"Kiseki-chan, gomen, I don't like you that way ..."
Those words replayed in her head like a broken record as she floated on the pool. "I shouldn't have confessed. Now I feel silly." Kiseki had spent the last 24 hours wondering aimlessly. "Maybe Seiichi-kun likes males more.. Like Sanada or Renji ..." whispered Kiseki as she close her eyes thinking back what happened on Friday.
0x0x0
That day, Matsuda Kiseki, captain of Rikkaidai's female tennis club decided to confess to Yukimura Seiichi. And since they were classmates, the message was easier to send.
"Ne, Seiichi-kun?"
"What is it Kiseki-chan?"
"Can you please wait after tennis practice? I have something to tell you."
"Sure."
School and tennis practice continued as usual that day. Yanagi Renji even came up with a new tennis practice menu. They met after practice at the basketball court.
"Gomen!"
"It's okay. I just arrived too," Seiichi replied with a smile.
"So, what is it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Ne … Erm … I was wondering …"
"??"
She took a deep breath and,
"IreallylikeyouandIwaswonderingwhatdoyouseemeas."
"Are?"
"I like you," she almost whispered.
There were a few nanoseconds of silence.
"Kiseki-chan, gomen, I don't like you that way ... "
"Oh …"
"Kiseki-chan …"
"Daijoubu. At least I know now. Hahaha… So, I guess I'll see on Monday then. Ja ne!"
Kiseki forced a smile before turning around and left Yukimura alone at the basketball court. As she reached the school gates, tears had already fallen on their own.
0x0x0
"It seems that you've failed, no?"
Kiseki opened her eyes in shock from hearing another person's voice.
"Keigo?! Ahh!"
She lost her balance and fell into the pool with a splash.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Atobe stretched his arm to help Kiseki up and handed her a towel.
"Anyways, how did you know?"
"You had been wondering around the mansion the last 24 hours. I know you long enough to understand you."
"I know, and I really appreciate that you understand me."
"So, what are you going to do now? Skip school on Monday?"
"Jeez.. I'm not that frail yet."
Kiseki rolled her eyes while reaching for a glass of juice on the poolside table. A bunch of papers caught Atobe's attention.
"Hmm … what's this? Training menu?"
"That's the new training menu Renji came up with. He says that by combining both male and female practices, it increases our sensitivity and adapting abilities to different players."
"Perfect timing."
xxxxx
Kiseki arrived at school rather happy that morning as the morning wind blew against her long midnight-blue hair.
"Kiseki-chan."
She turned as she heard her name.
"Seiichi-kun, Sanada-kun, ohaiyo!"
"Ohaiyo," Yukimura replied with one of his smiles.
"Ohaiyo," Sanada replied with a mere nod.
Classes proceeded smoothly that day as though nothing had happened on Friday. But beneath the surface, Kiseki was uneasy while Yukimura was worried whether their friendship would be affected. After the classes had ended, there was an hour before tennis practice will begin.
"Matsuda-buchou!"
"Hitomi-san, what is it."
"Wanna go grab some parfaits? It's an hour before practice."
"Sure, let's go."
As they were heading to the school gates, there were a crowd of girls blocking nearly the whole school entrance.
"Ne, Hitomi-san, has some sort of accident occurred?"
"Not that I know of. But did you notice that they are all girls?"
"Now that you mentioned…"
Suddenly came a high-pitched scream.
"Kyaaa!! It's Atobe-sama!!"
"Atobe-sama??" Kiseki and Hitomi wondered out loud.
"Are? Buchou!"
Hitomi chased after Kiseki who was already halfway towards the crowding fangirls.
There's only one Atobe I know, but it cannot be him.
Kiseki stood still after getting a view on 'Atobe-sama'.
"There you are. Do you know how long I've waited?"
"What are YOU doing here?"
"Why I'm here to pick up … my sister."
Kiseki was taken by surprise. Not because Atobe was at Rikkaidai Fuzoku, but because he called her his sister in public. Well almost. He whispered.
"Thanks but I have practice later and …"
"I don't care."
Having said that, Atobe caught Kiseki by the waist and almost shoved her into the car.
"Hitomi-san, gomenasai!" was all she could say before being 'kidnapped'.