There was always something she had found amusing about being around the Hyotei Regulars, but until this moment hadn't quite pinned it down. Now, as Kanna Yoshimizu watched the Regulars fight over some obscure food source, during one of their early training camps. Surrounded by other teams as she was, the golden eyed girl watched with unveiled amusement as more and more of the various Regulars got involved.
The original fight between Kikumaru of Seigaku and Gakuto of Hyotei, now encompassed most members of Seigaku, Rikkaidai, and Hyotei; the exceptions being the Captains, a few others and herself. The former two either watched the argument with boredom or completely ignored it in favor of doing something else- something that was more worthwhile and productive. Kanna was one who had chosen to watch, trying to fight down the fond smile that was aching to stretch across her face.
It was strange how things had changed between the two years that had passed since their middle school years. It had started out as a bet, which had developed into multiple friendships, which in turn, had made her the permanent manager for the Hyotei Regulars. As she reflected on the path that had brought her to this exact moment Kanna had to admit, she was glad she'd taken that bet no matter how stupid it had been at the time. In the back of her mind, the dark haired girl had to admit how much she relied upon these boys.
Jiro; nearly grown-up yet still took consistent naps and deeply admired Marui. Shishido, with his blue cap, and the tough guy attitude he tried to hide behind. Gakuto, and that endless need for sweets and bright outlook on life. Oshitari, a recent connoisseur of wines, had a distinct enjoyment, yet creepy, admiration of legs, and his love for sweet quotes from romance novels. Chotaro; a kind and reliable classmate who would stand up for those he held close. Hiyoshi; who's determination and desire to beat his senpai was both provocative and endearing. Kabaji, the tall, strong, and silent young man who went wherever his dearest friend was. Even Atobe, with his imperious ways and flamboyant expressions had taken up a place in her heart.
In a way, her dependence on these boys was frightening in part because she knew that they would always be there for her if she needed them. Kanna grimaced, not realizing that her far off gaze and varying facial expressions were catching the curious gazes of several of those that weren't involved in the developing argument that grew louder on one side of the common area.
"Yoshimizu-chan, are you alright?" Yukimura-buchou's feminine voice broke through Kanna's thoughts and golden eyes focused on the blue haired captain of the Rikkaidai High School tennis club, and for a moment the young man stopped his thought process trying to place where it was that he'd seen her eyes before. Their shape and color was so familiar- but from where?
"What?" Her voice sounded far off and Yukimura dropped the stray thought as concern for the first year overwhelmed everything else.
"He asked if you were alright ~arn." Atobe said arching a single, perfect brow as his dark eyes flicked briefly over to glance at his team manager, before going back to a bored examination of something on his phone that corresponded to something in the magazine that he had.
"Oh!" Kanna exclaimed, flushing slightly in embarrassment, "Yes, I'm fine Yukimura-san. I was just thinking."
"Sa, Ka-chan, you should stop doing that or you'll get wrinkles." The unexpected voice was followed by a hard poke to the girl's forehead, making her squeak in surprise.
"Fuji-san!" Hands clapped over the poked spot, she leaned back against the side of Atobe's chair, protesting the tensai's action. The Seigaku tensai merely smiled down at the girl before plopping down on the unoccupied space on the couch, coming to rest between a reading Tezuka and a sleeping Jirou.
"Neh, Fuji-kin" Yukimura called for the burnet's attention and half lidded cerulean eyes looked over towards the young man who sat on the other couch, squished between his data master and his vice-captain, "What happened to mediating?" All eyes snapped back towards the near brawl that was playing out amongst the other tennis players.
"YEAH BABY! BURNING!"
Suddenly Kawamura knocked most of his opponents to the floor and grabbed the single plate of food. "NO!" Jackel, Marui, Momoshiro, and Kaidoh cried out, grabbing the tennis racket wielding boy by the ankles in an attempt to stop him from escaping with the plate. At the same time Kirihara, Shishido, Gakuto, and Eiji jumped him from behind. Almost in slow motion the observers saw Kawamura falls backwards, the plate of food flying out of his weakened grasp and into the roaring flames of the crackling fire. An astonished silence mixed with horror filled the air, reined for several long moments before the brawlers all released screams of dismay.
Kanna instinctively curled up tightly; pressing her back against the side of the chair she leaned against, as she covered her ears with her hands and squeezed her eyes shut in a vain attempt to block out the multitude of voices. How she hated loud noises! Warm hands wrapped around her own, further blocking the piercing sounds. Uncaring for who it was Kanna moved back against the person who took her into his arms, pressing her head against a muscled chest, cradling her like a child.
