intimidated him at the few times they met. He was sure that Hiroyuki wouldn't even think of going out with a guy like him. He was used to being a lone wolf this was all new to him. Other possibilities came to his thoughts and passed. The biggest one came to mind is Juuichi. How would he feel if Ten made a move on the human? But what if he had the chance to get closer to him?
No! He had to shake off such outlandish thoughts. He knew how much Hiroyuki and Juuichi mean to each other, and getting in between them would be a bad idea. For in his family, getting in the way of other people's love is considered the ultimate sin.
Ten had nothing to worry about though. As long as they loved and cared for each other, he was happy for them. Juuichi Mikazuki is one of Ten's few good friends, and for him to have someone like Hiroyuki beside him made it heartwarming. So even in Hiroyuki and Ten could never be, the least he could do was let them be happy.
So his best solution is to let him go, so hopefully he'll never have these thoughts for Hiroyuki, or anyone like him ever again. But not without saying a few last words to him. If he remembered correctly from Shun, Hiroyuki leaves Waterfront village tomorrow. He figured he had to get his words out now before it's too late.
He turned to his desk and pulled out a pen and a small piece of parchment. He struggled to come up with the right words. He didn't want to say anything embarrassing or wrong, but he also wanted him to know he wished both him and Mikazuki the best. It was important to him that he did not give away his feelings of love. So he keep it short and sweet.
'Best regards - Ten.'
Then Ten rolled the parchment together, tied it up with a string and tagged it with 'For Hiroyuki.' Now with that taken care of, he needed to get it sent out as soon as possible. He could send it directly to the Nishimura residence himself, but he felt at this rate it was impossible to ever see him again.
An idea crossed his mind. Hiroyuki and Shun are good friends, so maybe he could deliver it to him before he leaves.
So Ten slowly got up out of his chair with parchment in hand, and made his way out the door. He walked all the way to Shun's house in Waterfront all by himself, never once taking any side trips. He did notice the change in seasonal temperatures. Fall was fast approaching.
At the Kodori house, Ten stepped in front of the door and rang the bell. He waited patiently until the door finally opened. In front stood a small brown-furred wolf with a loose sky-blue hoodie and light brown shorts. It was his cousin from the main family, Shun, who looked up at Ten confused.
"Ten-san?" Shun said tilting his head. Ten bowed courteously.
"Shun-sama." Shun sounded a little miffed at the honorific used.
"I told you to never call me sama!" He stated. "You know how much that bugs me!"
"I unfortunately cannot concede to that." Ten said calmly. Shun looked down for a bit, then back up and spoke again.
"So why are you here, Ten-san?" Ten grabbed his parchment and handed it to Shun.
"Could you give this to your friend before he leaves tomorrow?" He asked. Shun looked at it and noticed Hiroyuki's name.
"Hiroyuki-san?" Shun asked. "Why write to him for?" Ten did not respond and simply turned his back with a blush profusely on his face.
"No reason..."
He paused for a moment, then turned his head back. Looking at Shun with the blush still visible.
"Never forget the time you spent with him." Ten said to Shun. "... he's a good man."
And with that he left the Kodori house. Shun left a bright smile and shut the door behind him.
On his way home, Ten reflected on this decision. He knew fully well that that chances were slim he would ever find anyone else just like Hiroyuki. Perhaps things are better this way. He is Juuichi Mikazuki's and Ten was proud of them.
With his hands in his pockets, he slowly trekked home. The sunset felt rather homely. When evening came, Ten just meditated in his room while watching the starry night sky.
Moments later the meteor shower has begun. Ten looked up at the sky, leaning back with his hands behind his head. Each meteor that fell gleamed in his eyes, letting go of the stars that held them back. That moment was when he knew he just had to let his innermost feelings go. He had to let go of Hiroyuki. And never think of the idea of falling in love with someone ever again. No matter how much it hurts.
Because Ten is going to graduate high school soon. And he is going to have to think about his future...
... One year had passed since then.