Tezuka simply continued reading, flipping a page as he studiously ignored the overreactions of both his teammates and the others. Seemingly unbothered by the loud noise, Fuji leaned against his friend, smiling, peering over his year-mate's shoulder to get a closer look at the words that twisted around the slightly yellowed pages.
Yukimura and Yanagi were looking at the data master's journal, pointing to something that had been scrawled onto the page. Neither boys paid much attention to the cries of their friends and rivals/occasional allies- save to cast glances filled with irritation towards the large group. Meanwhile Jirou continued to sleep, not disturbed in the least by the loud noise, as his buchou pressed calloused fingers to his temple and focused his dark gaze that flashed with deadly intent, upon the large group of young men who were still crying out in an inelegant fashion.
"Urusai! Tandarou!" Sanada's commanding voice cut through the screams like one of his swords cutting through a straw dummy. Silence fell once more as eight pairs of eyes widened in fear, latched onto the strict fuku-buchou of Rikkaidai.
"50 laps!" He roared. Those that gazed at him and didn't move were still shocked as his powerful voice; the rest hurriedly jerked themselves from the pile to follow their vice-captain's orders as they had been trained to do.
"100! NOW!" Grabbing his wooden practice sword, Sanada Genichirou followed the rush of boys who scrambled over one another to get outside and start running before the fearsome young man closed in on them.
Kanna slowly opened one eye then the other, not having heard the brief and sharp orders of one of the three demons of Rikkaidai. The large warm hand that had covered hers, removed themselves from their position to rest at her waist as the girl sat up fully.
"Fear not, lovely Kanna-chan, you're safe from harm." A low voice murmured. Hot breath ghosted over her ear and neck, causing the girl to shiver.
"That's not funny, Oshitari-senpai." She said "Though I appreciate the help."
"Any time little flower."
Scooting way from the bespectacled boy, Kanna quickly stood and moved towards the large fireplace. Several pairs of eyes watched the girl's graceful trek, tracking her as she passed the fireplace and strode to the selves that teemed with books. Most of the eyes returned to their previous occupation as they realized what she was doing, however two pairs of eyes watched her closely as she scanned the selves, running a graceful finger along the worn bindings.
Atobe Keigo was the owner of one of the pair. He had leaned against the arm of his chair, easing some of the pressure off his slightly stiff back muscles and had only meant to momentarily allow his gaze to look over the room, but when they came to a rest on the familiar figure of Yoshimizu Kanna they couldn't quite look away. He'd been watching her for two years- almost three now, and yet there was still something about her that caught his attention. Perhaps it was her lithe figure and quiet demeanor. Or was it because she treated him like a normal person? The heir the Atobe group didn't know, only that she had managed to hold onto his attention for far longer than any woman before her.
It was the simplest things too- take now for instance- all she was doing was scanning the rare English collector novels lightly feeling aged bindings as her eyes wandered over the titles stamped onto them. It was such a simple action, but the way she stood, relaxed but graceful, and the way she treated those old tomes, made that simple action become something akin to a dance. A dance meant to capture the eye and entrance the beholder, the thought rose to his mind but almost at once he balked away from it. Blinking rapidly Atobe averted his gaze attempting to gather himself once more; he was no lovesick middle school child! He was a man, a powerful, rich, and handsome man- who didn't have the option of-. Cutting off his own thoughts Atobe returned to his magazine, flipping through the pages. All the while, even as his gaze returned to the written word, he was aware of Kanna's familiar and comforting presence.
Fuji Shusuke had never more wished for a camera in his life, than right at this moment. The room was perfect, an appealing combination of an old European styled comfort mixed with little pieces of the modern world. The lighting cast by both flame and electricity was great, the later barely noticeable as the grand fireplace offered the largest amount of light and heat. To bring the whole urge together was the girl standing in front of the book cases, gazing at the titles with half lidded eyes. As the fire cracked, its flickering light made the shadows dance across her slender body. Her shoulder blade length hair, normally an eye catching black-green changed with the tumbling shadows, flashing complete darkness before briefly changing to emerald. Fuji's hands twitched, curling around an invisible camera. The urge itself was purely artistic and was a few changes he could even capture some of the other in a photo as well…
Ah, she'd found a book. He watched as Kanna stood in front of the shelves for a moment longer scanning the pages revealed to her, before quietly closing the book and walking over to her usual late evening place in front of the fire. Not too close but not too far, she sat and opened the book at its start. Her amber eyes scanned the text, and for a moment Fuji paused, catching a glimpse of the familiar alphabet. He smiled, she was reading in English, adding the diversity that surrounded the players in the room. Glancing about Fuji found Atobe reading some sort of business magazine that seemed to be in Greek, Tezuka was reading a German history on tennis, Yanagi and Yukimura were looking over calculations, and Oshitari was occupying himself with a violin concerto.
Fuji smiled to himself, gazing around at his close friend and his companions. Who would have thought two years ago that the three top teams in the Japan would be able to sit with one another and share laughs, stories, and train- without killing one another? He certainly hadn't, but found as he looked around at the familiar faces in the room, that he wouldn't trade this sense of belonging and companionship for anything- well maybe for two or three National titles, but nothing less. Tezuka shifted and Fuji moved with him, letting his buchou and lover find comfort before he returned to leaning against him. Closing his eyes, Fuji nodded to himself- yes, this, this felt like home.
None of those in the common room heard the return of their teammates from their forced fifty laps around the winter training compound. Only Sanada's return to the common area marked their finish, while the rest scrambled into bed, too tired and sore to do anything more than sleep and pray that tomorrow's WINTER HELL TRAINING would be merciful.
The following morning was quiet that is until a loud whistle broke through the peaceful early morning. "Boys! It's time to wake up!" a loud voice yelled, breaking through various dreams and sending a few of the house's sleeping occupants tumbling out of bed and onto the floor. Gradually joining the single, loud voice were the varying sounds of distress at being woken up in the morning. Kanna giggled to herself and turned towards the group of the third-year middle schoolers.
"We'd better have breakfast on the table before they come downstairs."
"Hai!" Horio, Kachiro, and Mizuno chorused, grabbing some of the heavier plates and carrying them out of the kitchen and towards the dining hall. Sakuno and Tomoka hurriedly began to chop the remains of the fruit. Seeing their sudden rush, Kanna smiled and walked over gently touching their shoulders.
"Calm down. I don't want to have any emergencies." She said, laughing lightly. The other two girls laughed a bit, and slowed, having realized that they'd like to keep all of their fingers. Spotting a few empty plates the boys had left on the counter; Kanna picked them up and exited the kitchen. No sooner than the moment she stepped into the dining room a voice cried out.
"WATCH OUT!"
Kanna caught sight of the flying plate of food and dropped the paper plates in her grasp and jumped up deftly catching the plate and the food that had miraculously stayed put. Hitting the ground, Kana looked over the state of the dining room; Horio was on the floor, and Kachiro and Mizuno were standing nearby slightly pale, though seemingly fine. She sighed and walked over to the table, placing the food on the table before turning back and picking up the paper plates that she'd dropped. Once she'd placed those in a neat stack near the center of the table, Kanna turned around and faced the group of senior middle school students, who were gaping at her.
"Horio, stand up- Unless you want to be walked over. Kachiro-kun, Mizuno-kun please stop staring and get the other things from the kitchen. We don't have time to stand around. The others will be down her in a few minutes and you really don't want to hear Atobe complain about eating without silverware."
"Hai!" The three said faint laughter in their voices as they stood straight and uptight, as if she was a Captain. Kanna hid her amused smiled behind a hand as she watched the boys hurriedly turn and head back towards the kitchen.
"Oh!" She added, "And no rushing around! I don't want any accidents." A trio of voices answered with "Hai" before the doors closed. Sighing to herself, Kanna turned back towards the table and straightened some things out. Soon, all the food was on the table ready to be eaten.
"Go get ready for the day, minna." She dismissed the five middle schoolers, who promptly rushed out of the room to get on alternate uniforms and get the tennis courts ready for the day's training. Kanna sighed once more, marveling at how eager they were. It was almost as though they were anticipating something, aside from their entrance into Seigaku high school in the spring.
Shaking her thoughts away Kanna went back into the kitchen and began cleaning up, something the third years had conveniently forgotten. Honestly, she thought, they were like children. Chuckling lowly, she easily finished the cleaning and began taking out some things that needed to thaw, and then checked what was available. Once that was done, Yoshimizu slipped out one of the two side doors and headed to her room to shower and change. No doubts were in her mind about what the day was going to bring. Surely all the near accidents, pending or otherwise, were enough warning.
Today was definitely going to be interesting.
